A prototype is a preliminary model of something. Projects that offer physical products need to show backers documentation of a working prototype. This gallery features photos, videos, and other visual documentation that will give backers a sense of what’s been accomplished so far and what’s left to do. Though the development process can vary for each project, these are the stages we typically see:

"And it can change in shape and form / But never change in size / Well, the water, it runs deep, my darling / Where it don't run wide”

- Joanna Newsom

TGT River Series - Maple Table & Triptych Set

What Is This Campaign?

I’m releasing a new production from my shop: the TGT Studios River Series - Triptychs & Tables, in order to raise funds to build a small solar kiln as well as establish the series as a permanent offering from my studio. I already source my hardwoods directly from my partnership with local sawyers and tree services, and would like to extend this tree-to-table service to include drying my own material in an environmentally friendly way.

This campaign is based on sales of roughly 4 sets of 3 panels and 2 tables, with a stated goal of $14,000 CAD (about $10,000 USD). I estimate the cost of building the solar kiln to be $1500, which will be pulled from the profit of the campaign. Details on the kiln build, as well as a funding costs breakdown, are listed below.

Stretch Goals will be announced beyond campaign total, and will include customization options, new glass colours, new frame powder-coating colours, secondary mounting hardware so panels can be reversed and more, depending on what options backers would like to see.

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sound 00:00 00:00 Black walnut and green glass version

How To Choose Your Reward:

Whether you want a triptych or a table, its easy to choose exactly what combination suits your needs. Simply select the REWARD TIER that corresponds with the wood variety and item you wish to purchase, and you're done! Glass selection, frame colouring, etc are all determined by FOLLOW-UP SURVEY sent via Kickstarter upon the close of the campaign.

Triptych shown in black walnut and green glass.

About Me

My name is Kyle Miller and I am a 3rd generation woodworker and artist with a background in traditional furniture design and stringed instruments. My father was a cabinetmaker, and my grandfather worked in the Canadian National Heritage Site Britannia Shipyards where he learned from traditional Japanese craftsmen.



Working under the name TGT Studios (the acronym refers to a Leonard Cohen lyric), I operate a highly specialized design and woodworking studio located in the small town of Port Alberni BC, in the heart of Vancouver Island. Through TGT Studios I offer bespoke creations and commission work, often drawing from traditional elements of Japanese joinery and blending it with a distinctly West Coast aesthetic. I am inspired by the works of James Krenov of the School Of Redwoods, George Nakashima, John Lore, Greg Klassen as well as luthiers like Fred Carlson and Ervin Symogi. I focus primarily on locally sourced hardwoods like big leaf maple and black walnut, and occasionally pair them with custom steel and aluminum fabrication. East meets west, wood meets metal, old meets new.

My shop is located in a small town of 15,000 in the heart of Vancouver Island, BC.

My work has appeared on The Today Show and The Billboard Music Awards, as well as in multiple art venues throughout the world. I've designed work for Grammy winning musicians and international hospitality firms, and my work is widely distributed with pieces in over 30 countries. One of my signature nixie tube clocks (originally launched on Kickstarter) serves as the in-studio timepiece for the wildly popular Joe Rogan Experience Podcast. You can view my work at the following:

What Is Available In The River Series?

Live edge cutting boards from triptych and table off-cuts.

Some of the possible wood/glass/frame combinations.

Triptych frame colours: Brushed Aluminum - Matte Black - Copper (Unlocked at $15k)

Glass options: Light Green - Dark Blue - Light Blue

In this campaign I am offering two items in my River Series, in two different hardwoods, with choice of two different colours of glass: triptychs and tables. Each is available in choice of one of two hardwoods, and one of three glass colours (light blue, dark blue, green). All pieces come with artist brand plate and signature. Additional material options will be unlocked via Stretch Goal (such as more glass colours, more powder-coating options, etc).

Cutting boards are available as I will have some end cuts and this project is all about using every last bit of the tree!

A triptych is a custom set of 3 wall panels that when displayed together complete a larger piece. Each set is compromised of three panels which combine to re-form the original live edge wood section. Each "river" is different and will vary from set to set. Each set is one of a kind. 16"x16"x2". Alternate sizing available upon request but may result in price change, please contact me first for a quote.

