Lighting Collection by Enrico Zanolla

Italian based designer Enrico Zanolla has collaborated with VISO for his new lighting collection, "The Ruskii Ruskii Twist". The series of suspension lamps pay tribute to the beauty and uniqueness of the St. Basil cathedral in Moscow and were showcased at this years "Light+Building" exbo in Frankfurt, Germany.
During Zanolla's stay in Russia, he spent time observing and studying the constructive system of the domes in the cathedral. The difference in colour and size comes from symbolic meanings assigned to every single dome. The finalised designs are characterised by dynamic shapes, reflecting the movement of a candle and at the same time containing the modular constructive system used in the original domes.

Dripping Decor

These furniture and interior fixtures take inspiration from a number of liquid form sources such as paint, water and wax. Many of these designs and creations appear to be straight out of Dali’s famous painting, ‘The Persistence of Memory.’ The dripping forms inspired by liquid mass bring a certain organic quality to traditional geometric designs. Here a number of my favourite, kitch and quirkey examples of dripping decor which are sure to stir up some dinnertime conversations.

Chair Designed by Anna Ter Haar

Table designed by Elias Kababie

Crayon Art Piece by Jessica Kerbawy



Coat Hanger designed by Julian Appelius



Lamp designed by Kouichi Okamoto

Lamp designed by Nathalie Bernolinn

Lamp designed by Pieke Bergman

Lughting designed by Rebecca Wilson

Karim Rashid for Sancal

Award winning designer Karim Rashid has launched yet another furniture collection, this time with Spainish manufacturer Sancal. The "Float" sofa was launched at this years Milan Furniture Fair in April. The sofa features sensibilty with an element of fun through the use of colour and finishes choosen which are signature to Rashids designs. The "Float" is composed of rounded, colorful modular arms and headrests which intersect into a high back, creating a single composition which appears to be floating above the ground.

Inspiration for my Next Project

It is my second week in The Malthouse Design Centre and I am already full of inspiration for my next design project. I have always been intrigued by the 3 dimensional forms and structures which 2 dimensional flat sheet material has the ability to become. This was the basis behind the collection of furniture I designed and made for my final year Design Thesis.
From simplistic Geometrical forms to Origami, Kirigami and Sliceforms, having the ability to create a form from flat sheet material creates structures which appear complex but in essence are quiet simple in design, contsruction and structure. Through this approach of creating form, a curiosity and interest in design is created for the viewer. Below are some of the most inspirational scupltures and structures designed and created using this approach.
For regular updates throughout my conceptual developement click follow on the right hand side of this post.

Enjoy,
Grainne

Design Thesis Furniture Collection



Paper Sculptures designed by Richard Sweeney



Paper and Wooden Sculptures by George Hart



Sliceforms designed by John Sharp



Fitness Furniture

The Jopple stool is a piece of fitness furniture that is capable of a lot more than it first appears to be. When all components are together, the Jopple stool is a rocking, backless seat that encourages people to keep moving while engaging their core as they maintain their balance. When pulled apart, it provides a convenient workout area that can be utilized in small spaces.

Designed by Camille Jaigu, Mathilde de Colnet and Marion Veauvy, the Jopple stool is designed with a wooden frame that houses a workout mat and a softer, smaller version of the stool. The workout mat allows people to lay comfortably when engaging in floor exercises.

Exhibited at the Milan Furniture Fair last month Tobias Fraenzel has designed the "Champ Sofa" for Italian furniture manufacturer Campeggi. This piece of furniture is designed to function both as a sofa and a body fitness tool.

The benefits of sitting on an exercise ball while working or watching the television are the same as incorporating it in exercise routines. This "Active Seat" promotes flexibility,coordination, core strengthening, and balance.
"Active sitting" means that your body, when positioned on top of an exercise ball, is constantly making small adjustments, often imperceptible, to remain balanced and thus is constantly exercising a large group of muscles in doing so. By strengthening your body's core muscle group you help improve your posture, have better balance and guard against back injuries.

Art in Action 5th-7th of May

This May bank holiday call down Farmleigh in the Pheonix Park to experience some of Irelands artists and crafstman and women at work at "Art in Action". This public exhibition runs from the 5th - 7th of May from 10.30am to 5.00pm. "Art in Action" provides a relaxed and friendly environment where artists and craftspeople demonstrate and discuss their techniques with the public.

The event seeks to broaden the knowledge and understanding of arts and craft skills through demonstrations, lectures and practical classes. Both established and up-and-coming artists feature. Disciplines featured include painting, sculpture, glass, woodwork, textiles, ceramics, metalwork and jewellery. Designers from a vast array of disciplines will be at "Art in Action" having set up their studios in marquees on the grounds of Farmleigh. The artists will work from these studios, offering visitors a rare opportunity to observe the creative process, first hand, and to speak to the artists and designers one to one.
Meet the hands behind some of Irelands most established artist and designers. 

Recycled Cloths Chair Collection

German designer Tobias Juretzek has created a collection of furniture with Casamania using old cloths that have been disgarded and no longer useful as an item of clothing. A collection which won a "Good" design award for excellence in design this year.

Using a pile of old jeans and shirts, he has recycled the worn out clothes into "Remember Me" furniture. Proving that old clothes have never been so fashionable!.Using cast-off clothing from friends, second shops and even his own wardrobe, Juretzek presses the pieces together into chairs and tables using a resin to solidify the materials. About 13 pounds of used clothing goes into each durable chair. The designer soaks them in the resin before compressing them in a mold to dry.

What often intends to be forgotten in wardrobes and boxes, now is brought to light again.So the next time your cleaning out the wardrobe or throwing out old cloths you think can not find new life,think again.