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# Usefulness in Small Things
- URL: https://www.protein.xyz/usefulness-in-small-things/
- Published: 2011-04-05T18:17:12.000Z
- Updated: 2025-05-28T11:03:53.000Z
- Description: Collected personally by Sam Hecht in small local shops during travels around USA, Japan, Jordan and Thailand, Under a Fiver is…
- Author: Protein
- Tags: Seeds, Art & Design, #protein, #Import 2024-06-11 13:15, #author-change-2025-05-28

![](https://storage.ghost.io/c/fc/71/fc716215-5729-441a-bd07-e2b50bc413b1/content/images/S3/protein/4741/fed08794-ebd8-48d0-876e-35b11daae18e.png)

Collected personally by Sam Hecht in small local shops during travels around USA, Japan, Jordan and Thailand, [Under a Fiver](http://www.underafiver.co.uk/?ref=protein.xyz) is a collection that spans the last 20 years. Everyday functional items including nails, plugs and toothbrushes are carefully curated, bringing together this delightful insight into the mass-produced.

[Graphic Thought Facility](http://www.graphicthoughtfacility.com/?ref=protein.xyz) designed the book that captures the collection, titled [Usefulness in Small Things](http://www.underafiver.co.uk/?ref=protein.xyz). Authors Sam Hecht and Kim Colin of the design office [Industrial Facility](http://www.industrialfacility.co.uk/?ref=protein.xyz) specifically highlight each thematically grouped object, revealing its origin, purpose, how it’s made and the relationship between the user and the object.

Usefulness in Small Things acts as a pioneering study of everyday objects, looking into the dialogue between user and object, function and design, it also boasts written contributions from the likes of Deyan Sudjic (Director of the [Design Museum](http://designmuseum.org/?ref=protein.xyz)) and [Paul Smith](http://www.paulsmith.co.uk/?ref=protein.xyz). We love the simple premise and beautiful execution of what we would ordinarily overlook.