After the fabulously talented top ten from New Designers last week, here are my top three from New Designers One Year On. This is the section of the show that focuses on designers who either graduated a year ago, or have been in business for less than a year. Curated by Jethro Macey, the selection committee also included David Nicholls, Design Editor for the Daily Telegraph, Beatrice Mayfield, Maker Development Manager at the Crafts Council and Karoline Newman, Director of Articulate Communication.
It was very tough to select my favourite three designers, but here they are. First up, Danny Duquemin-Sheil (aka DDQ Design Ltd) and his One Ton Bags.
Danny’s bags are made from salvaged builders merchant one ton delivery sacks, which are otherwise disposed after one use. I’ve seen bags made from recycled things before, but I particularly liked the fact these rescued something with such a short life. They are of course very hard-wearing and so fit for purpose – and I love the designs. They just need slightly longer handles and I’ll be first in the queue to buy one when they go on sale.
I’m a bit of a tomboy, so I’m not usually drawn to the ‘cushions and curtains’ side of interior design, however, Joanna Corney‘s range with its hand illustrated seaside vistas captured my Cornish heart.
And I’ve really saved the best until last. Products like this one are the reason I love my job – when I see something this perfect, this beautiful, (and frankly, this geeky!), I really can’t describe the feeling I get, but it’s a lot like being five years old on Christmas eve.
I love the smooth heavy concrete base, I love the shape of the wood, I love the metal joints which give it an almost mechanical feel, I love the red flex, I love the contrast between the materials… I just love it! And I’m very excited about visiting Felix McCormack‘s studio, which is on a farm in deepest darkest Cornwall, for a follow up creative spaces post.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- out and about :: new designers
- out and about :: d&ad new blood
- out and about :: 2 willow road
- out and about :: pulse
I’m with you on the lamp – bits of it, anyway (the base is very sexy but I’d love to see the shade part made from translucent concrete, or porcelain) – but wish your photo had focused in on the joints. I’m a fixtures and fittings geek and always on the hunt for new metalware.