Design Week articles from September 2006

Design Week archives from September 2006

Royal Mail selects six groups for #1.3m 'tactical' design work.
September 7, 2006... Royal Mail has appointed six consultancies from more than 200 applications to create its E2m (#1.3m) 'tactical' design roster, which is due to run for up to four years. The successful consultancies - Home, Meteorite, Open Agency, Rufus...

D&AD on the brink of naming president.
September 7, 2006... D&AD is set to name its future president from the design industry next week, with Poke founder Simon Waterfall in hot contention for the top job. Other potential candidates are Garrick Mamm of Williams Murray Hamm and Quentin Newark of...

Banks joins the board at Imagination.(John Banks )(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Imagination has appointed advertising veteran John Banks as executive chairman, under plans to develop the group's global strategy. Banks takes over executive chairman responsibilities from chief executive Gary Withers this October. ...

STOP PRESS: Sudjic plans to refine design competition.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Deyan Sudjic is working on 'refining the format' of the Designer of the Year competition, Design Week can reveal. There has been some uncertainty over the future of the contest, which won much notoriety under Sudjic's predecessor Alice...

STOP PRESS: Seymour warns of split in profession.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Seymourpowell co-founder Richard Seymour is warning that an increasing level of specialisation is splitting design into two different professions. He suggests that a polarisation will lead to more generalist solution providers - what he...

STOP PRESS: Cello Group buys into Blonde Digital.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Cello Group has acquired a majority stake in Blonde Digital, the Edinburgh consultancy set up by Pete Burns, former Navy Blue Design Group head of digital media (DW 8 June). Cello paid a 'nominal sum' for the 84 per cent stake and will also...

STOP PRESS: Creative director Hall joins Esprit.(Stephen Hall )(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Stephen Hall has been appointed global visual manager at the retailer Esprit. The former creative director of menswear retailer Burton starts the new position next week and will be tasked with 'directing everything visual, including windows...

All of Us project inspires art therapy.(Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital NHS Trust)
September 7, 2006... The Royal Brompton and Harefield Hospital NHS Trust, one of the largest cardiothoracic centres in Europe, is seeking to introduce further interactive design projects across the hospital to improve the experience of patients, following the...

Graphics for coffee lounge format.(Paul Cartwright Branding )(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Paul Cartwright Branding has designed the graphics for a Bhs coffee lounge format, which is to be rolled out across the retailer's stores. A trial cafe opened in Bhs Oxford Street in London last week, introducing the 'Italian characters' Luigi...

In-house team rectifies JBCP's 'clunky' look.(John Brown Citrus Publishing )(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... John Brown Citrus Publishing is rebranding this week as John Brown with a corporate identity designed by its in-house creative team, led by creative director Chris Parker. According to John Brown chief executive Andrew Hirsch, the...

Thorntons relaunching masterbrand.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Thorntons is relaunching its masterbrand with a revitalised logo and packaging designs. The 'master branding project' has been developed in- house, overseen by Thorntons head of design, Vanessa Christian. The first products to launch include...

Sony Ericsson switches on to mobile TV content.
September 7, 2006... Sony Ericsson has hinted that it may migrate Sony's Wega television brand into its mobile phone designs, as the technology becomes available to view 'television' content through handsets. The move would follow the introduction of Sony's...

Sony Ericsson.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... * Group headquarters in Hammersmith, London, with design centre based in Lund, Sweden * Working on a brand strategy overhaul with Wolff Olins * The rebrand is expected to adapt the 'I love NY' marque * Lost its ad agency BBH in a...

Bio System launches Hong Kong airline's global ambitions.(Oasis Hong Kong Airlines)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Tokyo-based consultancy Bio System has designed the brand identity, aircraft livery and cabin interiors for the global launch of Oasis Hong Kong Airlines. Owned by Hong Kong investors, the domestic airline is competing to offer long-haul...

Conran Holdings reports giant leap in profits.
September 7, 2006... Conran Holdings, the parent group of Conran & Partners, has reported a massive increase in pre-tax profits to #36.7m for the financial year to March, up from #2.6m last time, and on sales of #109.3m. The lion's share of the profit stems...

IN BRIEF: O2.(branding by Lambie-Nairn)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... O2 is launching in the Czech Republic, under a branding programme overseen by Lambie-Nairn, the mobile group's lead international brand consultancy. It follows the merger of the country's Czech Telecom and Eurotel Praha telcos. ...

