Zero G Xu54
Zero Gravity
This enigmatic porcelain coffee cup and saucer by the young designer Xu54 based in Shanghai, is stunning in its simplistic form. The cup seemingly floats just skimming the saucer below, the set look frozen in a beautiful state of equilibrium. The design is made all the more realised with the strict mathematical diagram which complements the form completely.
When it is design is explained as a representative for the trajectory of love, the partnership becomes more apparent and the set is given a warm feeling. This clever addition of the simple clean graphic lightens up the sets soft but cold minimal facade. The discreet but rather originally styled handles are aeronautical in appeal though as with all of “Zero Gravity’s” features, not is all as it seem, the design is actually inspired by angel wings.
With each little insight more become clear and Zero Gravity finds a new life as soft romantic design that somehow incorporates its sleek contemporary allure with ease.
The design is very strong, holding many elements in a very controlled harmony that allows each one to flourish. It effortlessly manages elements of geek cool, contemporary trend and it’s also rather fun and refreshing. How it manages to hold a strong contemporary design aesthetic whilst performing a balancing act of different characters is something I always love in design. I love its bold form and magical qualities, the transformation of such a simple functional item to something with such a large character for me makes it a wonderful piece of modern design (even if you can’t use it titled, well at least till your half way down your drink).
Nottage Design Transparent Pool Table
Nottage Design: Pool Tables and Games Room Equipment
Australian designer Craig Nottage and business partner Edgar Polanco are the founders and creators of one of the slickest pool table and games room companies in the world, Nottage Design. The innovative designs of Nottage and his invention of the glass top pool table combine to make some of the most attractive pool tables that serve as not only as a functional games table but as a pretty amazing bit a modern design.

The combination of open mechanisms and high contemporary framing design establish the table straight away as a design feature. This is without mentioning the most striking feature of the table a 15mm thick, transparent, toughenedglass top. Plus if you’re feeling really flash the tables come with an ambient light as well.

Although this sounds at first like an extremely bad idea the creators have tested the product and designed it to replace the slate of a standard table. The glass actually lets balls travel the same speed as an average clothed table and also allows for putting spin on the ball. The company boast that this quality remains the same for the life of the table.
The table would fit into any bachelor pad or into any modern games room and with the cool styling it would be perfect for a modern bar as well.

This the G-1 and is the company’s flagship table.
Boogie Chandelier by Studio 1:1
A Prototype by Studio 1:1
This is a florescent light...
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Of sorts.
This is a prototype by Studio 1:1, designed to be a feature light, it uses fiber optic cables to form loops of light, which are both elegant and simple. The design uses a basic form and cleaver use of a reflective surface to create tranquilly in an ethereal pale. This stillness contrasted against the vitality of detail produce quite an exquisite and stylish contemporary lighting unit which comes with heaps of expression and dynamics.
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Cables are woven to form a nest of crossing lines, forming a basic shell. These lines create an opportunity for an exponential amount of results, sourced from their placement we are presented with stunning effects. This fixture is a beautifully malleable piece of design work which allows, with easy, the sculpture of light.
The piece holds so many lives and in all it seems to excel with its leanings towards an artifact and with a switch flick becomes a functional accent lighting piece. I hope that this is one of many design endeavors as this was executed so succinctly.
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Cleveland Art: Modern Vintage Recycled.
Beautifully Industrial.
Cleveland Art creates functional household, shop and hotel furniture from recycled vintage industrial surplus. It seamlessly fits both contemporary and traditional interiors, the combination between simple minimalistic shapes and work worn steel, wood and glass gives the furniture a complete immunity from time. They scream both modern and old simultaneously somehow without competing for which has the loudest voice.

The strange dual life these designs hold continues as you consider that they uncannily resemble minimalist sculptures fit for any art gallery and an old GYM bench or factory employee’s coat hook. This tandem existence is nothing short of genius.

I personally love these designs there is a strong masculinity which is perfect for a city apartment, and could work extremely well in contrasting against feminine designs. With the right use of these the designs you could create a perfect androgynous harmony in a space, or go all out masculine and have your space harder and grittier.

Relumine by Misher’Traxler
Relumine by Misher’Traxler
Austrian designers Katharina Mischer and Thomas Traxler have been working collaboratively since 2009 and have a studio based in Vienna. They work in the fields of design, furniture and exhibition projects with focus on a more experimental and conceptual approach to ideas.

Relumine (2010) their latest project; originally exhibited at the Bulb Fiction show hosted at Gallery Klaus Engelhorn during Vienna Design Week, plays on the idea of changing house hold bulbs to efficient energy saving lighting options, a transition which all households are encouraged to make. So rather than creating a completely new design for a light source the designers took abandoned or disused lamps striped them back re-finished and gave them new life. The special thing about the new life was it was a shared life. The old lamps are joined by an energy saving florescent tube, creating a partnership and a striking visual result.

I find these designs really quirky and effortlessly cool; each piece has so much character. To me the couplings have a strong relationship with an almost a meditative quality, the sharing of energies completes the visual metaphore. Though I can’t fight off the sci-fi undertones, it seems like a laser fight in some strange freeze frame. I really love these designs for exactly this reason. They are fun and a bit mischievous though with an effortless contemporary design which postures the messages that the designers want to communicate.

For more info on Misher’Traxler visit their website.
Adam Cornish Design
1st Place For The Herman Millar Asia Pacific – Yves Béhar Design Competition
This is the winning design for the Herman Millar Asia Pacific – Yves Béhar Design Competition; “Wooden Hammock” by Adam Cornish. The hammock is crafted from a single piece of plantation grown plywood; plantation grown wood is an alternative to logging native forests and holds green leanings. The piece is designed with ergonomics in mind, specifically the human spine, the idea is that the hammock embraces the user flexing to fit them exactly.

The simple elegant design follows some of the aesthetics of its bases, in that it resembles the backbone, though to me it also seems to have similarities to a segmented exoskeleton of a beetle or a shell. The strange and enigmatic form of the piece allows it to hold a contemporary aesthetic with consent to its peaceful and comfortable functionality. Given Cornish’s steering from the use of a conventional fabric, as seen in so many hammocks, "Wooden Hammock" is new, exciting and a contemporary piece of furniture, to me it doesn’t seem such a strange idea that this functional and beautiful design could be found inside as well as out.

After completing his mentoring session with established industrial designer Yves Béhar, the prize for first place at Herman Millar Asia Pacific – Yves Béhar Design Competition, Adam Cornish will be taking part in the 2011 Milan Furniture Fair.



