Clerkenwell Design Week reviewed

May 23, 2013 Leave a comment


CDWCDWCDWIt’s been a hub of activity near the office this week as Clerkenwell Design Week kicked off in great style. So far we’ve managed to take a look at what’s on display in the Farmiloe Building, which provides a fantastic backdrop for the exhibitors to showcase their designs, with four floors of the building filled. The vast colours and textures on display from international interior design and architecture suppliers provide a stunning contrast to the exposed brickwork and floorboards of the elegant Victorian former glassworks.  

A few stands caught our eye including James Burleigh’s classic furniture with a modern twist and splashes of colour.

Duffy London made us smile with playful yet beautiful designs such as the UP dining table and the swinging chairs.    

The trail of showrooms and fringe events creates a really fun atmosphere and luckily the weather has stayed dry encouraging visitors to spill onto the streets with chatter and inspiration. A scenic walk up to the House of Detention was peppered with installations in gardens and pop up shops. The House of Detention was really exciting as it was underground, there was an acoustic performance and all the stands were in the cells of the Victorian Prison – a huge contrast for those who had just been to ExCel May Design Series! Particular favourites were Foundation Rugs graffiti style soft decorations; Mirror Glow’s beautiful pieces which really lended themselves to the surroundings and Merve Kahraman’s genius and luxurious furniture.

Clerkenwell Design Week has established itself as the UK’s leading independent design festival. The event finishes on Thursday 23rd May so there is still time to see what’s happening at any of the 60 showrooms taking part.

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The 6 most excruciating interviews

May 23, 2013 Leave a comment


Bruce Willis InterviewUltimate Warrior InterviewThe Guardian has featured on their blog a list of 6 of the most excruciating interviews, after one of their journalists had a bit of an awkward encounter with Ginger Baker.

The list features some you may remember and some you may not, including some deathly silences, awkward moments and scathing attacks, all sourced from YouTube.

Featured in the list is Bruce Willis on the One Show, wrestler the Ultimate Warrior being interviewed by Arsenio Hall, Clive Anderson interviewing The Bee Gees and David Blaine being interview by Eamone Holmes.

Take a look at the full ist here and see them for yourself.

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Australia’s emergency ‘Softstop’ sign system

May 22, 2013 Leave a comment


SoftstopSoftstopGetting people to notice road signs can be difficult, especially on busy commuter route.

In Australia the government is trying to tackle this head on, as they have experienced problems from people ignoring warning signs when entering a tunnel in which there was a fire.

As a possible solution, the ‘softstop‘ sign was created. A sign made from water and light it was brought to fruition by an R&D programme that used technology from Laservision, a creative technology firm that designs architectural lighting, permanent attractions and special events primarily for the entertainment industry, along with pump manufacturer Grundfos.

The combination of the two allows for a sign that appears directly in front of the car, making it difficult not to spot.

Watch it in action below.

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Pop-up garden along the Thames

May 22, 2013 Leave a comment


Pop-up gardenPop-up GardenThe Design Museum has opened a pop-up garden in ‘The Tank’ outside the museum along the Thames. The garden is a joint venture with Swiss design company Vitra.

The garden, with its overgrow grass, features designs from some of the biggest names such as Charles and Ray Eames, Jasper Morrison, Jay Osgerby and Verner Panton. It also provides a space for visitors to sit and enjoy the area and sights.

All the pieces featured are also on sale at the museum shop or online here.

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Mirare Maze Folly at Clerkenwell Design Week

May 22, 2013 Leave a comment


Mirare Maze FollyThis week is Clerkenwell Design Week, running from 21st to 23rd May. 

We have been sent this wonderful piece of work that is featured in the event, designed by Mobile Studio.

Called Mirare Maze Folly, the piece reinvents the classic garden maze, with walls that are made entirely of clear acrylic and uses plays on light and reflection.

The maze is a new addition to Mobile Studio’s family of modular systems offering infinite size and configuration, retaining the idea of permeability and sitting almost like a ghost folly within the design festival.

Find out more about the maze and the design week here.

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The best in Neon

May 16, 2013 Leave a comment


Chris BraceyChris BraceyChris BraceyLondon-based light artist Chris Bracey is currently displaying his works in his first solo exhibition at Scream Gallery in London titled ‘I’ve looked up to heaven and been down to hell‘.

The artist, who learnt his trade from his father, has manipulated his lights into incredible designs using themes he mixes with religious iconography, retro fairground bulbs and neon advertising styles.

