CHEKT: Where Chess Set Meets Sculptural Art
Jess Wiseman's geometric chess design blurs the line between gameplay and objet d'art.
1Reimagining Chess Tradition
UK-based designer Jess Wiseman, 23, has reinterpreted the 19th-century Staunton standard with bold geometric forms. The matte obsidian pieces with warm cream undertones create dynamic light reflections. Each sculptural element maintains clear recognition of traditional chess roles - the queen remains regal, the knight unmistakably equine - while achieving a radically contemporary aesthetic through sharp angles and weighted bases that give them architectural presence.
2Negative Space as Design Language
CHEKT's masterstroke lies in its intentional use of negative space. When arranged on the board, the pieces form visual patterns beyond mere gameplay, creating compositions worthy of gallery display. Wiseman achieves this through rhythmic repetition of forms that maintain perfect balance between artistic statement and tactile playability. The pieces feel substantial in hand, preserving the physical satisfaction central to chess while elevating it to art object status.
3Engineering Marvel in Storage
The set's most innovative feature is its internal locking mechanism revealed in cross-section diagrams. Each piece contains precision engineering allowing secure stacking without compromising form. Magnetic bases keep pieces stable during play while enabling compact travel - solving chess design's eternal tension between beauty and portability. These functional elements are seamlessly integrated, never disrupting the set's clean lines.
4Packaging as Extension of Design
CHEKT treats packaging as integral to its design philosophy. The muted gray main box features gold-foiled piece illustrations and coordinate grids. Custom-cut foam trays hold each piece alongside red, orange and blue marker squares. A separate mustard yellow storage box carries streetwear-inspired embossed branding. The kraft paper outer sleeves offer three distinct graphic treatments - geometric abstraction, halftone circles, and pop-art silhouettes - all maintaining visual coherence.
5Bridging Play and Display
The inclusion of colored marker squares signals CHEKT's commitment to actual gameplay rather than mere shelf appeal. This philosophical choice reflects Wiseman's background in 3D animation for artists like Doja Cat and lifestyle branding through his label Figuregot. The set carries this cross-disciplinary DNA - it's clearly designed by someone who understands objects must live in the real world, not just look pretty in photos.
6Cross-Disciplinary Design Genius
Wiseman's diverse experience in VFX, animation and branding informs CHEKT's unique character. This isn't a chess set designed by a chess purist, but by someone who understands how objects communicate across contexts. The architectural approach to piece design represents a radical departure from decorative tradition. Every detail reflects thoughtful consideration of how form interacts with function at multiple levels - gameplay, display and tactile experience.
7Limited Edition Collectibility
Produced in limited quantities with three distinct graphic treatments, CHEKT sets combine consistency with variation. Maintaining visual coherence across geometric, halftone and pop-art versions demonstrates sophisticated design control. The packaging itself is designed as a keeper - from the illustrated coordinate lid to the streetwear-inspired storage box, every element demands preservation rather than disposal. This is packaging as art object in its own right.
8Philosophy of Functional Art
CHEKT pushes boundaries of object design, treating chess pieces as standalone sculptural works while maintaining game functionality. This approach exemplifies the growing 'functional art' movement in design. Representing the most radical innovation since Bauhaus's 1920s chess experiments, the set offers rare balance between artistic statement and playable design. It challenges perceptions of what game pieces can be while respecting what they must do.
Original article: Yanko Design — CHEKT: Satranç Tahtasından Sanat Eserine Dönüşen Tasarım