Naomi Winters

My Christmas Tree

2012-01-11T22:08:00.000Z

Before I take it down and it gets hidden away for a year I thought I would take a picture of my Christmas tree. I love that it's red. It makes me very happy.

Dr Who Style Police Post

2011-05-10T23:34:00.000+01:00

While on a day out around London with my camera I stumbled upon an old style Police Call Post. Sadly not quite the same as the one in Dr Who and yes I did try and open it- no luck.

ARoS

2011-04-11T22:32:00.000+01:00

On a recent visit to Aarhus in Denmark I went to the art gallery ARoS.
The architecture of the building itself is a work of art and worth seeing even if your not interested in what it houses.

Abandon Spoon!

2011-03-28T11:28:00.000+01:00

Hello,

I've not been posting on this blog that much recently- this is due to me spending time on my other blog- Abandon Spoon!
This blog is dedicated only to food- my recipes, things I've baked and restaurants that I've visited.
Please have a look and I promise to update this one soon.

www.abandonspoon.com

Shape my Language

2011-03-10T21:04:00.000Z

Shape my Language at the Design Museum. This a free exhibit in the atrium of the Design Museum and visitors can interact with it by tweeting to @shapemylanguage and the words of selected tweets appear projected onto one of the walls. Below are a selection of photographs I took of the letters hanging in the atrium.

From the Design Museum Website:
"Located in the Design Museum cafe and atrium, the Shape My Language installation combines a display by renowned type designer Bruno Maag, from the typeface and logo design agency Dalton Maag, with images from his work on the Ubuntu font project, part of the re-brand of open-source computer operating system Ubuntu.
Shape My Language, by Bruno Maag, was first shown in March 2010 at the Walking-Chair Gallery in Vienna and was comprised of a large collection of glyphs from the world’s many script systems. Recreated for 2011, and suspended within the Design Museum’s stairwell, the piece includes recognisable characters alongside more unusual forms from a range of languages.
As an extension to this display, Canonical, the company behind Ubuntu, is offering visitors an opportunity to get involved with the Ubuntu user community. Large abstract letterforms will be displayed alongside a projection of visitors' tweets. Add @shapemylanguage to your posts on twitter to be part of the projection. These tweets will be displayed in the Ubuntu font. Top tweets will be selected to share with Design Museum visitors and Twitter users around the world.
“There are dozens of different script systems in use in the world today, giving shape to thousands of spoken languages. A typeface designer’s task is not only to visualise the emotion with which a message is spoken but also to ensure that the reader can absorb the message with a minimum of distraction.”
Bruno Maag, Managing Director, Dalton Maag.
Dalton Maag has been designing fonts and logos since 1991. It works with design agencies to provide logo designs and font solutions for clients."

Design Museum- Brit Insurance Designs of the Year 2011

2011-02-20T20:10:00.001Z

I went to the Design Museum today- never a great idea on a Sunday as its always very busy- I had to que outside the door. But as I work during the week I have no choice.
I always enjoy this exhibit, it has a nice mix of types of design, from fashion, to interaction to furniture. The exhibition only opened this week and it showcases all the nominees. The winners will be announced later this month with the awards ceremony on 15th March.
The photographs below are taken by myself and are a few of my favourites for the exhibition. I didn't spend very long in the museum- as I'm a member its free entry so I prefer to visit several times but for shorter lengths of time.

From the Design Museum website
"The Brit Insurance Designs Awards, "the Oscars of the design world," showcase the most innovative and forward thinking designs from around the world, spanning seven categories: architecture, fashion, furniture, graphics, interactive, product and transport. Last year's winner, was the Folding Plug by Min-Kyu Choi that revolutionises a humble, but essential, piece of everyday equipment."

Chinese New Year

2011-02-07T20:53:00.000Z

This Sunday I went to Trafalgar Square to watch the Chinese New Year celebrations.
They had a variety of different events with dancing and singing. They had a stage in Shaftsbury avenue and speakers throughout the streets of Chinatown broadcasting what was on the stage. Was a really nice atmosphere, but so many people and at some points it was almost like festival crushing. Below are a selection of photographs from the day, including a dragon and a wishing tree. I threw my wish back on, but sadly it didn't catch.

Snowboarding

2011-01-17T20:38:00.000Z

I havn't updated my blog in a while- I blame Christmas and being over fed too much by my parents!
I went away for a week snowboarding to Corcheval in France and it was amazing- best break in the world.
It's so beautiful, even if you can't ski or snowboard it's such an amazing place to visit.
So I will share with you a few photographs I took while I was away.

Super Christmas Market

2010-12-20T20:09:00.001Z

Held at Somerset House every year in the lead up to Christmas, a collection of UK based designers come together to give us the Super Christmas Market.

I’ve been to this event for several years now, but this year was by far my favourite. In the past I have come away feeling I had been robbed of my £4 entry fee. This year I didn’t.

