Shelving system in the Shenzen pavilion

'Community Bench'

'Draw Me Close'. Powder coated steel. Limited edition artwork (1 of 7).

Twyford Bathroom's making a bold statement with their exhibition space

Typographic furniture by Tabisso (100% Futures)

Propellerjack: Clever Wall mounted hooks by Dina Rey Mossa (Mossa IDD.)

Sculpture on display at Old Floor's exhibition space

These bottle tops were created by Korean industrial designer Junggi Sung as part of a collection named ‘Positive Piece’. The collection aims to encourage viewers to think more deeply about the fundamental elements we take for granted in our daily lives such as air water, wind and earth.

The top of Sung’s ‘Uncomfortale Bottle’ imitates the shape of a conventional water tap and was designed in order to make people think more carefully about how they use tap water. Sung explains; “Recently, drinking water out of PET bottles has become the norm…yet we can still easily drink water out of the tap. This design aims to inspire us to be more cost and energy-efficient and also to take simple actions for our environment. This is a positive piece.”

Find out more at www.junggisung.com

The Creative Trust team includes graphic & product designers, illustrators, movie makers, photographers and 3D model makers – all of whom are on hand to bring even the most hair-brained of ideas to life.

Their stand at this years 100% design is a cute little house made entirely of cardboard and completely illustrated by hand. The interior  is jam packed with a quirky array of cardboard furniture, from cardboard frames and chairs, to a full size working cardboard piano. This enchanting little abode is an undeniably impressive achievement and certainly proves the Creative Trust’s claim; “We like to think there’s nothing we can’t produce or illustrate on.”

In recognition of this feat, the stand was awarded the coveted Blueprint prize for Best Exhibition Design at this year’s show.

Augarten: Viennese porcelain manufacturer.

]]> http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/25/playful-porcelain-by-philipp-bruni/feed/ 0 http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/24/greece-the-birthplace-of-design/ http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/24/greece-the-birthplace-of-design/#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2011 17:06:31 +0000 pippairvine http://www.despoke.com/?p=8988 As part of today’s exploration of European design nations we make Greece our final stop. Design Greece is proudly showcasing a selection of work from the country’s leading manufacturers and designers including Kostantia Manthou and Paul Mitsios. From a quick saunter around the exhibition it quickly becomes clear that Greece is a nation possessing impressive design talent, taking an innovative yet traditional approach to design.

Gregory Trackas of Homad told Despoke that in his opinion everything could be argued to originate from Greek design due to the inherent influence that the ancient Greeks had on every aspect of modern culture. Homad’s designer; Paul Mitsios agreed, and went on to explain; “design in general is influenced by local tradition, each piece has a flavour of it’s own locale.” In recent years however, the very sense of locality has been diluted, taking on a more universal feel due to the globalisation of design, Trakas added that Italian influences are now commonly found in Greek design.

This fresh, bold rug by Grizz Design would certainly add a splash of colour to your front room. The design combines playful shapes like spilt paint or strips from a child’s collage, with more regimented pixelated patterns.

Surely this represents the furniture of the future; a re-chargable illuminated table by Clay Designs, only launched this week. The table is the company’s debut piece of ambience liberated furniture, aptly named ‘Squill’ – Square illumination. It is a sculptural, cable-free illuminated coffee table with a charge life of 12 hours which should outlast most social gatherings.

How could we resist photographing these cheeky chaps with their wide puppy dog eyes? Berlin based designer Uta Koloczek has created a gang of colourful Chihuahuas and pugs, redefining the classic idea of the porcelain figurine.

]]> http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/24/fast-forward-design-at-100-futures/feed/ 0 http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/24/design-reincarnated-in-the-re-loved-lounge/ http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/24/design-reincarnated-in-the-re-loved-lounge/#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2011 12:53:00 +0000 pippairvine http://www.despoke.com/?p=8952

One of the most popular hot spots at this year’s 100% Design exhibition has got to be the Re-Loved Lounge, a communal cafe space for guests to take a break from the busy exhibition trail. Far from simply being a dining area, the Re-Loved Lounge is an interactive exhibition space showcasing vibrant pieces of work by a selection of African and African-Caribbean designers.

The lounge was commissioned as part of the African & African-Caribbean Design Diaspora, a festival of events taking place as part of London Design Week. The Festival is a celebration of diversity, highlighting creative talent within the African and African-Caribbean community in the UK. As Clemens Hackl, Creative Director at AACDD puts it; “There is such an incredible array of creative talent within the black community…Let’s see it!”

