Design Week articles from February 2007

Design Week archives from February 2007

Pentagram partner to form his own studio.(David Hillman leaves to form Studio David Hillman)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Pentagram founding partner David Hillman has confirmed he is to leave the consultancy after 29 years to launch his own design group, Studio David Hillman (DW 4 January). Hillman says his decision allows him to concentrate on a more...

The Dart structure.(Kristalia)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Dart structure, a stool with a gas-operated piston designed by Luca Nichetto, is one of the novelties to be presented by Italian furniture company Kristalia at this year's Milan furniture fair, Salone del Mobile (18-23 April). The...

Rudge reveals plans for Tent London.(Event overview)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Tent London will be the brand name for the new design exhibition from 100% Design founder Ian Rudge and 100% East founder Jimmy MacDonald. Under the Tent London name, they will launch their first fair during London Design Festival this...

Liberty plans global drive with luxury brand boutique chain.(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... Prestigious retailer Liberty is poised to unveil a boutique dedicated to its signature brand Liberty of London, as part of plans to push the company into global markets. Designed by Universal Design Studio and Liberty of London's...

Adjaye and Thomas Manss devise NPG fashion show.(Event overview)
February 1, 2007... The National Portrait Gallery is to kick off a high-profile exhibition on fashion photography later this month, designed by architect David Adjaye and Thomas Manss & Company. Focusing on the work of five acclaimed photographers, Face of...

Illustrated woodland fantasy.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Christian Slade, a former Disney animator and now freelance illustrator, has produced an illustrated woodland fantasy about a young girl Ivy, her dog Sprout and their adventures in Korgi Hollow for US comic book company Top Shelf. The...

Garrett creates on-line forum to celebrate the best in digital design.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... An on-line forum aiming to bring the digital design industry together by discussing innovative work has been developed by Applied Information Group and New Media Knowledge. Dynamo London (www.dynamolondon.com), designed by Malcolm Garrett...

Nikita launching redesign of haircare products.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Scandinavian hair-salon company Nikita is launching a major redesign of its flagship range of salon-only haircare products. The creative work is by UK group 42consulting. Renamed Touch of Nikita, the range will be distributed throughout the...

Design Bridge overhauls Beefeater bottle and label.
February 1, 2007... Chivas Brothers, the Scotch whisky and gin arm of Pernod Ricard, is giving Beefeater Gin's iconic bottle shape and branding an overhaul as part of a global push for the beverage. Design Bridge is responsible for the brand's new identity...

Vibrandt lures Pearcy to new CEO role.(appointment of Nigel Pearcy as chief executive officer)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Former Pauffley managing director Nigel Pearcy is being brought in by Windsor consultancy Vibrandt and its sister group Impackt to the newly created role of chief executive, overseeing the two businesses. The appointment follows the...

DPA takeover creates #3m lighting group.(DPA Lighting Design acquires Campbell Design Group)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Lighting consultancy DPA Lighting Design is taking over Campbell Design, creating what it says is the largest consultancy of its kind in the UK. The combined group will house more than 50 employees and turn over about #3m. DPA, formed...

Striking new look for Franz Kafka.(Penguin Books)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Penguin is giving Franz Kafka a striking new look as part of a revamp of its Modern Classics series. Cover photographs by Jacob Sutton and art direction by ad agency Mother combine to reveal what Penguin Classics publisher Adam Freudenheim...

IN BRIEF: Clive Richards appointed.(apointment at Chartered Society of Designers)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Chartered Society of Designers has appointed Professor Clive Richards as president elect. He will take over the presidency from John Sermon later this year. Richards is a member of the Research Assessment Exercise panel, which will assess...

IN BRIEF: Theatres Trust appointment.(contracts with 300million)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Theatres Trust has appointed 300million in a four-way pitch to assess its current brand and communications. The three-year contract will start with a review of the current visual identity, extending to cover the website, exhibition branding...

IN BRIEF: Scottish Executive to poll public.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The Scottish Executive is polling the public to find out whether there is support for a publicly funded design festival. The survey is linked to the Six Cities scheme, a programme of events in 2007 celebrating design in Scotland. ...

IN BRIEF: Bowles and Linares launch new website.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Bowles and Linares, a hand-manufacturer of furniture, lighting and interiors products, has launched a new website at www.bowlesandlinares.co.uk, designed by Allies. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Clarkson, Wayman, Ball rebrand.(rebranding of Newenglish)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Newenglish has rebranded Clarkson, Wayman, Ball, an independent financial advice firm in Leicestershire. As well as stationery, Newenglish is working on signage and interior treatments for CWB's new offices. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: BP internal branding and marketing.(contracts of British Petroleum Company PLC with Circle)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Circle has been appointed by BP to design the internal branding and marketing materials for the energy giant's 2007 Helios Awards programme. The consultancy won the project in a three-way creative pitch and will promote the scheme to BP...

