Design Debate

It's no secret that at Pickle Design , where I work, we love design classics . We've chosen to illustrate quite a few of them for newsletters and calendars over the years. I just love discovering good design, and the stories behind it. One illustration I did which never saw the light of day was the PH lamp system designed by Poul Henningsen for Danish lighting company Louis Poulsen . The distinctive three-shade system was developed during 1925–26, so a century later seemed like a very good excuse to bring it out again. Henningsen was fascinated by light but frustrated by glare. Rather than simply hiding the bulb, he took a much more scientific approach to controlling and softening the light it produced. The geometry of his shades was based on the logarithmic spiral, a form familiar from the natural world. By carefully calculating the curves and position of each shade, he could distribute the light more evenly and create a softer glow without the uncomfortabl...

I do like popping in every now and then to peruse Danish photographer Søren Jepsen's work. Famed for his street snaps and candid style, he travels fashion's finest towns capturing head-turning outfits and the people who sport them. Never more happy than when at home in Copenhagen. Jepsen's commercial work is note-worthy but I do gravitate towards those unsuspecting (or ever hopeful) souls he's found on the streets of London, Paris or Budapest.   It's all about the ensemble, or that killer accessory that livelies up an ordinary day. Check his work out at The Locals or on Instagram . 

As I gaze out my window today it is very grey, cold and soggy. So instead I will gaze into my computer window and dream of long-gone summers. Danish ones to be exact, captured by photographer Sven Türck in the 1930s. It's the fashion that catches my eye, and that carefree feeling that summer holidays can bring. Plenty of fun, be that at the beach, on a bike or giggling amongst flowers. What power a photographer has when preserving history. The 1930s were overshadowed by economic hardship and an approaching war, yet here, in Türck's world, we are whisked off to a Danish idyll that I, for one, am quite happy to lose myself in today. Perhaps that sense of idyll isn't entirely accidental. Türck was an illustration photographer with a studio in Copenhagen, and his agency sold what were described as 'situation pictures' for advertising and othe...

Now here is something I can get behind, no added sugar ice cream with great branding. I am not sure if we can get it in England yet, but I really liked the retro-feeling brand from Danish company Wauw! Strange name I know but apparently thats the feeling you get when eating healthier ice cream. Branding-wise, they wanted to pitch themselves just right. Not to look 'light' and boring, or too high end but fun and accessible. I like the round and bold font, it feels indulgent in its fatness. The circular scoops are pilled high and help differentiate the flavours.  Oh I hope it makes it over here! See more at ID

What a spacious and beautiful home. There is something about the simple and far reaching lines of this Suffolk residence that appeals to me. I personally don't see the point of a flat roof unless you can walk on it, sit and take tea or dangle your legs and star-gaze, but that a side, I do love the lines. The photography too just adds to the effect - the stark whiteness of the landscape welcomes the larch clad single storey home.  The huge glazed windows frame the farm land views. In their season the fields sway with meadow flowers and ears of corn blow jostle about. The design was conceived by Danish studio Norm Architects , open plan living that relates perfectly to its surroundings.  Its a peaceful residence where natural materials layer together with copious amounts of white. I like how the building is raised on a slight platform allowing the ground beneath to undulate. The clean lines are a pleasing find on a Tuesday morning, hope you agr...