Professional design in Poznan
The second arena DESIGN, a project dedicated to design and architecture, finished on 30 May. The event created a meeting place for Polish and foreign designers, experts on industrial design and entrepreneurs aware of the key role of design in a corporate strategy.
The opening ceremony was attended by Karim Rashid himself. A lecture by the legendary designer entitled "Design Changes the World" gathered crowds of listeners and triggered a discussion about the role of design in business and possibilities for implementing innovative design strategies in Polish companies. When asked about the source of creativity (after all, Karim Rashid has authored over 3,000 designs launched in mass production), the internationally renowned designer answered mysteriously that it was his secret. Participants of the event could also admire Rashid's designs. The exposition included Bite Me chair and Baby Bite stools (resembling characters from animated cartoons with their original shapes) produced by xO DESIGN, and the NUTOPIA collection designed for luxury hairdressing studios. Thanks to its futurist shapes and vivid colours, the collection resembles the past POP culture.
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Li Edelkoort was the star of the second day of the event. A woman dubbed one of the 25 most influential people in the world of fashion by TIME Magazine, an expert on design and rector of the world's best design school - Design Academy in Eindhoven, gave a talk entitled: "We are family: design and lifestyles for the future" prepared especially for the visitors to arena DESIGN. At the beginning of her talk, Li Edelkoort put the Poznań audience in a great mood by playing "Stand by me" by Ben E. King. This was followed by a richly illustrated analysis of design trends in the context of cultural changes and social trends. It was undoubtedly worth taking the opportunity to listen to Li Edelkoort's forecasts since her advice is followed every day by the most renowned brands.
Many other renowned experts and designers from all over Europe had their talks at the event (the guests included Beata Bochińska, Christer Ericson, Rolf Sachsse, Daniel Klapsing and Wim Marseille). Panel discussions divided into three sections were an attractive part of the agenda. A panel devoted to design was held on 27 May, a panel dedicated to design management was organised on 28 May and a discussion focusing on the contemporary design education system took place on 29 May.
Results of the TOP DESIGN award Competition
TOP DESIGN award Competition promotes innovative design solutions and companies that invest in good design. Eliminations to this year's competition were held on 22 April. Jurors headed by Paweł Balcerzak, Vice-President of the Association of Industrial Designers selected 33 products that, in their opinion, best reflected the norms of contemporary design when it comes to appearance, innovations, functionalities and quality.
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The competition winners were announced on 27 May. The TOP DESIGN awards 2010 were presented in six categories:
OFFICE SPACE: FAN 10H reception armchair
entered by: PROFIm sp. z o.o.
produced by: PROFIm sp. z o.o.
design: Piotr Kuchciński
BATHROOM - WELLNESS: AXOR wash bowl
entered by: Hansgrohe Sp. z o.o.
produced by: Hansgrohe Sp. z o.o.
design: Patricia Urquiola
LIGHTING: MARGOT lamp
entered by: BYMORRITZ
produced by: BYMORRITZ
design: Bram van Stockim
INDUSTRY AND MEDICINE: Delight Click 'N' Charge sex toy
entered by: Fun Factory GmbH
produced by: Fun Factory GmbH
design: Heinrich Maria Brüggemann
FURNITURE ACCESSORIES AND INTERIOR DESIGN ACCESSORIES: Giant Wood digital print
entered by: Schattdecor AG
produced by: Schattdecor AG
design: Schattdecor AG design department
HOUSEHOLD SPACE: Pook Pook collection
entered by: Vox Industrie S.A.
produced by: Vox Industrie S.A.
design: Michał Biernacki
Exhibitions and conferences
Numerous exhibitions were held as part of this year's event. They presented works both by experienced and highly appreciated designers and by young debuting designers. You could see Serwantka by Karolina Tylka, previously shown in Milan, and MobiUse, a biodegradable chair resembling egg containers designed by Jan Kochański for mass events.
Interesting exhibitions were prepared by PG13, a group of young designers led by Tomek Rygalik. They presented an experimental furniture creation process. Weranda Monthly organised PROECODIZAJN exhibition devoted to environmentally conscious design for fans of environmentally friendly design.
Other interesting events included a market launch of NOTI COLORS BY DESIGNERS GUILD, a new line of furniture presented at the moodFORM Design Fair and the latest Studio Line collection vase designs presented by Rosenthal.
Collections of multi-sensory furniture for children by VOX - Pook Pook and Meee (the first design won the prestigious TOP DESIGN award 2010) were presented at arena DESIGN. Stages of the design process and its premises based on cognitive science were explained at the press conference devoted to the products. The first stage involved scientists who analysed how small children perceive and react to stimuli. The second stage involved designers who were to design the furniture so that its properties were adjusted to the child's perception (visual, tactile and auditory levels) and stimulated the child's development.
arena DESIGN also offered an opportunity to see publications about design, including books on industrial design, architecture, typography and advertising. Numerous organisations and associations made various materials available to designers. These included information about programmes supporting design development, presented definitions, procedures and benefits related to industrial design.
Moreover, diploma exams of students of the Poznań Academy of Fine Arts took place at the arena DESIGN exposition. The school showcased its students' works at four separate exhibitions. The participants could see the ideas behind individual designs and admire the graduates' skills.
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moodFORM
arena DESIGN was held simultaneously with the first moodFORM Design Fair including offers from various sectors. The exposition included both modern solutions in interior decoration or bathroom furnishings, and new ideas for brand creation.
Poznań - the capital of design
Once again, Poznań became the capital of design. Events organised as part of arena DESIGN were positively received both by the community of designers and architects, and by the general public. This year's event was visited by almost 8,000 people.