COMMENT: The LDA must show its hand on London Design Festival.(London Development Agency)(Event overview)
February 1, 2007... We're still awaiting news from the London Development Agency about the future of the London Design Festival. We have yet to see the delayed economic evaluation by management consultancy Stratagem, finally due for publication next month, but...

CDG unveils branding for Molton Brown.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Luxury cosmetics company Molton Brown is launching its new brand positioning by Conran Design Group, creating a united design for all of the product's communications. The work focuses around a series of images which feature different...

Design will be 'absolutely key' to a sustainable Olympics.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The use of design will be 'absolutely key' to the sustainability efforts of the 2012 Olympic Games. So says the chairman of the newly established Commission for a Sustainable London 2012, Shaun McCarthy, in an exclusive interview with...

Selfridges installs Eno's sound and vision.
February 1, 2007... By Sarah Woods With typical aplomb, the musician, sound and light artist Brian Eno unveiled his visual music installation at Selfridges' Ultralounge in London on Saturday. Not typically a shrinking violet when it comes to visual art,...

News in Pictures: Alex Telfer photographs.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Alex Telfer's photographs illustrate the 'How do you see people?' theme of creative communications agency Cravens' eighth annual open art competition at Northumbria University. It runs until March. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

News in Pictures: Land Securities promotion.(contracts of Land Securities Group PLC with Radford Wallis Design)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Radford Wallis conceived and commissioned four gigantic stationery items to promote Land Securities' 6000m2 spaces at 80 Victoria Street in London. The pieces were made by Main Titles and show how the space can be subdivided. Copyright:...

News in Pictures: Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust identity.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... The London office of 999 Design has produced the identity for The Barry Amiel and Norman Melburn Trust, an organisation that promotes the learning and knowledge of Marxist philosophy. The identity references the style of early 20th-century...

News in Pictures: The Book of Happy Endings cover.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... Jon Gray has designed the cover for The Book of Happy Endings, Elise Valmorbida's collection of non-fictional short stories. The title is published on 13 February by Cyan Books. Valmorbida is also creative director of Word-Design and a...

ANALYSIS: The more the merrier?(Event overview)
February 1, 2007... Ian Rudge and Jimmy MacDonald have unveiled their new design show, but can it thrive in a crowded exhibition sector, asks Sarah Balmond 100% Design founder Ian Rudge sounds confident. And for good reason. After months of industry...

Inspired: France Sorrell.(Personal account)(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... When John and I set up the Sorrell Foundation, our aim was to find ways to inspire creativity in children. We ended up being inspired by them. On our Joinedupdesignforschools project, children of all abilities and backgrounds took on the...

PRIVATE VIEW: Today's classics.
February 1, 2007... There's no shortage of good design, but where are the truly great works? Adrian Shaughnessy names two projects that might make it into the canon Where has all the great work gone? I mean the really great work: the stuff that goes down in...

Voxpop: Problems of overcrowding on trains.
February 1, 2007... As First Great Western launches a #63m train design overhaul, a cabal of angry passengers pitched a 'fare strike' to protest at overcrowding and delays. How far can interior and product design go to alleviate the growing problems of...

LETTER: Somerset College wants to know what you're doing.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Did you study design at the Somerset College of Arts and Technology? If so, we would like to know where you are now. The college is celebrating 150 years of art and design in Taunton during 2007 and we would like this information as part of...

LETTER: Existing infrastructure must be used creatively.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... With regard to First Great Western's overhaul of its train design (DW 25 January), one of the major factors in preventing more trains operating along a particular line is dwell time. This is the time a train is stationary at a station while...

LETTER: Embrace on-line advertising and cut down on paper.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Hands up those who agree that companies should strive to be more eco- friendly. Hands up those who love the power of imagery. Hands up those who receive endless reams of printed promotional matter from image libraries. Designers,...

LETTER: Keeping ahead of trends in hair styling and design.(Letter to the editor)
February 1, 2007... Regarding DW 11 January, is there a new hairstyle in London for male designer types of a certain age, plus Hugh Pearman? See Cartlidge Levene, Simon Threadkell, Jim Thompson, Rasshied Din, Martyn Bullock, Callum Lumsden, Lee Lapthorne,...