IN BRIEF: Banksy.(guerrilla artist doctors copies of Paris Hilton's album )(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Guerrilla artist Banksy saw fit to pull a heist on celebrity-turned- popstar Paris Hilton last week, when he doctored 500 copies of her debut album - Paris - with his own remixes and changed the designs of the CD sleeve to picture a topless...

IN BRIEF: Black Pig.(created brand for Square Spot)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Black Pig has created the branding for start-up aquarium supplier Square Spot, which launches this month. The company is named after an exotic tropical fish. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Raw Nerve.(Deptford Design Weekend)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Raw Nerve has designed a newspaper to promote the Deptford Design Weekend, which runs in the London district from 15 to 17 September, during the London Design Festival. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

COMMENT: Sudjic's courting of the arts can make design reach out.
September 7, 2006... It was interesting to see Stephen Bayley writing on design in The Observer a week after Deyan Sudjic relinquished his role there. It shows how the careers of the two men continue to cross paths, but at a distance, as design writers and...

NB Studio creates style for Jelly Belly brand extension.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Jelly Belly, the US-based confectionary company, has revealed ambitions to move into the childrenswear market with the launch of a Jelly Belly Junior range, as part of its global brand extension strategy. A raft of products will be designed...

Proximity London plans design division.
September 7, 2006... Direct marketing agency Proximity London plans to develop a dedicated design division and has appointed former Saatchi & Saatchi senior designer Alex Normanton as its first head of design. The integrated communications group has brought...

Increase in reports demands better information design.(annual reports)
September 7, 2006... The annual report sector is burgeoning, with the number and size of publications on the rise, thanks to more demanding guidelines and a climate of corporate mistrust, according to the latest research. A study conducted by branding and print...

FTSE 100 ANNUAL REPORTING.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... * 61 per cent of annual reports were larger in 2006 * 85 per cent of companies produce a corporate responsibility report * 72 per cent produce an annual review, up by 20 per cent on 2005 * More focus on information design needed as...

News in Pictures: Studio 48.(interior designing)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Studio 48 developed the interior design concept for The Hoxton Grille, a diner that opened in the The Hoxton Urban Lounge in London last weekend. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

News in Pictures: Steven Thomas.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Steven Thomas, who created the interiors for the Big Biba store, which was open from 1973 to 1975 in London's Kensington High Street, has designed the book Welcome to Big Biba: Inside the Most Beautiful Store in the World. The author is...

News in Pictures: Chandelier featuring detachable glasses.(Ann Vernon Griffiths, James Wilkes)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Glassmaker Ann Vernon Griffiths has collaborated with James Wilkes, of Wilkes Design, to design a chandelier featuring detachable glasses. The product is on display as part of the British Glass Biennale held at the Ruskin Glass Centre until...

News in Pictures: Swivel seating chairs.(design by Hudson Architects )(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... These colourful swivel seating chairs have been designed by Hudson Architects and are being installed in West Yorkshire's Castleford's town square, as part of a #1.1m refurbishment scheme. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

News in Pictures: 22 geometric colour blocks.(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Artist Lothar Gotz has designed a series of 22 geometric colour blocks that will be installed in London Underground's Piccadilly Circus ticket hall from 7 September to 11 December as part of the Platform for Art initiative. Copyright:...

News in Pictures: Kiss unveils new logo.(radio station)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... London dance music radio station Kiss unveils its new logo this week, designed by Odd (DW 8 June). The marque works as a static form but also features an unfolding 'origami-style' device, says Odd creative director Richard Hart. ...

NEWS ANALYSIS: Defining the future of design.(Deyan Sudjic, Design Museum)(Interview)
September 7, 2006... New director Deyan Sudjic intends to maintain the energy levels of his predecessor, but tells Mike Exon it's time the Design Museum moved on The incoming director of the Design Museum has relinquished rather a lot to occupy the vacant...

PRIVATE VIEW: Lots of tiny sales.(The Long Tail phenomenon)(Chris Anderson)
September 7, 2006... The digital revolution is turning the rules of commerce on their head, empowering consumers and making niche markets viable, says Adrian Shaughnessy The Long Tail is a book by Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired magazine. It is also...

Inspired: Richard Scholey, Elmwood.(inspiration for other over-40s designers )(Brief article)(Essay)
September 7, 2006... Having recently returned to resume residence back in sunny Yorkshire after an 18-month spell in Australia, I was greeted back at work by the expected mixture of both friendly welcomes and lighthearted abuse. One particular e-mail was...

Voxpop: Museums.(design executives weigh in on the Design Museum's expansion)
September 7, 2006... In the week that Deyan Sudjic takes the helm at the Design Museum, what would you like to see celebrated at the museum as it embarks upon its expansion plans? I hope with Deyan Sudjic's background he'll shift the focus of the Design...

