A View From Studio SteakHaus

beautiful hand crafted process

2012-02-08T13:37:00.002Z

I stumbled upon this lush vimeo on the FastCo. blog
Facets are all the rage as a form factor, but normally associated with CAD and 3D printing.
Phil Cuttance has turned it around, literaly, and created a beautiful range of one off objects.
But I like his crafted work-shop production. Totally Awesome.

FACETURE from Phil Cuttance on Vimeo.

Kung Hei Fat Choi

2012-01-23T12:21:00.000Z

Welcome in year of the Dragon.

little dragon found in the garden escaping from its lantern

Playing with sound

2012-01-20T11:02:00.000Z

This is an Acoustic Mirror. I've always loved them since discovering a pair in a science museum.

They are so simple and fun for kids (and adults) to play with. Just stand with your head facing the centre of the bowl and talk normally, the recipient stands by the other one and the sound waves are converged so the listener can hear clearly from some distance.

These are located along the Thames, on the south bank by Richmond.

Being made in concrete, these have a lovely reminiscent feel of the Acoustic 'Radar' Mirrors dotted around the coast as an early warning system prior to radar being introduced

courtesy of andrewgrantham who's site is full of pictures and details of where to find these. There is a great trail in Denge in Kent that looks worth the exploration.

Tumi-ishi blocks

2012-01-19T11:16:00.000Z

I saw these at the Ambiente show in Frankfurt in 2008, I believe.
They've been on my mind since and I'd love to get hold of a set.
Designed by Design Office A4, working out of Osaka, Japan.
Beautiful prototype.

Tumi-ishi by Design Office A4

Muji Chronotebook calendar/diary

2012-01-19T10:46:00.000Z

Back in 2007 the 3rd Muji Award Competition selected the Chronotebook, by Singapore designer Wong Kok Keong [Orcadesign], as one of the Juadges' Prize winners. There was rumour it was going to hit the shelves in UK in 2009, but it has yet to materialise.
A great shame, since I still plan my day visually in this 'around the clock' way.
I just draw my own.
Come on Muji. (it would be nice on the iPad, too)

Diary schedules are arranged in lines and grids, which are difficult to see and has little flexibility.
This notebook makes it clear, intuitive and easy to plan and see your daily schedules.

BERG Littleprinter

2012-01-12T12:02:00.000Z

Berg's latest product release is this fabulous design - Little Printer

There's a lovely article and interview here on Core77.com

It's a lovely example of overlapping digital and physical experiences, featuring simple graphic design to bring fun and functionality to social media. I can imagine lines of them on a shelf, in different colours, spouting instructions, games, clues and memos for the family.

Hello Little Printer, available 2012 from BERG on Vimeo.

AppGear - WowWee Augmented Reality Toy range

2012-01-11T10:36:00.000Z

WowWee are fast developing a range of convergent play experiences where the boundary between digital and physical play is blurd.
AppGear
Interestingly launching at CES rather than Toy Fair, the initial experience looks good with a range of derivitive play patterns and characters - 'Mysterious Raygun' is very "mars Attacks" and unimaginatively named 'Zombie Burbz' looks very familiar.
But they have explored a full range of interactions with iPhone and iPad, including an AR cube in 'Elite Commander' (Hmm, I remember that idea!), and capacitive mover/controller in 'Zombie Burbz'.
The main thing is that they have kept them all simple and are converging classic toy and game play with screen play, even if it slightly forced.

It will be interesting to see how the consumer market responds and if teenage kids pick it up.

character

traditional social networking activity...

2011-12-07T14:30:00.001Z

'leaving a comment on Doreen's wall'

Poke!

Erin Like's this!

Original table carving in The Green Man pub in Bradwell, Essex

Review of Shoreditch's Boxpark mall | Blog | Design Week

2011-12-02T09:22:00.001Z

For a long while I have been a fan of shipping container architecture and alternative use.

Now Shoreditch Boxpark is complete it will be interesting to see how many times this is duplicated globally as the pop-up shop trend continues and property developers look for fast turnover.

