NeoCon + Patricia Urquiola + Guerilla Truck Show Part I

After graduation my friend, Lauren and I decided we still needed our major design fix. Chicago never has a shortage of exciting events and sometimes all the stars align to create a trifecta of indulgent design experiences. This past June, we crammed one day full of showrooms, lectures and moving trucks. We managed to attend NeoCon, enjoy a wonderful lecture by Patricia Urquiola hosted by Luminaire, and see the many trucks that make up the Guerilla Truck show. Since we covered so much ground this post is a three part-er. I’ll start with NeoCon 2011.

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…