Rebuilding exchange (Rx), the client, introduces sustainable lifestyle and behavior change through unique woodworking workshops using reclaimed materials and through selling their products using the Rx brand. Rx would like to expand their reach by partnering with the Product Design Workshop to offer new woodworking workshops. After a process of research, interviews, and cardboard prototypes, the students proposed their final woodworking prototypes to Rx.

The soap dish and toothbrush holder is one of these prototypes. They embody Japanese Zen-like simple design through a daily use of wooden products. The space around bathroom sinks tends to clutter. The simple design of the soap dish and toothbrush holder fits in any bathroom to help people keep things tidy. The aesthetic of wood allowed people to feel connected to nature in their daily life.

Despite its simplicity, this design is not easy to make beautifully, as it requires workshop participants to put their hearts into it. During the Rx workshop, participants can create memories of woodworking, and the products carry a story with people. This product makes relationships between people and wood, people and woodworking, and people who come to Rx.

Designers : Takeshi Tanakai

Course : Product Design Workshop

Instructor : Marty Thaler

Project Partner : Rebuilding exchange