Bracey has also provided dramatic installations for films such as Kubrick’s Eyes Wide Shut, Burton’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory and the Batman films.

Many of Bracey’s works are self-produced neons, referencing popular culture – “Shine A Light in the Darkness of Your Soul” was written by Martin Gore from Depeche Mode and “There Is A Light That Never Goes Out” is from a song by The Smiths.

His work also draws upon iconic imagery such as tattoo designs, Las Vegas and Soho.

The exhibition is on display until the 1st June 2013.

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Google takes you back in time

May 15, 2013 Leave a comment


Las Vegas TimelapseTimelapseGoogle has been working with the U.S. Geological Society and NASA to produce some amazing time lapse images of our planet.

Collating images from over 40 years of Landsat satellite footage, the search engine has produced a several timelapse videos, that start in 1984 and finish 2012.

They map out several major changes to the planet, from the Shrinking of the Amazon forest to the growth of Las Vegas. The project was also partnered with Time Magazine, for their Timelapse project.

You can read more on the Google Blog, and see the timelapse here.

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Ad turns magazines into WiFi hotspots

May 8, 2013 Leave a comment


Microsoft AdWiFi routerIn a recent issue of Forbes magazine Microsoft ran an ad about their latest product, Office 365. In a limited number of magazines there was a  surprise for the reader, a WiFi hotspot, courtesy of T-Mobile.

The ad contained a wireless router that would provide 15 days of free WiFi, the router would last for two to three hours per battery charge.

The premise is that Office 365 is a use-anywhere version of Microsoft’s Office software, allowing people to work on documents where-ever they are. 

A clever but costly stunt.

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The Chalk Room

May 7, 2013 Leave a comment


Chalk RoomChalk RoomChalk RoomDesign studio JamesPlumb has followed up their refit of East London based store Hostem‘s shop floor with a new showroom in the basement of the same building.

A dimly lit room, decorated with some unique furniture, The Chalk Room is currently dedicated to Hostem’s bespoke service, made-to-measure clothing and accessories, but shoppers can also order furniture from JamesPlumb including a chandelier made from clusters of antique lampshades and a chest of drawers built from stacks of suitcases.

To create the downstairs room the studio opened up the space, painted it dark and dimmed the lighting, creating a calmness by making the corners and edges of the walls disappear.

Some of the unique furniture they have provided for the space includes a Chesterfield sofa that has a table coming out of the centre and a wardrobe that appears to be falling over. 

Find out more about their work with Hostem at dezeen.

Photographs by Thomas Giddings.

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Sponsorship of B2B Marketing Knowledge Bank

May 6, 2013 Leave a comment


B2B Marketing and PR

The Think Tank is proud to be the sponsor of the PR channel on the B2B Marketing Knowledge Bank, the UK’s premium resource for B2B marketing advice and best practice.

As part of our sponsorship we will be issuing a range of articles, white papers and web casts over the coming months, focussing on Public, Press and Media Relations.

To kick off this sponsorship we have issued the following ‘How To’ guides, case studies and white papers (click on the titles to view):

HOW TO: Survive a press interview

HOW TO: Manage your brand online

CASE STUDY: Permasense turn to The Think Tank to launch new company in risk-averse sector

Whitepaper: PR in a changing media landscape

We hope that you find these interesting and if you would like to discuss any of them in detail please contact Samantha Dawe, Director of PR, The Think Tank at samanthad@thinktank.org.uk or by calling 020 7831 2225.

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A new name in Aluminium Building Systems

May 6, 2013 Leave a comment


AluK LogoThe Think Tank has been working with global aluminium building products group, AluK, to bring the brand to the UK following the purchase of Blyweert Beaufort.  

Through the development of the brand identity in the UK and an integrated marketing strategy the introduction of the new brand has been a great success.  

Over the past few months The Think Tank developed a range of collateral and marketing tools for AluK, ready for the launch in April 2013. This included a sophisticated web site that engages target audiences and provides them with the information they require to specify and purchase AluK products. This is already delivering results through lead generation.                                 
AluK Brochure
The Think Tank organised a launch event for customers and the press at the beginning of April and has introduced the brand through a combination of PR, Advertising, eDM and Social Media, building brand awareness and encouraging enquiry. This has seen immediate results for AluK and has started to develop a new positioning for the group that offers a complete range of aluminium windows, doors and curtain walling systems.  

