By the time the Viennese architect Otto Wagner (1841-1918) began publishing the drawings included in this colouring book, he had already spent much of his career designing historicist-style buildings. But his attitude was changing, and he completely ignored those early designs in time.Read More →
Naum Gabo, a Russian sculptor, was a pioneer in constructivist art, studying at Munich University and teaching at Harvard University’s Graduate School of Architecture. His life and work exemplify artistic innovation and the power of art to shape societal structures.Read More →
The GAkhN, active from 1921 to 1934, was a crucial chapter in Russia’s intellectual and artistic history, fostering artistic culture and innovation. It served as an academic hub, fostering innovative thinking, and shaping public understanding of the arts.Read More →
Slipware is pottery known by its primary decorating method in which slip is added before firing by dipping, painting or splashing on the leather-hard clay body surface. Slip is an aqueous clay body suspension that is a combination of clays and other minerals, such as quartz, feldspar, and mica.Read More →
Kyohei Fujita, born in 1921, gained exposure to glass art through apprenticeship with Toshichi Iwata. He developed a unique style and established the Japan Glass Artcrafts Association in 1972. Kyohei Fujita, a prominent Japanese artist, combines traditional Japanese elements with modern spirit, creating a lasting legacy in the international studio glass movement.Read More →
Oceano Oltreluce, founded in 1981, is an Italian lighting manufacturer specializing in innovative design and craftsmanship. The company’s philosophy is “Italian light workshop,” with in-house production, local sourcing, and authenticity. They embrace eco-sustainability and strive for continuous improvement.Read More →
Ernest Chaplet (1835 – 1909) was a French ceramicist, an early studio potter’ who mastered slip decoration, rediscovered stoneware, and conducted copper-red studies. From 1882 to 1885, he was the director of Charles Haviland’s workshop to study decorative processes, where he collaborated with artists such as Paul Gauguin. He eventually moved to Choisy-le-Roi, where he focused on porcelain glaze studies.Read More →
A French term used to describe a variety of European borrowings from Japanese art was Japonisme.
With the opening of trade with Japan following the expedition of the American Commodore Matthew Perry in 1853. The interest in Japanese art in the West, particularly in France, had started to develop. The artist Félix Bracquemond, a friend of the Goncourt brothers, were among the first interpreters of the style.Read More →
I saw La La Land this weekend and Damien Chazelle musical is brilliant and emotional tribute to the 1950’s musical. Visually stunning eye candy for my inner graphic designer. Not so much a visual re-imaging of Los Angeles as a opportunity to see it through an artists eye. Chazelles last film, “Whiplash”used Jazz as a tool to explore ambition, the price of achieving excellence. Read More →
The lightsaber, an iconic design icon in the Star Wars franchise, represents a blend of technology, mythology, tradition, and innovation. Its sleek, minimalist design contrasts with its vivid energy blade, symbolizing the Jedi Order and the Force’s mystical power. The vibrant colors of the lightsaber’s blades carry symbolic weight, indicating character alignment and intent. The lightsaber’s legacy has inspired real-life innovations and reimagined various forms across media, showcasing the power of design in creating meaningful objects.Read More →
Murphy Radio revolutionized radio and television design with innovative designs by R.D. Russell, focusing on veneered plywood cabinets and post-war collaboration. R.D. Russell and Murphy Radio collaborated on radio and television cabinets, introducing modern aesthetics and functional elements, shaping electronics design and inspiring contemporary designers.Read More →
Eileen Hunter, a British textile designer and writer, revolutionized the industry with vibrant colors and innovative patterns, challenging the status quo and inspiring change. Hunter Eileen, known as Laura Hunter, was a trailblazer in design and literature, publishing articles, books, and showcasing her storytelling talent. Her innovative designs and literary contributions continue to inspire today’s creatives.Read More →
High-Tech architecture emerged in the 1970s, focusing on technological innovation, industrial aesthetics, and functionalism, reshaping the built environment. High-Tech architecture emphasized utilitarian aesthetics, flexibility, and adaptability, influencing interior design and sustainability, and influencing modern green and minimalist styles.Read More →
Sheila Hicks, an influential American textile designer, explores fibre art, exploring boundaries between art, design, and craft, collaborating with artisans and communities. Hicks, a French textile artist, combines traditional techniques with contemporary sensibility, creating large-scale installations, wall hangings, sculptures, and installations. Her work explores texture, color, form, and challenges traditional notions of textile art.Read More →
Hille, a British furniture manufacturer, is known for its Modernist chairs and has collaborated with renowned designers like Robin Day and Fred Scott. The Poly Side chair, introduced in 1963, is renowned for its innovative use of materials and functional, minimalist design. Made from molded polypropylene, it is durable, lightweight, and easy to clean. The chair’s timeless design and innovative materials have made it a popular design classic, winning the Design Centre Award in 1963.Read More →
Rudolf Hammel, an Austrian architect, designer, and teacher, was a professor at the Kunstgewerbeschule in Vienna. He designed silverware for Josef Bannert and A. Pollak, showcasing his contemporary aesthetic. Hammel’s contributions to Vienna’s design scene are evident.Read More →
From 1946 to 1947, Otl Aicher (1922 – 1991) attended the Munich Academy of Fine Arts. He later became closely affiliated with Ulm’s highly influential and radical Hochschule Für Gestaltung after founding a studio there the following year.Read More →
French pochoir prints from Art Deco era showcase women’s fashion designs, influenced by famous designers like Charles Worth and Jean Patou, showcasing their artistry and creativity.Read More →
The 1962 Ornamo Book of Finnish Design showcases mid-century modernism in Finland, featuring sleek furniture and playful textiles, with light age browning on upper edges.Read More →
Peter Opsvik is a Norwegian furniture designer. In the 1960s, studied ergonomics under Ulrich Burandt and in design schools in Bergen and Oslo. In the 1970s, in Britain and Volkwangschule filr Kunstgewerbe, Essen. 1965-70, he was a designer at the Tandberg Radio Factory.Read More →
