This article was published 12 years I’m running around London Design Festival all this week and trying to get things up on the blog as quickly as I can, but to see what I see as I see it, make sure you’re following live on Instagram, Facebook, twitter and Pinterest……
Tag: coadg
Confessions of a Design Geek
here's one I made earlier :: screenprinting
I recently had the great pleasure to spend an evening at The Make Lounge on their Screen Printed Textiles workshop. I first tried my hand at screenprinting at the Print Block in Whitstable, during the Oyster Festival and I’m starting to think I might have caught the bug!
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thinking about :: festival style
The Festival of Britain took place from May to September 1951, and was designed to commemorate the centenary of the Great Exhibition of 1851. It celebrated Britain’s achievements and potential; engaged people with the arts, science and industry; and provided a tonic after the austerity of the Second World War. It was promoted as a ‘national village fete’ or ‘a tonic to the nation.’
Confessions of a Design Geek
here's one I made earlier :: an explorer of southwold
This article was published 16 yearsIn dire need of a bit of R&R, some inspiration and a birthday treat, the boy and I headed off to lovely Southwold for a weekend break. For a change of creative tact we went armed with “How to be an explorer of the world”…
Confessions of a Design Geek
here's one I made earlier :: sketchbooks
A sketchbook is a great way to collect and explore ideas – and of course the best thing is to keep one on you and get into the habit of using it every day. I’m usually terrible at remembering, but I do always make sure I find the time when I go on holiday. On my latest two trips, I tried to push myself to develop my ideas as well as just recording what I saw – and also to feel more able to take risks and make mistakes.
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thinking about :: 2011, the year of hygge
‘Hygge’ (pronouned heu-gah) is a Danish concept. The nearest literal translation into English is ‘coziness,’ but it’s so much more than that. It’s a state of warmth and contentment; a sense that all is right in the world. A freedom from anything that might annoy, worry or overwhelm you. It’s time spent with close friends and family, just enjoying their company. It’s good food and good wine. Its being indoors on a rainy night in front of a log fire in a candle lit room. It’s being surrounded by soft comfortable textures. It’s just stopping, and really enjoying the simple things in life, enjoying the now.
Confessions of a Design Geek
here's one I made earlier: the joy of stamps
Two of my many lovely design-related Christmas presents were sets of stamps from Yellow Owl Workshop all the way from San Francisco. I supplemented them with an alphabet set from Muji and immediately got to work making my thank you cards. I’m really proud of them, but credit must go to Yellow Owl Workshop for the beautifully designed and made stamps.
Confessions of a Design Geek
interview: tom raffield
I love Tom Raffield’s beautiful steam-bent wooden creations – they are so clearly inspired by my favourite corner of England; the wild West(country). He very sweetly agreed to an interview, which is as inspirational as his creations…
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quirky gifts for the design geek in your life
I’m fed up with buying the same old presents from the same old shops every year. So this year, as well making some teacup candles myself, I’ve spent some time researching unusual and original presents that (hopefully!) will be warmly received and cherished for years to come, rather than swiftly ending up as landfill. Here are the fruits of my labour.
Confessions of a Design Geek
interview: penelope jordan
I met Penelope Jordan at this year’s TENT and immediately fell in love with her quirky brand of 3d textile design, which cannot help but make you smile, so I was over the moon when she agreed to answer a few questions for me.
Confessions of a Design Geek
creative spaces: bernard leach
I’m always very inspired by seeing the spaces creative people work in; the tools they use, the things they keep around them for inspiration, the effect of their environment on their work – so this is the first in a series on that very subject; featuring the Bernard Leach’s studio and the Leach Pottery in St Ives, Cornwall.
Confessions of a Design Geek
here's one I made earlier :: a nice cup of tea
Inspired by Kirstie’s Homemade Home and an increasing cynicism about the annual Christmas cycle of shopping-presents-landfill, I decided to get crafty and make my own Christmas presents this year.
Confessions of a Design Geek
interview :: furniture magpies
With a manifesto like “We dont believe in good furniture going to landfill when it can be redesigned into a piece that people can love all over again,” what’s not to love?
Confessions of a Design Geek
here’s one I made earlier :: mini diana
Apparently there are 10 Golden Rules to lomography, which we tried to follow on our first outing with Diana, which took us to Hawaii and San Francisco (and somewhat reluctantly; back to London).
Confessions of a Design Geek
out and about :: superdesign
Hidden in the basement of Victoria House on Bloomsbury Square for four days last week was SuperDesign 2010.
Confessions of a Design Geek
interview :: zoe murphy
Tent 2010 favourite, Zoe Murphy, lives by the motto ‘love what belongs to you.’ Inspired by the fading glory of her seaside hometown Margate; she lovingly breathes new life into discarded mid-century furniture and vintage textiles – creating colourful products you’ll want to keep forever.
Confessions of a Design Geek
out and about :: wandworth artists' open house
All in all a fabulous day out, which showcased just how much talent there is in Putney. It’s just a shame we only get to see it all once a year.
Confessions of a Design Geek
out and about :: rca @ ldf
The Design Products Collection is one of four London Design Festival exhibitions presented by the RCA and the launch of new products designed and made by alumni and staff from their Design Products course.
Confessions of a Design Geek
out and about :: pennies from heaven
The highly magnetic brass metre-high ‘coin’ supposedly “fell to Earth from a giant’s palm.” The idea is that as people add pennies to the surface, it becomes textured copper and raises some money for Barnardo’s in the process.