Matthew Obbink

Matthew Obbink

Associate Teaching Professor, Industrial Design

Contact

Campus Office: N/A Armory


Mailing Address
Industrial Design Department
158 College of Design
Ames, IA, 50011

Bio

Research Interests

I am a Maker. My focus lies on how I can bring my ideas and the ideas of my students into reality. I have a great passion for materials as I have spent the better part of 20 years working with wood. I am connected its utilitarian use and its inherent beauty. Every time I work with it I learn something new about it, it has infinite possibilities. I am much newer to the field of metalsmithing, still learning every way to use it. I often times merge wood and metal into my designs, I feel they have a great relationship and enhance each other nicely. I also have a great love and admiration for history, more specifically the industrial revolution. The materials, mechanisms and ideas of this time give great inspiration to my work.

Current Projects

Currently I am focused on building my own shop to explore further the way I can use wood and metal to showcase my ideals. Durning this time of transition I am filling my sketchbooks with ideas ranging from production style furniture to complex useless contraptions and everything inbetween. 

Education

BFA -  2006 Iowa State University: Emphasis in Furniture Design and Metalsmithing

MFA - 2017 Iowa State University: Emphasis in Furniture Design and Metalsmithing

Professional Furniture Designer/Maker and Woodworker: 2006-2016 

Matt.Maker Furniture Design & Metalsmithing : 2012-Present