Fine woodworking and explorations of recycled materials are among the furniture and object designs from these eight independent Chicago design studios presented as part of our North American Design 2024 series.
From reinventions to classic wood designs to large community design projects, the Chicago furniture and object designers featured below demonstrate a wide range of material and aesthetic sensibilities in the city on the shore of Lake Michigan.
Chicago is the third largest city in the United States, and is well-known for its architectural legacy, being home to the Read: Nine installations to see at the 2023 Chicago Architecture Biennial

Chicago's wide-reaching history can be seen in the work of the eight designers shared below, with pieces ranging from objects made of post-consumer plastics with the help of robots, to sculptural furniture made with fine woodworking techniques and American hardwoods. "I can't say there is a common theme or materials, but traditional making practices are well rooted here ? wood, bronze casting, textile, glass, etc." continued Jang.
"The midwest mindset and its work ethics deliver a sense of composure, honesty and reliability in design, even among those whose job is to offer new things to the world."
Read on for eight independent studios and designers shaping Chicago's design culture today.

Norman Teague Design Studio
A fixture in Chicago's design scene, Norman Teague began his career workin...