CCA News

Jen Pearson Designs Gains Acclaim for Sustainability

Posted on Thursday, July 28, 2011, by Leslie Roberts

Jen Pearson Designs the studio of 2009 MFA Design alumna Jen Pearson, is a sustainable design studio located in the flats of Oakland. When Pearson completed her MFA, she knew she wanted to start her own design practice, making things based on her strong beliefs in sustainability. She says she envisioned "a space to create unique objects and design solutions through sustainable methods. My background in the arts encompasses diverse practices, which influence household product and object design. Working primarily with reclaimed materials, I seek to create strong and elegant pieces exploring timeless ideas of materials, surface, color, and form."

The lamp design began as part of her graduate thesis, where she thought through ideas of how to engage unskilled makers in the task of building as a way to curb the IKEAization of home furnishing. "IKEA has great designs. But their stuff is made for short-term use and intended to be considered disposable. Then it becomes just more stuff clogging dumps. What about using more sustainable practices to create beautiful objects?"

Pearson's work quickly garnered national attention, with pieces featured in Dwell, House Beautiful, and Country Living, among others. Local vendors of her designs include The General Store on Judah in the Sunset District of San Francisco.