ARC Objects is a brand of jewellery and home objects that combines organic form with a minimalist colour palette. Inspired by nature and accidental beauty, the geometrical pieces are known for their bold simplicity and harmonious contrasts, using locally sourced materials and small-scale production methods to create sleek and elegant shapes that exhibit wonderful craftsmanship. We speak to Daniela Jacobs, the creative mind and architect behind the brand.
When did your love of ceramics start?
Ever since I was tiny I’ve loved creating things, inventing ways to bring daydreams to life and experimenting with different materials. I actually took my first pottery class when I was about 6 – my love for ceramics goes back quite a while! – although it wasn’t until Parsons that I learned the small-scale industrial production techniques I use now for ARC objects.
The name ARC seems to fit perfectly with the nature of your work as arcs and curves feature in nearly all of your pieces. Did the name inspire the style or did the style inspire the name?
Thank you! – the style inspired the name. I was looking for a word that would somehow succinctly convey an idea of my work in a general, non-specific kind of way. I liked that “ARC” vaguely referenced geometry and that it would be pronounceable in more than one language, and as it happens the shape of an arc is one that seems to recur in the pieces I make.
What’s the inspiration behind the pieces you make?
I find inspiration from many sources! Shapes, textures, and colors found in nature… The sea. Sunshine. Odd pairings that somehow make sense together. Accidental beauty.
How would you describe your style and personal aesthetic? How do you feel this translates into you work?
Minimal, with interest in the details. I like to think about how things fit together as an overall composition – be it in an outfit, a room, or a meal – and always add one or two elements of surprise. I love a good contrast. These ideas translate into my work in that I try to make pieces that are bold in their simplicity, are strong on their own, but also can create an interesting visual conversation when paired with other ingredients.
You’re currently living in NYC. How do you find the city and lifestyle influence your style and work? How is the creative inspiration here different to other cities?
I was born in LA, but was raised in New York City and in Mallorca, Spain (where I still go back every year). The vibrant, non-stop energy of this city makes it a great place to work and keep moving. There is so much going on, all the time – but this can also get to be too much. I find that a break from the constant motion is important to get the most out of it. Other than the necessary edits the weather requires, my style doesn’t much change when I’m in different places. The same elements remain, though when I’m in a place where there is more nature surrounding me, my personal style and general approach to everything feel more relaxed.
With your ceramics, you mainly stick to whites and off-whites. What does colour mean to you? What do you feel is important about the minimalist aesthetic?
I like for the materials I work with to stay the color they are naturally. At the moment the porcelain I use is white, which is why I choose to keep it white –though I would love to work with clay bodies that are naturally other colors in the future.
I like off-whites – or colors that are mostly white with a whisper of something else mixed in – because I find them beautiful, gentle on the eyes, and they look great in contrast. Color to me is another language, a way to convey a visual idea or feeling.
I’ve grown to be more of a minimalist over time, but this has not been a conscious decision. I just like when things are uncomplicated, elegantly concise, when form and function come together to make a beautiful result.
I like off-whites – or colors that are mostly white with a whisper of something else mixed in – because I find them beautiful, gentle on the eyes, and they look great in contrast. Color to me is another language, a way to convey a visual idea or feeling.
I’ve grown to be more of a minimalist over time, but this has not been a conscious decision. I just like when things are uncomplicated, elegantly concise, when form and function come together to make a beautiful result.
Your products, website and blog are all very neat and minimalist. Would you call yourself a tidy person? Is there any time or place where you allow yourself to be messy?
I am mostly a tidy person – I like for things to feel somewhat in place – but within this framework lies a lot of variability! I definitely allow myself to get messy in my studio. I like organization and efficiency, but there is always inevitably a healthy dose of creative chaos around.
Could you maybe give a brief description of the making process from start to finish?
The process begins with an idea, which I usually sketch out by hand and then plan a method for fabrication. Next I make a plaster mold, into which I pour the porcelain once it’s ready. Once it’s out of the mold, each piece needs to be “cleaned up” before it’s bisque-fired in the kiln. Then it gets glazed, high-fired, and voilà!
How do you feel your creativity differs between making jewellery and making objects?
Because jewelry is to be worn, there are certain details to bear in mind when brainstorming ways to translate an idea into something that will work on the body. But other than this, I don’t think there’s much of a difference in my creativity between jewelry and home objects.
What materials do you use and from where do you source them? Is it easy to find the right materials? What’s your favourite material to work with?
I mostly use porcelain and silver and elastic cording – all of which is sourced from local suppliers. Actually it is thanks to the recommendations from my metal and ceramics professors at Parsons that I received as a student that I had an idea of where to turn for the necessary materials my work requires… At the moment, I’d say my favorite material to work with is ceramics, though I’ve always loved to draw and constantly keep a sketchbook going.
What’s next for you?
The continuation / adventures / evolution of ARC… New projects, collaborations, side projects… Travel… More reading, more swimming, more dancing… I hope!