Tables are also available, although in a more limited capacity. Each "river" is different and will vary from table to table, as will the grain of the wood. Each table is one of a kind. 46" x 22" x 17". Alternate sizing available upon request but may result in price change, please contact me first for a quote.

A maple River Series table with wood base to match and blue glass.

*Custom sizing available upon request although price may be affected. Please contact prior to pledging.

How Much Does A Piece Cost?

TGT Studios River Series pieces are *priced as follows, with the effect of this campaign essentially reducing the cost of each unit to wholesale:

Cutting Board - Maple or Walnut - $60 USD / $75 CAD (MSRP $110)

- Maple or Walnut - (MSRP $110) Panel (1) - Maple or Walnut - $649 USD / $800 (MSRP $1100)

- Maple or Walnut - (MSRP $1100) Triptych (3) - Maple or Walnut - $1499 USD/$1999 CAD (MSRP $2750)

- Maple or Walnut - (MSRP $2750) Table - Maple or Walnut - $1650 USD / $2250 CAD (MSRP $3250)

- Maple or Walnut - (MSRP $3250) Custom Tiers - As Listed - Please contact directly to add a custom tier if there is something you would like added (ex. headboard, over-sized panel, etc).

*Prices in USD/EUR are approximate, based on conversation rates from CAD at time of campaign launch in early May. Final conversion may differ slightly.

A Note On Quality & Production Process

All of the big leaf maple for this campaign was sourced directly from Eden Tree Farm in Port Alberni BC, milled by local speciality arborists Totem Tree Service, before being stacked to dry at TGT Studios.

The two locally sourced hardwoods available in this campaign are Black Walnut and Big Leaf Maple.

All of the solid 1/4" aluminum frames are hand-welded, ground, and buffed before final powder-coating and curing in an industrial oven (precision cured at 408 F). Custom bracing is done by combination of hand and CNC plasma cutting to insure each unique panel is supported properly. The powder-coated finish is incredibly durable and will last a lifetime with proper care. Custom colours are un-lockable by Stretch Goal. Custom metal fabrication is handled by TGT Studios partner shop Electron Metalworks. Frames are custom designed for each particular set.

All glass is hand-cut from specially ordered 6mm material and securely fixed to the wood without use of any hardware. All glass colours are determined by follow-up survey.

Custom fabricated frames.

How Do I Install A River Series Triptych?

Each panel is easy to install and requires only minimal work and no tools beyond a hammer (although a drill may be preferred, depending on how one wants to hang the pieces). Each panel comes with its own hardware and directions, and can be hung on any surface you would hang a picture on. Installation time is only a few minutes. The provided installation hardware is rated substantially higher than the maximum weight of each panel to insure confidence and a long-lasting and safe installation of each piece. Custom pieces will ship with custom hardware.

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What Is The Expected Production Time?

All of the required wood will be fed through the kiln this summer for production in the fall. The first pieces will be manufactured at TGT Studios towards the end of September for delivery in early October. Production schedule will be updated through the campaign based on how many pieces are being produced.

Funding Breakdown

An approximate breakdown of the funding.

The Solar Kiln Plans

An approximation of the solar kiln project, via Popular Woodworking Magazine.

Local Pickup / Delivery

Local pickup and delivery is available within most of Vancouver Island, the Greater Vancouver Area. If you believe you may be eligible for local delivery/pickup, please contact me prior to pledging to confirm.

How Are The Rewards Shipped?

Single squares are shipped via Canada Post/USPS. Due to WTO regulations, no pieces will be shipped out of country with any bark attached.

Panel triptych sets will be shipped via Canadapost with the maximum value on insurance (CanadaPost/USPS caps insurance at $1000). If you wish to have a higher rate of insurance, please contact me to discuss extra shipping cost.

Due to shipping cost, tables cannot be sent outside of North America unless you have first confirmed shipping prices with me.

AUSTRALIA and NEW ZEALAND BACKERS are subject to greater shipping costs than those listed. Please confirm with me in advance.

Video Credit

"Finding The Balance" Kevin MacLeod (incompetech.com) Licensed under Creative Commons: By Attribution 3.0 License http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/3.0/

All video shot by Kyle Miller for TGT Studios promotional purposes.