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Current Projects
The Completed Herman Miller Project
My project, Integrated Workstation, which resulted from the Cranbrook and Herman Miller partnership, is ready to be seen. See it in person at ICFF booth #1170.
Clip Tree Press Information
Press Information for Clip Tree's premier at ICFF 2012. Stop by booth #968 to see it in person!
Quill Light Version 2
The latest Quill Light prototype is complete. To turn the light on, simply lean the stem forward. To turn it off, lean it back, facing away from the task area.
Mirror Hooks
Mirror Hooks with chromed aluminum and White Oak or Walnut are now ready to received coats and hats.
Orbit Light
The Orbit Light features an 'orbiting' switch that turns the light on and off as it is rotated clock-wise or counter-clockwise around its glass dome.
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We are reading selected sections from the book Design Studies – A Reader. It is a collection of essays that cover a great range of topics.
Our first two sections are on the iconic Eames Lounge Chair vis-à-vis the Barcalounger and Michael Graves and his relationship with Alessi and Target Corp., respectively.
The first essay, written by Wava Carpenter called ‘The Eames Lounge- The Difference Between a Design Icon and Mere Furniture’, begins by giving a brief history of the lounge chair and gives examples of articles and events, like the inclusion in many permanent art collections, that help easily solidify the reputation of the chair as a deign icon.
I was happy to read this article as I have felt that the distinction between these two chairs as emblematic of the cultural divide between those that consider materials and aesthetics when choosing furniture and those who don’t.
The first reading with which to start the semester off is the preface to the the book Once Upon a Chair- Design Beyond the Icon. It basically is a call to arms for the design community. It states that we are at the other end of a period of design that sacrificed idealism and ethics and was removed from addressing real issues in favor of simply being a flashy response to existing work. With star designers being celebrated for their celebrity and prototypes going for incredible prices at auction, design was being categorized like art and was viewed through that lens.
The recession has helped to bring about a reassessment of design’s true essence while it flounders about in various directions. The author claims that the time of design’s death and reincarnation is at hand and should reemerge in the form of sustainability. The author states, “Sustainability could be become the new guiding principle of design, the new ethical foundation of our creative efforts.”
Continue reading…
Today I officially moved into my studio. It faces south and, like many of the studios here, has a beautiful view into an overgrown courtyard.
I am feeling equal parts excitement and fatigue (getting our house set up was no small task). I am look forward to getting going with the prototyping phase for some of the more resolved pieces that I am currently working on. I am also looking forward to getting some feedback about what I have been designing so far. My goal at this point is to get 3 objects fully prototyped and manufactured by the end of this school year. This sounds like such an achievable goal…
I think the Cylinder Light is up first for the Rapid Prototyping machine that prints in ABS. New this year at Cranbrook!
Why did it take so long to get to this design for a light bulb? Well I’m glad it finally happened. Plumen…
Plumen Bulb Loop from Plumen on Vimeo.
Dezeen talks with Reinhard Dienes about his recent work and design inspiration:
Dezeentalks at [D3] Design Talents: Reinhard Dienes from Dezeen on Vimeo.
A hand drawn and asymmetrical aesthetic for new tableware collection ‘Ovale’ by the Bouroullecs for Alessi. Here is the PDF that I received in the mail today.
erb_alessi_ovalecollection
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