Design Passport

Movement Movie.

This was a lot of fun to make. Hope everyone enjoyed it too!!!

Finished Piranesi.

Piranesi process.

Design at this time of the year.

Sydney based Design company, Autumn, is a multi-disciplinary studio that works on everything from products to graphics to shop front displays. They were finalists in the SOYA (Spirit of Youth Awards 2010) for their industrial design entries - these included their 'United Stool' and 'Metal Lamp'. The 'United Stool' is a multi-purpose seat and side table. By utilising lightweight aluminium strips they have created this surprisingly strong product with minimal structural attributes, therefore giving it a feeling of weightlessness.  This is similar to their 'Metal Lamp' that has similar weightless qualities. Made from folded perforated steel this paper like structure is a rigid and strong product. I love both these products for their simplicity while creating stimulating and lively shapes from coarse and typically heavy materials.

'United Stool' 

'Metal Lamp'

Twister Restaurant, Kiev, Ukraine

The fusion of Architecture and Industrial Design. Mmmmmm

Twister is a newly opened restaurant in Kiev, the capital of Ukraine. The design team, Sergey Makhno and Vasily Butenko also of Kiev, work on residential and commercial interiors and architecture but we are particularly fascinated by their furniture and their sculptural approach to interiors. We wrote about one of their office projects a while ago.

In Twister, the duo has captured the upward pull of a tornado in the main two-storey dining area with furnishings that seem to hover above the floor on their super-slim legs, with light fixtures resembling rain drops, and with massive sculptural columns that are in fact crow's-nest balconies.

The bar area is yet another iteration of a bird’s nest with walls covered with thatched sticks and with cushy seats resembling pods or cones. The warm-toned color palette conveys a sense of calm throughout, in spite of the avian connotations and air-borne allusions.

Images courtesy of The Cool Hunter 

Text by Tuija Seipell.

Successful Living from DIESEL with Foscarini

From Italian fashion label DIESEL, come their range of living solutions with an industrial and 'grunge' feel. Similar to their collection of clothing, Successful Living has produced a series of lights using an array of materials including fabric, plastic and metals to reveal their idea way of living. In particular their light 'Rock' made from lacquered polycarbonate takes the shape of a rigid yet free flowing rock like form. There is a sense of smoothness to the light, possibly softened by the lighting and the bulb used, or simply because of its free flowing, organic shape. What do you think?

'Rock' (2010) by Successful Living from Diesel with Foscarini

Simplicity + respect for material qualities = Beautiful Design

French design company Neëst focuses their designs on the current trend 'Natural Style of life'. Their products ranging from clocks to mugs all show a passion for material beauty which in turn compliments the simplicity of their designs. They see no need to add aesthetic adornments to their products as their choice of materials hold beauty incomparable to manufactured beauty. I love their 'Cara mug' and accompanying accessories.

Neëst - Cara Mug

Neëst - Cara mug, Coasters and Kakudo plate

Neëst - Cara mug, Coasters

Click here for their website.

Toshio Shibata - Fine Art Photography

I fell upon this artist during one of my late night internet scavenges. Shibata's ability to capture movement in his photographs, while highlighting the technical sophistication in the structures he captures highlights the contrast between the stagnant human world and the free flowing natural world. There is a certain sense of simplicity in his works utilising natural light to form many components of his pieces, including tone, colour and contrast. Here are some examples of his work:

Toshio Shibata,  Name Unknown

Toshio Shibata,  Name Unknown

Toshio Shibata,  Name Unknown

Toshio Shibata,  Name Unknown

Toshio Shibata,  Name Unknown

Toshio Shibata Fine Art website - Click Here

The Evie Group

This Australian design duo have won numerous awards, in particular Alex Glimour who won the SOYA Award in 2010 and the Powerhouse Museum Wizard in 2009. These are simple, elegant and functional products that reflect, much like the Droog group, the simplicity and the aesthetic beauty in the materials they use. They attempt to pear all their designs down to there basic elements. Here are some examples of their work. Do you think they have achieved their aim?

EmilyTea Set Collection 

Frederick Collection

Silhouette Chair

Check out their website for more information: eviegroup.com

My mash up poster!

Vodka Ad

This is an ad (yes i know) for Vodka - good old Smirnoff. The free flowing, simple and graphically stimulating footage makes the whole experience a whole lot more enjoyable and intriguing. I simply can not get over the simplicity of it all... 

Collider - Click here

Image of the day...

Apples iPhone Testing Facilities - A masterpiece of beauty and functionality. 

Where else cold this idea be used? A chair? Structure for a table? What do you think?

My unexpectedly short adventure to the Object Gallery in Surry Hills

As part of the Design Passport I went to the Object Gallery in Surry Hills. The rather small and limited pieces on display was unsatisfying, yet its unique presentation strategy and quirky objects enabled some form of interest. The shop downstairs displayed an extensive and interesting array of vases and other vessels. These were separated by funky and cool brooches and pieces of jewellery. I am looking forward to some of the future exhibitions coming to the space in early April. Here are some photos from my visit..

In Good Company (29 January - 3 April)

The overall layout of the exhibition. I thought it was a great way to exhibit everyday objects in an everyday situation.

Wooden tools used to shape and distort glass during forming and construction. 

Joshua Lincoln

Bacchus bowl, 2010

Made from: American Oak

Design by Them

Butter Stools, 2010

Made from: Recycled plastic

Trent Jasen

Sign Stool 450, 2007

Made from: Used road sign and vinyl feet

Photos by Mitchell Harris

TED Video - the changing nature of handheld devices.

TED Video - The future of hand held devices. The idea of making a solid, emotionless object human again shows the determination of designers and society to integrate technology into their future lifestyles. This is a great website for new ways of thinking and ways to push boundaries. Check it out...

ted.com

Japanese Architecture - AMAZING!

Kengo Kuma and Associates Online - Accessed on 2/3/11

This building couples both ingenious design and functionality. I am just blown away by this building - this highlights the connection art has with design and the creative process required to produce something amazing. Inspiration for us all... Agreed?

Go to the link to find other great buildings:
http://kkaa.co.jp/works/prostho-museum-research-center/

UK Design Awards

Accessed 1/3/11 - Phaidon Online

I thought this was cool.. What do you guys think? Check out the link for many more pics.

http://www.phaidon.com.au/agenda/design/picture-galleries/2011/february/15/highlights-of-the-brit-insurance-design-awards-2011/?idx=1