MEMBER SPOTLIGHT
ERIC NAKASSA
Eric Nakassa is an artist, designer, furniture maker, and musician, creating beautifully crafted and thoughtful pieces that pay attention to the subtleties of detail.
Ricardo Console, 2021
Could you share a little about your path and how that’s guided you within your work?
I grew up in the Pacific Northwest and picked up skateboarding and music from an early age, so I've been expressing myself creatively long before I set foot in a woodshop or design studio. My first introduction to woodworking came from my high school woodshop class, where I learned the basics and familiarized myself with power tools. Years later, I picked it up again while studying Industrial Design at the University of Washington in Seattle. I got to work on a wide variety of product categories like soft goods, medical devices, and audio equipment. But I developed a particular interest in furniture design. When schools went fully remote during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, I moved in with my partner and her family in Bucks County, PA. I completed my capstone, received my bachelor's, and made the move out to NYC when I landed my first opportunity working as a furniture designer at Atelier Jouffre in Long Island City. I cut my teeth there under the mentorship of Taylor Scott Ross, designing and drafting high-end, custom upholstery projects for some of the most renowned interior designers in the country. These creative collaborations led me to my next role as a furniture designer at Studio Giancarlo Valle. I built miniatures, designed custom furniture for various residential and commercial projects, and helped grow the studio's own furniture and lighting collection. I joined In Common With in March of 2025 and became a member of GSS in October of the same year. I run a design practice under my name, designing my own collection and custom furniture pieces for interior designers and private clients.
I've built my career and design practice based on the same intrinsic motivation that made me pick up a skateboard and guitar as a child, and the same curiosity and wonder that provides me with a sense of belonging, fulfillment, and purpose. My hope is for these guiding principles to translate through my work and into people's lives. I believe designed objects have the ability to evoke memories and nurture human connections. The real making of a designed object doesn't end when it is physically made; it continues to be shaped by the people who live with it.
Abby Table, 2026
I see your work carrying its own voice, balancing form and function, while offering multiple touch-points between different types of pieces. Are there any recurring elements or themes that inform how you approach your work?
I'm constantly observing the built environment around me and taking notice of useful and beautiful objects I come across in my daily life. I pay particular attention to quiet details and like to document them in my sketchbook and camera roll. These details can spark an idea or bring an existing one closer to the finish line. I see the building blocks when I look at my work- a culmination of these quiet details expressed through new forms and materials.
I think a descriptive word that comes to mind when I’m looking at your work is “intentional.” You play with details and contrasts quietly, like juxtaposing hard materials with soft forms, or a shape detail that has a considered but not overstated articulation. Can you share a little about your design process and what you look for in your work?
It's interesting to observe how contrasting forces can complement one another. When I'm developing my ideas, I play around with forms and proportions that highlight the characteristics of each material. I make sure they are never in a shouting match with each other, and that they’re engaged in a peaceful exchange- happy to be in each other’s company. Sameness is never the goal. It’s always about harmony.
Kunitachi Table, 2020
There’s also an interesting relationship between contemporary and classic within your work. I can see a piece like the Kunitachi Table that feels contemporary but in conversation with classic reference points. Where do you draw inspiration from these days?
I pull inspiration from just about anywhere- from a walk in my neighborhood to my travels abroad. I'm also surrounded by beautiful furniture and objects every day through my work. Along with designing new furniture collections, I source and restore vintage furniture, which allows me to study traditional hardware and building techniques. I keep a growing archive of reference photos I've taken myself or sourced from the internet and books. In my sketchbook, you’ll find me beginning to translate these traditional references into a contemporary context.
As artists and designers, I think we use our work as a vehicle to connect to the world around us. Are there any peripheral interests or broader contexts that you look to use your work for that are important to you personally?
I believe community is the impetus for all of my creative pursuits. Whether it’s skateboarding, music, or design, I find myself surrounded by a community of like-minded individuals connecting with each other and the world through their passions. It’s the foundation that brought me the opportunities and resources to pursue a creative career path. I strive to be an active participant by contributing my time and resources to continue building these communities.
Elias Chair, 2023 | Judee Mirror, 2026 | Prop Chair, 2021
Outside of your design practice, you’re also a musician. Can you share a little about that and what kind of music you play?
I've been playing guitar since I was about 12 years old, and really got into writing and recording towards the end of high school. My musical taste has evolved over the course of my life, but The Beatles and Elliott Smith have had the most staying power. I've always recorded myself at home, usually in my bedroom with basic audio equipment. With my guitar and vocals as my primary songwriting tools, I learned just enough piano, bass, and music production to write and record a number of original songs. This approach yielded some lo-fi, indie-folk pop tunes that people have come to appreciate within niche internet circles. Today, I still write, record, and perform music with a close group of friends I went to college with. I love going to shows, collecting records, and nerding out over music gear. I am blessed to be a part of yet another creative, burgeoning community here in NYC.