Here's The Design Week review:

Review of Shoreditch's Boxpark mall | Blog | Design Week

outside the Printclub London, Hackney

temporary staircase at the South Bank

reception inside the Tea Building, Shoreditch

animal behaviour

2011-11-21T21:55:00.001Z

while flicking through the Guardian Unlimited.com minute-by-minute commentary of Spurs v Aston Villa. Always good commentary, but lovely irreverent video of seemingly futile animal behaviour, much like Aston Villa's efforts. I was hoping for at least a draw to keep Spurs out of the top 3! pah!

Anyway - cute owl.

So playful - Is Tropical | The Greeks music video

2011-11-11T14:23:00.001Z

Let's face it - this is what all kids are secretly thinking when they pick up a Nerf Gun.
Best bit is the sneaky, double-handed 'fingers' gun. He must have had it hidden in his sock.

More of this year's award winning videos on Creative Reviews blog:
http://creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2011/november/uk-music-video-awards-2011-winners

worth checking out Tinie Tempah, best urban video - budget.

StK

E-Type Electric Jaguar: RAC Future Car Challenge

2011-11-09T10:37:00.001Z

E-Type Electric Jaguar: RAC Future Car Challenge, a photo by Dominic's pics on Flickr.

RetroElectric!

love the combination of style and tech, though the power unit slightly takes away from the emotive thrill of the original.

Also, there's something about this image that makes the E-Type look like it's got an inflatable body, like a kids battery powered ride-on i've seen.

StK

Gordon Murray Design: RAC Future Car Challenge

2011-11-09T10:32:00.001Z

Gordon Murray Design: RAC Future Car Challenge, a photo by Dominic's pics on Flickr.

More plaudits for the boys at GMD.
T27 won it's class and top award for the Brighton to London RAC FutureCar Challenge 2011 with a total power consumption of 7KWh.

(and that's on the up hill stint;-)

Last year T25, the petrol version of the City Car, won the race in terms of efficiency and practicality.

There's going to be a lot of this in the press this year as energy efficiency becomes more relevant.

Grant Museum of Zoology

2011-11-07T16:16:00.000Z

things in jars are always good, but when they cover the depth and breadth of the animal kingdom!

The Grant Museum of Zoology is a treasure trove of the weird and wonderful. And all this stuff is the real deal. Including rare collections of extinct species.

My favourites would have to be some of the more random jars of things, such as 'Assorted Snakes', Penguin Wings', 'A Jar of Moles'! It reads like a witch's shopping list.

jar of moles!!

http://www.ucl.ac.uk/museums/zoology/

Dapper Interactive Music Toy

2011-11-04T11:48:00.003Z

Check this post on Blogclops of work by Tim Fishlock

Dapper from Tim Fishlock on Vimeo.

I also love this music video idea:

http://vimeo.com/9294379

Last Exit from Tim Fishlock on Vimeo.

Little Corkie (adjustments)

2011-10-26T17:18:00.002+01:00

These are amendments to the Little Corkie range of products.
search the blog for the main images of the range during the 'What's Mine Is Yours' show last year

counter sunk screw fixings in dado rail and picture frames,
though double sided sticky pads were equally suitable.

Mashup Functionality

2011-10-24T11:39:00.000+01:00

'Hot Tap' soap dispenser!
A lovely bit of lateral, mash-up functionality.

Hot taps are notoriously disconnected features in many a workshop wash room and the Print Club London is no exception, but they've ingeniously given it a purpose.
I'm not sure if I've seen any designed bathroom fittings using this space for dispensing hand soap. Hmmm?

American Games Arcade signs

2011-10-21T12:35:00.000+01:00

Ah, the joys of 80's acrylic arcade art.
These were rescued from a friend's local games arcade before it was torn down.

I'm thankful for his misspent youth and diligence in making sure these survived.

They need mounting in light boxes to get the light behind them.

Here are some further details of the games themselves from gamesdatabase.com:

Mirax:

mirax poster with barely legible header and feature call outs. Ah, the promise of 3D!

