eric paratech work

 

Eric sent this to me a few days ago. I'm so proud of him. He always amazes me with the work he does and it's cool to see the impact he is making through the work he creates. Super awesome stuff!

conversation with eric

So Eric called tonight... We've been having conversations every few weeks for about as long as we've both lived away from Champaign, where we both attended school. I still find it funny that a friend that we both have in common told me that Eric and I would be best friends before I had ever met Eric. I scoffed at the idea at the time. Little did I know...

Anyway, tonight's conversation started as any other with a recap on what projects we've been working on, life happenings, etc. Toward the end though Eric mentioned that we need to find a way to be accountable to each other for some kind of creative productive outlet, outside of the typical job work etc. This might be individual creative projects or perhaps something collaborative. We left it rather open ended, but both decided that we need to find a way to carve out some dedicated time to the pursuit; whatever it might be. He mentioned that we could catch up next week with our individual thoughts on how to set aside some time that might lead to something beyond what we normally do. 

Well, in my current thinking I have decided that I'll jot some ideas down here on the blog while things are fresh in my mind after getting off the phone. There is something about putting things here on the blog that seem to somehow solidify my intent so I might as well think out-loud in this space as I type. I'll try to build a case or analyze the past using precedents for working on things together in an attempt to find a way to document the things that I believe have proved successful in working together. In the future maybe I'll also try to outline why things may have not worked so well in the past in an attempt to ward off such failures...

One of the successful ventures where Eric and I worked well together was during creative pursuits in school. When we were both building thesis projects; the act of troubleshooting how to make something work was a critical reason that we would come together on projects. Process also would bring us together and usually involved how to make something work. I would also say that there was a healthy competitiveness in some ways or at least a feeling of "If he's going to build this...I'll build my version of something else but similar but different with my own take on the a similar or related idea". Collaboration would arise in the form of troubleshooting, gaining inspiration with how the other did something, using each other for expertise, or sometimes just needing raw labor from each other.  ie. magnetic levitating ball, pizza cutters, pipes, flywheel, triumph chopper, frame jigs, titanium bicycles, and eventually VW hot rods and VW single cabs.

We have always discussed working on a singular project together, but usually recent work has just encompassed individual projects where the other needs help doing something or access to equipment or a collective motivation to complete a big project, but rarely did these smaller projects lead to a true collaboration that pushed the needle forward. ie. moving a Bridgeport mill out of a Northern Illinois basement up to Milwaukee studio, numerous projects on the CNC router(s), some CNC milling machine projects, welding single cab gates, anodizing things, machining things, etc.

As a creative person, I know that I need some level of creative freedom to make my own decisions and choose my own way, thus why the idea of business propositions together always seemed a little overwhelming. There were many factors that also played into that fear, such as friendship being clouded by being partners within a business and visa versa, the fear of loosing the passion in creating something when it became a job, having the ability to follow our own independent urges and spirit.

Some of my favorite moments in hindsight of working on the VW hot rods were that Eric spent money, made constant progress, and then I would see how I could NOT spend money (since I'm cheap and I had a newborn to support at the time on a limited budget),  I would try to play catchup on the weeks I was able to work, and I would have the opportunity to respond on my own project to the methods he went about in creating something or making something work. This was awe inspiring and motivating at the same time. There was also freedom to divert and do something out of order just because the car required so many different aspects. ie. "I think I'm going to work on a gear shifter even though the car doesn't roll kind of thing..."  The entire project was complex enough that it held almost constant attention through the mundane parts of my regular life.

As I reflect on these things I find myself drawn to a project where Eric and I are both working on a similar problem yet independently, but the motivation that I gain by watching his progress fuels my progress on my project and becomes a perpetual motion machine that sets things in motion. We get to come together on things though where we can collectively problem solve something that will benefit both of our projects from the work that is accomplished together but at the same time independently. 

Some of the boxes that the project might or might not have to check:

Doing something that encompasses current collective knowledge; something that I(we) couldn't have tackled five years ago and something that draws up everything I have been able to soak up in the last twenty years.

The object has to lead to new knowledge of something unknown.

The object has to involve dreamy aspects of something I have always wanted to tackle as a project or might involve other kinds of projects as a part of this larger project.

