2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

Graphos

Michelle Lam's Graphos playing cards are an awesome little piece she designed for her graduation project. She wanted to spread the love and knowledge of typography in a fun and interactive way - so she used a deck of cards to do so.

“Graphos Playing Cards are designed to inspire other designers, and also lay people to be more attuned with design through an increased awareness of the importance of typography in a fun and easy-to-understand way.

Each card from the deck of Graphos Playing Cards will tell the unique story of a specific area of focus in typography. All sapdes highlight on the importance of “anatomy”; hearts on “classification”; clubs on “glyphs”; diamonds on “type setting”. Fonts are focused on sans serif, serif, script and decorative.”

Great concept and beautifully designed deck. I'm sure they were a huge hit!

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Evolution of the mobile phone.

Kyle Bean is truly a master of 3D form and model making. Check out this awesome project he created showing the evolution of the mobile phone (from Zach Morris style to the iPhone!) in the style of Russian Dolls.

Pretty friggin' awesome, right?

Make sure to check out the rest of his portoflio at KyleBean.co.uk

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A Glimmer of Hope

Most likely...if you are reading, this you are a designer of one sort or another...if not, you are at least design-minded. I can not tell you how many conversations I have had with designers who are frustrated, burnt out, weary, tired, uninspired and otherwise on the verge of giving up in this economy. Resources are limited, clients are overly conscious of budgets, jobs are scarce and... 

"It's tough out there. So many huge problems in the world, so much noise, so hard to know what to do and where to begin. All of which means—it's a great time to be a designer."

In comes the Glimmer Manifesto. Think of it as your first sip from the fountain of designer-immortality. The fire under your feet. As designers (and, honestly, just as contributing members of society...) it is our job to create transformation within the world, to improve it...for everyone. This holds true in the toughest conditions even more so. I stumbled across Creativity's write up on the book earlier this morning and I am definitely adding this to my next Amazon shipment! Click here to read the write up.

 

Warren Berger is the author of Glimmer and the editor of the blog GlimmerSite.com

Its another awesome source of inspiration and I highly recommend checking it out!

Debonair

There is only one thing that can make a traditional cigar cooler and more stylish than it already is... a monocle !

Check out the clean and crisp branding and packaging for Debonair Cigars by Royalt.

“Debonair Cigars and Tobacco are designed with a focus on the early 1900’s. Stay confident, stylish, and charming.”

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New Materials & Products...

One of the really interesting things for me has come from the green materials and products developed in response to sustainable design and the effect these have had on our developing design aesthetic.  Fifteen years ago the green materials we had were few and generally “green equivalents” to the standard catalog of building products & materials (and usually lacked a level of quality).  In the last 6 or 8 years there’s been an enormous number of green materials and products introduced into the marketplace and many of them have no equivalents in the standard catalog of products & materials.  Many of these new products are based on new ideas, new technology and new materials. 

These new green products have changed the design equation entirely. Manufactured wood, stone and plastics are a big part of this and have evolved around the green marketplace.  One that I really like are the plastic resin panels inlaid with a choice of different materials, wood, grass, twigs, leaves,…most anything, developing a great visual texture in a translucent plastic panel (also available in other colors).  An interesting design tool and one that has affected the way we can consider a space and light.  This was used at the new Tully Hall at Lincoln Center and brings together an inlaid wood grain with curves in the molded panels-  really nice.  The walls/seats/ceilings in the hall were done in the resin panel which is inlaid with a thin wood grain, creating a translucent material- 40% recycled (by 3form).  It’s still strange to think I like plastic but… it’s a different material now!

The traditional materials we have used are by no means in the past but I do believe that they suggest a way of thinking and a way of designing.  Certain issues and concerns have to be dealt with (like moisture) and are often designed for in similar ways.  Bricks and concrete work pretty darn well and I like ‘em but some of the new green materials push us to think and design in new ways.  We now have buildings rapped in sheets of metal, filled with plants for purposes of air filtration and people are excited about buying furniture based on modern ideas.  This is exciting!

A Little Sketchy

As much as I love the straight lines and right angles of Modernism, there's a time and a place for sketchy, imperfect interiors, and it appears that the time is now. I mean 'now' loosely of course, as we've been seeing some delightfully scrappy designs for the last few years, particularly from those crazy lighting kids.

Thout launched their Scribble Lamp back in 2007, crafting a sketchy statement piece out of little more than extended electrical cord, a bit of steel and a whole lot of love.

These quirky little neon lights from Covello Reesor also get an honourable mention, and though they appeared on the scene only a little after the Thout designs, they sadly appear to have disappeared in the meantime. Anyone who happened to snap up any of these lights from the Toronto-based designers have a piece of sketchy history in their happy little hands!

