5 Things 12/05/20
Imagined for Uncertain Times
Imagined, for uncertain times, is a virtual gallery showcase imagined and self-produced by 11 independent design studios from 9 countries. Born out of an idea for creators to share in both hope and pain at the time of a global pandemic, the show explores dual themes of ‘imagining unbound’ and ‘uncertainty’ through the distinct lens of each participating studio.
Utharaa Zacharias & Palaash Chaudhary of furniture design studio Soft-Geometry initially conceived the idea while in lockdown in California and wrote nervously to a dream list of designers they were inspired by, but had never met or even spoken to. The responses were surprisingly affirmative and heart-warming - exchanged stories of challenges, loss, determination, and hope in the opportunity to come together, offer support, and create.
With conventional design weeks and tradeshows being effectively cancelled, both designers and the audience are missing out on the important cultural fabric that the exhibitions provide. Imagined, hopes to fill a small part of the void by presenting a model vision for creative collaboration, mutual support within the design community and an opportunity to engage with a distanced audience.
Read more here.
Pressing matters
Just when I thought I couldn’t love Seljak Brand more, they had to go ahead and team up with supercyclers to create a floor lounger. These closed-loop design titans have done it again, this time using fibres from used mattresses to make the pouf of my dreams.
“Globally, 87% of all disposed textiles are sent to landfill or incinerated, releasing the harmful greenhouse gas methane. Pressing Matters is a joint project by supercyclers and Seljak Brand to find a practical use for a by-product from the mattress recycling industry.”
The Lounger is yet to show up in their store, but I’m happy to wait. Find out more here.
HATTERN
Hattern, meaning Happy Pattern, is a studio under the art direction of Jae Yang working between Seoul and Milan.
It’s almost hard to believe these vases aren’t renders, they’re that perfect. The use of colour and shape is truly unique, and deeply therapeutic.
Marc David
And speaking of therapeutic, Marc David Spengler started drawing chairs last week. Known primarily for his colourful, abstract, Memphis-esque designs, this is a slight diversion from Spengler’s usual work, and I can’t stop looking at it.
A shredder for your thoughts
I came across Simone Giertz in my daily TED Talk viewing, speaking on Why You Should Make Useless Things. The talk was both hilarious and engaging, and as a budding product designer myself, I indulged my curiosity and spent the next hour going through her YouTube channel where she shares her process of making quirky gadgets and machines. She is not a high-end designer, nor is she attempting to be, but her technical ability and problem-solving skills set her up as a weapon if she ever decides on a more refined practice.
Set yourself a timer, you could be here for a while.