"Summary

Mirax Force is a space-based shoot 'em up with more than a passing resemblance to C64 mega-hit Uridium. Your mission is to fly Star Quest craft over the alien Mothership, destroying as much of it as possible with the ultimate goal being the main ship's reactor. Your flight will be hazardous - whilst avoiding pylons, buildings and shadowed objects, you will come under intense attack from waves of well-equipped Defender Ships protecting the Mothership"

first person perspective, continually changing 3D graphics?

Looping:

http://www.gamesdbase.com/game/arcade/looping.aspx

some wonderfully 1980's underwhelming video of gameplay in this clip.

looping screen shot - stimulating!

mango packaging

2011-10-10T13:08:00.001+01:00

mango packaging, a set on Flickr.

Mmm, juicy mangos!

This lovely piece of packaging was found in China Town.

I love all the details, especially the polyester strapping which adds to the proportion and overkill.

I must see if I can find more.

Takeshi Murakami at Palais de Versailles

2011-10-10T12:18:00.001+01:00

Takeshi Murikami at Palais de Versailles, a set on Flickr.

I love a bit of Murakami, seeking out his exhibitions when I get the chance.

Last December I visited the Takeshi Murakami exhibition at the Palais de Versailles in Paris.

The Palace is as decadent and opulent as they come, and quite superb in its own right. Throw in a bit of Murakami and you get a typically French juxtaposition of contemporary art and period architecture and interior design.
I love it.

Most pieces were selected works from recent years, but there were a few made specifically for the venue including decking out a complete room with carpet, wallpaper, chandeliers and wall lighting, though too difficult to photograph and less powerful than the individual pieces against their selected backdrop.

The scale of some of the pieces and their chosen location/situation along 'Murakami Versailles' was quite impressive, adding a little excitement to some of the pieces I have seen before and wonderment to some of the bigger installations as you walk around them and get a new imagery and perspective at every angle.

The more you look at any Murakami piece the more you can get lost in the layers of detail. The same goes for the palace. A dizzying experience for sure.

Overall it was tremendous fun, engaging fantasy and wonder for both the location and the art.

Playgroundology - Swedish Aesthetic

2011-09-29T13:03:00.001+01:00

Swedish Aesthetic, a gallery by PlayGroundology on Flickr.

some interesting playground thinking.
I particularly like the fact that there is a lot of variety in Sweden.

Thanks Kenn Munk for sharing this with me.

London Design Festival

2011-09-25T15:36:00.001+01:00

An excellent 'design guide' tour of some of the highlights at London design festival 2011.
Arranged and guided by Max Fraser, author and publisher of the Design Guide, and bikes supplied by the wonderful Tokyo Bike.

More on this to follow.

Two jars of toys...

2011-09-15T09:26:00.000+01:00

When there's not enough space (or time) to display all those small toys. A tiny bit of the Victorian display jar - just. I think I'll have to get some more.

Here's the rather excellent and bizarre taxidermy shop 'The Last Tuesday Society' on Mare Street in Bethnal Green.

http://viktorwyndofhackney.co.uk/

Just the kind of place you might find some rather excellent curiosities, even the pig's oink in the form of golden pigs snouts.

The presentation of such curiosities has always delighted me and is very much micro trend as we focus on things that are lovingly collected and displayed with attention to detail and a visual coherence - even if the story they are telling is one of madness and mystery.

Another place to enjoy this is the very excellent Horniman Museum in Forest Hill -

http://www.horniman.ac.uk/

There is one section of the museum that still has all the old display cases and original display.

I particularly like the alignment of the doors and the features display:

(note: fly not actual size;-)

Little side projects for home - Kimono stand

2010-12-17T15:27:00.001Z

You can't hide away a beautiful Kimono - though I still need to find a way of displaying the Obi. I'm planning on staining the wood a very dark brown - virtually black. It would be fabulous in a lacquer black.

The actual design would have tapered posts and cross beam.

