Our work revolves around finding people we can serve. This case study explores how I researched and met with one of my favorite designers to create an image that tells a story and attracts others I align with. Not to mention I picked up a SICK knife.
The Plexus by Arcane Design and Isham Bladeworks - Photo by Jeahn Laffitte
The Search
When I went full-time into commercial photography, one of the biggest struggles was determining what I wanted to do and who I wanted to do it for. It’s a huge question to work through and has taken me months of research.
That research led me to a blossoming community of creatives who each have a unique approach to their craft, knife-making. Knives are truly some of the most diverse tools I’ve ever seen, and there’s a world filled with millions of knife shapes, sizes, and use cases, just like photography.
The Find
If you didn’t know, I’m a huge Star Wars fan. It’s been a staple in my life since I was 4 years old. The culture of Sci-Fi has pulled at my heartstrings, informing my creative approach, and I was absolutely blown away when I came across a knife maker that bridged those two worlds.
Meet Arcane Design. Israel’s approach to knife-making is super unique and heavily inspired by Sci-Fi and Horror. But it’s not just the inspiration that’s so cool, it’s his approach to the design process and attention to detail that gives him such a unique product lineup.
Arcane Design’s “Crawler” and “Abyss” models
I spent the weeks ahead of the show interacting with Israel on Instagram and breaking the ice as best I could. This was an opportunity I didn’t want to miss. Turns out, he was just as awesome and friendly in person as his brand online shows.
Meeting Israel of Arcane Design at Blade Show West 2022
It was such an amazing moment, and I felt compelled to purchase his latest release, The Plexus, which, of course, is why I’m writing this now.
The Project
I immediately began thinking about how I could photograph this knife. It became quite the challenge approaching this angular design with light, but well worth the effort. Here’s how it went down.
Art Flows From Us All
So what was it about this object that drove me to spend days tweaking lights and reworking ideas?
This blade is like nothing I’ve seen or held before. The modular design and angular features speak to my soul. The titanium handle and m390 blade meet with the perfect marriage of form and function. The shape of the blade window flows seamlessly from the teal bolsters. The feel of the pivot bearings and the satisfying click when the frame lock is engaged, it’s all just right.
I suppose what I see in this knife is what I try to build into my own work: Simplicity through precision, beauty, and utility.
Artwork isn’t limited to a canvas or a computer screen, it flows through everything we do, and I can attest that Israel and Elijah are great artists in their own right, making people feel something through the story and design of the knives they make.
One day I hope to reach that level of artistry.