We can't really admit why this interview tickled us. Suffice to say we like it and thoroughly approve.

Interesting for us though is Justin McGuirk's views on the length, depth and context of design criticism.

Because, for us, he forgets the masses.

As he says the Twitter/Facebook/Web 2.0 criticism is valid - if not particularly useful, if we've understand the silent undertone correctly. Apologies if we haven't

And we would whole heartedly agree. Judging the number of "Likes" a product gets is no indicator of the quality of the design; just a comment on the photogeneity of the product coupled to the popularity of the website on which the image is posted. It is however admittedly more helpful than "lifestyle" blogs cooing about how "sweet" objects are.

He then moves on to longer essays. Again making the perfectly valid point that many people have a need for such texts.

And even if they didn't, we'd argue they are important.

But such texts are essentially for people who already understand the subject and either want specific information, or more often are looking for a different perspective from which to view and understand a particular theory, aspect or work.

But what about all those people who don't really understand what it design is all about.

People who, as Barber&Osgerby said, have been led to believe by home makeover shows that "...you can “do” design for tuppence"

People who think design is like art; complicated, exclusive, expensive.

People who currently only have the Twitter/Facebook genre backed up with the heavily photoshopped "money shots" and so feel verified in their belief that good design equals pleasing aesthetic.

Is it not important that design journalism also reaches these people in an entertaining, informative and comprehensible fashion?

Should design journalism not be treated like music, film or literature journalism and form a normal, everyday part of mainstream media's cultural output. Rather than being left to malleable social networks or 10,000 word essays?

That for us is surely the crux of the issue.

As we say we can't really say what amuses us, but the interview is to be recommended and Justin McGuirk makes some very valid points and presents a couple of interesting opinions.

Enjoyable as the exhibition "Bauhaus: Art as Life" at the Barbican Centre in London is.....

.....wandering round the exhibition one can't help feeling that one is under constant observation.

Which is a little unnerving.

Our full report, and more photos, ASAP....

 

The things one finds in a flea market in Berlin. A fully upholstered Eames Rocking Side Chair produced by Herman Miller & "Fehlbaum Productions"

Nothing against the RAR, but this RSR was a true delight to see...

Look who fluttered into our office this morning!

Our old friend the Hummingbird Mechthild by Christoph Schmidt.

We first met Mechtchild at the Marianne Brandt Contest 2010 in Chemnitz.
And were instantly entranced.

And now with May round the corner; and appropriately enough the Bauhaus exhibition "Art is Life" opening in the London Barbican in a couple of days....Mechthild popped in to say a quick hello, on the way back to Hamburg from her winter break in Africa.

Which was as lovely as it was unexpected.

We hope she becomes a regular visitor. And brings few chums. Because in a swarm, the effect is so much better.

Mechthild by Christoph Schmidt getting to know the (smow) office.....

.... System USM Haller....

... catching up with an old chum...

... and enthralling us all with photos from her flight over Sachsen

Coming back from the preview of "The Essence of Things: Design and the Art of Reduction" at the Grassi Museum Leipzig yesterday we stumbled across what is without question the biggest Tag we have ever seen.

Now it may look opulent and expansive; but as anyone in Leipzig can confirm, compared to the normal ORG Tags... this is pure reduction.

The initial rooms in MOST Milan were given over to the concepts founder - Tom Dixon.

In itself no bad thing. Especially when one found oneself confronted by rooms full of delightful objects such as Etch Light Web Copper.

We're planning publishing our MOST review for next week - we need to finish typing up a couple of interviews first - but didn't want to deny you a further impression of what was on display.

Although the Nils Holger Moormann stand in Mian was very much an homage on Pressed Chair by Harry Thaler ... there were also a couple of other new products.

Including Paul & Paula by Matthias Ferwagner.

Looking a bit like a cross between Kampenwand and the Eames LTR Paul & Paula are two folding, occasional side tables.

Nothing complicated. Nothing clever.

Just a good practical design and a product that really no home should be without.

Apart from the fact they always throw an excellent party during Stockholm Design Week, Swedish producer Offecct are worth keeping any eye on because they produce some really interesting furniture from a very good pool of international designers.

Among the products Offecct presented in Milan, Smallroom by Ineke Hans particularly caught our attention.

Our picture probably isn't the best, but we're sure you get the idea.

In addition to being perfect for lobbies/waiting rooms, shops or in an open office space, Smallroom is available with an optional in-built plant pot holder.

Need we say more?

 

A central feature of the Vitra Philosophy is the "Collage" as propagated by Charles and Ray Eames.

In simple terms this can be interpreted as a mixing of styles to create your own. Or as Vitra Chief Design Officer Eckart Maise put it in our interview with him last year:

That is to say the quality of an interior comes from variety, also variety in the origins of the individual pieces, and that a pure “Vitra interior” isn’t necessarily the best. And so here in the VitraHaus we have lighting, accessories, textiles etc from other producers that compliment the Vitra products.

And so we were particularly pleased to see Transience by Lex Pott gracing the Vitra stand in Milan.

Vitra don't produce mirrors. And probably never will. But every home needs mirrors and Transience is without question one of the most interesting projects we've seen in a long time.

And Lex Pott one of the most interesting young designers we've met.

It all just works so well.....