The centre piece is for storage and display.

different sized cabinets can be inserted.

I was thinking of one for the little japanese slippers and Geta sandals

little side projects for home

2010-12-17T15:14:00.000Z

One of those little home projects.

In need of a place for post cards, letters, theatre tickets and handyman calling cards...

...this is about 5 years old, but just bought this cabinet so time to take a photo.

Augmented Reality on my table: Where'd she come from?

2010-12-11T00:51:00.001Z

Layered augmented reality apps for smart phones... Play, capture, share - but the actual content is video. Part of POP magazines AR app.

Sent from my big thumbs on my phone...E

Begin forwarded message:

From: erin deighton <erindeighton@googlemail.com>
Date: 1 December 2010 14:26:07 GMT
To: "photos@facebook.com" <photos@facebook.com>
Cc: erin deighton <erindeighton@googlemail.com>
Subject: Where'd she come from?

Sent from my big thumbs on my phone...E

Populating the cork...

2010-09-25T15:05:00.001+01:00

Thanks orson for the portrait. Just what little corkie needed.

London design Festival

2010-09-24T20:19:00.000+01:00

I love this idea - picking a beautiful/intriguing product from the fantastic Designed and Made 'Love Me and Live With Me' wonder cart, living with it for a week, adding a little bit of your story to it and passing it on to someone else to love.

The wonder cart is particularly excellent, full of drawers, doors and peep holes revealing it's wonders!

The wonderful product I got is a card carriage clock, complete with stencil and pencil.

Thanks Catherine and good luck with the rest of the festival. I'll be posting my creation on the clock soon.

check out the title link or www.lovemelivewithme.com and http://wwww.designedandmade.com/

Little Corkie packaging

2010-09-24T19:45:00.000+01:00

This is the provisional packaging for Little Corkie big push pins.

There are two per pack.

What's Mine is yours open

2010-09-24T13:11:00.000+01:00

images from http://whatsmineisyours.posterous.com/

What's Mine is yours looking good

2010-09-24T12:58:00.001+01:00

It's a small space but lovely and cosy, with a friendly welcome and delightful combination of products and prints, plus a stone's throw from Columbia Road flower market.

click on the title of this post or follow this link to see the show blog
http://whatsmineisyours.posterous.com/

What's mine is yours open

2010-09-23T18:05:00.001+01:00

It's open!
And looking great. I just need to procure some children's drawings to
finish it off and a donkey tail to hang on the dado!
Sent from my big thumbs on my phone...E

More teasers before the show.

2010-09-23T09:19:00.001+01:00

Lush effect of the rubber stamps on the cork. All the pieces look
great up on the wall.

visuals to go with what's mine is yours

2010-09-21T21:38:00.000+01:00

a few images to go with the exhibition.
what's mine is yours is all about the shared space and interaction between adults and children in the home.
The cork board picture frame is a shared space that elevates children's drawing to temporary masterpieces...
These are a few shots from home for the accompanying business cards.

what's mine is yours, work in progress

2010-09-21T21:25:00.000+01:00

great to be back in a work shop - big shout to Richard and James for the use of the space.

Check the Pin Router action.

What's Mine is Yours - work in progress

2010-09-21T20:51:00.001+01:00

Production for Whatsmineisyours

2010-09-19T23:10:00.000+01:00

Production line in progress.
Little Corkie being prepared for spraying.
They feel good and work fantastically as pinboard pins. Kids 'll love
'em.

What's Mine Is Yours Show

2010-09-18T16:12:00.000+01:00

Sneak peek.
As part of the London Design Festival this is a liitle addition to a
range of cork products called 'Little Corkie'.

It's part of the collaborative show organised by Richard Shed called
'Whats Mine Is Yours'

Happy New Year 2010

2010-01-13T16:39:00.002Z

latest london transport solutions

2010-01-13T16:32:00.002Z

for the last few years I've enjoyed seeing the number of bikes on London streets increase, but this is surely the best way to get around this time of year. i spotted this at Forrest Hill station while on the way to the Hornimann Museum. Excellent hills around here. The owner of this fine specimen of a sled must have got down to the station in record speed.

