It is perhaps only natural that we're inclined to see emoticon-like faces in otherwise inanimate objects—cars are a canonical example, as is this AmEx spot from a couple years back, and the emoticon itself is simply an Internet-Age variation of the same.
Wall-mounted coathooks must have struck Brooklyn-based designer David Barry (originally hailing from Ireland and of no relation to the Pulitzer Prize-winning humorist of the same name) as vaguely visage-like, at least enough to inspire a fun personal project: "Frank," a powdercoated steel wall hook that bears more than a passing resemblance to a woodland critter.
His story goes something like this:Frank is a quiet sort of fellow, who simply likes to hang out. He's incredibly patient and diligent. If you ask him to hold something, he'll never let go. He is quite literally as strong as steel, though he's just three inches tall.
Growing up, Frank knew he wasn't like the other rabbits. Their ears were floppy and covered in fur; his were rigid and strong. As a young rabbit, Frank's life changed when he went to the circus. There, he saw a seal balancing a ball on his nose. Frank was inspired. He tried to balance things on his nose, without much success, until one day he decided to try balancing them on his ears. He was a natural, and was soon holding up all kinds of objects with his ears for hours, even days, at a time.
Find out what happens to Frank after the jump...
It was at this time that Frank decided to devote the rest of his life to his talent and become a full-time wall hook. Unfortunately, hooking is not an easy business to break into. Frank needs help. He needs your help. So be generous and donate to help this rabbit who dared to dream.
To that end, "Frank" is currently available on Kickstarter, starting at ten bucks a pop. Would-be Kickstarters would do well to note that Barry's pitch is short, sweet and to the point:
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Comments
The flat shape will not nest well resulting in a low yield banged out from sheet stock.
No one wants to hang their expensive jackets on a raw-edge blade of thin gage sheet metal. A coat hanger will wedge between the hook and the wall.
Two awkwardly spaced screws leave the installer hunting for the stud or, horrible, two closely spaced hollow wall fasteners. Otherwise OK for solid walls.
Nice looking design though.