ID Magazine's Annual Design Review

On my lunch yesterday I was looking for some reading material, I saw 'ID' (International Design.. even though dollars is the only currency on it) magazine. When I got to the till I realised it was $37, but I'd already decided in my head to buy it..

I flicked straight to the graphics and packaging section, so I'm going to start with this..

Awarded a Design Distinction, Japanese designer Nendo's 'Ribbon' is laser cut from a single layer of steel. I like it because it's delicately poetic and somewhat traditional, yet structural and strong using modern technology and materials.

There's loads more to look at here http://www.nendo.jp/en/

'Wave-a-Wall' inhabits West 8th Street in Coney Island, NY. It won a Design Distinction in the 'Environment' category. It is a homage to the local neighbourhood's boardwalks, sand dunes, ocean crests, roller coasters, and aquariam, with its wave-form structure. Bulges down the platforms meander down fluidly to serve as benches. I like it because it's so simple, yet aesthetically pleasing and perfectly functional- just good design.

I'll post about the graphics/packaging later.

Political vandals

I saw this yesterday, a campaign poster that had been vandalised so many times that the campaign supporter had stapled the poster all over to stop it from getting ripped down, and left a note shaming the vandals.

It put ideas in my mind for future briefs, how the narrative of events was so clear through the manipulation of the poster by various agents. 

lovetherobot.com

Phil Dunne is an illustrator I've seen a couple of times in Computer Arts mag. What I like about him is that he has a very distinct style, yet is able to produce work that is completely different from piece to piece. 

Below are a few commerical and personal pieces I lifted off his site www.lovetherobot.com

China Design Now

Ok this is a long post... but mainly pictures! Recently I went to the China Design Now exhibition at the V&A, I loved it and here are a few of the things I liked and/or manage to get sneaky pictures of (hence some of the poor quality.. there's only so ma

ny times I could get told 'no pictures'!).

The exhibit looked at graphic design, fashion and architecture, broken up and studied through grouping the areas into 3 different cities of China. Clipping from the V&A site...

  

The journey starts in the far south, where graphic designers in Shenzhen began to explore new directions in the early 1990s. Next we move up to Shanghai. Here consumerism and urban culture have combined to produce astonishing fashion and lifestyles. Finally, we travel to Beijing, where monumental architecture for the Olympic Games is transforming the skyline of this ancient capital.

China Design Now explores China’s dreams and hopes over the last two decades, from individual designers to the nation as a whole. It is our hope that this exhibition will bring contemporary China closer to you.

What appeals to me about modern Far East design is their bold use of colour and simplicity, shown in the boards, posters and magazine above.

Again, it's the simplicity in the pieces above that really attracted me to them. The pair of posters contains the names of the two Japanese cities bombed in WW2 (Nagasaki and Hiroshima), written in expressive Chinese calligraphy. In each character, strokes or parts of a stroke are missing, evoking the sense of the broken city in ruins.

You can see the designer's cool but crazy site here www.wangxu.com.cn

Now this was very odd... you bought a lovely packaged stuffed figure, you then customised 'him' by planting hairs on him where you wished. 

Below are just a couple of things I liked in the gift shop..

Some of the architecture on show was amazing. The structure below is a HQ for a television station and encases everything that the show and their employees need to live and work... restaurants, accommodation. Very cosy/communist.

HSBC airport print ads

I flew to California a few days ago, and again noticed this HSBC campaign. It's been going for a while but still very much works.. great legs! Perfect for their environment.. little copy, easy to understand (also, universal) and works towards the ethos and brand identity HSBC want to promote - their understanding of people and places - "the world's local bank".

The layout format also works well, as you walk down the long airport corridors you get the chance to read the same ad several times.. making it not necessary for you to look at the ad (who has the time to look at ads when you're rushing for a plane..). I also like the continuity of the little cut out in the corner of the border, works nicely.

HELLO