Earlier this year, I was honoured to be asked by Desso to curate an exhibition of design graduates’ work entitled Best in Class. I scoured degree shows up and down the country and selected work by six incredible new designers.
Inventor and founder of the Special Projects studio in London, Adrian Westaway who spoke at the launch of the exhibition said, “I’m constantly amazed at the work coming out by design students these days, and this selection of six designs is a beautiful balance of optimism, experimentation and rethinking the ordinary. The future is clearly in great hands!”
A Perspective on Dots by Meggan Johnson (Buckinghamshire University) is an incredibly simple concept – two clear coloured dots half stuck to each other and half stuck to a clear surface, used en masse to create a stunning visual effect, which appears in different colours depending on the angle its viewed from. Potential applications include everything from artworks to hospital signage.
OysterActive by Nora Mekavuthikul (Central Saint Martins) combines wearable fitness technology with the Oyster card to create the OysterActive that commuters gives travel discounts every time they takes the stairs instead of the lift – also easing congestion in key parts of the underground.
Sling Step by Matej Chabera and xxxxx (Royal College of Art) is a small ladder that is made without using glue, nails or screws; the more it’s used the stronger it becomes. Most products start to deteriorate the moment you get them home – I love this approach to sustainability.
Mediumwave by Jake Rich (Kingston University) challenges the archetype of the microwave – a design that has barely been touched since its first appearance in the home in the 19xxs. His design makes microwave cooking more appealing and intuitive.
The LUX Lamp by Steve Swanton (University of Dundee) is for people with seasonal affective disorder. It reflects the Scandinavian aesthetic Steve is inspired by and rejects the clinical appearance of many medical products. Lights on the base indicate when other users switch their lamps on creating a sense of community support.
No Right Angles in Nature by Josh Plough (Buckinghamshire University) is a shelving system made from locally coppiced beech and a single recycled plastic bottle – I love this combination of ancient techniques with modern solutions.
The exhibition is at Desso’s Clerkenwell showroom at 23-25 Great Sutton Street until 15th December and one winner, decided by public vote, will receive a £500 bursary to help fund their next step into the design world. Vote here to have your say.
Further reading for the especially geeky:
- out and about :: art house, designblok
- out and about :: openstudio designblok
- out and about :: superstudio, designblok
- out and about :: tent london, LDF14
