Simin Qiu, a product designer at the Royal College of Art in London recently created a project called the end grain project to use the end grain patterns from off-cut waste wooden materials, mostly pine, to create a range of new natural patterns by carefully cutting and gluing.In the process, Qiu proves once again that beautiful product design coupled with a different perspective pretty much always produces something amazing.The end grain project, according to Qiu, "is focused on the study of wooden materials as it explores the potential high values of pine and experiments with new and contemporary wood handcraft skills."What is really interesting about this work is way it refocuses what is important. We typically discard things we don't think we need. Through the project, Simin is seeking to demonstrate these previously wasted off cuts are not only under-utilised, but are potentially just as valuable as the larger pieces from which they came. The gorgeous grain patterns of these end pieces are an excellent example of their attractiveness in furniture making.
Photo: Simin Qiu