Digital trends in 2012
> blablabla technology
As we are almost about done with the first month of 2012 it is time to start thinking about what this year might bring. The Norwegian design firm Jimmy Royal has for the last two years created their own reports on digital trends, and this year they predict more of collaborative consumption, communities and open sources. Their report shows that the use of mobile internet will, by 2014, be higher than internet users on regular PC. This shows that businesses really have to start thinking broader, an make sure that they are adapting and developing them selfs to fit to all digital formats. But in order to stand out, its not enough to simply adapt – you and your business have to embrace disruptive thinking and dear to be the first one to announce changes. After all – it is those that dear to think different that can change the way we use our phones, communicates with each other or live our lives. The video under is a good example of this – is this the future cellphone?
The report form Jimmy Royal is a great summery of some of the most important things happening in the digital world right now. I strongly recommend you take an hour to simply read through the article. Unfortunately the report is only in norwegian, but you can still learn a lot from all the movies and links.
What is being creative? from Kristian Ulrich Larsen on Vimeo.
2nd Shift
> concept furnitures productI recently posted my idea for a project called Make Room, where my goal is to create a place for designers in Oslo with a workshop area, material library and social arena. Today I got an email from a group of designers in Ohio who have already put their dream to life – a workshop area where they design and build smart, beautiful and useful products. 2nd shift studio consist of seven creatives all under the age of 26, and I love their passion and personalities that they clearly shows in both their initiative to start this up, in their products and videos. I really wish I could be part of this in Ohio, but hopefully we can start up something similar in Oslo soon!
The Woonling Collection
> furnitures
Karoline Fesser is a Germany- based product designer and writer, with a fun, playful and edgy style. Her series “The Woonling Collection” reminds me a bit about the work of the Norwegian designer Camilla Hounsell Halvorsen with here chair Drop and pouf Dusk, with soft, round forms and a nostalgic feeling to it.
Fesser says about The Woonling Collection:
‘I wanted to create furniture that adopts to peoples’ various and changing needs,’ Fesser says. ‘My goal was to create seating furniture that naturally unfolds in its environment. These objects shouldn’t be stable; instead they should move, adapt and grow together.’
IKEA + Carl Kleiner
> photography product styling
Last year IKEA teamed up with photographer Carl Kleiner and made a series of really inspiring photos for the cookbook “Homemade is best”. The images showed all the ingredients lined out on the table in a new, modern and minimalistic way – and it became a huge viral success. Now IKEA and Kleiner has teamed up again, this time also with stylist Evalina Kleiner. This time the images show what kitchen applies you can get from IKEA, on a tight budget. The result is surprisingly decorative and elegant!
Skog
> lighting
The norwegian designer Caroline Olsson is nominated for ELLE Decoration’s International Design Award for Young Designer of 2011 and I simply love her playful style. Her products are great examples of the scandinavian furniture style at the moment, and I especially adore this series of lamps called «Skog» produced by Magnor Glassverk.
« The Skog series consists of several lights in different sizes, shapes and colours, which can be used in combination with each other or as stand alone pieces. They are all made in mouth blown crystal with a base in oak made by using the technique of wood turning. The design is inspired by the large forests surrounding Magnor Glassverk. Skog is the Norwegian word for forest. Simply place a few of the lights together on the floor or on a table in order to create your own little forest. »
The Magic Box
> concept events
Its been a little while since I actually showed some of my own work here, but since I finally have had the time to update my portfolio, I want to show you one fun project I did in October.
“Innovation Award for Universal Design“, is an award given by the Norwegian Design Council to projects within universal design and increased accessibility. In collaboration with Nina Lysbakken I helped design the concept for the award ceremony.
We wanted to create something narrative, multi-sensorial and dramatic. Since the logo for the award is a box , we wanted to play on the mystical and magical part of the it – like “Pandora’s box”. We ended up building a small box with a lamp inside. It was opened as the final winner was announced, and by the help of reflecting elements inside as well as in the room, smoke and sound effects (by Medvind Productions) the box light the room. Thanks to Racecar, animations “flew” out of the box and on to the screen, making it look like digital confetti.
I love working conceptual like this, and I had the best time collaborating with Nina!
Global Service Jam
> blablabla events
Not too long ago I wrote about my participation in the Global Sustainability Jam here in Oslo, and now it is time for a new weekend of workshops. This time it’s a global service jam, and people all over the world will meet up on the 24th of February to solve problems by service design. In 48 hours we develop something inspired by a secret theme, and at the end of the weekend you will have a great result, a lack of sleep, a lot of new friends and a much bigger network.
The Global Service Jam is in cities all over the world, so check out globalservicejam.org to find you closest location. If you happen to live in Oslo and want to join me in the Jam – please sign up here!
Oh Yeah Studio for Mission
> illustration
Happy New Year everyone! For a work addict like me it actually felt like a release coming back to my office and start the new year in front of my Mac. (yes, I know I’m a geek) To start of the year for PlayMeDesign, I want to show you a new project form one of my favorite illustrators – Oh Yeah Studio. This time they’ve made illustrations for the design agency Mission in Norway, and as usual I love the details and the playful way they master the mix of typography, design and drawings.
The Fuck Crisis
> blablabla inspiration
Its the last day of 2011 and it has been an exiting year for me. Starting up my own design business has been both nerve-wracking and amazing, and at the end of the year I am happy to say that I’ve had a good start so far. I am looking forward to what 2012 will bring, and I love that a new year brings a new start and an opportunity to set new dreams and goals for what you want to accomplish. A great way to visualize this is by the greeting card generator Fuck the crisis. You can easily fill inn the blanks of what you didn’t get in 2011 and what you wish for 2012, and mail it to your self or friends as a reminder.
Thank you for following PlayMeDesign this year, I promise even more design updates in the year to come.
Happy new year everyone!
Halloween Dog Parade 2011
> inspiration photography
I know it’s in the middle of Christmas, but I just simply have to post about this Halloween Dog Parade. Photographer Winnie Au visited the parade in Tompkins Square Park, NYC, this year and sat up his outdoor studio to take portraits of the dogs. I simply love the creativity of these costumes, and being from Norway ( a country who recently started celebrating Halloween) this really amazed me. Personally I think the hole Halloween celebration is a bit silly and over the top for my taste, and I promise to never dress up my cat like that, but still I cant help but to adore and to smile of these amazing costumes and photos by Winnie Au. More pictures after the jump – enjoy!