Art You Can Sit On
Leah Ring’s Another Human is a fresh take on the mergence of art and furniture design. For one, unlike many of her peers, her name doesn’t double as the brand’s name. She is as she says “just another human making furniture.” Her work, however, is unlike any other design you’ve ever seen and that's because Ring is less inspired by trends and more inspired by versatility, organic shapes and organic materials.
The one-of-a-kind objects aren't obnoxiously loud, or more art piece than utilitarian. One favorite is an entry way valet called Just Can’t—inspired by Memphis shapes (the geometric pattern, not the city) and an abstract deconstruction of a valet’s purposes—there is a mirror, a shelf and hooks for keys and bags. An additional piece is the Vacation Table, that again, is practical but far from basic—composed of acrylic that carries sand and crystals (or can be opened and swapped for anything you'd like to put on display).
Just like the shapes Ring designs, her business was born and raised organically since it was founded all of six months ago. Another Human came to be after a stint at a furniture company and years of experience as an interior designer. While she still works full time as an interior designer, she explains that “product design is quite a different creative outlet.” Whereas interior design puts the client first, this new practice allows her to focus strictly on the product she wants to make. Ring started with a mirror wedged into a geode. “Then I made another piece and another piece,” she remembers. “Finally, I was like, 'Alright I’m going to photograph it and put together a website,' but I didn’t really think anything of it.”
As for the future of Another Human, Leah is taking it one product at a time. “I’m working on some new prototypes right now. I just want to keep pushing and growing and getting new work out there,” Ring declares.