They had a room of designer products, not just the usual tat, but items from well-known designers such as Carl Klerkin and. In the other rooms we had interaction design; ski Somerset where you created your own skiing character out of plastercine and card, and then launched off a ski jump into a sand pit.

They also had reindeer balloon races- you had to rise up and down on a pump to inflate the balloon in the reindeer’s mouth, and the first to pop the balloon wins. I raced against my mother and I came a close first- she claimed her stirrups were too short! Clearly a sore looser.

They had a polygraph machine so that the elves could decided who to put on the naughty or nice list, and Turkey Still Standing; you had to try and take the tablecloth off without disturbing the Christmas dinner on top. If you managed this you got points depending on how little the objects moved. Daddy made it up onto the leader board, so my little brother tried to beat him, but sadly could not. Clearly he was just too tall. Apparently there is no height advantage.

Finally they had the pound store. Every item was a pound- items ranging from Christmas cards, posters, badges to silly novelty items, napkin holders to name a few. Like all pound shops it was crammed with people fighting to find the best bargain, and to get their hands on a designer item. Some of the items were worth their £1, some not, so not too dissimilar to a regular pound shop! I bought a couple of items as I’ve failed miserably this year with my Christmas shopping,

Generally it was a very nice atmosphere, my family and I enjoyed ourselves, however if you hate design or craft fairs and fun, this is not for you.

The Unilever Series: Ai Weiwei

2010-11-28T23:16:00.000Z

This weekend I visited the Tate Modern with a particular interest in seeing the installation in the turbine hall by Ai Weiwei.
I had hoped that it would have been more interactive, but unfortunatley you are not allowed to touch the seeds. There is an accompanying video in which Ai Weiwei shows the process and techniques used to produce these seeds. This makes the whole exhibit seem a lot more impressive. On their own, if glanced at quickly you could mistake it for gravel.

"Sunflower Seeds is made up of millions of small works, each apparently identical, but actually unique. However realistic they may seem, these life-sized sunflower seed husks are in fact intricately hand-crafted in porcelain.
Each seed has been individually sculpted and painted by specialists working in small-scale workshops in the Chinese city of Jingdezhen. Far from being industrially produced, they are the effort of hundreds of skilled hands. Poured into the interior of the Turbine Hall’s vast industrial space, the 100 million seeds form a seemingly infinite landscape.
Porcelain is almost synonymous with China and, to make this work, Ai Weiwei has manipulated traditional methods of crafting what has historically been one of China’s most prized exports. Sunflower Seeds invites us to look more closely at the ‘Made in China’ phenomenon and the geo-politics of cultural and economic exchange today."
http://www.tate.org.uk/modern/exhibitions/unileverseries2010/default.shtm

Germany

2010-11-26T10:48:00.000Z

Last weekend I went for a long weekend trip to visit my good friend Nina.
Sadly the weather was a little grey and very cold, but still had a great time.
Here are a selection of the photos that I took, from a mixture of Breman and Hamburg.

V&A

2010-11-14T20:13:00.001Z

I went to the V&A yesterday to see the Shadow Catchers: Camera-less photography exhibition.

Was really interesting, its a concept that is quite new to me, and I'm not sure that I've quite got my head around all the details of the different techniques, but still a really enjoyable exhibition.

There were 5 different artists: Floris Neususs, Pierre Cordier, Garry Fabian Miller, Susan Derges and Adam Fuss, all with quite different and unique styles.

I think my favourite of the whole exhibition was Susan Derges' Autum series:

These were 'C' Prints using water to create the background and sky, and then layering up the flowers and foliage on top. This one is my favourite due to the amazing blue colours.

Chocolate Fudge Cake

2010-11-01T23:14:00.001Z

Tonight was my second attempt at making this particular recipe.

It didn't fall apart as much as the first time- and still tasted amazing.

Presentation still not great, but getting better I think.

Cooking

2010-10-31T19:54:00.003Z

Blue Cheese scones, and Carrot and Corriander soup.

Knitted Hat

2010-10-28T20:42:00.004+01:00

My first attempt at a knitted hat. Not the best- but not bad either!

Btw, its meant to be a baby's hat- hence why its small enough for the bear!

Knood

2010-10-27T22:00:00.004+01:00

Knood- Knittin+ Food.
These are two things very important in my life.
Sadly I cannot claim the above image as my own, but its something that I'm looking to try!

knitting

2010-10-25T18:39:00.002+01:00

My latest knitting achievement- mobile phone cover.

