So, “spring is in the air� and at this time of year many of us are having a new start in one way or another. Maybe the winter clothes have been stored away, the marigolds have come out ready to spruce up the house, or maybe some of you are thinking of a change of career (and you have come to the right place!). Here at the NDA, we are no different. Last month our tutor team had a new addition; a new spring lamb if you will. Sarah-Jane Lockett joined the team at the end of March and has had a fast-paced start with the completion of the PTLLS course (Preparing to Teach in the Lifelong Learning Sector) already under her belt. I am sure many of you will meet Sarah-Jane throughout your course, whether through attending workshops or speaking on the phone.
Alex Macmaster, a Furniture Design and Making graduate from the University of Lincoln, designed the "Expose" coffee table. The table consists of a symmetrical 3 point intercepting leg structure which supports a toughened glass top. The core construction of the legs is cross laminated birch ply, which is left exposed, adding contrast and being honest to the materials used. http://www.interiorsbirmingham.com/page.cfm/link=72
James Cadogan Following research into socially inclusive design, the arc of this ruler was inspired by the arthritic problems of the elderly. The arc solves the problem often experienced by people with poor dexterity when lifting up a ruler from a flat surface. The sustainably produced, vertically laminated bamboo ruler arches off the desk, lies flat under light pressure, and when not in use the arc allows fingers underneath to pick it up or move with ease. http://jamescadogan.com/home.html
Frances Bleksley - BA (Hons) Printed Textile Design, Birmingham City University. Frances has created a new wallcovering called 'Spirit', named after one of Global Color Research - Mix Publication's four major trends for 2011. Spirit was shown for the first time at the Interiors Show in Birmingham, along with other trends Whisper, Risk, and Genteel - each brought to life in dramatic and innovative displays, and designed and built by Frances and 120 fellow students at BCU. Frances's wallcovering was voted the winning design.
Kbb Birmingham 2010 Visiting design shows is always an inspiring and indulgent way for an Interior Designer to spend their day. On my recent visit to kbb 2010 I was particularly curious as there had been no kbb show last year after a challenging 12months in the industry. However on arrival to the exhibition I found the atmosphere upbeat and optimistic especially as this year celebrated the show’s landmark 25th year. For me though, visiting the Seminar theatre proved to be the most inspiring part of my day. Especially a talk by Henrik Otto from the Electrolux Group who explained enthusiastically his predictions of kitchen design for 2050. This revolved around four fundamental points: technology, efficiency, social needs and freedom of choice. His concept developed from these points to encompass energy efficiency combined with modular and hands on design. He spoke of kitchen’s evolving technology for virtual guests so that in the future we will be able to cook and interact with family and friends living all over the world. He showed visuals of kitchens with ‘touch surface cooking’ to detect ingredients before supplying relevant recipes for these food types. He explained how this new surface technology would be able to assess how fresh food was before cooking. He showed how surfaces would then mould into cooking tools so there would be no need for saucepans. This new look at the ‘core’ of the home was extremely exciting and pushed the boundaries of traditional kitchen design to its very limits. The industry may still be experiencing challenging times but I definitely left this show feeling extremely positive about the future of interior design!
For further information on this concept see Electrolux Design Concept "Heart of the home" animation on you tube. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qwLpquelYFI
Elizabeth Ball Mary Rodgers Kirstie Doy Suzanne Ross Linda Drayford Laura Sankey Jennifer Duff Peter Scott Rachel Faye Madelaine Strongman Clare Francis Clare Swann Claudia Francis Sarah Wilkinson Sylvia Gardner Hilma Williams Ann Gedney Susan Woodvine Kirsty Gee Patricia Gifford Helen Hall Elizabeth Horscroft Sharon Howard Judith Lader Ellen Lamming Laura Mansell Louise Moore Susan Morgan Janet Porter
www.byhanna.com http://printpattern.blogsp ot.comhttp:/www.catalina estrada.com/
Foster & Partners
Karim Rashid
John Pawson
Following on from the theme of the last edition of VISION, I have decided to incorporate this into this month’s brief of surface pattern design. By taking a vintage collection of well known furniture designs, I have then applied new textures and patterns to reinvigorate and provide a more contemporary visual to these classics.
The Wassily Chair (above) and the Le Corbusier LC2 chair have taken on a dynamic transformation. By utilising the tessellated Vasarely pattern created for the ‘Stoke brief’ in the last edition of VISION, this distinctive pattern has brought a new dimension to a typically plain surface.
The Frank Gehry ‘Wiggle Chair’ and Mies Van Der Rohe’s ‘Barcelona Chair’ have also been selected for a dramatic change. The texture used for the Barcelona chair is sympathetic to the original buttoned back and seat style, whilst the Wiggle chair is more vibrant and flowing that reflects the overall shape. For visual purposes, I have created a small exhibition room to display the chairs. Using black glass, the reflection and shadows produced highlight the new textures, colours and patterning that have been used to transform these creations.
I am afraid I enjoyed this brief a little too much, and so ended up with two concepts. So rather than waste the ideas , I thought I might explore them both.
Spring in my step Using inspiration from the colours of spring and current trends, I have created a feel good space. The perfect transition between indoor and out, so why not invite friends over to enjoy the evening sun, get the BBQ on the go and crack open the Pimms.
Being from the North East, I thought I would use its industrial history and challenged myself to find beauty in what may have been typically seen as a gloomy and cold place in time. Initially my eye was drawn to some amazing corroded textures and forms and unusual earthy palettes of purple, green and copper.
Spring in my step
I used the textures I found and turned them into a building faรงade and also into swatches of rich earthy leather.
Surface pattern is now being incorporated into many aspects of interior design as the examples I have selected show.
Through my practice as a Fine Artist I have in the past explored and developed many abstract patterns in various mediums. Here I have taken a detail of one of my paintings, manipulated it and repeated so that it has been transformed into a wallpaper design. This could then be taken further so that the same design could be used on lampshades, cushions, chairs etc for a whole range of designer products.