A Thread for Fine Design

Hieru

I know plenty of people who find Starck's use of language to be impenetrable, but I understand what you mean Dale.

The key difference for me is that despite Starck's eccentric use of language, he expresses himself in a manner that is very humanistic and sympathetic to how we interact with one another and our environment - which does of course include a desire to surround ourselves with beautiful stuff.

Some designers and companies are so self absorbed they forget that people have actually got to use these products and live with them on a daily basis.

simon le bon

Hi Dave and Hieru,

interesting sequence of this thread isn't it?
Thank you again Dale for the reflections and the (pink) souvenirs!

- we also (in France) had been "infected" by "Orange shag rugs that you could lose a pizza in."

It comes to me that the system is incredibly adaptive. The new "Bad Taste" (well wrapped) seems to me becoming the new "weapon for marketing"

I don't know as much as you both about PH. Starck

agree with your Hieru that "he expresses himself in a manner that is very humanistic and sympathetic"
for me those two pictures express that feeling:

The article Dale you were talking about:
http://www.slate.com/articles/arts/architecture/2011/02/a_discourse_on_emerging_tectonic_visualization_and_the_effects_of_materiality_on_praxis.html

I'm actually reading with great interest a book from another free thinking architect :Entretiens sur l'architecture par Eugène Viollet Le Duc.

Here is the link to read it and download it translated into English:
[url=http://www.archive.org/details/discoursesonarc00violgoog:2wqzmau8]Discourses on architecture (1959)[/url:2wqzmau8]

++simon

dale

Thanks for the link to the Eugène Viollet Le Duc book Simon.
I am aware that he was criticized for "altering" the restorations he worked on, so it would be interesting to see his point of view.
Watch out, if you keep up this reading pattern you will be reading Leon Battista Alberti before you know it>
Cheers

dale

It is not hard to see the major progress that, in particular, the introduction of new materials and technology, has allowed the field of design, in all it's aspects, to make.
Then: Screen shot 2012-02-24 at 6.11.54 AM.png

Now: Screen shot 2012-02-24 at 6.14.31 AM.png

But some of the most innovative have adopted a new future.
My interest was piqued after seeing the lamp Marcus designed and then followed through by having 3D printed. http://forums.sketchucation.com/viewtopic.php?p=384833#p384833

I stumbled upon the company "Freedom of Creation". I can't help but think that the developing technologies around 3D printing are going to have as big an impact on the design of products and the way they are manufactured and marketed as those PDA's we all rely on have had on our lives. Screen shot 2012-02-24 at 6.06.11 AM.png
From Cad... Screen shot 2012-02-24 at 6.09.27 AM.png
To Product... Screen shot 2012-02-24 at 6.03.39 AM.png

And here is something they are working on at the moment. 3 Dimensional Fabric. Screen shot 2012-02-24 at 6.06.39 AM.png
If you are a talented modeler, or a creative designer, I can't help feel your future is bright.

dale

And this is where it leads. Screen shot 2012-02-24 at 6.45.31 AM.png Screen shot 2012-02-24 at 6.46.05 AM.png

dale

More research into Digital Prototyping lead me to the website of Scott Eaton.
I was intrigued by this little guy, his ipod docking station.
Screen shot 2012-02-25 at 6.28.42 AM.png
His education which includes a Masters from MIT Media Lab, and also traditional studies at the Florence Academy of Art, have certainly combined to bring about some interesting career choices, including work with Steven Spielberg, and on the Harry Potter films.
What may be of real interest to some on this Forum, are his Tutorials. http://www.scott-eaton.com/tutorials
Much on sculpting (digitally) the human form, mostly in ZBrush.
And should you really wish to up the anti, he is offering an online course in figure sculpture starting in April. http://www.scott-eaton.com/digital-figure-sculpture Screen shot 2012-02-25 at 6.42.48 AM.png

mitcorb

Hi, dale:
I am still following your excellent thread. Keep up the good work.

simon le bon

Dear Dale,

Let me prefer the first one

Concerning Alberti, Leo Battista (1404-1472)
This link, especially for collectors:

