The 8th annual Budapest Design Week kicks tomorrow and I will be there giving regular coverage of the various exciting events which are scheduled to take place.
Showing posts with label product design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label product design. Show all posts
Thursday, 29 September 2011
BUDAPEST DESIGN WEEK 2011
The 8th annual Budapest Design Week kicks tomorrow and I will be there giving regular coverage of the various exciting events which are scheduled to take place.
Wednesday, 9 March 2011
Car Glasses
We spotted these brilliant glasses at the Gallery On the Corner in Edinburgh last week and they literally (pardon the pun) drove us wild! It's a really fun idea which certainly would raise a few laughs when passing drinks across the table - but just be careful not to serve alcohol, it's against the law to drink and drive you know.
The Gallery On the Corner is the first social firm developed by Autism Ventures Scotland and aims to promote art and design work by creatives who have a disability, mental health problem or who come from a disadvantaged background.
For more information about the Gallery On the Corner go to their official website http://www.thegalleryonthecorner.org.uk/index.html
Wednesday, 15 December 2010
BANG! POW! It's HOWKAPOW!
We're very excited about new online creative venture Howkapow. Founded by husband and wife team Cat and Rog How, the shop/creative PR agency acts as a springboard for emerging designers from all creative backgrounds.
Since the official launch they have been keeping busy setting up shop at Christmas fairs across the UK, popping up at the Somerset House 'Poundshop' and Bristol German Market as well as receiving nods from The Guardian and Venue Magazine.
Creative Director Cat How tells us more:
What is your background and where did you get the idea to start Howkapow?
I initially trained as a journalist and worked for Metro for a couple of years after I finished uni. I then moved to Australia and retrained in graphics, coming back to start a two-year MA at Central Saint Martins which I completed this summer. Throughout this time I sold my jewellery at artist markets in London and Melbourne and not only liked the idea of working for myself, but of being able to showcase the work of the new and emerging talent that I came across every week.
When I was at the artist markets, I was struck by how few of the designers either had online shops or knew how to promote themselves. They had great work, but no one knew about them. Howkapow sprung from this really - we wanted to create a platform for new and emerging designers to showcase their work. Our shop works as a financial support for the designers, while our agency offers PR advice and guidance on how to work with the press.
How do you see the brand evolving?
We want Howkapow to grow to a point where we can then afford to open some physical shops around the country. We want to do this so that we can then organise exhibitions for all our designers, and start to look into collaborations. We also want the agency to expand so that we can offer designers a more complete service overall.
How did you choose your designers?
As our focus is on new and emerging talent, many of our designers are recent graduates - quite a few from my old college, Saint Martins (like Eleanor Meredith), but also from the Royal College of Art. We spent most of the summer traipsing around graduate shows and design festivals - we felt it was important to meet as many of our designers in person before taking them on.
Describe the work available on Howkapow:
Bright, colourful, original, unusual, affordable and well-made.
How can other designers become involved?
By having a look at the site, seeing if their work fits - and then emailing me!
Finally, what would you like Santa to bring you for Christmas?
Um, the sensible (and mind-numbingly boring) side of me would a laser printer, some studio lights and a bike basket. Crap. But obviously the glamorous side of me would have to say two return tickets to Tokyo with a stop off at Noma restaurant in Copenhagen. Yum!
Visit the Howkapow store now @ http://www.howkapow.com/
Monday, 29 November 2010
Christmas at the Adam Pottery
Looking for an extra special stocking filler or just wanting to escape the bitter snow this weekend? Then why not pop along to the Adam Pottery and enjoy a glass or two of mulled wine at their Christmas Open Weekend. Situated in the heart of
Briefly tell us the history of The Adam Pottery:
The studio was set up in 1983 as my own workshop, but with space initially for other makers of various persuasions. However, for many years now the 5 or 6 tenants have all been potters and ceramists.
When did you first decide to pursue a career in ceramics?
Having enjoyed pottery at school and been to evening classes on and off - while working as a secretary for ten or so years - I had a series of "lucky breaks". These led to me having enough experience to feel I could set up my own pottery, which I did in 1976. Luckily in those days anything handmade sold, so I survived!
Which artists have influenced your work?
Not one specific potter, but I have always admired reduction-fired glazes, and skilful throwing of large pieces.
Since The Adam Pottery opened, have you witnessed a lot of developments in the use of clay?
The main change has been in the move away from wheel-thrown work for purely practical use towards more sculptural and decorative pieces. Also, the use of digitally enhanced images for use in decoration.
How would you describe the range of work on display at the Open Weekend?
