‘makers cabinet’ updates 18th century drawing compass using camera aperture mechanism

london-based design studio ‘makers cabinet’ puts a new spin on an 18th-century design, creating a drawing tool that employs the mechanics of the aperture used in a camera lens. ‘iris’ aids in the drawing and measurement of circles as its stainless-steel leaves rotate on the inside of a solid brass enclosing, scaling them to a specified size.

images courtesy of makers cabinet

believing the traditional rotary drawing compass to be inadequate, makers cabinet was inspired by camera aperture to create an instrument which makes use of the same mechanics. its scale is marked with a red dot, allowing the diameter of each circle to be read without the impediment of any other tool. below the iris’ leaves sits a natural rubber footprint that seamlessly grips to your page. a mark on its measurement gauge creates repeat and changing circles.

makers cabinet wanted to celebrate time-honoured materials and mechanisms when designing iris. its rings are machined from solid brass that will patina as it weathers. they house twenty intricately designed leaves which are resistant to ink and graphite as they are stamped from carefully selected stainless spring steel. this also helps them maintain their shape. 

‘the concept of the iris came from conversations with our kickstarter community‘, explains the studio. ‘our supporters said that circle drawing tools lacked innovation and were difficult to use. these tools were unreliable and short-lived. so, we set out to completely redesign the circle drawing tool.‘

so far, the studio has surpassed its goal of raising £25,000 with its kickstarter campaign.