Nendo’s new Scatter Shelf appears to be a simple grid yet deceives the viewer through slightly displaced grid layers. Made from 5mm-thin black acrylic shelves, the displacement of the layers allows the shelves to stand freely but also makes objects within the shelves appear to float as though 'caught in a spider’s web'. The glossy acrylic surfaces reflect light in such a way that when viewed from a certain angle, you are given a somewhat kaleidoscopic view of objects within the shelves. The shelf becomes a sculptural masterpiece by placing objects on the piece from all angles. Scatter Shelf will be on display at the Carpenter’s Workshop Gallery in London during the Frieze Art Fair and then at Friedman Benda in New York from the 10th of November.

Story by Sarah McKenzie

Japanese design studio Nendo has extended their Dancing Squares collection with these new additions. They explained that they 'assembled square planes to create a sense of motion in this series of objects. One part of the bookcase is frozen in a tumbling cascade, creating variety in the way books can be stacked...[likewise] lamps roll about but are stable [and] thanks to their planes, cast light in many directions.'

Last Thursday evening saw the launch of our September (Spring/Summer) issue of Design Folio at Matisse in Parnell. Along with the celebrated opening of Vitra Home, two hundred odd members of the architecture and design communities joined us to celebrate our biggest issue yet. With delicious wines provided by our friends at Man O' War vineyards and beer from Peroni, it was a great night for design. If you missed out on a copy of this bumper issue purchase a copy by emailing your interest .

(Above: furniture by Tim Webber)

We're very excited to announce our inaugural Design Folio Incubator Award presented by Peroni. Nurturing the best original, innovative and authentic design produced locally, this award will give one talented New Zealand designer the chance to meet some of the most influential designers and manufacturers in the world at the Salone del Mobile in Milan 2012 with Design Folio's Editor-in-chief. From this point onwards, we will also be publishing a selection of the entries as they come in on the website along with a profile about the respective designer...designers make sure you enter!

For more information on this award and entry criteria go here. 

Above: Simon James

Exciting things are in the midst for New Zealand designers. Simon James of Simon James Design and Scott Bridgens formerly of UK design brand Tom Dixon have formed a furniture and lighting company named Resident, and with it, they're taking New Zealand design to the world stage. Operating from here but with a distribution hub in the UK, we caught up with the pair to find out more about Resident and its future. 

Tell us about Resident?

We launched Resident, a New Zealand Furniture and Lighting brand this year. Run by Scott Bridgens and Myself, it’s based here, with the main distribution hub operating out of the UK. We’re working with a select few designers from NZ and around the world, and pushing these respective designs into the international market.

Above: Flyover table by Jamie McLellan

When did you come up with it, I think we spoke a number of years ago about a similar concept?

We’ve wanted to do this for years; it was just a matter of bringing together the right people. Scott came on board in December after a stint with Tom Dixon in London. Between us we have a good range of skills and abilities that we hope will bode well for a good period of growth and innovation.

What’s your aim?

Our aim is to provide a fresh point of difference in the European design scene and to pave the way for a future of creativity, commitment and design excellence. We want to make it as easy as possible for people to acquire our products, at a price that is competitive in any given local market.

What can we expect from Resident over the next little while?

We’re committed to an active schedule of Product Development, culminating in twice yearly product releases to coincide with the Salone del Mobile in March and the London Design Festival in September. These events will provide premium exposure as well as an opportunity for the products to be seen and compared on a truly global scale, against other celebrated brands. We have a fairly open brief with the designers we work with - but we can already see that a Resident aesthetic is forming in our maiden collection. One of our only guidelines is that the products should flat-pack where possible, and so far, most of them do.

Ultimately we want to build a design hub here in Auckland. An outlet where talented local and International designers can contribute towards Resident and at the same time experience the great lifestyle that New Zealand has to offer.

Above: Spare light by Jamie McLellan and Felix chair by Simon James

What local designers are you working with?

Our first collection includes work from Jamie McLellan, Myself and Jason Whiteley. But we’re expanding…so watch this space. 

When are you launching?

Resident will launch exclusively and for the first time at September’s London Design Festival.

www.resident.co.nz

   

a. Xbox designer on working next door to Steve Jobs [Fast Co Design]
b. Gazoline service station by Da Milano Studio [Designboom]
c. Tribal DDB office by i29 Architects [Daily Icon]
d. 1966 Porsche Typ 906 Carrera [The Coolist]
e. Interactive robotic painting machine [Today & Tomorrow]

With the word vintage banded about so frequently these days, it's rather hard to get excited by the term. However, these latest designs by Canadian furniture designer Alex Jowett of Atelier 688 which use reclaimed materials for their various forms, seem to own the right to don the term vintage successfully. Made from old Manila rope, the lights above are definitely a new take on the traditional pendant, whilst other materials such as broken down kayaks, bike parts and animal skins form the basis of their other coveted objects.

One of our own Design Folio incubator designers, Jonathon Logan is the 2011 winner of the Australian Launch Pad design initiative. Promoting the support and development of Australian product design , Launch Pad holds an annual competition in which emerging designers can submit their products for consideration. With over 100 entrants, the accolade is a huge recognition of original and innovative design work, with the prize offering huge support in the development of the recipient's current and future design intentions.

Jonathon won with his 'de Sade' table, which was exhibited late last year at our Design Folio Incubator exhibition. The de Sade table comprises of 25 individually turned table legs,  and finished with a slick high gloss black finish. Embracing eroticism in the context of furniture, Jonathon Logan's designs have surrealist undertones with striking outcomes.

Jonathon moved to Sydney earlier this year to focus on his furniture design and says that winning the award is hugely reassuring and encouraging of his future design intentions.

"Launchpad is a really fantastic design initiative, open to unseasoned Australian / NZ designers. It was astounding to be recognised from such a well established judging panel amongst the diverse and well crafted host of designers."

Jonathon plans to continue with theoretical and practical discourse than has evolved within his work, reflecting an undercurrent theme of the 'tension of opposites'.

We are extremely proud of Jonathon and look forward to seeing what is next on the horizon for this talented designer.

Story by Louisa Penney

Japanese design studio Nendo's recent Thin Black Lines collection of furniture is now on display as part of their solo exhibition at the Taiwanese government-sponsored National Taiwan Craft Research and Development Institute. The exhibition space aptly illustrates their objective of creating 'active black on white' with carefully sketched illustrations lining the floor in a psychedelic state. They explain:

The drawings on the floor flow like river water around the exhibition stands.
‘Dancing Squares’ is a collection based on the concept of ‘active white’,
so we wanted a space that expressed the idea of ‘still black on white’.
Our room-sized sketch, affixed to walls and floor, uses a fish-eye lens-like effect
as though viewers are seeing it through a tiny water drop.

For more information on this exhibition go here.

We've just sent our biggest and most coveted September Issue (Spring/Summer) of Design Folio to the printer. To celebrate, we're giving something back to our fans with the chance to win one of 50 preview copies straight off the press. To enter, all you need to do is:

1. Like our Facebook page
2. Post one of your favourite stories from designfolio.co.nz on our .

And we'll put you in the draw!