Renegade Craft \ MISC Goods Co.

June 21, 2016

MISC Goods Co.

Maker Spotlight

Misc. Goods Co. is a collection of well designed products by graphic designer Tyler Deeb. The small but mighty collection contains some of the best miscellany, from playing cards (the nicest we’ve seen) to ceramic flasks.

Where did your business name come from? Is there an interesting story behind it?

I had always been drawn to the term, “Misc.”and had been trying to find the right place to use it for a while. Once I had decided to start designing products, it felt like a perfect fit because I knew that I never wanted to get stuck designing one type of thing.

Have you always been passionate about design?

No — I first started getting interested in design when I was 20. I was more attracted to the lifestyle behind the work then the actual work itself, but I soon fell in love with the process and feeling of discovery afterwards.

When/Why did you start working in this particular craft/field?

I moved from graphic design towards product design after a surprisingly successful Kickstarter campaign. I had designed a deck of playing cards (which is as much graphic design as it is industrial design) and I received a great response to the product. This humbling success gave me a platform and audience to test out new ideas.

What do you think sets your designs apart from others?

I’m not sure I’m allowed to decide if my work is set apart from others. But I will say that I feel very comfortable in my style, and I always try to make things I want instead of trying to figure out what “they” want.

Have you had any major failures? If so, what were some important insights gained?

Failures are happening every day all of the time. This work is not safe. You have to see the opportunities as a journey you want to take, and have a willingness to gamble from time to time. I get new insights constantly and I’ve grown enormously over the last 3 years.

Have you sacrificed anything to create your business? If so, what was it, and do you have any regrets?

The only thing I can say I’ve sacrificed is my comfort from time to time. My family is first, my friends are second, and my business is third.

How does the city you live in influence your work?

I live in a small city in Kentucky called Louisville. There is literally zero FOMO. People are generally a part of the working class and are hospitable; life is usually quiet. This allows me to get away from unnecessary pressure and make the products I want to make. I don’t have to make a ton of money, and I don’t have to compete with the person next door.

What has been your proudest/favorite moment since creating your business?

My proudest moment would have to be the Kickstarter campaign. It was remarkable! But since then I have been very proud of the amount of I’ve learned about business and product development.