El Santos strikes again

2009-12-23T12:24:00.001Z

Is that you, Santy Claus?

OK, so the blogging has been slow, but here's a little Christmas Warmer from the weird and Wonderful studio.

Merry Christmas all.

2009-10-07T21:11:00.002+01:00

check out the page from accompanying book for the 'Doing It For The Kids' show.

send me your own monsters and buy the book from www.redesigndesign.org and support sustainability through design.

PULP FICTIONS

2009-10-05T22:10:00.002+01:00

here's a shot from 100% Design "Doing It For The Kids' show.

more comments and links later, but many thanks to Ali at Morpheus and Deirdre at Mcor Technologies. Links to follow with some more detailed descriptions and photos of the fabulous paper rapid prototyped versions of Stanley Heath-Stephens' lovely monsters.

London design festival

2009-09-27T11:23:00.001+01:00

action figures in a blur

2009-09-22T15:16:00.002+01:00

Along the same lines as the kaiju monsters I have been experimenting with a few action figures... I think some further abstraction would work well. I need to get infront of some screen printing and play around.

I wonder what kids would make of them?

monsters

2009-09-22T15:09:00.002+01:00

while exploring the wonderful world of Children's drawings it has sparked my love of monsters - particularly japanese Kaiju.

Here are some experimental images of a few kaiju and one superb creature of the deep - actually a toy bought at the sea life seal rescue centre in Oban some years back...

Doing it for the Kids

2009-09-20T21:56:00.003+01:00

...and here is where the real work is...

Doing It For The Kids

2009-09-20T19:26:00.005+01:00

When there's not enough space (or time) to display all those small toys. A tiny bit of the Victorian display jar - just. I think I'll have to get some more.

Here's the rather excellent and bizarre taxidermy shop 'The Last Tuesday Society' on Mare Street in Bethnal Green.

http://viktorwyndofhackney.co.uk/

Just the kind of place you might find some rather excellent curiosities, even the pig's oink in the form of golden pigs snouts.

Another place to enjoy this is the very excellent Horniman Museum in Forest Hill -

http://www.horniman.ac.uk/

There is one section of the museum that still has all the old display cases and original display.

I particularly like the alignment of the doors and the features display:

(note: fly not actual size;-)

Design Festival - Doing It For The Kids

2009-09-20T18:22:00.005+01:00

Working with [re]design on their 'Doing It For The Kids' sustainable play exhibition.

I got involved all a bit last minute so had to have a quick concept that contributed to the sustainable debate.

This was the quick proposal I put together inspired by my very first 'action' figures I used to make out of paper - fortunately a few have survived, saved by loving P and M...

...and these are my original figures from the mid 70's...

Kami Robo revisited

2009-08-12T23:29:00.005+01:00

Thinking about paper action figures and revisiting kami robo,

found these excellent illustrations by BUNPEI Yorifuji,

lush stuff.

and there's more...

there are some excellent video clips and an alleged forthcoming film... not sure if that happened- bearing in mind the site link is from 07. (still not sure how to link video to blog...)

I'll be keeping an eye out for more... and hopefully inspire my own paper creations.

StK

Blueprint Paper Cities party

2009-08-07T17:05:00.004+01:00

Joined the lovely folk from BluePrint at the RA for their Paper Cities:Urban Utopias exhibition.

Fine evening and lovely cold beers. Plus I finally had a chat with one of my design heroes - Thomas Heatherwick.

Laurie Chetwood

Peter Cook, Gavin Robotham and Lorene Faure

Blueprint magazine have commissioned a provocative piece on the Paper City:Urban Utopia theme for the back page for the past 3 years and this is the collective work all together in one place.

It's been a great way to add an uplifting and inspiring piece to end your perusal through the magazine - or start you off, depending on how you read magazines!

The best bit of the exhibition is the fact that each piece of art is printed in a wad of 100 or so copies so you can peel off the top copy and compile your own exhibition catalogue. Lush.

