Check out the NY Times article here.

Of course it was her. I whispered to Lauren that I just saw her in the restroom. I’m not sure if it would have mattered as I seem to clam up when I meet someone I think is important. She gave an energetic account about her Spanish background, some of her inspirations and mentors, and of course her furniture. I’m always a bit enamored by these accounts because I still don’t fully understand how one builds such a strong name like hers in design. I’m sure it a lot to do with working for the great Achille Castiglioni after graduating.

I was also encouraged by her background as an architect and her love of handcraft and industry. She spoke about how designers must be people that like to interact. They must also have an appreciation for energy and process, have a high regard fro the handmade and above all else, seek quality. She enjoys the work of Rachel Whiteread for that reason.

She also touched on her experience with Patrizia Moroso and how working with her gave her the credibility to expand in the industry. Patrizia is the Art Director of Moroso and Urquiola was commissioned to design Moroso’s astonishing home. It was great to see a designer’s vision carried through from large scale architecture to the smallest detail in furniture.

After the lecture, we were bused to the Luminaire show room to see a selection of her work first hand. I tried to snap as many pics as I could on my phone but you know how that goes… All-in-all it was a great night!…but it wasn’t over yet. Now it was off to the Guerilla Truck Show!

This was the first time I had ever experienced NeoCon. My previous firms, Gensler and ASD, always sent a few designers from the office to NeoCon every year to take in the latest products from Herman Miller, Knoll, Interface and a plethora of commercial retail design giants. I had always assumed that NeoCon was reserved for the design elite to make their million dollar deals on furniture for the year. While I’m sure all of this is true, Lauren and I paid no entrance fee, saw some great products (and some not so great products) and left wondering what all the fuss was about. I am glad I was able to experience it on my own terms.

With that said, I was really happy to meet another friend from home, Erin and we walk around the showrooms together. I really enjoyed the designs from Bernhardt Furniture. From what I could tell, they partnered with the Art Center College of Design to produce seating and side tables designed by students. I particularly loved the Loft lounge chair designed by Shelly Shelly.  She coupled clean lines with subtle curves to create a chair that has a solid stature and presence.

I was intrigued by the Turnstone showroom as well. Not completely for the products, but more so for the exhibit design. Turnstone is a division of Steelcase that seems to be targeted to younger, smaller startup businesses. They feature furniture that facilitate small team meeting areas for collaboration. The space, all though staged for a showroom, allowed for people to meet, mingle and escape (all words they use to describe the furniture lines).

We wrapped up with a visit to the Interface show room which was peppered with pieces from Tom Dixon. I’m unclear on whether the two have a partnership. Either way, the experience was at NeoCon was great. Then it was off to see Patricia Urquiola at the MCA.

On to the next…

I had the pleasure of going with Drew to F*sho tonight. I wasn’t sure what to expect. I knew I’d see a lot furniture, but I was really excited to see great design coupled with great people. This was my first time venturing into the design “scene” in Cleveland since school, and I’m not sure what it is about exhibitions, I always get this feeling of the “in” crowd…and well, everyone else.

It wasn’t like that at all and I was so refreshed to just see people passionate about their craft, doing it well and, just being friendly about it. We met quite a few designers and fabricators one of which was Shawn R. Sowers of Commonhouse Furniture. The detailing and finishing in his Block Desk and Quartet Chair were beautifully elegant. We also spoke with Modern Farm Furniture and the construction of their flat-pack stools and tables is what caught my eye. I used a similar lap joint construction for my table. I also got to meet Joseph Ribic of Objeti, ICFF 2010 New Designer Award winner. He was actually a really nice guy. He showed us a new floor lamp prototype (just finished at 6am today) that was really great, as well as a bookshelf he’d just completed for Wallpaper.

I’m happy I made it to the show. It’s nice to feel re-energized by design by just seeing what people are doing in the Cleveland area. Sorry about the quality of the pictures…all of my phone.

I was accepted to have my thesis project represented by the African & African-Caribbean Design Diaspora. I can’t tell you how excited I was to receive the email saying that my work will be showing with some of the emerging design talent coming out of London. Had finances not been an issue, I would be able to see first hand the creative talent from the RCA as well as abroad. If you happen to be be in London September 9th-25th 2011 be sure to stop by and check it out:

Bargehouse
Oxo Tower Wharf
Bargehouse Street
South Bank
London SE1 9PH

Over the past few years I have been able to spend a lot of quality time with my mother and I’ve been able witness how she pulls through and cleanses her mind and spirit from her immediate situation. Since she is no longer working, she has taken up the craft of soap making to keep her focused on the positive. She has been able to challenge herself as well as keep in tune with the creativity she has always had. I wanted to be apart of her experience so I decided to develop a conceptual line of bath soaps based on the healing nature of African Black soap.

1.  The Sketches

Initially, I started with some pretty obvious solutions. Natural elements such as the palm leaf or wood conjured up a “green” feel but did not quite capture the beauty of black soap.

2.  Investigations

I then developed another approach that centered around the pot ash used in the soap. Since a the ash is a major ingredient, I decided to combine a dark base against the lively nature of bright patterned wax batik. To simulate the ash, I ground charcoal into a fine powder, photographed it and incorporated it into a majority of the packaging.

3.  Mocking it up

Next, I mocked up the final proposed packaging for the line of products. I wanted the peak of blue print to be continued undulating horizontal region if all the packages were presented on a retail shelf. We hope to launch Malomo soaps this winter so be on the look out!

I feel like I have this exact internal debate every time I design something (or try). Check out the video above.

Photo from bouroullec.com

Designs for life won’t make you a living

Interesting perspective and article on the economics of design for young designers.

Thought of You from Ryan J Woodward on Vimeo.

Info on the full exhibition of art that includes animation and figurative works visit: www.conteanimated.com

Behind the scenes rough cut here: http://vimeo.com/16330140 and final cut here: http://vimeo.com/21096567

Beautiful Dreamer // Kehinde Wiley from Arcade44.tv on Vimeo.