Citly of Helsinki appointed World Design Capital 2012
The International Council of Societies of Industrial Design (Icsid) announced today, that the appointment of World Design Capital™ (WDC) 2012 has been conferred to the City of Helsinki (Finland). Announced during the closing ceremony of the Icsid World Design Congress in Singapore, Helsinki will move on to be the third city to hold the biennial designation in 2012. (more…)
Chroma – Design, Architecture and Art in Colour
Designers and architects have to make decisions regarding color every day. But how does one find the necessary inspiration? The appropriate color? How do other designers and artists deal with the issue? With ‘Chroma,’ the Greek word for color, as its title, this illustrated book provides answers to these questions and makes it clear that color is much more than mere decoration – it is one of the central problems of creative work. In the process, ‘Chroma’ embraces the sensuous experience of color, inspiring and seducing the reader with unusual projects, from industrial products to color field painting. The book presents works by younger designers like Stefan Diez and Arik Levy as well as famous artists like Ellsworth Kelly. All of the works are presented in large-scale reproductions and also in a kind of color gradient, in which they are assigned to the chapters ‘monochromatic,’ ‘multichromatic,’ and ‘achromatic.’ The spectrum encompasses all conceivable shades and combinations, from brilliant and colorful through tasteful and subdued all the way to black-and-white contrasts. An additional chapter analyzes the work of outstanding artists, architects, and designers like Gerhard Richter, Konstantin Grcic, and Sauerbruch Hutton, who grapple with color to an unusual degree and have formulated characteristic chromatic worlds. An alphabetical index provides background information on the artists and studios selected.
Chroma Approx. 320 p. 380 illus. in color 24,0 x 30,0 cm. Hardcover. CHF* 105.00 / EUR** 59.90 / GBP 54.00 ISBN: 978-3-0346-0092-7. English.
Via & more: Birkhauser
Ara Pizza by Pablo Tellez
It’s always quite impressive to see new approaches in traditional spaces; such is the example with Ara Pizza in the surroundings of Barcelona which was recently designed by Pablo Téllez who runs a young design agency founded last year. Ara Pizza is a newly opened eco-fast food restaurant in Sant Quirze del Valles, thirty minutes away from Barcelona city center. Located in the main commercial road of Sant Quirze, Téllez took the challenge of reconverting an almost rectangular old Smith’s workshop, where it’s best attribute was an outstanding high ceiling.
Via & more: Yatzer
BOSCOLO Exedra Hotel in Milan
The ultimate city of fashion, art, architecture and design welcomes Boscolo Exedra Milano. Located in a building which dates back to the 1920’s in premises which were formerly occupied by a bank and after one year of hard work and 150 million Euro on renovations the brand new Boscolo Exedra Hotel // Milano runs over a surface area of 15,000 square meters. All of the Boscolo Hotels respect for architecture as each one has been established following renovation work on historical buildings, a distinctive trait, that has made it a true mission for the company to restore the heritage of architecture and buildings.
Via & more: Yatzer
Daytimer watch by Will Alsop with Federico Grazzini for Alessi
The Alessi Watches collection represents one of the company’s first collaborations of the twenty-first century, cultivated in partnership with the Japanese watchmaker Seiko. The new 2009 models are designed by Stefano Giovannoni and Will Alsop with Federico Grazzini. Daytimer is formed of Alsop’s vision of objects in the world. We see it present in the landscape; it has landed in the universe of objects, naturally, effortlessly. It has a smart, adaptable, docile form, which encases it technological core while at the same time it is ironic and natural. Although apparently clumsy, Daytimer wraps complacently round the wearer’s wrist, presenting the owner with is 3D display; the OLED screen conveniently turning towards its owner and wanting to play. Daytimer wants to be owned by its wearer, although inevitably it will attract the attention of others. Daytimer polygonises a human wrist. It loves humans and it wants to be close to them. Or part of them.
Via & more: Dezeen
Letout Outlet by Damjan Stankovic
Keep your electric outlets organized and safe while removing unnecessary clutter. Never have to search for an outlet multiplier again. Keep it simple, with only one push. By pressing the top of the outlet you release the rest of it’s body and the remaining outlets that were hidden inside the wall. Push back when you don’t need additional outlets. This brilliant product is work of Damjan Stankovic, Belgrade located design genius that has won Red Dot™ award this year. More interesting concepts you can find on his web site www.relogik.com.
Via & more: Designeast
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