As if the fact that the Swedish invented Ikea isn’t enough, they have to show off their amazing talents and prove that Swedish design is about more than just function.
This is the main underground station in Stockholm, T Centralen.
And this is just a couple of examples of the incredible art that lines each station. It beats the hell out of the advertising hoardings on the London Underground.
Posted by Tasha on Wednesday 26th of November 2008 at 9:28am
Sweden is famous across the world as being an epicentre for ground breaking design, just check out Ikea. On my recent travels to Stockholm I went to the National Museum and discovered just how seriously Swedes take design. The feature that particularly caught my eye was the attention they gave to branding as an art form, particularly featuring the SAS branding.
I think I finally understood why Ikea is so fantastic and why so many people worldwide love it (never thought I’d be writing this), but there is no doubting why Sweden is so highly regarded.
I’m hoping to have some pictures of the underground stations in the next couple of days, which will seriously blow you away!
Posted by Tasha on Tuesday 25th of November 2008 at 12:27pm
Well who’d have thunk it? Mickey Mouse is 80 today! Although you wouldn’t know it to look at his website, today a momentous day for the little guy – the anniversary of Steamboat Willie, first shown on 18 November 1928.
He’d been kicking around for a while it seems. In 1925 Hugh Harman drew some sketches of mice which inspired animator Ub Iwerks and an icon was born. He starred in two silent films prior to Steamboat, but Walt Disney wanted to introduce him to the world with sound (he was originally voiced by Walt) so the first two were delayed.
Here’s a fun little tool for finding images of a similar colour range.
Idée’s Multicolr Search Lab browses through over 10 million Flickr images to find those that are similar in colour to those you have specified – give it a go, it’s great fun.
The system works by using visual similarity, a sophisticated range of algorithms to analyze hundreds of image attributes such as colour, shape, texture, luminosity, complexity, objects and regions.
Idée have some great applications in the pipeline, one really useful tool is TinEye; an image recognition tool that will return similar searches, similarity instances and information about that image.
Both of these tools will be great additions to any designer’s utility-belt. I’m certainly looking forward to using them soon.
Posted by Richard on Wednesday 12th of November 2008 at 4:17pm
For me, the biro and the bicycle, go down as some of the greatest inventions of all-time, no doubt you’ll have your own favourites.
Time Magazine have just released their list of the 50 best inventions of 2008. It got me thinking what could be in the list. The much discussed Large Hadron Collider (or Atom-Smasher, as I prefer) is in there at number five. Crikey, what could be better than that?!
Some of the top 50 seems a little odd – a website serving live television? Is there some confusion between invention and innovation?
To celebrate the 60th Anniversary of one of the world’s most iconic vehicles Hermès has designed a beautifully tailored outfit that highlights the vehicle’s curvaceous and generous forms.
Repainted in a rather fashionable hue of brown, the car gains a natural leather trim on the door facings, interior rear view mirror, gear knob, steering wheel and driver’s sun visor. For an even more elegant finish, the two seats are upholstered in Hermès grey-beige cotton canvas and natural leather. As a finishing touch, the bonnet and interior trim at the rear of the vehicle also feature Hermès cotton canvas.
So, your starter-for-ten, name the car…
Posted by Richard on Monday 3rd of November 2008 at 11:16am
This weekend, on my bi-monthly trip to see the Arsenal in London, I went to the V&A for the first time. Having never been a tourist in London I don’t often go to museums, but this exhibition really inspired me.
Cold War Modern is an exploration of how the cold war influenced design, architecture and the arts. As world politics appeared to polarise the world between Capitalism and Communism, the two sides fought a propaganda war through design and innovation. Best represented in the Space Race, what the exhibition really highlighted for me was how deeply the political ideals of both sides embedded itself into the two cultures.
It was also a time of great optimism mixed with fear of nuclear war, so while art and architecture reflected the futuristic ambitions of the world, it also mirrored the fear of complete destruction. Thinking about the point at which the world now sits, aware that not only have we caused irreparable damage to our planet, but also that our financial systems are failing and uncertain, the exhibition harked back to a time when political idealism was exciting and the technical possibilities seemed never ending.
For more info and videos you can also check out this excellent blog post: Hello Beautiful
Posted by Tasha on Tuesday 21st of October 2008 at 12:35pm
As an avid petrol-head as well as a designer, I have a great interest in automotive design. Of the many websites I keep in touch with, one of them is SeriousWheels, a great source of up-and-coming trends in automotive design, as well as looking back at tendencies from the past.
