Beazley Designs of the Year

Fascinating exhibition at the Design Museum of their annual survey of 70 projects from across the design world that they consider to ne the best this year.

I always enjoy this show for its range of items from ones which you have seen already in the shops such as Muji’s range of simple white kitchen gadgets to ones which are still aspirational.

I like the inclusion of graphic design and architecture in the show but it tends to be the objects which catch your eye an imagination. I was fascinated by the space cups designed so that astronauts can drink coffee in space which uses the shape an passive capillary forces to love coffee into the mouth. I loved a bicycle navigation tool but more for the smart clip on design it used than the technology involved.

The products designed for Third World Countries and disaster areas are fascinating. I loved a flat pack house, partly designed by the Ikea Foundation, for use in disaster conditions which comes in two packs including tools. The unit had lockable doors, is very durable and can be moved easily. I also liked a book of filter papers for water. The book comes with ideas about water hygiene printed on it then the pages are impregnated with germ killing substances. One page can filter 100 litres of water and a book could be used for a family for a year.

I really wanted some of the furniture! I loved Tokyo Tribal’s work combining wood and beautiful basket work and O&G Studio Design and Manufacturing’s reworking of traditional chair designs after they took over a New Hampshire furniture factory.

Closes 19 February 2017

 

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