Profile: Mulberry.(Company overview)
February 1, 2007... Bags are the fashion must-haves, with high-priced versions flying out of stores. Mulberry has tapped this trend, with its range of luxury leathergoods that owe as much to practicality as to branding, says Hannah Booth Fashion used to be...

FASHION: Celebrity sell.(Industry overview)
February 1, 2007... The use of famous faces shot by well-known photographers in the store environment has changed the fashion retail experience beyond recognition, says Ed Barber Back in the 1980s you could walk through the women's underwear department of...

LETTERPRESS: Moveable feast.
February 1, 2007... As an exhibition of letterpress champion Alan Kitching's work is about to open at St Bride Library in London, Jim Davies looks at his influence on four graphic design groups OVER the past 20 or so years, the name of Alan Kitching has...

FURNITURE FAIRS: Theatre of design.(Event overview)
February 1, 2007... Futuristic houses, cocooning sofas and retro reissues of 1960s classics - there is much to appreciate at Cologne's furniture fair, although John Stones is rather put off by the heavy emphasis on marketing. Meanwhile, Natasha Edwards sees...

BUSINESS INSIGHT: A good state of independence.(Industry overview)
February 1, 2007... Independents are spared the pressure of delivering shareholder profit and can get on with the business of finding creative solutions, says Bill Wallsgrove Our industry is constantly changing to cope with the opportunities for creativity...

New rules.(Brief article)
February 1, 2007... By Liz Farrelly Sixteen years ago, Paul Jones of the Elms Lesters Painting Rooms, a scenery-painting studio and art gallery, was looking for someone to add a 'piece' to a theatre backdrop. That's how he found his first graffiti 'writer'....

Pearson Matthews to undertake Alliance Boots strategic review.(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Pharmacy giant Alliance Boots has appointed Pearson Matthews to explore its future international dispensing strategy. The appointment will see the consultancy working on strategic options for Alliance Boots, in light of changing European...

The Mill changes hands.(Michael Baulk, appointed)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... The Mill changed hands in a management buy-out this week, funded by private equity firm the Carlyle Group. It has also appointed Michael Baulk, the former chief executive of advertising agency Abbott Mead Vickers BBDO, as its chairman. The...

Brandopus boss poaches JKR directors.(Jones Knowles Ritchie)(Nir Wegrzyn)(Paul Taylor)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Jones Knowles Ritchie's former managing director Nir Wegrzyn has poached JKR's design director Paul Taylor and two account directors to launch Brandopus. Taylor left JKR at the start of the week and becomes creative director at the...

Whole Foods Market unwraps healthy design line-up for the UK.(brand positioning business won by Boxer)
February 8, 2007... US organic food giant Whole Foods Market has revealed the first glimpse of its much anticipated retail launch into the UK, with the completion of its brand positioning by design consultancy Boxer. Whole Foods' internal design department...

Portland breathes life into Battle of Hastings exhibition.
February 8, 2007... English Heritage will open a #500 000 exhibition on the site of the Battle of Hastings later this week. It is designed by Portland Design. The consultancy was appointed to the project at the beginning of last year following a Europe-wide...

James has reformed.(www.wearejames.com)(James band in contract with Love Creative)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... 1980s and 1990s indie band James has reformed with a greatest hits album and tour, and has appointed Manchester consultancy Love to re- conceive its original daisy logo. Love designer Adam Rix has updated the daisy and created press ads,...

All of Us spy game for Science Museum.(Be an On-line Spy,computer simulation game)(All of Us)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... All of Us has created an innovative, interactive game called BAOS - Be an On-line Spy - for The Science Museum's forthcoming show The Science of Spying. Launching in London next week, The Science of Spying aims to help children...

Sammy Davis Junior photographs.(book published)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... A collection of iconic Sammy Davis Junior photographs, shot alongside his closest friends, is published by Harper Collins, priced #25. The book and cover, featuring Jerry Lewis, is designed by Stephen Schmidt at Duuplex, and the images are...

#100,000 Research fellowships for design in business.
February 8, 2007... The Royal Commission for the Exhibition of 1851 has awarded #100,000 for research into design in business - its first ever research fellowship dedicated to design. A #60,000 award has been given to Professor Tom Barker, of the Royal...

IN BRIEF: The Partners appointment.(Nina Jenkins)(Jack Renwick)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... The Partners has promoted Jack Renwick from the position of designer to creative director. She replaces Nina Jenkins, who has taken a job in Amsterdam. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Dragon appointment.(Chris Barber)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Dragon has appointed Chris Barber, former creative director of Identica, to the position of design director. Barber will work with Dragon's creative partner Samantha Dumont and head up the packaging design team. He has worked with a wide range...

