Adam Otlewski

Adam Otlewski is a designer and maker based in New York City, working from a newly-refurbished historic factory building in Ozone Park. He spends a lot of time in museums contemplating the progression of the things people make. Adam is primarily interested in decorative arts, a term that is not fashionable in the current era of products and commerce and is not often applied to contemporary work. He came to the idea that instead of aiming for a factory-made appearance, he could leave his hand visible in every object he makes. Adam uses materials and techniques that promote subtle variances, such as hand-dying leather or applying acid-rubbed patina solutions on polished metal. These choices aim to give depth and character to otherwise pure geometry, although they are not always immediately obvious.

The concept behind Adam’s “Series” collections, beginning with Series 01 lamps, is to establish a set of rules, such as a group of materials or techniques, culminating in one first prototype. Those rules are then applied to a family of objects, each expressing that form with varying sizes or functions, often responding to clients’ requests and ideas. Adam’s ambition is to create new Series indefinitely. Every piece is individually hand-assembled and stamped with a trademark and unique manufacturing number.

Adam received a Bachelor of Science in Industrial Design from the University of Cincinnati and has worked in many facets of housewares design, residential and commercial interiors, and custom furniture fabrication since 2004.