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- Keechdesign News (21)
- Design Classics (6)
- Opinion (20)
- Creative Report (26)
- In The Know (10)
- Inspiration (14)
- Design Top Five (7)
Better By Design
Posted by: Katch on 3rd Mar 2010 in Creative Report
A sports car made out of fabric and a collapsible electric plug are among 100 or so items currently on show at the Design Museum in London, and in the running to win the 2010 Brit Insurance Design Awards.
Evan Davis - accompanied by Museum Director Deyan Sudjic, and sculptor and awards judge Antony Gormley took a look at the ingenious and stylish creations.
Link to the BBC audio slideshow is here
comments (0) | read more »
The Future Is Here (next to the Albert Hall)
Posted by: Ketch on 1st Feb 2010 in Creative Report
I've been lucky enough to have been a recent visiting tutor in one of the most exciting departments of the most exciting design school in the world. For a taste of this, don't miss the Work-in-progress Shows of the Royal College of Art's Innovation Design Engineering school.
3rd-9th Feb. RCA Galleries, Kensington Gore London. (Next to the Albert Hall.)
As well as IDE you'll get to see work in progress from architecture, design interactions, vehicle design, printmaking and animation students.
comments (0) | read more »
Apple iPad launched!
Posted by: Konch on 27th Jan 2010 in Creative Report
Apple introduces iPad tablet device. Breaking news here. Let us know what you think to it...
comments (1) | read more »
What's It To Be Then?
Posted by: Kouche on 27th Jan 2010 in Creative Report
What exactly WILL Apple be launching at 18.00 GMT this evening? A sort of hybrid iPhone/laptop tablet? A car? An e-book? A Jesus tablet? A space mission?
Some possibilities to ponder on your way to the bookies here
Detroit Motor Show 2010
Posted by: Klutch on 12th Jan 2010 in Creative Report
You can feel the tingle of electricity around this year's North American International Auto Show in Michigan's motor city.
Here's what they say:
Detroit's Deafening Electric Buzz
Small, Hybrid and Electric Cars
Doors Open at Detroit Motor Show
Audi's Electric E-tron (pictured above)
comments (0) | read more »
Google Nexus One
Posted by: Keech on 5th Jan 2010 in Creative Report
Google is about to unveil a new phone; the Nexus One. This is more than significant as it will surely go head to head with our beloved iPhone. Carrying the obligatory 300 quid plus price tag, it apparently rides on Google's own Android mobile phone software first launched in 2007.
comments (3) | read more »
Brand New Heavy Light
Posted by: Keech on 23rd Sep 2009 in Creative Report
I first saw Benjamin Hubert's concrete lamps at last year's 100% Design and was instantly attracted to them. For me, they breathed new life into a familiar material and process. Great to see then, that the range is now extended to include a desk lamp.
comments (2) | read more »
From Kings Cross to Kyushu
Posted by: Chisa Kono on 11th Sep 2009 in Creative Report
British architects and designers have a long history of making their mark at all corners of the globe. Interior designer Chisa Kono talks about a project that is literally close to home...
What an exciting building this is! I've never seen a building quite like it. It's a temple, designed by Heatherwick Studio, and is scheduled to be built in Kagoshima at the south-western tip of the Kyushu island of Japan. British designer Thomas Heatherwick was commissioned by a the Shingon-Shu Buddhist sect to create the new temple and ossuary.
comments (7) | read more »
Ones To Watch
Posted by: Keech on 22nd Jul 2009 in Creative Report
Hotbed of creativity is perhaps an overworked metaphor, but always does nicely for the Royal College of Art. Particularly around degree show and finals time when things get very warm indeed; creatively speaking. This year I was teaching a module in the college's Industrial Design Engineering department. Helping final year students with the process of metamorphosis whereby concepts and plans become fully functioning reality. The core philosophies of the department are an inspiration in themselves:
Innovation is the bedrock of IDE and our philosophy is that of the Enlightenment: creativity, design and science in harmony.
This year there were five Distinctions awarded in IDE. Here's the pick of the bunch...
comments (0) | read more »
Wish You Were Here
Posted by: Keech on 15th Jul 2009 in Creative Report
What: A collection of souvenirs that can be sent by e-mail and then materialize using a 3D printer (stereolithography rapid prototyping).
Who: Héctor Serrano Studio sponsored by 3D Systems.
When: When you are on holiday and want to send a postcard/souvenir with a very low carbon footprint.
comments (0) | read more »
Yes, But Is It Art?