IN BRIEF: Brand for Voluntary Action Blaby District.(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Work Design Consultants is creating a brand for Voluntary Action Blaby District, an organisation strengthening the voluntary sector in Leicestershire. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Talented new designers.
February 8, 2007... The British Council and the Design Museum will launch the work of talented new designers at the 2007 Milan Furniture Fair in an exhibition entitled Great Brits: Ingenious Therapies. The show will be held at the Paul Smith European headquarters...

Thomas Pink London store by Four IV.(new store opened near Sloane Square)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Thomas Pink opened the doors to its latest London store on Sloane Street last week, designed by interior specialists Four IV. The clothes retailer previously operated a store on Sloane Street, which was closer to Knightsbridge, but this new...

Navyblue expands with office in Leeds.(Navyblue Design Group appoints Brian Minards)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Navyblue Design Group is to add a Leeds office to its existing Edinburgh and London bases and has appointed former BDG McColl director Brian Minards to run the business. The consultancy has been considering expansion into the North of...

Airside unveil offerings at on-line shops.(Richard Hogg)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Airside has unveiled the latest offerings at its on-line shop, which includes designs such as Fred Deakin's Girl on Sofa - a throwback to his Scarf Girl creation of seven years ago - and this limited edition print designed by Richard Hogg....

COMMENT: Inclusive Design Challenge deserves wider recognition.
February 8, 2007... We all go on about the positive attributes of design in tackling social ills as well as enhancing clients' commercial performance. But how many of us go out of our way to demonstrate the former, under constant pressure to prove the latter?...

Alembic helps charity unite Kosovan orphans.(Alembic Design Consultants)
February 8, 2007... Alembic Design Consultants has developed a visual identity for the Kosovo Youth Education Project, a charity that brings together young people from the three communities of the country. The charity organises summer schools and other...

L&Co dusts off the identity for Royal Holloway college.(University of London Royal Holloway and Bedford New College)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Royal Holloway, University of London, has unveiled a visual identity and literature scheme, designed by L&Co. The consultancy was briefed to create a new look and feel for the university, focusing on the many pieces of literature it...

Wolff Olins wins DBA Inclusive Design Challenge.
February 8, 2007... A Wolff Olins-designed kitemark for people with mobility problems has won this year's Inclusive Design Challenge, set by the Design Business Association and the Helen Hamlyn Research Centre at the Royal College of Art. The Go Steady...

News in Pictures: Photographic account of Russia.(Simon Roberts' Motherland)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Photographer Simon Roberts travelled throughout Russia between July 2004 and August 2005, exploring the idea of the Russian 'motherland'. His extensive photographic account is presented in Motherland, published by Chris Boot, priced #25. ...

News in Pictures: Todd Oldham designs.(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Todd Oldham has designed interiors for the luxury Fairfax apartments, with hotel-style amenities such as gym, restaurant and room service, on South Beach, Miami. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

News in Pictures: Ribena redesign.(GlaxoSmithKline repackaging the fruit drink)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... GlaxoSmithKline has launched a branding and packaging redesign for Ribena, created by Seachange, which will encompass all products in the range. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

News in Pictures: The Color of Jazz.(publishing of The Color of Jazz: Album Cover Photographs)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... The Color of Jazz: Album Cover Photographs by Pete Turner, is a celebration of 50 years of his work. It is published by Rizzoli International Publications, priced #27.50. The cover shows Canned Funk by Joe Farrell. Copyright: Centaur...

News in Pictures: Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre.(services of Zaha Hadid Architects)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... Zaha Hadid Architects has unveiled its design for the Abu Dhabi Performing Arts Centre, a cultural institution for the Solomon R Guggenheim Foundation. The 62m-high concept proposes five theatres - a music hall, concert hall, opera house, drama...

News in Pictures: Identity for Waterlog.(waterlog exhibition at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... SampsonMay has developed the identity, branding and literature for the Waterlog exhibition, featuring work by international artists focusing on the East Anglian landscape. It opened last weekend at Norwich Castle Museum and Art Gallery. ...

News in Pictures: Cezary Bednarski exhibition.
February 8, 2007... The design for the Kariobangi South Community Project in Nairobi, by architect Cezary Bednarski, features at his exhibition of photography from 16 February to 3 March at The Muse, 269 Portobello Road, London. Copyright: Centaur...

