About Specific Objects:

Some products earn their place. Others are earning it. Some just showed up and won't leave your mind.

Anthony Burrill's poster says it all: I Like it. What is it?

That feeling is the whole reason this exists.

Specific Objects is a publication about three products every week; no more, no less. One that time has already decided on, one that's clearly on its way, and one that just landed and already feels inevitable. I call them Established, Ascending, and Arriving.

My name is Sam Amis and I've spent 18 years in industrial design thinking about why things work, why they last, and why some of them matter way beyond their function. This is where I share that thinking.

Established — Products that have been around 20 or more years and simply cannot be dethroned. Time already decided on these. I'm just making the case out loud.

Ascending — Products with 5 to 20 years behind them and a clear trajectory upward. The argument is being made. We're watching.

Arriving — Products under two years old that have already demanded attention and exhibited staying power. No verdict yet. Just genuine fascination.

One issue. Three objects. Every week.


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