The object has to be something that I might not actually tackle on my own if I knew I didn't have the technical knowhow and support of my friend who is busy working on a similar things across the country.

The object has to be something larger than myself (individually).

The object has to be a pursuit that has the potential to impact others through what is learned or created.

The object has to have a compelling story behind the reason this object exists or why the decision was made to pursue its creation.

The object has to push the needle forward (need to define what this means or all the ways in which this might apply).

The object has to require an up front investment that makes it impossible to back out of (does this make sense?) (this is always a difficult one for me due to budget and cheapness, but I wonder about buying a key component as "buy in" that in some manner locks us both in. ie Eric buying the front end kit for the VW hot rod was this way. Although I didn't buy the adapter, I bought the leaf springs, radius rods, etc. Once I had wheels and tires, and a rolling chassis it created a sense of "there's no going back now".

Some Questions (that I may add to this week):

Should we utilize streaming/twitch in the shop to document the build(s) or are progress photos enough ie. the documentation through images of the VW builds were invaluable to the motivation of working...

How can we utilize current circumstances that makes the build(s) timely? ie. this build has to be something that would not have been possible before this time.

tilting trike

This made me think of Eric's flywheel.

clear irons anodizing

Last week during Spring Break I anodized some parts for Eric. He wanted me to anodize some trays, coasters, and some prototype parts that he had machined. I've been meaning to get to these, but have had a lot going one. Since I was working in the studio on my own work over the break, it was a good time to get these parts going. I did a few parts with no dye as Eric had been curious about this. They turned out AWESOME. The first tray (copper/orange color) turned out amazing too, but the other trays are not quite so dramatic. I had some trouble with these trays as they are heavy and my fixture is not quite up to snuff as well as my various anodizing baths being a bit small for this size work. The coasters that I will be doing are bound to turn out better since they're smaller. The non-dyed parts are just so sweet as they really make these already awesome machined parts look so good.

eric larson: multi force designer

Anyone who reads this blog knows that Eric Larson of Clear Irons is one of my closest friends. We've worked on many projects together during our time at the University of Illinois and after. Eric and I have always somehow managed to work well together when it comes to wrenching or making something out of nothing. Even though Eric lives in Chicago, we have somehow managed to stay close. I don't know if I would have survived the transition of living in Milwaukee if it had not been for the bi-weekly metal hammering, welding, and grinding sessions that we did out at the Seward Shop. It's going to be weird to move farther away from Eric, as he has been the closest thing to a family relationship that I have had with someone outside of my family. 

Anyway, I was just thinking of all of this as Eric sent me a new video to the Multi Force bag that he designed for Paratech. It was fun to see him work on a project that embodies the kind of industrial design that he was interested in during school and and has excelled at in the professional world. Eric is a designer who understands material and process beyond the skin of the object. Eric is able to bring any idea that he has into being, as he truly understands the power of knowledge about materials and processes when it comes to creating a truly new and innovative idea. He is constantly learning and researching the things that will allow him to develop the next idea. He the guy who brings fully functional objects to a Industrial Design critique because he cares about how something looks, works, and feels. Eric embodies the Industrial Designer that Jonathan Ive is searching for in the post I made a few days ago. It has been so fun to see Eric grow as a designer and a person. Eric just became a father a few weeks ago. I know he will be just as good at being a Dad as he is a Designer...

clear irons game board

Yesterday the fellas from Clear Irons (Eric and Robby) came up to Milwaukee so I could assist them in cutting a large walnut game board table. Clear Irons just purchased a new Laguna 4'x8' CNC router and so they visited the studio to learn about setup on the router. Eric wrote some code using HSMWorks and then we worked through the use of this code on my router that uses Mach3. The piece required two sided machining so I went through that with them. We had a couple glitches due to warped wood, but things worked out. It was really good to meet Robby and see Eric again and to share a little time chatting about design, ambition, business, and future plans while the router was running. It had been over a year since Eric and I had gotten together for some studio time so it was a long time coming.

Clear Irons is as busy as ever, and Eric's business is doing really well (thus the reason I don't see him much). I can tell Robby is a valuable asset to the company and that he is continually growing in all of the roles that he fulfills there. Their business capabilities are growing, as their shop is very well equipped to do everything from ideation, working prototypes, to production ready drawings. 

