Each a.j. zone design piece manifests with the intention of generating calmness and order amongst chaos. Balanced patterns, warm earth tones, and clean, organic inspired design drive each unique piece. Deeply textured pieces love to play amongst both natural and added lighting, casting a myriad of dynamic shadows. Using wood grain as paint and texture as form, Harel sculpts works of wood that petition the viewer to stop and take a breath.
Interwoven into his work is a mission to respect and fuel the regrowth of our precious resources by utilizing 100% of the pre-consumer waste generated during the drum building process and framing with primarily found and salvaged wood. The mission to create works that are net positive continues by replenishing our forests via planting two trees per square foot of work sold.
Aaron Harel aka “a.j. zone designs” has quickly established a reputation for bringing to life, deeply textured works that evoke a sense of calmness among chaos. Coming up at just under 300 sales of original pieces sold in under six years, Harel has become recognized for a unique approach that blends artistry, collectible decor, and sculpture with environmental consciousness and responsibility.
A lifelong creator, Harel began as a drummer, crafting custom drums under the brand "ZONE Drums" from age 12. This early passion led to a patent-pending drum design and collaborations with Grammy winning and nominated artists including Wilco, Passion Pit, and dozens more. While pursuing a degree in Music Industry at Drexel University, and interning at a custom drum shop, he encountered a large amount of drum shell waste from the manufacturing process that sparked an insatiable artistic drive.
This drive to find use for waste led to the development of a series of acoustic panels and custom fixtures, which garnered immediate acclaim for their aesthetic and functional qualities. Harel has since expanded this exploration into sculpture and lighting, using primarily reclaimed, found, and salvaged materials to create art that offers both beauty and ecological sustainability. This practice includes the planting of two trees per square foot of work sold, reflecting a deep commitment to replenishing our precious forests.
Harel’s work offers a sanctuary from the overstimulation of modern life, finding peace in the meticulous process of finding ways to give new life to old materials. This artistic journey is as much about creative expression as it is about fostering a more sustainable relationship with our environment. Now at age 32, Harel continues to push the boundaries of material use, merging artistic vision with ecological responsibility to create pieces that inspire and engage those to rethink materials around them.
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Illuminate The Arts Grant, Philadelphia
Loveland Reporter Herald - A&E Spotlight
NextFab Artisan Accelerator Program Grantee
Almost Familiar Podcast
June 2026
ReCreate Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
October 2025
CraftBlast, Design Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA
February 2024
Stump North and South, Philadelphia, PA
November 2023
Cascade, Rialto Theatre Loveland, CO
August 2023
WACK! Hot Bed Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
February 2023
Marriott Downtown Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
December 2022
Nextfab Accelerator Cohort Show, Nextfab, Philadelphia, PA
September 2022
CraftBlast, Moderne Gallery, Philadelphia, PA
July 2022
Turks Head Gallery, West Chester, PA
May 2022
Debut Solo Show, Philadelphia, PA
A.R.T. & Associates - Southern Gas Company Lobby
Marriott Downtown, Philadelphia PA, Permanent Collection
Rialto Theatre, Loveland CO, Permanent Installation
Subtronics Estate - International Musician
Jamie XX - Grammy Award Winning Musician
Windish Entertainment Studios, West Chester, PA
Hoffman Design Group, Philadelphia, PA
Private Studio, Ardmore, PA
Of The Trees - International Musician
