I always tour the design museum working from the top down. Aside from being a logical way to view it, my primary draw has long been the annual Designers in Residence exhibition, situated on the top floor.
I was happy to see the show had a lot more space for itself than last time. I feel the curation is always excellent and I gain so much from the fresh ideas of these raw talents.
The first and foremost design which stood out to be was that of James Christian. An architectural design, what captured my attention was very much the fun colourful models and diagrams which presented his ideas.
This speaks to me, and was reoccurring theme in the show, as it shows how a design can be so much more than a singular object. When dealing with an idea regarding design, one can print, make models, write a report, make a film, a play etc.
Christian's design in particular demonstrated a kind of all encompassing approach to design, considering aesthetics and how they have the potential to improve peoples lives.
(Some thoughts I had whilst drawing;
- Some things get smaller as they move away, some things get bigger
- The negative space between what we can see and what we can't)
Ilona Gaynor's design played with the theatrics of a court case - e.g. having a script/ the line between real and fake. The execution and presentation was again good, though what spoke to me most was her interview in the short film accompanying the show.
She spoke of "Translating ideas" - the idea that research based investigations could be taken into an essay - but think about all the other ways! Such as 3d, 2d, films, plays etc. This obviously speaks to me a lot - I value research a lot in my projects - design can really take any shape or form.
Though being less inspirational for the now, I must give credit to the other two designers. I'm sure I will draw on them for a future project.
Torsten Sherwood's ingenious toy design (making building dens a reality) is something I wish existed when I was younger. A simple idea which has so much potential - highlighting how good an opportunity this competition is for young designers.
Patrick Stevenson-Keating's design aims to highlight something which goes completely unnoticed which we all use; the design of how money works in today's world. An interactive installation of a fake bank takes up his portion of the exhibition space. A fun idea and well presented through a series of accessories. Fresh and quirky ideas like this are the ones that thrive and get designers noticed.
So overall I (once again) greatly enjoyed the Designers in Residence show, as it is a platform for new talent and radical ideas to reach the public in an un-watered down, commerce-reliant way.
... So it's fair to say it is a massive contrast to John Lewis 'How we live now' exhibition, which highlights the importance of designed everyday objects.
In a way it seems perverse to include a henry hoover in a museum display (they may well have knicked it from the cleaners cupboard) but it's always good for studying and practising designers to recognise the incredible and rapid way certain designs have evolved.
This is very much the kind of science my lecture series dealt with. So though not as fresh as the DinR, inspiring and interesting all the same (and innovative for their time.)
I hadn't known what to expect from the Louis Kahn exhibit, and as primarily urban architecture I can't say it spoke to me greatly. But it was a good contrast to the bright fun proposed housing that I had seen upstairs. What was different? The patterns/ the colour/ the concept?
I was glad they dedicated a fair section to his research and influences - displaying his impressive pastel drawings showing his appreciation of colour. Also a section was dedicated to 'Travels' as research, with drawings, postcards and stamped passports collected framed and displayed.
Philadelphia architecture was discussed - which I briefly visited this summer. Though of the images on the walls I most enjoyed Kahn's traffic studies (concept diagrams are always far more interesting in terms of illustration than real ones.)
Inspiring quote; "When the work is completed the beginnings must be felt" (Louis Kahn)
Though the style of architecture didn't do it for me, I was greatly inspired by elements of Kahn's design and research process. Firstly, the importance of folding paper in design. And secondly, the intricate, technically drawn and modelled designs of unbuilt buildings - which still had a presence to inspire others with future designs. This presents the idea that nothing is wasted, down to a simple note or sketch. This is a notion I need to maintain in my own practise. I think it will do much to improve my confidence.
So I made my final descent down the stairs very happy. Goals, ambitions and aims floating around my head. (I will go to the RCA! I will be a resident designer!)
Maybe that's a bit far fetched to be thinking now, but one note I made was;
"I'm sick of designing teapots
There is something huge about us"
The design of the knot is inspirational - these things come from the simplest places. An idea is nothing without confidence behind it, and a drive to make it something, whatever form that something may take
And as ever, one of the best bits about a museum, I very much exited through the gift shop. (I personally think the Design Museum has one of the best!)
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