LIMITED ONLY BY IMAGINATION NEW YORK DESIGNER DOUGLAS FANNING COMBINES REMARKABLE EXPERIENCE BETWEEN THE EXPERIMENTAL AND COMMERCIAL ASPECTS OF DESIGN, TRANSGRESSING BOTH WITH EQUAL APLOMB. Text: Marcus Lui Douglas Fanning was part of the creative force behind many high-profile commercial designs projects such as Studio Sofield's new look for Gucci, launched in the London and Beverly Hills stores; MAC Cosmetics' worldwide rollout; as well as a large hospitality project in the studio of renowned architect, Emilio Ambasz. He established DYAD studio in 1994 as a personal workshop after graduating with a Masters degree in Architecture from Columbia University. DYAD is defined as the number two - the indefinite line that occupies the continuum between one (monad), representing potential, and three (triad), representing shape. DYAD is therefore formless, without limits except the imagination. The studio evolved from a personal workshop to a hub for creative exchange between painters, musicians, writers, dancers, photographers, fashion designers and other architects - a design practice that thrives on the richness of multiple personalities, exploring and expressing ideas by making and doing. The core values of DYAD studio are timeless elements of design: quality, a deep respect for proportion, and the articulation of visual language, connecting the human abilities of sensory connection and awareness of beauty. The table series captures the many facets of DYAD studio's work - questions all traditional notions of the object, such as function, relationship, history and origin of this familiar element of our daily lives. The Clasp table is a low tea table. Structural elegance of the table is achieved through minimal structure without superfluous hardware or secondary connections. Illusion of weightlessness is achieved by two bilateral clasps holding a standard rectangular surface from the same side. The weight of the surface, cantilevered beyond the length of the clips, counterbalances the structure. The clasp weld matches the thickness of the surface material, effectively eliminating lateral movement. Structural elegance is further explored with the Slip table. The top surface of the table continues onto the side of the frame, allowing the top to be secured and aligned to the most minimal of framing without additional hardware - seamlessly marrying the twin essential elements of surface and structure. By breaking out of the traditional confinements of a rectangular surface, Cross Two sets out to examine the void between two chairs opposite a sofa in a typical living room setting. The arm of the top extends into the awkward void usually filled with a small table. In an additional twist, storage and display space beneath the surface becomes a positive volume. The Plus Table is imbued with an organic form strictly driven by the approach and usage of the space in front of the seated person. Approximately 380mm high along the crossing, the primary portion of the top surface forms over the sitter's body and provides space for eating and drinking, sufficient for a single plate, bowl or teapot. Within arms reach of each person is the center portion for shared surface. Shared on a diagonal axes are the lowered secondary surfaces on four corners intended for all other place settings and utensils. As dynamic as the Plus Table is organic, the Spider Table is perhaps the most radical departure from the traditional table form. It eliminates traditional surface altogether. Storage is provided by a molded clear tube suspended under the frame - two almost identical, interlocking metal structures integrated by a center threaded bushing. The frame can therefore be infinitely adjustable. Other projects under development from DYAD studio includes a set of highly sensual and sophisticated ceramic ware for the home - smaller in scale to furniture, but equally ingenious and elegant solution to everyday living.