We are continuing to develop the marketing strategy for the group and to raise awareness of the brand through a variety of marketing channels. This include engagement and support for existing customers as well as the launch of a wide range of new products over the coming months.  

View the new AluK web site here.

AluK Web Sits

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Budweiser lets you make friends with a clink

May 1, 2013 Leave a comment


Buddy CupBuddy CupIt’s an age old tradition across the globe, you say “cheers” (or regional equivalent) then ‘clink’ glasses, an almost universal symbol.

Now American beer brand Budweiser in Brazil wants to make this social act, even more social, with their Buddy Cups.

The smart cups detect the contact between them and adds the other person as a friend on Facebook, this is done via a chip in the bottom of the cup and a code which you scan with your smart phone to activate it.

The cups are reportedly going to be used for events and concerts, but how far afield no one is sure.

Watch a video about the new cup below.

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Man-Made Tornado in a Museum

May 1, 2013 Leave a comment


Man-made tornadoMercedes Benz MuseumThe Mercedes-Benz museum in Stuttgart has a bit of an unusual attraction.

The building has the world’s most powerful man-made tornado, and whilst this does attract visitors, this is not the reason for its existence.

Created from 144 jets spewing 28 tons of smoke in a 112-foot-high column, the idea of a tornado in a showroom containing over 150 luxury vehicles may seem like an odd one, but it is actually a clever fire-safety mechanism.

The building is made from a steel structure based on a double-helix, featuring a massive central atrium viewable from the floors that spiral around it. All rooms are open, all walls are curved and each of the 1800 triangular window panes on the exterior walls is unique. This however means that there are no fire zones within the building so by creating this tornado they are able to expel smoke emissions from within the building. It is said to take about 7 minutes for the jets that line the interior walls to get the smoke to whirl into a tornado and escape through vents in the roof.

Watch a video of the tornado in action below.

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Clerkenwell Design Week

April 28, 2013 Leave a comment


Clerkenwell Design weekClerkenwell design weekclerkenwell design weekNext month will see the return of the Clerkenwell Design Week. The event is a showcase of architecture and design works from across the globe, with a focus on British designs.

Held in a variety of locations in the historic Central London area, it will see show regulars returning as well as some new faces such as Arper, Plumen and Foscarini.

Brands returning to the festival include Vitra, Knoll, Boss Design, Domus Tiles, Deadgood, Dare Studio, Jennifer Newman, Muuto, Magis, Zanotta, Johnson Tiles, and Dezeen.

The week takes place across 50 furniture showrooms and several special locations. The Farmiloe Building, a former Victorian merchants warehouse, will play host to high-profile international brands; The House of Detention, a subterranean Victorian prison, will form the festival’s hotspot for new designers, and the 12th century crypt and charming garden of the Priory of the Order of St John, will act as the hub for interior decoration trends.

Taking place the 21st to 23rd May 2013, it is the fourth time the event has taken over the area, being spread out over several different sites, and will offer talks, debates and parties throughout it’s course.

To register for the event click here.

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Immersive app for exhibition

April 27, 2013 Leave a comment


Exhibition AppExhibition PieceThe British Museum has released an app to coincide with its latest exhibition; Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum.

The app gives users the chance to browse the 250 exhibits on display at the museum as well exploring maps of the area where these ancient cities sat in the Bay of Naples.

Built by mobile app developer Apadmi, it also contains exclusive video content including interviews with the curator.

It was created to help those who may not be able to attend the exhibition in person due to its popularity, to explore the sights, sounds and artifacts.

The exhibition curator Paul Roberts said: “We are delighted to invite tablet and smart phone users all over the world to explore the content of our Life and Death in Pompeii and Herculaneum exhibition. Good clear explanations and beautiful, detailed images of the remarkable objects offer an exciting opportunity to investigate the stories of these cities in the pail of your hand.”

The app is available now for iPad, iPhone and will be on android devices from May 2nd, whilst the exhibition is running until the 28th September 2013.

Find out more here.

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Regent Street windows

April 26, 2013 Leave a comment


Topshop WindowKaren Millen windowFerrari WindowHave you popped down to Regent Street recently? Well if you can handle the crowds you should, as this year’s RIBA Window Project is currently in place.

The project includes six architecture studios working with shops along the famous road, creating unique displays in six of the most iconic stores.

Supported by RIBA and the Regent Street Association, the project is in its fourth year and runs until 6th May 2013.

Topshop has a rotating wheel of mannequins designed by George King and Mark Nixon from Neon, which will allow for different outfits to be displayed throughout the day.

