Design is not only an expression of aesthetic creativity, but also a gauge of social relations

In ancient times, the hierarchical domination of leaders was much stronger. Whether emperor, king  chieftain, head of city or local government, the executive desk and chair of the chief were aimed primarily at demonstrating his power and authority to the subjects. The design of the executive chair was the aesthetic expression of the almost absolute power of the chief at the time there was still no democracy, no team spirit . Often, this chair was not really comfortable, especially not ergonomic or practical. Indeed, his back at an angle of 90 ° with the seat was rather unpleasant, while its plush and high armrests formed a small cage for the chief’s body, preventing any movement of relaxation. Would you like to work one day at office sitting on a chair similar to the leadership throne right here ?

With the modern era, with democracy, equality (more or less!) of all before the law, leadership is pêrceived and exercised more if not as a service, which would be great, at least as a power of coordination rather than direction. Nowadays the executive desk and chair, rather than illustrating the power of the chief, wants to provide him maximum working comfort. The beautiful executive chair beneath is an example.

executive office desk and chair

The retro and postmodern design is all the rage, we already knew. Just look at the huge success of cars like the 500 or the Mini, which reproduce very famous models who began selling more than 40 years ago.

Add to that the high cost of raw materials, ecological awareness that fortunately grows more and more, and you will understand why recycling cars to make design office desks is a great idea. Basically, cars are stable, sturdy, and offer a good work plan. I let the images speak: [nivo source=”current-post” ]

designer Claudia Plikat

The one who writes did not personally know Claudia Plikat, but only the fruits of his labor, loving, effective and beneficial. I think that those who are believers, Jews, Muslims or Christians, believe that Claudia ‘s good deeds, accomplishe also through her office furniture designs, remain forever with her in God. For those who have other beliefs, like for everyone, we are sure that Claudia ‘s creative designs will continue to bring happiness to their lives.

Now I let Claudia speak , via an interview by Marion Godau on 10-31-2003, adapted from http://www.roericht.de/_ID_IV/_interview.php?idnum=6:

 How would you explain your job  to someone else ?

We are currently working with 7.5 on a self -adjusting mechanism for the synchronous rotation Mirra chair ( Herman Miller) . The principle: You sit down and automatically ” weighed ” . The chair adapts then on to the individual. We are also working on extensions for the Mirra for the conference sector.

Which works or events which were particularly important for you?

Since designers are inherently equipped with a particularly high level of curiosity , I can not name a specific area here . I’m interested in the whole range of what is under the term design . Therefore, we also work with 7.5 on very different projects, our products range from interface design to the traditional product development . Our driving force behind all these projects is to solve problems and constantly learn new things, that is to expand our repertoire. We are in the way we work very influenced by Nick Roericht : We provide only the briefing for a question to determine where the client really “pushes his shoe” and we go from inside to outside in front of the technical inner workings of the figure, and we abstract the functionality. Then we ask ourselves: What will the world in 5 or 10 years from now? Is our design still consistent with changes in living and working environments?

In Italy, when you walk into a bar, the first thing that catches your attention is the coffee maker that dominates on the counter, not far from the customers’ chairs. Sometimes it turns its back to the audience, sometimes it is backed to the wall, and then it’s the barista who will turn his back to clients when preparing an espresso. Anyway, the coffee makers are not only one of Italy’s most exported objects on the planet, but also an example of stylish Italian design.

The hundreds of professional coffee machines Mumac exposed to the museum coffee machine Binasco, on the outskirts of Milan, illustrate a century of history of  Italian technology and design. [nivo source=”current-post” ]

As far as cars or office furniture are concerned, Italian design is the worldwide leader. Cars are a sort of emblem of the modern era. They are the protagonists of the panorama of the whole city or town. Like what happened in the past for Gothic cathedrals, they are a kind of social icon. Certainly, we could say that the cathedrals were an opportunity for community meeting, whereas the car is rather an object of individual use, but we do not want to wander into sociological analysis here.

Whether it comes to German, French or Italian  cars, Italian design, as the Italian office design furniture, is the world leader. Just think of the Volkswagen Rabbit (Golf), designed by Giugiaro, or the many Peugeot designed by Pininfarina. Treat your eyes with this slideshow of some of the most beautifully designed Italian cars: [nivo source=”current-post” ]

Slowd uses the Web as a network to create and sell furniture

Slowd, an Italian company, has found a very creative and original way of producing and selling Italian design furniture, using the web to generate a network. Their strategy works like this:

1. a designer creates some furniture
2. Slowd finds a craftsman that produces prototypes
3. Slowd publishes the prototype on its website
4. A user buys
5. Slowd produces by craftsman
6. designer and craftsman receive a percentage of collected prices

From their web site : “It is a network of people before things. Slowd is the community where designers and craftsmen work together to build a new culture of manufacturing and production. Behind every product, there is the story of an encounter and a period of growth, a sharing culture. Before making products, we like to think of making this possible. It is a place where you can meet different products with a soul, born of a chain finally dynamic and sustainable production.”

a Slowd’s design chair