Factory Tours
RockPaperRobot
At the Brooklyn Navy Yard’s Newlab, where innovation and creativity intertwine, a unique engineering and design company by the name of RockPaperRobot is making waves. Founded by Jessica Banks, a visionary entrepreneur with a passion for art and technology, RockPaperRobot is redefining the way we perceive furniture and design. In this interview, we delve into Jessica’s journey, her inspiration, and the challenges and triumphs she’s faced in the world of manufacturing and creativity.
Jessica grew up in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and her trajectory led her to MIT for graduate school, a decision she describes as transformative. Her experience at MIT fostered an environment where her ego was deconstructed and rebuilt, leading to a richer understanding of innovation and the fusion of human and robotic intelligence. “At MIT, I learned how to machine,” Jessica says, “and it was a new sense of power, kind of like, that’s what these are for—creation.”
This exposure sparked her desire to create pieces that inspire awe and curiosity in everyday life and establish RockPaperRobot. The company’s foundation lies in producing items that seamlessly blend innovative technology with artistry, offering consumers a new perspective on furniture and design. From levitating tables to versatile chairs that effortlessly fold away, RockPaperRobot’s creations are both functional and enchanting.
Banks’ designs possess a distinctive quality—they effortlessly evoke a childlike sense of curiosity and wonder in adults. She shares, “I decided that I wanted to make things that were robotic and technically more complex, but for people’s homes, so that I could inspire people with a sense of wonder about physics and about mechanisms.”
Jessica taps into a sense of awe, urging individuals to pause, explore, and interact with her creations. Reflecting on her Float Table– composed of magnetized wooden cubes seemingly “levitating” – Jessica notes, “People would look at it and play with it and walk away, and then physically stop, as if their brain was like, You don’t get it. Like a physical double take of an object. And then they would come back.” That lack of alienation, a playful curiosity and desire to understand, is how Jessica connects with her clients and challenges conventional notions of furniture as merely functional objects and transforms them into artistic marvels. “And then it’s a pretty damn good marketing tool,” continues Jessica. “Because now, I’m in there, right? And that table is unforgettable.”
Like any entrepreneur, Jessica has encountered her share of challenges. The manufacturing landscape in New York City presents both opportunities and obstacles. The cost of producing items locally can be prohibitive, leading some to explore outsourcing options. However, Jessica is committed to maintaining the essence of her work in the city that has shaped her creative journey. Community, particularly the one at Brooklyn’s Newlab where RockPaperRobot is based, is a huge part of what keeps Jessica in the city. New York possesses a “not-very-competitive and generous community that is energized by the city,” Jessica explains, “and also understands what it takes to have a business here. For me, that is what keeps me here.”
One of the key challenges she’s identified is the need for more accessible funding for innovators. While traditional funding models often prioritize larger-scale ventures, she envisions a middle ground that supports experimentation and prototyping. This funding avenue could empower creators to explore new ideas without the constraints of rigid business plans that focus on monetary success over innovation.
Looking ahead, Banks envisions her company delving into larger art installations that challenge the boundaries of creativity. “I’m really interested in using AI to help me figure out some of the details of those projects, because they’re things that don’t exist. I like to think about things that don’t exist, which is maybe my little nugget of skill, like to come up with things that aren’t in the world yet and they can be really hard for me to actually conceptualize.” AI’s capacity to assist in the creation of entirely novel concepts aligns perfectly with her artistic vision.
RockPaperRobot’s journey showcases the incredible impact of blending art and technology with determination. Jessica Banks’ vision, artistry, and entrepreneurial spirit remind us that true innovation lies at the intersection of imagination and technology, and that by pushing boundaries, we can reshape the world around us. “If you are excited about the things that you’re making,” says Jessica, “then you do the best.”
Those curious about Jessica and her creativity can catch her in action on Netflix’s streaming series “Hack My Home.”