LETTER: Let's see more work from further afield at the Design Museum.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2006... My request to Deyan Sudjic as he takes the helm at the Design Museum is to give me design from developing nations. I'd love to see an intelligent exhibition of the very best of design from China, Korea, Malaysia and India, an exhibition that...

LETTER: TfL's latest pitch process places unfair demands.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2006... Factory Design has been on and off the Transport for London roster over the years and, as a business, we have enjoyed working for a client that surrounds a Londoner's working day. TfL group design manager Innes Ferguson is at the design...

LETTER: Expansion from the East to the West may benefit the UK.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2006... I fully agree with your editorial discussing issues surrounding the expansion of UK design (Comment, DW 24 August). As the UK director of Mildberry, which was founded in Moscow in 1999, I can assure you that there are a growing number of...

LETTER: Come and join us at the Preston reunion club night in London.(Letter to the editor)
September 7, 2006... Over the years, Preston, Preston Polytechnic and the University of Central Lancashire, have been catalysts for creative talent. Now we're bringing one of its best-loved underground club nights, the renowned Jellybean, down to the capital as...

Profile: Outgang.(founder Phil Lynch defines furniture company's approach)
September 7, 2006... Scottish furniture company Outgang aims to be a design business with a difference. Founder Phil Lynch tells Trish Lorenz about his Brazilian inspiration and his approach, which looks to combine business savvy and creativity When is a...

GRAPHIC DESIGN: Fan fare.(Match Day: Football Programmes)(Book review)
September 7, 2006... Football programmes have evolved from amateurish, do-it-yourself rags into slick, professional-looking glossies. But, despite the changes, the old ones are still the best, says Yolanda Zappaterra SOME 15 years ago, two seemingly unrelated...

RECRUITMENT: Heads or tails.(the divide between specialist designers and generalist designers is growing larger)
September 7, 2006... Design could be on the verge of splitting into two different disciplines, argues Richard Seymour, as the polarisation between specialist executors and generalist ideas people gets ever stronger I see a number of issues conspiring to create...

RECRUITMENT: Stepping stones.(it is becoming more difficult for designers to cross over into different sectors)
September 7, 2006... For designers hoping to cross over into a different sector, it is becoming increasingly difficult, as employers demand that the right boxes are ticked. John Stones looks at ways of bridging the gap and making that leap Life doesn't always...

HERITAGE BRANDS: Old brand, new tricks.(design services for luxury brands)
September 7, 2006... Long-established luxury brands are turning to contemporary design in a bid to entice new customers - but to retain their premium positions, it is important not to lose touch with their heritage, says Trish Lorenz Brands that are rooted...

BUSINESS INSIGHT: Make the most of freelances.
September 7, 2006... There is a lot to be gained from treating casual staff as part of your team and learning from the vast pool of talent that is out there, says Tim Elliott You've just won some great new business - now how are you going to deliver it?...

The power of nightmares.(The Frankenstein Set)(Brief article)
September 7, 2006... Gore blimey, it's enough to put you off your lunch. A visceral fright- fest of videos, photographs and sculptures by German artist Christian Jankowski, The Frankenstein Set is steeped in the scarlet gunk of horror movie-making - even using...

Nokia to set up London studio in global rethink.
September 14, 2006... Nokia is planning to open a design studio in London next year, Design Week can reveal. The initiative, aimed at tapping into the capital's burgeoning creative flair, is being pioneered by Nokia chief designer Alastair Curtis, who...

Worthington ousted in CDG-CGI merger.(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... CGI managing director, Stephen Thomas, will remain as chairman. Worthington is the latest casualty at CDG, following the exit of business development director Peers de Trense in May (DW 18 May) and the departure in 2004 of retail director...

Enterprise IG in race for Merc task.(Daimler-Benz AG)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Mercedes-Benz is in the midst of an international pitch to appoint a consultancy to work on the brand's profile, with Enterprise IG thought to be in the running for the work. The car manufacturer is working on a process of 'brand...

STOP PRESS: WMH denies plans to sell up or merge.(Williams Murray Hamm)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Independent design consultancy Williams Murray Hamm has denied industry murmurings that it is set to sell all or part of its equity to a trade buyer. WMH director Richard Murray says there is not truth in the rumour, despite multiple reports...

STOP PRESS: Orange takes on Ivrea head for design role.(Neil Churcher appointed at Orange)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Orange has appointed Neil Churcher, former academic director of the Interaction Design Institute Ivrea, to the newly created role of visual design manager. Based in the company's London office, Churcher will work on the global manifestations of...