De re ædificatoria libri decem

and these interesting articles about him (in french I'm sorry)
http://architectura.cesr.univ-tours.fr/traite/Images/ENSBA208/B_751062305_20_0001.jpg
Lire Alberti aujourd'hui

simon

PS: Thank you for the sculpture turorials +++

dale

Simon. You always seem to be able to find the most interesting online documents

This caught my attention: Screen shot 2012-02-26 at 6.38.37 AM.png
A practical, but at the same time whimsical little light you could really have some fun with.
And it took me to http://northernlighting.no/our-products/ a Norwegian Lighting company.
More whimsy: Screen shot 2012-02-26 at 6.39.55 AM.png
But then the Pièce de résistance. Screen shot 2012-02-26 at 6.36.43 AM.png Screen shot 2012-02-26 at 6.33.47 AM.png
Does that not just make your day

simon le bon

Hi Dale,

Do you think "A VINTAGE SEQUENCE" would be interesting?

simon

dale

And we are off.....
I was just thinking that there are probably many forum members who have never actually used a rotary phone Screen shot 2012-02-28 at 6.23.59 AM.png
Or sat transfixed by this... Screen shot 2012-02-28 at 6.24.35 AM.png

But because this is a thread on fine design, here are some vintage sweethearts. Bowden Spacelander Bicycle – Designed by Ben Bowden – 1946; Manufactured 1960
Screen shot 2012-02-28 at 6.17.59 AM.png

The Kit Kat Clock (Eyes and Tail move) 1932 by the California Clock Company Screen shot 2012-02-28 at 6.19.17 AM.png

Please feel free to contribute

david_h

I'm in . . .

The first car I remember riding in. . .my parents owned a 1959 Studebaker Lark. It was even this color.

Awesome car.

dale

My Uncle had one of these. It was Pink and Grey, and your right, it was awesome.

simon le bon

Fine Design Spans Eras
Nice Bicycle, Nice car

A little bumpy but anyway,
here a Maserati Indy (personal phone picts)
(all Maserati)

simon

dale

I've always wanted a Maserati. A tool to lose your license with

Richard Neutra
Kaufman House 1946 Screen shot 2012-02-29 at 6.21.10 AM.png

Haus Rentsch 1964 Screen shot 2012-02-29 at 6.22.04 AM.png

Kramer House 1953 Screen shot 2012-02-29 at 6.25.03 AM.png

dale

Another Retro Beauty
Case Study House #22
Pierre Koenig Screen shot 2012-02-29 at 6.25.21 AM.png

The link between the above photos is there were taken by the father of Architectural Photography
Julius Shulman
http://www.getty.edu/art/exhibitions/shulman/

boofredlay

Mine Furniture.
More images here:
http://www.beautifullife.info/interior-design/the-mine-furniture-by-mati-karmin/

dale

I love that wood stove, but the baby carriage had that Rosemary's baby appeal
Then I looked inside it... Screen shot 2012-03-03 at 6.22.38 AM.png

dale

Sometimes the finest designs just happen... Screen shot 2012-03-03 at 6.20.24 AM.png

Now, normally that would be a hard act to follow.
Then i caught a glimpse of the work of Joseph Walsh http://www.josephwalshstudio.com/2011/index.php/home Screen shot 2012-03-03 at 6.24.31 AM.png

I think Mr. Walsh says it all in the first paragraph: Screen shot 2012-03-03 at 6.27.11 AM.png Screen shot 2012-03-03 at 6.25.16 AM.png

dale

Reiulf Ramstad Arkitekter http://www.reiulframstadarkitekter.no/main.asp?menu=works&sortby=
Restaraunt and Service Center at the foot of Troll Wall in Norway Screen shot 2012-03-11 at 6.37.29 AM.png Screen shot 2012-03-11 at 7.03.38 AM.png Screen shot 2012-03-11 at 6.36.10 AM.png
And another of their amazing projects.

The National Tourist Route Trollstigen Screen shot 2012-03-11 at 6.48.42 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-03-11 at 6.50.11 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-03-11 at 6.51.05 AM.png

Screen shot 2012-03-11 at 6.51.46 AM.png