Studio Kër

Studio Kër traces the African diaspora through art, architecture, and design. Founded by creative luminary (and former NFL superstar) Michael Bennett and experimental spatial designer Imhotep Blot, the studio carves out spaces and products that create communion and reclaim tradition.

With a joint exhibition with Theaster Gates approaching, Abbreviated Projects designed an identity rooted in a recurring motif across African aesthetics. Seen everywhere from textile patterns, to traditional Azande sculpture, to a 1970s highrise in Côte d’Ivoire, this shape also bears a poetic resemblance to the butterfly joint, used in woodworking to bind wood and prevent separation. Studio Kër’s new logomark was formed by deconstructing this strong, stable, elemental form.

The form is also the basis for a new custom type family by Abbreviated Foundry, our in-house typography practice. Kër Display and Kër Text include a curious set of discretionary ligatures, when activated, repeated letters stack on top of each other, representing the studio’s philosophy of building up.

Finally, a recessive grid pattern recalls the loading state of an out-of-service digital map, inspired by Michael and Imhotep’s guiding belief that “there is no arrival,” only a state of continuous discovery.

The identity debuted alongside a stunning suite of sculptural furniture at Studio Kër’s first show, “We Gotta Get Back to The Crib,” presented by Marta Los Angeles and Rebuild Foundation in South Chicago. The exhibit featured a set of custom wooden speakers fabricated in the form of Studio Kër’s new logo. In 2024, Studio Kër launched a collection of table lights with Gantri, utilizing the earthy color palette developed by Abbreviated Projects.

“The collection reimagines objects of communal gatherings; pieces include the Gumbo lounge chair, a lush take on the stackable monobloc chair, and the Pew couch, a nod to the church bench, made of leather and ekki wood.” — T Magazine