Intrinsic Thought

''Eighty percent of the environmental impact of today's products, services and infrastructures is determined at the design stage. Design therefore has an enormous impact on resource efficiency in our economy, and can make a critical contribution in the transition to sustainability.'' John Thackara / Doors of Perception

Just completed an article for the sustainable focused design magazine Think. The subject matter was a Berlin based Israeli designer called Ronen Kadushin, whose timeless futuristic forms not only bare a sharp aesthetic but also provide a stern indication as to a potential future in design. He suggests that open sourcing design in the same way the information technology industry has done will enhance it's growth and development. You can read the article from Feb.2010 when Think issue 3 will be available online. Think is an original concept by Jacqueline Carlisle and its emergence from the USA comes at a relevant time what with the loss of ID magazine and the need for voices in the sustainable design debate.

'Flat Knot' design by Ronen Kadushin

Design of the Times

I recently had an article about design in Norway published on the popular architecture and design site Architonic. The article, entitled 'Beneath the Surface', was a reactionary piece to the growth in public attention the 100% Norway exhibition had brought 'Norwegian design'. While it is healthy for any burgeoning and young creative scene to receive public attention through press coverage, it is also important to provide critique and comment. This kind of realist guidance and opinion appears to have been missing from the many subsequent articles reporting on 'Norwegian design'. 'Beneath the Surface' does not laud any Norwegian designers, more it asks why something was made and what it means to people, not just designers. The article introduces socially aware design projects such as the 'Blanke Ark' polling box designed by the industrial designers Kadabra and graphics studio Blueroom. It also mentions some of the other exciting projects going on outside of Oslo that do not exist on a reputation of stylizing to sell.

'Ballot Box' design by Kadabra and Blueroom