The installation at Karen Millen is made of sports fabric and cable ties, and spans the 30-metre length of the window. It is the creation of Mamou-Mani.

John Tollitt and his team at Gensler drew on the emotional response one may feel driving one of their cars for their display for the flagship store of Ferrari.

The atrium of Espirit‘s store was transformed by naganJohnson into a beach scene, complete with a wave of chestnut paling fencing.

Carl Turner Architects referenced American artist Gordon Matta Clark‘s images of cut-out buildings at Jack Spade‘s Brewer Street store, just off Regent Street, creating fantasy New York streetscapes on the facade, in the windows and on blackboard illustrations.

Finally, interlocking panels to form freestanding screens at Moss Bros, creating a three-dimensional herringbone effect was the idea of AY Architects.

Find out more information and see more images here.

Photographs are by Agnese Sanvito.

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LED flowers for film festival opening

April 26, 2013 Leave a comment


LED flower installationLED flower installationA new LED installation has been designed and fabricated by BWArchitects for the 2013 Tribeca Film Festival.

1,600 LED bulbs were made into pink and blue “flowers”, swaying in the wind at night on the courthouse steps in NYC. 

The reusable flowers were made by hand over several days and mounted to painted wood boards held in place by sandbags. For the opening ceremony a field of the swaying LED ‘flowers’ was mounted to thin metal rods, once the lights were activated, the wind provided the movement at different rates due to the varied lengths of steel.

Justin Weiner of Studio Kenji created a short video of the installation which can be seen below.

Tribeca Film Festival Lighting Installation from Justin Weiner on Vimeo.

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Dove ad receives unflattering parody

April 23, 2013 1 Comment


Dove WomenDove MenRecently a new advert for Dove has been taking the Internet by storm, no not that Dove Men+ Care shampoo advert, a new one from Ogilvy Brazil.

The video has women talking to a criminal sketch artist, describing themselves, they are then described by a stranger and the 2 sketches are shown together. 

However in the name of equality New Feelings Time Comedy has produced one featuring men.

See the results of both below:


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Elevated bike path for Regents Canal

April 23, 2013 Leave a comment


Regents Canal Bike PathRegents canal bike pathThe paths along the Regents canal in London are incredibly busy with cyclists and pedestrians, especially under bridges.

To offer a solution for this problem, Anthony Nelson, a landscape architect from Design International, has offered up a design for an elevated path for cyclists. The proposal, which is still being worked on, would see a steel pathway constructed that would hug the canal and it above the current path. 

The new path will offer more than a safe route for the 500 cyclists that use the canal each hour as it will provide retail opportunities at off ramps. The only issue yet to dealt with is how to accommodate the larger boats that use the canal. Nelson will be working on the plans further before presenting them to the city in Autumn.

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Design of the Year award winner unveiled

April 19, 2013 Leave a comment


gov.uk website Morth WheelKit yamoyoThe Design Museum in London has announced the  winner for the 2013 Design of the Year Award, the Gov.uk website!

The website, which won by a unanimous vote, was chosen for it’s simplicity and ease of use, being built to allow visitors to quickly find the services they are looking for.

Chosen from a shortlist of seven catergory winners,  which were unveiled on Wednesday 10th April, the overall winner was announced on the evening of 16th April.

The catergory winners include a folding wheel for wheelchairs, the Medici chair and a medicine packaging designed to fit between bottles of coke.

The Catergory winners are as follows:
Architecture: TOUR BOIS-LE-PRÊTRE, PARIS
Designed by Frédéric Druot, Anne Lacaton and Jean-Philippe Vassal

Digital: GOV.UK WEBSITE
Designed by Government DigitalService

Fashion: DIANA VREELAND: THE EYE HAS TO TRAVEL
Directed by Lisa Immordino Vreeland

Furniture: MEDICI CHAIR
Designed by Konstantin Grcic for Mattiazzi

Graphics: VENICE ARCHITECTURE BIENNALE IDENTITY
Designed by John Morgan Studio

Products: KIT YAMOYO
Designed by ColaLife and PI Global

Transport: MORPH FOLDING WHEEL
Designed by Vitamins for Maddak Inc.

Previous winners of the award include the Olympic Torch by BarberOsgerby and the Plumen 001 light bulb by Hulger and Samuel Wilkinson.

The exihition will remain open until the 7th July 2013, further information can be found on a previous blog post here.

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