briefcase: A DESIGN ODYSSEY
From childhood dreams to design reality, briefcase forms the core of our brand + ethos
May 2024 - JOURNAL // Exploring new frontiers in design has always been at the core of my journey, and today, I want to delve into a concept that's incredibly close to my heart: briefcase. This isn't just any project; it’s been a passion of mine since childhood and it fortuitously evolved into the foundation of my brand.
From my earliest days, I immersed myself in art and design, spending countless hours at my drafting table until my fingers bled—long before the digital age introduced new tools and methods. This period allowed me to hone my love of drawing and art, paying meticulous attention to every detail, mastering shading techniques or experimenting with various tools and effects. This early dedication to creative experimentation has stayed with me throughout the entirety of my career.
The advent of computers and digital design tools marked a significant evolution in my creative process, yet the essence remained the same.
briefcase, in particular, speaks volumes about my childhood habit of collecting images, oddities, newspaper clippings, and magazine tears – all of which I collected and carried around with me in an actual briefcase, once belonging to my grandfather. This practice was my source of instant inspiration – an analogue version of Pinterest, let’s call it - long before it became a digital reality.
To this day, I find myself drawn to collecting similar inspirations as I go about my day; a testament to the lens through which I see the world and draw upon in my work.
As a creative, I like to think we perceive our surroundings differently, always looking for inspiration in the most unexpected places. Whether it's the perfect diffusion of light through a perforated garbage can or an intriguing shadow play along a building during golden hour, we find patterns and interpret them in a myriad of ways, ultimately transforming these observations into physical form.
As a designer, interpretation is critical. Using briefcase as the inherent lens or filter in which to see the world has been instrumental in broadening the scope of what I do.
While I've worked over the years to establish a presence in the lighting and design space, briefcase represents an area of our business devoted to the exploration beyond our standard product line in a way that flexes our creative muscles. It’s a pathway into new doors, carving uncharted territory through one-off, fully bespoke pieces, purpose-led collaborations and even exploring new product types and material.
“If I had to sum up the goal of briefcase, it’s the culmination of our vision and our ‘why’ - which is to catch the world by surprise through everything we create. As we experiment, we invite the world into ours as we strive to bring unexpected creative visions to life.”
Matthew McCormick
If I had to sum up the goal of briefcase, it’s the culmination of our vision and our “why” which is to catch the world by surprise through everything we create. And, as we experiment, we invite the world into ours as we strive to bring unexpected creative visions to life.
Sharing the story behind briefcase is a nod to both who I am as a person and why I started this company. It is not about what we sell, but the passion behind what we do with the aim to inspire others to look at the world through a lens of creativity and possibility – instilling some of the same magic we seek every day. The design journey is limitless, with endless frontiers to explore and new boundaries to push. Let's embrace this journey together, driving innovation in everything we do, and continue to surprise the world with our creations.
briefcase is the place where curiosity and creative expression intersect at Matthew McCormick Studio. It’s the place we collect and share what inspires our work, and a window into the process and ethos that drives our vision: to catch the world by surprise through everything we create.
A platform where the rules relax and imagination can run untethered, briefcase is where we play with new ideas, materials and projects that fall outside of the status quo.