BEASTMAN x WALK THE PLANK
We have been friends with Michael Perry (Walk The Plank) for almost 20 years, and since we were both recently based in Indonesia, it made sense to try and make something together for East Editions.
So for the last few years, we have been chatting and emailing back and forth, designing and developing this piece of furniture together with Beastman, and the result is a product we are truly proud of.
Great things take time!
The first stage of the design process was to decide what type of furniture we wanted to create, so we went through the back catalogues of everything Walk The Plank has produced in the past, and brainstormed some quick concepts for various tables, consoles, chairs and benches. After some researching, sketching and mockups, It made sense to work on this coffee table, as it provides a nice large and low surface area on top to use as the canvas for the timber artwork design.
This particular table design originally did have an aluminium steel base frame, which we sampled first, before deciding the oak timber base frame would be the better option, keeping the entire table made from natural timbers, with no steel elements at all.
By utilising an oak timber base frame, it also allowed us to explore the idea of laser engraving our branding onto the inside of one of the base lengths. After doing a sample of the laser engraving, we went ahead with including this in the final product.
In the design process, it was decided all the timber widths would be 50mm on the top design, so Beastman was then able to digitally create the artwork on the computer using this unit of measurement to develop the geometric and linear design. The design itself is a classic Beastman composition, utilising the circular and striping elements that are featured in many of his paintings and mural artworks.
Each section of the table top design had to be machine cut and joined separately, before then being assembled all together to create the artwork design and table top.
The design by Beastman heavily relies on the different timbers having different tones - light, medium and dark. This would create the depth and contrast in the artwork. The team at Walk The Plank then went about compiling all the different types of local timbers they usually use in the factory, and working out which 3 would work best together to create these tones required. It was determined that the locally sourced teak, ash and walnut timbers would be best suited to create these tones. With the lightest tone timber creating the needed contrast with the other 2 darker tones. Then an oak timber was selected for the table base frame.
Each section of the design once individually machine cut and joined, is then drilled into position to the base of the table. The pieces all need to be placed with precision, allowing all the timber joints to seamlessly create the distinctive Beastman artwork design. Once assembled the contrasting timbers were revealed to create the design successfully.
Once assembled, the tables are given a natural danish oil finish, giving the timber a nice protective coating whilst also enriching the timber grains and tones, giving the design its required contrast and more vibrant appearance. Small foot pads are also added to the base corners before the tables are boxed up and crated for shipment.
We want to say a massive thank you to Walk The Plank for working with us on this Edition over the last few years. Collaborating with amazing creative people to make beautiful products is why we do East Editions, and we believe this Edition has really got us excited to continue to produce more unique artist designed products.
We hope you enjoy these process images of Walk The Plank making the Beastman Timber Coffee Tables in their factory in Central Java, Indonesia.