Three Design Muses
I was asked by my product design studio professor, Vincenzo Iavicoli, who just so happens to be the chair of our department, to research some design consultancies or designers we admire. Here’s what I came up with, though I have about a million other designers I greatly love.
1 > [philippe-starck.com]
Loved looking through Philippe’s book today, but I’ve enjoyed his work for some time. We studied his architectural work at my last university and I fell in love. In terms of his architectural design he has an eye for space planning and has a great sense of materiality. I love that he is able to mix clean lines as well as more baroque styles together. I most particularly love the Palazzina Grassi in Venice. In terms of his industrial and product design the qualities which I love about his architecture carry though to his other design avenues. His forms have fantastic lines and and have a sense of whimsy about them. They are modern, industrial, and gorgeous designs. I find it fantastic and inspiring that he chooses to explore all avenues of design, which is something I aspire to achieve.
2 > [jruiter.com]
Joey Ruiter, who is based out of West Michigan demonstrates a balance for clean lines that are still welcoming. I love that Ruiter explores a variety of concepts which range from furniture to maritime design. The concept he most recently pursued, Moto Undone, is a true jem. He takes the concept of a motorcycle and pushes the boundaries and creates work of art with a fantastic statement. I love that like Starck, he explores not only clean lines, but also has a love-affair with organic forms, which are unfortunately only present in his mirror products. It is fantastic to see another example of a thriving designer in Michigan, which makes me want to stay and promote good design and revitalize our economy, rather than flee to greener pastures like many of my peers.
3 > [ckr.se]
Claesson Koivisto Rune is fantastic collection of designers and architects in Sweden, who are mostly known for their architecture, but I believe the products they design deserve just as much attention. They are the sort of firm which designs what they desire to personally have and to utilize in their own architectural designs, which is a fantastic attribute. They produce everything from furniture and lighting, to carpets and textiles, and even jewelry. Their forms are clean and simple, and so very functional and pleasing to the eye. I love that they are not afraid to utilize bold colors in some of their work and I feel that some of their pieces deserve to be considered future classic pieces sold by companies such as Design Within Reach. Their So Bo and Sha Bo soap and shampoo bottles have an interesting form which in a practical application utilizes negative space. Fantastic!
