A PAST EXPERIMENT

Today I'm delving deeper into past social and economic experiment - the Brynmawr Furniture Makers Ltd of the 1920's and 30's...... a project that continues to inspire, intrigue and surprise me. It's also a sad stark reminder that once upon a time and not too long ago when I joined the Furniture industry in 1986 that not only did Wales have the biggest furniture manufacturer in the UK (Christie Tyler - & where I started) but it also this industry was one of the biggest employers in South Wales. Design can and must play a key role in the regeneration of this industry, its skill-base, it's out-put, its economic value and a sustainable manufacturing future for Wales...... I might well turn this into a 'provocation' when I give a talk at the ECONetwork event next week!

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BACK IN THE SEED FACTORY

Julian & I are back in "the seed factory" factory today...... sifting, germinating and cultivating one big yield of crazy, creative, commercial ideas and ingredients from Monday's workshop with the Welsh Assembly, college and Uni Enterprise Champions and Educators..... So many seeds!

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THE SEED FACTORY #1

If the workshop participants think we're giving them breakfast then they are mistaken!
The flyer for the new creative-thinking workshop we have been designing and creating for The Welsh Assembly Government has has just been emailed to all the Enterprise Champions, Educators Lecturers in colleges and Uni's pan Wales. The workshop model called The Seed Factory will take place at Chapter Arts Centre, Cardiff on the 26th April. Great response so far and they're still signing up!

Ta/Diolch for the flyer Julian!

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FUTURE OF FURNITURE DESIGN?

Alice Rawthorn has written an article called Furniture Designers Are Shifting Focus for the New York Times focusing on the shift in design-thinking and approach to furniture design in the recession. She poses a simple question - "LONDON — There is one question that everyone should sensibly ask before designing or making something to show at the Milan Furniture Fair. Does the world need another chair?" It's a very interesting article and DO we need another chair? My answer is 'Yes' as long the solution is sustainable, functional/practical, commercially viable, innovative, unique and above all, is needed!
If we can tick all these boxes then let's play with the materials, the aesthetics, the emotional message, the products personality and engineer a distinctive new chair that makes a real positive difference!

This is Yokujin Yoshioka's (one designer I love to watch) design for Moroso called the "Memory Chair" made from aluminium which responds to emotional, sustainable, innovative and distinctive issues in design..... but....!

via New York Times

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