Luckily for us, the scribble is currently undergoing a resurgence of sorts! Classic Marimekko designs are being reborn as wallpaper thanks to a collaboration with Italian company Sirpi, and my favourite is undoubtedly the floral/pinwheel sketchy hybrid goodness of Joonas, designed by the iconic Maija Isola.


A close second is Harri Koskinen’s Frekvenssi design - slightly skewed, sketchy straight lines? Be still my beating heart! If they somehow find a way to convert Miaja Louekari's 'Moments' design into wallpaper, my life will be complete...

Well, right after I get this Black on White Rug. Designed by Javier Mariscal for nanimarquina, it's like a Persian rug, but cool. Not that I have anything against Persian rugs* mind you.

There's never been a better time to be completely inept with a ruler - it's my time to shine!

*Okay that's a lie, I have an indescribeable aversion to Persian rugs and you normally couldn't pay me all the money in the world to let one into my house. It's nothing personal, Mr. Persian Rug. Really, it's not you, it's me.

Colorful Wall Decals

 By dVider

         

Urban Cycle Round Up

Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world.  ~Grant Petersen

From simple to complex, a plethora of bewitching bikes are popping up these days, marketing themselves towards ...well...everyone! Whether you prefer to sweep the streets in a Tron-bike look-alike or ride easy with "ninja-quality quietness", you are going to eventually stumble across a modern model that fits your style. A few finds are posted below.

Teague Urban Bike Concept

Aside from resembling something out of the movie Tron, this bike features electric turn signals, a luminescent frame, and counterweighted foot pedals!

 

For more information, hop on over to their online booklet.

The District by Trek

The District is simplicity at its best. Complete with a "worry-free, lube-rejecting, lighter-than-any-chain-you’ve-ever-owned belt" you can coast freely with just a few pedals. Jaw dropping good looks have some calling it the Rolls Royce of cycles. The "chain" is actually a carbon composite belt made by the same Denver-base company that creates Harley Davidson drive belts. 

The Folder

"A bike that folds rather than a folding bike was the inital aim" according to Dominic Hargreaves, the designer of this seemingly effortless cycle. I hope you click on over to his webpage and check out the video that demonstrates the ease with which this bike actually folds in on itself to the width of its wheels!

UO Bike Shop

If you need just a little more control over your choice of two-wheeled transportation, Urban Outfitters may have just the thing. They recently teamed up with Republic Bike to offer custom purchases through their website. Boasting 100,000 combinations between components and color, these beauties come in at just under $400 and offer a mere 7-day wait time. 

One last thing...
The final piece of bicycle heaven that I am going to let you explore all on your own...
Biomega's Copenhagen. No chain and no belt. Love. Not to mention Beatrice Santiccioli is responsible for the color palette (She has worked with the Apple Design team on the IMac and Ipod colorways!)

Have a great weekend!

Lorena Siminovich & Petit Collage

While trend hunting for 2010 Spring/Summer  I discovered the work of Lorena Siminovich and if your looking for something bright and cheery for your little tike's room, you can't go wrong with the fresh, fun and modern art she creates.

Her shop Petit Collage is a line of modern wall decor and accessories with a vintage twist for children and grownups alike. Siminovich created the company in 2006 out of her love for illustration and design.

 

Feel the Felt

Has anyone else found themselves lusting over an impressive felt item lately? 

I know you must all be dying to know how felt is actually made (I know I was!) so hop on over to Wiki and have a read-through before checking out the items below. Designers and craft-junkies alike have taken an old and overlooked textile and started churning out modern solutions in sophisticated neutrals and vibrant hues! 

Rose & Radish

100% Merino Wool coasters (sold in sets of 4) $12 
Also check out their placemats and table runners! Yummy colors!

Rose & Radish

GirlsCanTell

Gorgeous, modern, industrial felt coasters. Simple & oh so sweet. In my opinion, the perfect complement to a sleek & clean-cut wood or metal table. $14 for a set.

GirlsCanTell on Etsy

Maharam

Maharam has developed a method of combining several layers of felt with embroidery to create a beautiful collection, aptly name "Layers". Each pattern bursts with dimension and "let-me-touch-it!" goodness. 

Imagine reupholstering your favorite chair in one of these. 

Kvadrat by Maharam
Upholstery textile collection designed by Hella Jongerius 

Molo

These are pure felt perfection. The story behind the creation of these is interesting in its own way too! They are 100% solid wool and sold in sets of 6, hand selected rocks. ($240 at MinNewYork) You even get one cut in half so you can see a little bit of the ultra-cool process!

Molo

EDIT: Please check out the Felt Studio as well for some awesome felt installations!