One of my favourites was by Noma Bar. could end up on my wall I think.

Thanks Vickie, Patrick and Pete.

Plus there is an opportunity to enter a competition to do your own Paper City. A must, surely.

here's the RA link:

http://tinyurl.com/krdvzx

here's the BluePrint link

http://www.blueprintmagazine.co.uk/index.php/architecture/paper-city-urban-utopias/

Soapcart 2009 - 'Ride A White Swan'

2009-07-31T15:38:00.000+01:00

Note the 'Swan-wing' doors.

Objectified

2009-07-19T19:57:00.004+01:00

Objectified by Gary Hustwit - director of the acclaimed 'Helvetica' film.

Went to see this a few weeks back at the Barbican.

A lovely design crowd - followed by fine chat and food.

One of the best bits about this product design porn flick is the intro sequence of the Jasper Morrison air chair being manufactured. mmm air injection moulding and suckers...

Dieter Rams and other European designers were very interesting, but i couldn't help but feel it was a bit too American/Ideo centric (and only US Ideo, saddly) and only focused on big names. It would have been great to have someone from IKEA interviewed, since the public can all identify with the products and design ethos.

Still, a pleasure to sit, watch and listen to a very well edited film about product design and different opinions on design.

...and I still get excited when there are beautifully designed products on screen.

What will Hustwit turn his hand to next? My money would be street art and design art - there has to be a Banksy based documentary around the corner...

magnificent Mexican Katsina Dolls

2009-07-19T19:07:00.002+01:00

Excellent display in the Horniman Museum of Hopi Indian 'Katsina' Dolls.
They represent elements throughout their religion and it seems they are used for teaching about the religion and religious stories to children. I like the way, like Shinto, everything has a spirit and needs to be visually represented as a character.

I'll have to look more into it.
I love the materials used in the ones at the Horniman, but here is a great link to some others.
http://tribalartcollections.com/kachina/index.html
Wilson Tawaquaptewa Katsina Dolls.

Apparently the Hopi are Pueblo peoples. There you go.

Soapcart 2009

2009-07-16T12:56:00.003+01:00

Chateaux Blancmange Gravitas 2009.
The 17th Chateaux Blancmange soapcart race and the races were spectacular.

It's never been so close throughout the day and with the previous spell of super hot weather it was fast - too fast for the Steakhaus brakes to be affective, infact.

Mid table result was fair, concidering first cock up on the slalom placed me 11th out of 21.

Brought back the Best Theme and share of the Constructors trophy as part of Team Crows. Sqwark!

Apologies to Gordon for 'nudging' him into the trees on the Long Drive - beware the Swans, they can have your arm off when riled.

StK

testing out the email blog

2009-02-26T04:06:00.001Z

While out in the US I have a little time to explore the blog a little more - anything to get me writing and posting more to it, especially while out and about.

So let's see if this works?

here's to 2009

2009-02-02T18:39:00.004Z

So it's the beginning of February 2009 and about time to get the blog kick started again.
Maybe it was the eerie light, as if from a B movie, IT or The Thing (see link), or just the magic of snow settling, but i was compelled to go for a midnight ramble in Acton and make the first footsteps on virgin snow - Alas a kitty cat had beaten me to it - cursed paws!

Last manoeuvres in the dark, paris, palais de tokyo

2008-07-19T15:11:00.001+01:00

Just got to paris and stumbled on this dark side instalation by artists giraud et siboni

mucho more lucha libre

2008-07-07T23:50:00.002+01:00

and here's the real action...but by this stage the cervesa are flowing...

more lucha libre

2008-07-06T23:43:00.002+01:00

Lucha Libre means Free Fighting, apparently.
Very free and random refereeing and crazy gymnastics with lots of bitch slapping is what it is.
oh and don't forget the midgets.
check it http://www.luchalibrelondon.com/

Lucha Libre Fantastico

2008-07-06T23:19:00.004+01:00

Punters getting into the spirit of it - just a normal saturday night in Camden.

