Miguel began his investigation into how intent can affect the meaning of objects by shaping clay into “gestures of generosity.” He then began a self-imposed diet where he only ate the foods that he loves if they were made from scratch. This series of material studies, along with the diet, inspired a set of bread-making tools that illustrated the notion that “our tools are shaped by the intent we knead into them.”
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/47f2e4292523edf146fbafc046c0fd60/40dd02d66fdf3fd5639ee48b_rw_1920.jpg?h=ae9783600b11455de5f509c6a8d57be9)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/47f2e4292523edf146fbafc046c0fd60/e3c3904794bc961fe492c6a7_rw_1920.jpg?h=19b1816f894507637a5ed9a18877bee5)
Miguel’s next iteration analyzed the touchpoints where tools would improve the process. And inspired by watching artisanal bakers in Mexico, he identified techniques that would inform his designs.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/47f2e4292523edf146fbafc046c0fd60/537c9f98de4ab2e1b5b0787b_rw_3840.jpg?h=543fa31d155fe469b87c52dbf815b344)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/47f2e4292523edf146fbafc046c0fd60/fbfdfafe26a3bddc6b112661_rw_3840.jpg?h=3a690bb4cb7a020293a486001db12d04)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/47f2e4292523edf146fbafc046c0fd60/ccea31b15c5bf5f24919b405_rw_3840.jpg?h=a2ef77d7778943f788ffaaabfe20570f)
The final designs are hand-crafted Mahogany bread tools, in keeping with the artisanal bread-making process he practices and is inspired by.
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/47f2e4292523edf146fbafc046c0fd60/772bee494ae5c5b3db8c9348_rw_3840.jpg?h=6583a5939331c8625325a46cedf99c1c)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/47f2e4292523edf146fbafc046c0fd60/6e6111196f6aedda741ce941_rw_3840.jpg?h=b9fa0e8e17af5b5334783ca6383b1a04)