Design Debate

Italian company .exnovo are part of what is called 'The Third Industrial Revolution'. I must confess 3d printing is a process that feels more science fiction than science fact to me, a glimpse of a future that has well and truly arrived. .exnovo are a solely 3d printing company. Even though this process sounds very mechanical and far removed from human participation, companies like .exnovo are merging craftsmanship with incredible skill and creating stand-out pieces. The process allows great flexibility, one-offs can be created and then customised. What has caught my attention are these beautiful lamps by designer Alessandro Zambelli . I think what also feels re-assuring is that Zambelli, although using this very modern production process, is inspired by nature. It can seem, looking out my window at the the wild sprawling greenery that mathematics has very little to do with nature, but on the contrary it does. I remember being quite excited when I was younger findi...

I came across a video for a quite extraordinary artist, Max Lamb . Then I discovered that he is actually from St Austell, Cornwall and my interest peeked! I love finding out about artists who are interested in the process just as much as the end result. That is why I often write posts on here about artisans. I think in my world of graphic design where everything is finished on a computer, one can crave connection with the process. At the company I work at, Pickle Design, we have always been careful to start with pen and paper. I often hand draw illustration to give a brand or product that personal feel that can be easily lost. With Max Lamb , it was a video of him casting a stool out of pewter using sand as a mould. This really interested me as there is quite a bit of the unknown, only so much you can control. Max carves out a mould in the wet sand and pours in molten pewter to cast a shape. It is impressive! Not restricting himself to a particular method in his...

Blanket from purlbee.com Cosy knit chair from Hans Sapperlot I am completely smitten with knitting, to be truthful I haven't actually tried it since I was a child and I knit a very wonky but colourful scarf for one of my dolls. But my sister creates some wonderful items and I am tempted to revisit this craft for myself. She has knitted with plastic bags, made lace jewellery and the essential gloves.  Scarf patterns from purlbee.com I am though a fan of the product. Few things excite me more in the long, long winter months than a cosy sweeter or hunky chunky socks. There is of course Pinterest for any such stitch-gazing. Are you a fan? This site is so addictive and what can be achieved with a ball of yarn knows no limit. Pattern from melimeloo.blogspot.de By artist Kate Jenkins The reason my thoughts have turned to knitting today is because I read an article on NYC blog A Cup of Jo . It seems Norway has bucked the trend of fast, fast television...