If we are not careful much of our modern lives can pass by indoors. And whilst there are many obvious benefits of the shelter offered by buildings, no architect or interior designer can compete with the life affirming experiences to found outside man made walls.

For this project the Designers connected to the Tools for Everyday Life project were asked to design and make a product for, and inspired by the outdoors.

The comfort provided by relaxing in a garden… the connection with life to be found seeking out, admiring, tending and caring for plants and flowers… Enjoying the wider natural world of raw materials… Nature’s ability to engender feelings beyond our normal experience, perhaps beyond the reach of human understanding…

It is against this backdrop that the designers involved with the Tools for Everyday Life project have tried, in our own small ways to celebrate the outdoors. Our intention has been to design and make ‘tools/products’ that support all that is good about not getting caught trapped in manufactured interior spaces.

This project has encouraged us to take breaks from our computer screens and window less workshops and stick our heads outdoors to be inspired in the shaping of things that belong out in the field, being used and being useful.