Design Debate

This is a lady with style. Not only do her layered creations speak of graphic boldness but they are intricate, uniform and brilliantly bright. Maud Vantours 's artwork has been used in editorial campaigns, on fashion products and as works of art in galleries. The French born artist and designer has a background in textiles and I think she has a real command of her material. Vantours' website words it well "She sculpts it in 3D layer after layer, by superimposing paper and colours to create inspired patterns in volume". I first saw her work on This is Colossal   and I felt it needed further exploring, and of course sharing with you! Oh and I love her promo picture too, super stylish.    

I came across this really beautiful brand at the Dieline . Gimsel, based in Rotterdam, is an organic supermarket that began 25 years ago. Recently they approached Studio Beige to create a new brand.  I just love the colours, stock and layout of the business cards, so Dutch in design. The illustrations are perfectly concise and neat. The retro feel is continued throughout the store and printed material. The layout and photography reminds me of some of the cookery books I have at home! The website is bang up to date though with large photographs encouraging those taste buds. The whole brand is quite moreish.  

Smart, very smart. A table that not only looks stylish but also has a very clever function. The 'Current Table' by Marjam van Aubel creates its own energy. The piece of furniture gathers energy from daylight to charge appliances like lamps, computers and phones.  The glass top consists of a dye synthesised solar cell, borrowing from photosynthesis and colour properties to create an electrical current. The beauty of this technology though is that it doesn't need direct sunlight to create its power, just diffused light.  Dutch designer Marjam has created previous to this table other furniture that gleans the sun's energy. She created units that draw energy from the daylight with glasses acting as cells.  I do think though the 'Current Table' takes this concept further. A very useful function and beautiful form.  Read more at Design Boom .  

Well this is quite unique. Not just a branding exercise but also an education. Taiwanese ice cream is very unusual, it is a 'shaved' ice cream made with Italian gelato and with a texture somewhere between sorbet and ice cream.  The design company 'm Barcelona' had a two fold challenge. Firstly this ice cream was relatively unknown in Europe and secondly its pretty ugly! You are meant to pile masses on sauces and toppings in an OTT mound of escaping mess. So what makes this a great brand is the thinking behind it. They deconstructed the product and gave it personality. This ugly mound became an endearing monster when the name 'Eyescream' gave birth to the idea of sticking on two eyes, and hey presto a character was born. The funky illustrations give the flavours personality and the clean and well designed packaging makes the product very cool.  Read more at ID . 

I saw this illustration and it stopped me in my tracks. No way would I have the patience to attempt this beautiful mural that artist Sean Sullivan completed in 7 months with only a Sharpie pen! The mural was commissioned for the entrance way of the Los Angeles Contemporary Exhibitions (LACE) gallery . Sullivan started with a fallen oak and then elaborated the design with rotting wood, fallen branches, knots, wild grass and even a whale! The mural is called Grand Pale Male and I think it is quite beautiful. See more My Modern Met . Earlier Artwork, 2007