The journey of designing the Frontier tray began in Copenhagen and concluded in Portugal. Conceived in early 2024, the idea emerged from observing how people quickly empty their pockets upon arriving home.
This led to the creation of an angled tray, allowing items to slide down and hit the back barrier hence the name "Frontier." The tray needed to do one thing perfectly: hold what you carry, without becoming another object you have to think about.
Designing the metal wall was a significant challenge. We needed a structure that would keep objects in place without compromising the tray's aesthetics. This led to multiple revisions to ensure the wall was both functional and visually appealing.
Frontier · American Oak and Aluminium · 2025
The angled wooden body at the top added convenience to daily use, but finding the perfect angle was a meticulous process. Rigorous testing was conducted to ensure the inclination was practical and safe.
Everything changed when Daniel Catarino suggested using an angle bracket instead of a metal sheet. This innovation eliminated the cuts needed for bending, maintained a cleaner look, and added personality with the cuts at the bottom.