"Something for everyone" about sums it up! Work by the 5 current (and one previous) ceramists includes everything from functional wheel-thrown pottery in stoneware, porcelain and earthenware to more individual one-off yet still practical pieces for indoors and out; slip-cast "designer" items; non-functional vessels with cutting-edge digitally enhanced images and crystalline-glazed sculptural pieces. Prices start at £2 for porcelain Christmas decorations, £6 for small vases - up to around £300 for individual pieces. Between us we show a really exciting view of what can be achieved in ceramics - both traditional and contemporary.
Is there ever any collaboration between the artists at The Adam Pottery?
Not as such, but we are always ready to help one another with technical problems and advice. Personally, I find I have to try consciously to not let too much sideways influence creep in !
Making work that sells, but does not restrict trying out new forms, glazes and ideas.
Finally - what do you want Santa to bring you for Christmas?
A new gas-fired kiln - totally free of charge...
Christmas Open Weekend
@ The Adam Pottery
Saturday 4th December
Sunday 5th December
Open 11am – 6pm
76 Henderson Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5BJ
Tel: 0131 557 3978
Email: adampottery@1to1.org
Saturday, 23 October 2010
Design Less Ordinary - An Interview with Michael Antrobus by Calum Ross
Product and furniture designer Michael Antrobus' curatorial debut 'Design Less Ordinary' featured 30 new works from 11 London based product and furniture designers, including the internationally renowned designer Ryan Frank. Following his success at the Brick Lane Gallery, Michael chats to jotta about stationery, exhibiting and reconsidering the familiar.
Design Less Ordinary was your first curatorial effort, how do you feel it went ?
It all went surprisingly smoothly considering it was our first show. But we owe this to a huge effort on the part of everyone who exhibited. My main advice, as obvious as it may sound is to have everything possible in place well in advance. We were very well prepared and setting up in the gallery only took us half a day. Also, sort out sponsorship first. We underestimated how long this would take and left it too late for this show, but we will be ready for next time.
Would you like to curate more exhibitions?
Design Less Ordinary was the beginning of a run of shows, as those who exhibited intend to re-group annually. However I would jump at the opportunity to put a new show together. I'd also like to show outside of London, in cities Like Milan and New York.
The exhibition showcased designers' personal responses and reconsideration of the familiar, what was your reaction to this brief?
'Hello Stranger' is a collection of public objects that clamp to existing infrastructures; fences, benches, lamp posts and railings. But unlike typical municipal furniture these objects are flexible, tactile and playful. The objects are also open to a degree of interpretation. But wether they are used to 'frame' an impromptu photo opportunity or to create and highlight points of focus in the landscape, the ultimate aim was to get people talking.
How did you go about selecting the other exhibiting designers?
We wanted to display a variety of approaches to design and everyone featured in the show had created work that was subtly subversive. A glass and decanter are used in Remembrance of Things Past by Owen Wells to present a 'future in which scent memory is used as an emotional stimulant'.
How did Ryan Frank become involved?
Myself and Geoff Marsh (co-curator) both completed internships at Mentmore Studios, and it was here that we got to know Ryan. When we were first considering putting a show together we'd initially asked him for his advice. Later, when we had a clear direction we asked Ryan if he'd like to be involved. He was keen on the format and his live collaboration with graffiti collective Secret Wars added an exciting dimension to the show.
Are his values on sustainability something you yourself try to incorporate into your designs?
The use and re-use of sustainable materials is at the heart of Ryan's approach to design and while this is an important and necessary consideration for me too, it is not the main focus of my work.
Can you tell us more about your stationery project?
'Ground' is a collection of raw industrial tools for the home. Weeks of working with flat steel bar, using self made jigs and press tools. Then continued experimentation with the position of twists, bends, pressing, heating and filing resulted in this first family of stationery objects. Each follows the same logic. The steel is first formed in a fly press, then twisted to create a handle. A blade is then sharpened onto one edge of the steel before being plated and riveted together.
What would be your ideal job or profession?
I have enjoyed the variety of projects that I've worked on both before and since graduating. So I guess my ideal job would be one that allows me to carry this variety forward. Ultimately I want to work in three dimensional design, but a studio which, allows me to switch between designing products, furniture, spaces and installations would be ideal.
What else are you currently working on?
I am currently working on a collection of Jewelry for a fashion designer at the Royal College and Download Print Fold - A family of downloadable objects, to be printed and folded out of scrap paper. I am also looking for a producer to license 'Ground.'
Finally, if you were a piece of design, what would you be?
I'd like to be Bruno Munari's Cubo Ashtray ash tray, or maybe a mechanical egg whisk.
Originally Published by Jotta.com, 5th November, 2009
Sunday, 10 October 2010
Saturday, 9 October 2010
Friday, 8 October 2010
Thursday, 7 October 2010
Tuesday, 5 October 2010
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