You shouldn’t hide the best pipe to smoke weed away in a cabinet. Cannabis consumers today are tired of fragile and disposable items. The modern cannabis consumer wants precision-engineered pieces that perform as well as they look. Artifact in Portland, Oregon is showing that premium marijuana pipes can be functional as well as sculptural.
Artifact smoking tools and pipes are known for their sculptural shapes, precision-machined materials, and functionality that is user-focused. They combine durability, performance, and refined aesthetics. Artifact is creating a whole new class of smoking accessories, from its Tempest pipe, to the soon-to be-released Vesta Magnetic Ashtray. They are focusing on longevity, convenience, and a more elevated experience.
Artifact’s Founder Ryan Rickett says, “Artifact treats smoking products as objects of design.” “I’m a designer and film maker, so my obsession is form and detail. I also pay attention to how the product feels in your hand.”
The Smoking Pipe Reimagined by a Filmmaker
Rickett has a strong focus on both form and functionality. His creative career spans global brands like Levi’s and Toyota, as well as artists including John Legend, Janelle Monáe, and Fitz and The Tantrums.
Rickett started channeling his background in visual arts into a different direction by 2020. He began developing prototypes of a smoking pipe that was innovative and distinctly modern.
He explains that as he created these prototypes, he realized how much imagination can go in terms of design and functionality. After a lot tinkering I began to feel that I had something exciting, just like filmmaking when I first started out.
Artifact will be launched officially in 2024 after Rickett moved from Los Angeles, to Portland. He was frustrated by the weak construction of many pipes and their difficult maintenance.
Artifact was born because he couldn’t locate a pipe which met his requirements. Most were uninspiring, fragile and difficult to maintain. Drawings were hard, clean-up was a hassle, and pipes were hidden. “I wanted to change this.”
Rickett, recognizing a market gap, decided to create one for himself. (Not just as a brand, but also as an object-oriented product that appeals to people who are interested in objects, rituals, and space.)
Rickett explains, “Our goal is to enhance the human experience by design.” We create first-class innovation for everyday rituals. Then we pair it with inspiring storytelling to entertain, educate and move people.
The Tempest – A Future Classic
Tempest is a perfectly symmetrical pipe made from two pieces of CNC hard-anodized aluminum. It has a squared bowl, and an interior that looks like a labyrinth. The intricately-designed maze cools the smoke, which can be filtered by an optional titanium screen.
It opens quickly, so it’s easy to clean. This combines precision engineering with refined aesthetics. Soft-touch, flat mouthpieces enhance comfort while maintaining a cleaner surface. The labyrinth inside and the symmetrical, balanced design combine to create a smooth, easy draw. The pipe is also great for those who are just starting out because you can clean it in seconds. Easy cleaning matters, especially for anyone who’s ever searched ‘how to clean a weed pipe’ after a week of use. When people compare options to determine the best pipe for weed smoking, the cooling system and the ease of cleaning are the most important factors.
Rickett states, “We place a high value on innovation, durability and serviceability as well customer respect and empathy. We also believe in bold marketing to build culture. We treat our smoking tools as design objects. We build classics to enhance your home and improve the ritual. Most pipe makers chase novelty, nostalgia or retro.
Artifact is soon to release the Vesta Magnetic Ashtray, which will complement both the functionality and aesthetics of the Tempest Pipe. The pentagon-shaped Vesta is designed with a symmetrical and clean geometry. It has three compartments that can each hold an aspect of smoking. The compartments are designed to store ash, essentials such as a lighter and accessories. Vesta is also equipped with an incense stand. This accessory is very popular among many cannabis users.
“The aim isn’t to have another gadget. Rickett says that the goal is to create a product you are proud of, which looks beautiful in your home and works beautifully.
Enhancing Your Daily Ritual
Tempest is a pipe that stands out because of its innovative, purposeful design. The edge of the product is equal parts innovative design and marketing. It’s sculptural hardware that has real utility and a narrative and visual language that feel like they were unearthed in the future.
Smoking accessories inspired by Artifact will elevate your every day ritual. Rickett states it very clearly, “We strive to elevate everyday rituals and the culture surrounding them. Not just sell status quo.