Esque Studio

2010-10-11T23:29:00.004+01:00

" There aren't many eco-minded designers sharing studio space with Formula One race-car drivers, but that's just one of the things that set glassmakers Andi Kovel and Justin Parker's company, Esque Studio, apart. The two designers blow and hand-finish every vase, candlestick and terrarium to order (they also make glass for Ralph Lauren Home and Anthropologie). When the pair, who started by doing glass renderings for artists like Kiki Smith, moved from Brooklyn, N.Y., to Portland, Ore., they began to use wind-powered energy and remelting their glass remnants into a line for select shops. "Eco-conscious companies are going to become the norm," says Kovel, "and good design will be part of it." "

Read more: http://www.time.com/time/specials/2007/style_design/article/0,28804,1609195_1609098_1608853,00.html#ixzz125lmeg35

10/10/10

2010-10-10T12:21:00.002+01:00

I love dates like today. They make me happy inside that I can write this;

10.10.10

Silent Design Auction

2010-09-26T16:26:00.007+01:00

A selection of works from the Silent Design Auction as part of Design Week.

Boaz Mendel

2010-09-20T14:04:00.005+01:00

From Design Boom:

"'loop chair' by boaz mendel, is constructed from seven boards of varying lengths that are connected in a loop by hinges. the complete object is a platform for the creation of a wide variety of furniture. folding the hinges and affixing the shape with the help of special connectors, produces a different piece of furniture in each of its various states.

every folding position has a defined function, and it is possible in a moment to go from a television chair to a bar-stool; from a ladder to a chaise-lounge; from a bookshelf to a coffee table. in total, it is possible for the chair to be arranged in 12 different ways. the connectors for the chair come in a case with all of the varations of the chair printed onto it. all you have to do is imitate the shape and place the connectors in the corresponding holes.'loop chair' is mendel's final project at the bezalel academy of art and design, jerusalem."

run up

2010-09-19T22:26:00.003+01:00

So its the run up to design week, if your planning on being in London next weekend check out Vibe Bar on brick lane for the Silent Design Auction. Even if you don't wish to buy any design pieces come along and see whats going on.

Baking

2010-09-08T23:19:00.002+01:00

I've been baking! Tonight's work:

Graffiti

2010-09-05T23:33:00.002+01:00

Photographs of graffiti I like in a subway in Waterloo.

Notting Hill Carnival

2010-08-31T21:10:00.001+01:00

Play time in the Park

2010-08-30T19:35:00.006+01:00

After eating too much cake we thought it would be a good idea to play in the park. I took my new camera and had a play. Here are a selection of the photos.

Cake Party

2010-08-30T19:34:00.002+01:00

We had a cake party, which involved lots of baking, and cake eating.
For a more detailed account of the cakes made visit our Abandon Spoon! blog.

Baking

2010-08-25T10:15:00.000+01:00

I've been on a bit of a bake session this week. So far I've made a lemon sponge cake, and chocolate chip cookies.
They both taste really good, but I need to work on the presentation some more!

wallpapers

2010-08-17T14:32:00.002+01:00

Some free wallpapers from Poked Studios that I'm currently sporting on my computer.

Found images

2010-08-13T13:16:00.001+01:00

Some images I found and I liked.

Hackney Wick Coracle Regatta 2010

2010-08-13T13:07:00.004+01:00

I took part in the Anual Hackney Wick Coracle Regatta, and ended up being the overal ladies champion! I had lots of fun and everyone was cheering everyone. Very well run, and at the end there was even an organisers race.

Paper Cuts

2010-07-27T15:19:00.003+01:00

Following on from the paper characters here is another paper folding creation from artist Francisca Prieto.

She has intricately woven, oragami style sheets of music into a wall hanging for gallery Sebastiain & Barquet in New York.

Jeff Nishinaka

2010-07-26T23:02:00.003+01:00

Some amazing paper creations from Jeff Nishinaka.

Alexei Lyapunov

2010-07-23T12:02:00.002+01:00

Some amazing paper scupltured figures by Alexei Lyapunov.

William Morris Gallery

2010-07-20T11:48:00.003+01:00

On Sunday I visited the Willian Morris Gallery in Walthamstow. I didn't know that it existed unitl I moved to Walthamstow, it is in the house that he grew up in and owned. Its a beautiful old house, set with Lloyd Park surrounding it. It's not a very big gallery, only about half an hours worth, maybe longer if you read everything. But well worth a visit if you are in the area and are interested in his work.

"The 18th Century Water House, Morris’s family home from 1848 to 1856, is now the William Morris Gallery. A committed socialist and medievalist, William Morris (1834 - 1896) was horrified by increasing mass-production and mechanisation in the arts and wished to reinstate the values of traditional craftsmanship and simplicity of design. His slogan was that art should be ‘by the people, for the people’.
Following these principles, he decorated and furnished his new house (the Red House, built by Philip Webb) himself, helped by Burne-Jones and Rossetti, amongst others. This led to the setting up of the firm Morris, Marshall, Faulkner & Co. The firm was a ‘company of Fine Art Workmen’, designing and producing furniture, wallpaper, murals, tapestries, stained glass windows, metalwork, tiles and embroidery, examples of which are on display at the William Morris Gallery."