One vehicle that I’m always waiting to see is ‘the good-looking, green vehicle’. The one that runs on something other than conventional fuels, it might be a hybrid, electric, hydrogen, whatever. There seems to be a trend that small eco-cars must have a cute, smiley face to portray it’s non-harming, kitten-loving nature?!
Throughout the ages the general rule has been; the more powerful (and expensive) the vehicle is – the angrier and more imposing its face becomes.
For example:
Here’s the Nissan Nuvu; a zero-emission electric city car. With a face that seems to be puckering up to give you a nice big kiss on the cheek.
And here’s a Brabus Mercedes C-Class:
It laughs in the face of fuel consumption figures and has a face angrier than Mr. Angry himself.
There’s loads of studies into what different consumers read from this, its called geometric morphometrics. Many car manufactures use this system with both male and female subjects to rate certain traits on a sliding scale (such as “infancy” to “adulthood”). The traits represented maturity, sex, attitudes, emotions, and personality — all things that people infer from human faces at a single glance.
This data is then used as part of the design process that goes into many of the vehicles on the road today.
So when, if at all, will the crossover occur? Will we ever have an aggressive-looking electric city-car, or a cute and …
On last night’s James May’s Big Ideas he took us on a journey through modern day robotics. I’m a big sci-fi fan and often forget that robots aren’t as sophisticated as Data from Star Trek or Jude Law in AI:Artificial Intelligence. Despite my initial disappointment in 21st century robots there was one robot that caught my imagination in the programme, mainly due to how adorable it is, but also because of the slick design and incredible functionality.
Thanks to the lovely people who hang about at I love typography for posting this up.
Poster designed by Michael Ciancio
You may or may not have noticed the ^ above the ‘a’ in my name. Most don’t, some do, and even fewer use it. (It’s there for a reason folks! And not just a typographical “I like to look different” reason – a proper grammatical one – it changes the sound of the letter ‘a’.)
I love ‘em all though – and am sad enough to have spent time working out what the key combos are to get most of them.
Just in case you’re interested – you get the â as follows:
Mac users – hold ALT, press i, release everything and press a
PC users – hold ALT, press 131 on the number pad, release ALT
hey presto! So now you know… ;)
Posted by Siân on Friday 3rd of October 2008 at 3:36pm
Launched at the Paris Motor Show, the GTbyCITROËN is the first ever car to be specifically designed to bring the virtual and real worlds together. Visitors can actually drive the car in a true to life simulator on the Citroën stand.
The press release says: At almost five metres long, GTbyCITROËN packs the latest hi-tech racing equipment into an exaggerated sporty frame. Planted on 21-inch, diamond-effect, aluminium wheels, the car’s gullwing doors, over-sized rear end with mobile spoiler, gaping air intakes and flat underside exude the qualities of an accomplished racer.
But is it real?
Will it ever go into production? Or is it merely a mule to plant a brand into the mind of a 10 year old gamer?
There’s loads more images, renders, sketches, and some great shots of the real vehicle being created over on the SeriousWheels website.
Posted by Richard on Friday 3rd of October 2008 at 11:49am
When members of the audience occupy the space, the mirrors inquisitively follow someone that they find interesting. Having chosen their subject, they all synchronise and turn their heads towards them. Suddenly that person can see their reflection in all of the mirrors. They will watch this person until they become disinterested, then either seek out another subject or return to their private chatter. The collective behaviour of the objects is beyond the control of the viewer, as it is left entirely to their discretion to let go of their subject.
Here in the busy ICM studio one of my current projects is working on a set of brand guidelines for a major rebrand project.
Whilst looking around on the internet at how other companies and corporations have composed their own identity guidelines, I found this:
A booklet of identity guidelines created by (and for) a guy in Australia called Chris Doyle. Chris works for a design agency based in Sydney called the Moon Group and recently entered this booklet and himself into an Australian design competition.
Here’s his colour palette:
His alternate colour schemes:
Definite no-no’s!
And the obligatory exclusion zones!
Personally I think this is a fantastic piece of work! Well done Chris, the next time I need a Chris Doyle I’ll use the Full Colour Seated Casual with leather jacket and flip-flops!
Posted by Richard on Wednesday 1st of October 2008 at 1:34pm
There’s been a few discussions lately here at ICM towers about the intrusiveness and effectiveness of certain methods of advertising.
One thing that hit home when I saw this ad was it’s simplicity. A blindingly straightforward concept executed with great finesse. A prime example that whether you are looking for a new car or not, a brand can be lodged in the mind for a time when you are.
