
Confidence Weights
Cast iron / 2010This cast iron weight was made in 2010. It is either always giving you a thumbs up while doing your curls, or always a thumbs down, based on your perspective and mood.
- About
Coby Unger is a maker of things and a connoisseur of high fives. His background is in woodworking, product design and mess making. He studied Industrial Design at Philadelphia University and spent several months as a resident artist at Autodesk’s Pier 9 Workshop. Coby prides himself on being a professional amateur, and dabbles in many fields. In his design practice he likes to supplement his more serous work with playful and humorous projects. His recent endeavors include a mobile maker lab in India, efficient biomass cooking stoves, and low cost prosthetic devices, as well as playful public furniture, skate boards, bicycles and some complex wood turnings. Currently he is living in Somerville Massachusetts and working as an instructor at the MIT Hobby Shop.
- Region
- Somerville, MA
- Website
- www.cobyungerdesign.com
- Media
- Wood
- Professional Status
- Educator
Portfolio

Matchbox Frames
Scrap wood, Matte board, Acrylic, Found match boxes. / 2020While living in India I became obsessed with collecting matchboxes. There are thousands of small companies making matches in India. My 400 frames are a small collection as far as phillumeny is concerned, but the only collection with individual frames.

Lawn Chair
Maple, Grass, Found Objects / 2015
Bridge Skateboard
Maple, Veneer, Skateboard parts. / 2017
In Collaboration with the Trees
Spalted maple, Steel fence / 2019Trees growing in close proximity to a fence or other part of our built environment often begin to intertwine and grow into the fence, building or sidewalk. This is part of a series of pieces in which those naturally made composite materials are highlighted.

Stool
Walnut, Maple, Blackwood / 2018Get it?
Custom Shirts
Cotton / 2020I turned to learning new skills in 2020 as many others did. My new skill is garment making. These are 4 from a set of 10 shirts I made for myself. Each also has a matching face mask.

Arborglass
Veneer / 2013I spent the better part of two years making wooden eyeglasses under the brand name Arborglass. Incorporating the practice of bent lamination from the furniture making world, these glasses are much stronger than most wooden frames.

StumpChair
Stump, Chair Backs / 2011-2021I have been installing chair backs on stumps since 2011. This is by far my longest running project.

Stained Glass Boston Terrier
Glass, Lead, Walnut, Leather / 2020I’ve been experimenting with using the CNC water jet for stained glass work. this is a piece I made for my brother.

Confidence Weights
Cast iron / 2010This cast iron weight was made in 2010. It is either always giving you a thumbs up while doing your curls, or always a thumbs down, based on your perspective and mood.

Swallows in Flight
Maple, Walnut, LEDs, Electric Motor / 2018This turned vessel spins under a flashing light revealing a simple 12 frame animation of a barn swallow in flight.

Chest of Drawers
Western red cedar, Found objects, Maple / 2020For about a year, I collected interesting drawers while walking. This piece is an accumulation of those drawers in western red cedar boxes.