A believer that “use follows form,” New York-based industrial designer Leon Ransmeier has a hands-on approach to every project. With works included in the San Francisco Museum of Modern Art and the Corning Museum of Glass, he creates full-size prototypes for each of his designs. “Designers have to imagine how a stranger might use a product – it’s almost a form of empathy.” For HAY, Ransmeier has designed the Revolver Stool, Chops Toothbrush, and Shortwave Dish Rack.

The Revolver Stool is positioned on a bearing mechanism that allows the seat and foot ring to rotate 360 degrees. “The original Revolver used a ball bearing from a Chinese kitchen supply store on the Bowery – dim sum restaurants use them for the big lazy Susans that are in the middle of the tables.”