Benjamin McLaughlin is a practicing artist and furniture designer in British Columbia.
His current collection of art and furniture designs draw on his industrial design background, combining the natural beauty of locally grown hardwoods with an organic polymer, striving to create pieces with a timeless beauty. Each piece of wood is carefully hand selected to maximize grain character and figuring.
Frequent alpine adventures in the lush, coastal forests of the Pacific Northwest and Cascade mountain range continue to provide an abundance of energy and inspiration for his wood based design work. He considers himself a lifelong learner, delving deeply into the creative process while cultivating a constant state of fluidity within his work and life.
For over a decade, McLaughlin explored the tonal properties of dozens of wood species while developing innovative ways to integrate them into musical furniture. The ‘Ubuntu: Sound Resonating Furniture’ project strives to enrich communal spaces with the inherent curiosity of his designs, natural beauty of the hardwoods and therapeutic tonal qualities.
He studied at the Milwaukee Institute of Art & Design for several years before emigrating to Canada, where he received his Bachelor of Industrial Design from Emily Carr University of Art + Design. This geographic and cultural transition greatly informed his perspective and approach to the creative process.
McLaughlin’s art & furniture designs have been exhibited in International Galleries, included in artist talks, and written about in several publications.
Favourite Quote: “Creativity is an infinite resource; the more you use, the more you have” -M. Angelou
Passions: Health, Family, Play, Creativity, Design, Snowboarding, Hiking, Exploring, Golfing, Good Food and Good Coffee
Podcasts: The Tim Ferriss Show, All In, The Daily, Design Matters
Aspirational Figures: Richard Branson, Charles & Ray Eames, Frank Lloyd Wright, Michael Jordan, Phil Knight
Notable Books I've Read: 'A Whole New Mind' by Daniel Pink, 'Shoe Dog' by Phil Knight, 'Tools of Titans' by Tim Ferris, 'Zero to One' Peter Thiel, 'The Effective Executive' by Peter Drucker
Favourite Design Object: Eames Lounge Chair
First thing I ever made and sold: Handmade bracelets at the neighbourhood pool
5 year average of days snowboarding in a season: 78. Most days in one season: 100 - Winter of 2016.17
Countries Traveled: UAE (Dubai), Japan, China, Egypt, England, Mexico, Canada, Spain, Scotland, Ireland, South Korea, Italy, Portugal, Australia
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Inside the Studio: The Yew Woodshop
Artwork and Designs available at:
