London Design Festival 2013 - 3/4
Emerging Talent AwardsI love searching out new designers, trends and materials at Graduate shows; so I was very excited to be able to curate MADE's first Emerging Talent Awards (ETA's) you may spot some of the finalists from my Graduate 2013 blog* 
The five finalists were then whittled down to: Mona Tripp Tom Gottelier Josie Morris Emily Philips Josie Shenoy You can see a cool video below of the awards evening; edited by the Talented Deborah O.
Made Emerging Talent Award 2013The short listed designs we're uploaded to the website for the public to rate their favourite. Josie Morris and her Range Table collection won the award receiving the highest average star rating. Although I'm sure this won't be the last we see of the other finalists.
Here are a few photos from the awards evening.
Josie Morris with her proud Mum.
The award itself.
Mades Creative Director Chloe Macintosh talking about the award, with guests looking on.
Me talking about why each design was shortlisted.
The finalists alongside Steuart Padwick and Chloe who presented the award.
100% Design London |
100% Design is always a good collection of corporate brands and small retailers. There were various zones all under the one roof at Earls court, Workplace, Emerging brands, Interiors, Eco, Design & Build, International Pavilions, materials and features.
The entrance was designed by Thomas Matthews and Studio Design UK.
Below are some of my top picks:
The Walnut set by DDQ Design, The Nottingham based studio had some beautifully industrial and well made pieces. Using the still very on trend, walnut and brass. They also have a really cool pen top which no executive table should be without.
Some very pleasing stools from Zeitraum; I really like the crisp edges and smooth contours.
I also have a small addiction to wall hooks. If my walls weren’t full already I would try to squeeze in these Geometric hooks by Plant & Moss. I think they work great as hooks and also wall art.
Faceting is still very on trend and these hand made mirrors by Toby House are no exception. Shaped like Emerald-cut diamonds, they add a simple elegance to any space.
Toby House | MOIRÉ WALL-CLOCK 100% Design 2013
Some candy sweet lights and cups by ceramists Ji-Hyun Chung from Seoul, South Korea.
Great idea of stackable coasters by Beeen Company Limited inspired by traditional Korean crafts and motifs.
100% Materials
A CNC 3D miniature world was constructed in the International Pavilion; Worldscape by Atmos studio.
The international Pavilion area had a Paper Space, made from huge loops of paper, creating a great centre piece designed by Studio Glowacka.
Mixing of materials and colour still draw me in ; above ‘Crack Vase’ by Taiwanese Designer Jacky Wu. The wood was soured from a factory scrap pile, as the wood had split and cracked during the drying process, for Jacky this is the most interesting element that he wanted to emphasize with coloured lacquer.
Looking up at the Willow Lamp, by Christina Pacini of South Africa. This was a modern take on a a traditional chandelier; each delicate drop was actually from metal chain; which would normally be more in place in a bathroom sink! Mesmerizing and tactile.
Designersblock |
This year Designersblock were at the amazing Southbank Centre, with the majority of work positioned in the Clore Ballroom; I had a wander around.
Eric Calderon’s typographic Sphere used letters to create a layered text artwork.
The multi Talented Reeps One also know as Harry Yeff has really developed his own graphic identity in the last year or so, these strong graphic shapes look great on the mural created especially for the Designerblock even.
Gerald the Dog and pals took over a huge area, the 3D canines created by Lazerian Studio . Made entirely from a sheet of A1 paper each dog is assembled by hand. Each dog was displayed in a custom made kennel and rather than fur they were covered in exceptional artwork from artists all over the world.
Man made crystal structures by Sara Lundkvist.
Rosa Cobrizo , little boat shaped treys were inspired by the trajineras, thin wooden boats from her native Mexico. The oxidized materials and verdigris are key trends that will continue on into 2014.
The Royal Festival Hall also has a mini exhibition on the Festival of Britain; with some safely kept mementos dating back from the opening in 1951. well worth a look.