STOP PRESS: Apple goes ahead with film downloads.(Apple Computer Inc.)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Apple Computer is expected to launch a film download service this week, just as eMusic - the main rival to iTunes - launches with a two million song library in Europe. eMusic claims to be the first digital music service available in the EU....

STOP PRESS: Nike settles London council logo dispute.
September 14, 2006... Hackney Council has won [pounds sterling]300 000 from Nike in an out-of-court settlement, after the sportswear brand produced trainers, footballs and T-shirts bearing the council's logo, designed by Alec Davis in 1965. Copyright: Centaur...

Graphical House creates brand for Glasgow art centre.
September 14, 2006... Graphical House has created a brand identity for a new #7m arts venue, Trongate 103, which is due to open in Glasgow in 2008. The centre will form a hub for designers and artists working in a wide variety of media such as printmaking,...

Fuel creates book design.(publishes "Ideas Have Legs")(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Fuel has created the book design for a collection of poetry by Ian McMillan and illustrations and imagery by Andy Martin. Ideas Have Legs presents more than 100 images by Martin, which interpret the poetry and prose of McMillan using...

The ICA unveils revamped brand identity.(ICA has unveiled its revamped brand identity and website)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... The ICA has unveiled its revamped brand identity and website, created by Spin. The visual identity is based on 'molecule structures', says Tony Brook, Spin creative director (DW 10 August). The website, www.ica.org.uk, also relaunches this...

Pentagram to unveil group identity for Dorchester chain.
September 14, 2006... The Dorchester Group hotel chain is to be rebadged in November with a new group company name. The brand identity will be designed by Pentagram and strategy undertaken by Schmidt & Co. The move to rebrand the high-profile group, which...

DTI funding cuts force Design Council to seek regional aid.(Department of Trade and Industry)
September 14, 2006... The Design Council has had its core funding cut by the Department of Trade and Industry, which delivered #6.5m last year, despite published projections of a #7m grant. The DTI's revised projections also show that further reductions are in...

NB Studio to rejuvenate Mothercare.(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Mothercare is launching its first comprehensive set of brand guidelines comprising a series of six books created by NB Studio, in a bid to create a more powerful high street brand. The guidelines are designed to look like a children's...

London Underground posters from 20s and 30s to go on show.(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... London Underground posters from the 1920s and 1930s will go on show at the Museum of Domestic Design and Architecture at Middlesex University's Cat Hill campus from 7 November. The exhibition will include work from graphic artists Paul Nash...

IN BRIEF: High tech R&D centre to open in Bingley.(research and development centre )(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... A hi-tech research and development centre called the Advanced Digital Institute has opened in Bingley, West Yorkshire. It will provide business and academic support for the development of new high-value products and services, and has been...

IN BRIEF: National Bingo Game unveils brand identity.(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... The National Bingo Game unveils a brand identity by The Workroom this week, part of a #2m rebranding campaign including a website designed by Spinnaker at www.nationalbingo.co.uk. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Creative Innovation Centre to open in St Neots.(Huntingdonshire District Council is to open Creative Innovation Centre )(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Huntingdonshire District Council is to open a #1m Creative Innovation Centre in the Cambridgeshire town St Neots. Architect 5th Studio is designing the centre. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

IN BRIEF: Elmwood to overhaul frozen food brand.(contracts)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Elmwood has overhauled the packaging and visual identity of frozen food brand McCain. The work is part of a wider 'It's All Good' campaign by McCain Foods to shed its image as a processed foods manufacturer. Copyright: Centaur...

IN BRIEF: Golley Slater to design website.(website redesigns)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Golley Slater Digital has been appointed to redesign fashion brand Full Circle's website, www.fullcircleuk.com. It will introduce a simpler site that emphasises the clothing range and products. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

COMMENT: So design gains in adworld... but admen still call the shots.
September 14, 2006... There's been a degree of smugness in design about ad agencies fighting back. News in July that Saatchi and Saatchi is strengthening its design unit only added to the trend set by ad agencies Mother, through Poke and others, and St Luke's...

The Partners warms up Chesterton's agent image.(Estate Agent)
September 14, 2006... London estate agent Chesterton is overhauling its services and brand identity following a strategic review of the company by The Partners. The consultancy was appointed to the project almost a year ago and briefed initially to conduct an...

Blacksheep brings New York chic to brasserie-style St Germain.(restaurant that opens next month in London)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Blacksheep is designing a Parisian brasserie-inspired interior for St Germain, a restaurant that opens next month in London's Farringdon at the site of a 19th-century printworks. Neil Walkington, former Will Ricker Restaurants director,...