Posted by: Keech on 23rd Jun 2009 in Creative Report
Of course it is. And industrial design and architecture too. Eric Parry's new door handles for izé are exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the first door handles ever to appear there. (The RA summer show runs until 16th August 2009)
The genesis of the Z handle, from concept drawings in Parry’s sketchbook to working models, and a cast prototype are used to address curator Will Allsop's theme of illustrating the process through working models.
The Z handle, which comes in three sizes, is part of izé's growing portfolio of creative collaboration in the field of architectural ironmongery.
comments (0) | read more »
The Design of The Future
Posted by: Keech on 1st Apr 2009 in Creative Report
Now is a very exciting time for design. Sure - there is a global downturn, but there are many new developments in design that may change the way we eat, sleep and even talk. We've been doing some detective work and have found some beacons of hope - it could be that design might just change the world...
comments (17) | read more »
Iconic British Design
Posted by: Keech on 28th Jan 2009 in Creative Report
I love stamps. Bite-sized pictorial pieces information that chart the history of the political, scientific and natural world since 1840. Neat then, that a set of new stamps depicting design classics could be referred to by Mary Quant as design classics themselves.
Issued on 13th January the Design Classics stamps celebrate a century of British design, honouring some of our best-loved designers.
The ten first class stamps feature instantly recognisable design icons from the 20th Century. From Mary Quant's mini skirt to Sir Alec Issigonis's original Mini and Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's timeless red telephone box, the striking set of stamps proves why British design is rated amongst the best in the world. (Words of the Royal Mail, not me, but I wouldn't really want to disagree!)
Other examples of home grown design excellence in the spotlight are London's famous red Routemaster bus, Harry Beck's sublime Underground map and George Carwardine’s Anglepoise Lamp. Here they are...
comments (0) | read more »
Of UFOs and Wind Farms
Posted by: Keech on 8th Jan 2009 in Creative Report
I read with interest on the BBC News website that a 20 metre high wind turbine in Conisholme, Lincolnshire may have been the victim of a UFO attack.
The turbine has been badly damaged, and the culprit, so far, remains a total mystery, despite extensive investigations by the site owners, Ecotricity.
The BBC says that County councillor for the area Robert Palmer said he had seen a "round, white light that seemed to be hovering", and local UFO enthusiasts say there has been a lot of activity in the area of late.
Could there possibly be a design angle on this?
comments (3) | read more »
At Last
Posted by: Keech on 26th Nov 2008 in Creative Report
At last - a mobile phone that I really like the look of. According to friends I'm officially a phone tart (what designer isn't?); regularly changing and upgrading handsets in pursuit of, well... something or other.
I recently took part in a workshop event called UK Design In China, organised by Creative Connexions and Tecatech. Part of the workshop involved the design and modelling of your ultimate mobile phone, in super-fast time. The exercise forced us to condense our myriad expectations and It became clear that physical form is most problematic, with most of us attempting to get away from the conventional rectangular, forward-facing layout.
comments (0) | read more »
Tudor Grove
Posted by: David Keech on 29th Sep 2008 in Creative Report
I recently attended an open day at Tudor Grove Studios (at 21 Tudor Grove, Hackney), along with fellow Olympian Arts directors Robert Connolly and Michael Day.
Tudor Grove is artists' studios and non-commercial exhibition space operated as a not-for-profit collective under the umbrella of the Olympian Arts Trust. It is home to some of the UK's most exciting contemporary artists.
Those of you familiar with this blog will know about Olympian Arts from previous posts; I have also added some information at the end of this one.
comments (0) | read more »
Sound Design
Posted by: David Keech on 13th Aug 2008 in Creative Report
re:voice is a new device that harnesses the human voice, enabling the user to explore new directions in music making.
Product design or digital engineering, musical instrument or iconic object? All of the above. Traditional musical instruments are so ingrained in our consciousness that it's hard to imagine what lies down the evolutionary path. Marek Bereza has done just that. re:voice is a sophisticated electronic device, but clearly its progenitor is the hollow piece of bamboo or conch shell that first surprised Early Man with its sound-making potential.
comments (0) | read more »
4D
Posted by: David Keech on 11th Aug 2008 in Creative Report
We spotted Henry Bagshawe's 4D coffee table at this year's New Designers show (see previous blog posts 16th and 18th July for full details.) It is one of those pieces that is simply impossible to walk past without taking a closer look. Very effective use of laminated plywood, and variable positioning from two nicely detailed perpendicular hinges.