Aha!
Mondo Mondo Mondo!
Time to post again, finally, but what better way to get back in the saddle than to share the joys of Mexican Wrestling. Brought to London doorsteps thanks to Lucha Libre London presents who brought sixteen of the best of Mexico’s luchadores including El Hijo del Santo (the greatest living luchador and son of the all time great El Santo - the saint), Blue Demon Jr. (the best looking mask of them all and featured on many a T-shirt and vinyl figure), and Ramses (fighting star of Jack Black’s Nacho Libre) in a full-on struggle for the soul of Mexico. All of this at the fantastic Roundhouse in Camden. Plus lots of Sol and Tequila, and some Mexican wrestling midgets to kick of the proceedings - literally - the evening was an absolute blast.
As was my hang over. Should have eaten more Nachos. more images of the masked heroes to follow.

a question of identity

2008-05-01T23:07:00.002+01:00

amazing how scanners have progressed. I love the quality of this scan that captures the reflectivity of the chain and the golden LEGO brick. strange how my electronic pass expired 3 years ago. must be a message.

Saturday in the Cotswolds

2008-04-26T19:30:00.001+01:00

The usual saturday carnival atmosphere in sleepy england. A lovely suprise for the weekend jaunt.

weird and wonderful banana twin

2008-04-24T22:33:00.003+01:00

this caused much merriment in the studio when discovered. A shame it didn't taste as goo as it looked, but the oral experience was something to savour...

Blossom in my local park.

2008-04-24T08:51:00.001+01:00

Even acton park around the corner from the flat looks beautiful on a sunny spring evening.

Blossom in my local park.

2008-04-23T18:52:00.001+01:00

Even acton park around the corner from the flat looks beautiful on a sunny spring evening.

established and sons party

2008-04-21T23:41:00.002+01:00

not that these are anything to go by, since i have the catalogue and ran out of memory on the camera, but E&S was in a fantastic venue in town, with some wonderful pieces by some excellent designers on display, least of all their superb carbon fibre table (name and desingers to be edited in later, you understand) which defies physics and fingerprints - well the bouncer makes sure of that.
the party was great, loaud, boozy, ful of designers and social. The after party party was just a fantastic, chaotic, undesigned mess with no taxis to get you back home out of the pouring rain. Just as well the memory was full on the camera, really.

still not sure about blogging, but here's some more

2008-04-21T23:17:00.004+01:00

You kind of need the computer or super fone with you at al times if you are to persue a blog lifestyle. I like a pictorial account of an event as much as the next man, but writing one. I think I'll start a scrap book next time.
So here are some images of the lovely Toby Summerskill - photographer, Who I met at the Deisgners Block with a shared passion for mexican wrestler msks and J H Lynch and Tretchikov prints. I'll be posting my beauties here as soon as i have finished with milan - hey, it's like being there all over again.
Check toby's link out - fun exploration if not a little dissorientating.

more totona

2008-04-19T23:52:00.002+01:00

aching feet can't stop the exploration of the nooks and crannies of Zona Tortona and there are fantastic creations and details to find at every stop. It's all too much and thirsty work. fortunately everyone also has free booze on hand to make sure you can go on...

Secret gardens

2008-04-19T10:55:00.001+01:00

Milan has a hidden city me secret gardens behind the streets. Small oasis me tranquility. Right, back to design...

zona tortona

2008-04-19T08:16:00.002+01:00

Zona Tortona is where the real life of the fair is.
A mass of creativity and pop up venues utilising every bit of space and street corner.
Thee's a great buzz reminiscent of Berlin, even if it is raining.
here's Berlin in Milan, landed in a car park .
this is my last morning before heading back to london so i'll be updating the blog upon my return with a few more details and a lot more accuracy. hopefully my writing will get better when i'm not blogging at 2am...ciao Steakhaus

wooden pininferina - awesome

2008-04-19T00:34:00.002+01:00

Even this pininferina design is out of my price range, but how cool!!!

camera lights action

2008-04-19T00:25:00.002+01:00

more on the slots.
I also figured out that to blog from the phone you have to be connected to a 3G network - which the local preferred vodafone network ain't. hence random order blogging. oh well.

designers block at milano

2008-04-19T00:14:00.003+01:00

Designers Block has a great site off Zona Totona in a dissused swimming pool. Some interesting bits and pieces particularly this fashion show of sorts - toy fashion model paraded infront of a crazed paparazi on a classic slot car track, precariously pushed around by two slot cars. a lot of fun for a range of toys!