Design work and prototyping is the bread and butter but recently the fellas also made an attempt to create some awesome side projects after-hours, that allow them to play and have fun. Go check out their etsy site and see their awesome wallets and sketchbook covers and tell them that Frankie sent you. I've been using my Eric Larson designed wallet for six years and I'm happy to say that it's aging well and getting better with time. You won't need another wallet or sketchbook cover once you invest in some of their goods.

clear irons website launch

If you've been reading this blog for a while, you'll remember my great friend, Eric Larson. 

Eric and I met at the U of I and where he was getting his dual major in Industrial Design and Metals. He was even in one of the Metals classes I taught as a grad student and we both enrolled in one of the best classes I ever took in school, that covered welding (in the Agriculture Department). But we've been great friends ever since school and he is probably one of the people who I know directly that "really gets it" when it comes to work ethic, design, making, functional objects, etc. He's always been someone who I respect greatly for his talent, his heart, and his ability to learn. As some of you may know, he and I worked together for the first couple years when I first moved to Milwaukee as we both built some hot rod VW's and some Single Cab VW trucks. Over the years we have worked on several side projects and I can't even count the number of times that we got together to make something. I don't know what it is exactly, but Eric is a joy to work with. I can honestly say that I have had some of my most productive moments when we've been working together. As I said, "he just gets it". 

Well anyway, Eric has worked in the Industrial Design field ever since graduation, and he has learned the ropes by working several years for DiMonte Group and growing in his design skills, Solidworks skills, and working as project manager for several big name clients. He has really developed into a great business man as well as continuing to grow as a designer and maker. I was stoked a few years ago when he said that he was going to make the leap and start his own business called Clear Irons. Eric has been killing it lately with his new business and consistent work with Paratech as well as wheelchair design work for ADI. 

Eric recently hired a super talented guy (Robby Sachs) and they've been working on the new website as well as rolling out a line of products that you can purchase from their store. Eric recently launched the new website and he has several things happening over there that my blog readers will be interested in. You have to go check out the great work they have for sale in addition to their design and prototype work.  Also, bookmark the site as you'll want to be sure and follow their work as they are utilizing CAM software to run their beautiful Haas CNC milling machine to make new tooling and prototypes. Make sure to follow Eric and Robby on Instagram as I know they will have frequent updates there.

Eric's been busting his tail to make the business happen so I'm thrilled to see the progress he's making. I haven't seen him as much as I used to, as life has just been speeding out of control for us both. I miss working with Eric out at the Seward Speed Shop or on The Farm; we most definitely miss Eric's family too, as his Mom and Dad have always been special to my immediate family. I miss our super awesome conversations and working together, but I love that I can always keep tabs on what Eric's up to and how he's using his skills to make a difference. Super inspiring to see him "making his way" too; I'm so proud to be able to call him a friend. Now go check out his site and buy a cool hand-stictched wallet or sketchbook cover

sandra larson

It is with great sadness that I write this post. My friend Eric, who I have written about many, many, times on this blog, posted on Facebook this past week that his mother had passed away. Jill gasped as she read Eric's post while standing at the dining room table and we were both moved to tears at the thought of this horrific news. I have not talked to Eric in quite some time (probably longer than usual) and I wasn't aware that Sandy was in poor condition. I was truly caught off guard by this and feel awful that I did not return a recent call from Eric. Jill and I have thought of Eric and his family many times this week since hearing the news and our prayers go out to them.

Since meeting Eric and becoming friends, he has become family to Jill and I in some form or another.  We first met Eric's parents after moving up to Milwaukee and I would spend time out at their farm when we would work on hot rod VW's and trucks at Adam's shop or in Eric's parent's barn during weekends. Noah even went out a few times with me and Eric's parents were always so good to us. Sandy would always bring me dr. pepper and pizza from our favorite Pecatonica pizza place. She always saw to every need and was more than willing to go out of her way to make sure I was taken care of. There were even a few times when I would go out and work on my own, without Eric, and she still made sure I was taken care of. I never like to be an inconvenience to anyone, and Sandy knew that, so after a while she made sure not to ask me if I needed anything and would just show up with food.

