Akeem Glaze [2012, Industrial Design] +
Stephanie DelVecchio [2012, Industrial Design]
Based in New York, NY
We create lifestyle products designed with distinct attention to detail, and an emotive experience in mind.
We launched our studio, glaze, in 2017 and our first product introduction was a handmade wooden matchbox. It is a statement piece for the home, and an art object that amplifies the experience of striking a match. We make each matchbox by hand with wood sourced from American lumberyards. Our process begins with cutting all wooden components to precise dimensions, and assembling and sanding each box down to a perfect tolerance. We then finish each matchbox with clear polyurethane, buff the exterior, paint the interior, apply a striking surface, and stuff with custom cut matches.
What are some of the most important practices for your creative process?
Our attention to detail is of utmost importance in our product creation process. Every decision we make in regards to form, color, material, etc tells a story and is designed to create a unique emotive product experience.
How does your current creative practice tie into your time spent at RISD?
RISD has taught us to approach our projects as artists, and to execute them as designers. At RISD, we learned the fundamentals of form and the importance of implementing design thinking into problem solving. As Industrial Design majors, we also learned how to work with our hands and hone our craftsmanship, which is imperative to what we make today.
Tell us about some of your main sources of inspiration.
Nice cars, beautiful beaches, and good music. We combine Palm Beach with the Northeast, so we look at both lifestyles as our main sources of inspiration for colors and materials. Akeem filters everything through what he has coined the “comfy country club lifestyle.” Traveling and escaping our day-to-day is also important to keep our minds fresh and to spark new ideas. We live right next to the Botanical Gardens in Brooklyn, and even a brief escape from the city to spend an hour in the garden always triggers inspiration.
Is there a work/body of work that you are particularly excited about sharing with us at RISD Craft this year?
We are most excited to share our U Candle at RISD Craft this year. It is a hand-poured, dual-burning, 100% white beeswax candle that is secured in place with a hand-polished brass holder. It is a play on form, and a reinterpretation of how a conventional taper candle is secured – from the top-down instead of from the bottom-up. We are also very excited to share our two new matchbox additions – Birdseye Maple and Purpleheart.