No in-your-face hard selling, no complicated targeting. Just a simple message.
Posted by Richard on Thursday 25th of September 2008 at 9:11am
Finally, the Google phone is launched. The hardware hasn’t been created by Google, only the software, Android, but this seems to have inspired some incredible looking phones.
My favourite is actually a phone that was designed by gadget website, T3 and demonstrates how the Google phone concept has captured people’s imagination.
Here is the LG version of the phone, which is equally as beautiful:
The main features of the phone are its ease of access to the internet, of course being a priority for Google, but also it has a built in compass and gps. Surprisingly, it is run on Linux and not Windows, which must have been a kick in the teeth for Microsoft. There is a pretty good preview on TimesOnline
Is it as beautiful as the MacBook Air though? Still pretty special.
Posted by Tasha on Monday 22nd of September 2008 at 4:36pm
I stumbled across a great website today which allows you to play with fonts and make pictures from them. A bit of fun, but well designed and pretty cool. Check it out at: http://fontpark.morisawa.co.jp
You can also see my first bash at a design. I didn’t have much time as I was just playing, but let us know what you come up with: My Design
Posted by Tasha on Friday 19th of September 2008 at 3:20pm
Trying to add good typography into music videos has always been a bit hit and miss. Recent advances in post-productions software now allow for some amazing, previously nigh-on impossible, results.
Here’s a great example of kinetic typography:
Posted by Richard on Friday 8th of August 2008 at 3:56pm
As a lover of all things Sci Fi you would have thought that I would have loved this, but apart from being really cool what is the point? Am I getting too cynical? I do want one though, hours of fun.
Posted by Tasha on Monday 4th of August 2008 at 3:56pm
This is footage from the London College of Fashion catwalk show. The light show was designed by a collection of students and music was directed by James Pegg, also a student at the college. Brilliantly produced video by Moving Brands.
Posted by Tasha on Wednesday 30th of July 2008 at 5:40pm
I’m a big fan of ImaginFX, the magazine and website for fantasy artists. Every month I await with growing anticipation the latest installment of my gorgeously produced magazine dropping through the door, and turn each page with increasing excitment and wonder at the high level of the art, and the usefulness of the practical tutorials.
Well, this month’s edition arrived last night, and in it was an article on Illuminated. According the website it’s “a new animated series being created by some of the people behind GNN (Guerrilla News Network), Phong.com (Eminem’s “Mosh”), Pod Collective, Broken Saints, and ConceptArt.org. Produced in true High Definition, the series is inspired by the sensibilities of Hayao Miyazaki, Roger Dean, Alex Grey and many others.”*
The write up was good, the artwork looked cool so I thought, ok – I’ll go and have a look. It’s just the teaser at the moment, but it looks to have potential so I’ll be interested to see how the story develops. (I’m still all about the story at the end of the day!)
The thing that really got me though, was the way they’re integrating the marketing – they have pre-loaded USB memory sticks, a “DJ/VJ” club night, and a page full of codes you can nick to put on your own website, so you do the marketing for them (pretty much like this). All in all, it looks like a pretty slick project.
For the build up to the launch of BMW’s 2009 7-series, the German manufacturer has built the world’s largest egg timer, and stuck their new model inside it!
The Moscow launch of the new 7 Series, BMW’s most luxurious model, was a glamorous black-tie event with the motto ‘Never Stand Still’.
The 12 metre tall egg timer can be seen in front of St Basil’s Cathedral and the Kremlin, which houses the Russian government.
Commissioned for the atrium of the new Terminal Five at Heathrow, Cloud is a digital sculpture conceived by art and design studio Troika.
On the aluminum body sit 4,638 dots that can turn from silver to black in one quick flick. Beneath that lies two electronic drivers, 134 distribution boards and over 16,500 feet of cable.
I especially like the flicka-flicka noise of the old-school departure boards that airports used to use. Be sure to look up the next time you’re in Terminal Five.
Posted by Richard on Monday 7th of July 2008 at 1:16pm
Take a close look at the picture of Paris above, which has been altered slightly for artistic effect. The orange square is Place Vendome. It’s also a bottle of Chanel No 5.
Coincidence? Apparently not.
Coco Chanel designed the Chanel No 5 bottle in 1921 to match the shape of Place Vendome, where she lived for 37 years at a suite in the Ritz.
Here are some pictures of the bottle design, showing its evolution through the years. The first two are from 1921, which suggest her original inspiration might not have been the Parisian square. The third, from 1924, looks slightly octagonal, but the stopper is more so. The fourth, from 1950, is closer to today’s shape, but still not quite the same shape as Place Vendome.