I don't believe I have ever seen a mother and son who had a relationship like Sandy and Eric. Jill has always said that she hopes Noah has the kind of relationship with her, that Eric had with Sandy. Eric always spoke with such admiration for his mother and I understood why when I met her for the first time. Eric's creativity comes from Sandy for sure. Sandy always had art supplies about the house and projects that she was working on. I so enjoyed seeing the drawings that Eric and Sandy would pass back and forth that Eric documented on one of his blogs. Eric's free spirited nature and love for original thought is definitely due to Sandy's influence.

Eric...your Mom was truly a special person and one of a kind in my eyes. Tonight Jill and I find ourselves thinking about her incredible hospitality and giant heart. I always thought that there was no one more positive and kindhearted as my Grandma Blair, but when I met your Mom I realized that you had the most amazing role model and "bright light" shining in your life. She made me realize the positive and direct impact that a parent can have on their children and I felt like I was able to know you better through knowing her. I know that her spirit lives inside of you. I hope you know how proud she was of you and your accomplishments. She always seemed to shine brighter when you were around. I know that this is a difficult time but please know that you and your family are in our thoughts and we are sending much love and thinking about all of the great memories that we shared with you and your parents at the farm.

SANDRA JEANNE LARSON, 64 LOVING WIFE, MOTHER, GRANDMOTHER PECATONICA - Sandra Jeanne Larson, 64, of Pecatonica, IL died at 4 p.m. Wednesday, October 8, 2014, in OSF St. Anthony Medical Center, from complications of rheumatoid arthritis, MO and Lymphoma. She was born Feb. 1, 1950, in Chicago, IL; the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Charles and Victoria (Barminski) Shogren. Sandra graduated from Aquinas High School, Class of 1968; attended Dominick's College in St. Charles, IL for 2 years then transferred to University of Illinois and became part of Larry's life in 1971, and graduated with high honors in 1973, with a Bachelors of Fine Arts in Painting. She was an accomplished artist with many pieces of work in various local shows. She married Lawrence M. Larson in Chicago, IL on April 6, 1974. Member of St. Mary Catholic Church in Pecatonica and served as co-chair of the funeral luncheon committee for many years. Sandra also volunteered for various community events. Survivors include husband, Larry Larson of Pecatonica, IL; sons, Andrew (Katherine) Larson of Pecatonica, IL, Eric (Inna) Larson of Chicago, IL; granddaughter, Ava Mae and Alexandra Jeanne; brothers, Richard (Carol) Shogren of Carsonville, Michigan, William (Eileen) Shogren of Winnebago, IL; several nieces and nephews. Predeceased by her parents. Prayers to be recited at 10 a.m. Monday, October 13, 2014, in McCorkle Funeral Home - Countryman Chapel, 529 Washington St., with a Funeral Mass at 10:30 a.m. in St. Mary Catholic Church, 126 West 5th Street, Pecatonica, IL, with Msgr. Robert Sweeney officiating. Burial will be in Rosehill Cemetery. A visitation will be held at the funeral home from 3 to 7 p.m. Sunday, with a scripture service at 7 p.m. Memorials may be given to the OSF St. Anthony Hospital Foundation for the Center for Cancer Care, 5666 East State Street, Rockford, IL 61108, and St. Mary Catholic Church, 126 West 5th Street, Pecatonica, IL 61063.

vw flask

Eric made this stellar little flask for being in his wedding. He engraved it on his laser cutter and used CerMark (check it out if you've not used this stuff before) to create the black engraving, using his non metal cutting laser cutter. Since I don't drink, he recommended I fill it with gasoline and place it in the single cab for when I run out of gas. It's probably not a bad idea since my model of single cab didn't come with a fuel gauge and rather has a lever for reserve like a most older motorcycles. I'll find a place for it for sure. Thanks Eric!

eric's wedding

Eric and Inna were married this past weekend. The ceremony was great and Eric did a terrific job, as usual. Jill and I dropped the kids off at Carrie's place before heading into the city for the wedding. We had a great time even though we felt lost without the kids. It was so good to see familiar faces and to have the opportunity to reconnect with friends. Jill and I had a great time visiting with Tom and Teresa at our table (Eric, you did a great job of placing with us with this lovely couple - nice thinking). We also saw old friends from school, like Ricky (and we were able to meet his fiancé), Chung, and Toshi; and were able visit with Eric's parents. I enjoy visiting with Eric's parents as I miss going out to the farm to work on "rusty metal". The only person that would be able to complete with Eric's mom in terms of thoughtfulness and sincerity would have been my own Grandma Ruby, so I always look forward to seeing Sandy. I realize how much Eric and I have in common when I talk to his parents.

