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ABJECT OBJECT
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About Abject Object
Abject Object is a design enterprise that supports homeless individuals and shelters through the design, production, and sale of retail accessories made from reclaimed materials. A hands-on rather than handout model for social and economic empowerment, Abject Object teaches valuable job skills including sewing, production, and business strategies, to homeless individuals.
The Los Angeles team of Project H partnered with the Downtown Women's Center, a shelter in central Los Angeles, to develop four retail products that could be made using basic sewing skills, and whose function would have retail marketability, as well as tell stories about the women who made them. The design team and women from Downtown Women's Center worked side by side for three months on the development and prototyping of four products, each with a double-function: a bag that transforms into a hammock, a "pocket scarf" that can be used as storage, a hood garment that doubles as a tote bag, and a cloth mat whose pieces can be used as pot-holders. All materials were scavenged or donated, and included recycled bike inner tubes, parachutes, donated clothing, and rope. The sale and proceeds of all four products, which will be sold through local and online retailers, go back directly to the individual who made the item, and the shelter.
Using the Downtown Women's Center as a first client, the team has now developed a manual, user guide, training program, and resource kit for additional shelters in the area to launch their own in-house Abject Object enterprises.
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Project Location: Los Angeles
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Project Milestones & News
December 2009: Launch fundraiser and sales event at Artecnica, sponsored by GOOD, TOMS, and more.
October 2009: Limited edition production for the holiday season with Downtown Women's Center.
September 2009: Abject Object online sales website development begins.
September 2009: Partnership with TOMS shoes established.
August 2009: Additional training workshops with Downtown Women's Center, and roll-out to new shelters and nonprofit partners.
July 2009: Training workshops with Downtown Women's Center
June 2009: Manuals and toolkits developed for expansion to other shelters
April 2009: Abject Object release party at GOOD Magazine
March 2009: Prototypes for four products finalized
December 2008: Four products designed and developed
October 2008: Weekly sessions with DWC women begin
September 2008: Downtown Women's Center identified as first partner
August 2008: Project brief established
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Donate to Abject Object
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Project Team
Location: Los Angeles
Project Leaders: Kim Karlsrud and Danny Phillips
Contact: kim@projecthdesign.org