comments (0) | read more »
New Designers 2008: Best In Show (In Our Opinion)
Posted by: Annette Gelling on 18th Jul 2008 in Creative Report
London. The Business Design Centre in July. Cool outside but very hot inside; either through a surfeit of design talent or something dodgy with the BDC air conditioning. Anyway, here is Keechdesign's pick of the bunch. See if you agree...
comments (1) | read more »
New Designers 2008
Posted by: David Keech on 16th Jul 2008 in Creative Report
We visited Part 2 of the show, at The Business Design Centre in London last week and spent an inspiring afternoon looking at a particularly broad spectrum of fresh design talent. Equally inspiring was the professional and confident way in which the students talked about their work. We'll feature our pick of the bunch later, but first, more about the show...
comments (0) | read more »
Man Machine
Posted by: David Keech on 24th Jun 2008 in Creative Report
At last someone has taken on the formidable task of making a film about one of the 20th Century's true creative spirits, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.
comments (1) | read more »
SHOW RCA
Posted by: Annette Gelling on 30th May 2008 in Creative Report
The Royal College of Art's annual graduate summer shows are taking place over four separate exhibitions this year: next up for your diaries are SHOW RCA Part 2 and SHOW RCA Sculpture. Don't miss them...
How To Grow Your Business in Japan
Posted by: David Keech on 29th May 2008 in Creative Report
How To Grow Your Business In Japan was a seminar that I recently attended at JETRO's impressive offices on High Holborn.
RCA meets Courtauld
Posted by: David Keech on 28th Mar 2008 in Creative Report
I recently attended a private view of the Printmaking & Sculpture Work-in-Progress shows at the RCA - unique in that this was also the first ever joint Courtauld/RCA alumni event.
99% Design
Posted by: Annette Gelling on 4th Oct 2007 in Creative Report
This year 100% Design London saw an updated format created by Tom Dixon. The intention was to create more of a city-like environment and was designed to offer places in which people could network, do business, exchange ideas and relax.
Half Life
Posted by: David Keech on 3rd Oct 2007 in Creative Report
If you are an experienced designer with a background in high-tech architecture, product design and furniture, what type of project might you find yourself working on these days? Simple: a major new landscape work in Scotland currently attracting a lot of attention called Half Life. If you are James Johnson that is.
Posted by: Katch on 3rd Mar 2010 in Creative Report
A sports car made out of fabric and a collapsible electric plug are among 100 or so items currently on show at the Design Museum in London, and in the running to win the 2010 Brit Insurance Design Awards.
Evan Davis - accompanied by Museum Director Deyan Sudjic, and sculptor and awards judge Antony Gormley took a look at the ingenious and stylish creations.
Link to the BBC audio slideshow is here
comments (0) | read more »
The Future Is Here (next to the Albert Hall)
Posted by: Ketch on 1st Feb 2010 in Creative Report
I've been lucky enough to have been a recent visiting tutor in one of the most exciting departments of the most exciting design school in the world. For a taste of this, don't miss the Work-in-progress Shows of the Royal College of Art's Innovation Design Engineering school.
3rd-9th Feb. RCA Galleries, Kensington Gore London. (Next to the Albert Hall.)
As well as IDE you'll get to see work in progress from architecture, design interactions, vehicle design, printmaking and animation students.
comments (0) | read more »
Apple iPad launched!
Posted by: Konch on 27th Jan 2010 in Creative Report
Apple introduces iPad tablet device. Breaking news here. Let us know what you think to it...
comments (1) | read more »
What's It To Be Then?
Posted by: Kouche on 27th Jan 2010 in Creative Report
What exactly WILL Apple be launching at 18.00 GMT this evening? A sort of hybrid iPhone/laptop tablet? A car? An e-book? A Jesus tablet? A space mission?
Some possibilities to ponder on your way to the bookies here
Detroit Motor Show 2010
Posted by: Klutch on 12th Jan 2010 in Creative Report
You can feel the tingle of electricity around this year's North American International Auto Show in Michigan's motor city.