When I first met Eric he was a loud, center-of-attention, undergraduate student that was taking Metals courses when I was a graduate student at the U of I. Carrie Grapenthien was an advanced undergraduate student that Jill and I had already grown quite fond of. Carrie mentioned that I would love to work with Eric in the future and that he would most likely be taking a course that I would teach (as I ended up teaching as a maternity replacement for Billie) and that he was a great student. She thought that our farming community upbringing would mean that we would bond instantly. I had already witnessed Eric's "outgoing" personality and I believe that I commented to Carrie "that there was NO WAY that I would ever be friends with Eric Larson". We were just too different. As fate would have it Eric ended up finding his way to my personal studio along with his Industrial Design colleague, Ricky Biddle. The two were looking for a way to create a magnetic levitating sphere for an industrial design project and I had just completed construction of a sphere turning attachment for a South Bend lathe that I had restored. 

I fell in love with the tenacity of these two young men and their sponge like qualities. They were both extremely talented Designers and their abilities complimented each other in a manner that I still cannot put into words. They became "a bridge" from the Industrial Design studio in the Art and Design Building to the Metals Studio at the Art Annex Building. Soon I began to see more and more ID students finding their way over to the Metals studio and Eric and Ricky were leading the way in understanding how process and material have a direct effect on design. Little did they know, but they were demonstrating Jonny Ive's ideas about what the design process should exemplify. 

"[the design process] is about designing and prototyping and making. When you separate those, ... the final result suffers."

My friend, Ian, and I spent many hours helping Eric and Ricky and they returned the favor several times over. My tools were their tools and slowly our friendship grew through the creation of some amazing objects. Needless to say I saw them almost everyday for the next two years as they learned how to use a lathe, shape metal, weld, cut, grind, cast, sew and push the material and process boundaries in everything they created. Eric and Ricky went through some challenging stuff during those years and came out on the other side stronger than ever. I was so proud of the work that they did at U of I and at the time, but I assumed that our friendship would end once we left the institution. 

As I was moving out of my studio that final summer, Eric stopped by with a VW magazine that had a chopped Beetle in it. He mentioned that he had an old Beetle and "wouldn't it be cool to make one in the future?". We all talked about getting a shop together and even looked at a place with Ricky, but nothing transpired. I got a job at Taylor Studios the year after and Eric finished his Metals degree (since he had double majored in ID and Metals). Jill and I would still see Eric as he would come over to our house at night from time to time and I believe I helped him a time or two with some welded Sculptures he made that last semester. 

Anyway, he graduated and moved to Chicago where he got a job working as a designer at a small firm. At the same time I made the move to Milwaukee for my first real teaching job. My first year here Eric and I started working on building two cars outside of Rockford and I would drive down on Friday nights so we could work together. Again our friendship grew through cutting, welding, and fixing rusty junk. I got to know Eric's family firsthand and we stayed connected to Ricky and Ian through the occasional email. Ian had taken a design job at Hallmark and Ricky at Steelcase. Slowly I was introduced to more of Eric's friends like Toshi and reconnected with Chung (who was in the first Metals course I taught as a grad student; he was a stellar student). I'm sure that there have been many talented people to graduate from the U of I over the years, but I can honestly say that I have not witnessed the shear amount of talent that I saw from the people I mentioned above. I could not be more proud of the people I became friends with at the U of I. These people have gone on to do so many great things with their lives. I am especially proud of Eric and Ricky for their accomplishments and their growth over the years.

It was such a honor to be at Eric's wedding to witness his love and dedication to Inna. I wish him many happy years as he starts this new chapter in his life. I know that he will tackle it with the same level of tenacity and dedication that he always brings to any project. Best wishes from one small town boy to another...

p.s. I guess Carrie was right!