Designers block

2008-04-18T16:34:00.002+01:00

Cool use me pool at designers block party. Ok, so i've not posted anything from the day yet but that's coming later

Isaloni

2008-04-18T16:34:00.001+01:00

Stepping off the metro into the fair doesn't disappoint

more salone

2008-04-18T12:13:00.003+01:00

more great stuff on the cassamania stand. covo's modular stacking shelf system is quite fn and simple. really adaptable. but favourite is the green energy design rangs of outdoor furniture by EMU - called Ivy collection by Paolo Navone. the wire frame is for plants to grow through and the stool has a lamp charged by the solar pannel. great grab handle feature too.

some of the fine offerings in salone

2008-04-17T10:09:00.002+01:00

It's a big open house on every stand with some of the largest companies and designers rubbing shoulders and every seat is for sitting on, every surface for touching and every angle for photgraphing. It's crazy.
here are a few companies I spent time on their stands - Alias, Cassamania, Cappellini, Gufram, Swedese, Plank, Heler and Vitra to name a few. Some news, lots of the same old, but the 'sports shoe' styling on the vitra chair was an interesting style direction and the material use on Cassina is great...

bourullec brothers at kartell

2008-04-17T00:56:00.001+01:00

not obvious from the photo but the moulding and the colour range are masterful

starck on kartell

2008-04-17T00:52:00.002+01:00

i've been clickng away al day and discovered that the mobile ohone is not uploading to the blog. however, here are some teasers of the products on show at the kartell stand. lots of really lush poly carb pieces, using some fantastic moulding and engineering - no photography, which is a bit of a surprise for this fair. up untill now it's been a paparazzi photo fest.
Starck's inflatable missiles are imposing but bourullec brothers designs are lush and covertable...

2008-04-17T00:34:00.002+01:00

the first few impressions of isalone - but it's complete chaos getting to the fair and finding your way to registration. finally inside and the mpping is absolutely dissastrous. But with such great weather and surrounded by fantastice design you just have to go with the flow.

MIlan 08 day 1, post 1

2008-04-16T11:21:00.004+01:00

coming into land in Lanate, Milan, with the Alps in the background.
going to be a good day and this makes for a good start to the blog.
ready to head off to the fair now, though about an hour out from the centre. so much for convenient hotel locations.
ciao

Testing mobile phone blog

2008-04-15T23:08:00.001+01:00

So this is where i'm heading - central northern italy...

Going to milan

2008-04-15T22:55:00.001+01:00

Getting stuff sorted for dawn flight to milano. Quite excited.

clutter

2008-04-15T13:09:00.003+01:00

So, I had to do a quick interview for the Uxbridge Gazette, a high quality rag with a broad distribution, so i'm told. I sent them a photo of a 'toy designer's work space', but had to limit it to the one desk - no work on show. that's all on the other desks around me!

su_te_a_ku_ho_u_se

2008-02-21T11:23:00.003Z

Aha - hardly a well supported blog, but about time i got it running up to speed.
so here's a much needed bit of kanji...

Mr Bic

2007-11-15T13:20:00.001Z

As a test post from the mobile i thought the very cool mr bic would make a grand entry. StK

it's raining and I'm dry

2007-07-02T20:10:00.000+01:00

Pouring down outside, but actually quite nice since I am dry inside with a fine wet Merlot.
cheers!

AM4040

2007-04-01T23:23:00.000+01:00

image of the 'Back to Basics' Action Man custom - May 206