Here's what they say:
Detroit's Deafening Electric Buzz
Small, Hybrid and Electric Cars
Doors Open at Detroit Motor Show
Audi's Electric E-tron (pictured above)
comments (0) | read more »
Google Nexus One
Posted by: Keech on 5th Jan 2010 in Creative Report
Google is about to unveil a new phone; the Nexus One. This is more than significant as it will surely go head to head with our beloved iPhone. Carrying the obligatory 300 quid plus price tag, it apparently rides on Google's own Android mobile phone software first launched in 2007.
comments (3) | read more »
Brand New Heavy Light
Posted by: Keech on 23rd Sep 2009 in Creative Report
I first saw Benjamin Hubert's concrete lamps at last year's 100% Design and was instantly attracted to them. For me, they breathed new life into a familiar material and process. Great to see then, that the range is now extended to include a desk lamp.
comments (2) | read more »
From Kings Cross to Kyushu
Posted by: Chisa Kono on 11th Sep 2009 in Creative Report
British architects and designers have a long history of making their mark at all corners of the globe. Interior designer Chisa Kono talks about a project that is literally close to home...
What an exciting building this is! I've never seen a building quite like it. It's a temple, designed by Heatherwick Studio, and is scheduled to be built in Kagoshima at the south-western tip of the Kyushu island of Japan. British designer Thomas Heatherwick was commissioned by a the Shingon-Shu Buddhist sect to create the new temple and ossuary.
comments (7) | read more »
Ones To Watch
Posted by: Keech on 22nd Jul 2009 in Creative Report
Hotbed of creativity is perhaps an overworked metaphor, but always does nicely for the Royal College of Art. Particularly around degree show and finals time when things get very warm indeed; creatively speaking. This year I was teaching a module in the college's Industrial Design Engineering department. Helping final year students with the process of metamorphosis whereby concepts and plans become fully functioning reality. The core philosophies of the department are an inspiration in themselves:
Innovation is the bedrock of IDE and our philosophy is that of the Enlightenment: creativity, design and science in harmony.
This year there were five Distinctions awarded in IDE. Here's the pick of the bunch...
comments (0) | read more »
Wish You Were Here
Posted by: Keech on 15th Jul 2009 in Creative Report
What: A collection of souvenirs that can be sent by e-mail and then materialize using a 3D printer (stereolithography rapid prototyping).
Who: Héctor Serrano Studio sponsored by 3D Systems.
When: When you are on holiday and want to send a postcard/souvenir with a very low carbon footprint.
comments (0) | read more »
Yes, But Is It Art?
Posted by: Keech on 23rd Jun 2009 in Creative Report
Of course it is. And industrial design and architecture too. Eric Parry's new door handles for izé are exhibited at the Royal Academy Summer Exhibition, the first door handles ever to appear there. (The RA summer show runs until 16th August 2009)
The genesis of the Z handle, from concept drawings in Parry’s sketchbook to working models, and a cast prototype are used to address curator Will Allsop's theme of illustrating the process through working models.
The Z handle, which comes in three sizes, is part of izé's growing portfolio of creative collaboration in the field of architectural ironmongery.
comments (0) | read more »
The Design of The Future
Posted by: Keech on 1st Apr 2009 in Creative Report
Now is a very exciting time for design. Sure - there is a global downturn, but there are many new developments in design that may change the way we eat, sleep and even talk. We've been doing some detective work and have found some beacons of hope - it could be that design might just change the world...
comments (17) | read more »
Iconic British Design
Posted by: Keech on 28th Jan 2009 in Creative Report
I love stamps. Bite-sized pictorial pieces information that chart the history of the political, scientific and natural world since 1840. Neat then, that a set of new stamps depicting design classics could be referred to by Mary Quant as design classics themselves.
Issued on 13th January the Design Classics stamps celebrate a century of British design, honouring some of our best-loved designers.
The ten first class stamps feature instantly recognisable design icons from the 20th Century. From Mary Quant's mini skirt to Sir Alec Issigonis's original Mini and Sir Giles Gilbert Scott's timeless red telephone box, the striking set of stamps proves why British design is rated amongst the best in the world. (Words of the Royal Mail, not me, but I wouldn't really want to disagree!)
Other examples of home grown design excellence in the spotlight are London's famous red Routemaster bus, Harry Beck's sublime Underground map and George Carwardine’s Anglepoise Lamp. Here they are...
comments (0) | read more »
Of UFOs and Wind Farms
Posted by: Keech on 8th Jan 2009 in Creative Report
I read with interest on the BBC News website that a 20 metre high wind turbine in Conisholme, Lincolnshire may have been the victim of a UFO attack.
The turbine has been badly damaged, and the culprit, so far, remains a total mystery, despite extensive investigations by the site owners, Ecotricity.
The BBC says that County councillor for the area Robert Palmer said he had seen a "round, white light that seemed to be hovering", and local UFO enthusiasts say there has been a lot of activity in the area of late.