The basic shape has become iconic with the brand, being used for a number of other products such as the Chanel Premiere watch.
So is it coincidence? Was it truly designed this way?
Suddenly I’m looking at Otley Road, Headingley in a different light – will it appear in my next piece of packaging?!
Posted by Richard on Friday 4th of July 2008 at 1:24pm
A Skyscraper or tower which has a rotating floor is not a new idea, but one which has 80 pre-fabricated apartments which will spin independently certainly is.
I don’t normally go ‘Oooh’ when I see a new concept from BMW . The first time I saw the ‘flame-edge’ design of the 1 series I thought it looked like a bit of a banana, but in time the design grows on you and becomes more acceptable.
The latest GINA concept from BMW takes the vehicle surface to whole new level, stretching a lightweight, flexible fabric ‘skin’ over an articulated metal frame. Enabling you to change the shape of the vehicle.
I particularly like the way elements of the vehicle’s exterior can be altered dependent on various conditions; driving during the day? No need for lights…
Driving at night? Expose lights:
Loads more technical information on the GINA concept can be found here.
Posted by Richard on Thursday 12th of June 2008 at 1:12pm
London-based designer Kacper Hamilton has created this wonderful set of glasses based on the seven deadly sins. It’s a really simple concept beautifully executed, backed up by great photography.
Which sin is your favourite?
Posted by Richard on Friday 6th of June 2008 at 4:09pm
Aah, those were the days; recording songs off the radio on a Sunday afternoon, making mixtapes for girlfriends, loading favorite computer games (yes, computer games on cassette), how times have changed.
There’s a great online celebration of the design of our humble cassette to be found at www.tapedeck.org where you can search through galleries of cassettes by different manufacturers, tape length and quality.
Call me a geek but I find this kind of nostalgia for ephemera quite captivating.
Posted by Richard on Tuesday 29th of April 2008 at 3:56pm
If like me, you’re constantly thinking about design, gleaning inspiration from everything around you, you’ll know that after a while it becomes difficult to find new colours and colour combinations for projects.
I was reading a top quality magazine the other weekend and as I opened it this fell out.
My first response was to have a bit of a strop saying that Chris had bought me a second hand magazine. Then I looked at it closer and realised that it was actually a printed direct mail piece. Hummm, that’s quite clever I thought, I’ll keep it.
Visually, I don’t really like it and would have thrown it straight into the bin had I not been a bit of a nerd. I kept it though and for days after often thought of Rice Krispie cakes and how yummy they are.
I think if I had children I would probably have bought some and made some cakes. Think I might do it myself anyway actually…With my track record of baking these may be something I can successfully make.
Posted by Louise on Friday 11th of April 2008 at 9:11am
We recently received an email from a student at Salford University trying to sell prints of designs by students. They are trying to raise money for a design show.
Check out their blog, some really good stuff in there.
Posted by Tasha on Monday 25th of February 2008 at 4:36pm
As politics has progressed over the history of mankind, it has become more of a branding exercise than about who is the best guy for the job. (Controversial!)
This has, however, been great for the creative industry, because these guys have a lot of money behind them, especially in America. Check out Barack Obama’s new campaign website for an excellent example of political campaign creative work. It makes quite an impact!
Posted by Tasha on Friday 22nd of February 2008 at 12:15pm
I was recently looking for a new desk for my amazing new imac and stumbled upon MILK.
I have no idea how much it costs as they don’t have any prices on they’re website but I would imagine it is quite pricey. The fact that you can have a goldfish tank embedded in your desk is pretty cool though.
Is it great design or is it just design for the sake of it? It doesn’t really solve any problems that I had with my current desk and if I did want a goldfish tank embedded in my desk then I would break out the old black & decker jigsaw and pimp my old one.
Still if I had money to burn my mac would look pretty cool sat on top of one of these.
I found this via a link on a blog, so this might be a bit cheeky to direct people towards it, but it’s awesome. We did an annual report earlier in the year that we are really proud of because it is completely different from any that we’ve done before. But this is just brilliant verging on the ridiculous and almost sublime.
Designers are funny little things. You have to speak to them in ways that they understand, treat them like they ARE important and sometimes use flashcards and words of one syllable . . .
Unlike artworkers who understand EVERYTHING . . .
Below is a link for an article on Design By Metaphor – something that we are all used to doing but sometimes can lead us down the wrong path . . .
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