blog:proleno

Ok, it’s more funky than functional but I just spotted this from Dutch designer Tim Vinke.

The Office on Wheels, or het Kruikantoor which is a combination of the Dutch (I think) words for wheelbarrow and office which seems apt! It certainly brought a smile to my face.

Manufactured from polystyrene with a hotspray polyurea coating and available in a wide variety of colours it pretty much does what it says on the tin. The image speaks for itself I guess.

Practical? Probably not. Amusing? Certainly. Clever? Absolutely.

What do you think?

News reaches me from Paris based designers Aki and Arnaud Cooren of the A+A Cooren Design Studio of the launch of this very limited edition vase with just 21 pieces in production.

The designers tell me that the vase is the result of a meeting between computer technology and high quality French craftsmanship.

The vase is composed of two parts in borosilicate glass, the main vase part and a small cup which receives water.

The image speaks for itself. Outstanding. And I want one!

Cycle culture is gaining in popularity, and for new cyclists it can be hard to feel confident sharing space with cars on the road. With this in mind Dundee University based product designer Fraser Mort has produced Bike Light to make cyclists feel more confident.

Bike Light is an LED dot matrix, where the cyclist can design and download their own personalised graphics, animations or phrases to use for their rear light. Cool!

Dutch designer Frederic Roijé presents his new project, an architectural hen house in which to breed and retreat. It is manufactured in wood finished with a durable coating. The concept behind the design is “respecting nature”.

I think that the image speaks loudly. I say “lucky hens!”.

Latis is a bathroom creation from Australian company Omvivo. It is inspired by the fundamentals of tradition and quality. Simple forms combined with elegant materials, such as natural stone, to create a sculptural range of bathroom products that will compliment both modern and traditional spaces.

The designer is Thomas Coward, principal designer at Omvivo. Coward moved to Australia in 2004 from the UK. In 2005 Coward was recognised as one of Australia’s top 50 emerging designers, and his Parli-me chair was selected as one of only 16 exhibitors for the City of Milan’s young foreign designers showcase.

Intriguing to look at. Practical in use? Well, time will tell I guess. We hear that Magis will be launching Spun, a rotating outdoor stool designed by British architect and designer Thomas Heatherwick, at the next Salone Internazionale del Mobile in Milan, 14-19 April 2010.

The chair is in rotational moulded polyethylene and is, allegedly, suitable for outdoor use. For me, the jury is still out and I wonder if this is design for the sake of design with little or no consideration for its practical use. I hope I am wrong, however, and that it proves to be a huge success.

Min-Kyu Choi has been awarded the Brit Insurance Design Award 2010 at London’s Design Museum.

The ‘Folding Plug’ has won the product design category of the Brit Insurance Designs Awards, the Oscars of the design world, which showcase the most innovative and forward thinking designs from around the world.

The UK Folding Plug transforms from a bulky three-pin plug into a portable, hassle-free plug ideal for people on the go. When not in use, the UK Folding Plug transforms into a 10 mm-thick flat object.

A product range built around this design will be launched in 2010.

ICSID (International Council of Societies of Industrial Design) calls for design solutions in the face of the disaster in Haiti.

In a global appeal following the devastation in Haiti, Icsid has launched a call to designers from all disciplines to unite in an open dialogue with international relief organisations to assess potential design-effective rehabilitation projects. In support of the UN’s efforts to help the Haitian people overcome challenges in relation to the country’s reconstruction plans, designers, academics and design students, as well as experienced developmental workers are encouraged to join the discussion and become a fan of the Uniting Designers in Disaster page on Facebook.

Designers have a strong desire to support the relief effort. This forum is intended to help identify tangible opportunities and empower the design community to contribute to the cause.

“As an international non-governmental organisation with over 50 years experience implementing projects of global appeal, Icsid is poised with the strategic understanding of the processes required by NGOs to develop and implement result-driven and effective initiatives,” stated Icsid President Dr. Mark Breitenberg and Provost of California College of the Arts. “What we aim to do with the forum is engage designers to exchange information about initiatives and opportunities where they may contribute their design and problem solving skills. In addition, we are hoping that the dialogue between the design community, development workers and representatives from international agencies will subsequently facilitate relief efforts, such as those currently being prepared by the UN to help the people of Haiti meet long-term stabilisation and reconstruction objectives.”

Among its key mission statements, Icsid strives to provide an international platform for the design community to be heard as a powerful voice. Although active participation and contributions will continue on the Facebook page, in an effort to take immediate action, all information posted via the forum will be actively reviewed in order to select opportunities for immediate international activities.

“This is a call to think in order to act,” stated Breitenberg. “Our immediate goal is to gain a better understanding of the relief efforts needed in order to facilitate the development of design-led solutions that impact Haiti’s quality of life.”

For more information, please contact:
Andrea Springer
t: +1 514 448 4949 ext. 232
e: aspringer@icsid.org

Fascinated by the delicacy and diversity of the security pattern designs inside envelopes, Francisca Prieto has created some stunning origami wall hangings.
These origami artworks are made up from hundreds of envelopes, meticulously cut and folded into intricate and interlocking forms. Francisca’s creation has transformed the ordinary life of this overlooked piece of paper into something exquisite and completely different.

On show at London’s Medcalf between 16^th November and 24^th December 2009.

Ever wanted to grow your own agave that needs no water and survives the frost outside? Designer makers Iron Vein have the answer in the form of their modular agave.

Each leaf is galvanized hand forged steel and simply spikes into the ground. Add individual leaves, as you like, to create your own style and size of succulent steel.

Perfect for adding structure to the winter garden.

Agave shown is £800 including delivery. More details can be seen at www.ironvein.co.uk or call 01938 850380