Today we’d like to introduce you to Jason Kehdi.
Hi Jason, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstory with our readers?
It all started with Legos. They were the first design tool I ever came in contact with. I was obsessed. Was on the pre-engineering track in high school and early college. Thats where I learned to use CAD and ended up interning for a couple summers at Hydra-lock corp. in Mount Clemens. Most of my family works for the big 3 and I decided engineering wasn’t creative enough. It wasn’t scratching that itch I’ve always had for making. So I went to CCS, intitally for transportation design. It was cool but still I needed to make. I found out they had a furniture wing in the crafts department and I fell in love. I lived in that studio for about 4 years. It was everything I ever wanted. Furniture was like Legos for the real world.
After graduation I spent 3 years working as a craftsman and design engineer for Ganas MFG, a high end furniture and millwork manufacturer in the city. In August of 2022 I decided to go off on my own and founded Argonaut Studio.
The three main educations I’ve had, Engineering, Art and Craftsmanship have brought me to where I am now. It’s been a lot of fun.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
The road has been “rocky”. I’ve always had a habit of becoming a bit too complacent. It’s only when things get truly miserable do I find the motivation for change. When I was in engineering I was doing great until I just got board. I couldn’t shack the idea that I’d be stuck like this unless I leave the field. That brought me to Transportation design. It was great until I realized the entire program was learning how to draw and render the best vehicles possible. Which would have been great but I was maybe the worst drawer in the program. I was the best maker though. At the end of freshman year we designed and built cable cars and raced them as our final. I came in first in the entire program. So I switched to a program where I was making. Furniture. That part was great.
Then when I got a job in furniture everything was good for years, then one day we got a new manger and I found myself requesting to moving into the design department. Not too long after that I decided It was time to be my own boss. So I got my own shop and here I am. Call it God or the universe, whatever it is it’s been pushing me on this slow progression towards my own Studio. I’m excited to see where it pushes me next.
As you know, we’re big fans of you and your work. For our readers who might not be as familiar what can you tell them about what you do?
There has been two major sides to my business, the millwork side and the furniture. Since leaving school most of what I’ve worked on is millwork. That has been my largest source of revenue. Architects and interior designers hire me a lot to build out the custom interiors they’ve designed. I think what sets me apart in that world is I have an art background, so I approach each project like Its art. And when things go wrong I’m always quick to provide creative solutions most carpenters might not think of. Once in a while I get to design and build. Those projects I really enjoy.
What I really love though is making furniture. Chairs, coffee tables, end tables, dinning, lamps, chandeliers, mirrors… I recently made a custom watch box. That was fun. I also really enjoy making objects. Small boxes, cutting boards, I made a rake for my little zen garden. If anyone out there wants something cool hit me up. We’ll have some fun.
All together just proud of myself. This isn’t a normal career path and it’s been really tricky finding ways to be successful monetarily. I’m definitely still figure out that part but I’m proud of how far I’ve come.
Do you any memories from childhood that you can share with us?
My Grandmother was an artist. She lived in a little house in West Bloomfield on an acre of land. She had travelled the world and going to her house was like going to another country. It was so alien compared to my day to day. I loved building forts in the woods behind her house and looking at all the treasures she had lying around. She always had an easel set up in her window. Always working on a different painting. Always depicting a place in the world she seemed to long for. So much of her sunk into me as a kid. I would say summer days at her house. They were really plesant.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.argonautstudio.art
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/craftsmankehdi/?hl=en
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/craftsmankehdi/
