According to Ian, in today’s society, not many children learn how to make and design products from scratch. Specimen Products aims to fill that gap.

In some ways, Ian says, the Chicago School of Guitar Making is like “Montessori for adults.” It’s about working with your hands, about the tactile experience of creating something, about coming to know the material with which you work. Head over to North Homan Ave in Chicago to see the space for yourself. (Maybe even via The 606 elevated bike trail—Ian’s favorite thing in Chicago at the moment.) You might even be inspired to create something of your own that’s truly Illinois Made.