The Re-Loved Lounge is just one of several AACDD exhibitions on display over the course of the festival. The brief for the designers was to ‘re-love’ and ‘up-cycle’ discarded furniture, transforming it once again into desirable objects for the home. These recycled works take on African and African-Caribbean design inspiration in fabrics, colour schemes and accessories and in their resulting beauty, challenge the ethos of our throw-away consumer culture.

Rather than showcasing these pieces in the sterility of an exhibition stand where they would become spectator pieces, curators of the space were keen to put together an exhibition that allows guests to interact with the work, to touch, feel and utilise the pieces. Laurence Kanza, who’s own work makes up parts of the collection explained; “these pieces are vibrant and colourful and it makes sense that they should be part of a living space”. These ‘vibrant’ colours and patterns are reflective of the warm and joyful culture that inspired them, resulting in one of the most inviting areas of the exhibition.

Designers whose work makes up the Re-Love Lounge include Laurence Kanza (La Petite Congolaise) and Emamoke Ukeleghe, whose daringly colourful fabric designs make a bold and beautiful statement throughout the space. The large central banqueting table was created by Alexander Mulligan using recycled wood and the string of hanging lights above the table were made using recycled wine bottles, designed by Taslim Martin.

Above: “Rescuing The Supermodel” by artist Adjani Okpu-Egbe, on display in the Re-Loved Lounge.

The 100% France exhibition cannot fail to catch your eye with its playful primary colours and diverse mix of interesting looking, quirky products. The stand was inspired by French designer Lucien Murat who studied at Central Saint Martins and reflects the vibrancy, innovation and elegance that is frequently associated with French design. Speaking of France as a design nation, French Ambassador to the United Kingdom; Bernard Emié said, “France has a long tradition of excellence in design and creativity, which have come together once again to create a cutting-edge and inspirational pavilion..”

2011 marks the fourth year that 100% France has exhibited at 100% Design. This year the show presents the work of 10 high-calibre French designers, each of whom was carefully selected by Gérard Laizé, curator of the pavilion since 2009. Designers include the likes of Couleurs Privees, Rauch, Sentou, Atelier Polyhedre (pictured below) & Qui est Paul (who generously provided seating for the Despoke Café).

'Vase < Pot De Fleur' by Atelier Polyhedre

]]> http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/24/100-france-cest-fantastique/feed/ 0 http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/24/norways-eighth-year-of-100-success/ http://www.despoke.com/2011/09/24/norways-eighth-year-of-100-success/#comments Sat, 24 Sep 2011 10:53:21 +0000 pippairvine http://www.despoke.com/?p=8908 After our foray into South American design yesterday, today let’s bring things a little closer to home and take a look at some of the european design talent on display here at 100% Design. First Up, Norway…

Having won three Blueprint Awards at this year’s exhibition, Norway has once again proved itself to possess a host of cutting edge design talent. This year the 100% Norway exhibition has surpassed itself with what they claim to be their most impressive and inspiring collection yet. The work of six individual designers as well as 6 Norwegian manufacturers is on display, making for a diverse mix of pieces that have been curated with an undeniably seamless elegance.

The work in the collection ranges from modern twists on traditional themes to unique contemporary objects. All of the products are bound by their sustainable and innovative qualities. An expressive use of colour, fine craftsmanship and attention to detail are all qualities typical of Norwegian design, strongly evident in this year’s 100% Norway collection.

After years of successful showcases at 100% Design, having had a presence at the exhibition ever since the show first opened ion 2006, it has been clear that the Norwegian design scene is continually blossoming. Henrietta Thompson has been curator of 100% Norway every year and she notes with pride that Norwegian design continually surpasses her expectations. So what is the secret to Norway’s growing design success? Thompson explains; “Well made beautiful and functional products and furniture are an integral part of daily life in Scandinavia. Sweden, Finland, Denmark and Norway have all developed a reputation for making products and furniture that provide elegance and timeless simplicity while at the same time keeping an eye on the environment.”

So let’s take a look at some of the work on display at this year’s 100% Norway showcase:

Figgjo: Figgjo returns to 100% Norway for the first time since 2008 launching three new ranges all designed by ceramist Olav Joa.

Skogstad / Anderssen & Voll / Homstvedt: ‘Bowling’ (above) is a series of wooden bowls; “The thickness of the material is pushed to the very minimum and grows organically into a soft gripping rim at the top edge.”

Magnus Pettersen: ‘Tint’ is Pettersen’s latest work, a lamp created using materials more commonly associated with architecture; glass and concrete. Yet the design takes the edge off the industrial due to the smooth, tactile lines and unusual colour palette.