Cloud Keyholder

Hidden magnets hold three sets of keys underneath the wall mounted cloud to represent rain.

History and design development

Cloud Keyholder was my first independently produced product.

Following initial proof-of-principal prototypes mocked up in paper and card, I produced a single 'looks-like, works-like' prototype from sprayed up modelling board. I photographed that one and applied to join designboom mart during the Stockholm Furniture and Light Fair in Sweden.

In December 2010, along with 30 other upcoming designers from across the globe, I was accepted to exhibit with designboom in February the next year.

I re-designed the cloud to enable me to manufacture a limited batch of 150 "design originals' to exhibit and sell at the mart. The self-produced clouds were cast by hand in solid jesmonite and had a matte, porcelain-like finish.

After receiving much media attention, the clouds quickly sold out, with the final ones snapped up by international buyers Is on etsy. This inspired me to collaborate with London based design firm Suck UK who produced a injection-molded version. It was sold internationally for many years to design-led shops and museums.

PechaKucha

In June 2011, at the Bargehouse, London, I presented this project in PechaKucha style (20 slides, 20 seconds each) to an audience at madeinbrunel. You can watch the presentation below.

Design concept

Always rushing out the door? The last thing you want is to realise you don’t have your keys. Are they down the back of the sofa? in the back pocket of your jeans that are now in the wash?
– With cloud key holder, your house, car, and shed keys are always where you expect them to be; suspended neatly and poetically underneath the cloud, like rain.

How many keys?

Each over-molded neodymium magnet holds up to 220g of keys or other magnetic items.

Specification

150 'originals' :

  • 97mm x 55m x 25mm, 165g
  • Jesmonite (cloud), Stainless Steel (mounting plate), 2 x Neodymium magnets

SUCK UK production version :

  • 105 x 60 x 31mm, 82g
  • Nylon (cloud), ABS (mounting plate), 3 x Neodymium magnets

Safety

Contains strong magnets and small parts. Not for children.

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