Motivated by the desire to elevate ordinary objects and familiar forms into elegant utilitarian sculptures, Erika Cross investigates the relationships between object, scale, and user. Working at the intersection of product and process, she has a hands-on approach to design. The workshop is the source and site of her creative energy. Using research, intuition, experience, and experiment, Erika purposefully challenges limitations to develop innovative methods and objects.
Founded in Michigan in 2016, her independent studio focuses on the design and fabrication of handmade sculptural furniture, objects, and installations. Erika’s work includes her own furniture collections, bespoke objects, and limited editions.
Internationally trained, Erika received an MFA in Design Products from the Royal College of Art in London. Prior to that, she studied simultaneously at two universities, earning a BFA in Art and Design from the University of Michigan, and a BS in Interior Design at Eastern Michigan University. See some furniture in a style you’ve never seen before in today’s Maker Monday.
Andrew Joseph: Can you tell us about a specific moment in your career that made you feel accomplished?
Erika Cross: There are two moments in particular that really stand out for me. In 2020 I won Best in Show at the NYCxDESIGN Awards, for Step table. Later on, in 2022, I won WantedDesign’s Best of Launch Pad for Furniture – for my first furniture collection, Elements. I am so honored to have won both of these awards!
Step table – NYCxDesign Best in Show 2020
AJ: What is your favorite place to find inspiration?
EC: The workshop, baby! When I need to solve a problem (typically engineering or fabrication related) and I can’t find a solution, that’s where I go. I stop looking for a solution to that one problem, and I make other things (unrelated experiments or frivolous objects, just for fun). During that process, the solution I need usually comes to me – my brain on autopilot has solved the problem!
AJ: What is your favorite design element to incorporate into your projects?
EC: Geometry!
AJ: What is your favorite aspect of your job?
EC: It is amazing to have the ability and the opportunity to start with a concept in my mind that no one else can see, and then be able to transform that idea into a real object. A real object that someone else will live with and appreciate for years. It’s powerful!
The milestones in this process are some of my favorite things too, all of those “firsts” that happen along the way. That first moment when I finally see the design I’ve been developing for months or years, in real physical form; that first moment when the object is finished, and then it’s final completed form; and then the first sale of that piece.
Anvil is composed of geometric shapes, extruded from abstract planes into solid forms. The joinery is simple and transparent. Rounded edges soften sharp angles, enhancing the whimsical spirit of the piece.
AJ: How do you keep up with the latest design trends?
EC: I don’t actively seek out what’s trending and what’s popular. my work is not a response to that. I can’t say that I’m not influenced by trends, that seems impossible, but I want my work to be something that exists outside of the fashions of the times.
AJ: Can you tell us about a project where you had to overcome a design challenge?
EC: Which one?! Design/engineering/fabrication challenges tend to be a theme in my work, it’s kind of my thing. because many of my pieces are reconfigurable or adjustable, and do so without hardware, a lot of engineering goes into them. for instance, with my latest piece, Bolt – a height-adjustable coffee table that functions like a nut (the tabletop) and a bolt (the central column) – I spent many months engineering seemingly opposing objectives. My goal was to keep the central column’s diameter small while keeping the whole table sturdy and stable with a low center of gravity. I wanted the column (made of marble) to be light enough for one person to move, but heavy enough to stay in place while rotating the tabletop. I also wanted to make moving the tabletop a tactile experience, so I needed it to move smoothly and easily. So I wanted it to be tight enough to only move when desired (and not wobble) but loose enough that rotating it was easy and smooth.
Working all of these requirements into a functional design, while refusing to compromise my vision, took a ton of consideration and creativity. And in the end, I created what is now one of my favorite pieces.
Bolt table – Playful but precise, Bolt is a fresh take on a familiar object. The threaded collar and base allows for adjustable height by rotating the tabletop.
AJ: What is your favorite aspect of designing a product?
EC: I love being hands-on in the workshop. As a female designer, some people are surprised to find out that I make the majority of my pieces with my own hands. There are only a few objects where I haven’t been right there casting, cutting, sanding, finishing, and so on. I am proud of my extensive knowledge of materials/processes and fabrication skills, which I have worked hard to acquire.
AJ: Can you describe a project where you had to work with a specific theme or motif?
EC: Yes! I am actually in the middle of one now: designing and fabricating a bespoke 220-square-foot ceiling installation with over 5000 hanging artificial flowers. The client’s aesthetic is Eclectic Bohemian maximalism focused on flora and fauna.
Like what you see? Get it first with a subscription to aspire design and home magazine.