Today we’d like to introduce you to Ali Goldman.
Ali, please kick things off for us by telling us about yourself and your journey so far.
I studied design at UC Davis, initially with the intention of becoming a graphic designer. I quickly realized that my real passion was not for graphic design, but instead, I was completely fascinated by the solution-oriented nature of product design. For the four years that followed college, I would tell anyone who would listen that my dream was to create a product – to find a simple solution to a common, everyday problem. This was so vague and unspecific that I don’t blame my friends and family for thinking I was crazy. Finally, after traveling around Southeast Asia in May-June of 2017, the idea for SplayTray hit me. I was staying in hostels with very limited personal space, so my makeup and toiletries would end up all over my bed. I had nowhere else to put my belongings so I was constantly having to put everything back in my bag and pack up. I knew there had to be a better solution.
Can you give our readers some background on your art?
For the past year and a half, I have been working on creating SplayTray, a bag that opens into a tray. My mission is to reduce daily stress and frustration, by saving people the time and energy it takes to dig through their bags to find the tiny item that somehow always ends up hiding at the bottom. SplayTray is held together on the sides with custom strength magnets, allowing the bag to easily open flat, snap into a tray, and quickly close back up when you’re ready to go. It can be used anytime you don’t want to have to dig through your bag to find something: makeup, toiletries, pens/pencils, art supplies, kids toys, etc. The possibilities are endless!
I first came up with the concept at 1am while I was lying in bed after returning from traveling, contemplating what to do with the rest of my life. The idea for SplayTray hit me and immediately, I flipped on the lights and started building the first prototype out of a Manila envelope. I then had my mom give me a quick sewing machine tutorial so I could make a more functional version. For the next year, I worked on filing my own provisional patent application and reaching out to manufacturers to figure out how I could truly make SplayTray a reality.
After several rounds of samples, SplayTray was perfected and I launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for my first production run. I now have the order placed and am anxiously awaiting the arrival of the first of many SplayTray shipments.
In your view, what is the biggest issue artists have to deal with?
I think one of the biggest challenges for artists, not just today but always, is figuring out how to create something that appeals to a large audience. Of course, it is relatively impossible to make art that everyone will appreciate but particularly in creating a consumer product like SplayTray, it has been difficult to find a style that will work for a large customer base. My goal is to make SplayTray a product that people of all ages and genders can use, but finding a universal aesthetic is an ongoing challenge.
What’s the best way for someone to check out your work and provide support?
The first order of SplayTrays will arrive in June but I’m currently taking pre-orders on my website! Head over to splaytray.com to get a better idea of what it’s all about and be one of the first to own one 🙂
Contact Info:
- Website: www.splaytray.com
- Email: [email protected]
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/splaytray/
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/splaytray/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/splaytray
Image Credit:
Taryn Rasgon
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