ANALYSIS: Crossing the line.
February 8, 2007... Some direct marketing agencies now offer design services. But should dedicated design consultancies be worried, asks Emma Rubach Postmen get taken to court for helping people avoid it; politicians compare it to the arms trade and people...

Inspired: Charlie Hoult Loewy.(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... I can come across as winging it at work, but, in my down time, I like to concentrate on intricate detail. For the past three years, I've opened my back garden for charity - it's a superlative effort of pruning, coaxing and balancing. There's...

PRIVATE VIEW: Good old Billy.(marketing of bookcase; IKEA International A/S's Billy bookcase)
February 8, 2007... Branding may dominate the creative headlines, but it's design and manufacturing basics that have made Ikea's founder richer than Bill Gates, says Hugh Pearman There is design and design. High design, with big names attached, and everyday...

Voxpop: Testing the public.
February 8, 2007... The Scottish Executive is planning to test public support for a publicly-funded design festival in the country. Is there an appetite for such an event - and what form should it take? It would be great to think that after banning smoking and...

LETTER: TESCO IS BEING HELPFUL.(Letter to the editor)
February 8, 2007... I presume James Windsor is having a laugh in his letter (DW 25 January). I laughed so hard a little bit of wee leaked into my pants when I read it. I have an observation to make. As a father (can I say that, or is it too gender specific?)...

LETTER: Scottish design festival should target business.(Letter to the editor)
February 8, 2007... In response to this week's Voxpop, at Tayburn we're actively involved with the Six Cities initiative and would urge the Scottish Executive to support Scottish design in whichever guise it sees fit. However, I don't believe the festival...

LETTER: Train redesigns are being driven by customer needs.(Letter to the editor)
February 8, 2007... In terms of alleviating overcrowding on trains, we only have to look at the changes in station environments and the increased competition between rail operators to see how design plays a major role (Voxpop, DW 1 February). Train...

LETTER: Kitching's work with letterpress is well worth celebrating.(Letter to the editor)
February 8, 2007... Alan Kitching's letterpress work is indeed art in its own right (DW 1 February). Jebens Design commissioned Kitching to illustrate Ashridge business school's programmes guide in 2005. Kitching was a wonderful, inspirational and...

Profile: Marcel Wanders.(furniture designer)(Interview)
February 8, 2007... Omnipresent design talent Marcel Wanders made his name with furniture, but has since branched into architecture and interiors. John Stones asks him about anti-Modernism, extravagance and Dutch aesthetics 'Are you taking the piss?' The...

TYPOGRAPHY: Swash and flourish.(linking letters becoming more prominent in graphic design)
February 8, 2007... Ligatures, the flourish connecting two characters which once served a serious typographic purpose, have now become a style. Michael Johnson looks at the phenomenon DESIGNERS are magpie-like creatures. If we see a style or approach that...

MARKETING: Art and sold.
February 8, 2007... As brands encroach further into our everyday life, exploiting an association with the cultural prestige of art and design becomes increasingly potent, says Oliver Bennett AT the Cologne furniture fair last month, rather than put up an...

COLLABORATION: Hand in hand.
February 8, 2007... Working in collaboration has many creative and commercial attractions for designers, but there are pitfalls. Designers recount their experiences to Liz Farrelly, while lawyers and business professionals give John Stones the low-down Are...

BUSINESS INSIGHT: Where does branding begin?
February 8, 2007... The most effective branding projects involve teamwork between different specialists, says Linda Garcia Clients used to know which consultancies to go to for particular expertise. However, as media and technology have changed and exploded...

Better the devil.(Victoria & Albert Museum's Kylie Minogue exhibition)(Brief article)
February 8, 2007... By John Stones What could be more designed than Kylie? Once upon a time we believed in innate talent. But now we realise it takes many teams of people with different talents, not least PR and marketing, to achieve lasting, global...

Kenya Airways lines up design groups in global interiors pitch.(Brief article)
February 15, 2007... Kenya Airways is holding an international pitch to redesign its plane interiors, airport lounges and staff uniforms. Honour Aviation is one of the UK consultancies pitching, according to a spokeswoman for the airline. The list includes...

The London Transport Museum forthcoming branding.(Brief article)
February 15, 2007... The London Transport Museum has revealed the first look at its forthcoming branding, created by The Core. It is trying to shake off an image of a staid museum for 'lads and dads', in favour of one with wit and energy, says Core creative...

Design Council holds tender for design advisor.(Brief article)
February 15, 2007... The Design Council is to hold a public tender for an external project advisor to develop its work on the mooted national design centre for London. The idea for a network of centres around the UK with a physical hub based in the capital...