
Sunday, December 9, 2007
Sustainable Design

Cheap solar-powered energy...it's coming our way!
Thursday, December 6, 2007
Pretty Products
These two tables were designed by Michael Young. He drew inspiration from chinese paper folding to make the bases of them. This is a very simple overall form, yet i would have never thought to make a cone-like shape the bottom of a table. I enjoy that Young made these after being inspired by something else. It makes me remember to always be observant of my surroundings because I never know when I am going to see something that will be great to integrate into a design.The three stools above were designed by a woman named Zaha Hadid. I enjoy the way they fit together like a puzzle. It adds a nice interactive element as well as being functional. I can't imagine how comfortable they are to sit in, though. They look kind of cold. Maybe a more inviting color or material would make them look more inviting.
When I first saw this, I didn't think "chair." I did not really know what to think. Then, of course, after looking at it closer, I saw that it was, in fact, a chair. The design threw me off considerably well. It was designed by Felice Rossi in Italy. It was made to mimic the form of the body. It swoops up to provide a side table--most likely for some technological bee-bop.
This couch is also designed by Italian designer, Felice Rossi. It looks like a piece of foam, thrown over a metal frame. When I look at the waving line on the top of it, I think of movement. While it looks cool, it doesn't look very comfortable. Perhaps Rossi prioritizes design over functionality. I'm sure that is also how many more designers design things.
How cool is this?? I could not pass this up when sufing the web. I enjoy the thought of making odd things into something completely new. It's a nice idea.
This lamp, which was made by JTH lighting company, has a nice quality to it. The organic curve of the shaft give a feeling of movement to the lights. I'm finding that I really enjoy curving lines in product design.
The name of this coffee table is the "Alien Table," designed by Y. Shito. It has a futuristic feel to it with the round top and shiny metal. I enjoy how the base is solid and swoops up and out to the flat top. The light shining down from the ceiling complements the table because it is also round and metal.
The "Princess Light," designed by Christophe Pillett, reminds me of a floating orb. This is something I would like to have in my room. It definitely has a feminine quality to it, with the engraved flowers on the side of it.
This light by the Birch and Willow is not my favorite. It looks like it was made to look like an overgrown nest. I do not find it aesthetically pleasing, yet I am sure the shadows it casts are pretty interesting.
Finally, my favorite product of this small bunch. This is called the "Ether" by a company called Eurofase. It is a chandelier AND a centerpiece for a dinner table. It is made of dangling blown glass balls with lights shining on them, reflecting the light around the room. I love water and this design strongly represents bubbles. I very much enjoy glass, so once I found Eurofase's website, I was in heaven. They have many different glass products. I encourage everyone to take a look. www.eurofase.com Wednesday, December 5, 2007
Ten Websites to Linger On
The words "stately" and "sophisticated" come to mind when looking at the designs of I. Michael Interior Design. When I look at their pictures, I like the way they use diffused, accented lighting. This goes great with the theme of dark colors they use in their designs. Despite the great designs, I feel like the website is lacking something. I can't quite put my finger on it, though. I feel like maybe the layout is too simple--almost boring. This contrasts greatly with their type of designs, which are subtle, but definitely not boring. I think maybe they were trying to go for the sophisticated look; however, I feel they could have "beefed" it up a little without taking anything away from their designs.
I really enjoyed looking through the website of Balongue Interiors. I admire their professional layout. When one clicks on one of the categories either on the right-hand side or the top of the page, a window opens with many thumbnails of a lot of work they have done in that category.
This site doesn't look like it was thought through well. When I got to it, the first thing I saw was a LOT of writing. When people look at a website--especially a design website--the first thing their eyes should be drawn to is something that was designed well. That may be either a picture of their work, or even the layout. Their has to be some amount of interest in order to keep the viewer looking at their work. Once I got past the dissappointment of the website, I started looking at the firm's actual work. I wouldn't even call them designers. Decorator is a better term. In order to spice up a room, they change strictly what is on the surface. Their is an abundance of stenciling used and cheap-looking furniture. Looking at work like this makes me proud to be in the program that I am in. I know that even though I know much failure will come from me in the future, so will success. The knowledge that I will learn will take me far beyond these decorators and show me a perspective of the world that they cannot even begin to fathom. (wow. i'm harsh)
On a lighter note, this firm's work is very delightful. Laura Day Designs uses fun, pastel colors and lots of geometric shapes in their designs. They are innovative and have a slight whimsicle vibe. Bravo
The layout of this website was well thoughtout. I like the homey vibe of some of Innovation's designs, however other designs of theirs lack a sense of being well thought out. Sure, they put together furniture that was manufactured to go in the same room. But their was no thought process behind a lot of their designs. Once again, I would call them decorators. They merely pay for the furniture, place it in the room, and that's about it.
www.davidmichaelmiller.com/port.html
This is an entertaining website. I enjoy the ecclectic vibe I get from the interior spaces designed by Daved Michael Miller. They are inspirational to look at because he takes design elements from different cultures and incorporates to his work.
