me news

dda 2011

…designers want to change the world, but they can’t do it all on their own. This year the jury noticed that the key subject of many contemporary design concerns the changing world and the issues associated with it. The engagement has been a constant subject of conversation, also with the jury, who in an exceptionally lively discussion has taken the decisions. At the same time, the jury stresses the fact that the power of ‘design thinking’ should not be underestimated. The designs of the finalists proved to be rich and differentiated, which shows that even in these turbulent times, Dutch designers hold their heads high. They feel passionate about creating a better future…

this rather grand statement was made by the chairman of this years international jury (hedy d’ancona) during the awards ceremony for the dutch design awards which i attended this weekend, the winners are named on the site but surprisingly there is still no overview showing the work, perhaps this will be added during the coming week? i hope so… i found myself agreeing with many of the winners but also slightly disappointed with a few, most particularly in the very category i also scouted for: communcation

as usual it was a great opportunity to catch up with old friends and have a few beers (and then a few more) congratulations to all of the winners and of course all of the finalists too…

m / 24-10-2011 08:58 - tags: ,  

minus, plus

last week, a friend in the music business asked if i could help him sort out a location somewhere in town, for a small live show with ‘just a few dj’s’ during the ‘amsterdam dance event’ now taking place all over the city

as it happened i was able to help him and then just forgot about the whole thing… untill he called last night to say i was on the guestlist and by the way, he added the djs name: it happens to be one of my heros mister ‘richie hawtin’ and his minus label mates, the event is being held right here in my office building (on the roof level) and will be broadcast live starting in about an hour from now… till 7pm
so in case it wasn’t clear already….the office is closing early today, yipee…

m / 20-10-2011 13:21 - tags: ,  

new

designer ‘bram nijssen’ just mailed me these posters he made to launch his new design agency kommerz, good luck and above all have fun…

m / 20-10-2011 13:10 - tags: , ,  

musical chairs

a group of young art students from the ‘sint lucas’ academy in belgium paid me studio a visit this morning to have a chat and see some work, what was going to be a ‘small’ group turned into nearly 20 people, even if i had that many chairs they wouldn’t fit in the studio… still it was nice to meet the next generation of designers and talk shop…

m / 18-10-2011 13:03 - tags: ,  

break the mould

the eulogies and analysis will be all over the net for weeks to come so no need to add to that, as for the company ‘apple’ i must admit to feeling less enthusiastic and more ambiguous than i ever used to be about them, but there is no anyone could deny the immense impact that he has had on the landscape we are now all part of, rest in peace steve jobs

m / 06-10-2011 12:57 - tags: ,