Could there possibly be a design angle on this?
comments (3) | read more »
At Last
Posted by: Keech on 26th Nov 2008 in Creative Report
At last - a mobile phone that I really like the look of. According to friends I'm officially a phone tart (what designer isn't?); regularly changing and upgrading handsets in pursuit of, well... something or other.
I recently took part in a workshop event called UK Design In China, organised by Creative Connexions and Tecatech. Part of the workshop involved the design and modelling of your ultimate mobile phone, in super-fast time. The exercise forced us to condense our myriad expectations and It became clear that physical form is most problematic, with most of us attempting to get away from the conventional rectangular, forward-facing layout.
comments (0) | read more »
Tudor Grove
Posted by: David Keech on 29th Sep 2008 in Creative Report
I recently attended an open day at Tudor Grove Studios (at 21 Tudor Grove, Hackney), along with fellow Olympian Arts directors Robert Connolly and Michael Day.
Tudor Grove is artists' studios and non-commercial exhibition space operated as a not-for-profit collective under the umbrella of the Olympian Arts Trust. It is home to some of the UK's most exciting contemporary artists.
Those of you familiar with this blog will know about Olympian Arts from previous posts; I have also added some information at the end of this one.
comments (0) | read more »
Sound Design
Posted by: David Keech on 13th Aug 2008 in Creative Report
re:voice is a new device that harnesses the human voice, enabling the user to explore new directions in music making.
Product design or digital engineering, musical instrument or iconic object? All of the above. Traditional musical instruments are so ingrained in our consciousness that it's hard to imagine what lies down the evolutionary path. Marek Bereza has done just that. re:voice is a sophisticated electronic device, but clearly its progenitor is the hollow piece of bamboo or conch shell that first surprised Early Man with its sound-making potential.
comments (0) | read more »
4D
Posted by: David Keech on 11th Aug 2008 in Creative Report
We spotted Henry Bagshawe's 4D coffee table at this year's New Designers show (see previous blog posts 16th and 18th July for full details.) It is one of those pieces that is simply impossible to walk past without taking a closer look. Very effective use of laminated plywood, and variable positioning from two nicely detailed perpendicular hinges.
comments (0) | read more »
New Designers 2008: Best In Show (In Our Opinion)
Posted by: Annette Gelling on 18th Jul 2008 in Creative Report
London. The Business Design Centre in July. Cool outside but very hot inside; either through a surfeit of design talent or something dodgy with the BDC air conditioning. Anyway, here is Keechdesign's pick of the bunch. See if you agree...
comments (1) | read more »
New Designers 2008
Posted by: David Keech on 16th Jul 2008 in Creative Report
We visited Part 2 of the show, at The Business Design Centre in London last week and spent an inspiring afternoon looking at a particularly broad spectrum of fresh design talent. Equally inspiring was the professional and confident way in which the students talked about their work. We'll feature our pick of the bunch later, but first, more about the show...
comments (0) | read more »
Man Machine
Posted by: David Keech on 24th Jun 2008 in Creative Report
At last someone has taken on the formidable task of making a film about one of the 20th Century's true creative spirits, Sir Eduardo Paolozzi.
comments (1) | read more »
SHOW RCA
Posted by: Annette Gelling on 30th May 2008 in Creative Report
The Royal College of Art's annual graduate summer shows are taking place over four separate exhibitions this year: next up for your diaries are SHOW RCA Part 2 and SHOW RCA Sculpture. Don't miss them...
How To Grow Your Business in Japan
Posted by: David Keech on 29th May 2008 in Creative Report
How To Grow Your Business In Japan was a seminar that I recently attended at JETRO's impressive offices on High Holborn.
RCA meets Courtauld
Posted by: David Keech on 28th Mar 2008 in Creative Report
I recently attended a private view of the Printmaking & Sculpture Work-in-Progress shows at the RCA - unique in that this was also the first ever joint Courtauld/RCA alumni event.
99% Design
Posted by: Annette Gelling on 4th Oct 2007 in Creative Report
This year 100% Design London saw an updated format created by Tom Dixon. The intention was to create more of a city-like environment and was designed to offer places in which people could network, do business, exchange ideas and relax.
Half Life
Posted by: David Keech on 3rd Oct 2007 in Creative Report
If you are an experienced designer with a background in high-tech architecture, product design and furniture, what type of project might you find yourself working on these days? Simple: a major new landscape work in Scotland currently attracting a lot of attention called Half Life. If you are James Johnson that is.