News in Pictures: La Boca.
September 14, 2006... Design studio La Boca is presenting an exhibition of its record sleeve artwork for DC Records. The show runs at Phonica Records in Soho, London W1, until 23 September. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

News in Pictures: Bill Amberg.
September 14, 2006... Leather supremo Bill Amberg has helped to create a forthcoming range of leather-studded handsets for Hulger, the phone brand launched by Poke director Nicolas Roope. The designs launch next week. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

News in Pictures: London Overground roundel.(Transport for London )(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Transport for London has unveiled its London Overground roundel, based on the original 1918 design by Edward Johnston. It will run across the company's North London Railway services (DW 10 August). Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd....

News in Pictures: Blackburn's.(personal care products)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Blackburn's has created the corporate identity and packaging design for hair loss and hair extension products brand Lucinda Ellery. The range is being rolled out to Harvey Nichols this month. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and...

News in Pictures: Kemistry.(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Kemistry has created the new identities for Dutch public broadcaster Publieke Omroep. Its three channels, Nederland 1, 2 and 3, launched last week. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

News in Pictures: Citroen.(Automobiles Citroen S.A.)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Citroen is to unveil its C-Metisse concept car at the Paris Motor Show, which opens on 30 September. Designed by the Citroen design team, it features gull wings on front and rear doors. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors...

News in Pictures: Parent.(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Bournemouth consultancy Parent has designed the sleeve artwork for Black Grass album A Hundred Days In One, released on Cat Skills records this month. Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

News in Pictures: Sainsbury's.(contracts)(Brief article)
September 14, 2006... Sainsbury's launches its much-anticipated Parker Williams redesign of the Taste the Difference range this week, as first revealed in Design Week (DW 15 December 2005). Copyright: Centaur Communications Ltd. and licensors

NEWS ANALYSIS: Functional fashion.(product design of mobile phones)
September 14, 2006... To remain prominent in the mobile market, manufacturers need to strike an intelligent balance between style and specification, says Scott Billings Product design at its most effective offers users a solution-providing piece of...

Inspired: Oliver Salway Softroom.
September 14, 2006... One of the challenges in designing the Jameel Gallery of Islamic Art at the Victoria & Albert Museum was to evoke a subtle sense of Islamic space, without resorting to pastiche. To unlock the puzzle, we visited Egypt, Syria, Turkey and Iran...

PRIVATE VIEW: Carbon in question.(environmental impact of Drax Power Station in Yorkshire UK)
September 14, 2006... Smoke billowing from Drax Power Station's chimneys has fuelled protesters' fire, but we need viable solutions before chanting 'carbon free', says Hugh Pearman So the days of innocence are over for the mighty coal-fired Drax Power Station...

Voxpop: Power shift in favour of consultancy.
September 14, 2006... Following ad agency Bartle Bogle Hegarty's resignation of the Sony Ericsson advertising account over an alleged strategy clash with Wolff Olins, do you feel this represents a power shift in favour of the brand consultancy? Blah, blah,...

LETTER: Morris and Kitching: Two face types, different characters.(Letter to the editor)
September 14, 2006... Without wanting to open up a whole new look-alike section in your pages, I had to write to say how much the photograph of the legendary, consummate typographer and master craftsman William Morris (DW 31 August) bore more than an uncanny...

LETTER: Those halcyon football days when less was more.(Letter to the editor)
September 14, 2006... The article on old football programmes brought back many great memories (DW 7 September). In this era of sponsors, TV rights and boards around grounds that rotate annoyingly during the match, it is refreshing to look back on when 'less was...

LETTER: Simplifying tender processes brings better UK design.(Letter to the editor)
September 14, 2006... Letters have been flying about regarding the vagaries of public sector pitching. Mark McArthur Christie (DW 3 August) made a valiant cry for simplifying the process but was soundly put in his place by David Bartholomew (DW 24 August). ...

Profile: Stephan Muller.(Biography)
September 14, 2006... Stephan Muller's near obsession with collecting typefaces led the Berlin-based graphic designer from diversion - via Lineto and major contracts - to commercial accomplishment, says Hannah Booth Stephan Muller collects typefaces. He doesn't...

PRIVATE JETS: Cabin fever.
September 14, 2006... The exclusive club of private jetsetters is no longer, nor are those gaudy, ostentatious interiors - designers are being invited in to refine cabin space to cater for a new generation of luxury travellers, says Clare Dowdy 'More money...