Tim MacPherson

2010-07-14T14:37:00.003+01:00

Photographs from photographer Tim MacPherson. I really like these, not seen any of his work before until now, but I really like it.
Lots more of his work on his website:
http://www.timmacpherson.com/

Design House Studios

2010-07-13T10:29:00.001+01:00

While on my daily trawl of the internet for interesting things to look at I came across this website by Sarah Wade and Lloyd Evans. It has some lovely illustrations and surface pattern designs that I really like. I love the style in which they have been drawn, and of in particular one of my favourites is the one with teapots and teacups.

http://www.designhousestudios.co.uk/

Antony Gormley

2010-07-07T14:58:00.003+01:00

Last week I visited the White Cube to see Antony Gormley's new exhibition Test Sites.
He has created a site specific installation and a series of cast iron blockwork sculptures.
Engaging our mobility, Gormley considers how time acts on objects and how objects act on us.

"In the lower ground-floor gallery, Gormley will exhibit a new installation of Breathing Room III the third and largest in this series of works which contain and implicate the viewer as the figure in a shifting ground.

As a physical manifestation of the gallery, Breathing Room III, is made from 15 interconnecting photo-luminescent ‘space frames’, the total volume of which is equal to that of the internal gallery space.

Time and light are the principal materials of the work. Breathing Room III encourages the viewer to enter into and interact with a defined sculptural space, where intense bursts of light interrupt complete darkness, unexpectedly jolting the experience from one of quiet meditation to acute interrogation.

A new series of sculptural works will populate the ground-floor gallery, furthering the artist’s investigation of the human body and its relationship to the built world. These new, massively extended block works use an architectonic language of stacking, propping and cantilever to suggest a tension which is indicative of our urban-bound human condition."

2010-07-07T14:54:00.001+01:00

Its been nearly two months since my last post, I've been a little distracted with moving house (twice) and also moving jobs (twice). But now that I'm settled, at least for the time being, I will be updating a bit more often.

Market Stall

2010-05-18T14:27:00.000+01:00

Slightly belated, but thank you to all of you who came down to my market stall back in April. It was great fun, and the weather was much better than the previous one! Watch this space for the next one.

2010-05-17T11:42:00.004+01:00

I realised that I havn't updated my blog in quite a while now. I've been a little pre occupied with moving house, and then finding out that we issues with the new house. So not been doing all that much in the way of designing or museum visits. But hopefully all will back to normal soon.

Dave Anderson

2010-04-17T16:02:00.003+01:00

Went to a gallery in Crouch End near to where I work where an illustrator called Dave Anderson had an exhibition. It was a mixture of illustrations and film.

Urban Africa

2010-04-13T22:36:00.003+01:00

"An epic act of homage to a continent"
Observer newspaper

One of the leading architects of his generation, David Adjaye has stepped out of his regular line of work to photograph and document key cities in Africa as part of an ongoing project to study new patterns of urbanism. Often regarded as a continent defined by underdevelopment, poverty, war and tourism, through this exhibition Adjaye presents Africa in a different light, examining the buildings and places which have a special resonance with his preoccupations as an architect.

This detailed survey will reveal a unique snapshot of life in Africa today, documenting the nature of urban life in a developing continent, a unique geo-cultural survey profiling the African city in a global context.

Brit Insurance Designs Of the Year

2010-04-12T20:21:00.003+01:00

Now in their third year, the Brit Insurance Designs Awards, "the Oscars of the design world," showcase the most innovative and forward thinking designs from around the world. Last year's winner, the unofficial Barack Obama poster campaign by Shepard Fairey, demonstrated the power that design can have at a grass-root level.

Below are a few of my favourites.

Sustainable Futures

2010-04-11T21:44:00.005+01:00

"From the world’s first carbon neutral city to a refrigerator which doubles as an aquarium, this exhibition explores a range of products, concepts and projects that address issues of sustainability in their design. Through prototypes, samples, products and film, you can find out more about your impact on the world and how to change it.

Presented around five themes: Cities, Energy and Economics, Food, Materiality and Creative Citizens, this overview shows the changing role of the designer and reveals how design can make a difference. "

Market Stall

2010-04-04T13:26:00.001+01:00

The date for my next table top sale is the 24th April.
For more details visit my website
www.naomiwinters.co.uk

Graduation

2010-03-18T10:23:00.002Z

I had my graduation ceremony on Monday, here is the class of 2009, well most of us.

Florian Gross

2010-03-11T12:48:00.002Z

"Konnnex is a new shelf system by German designer Florient Gross. It is super versatile and can be put together in several ways. It has a contemporary appearance and would fit in most places. The shelf system is a basic cube set, which can be assembled according to the need of the house. It can also be moved into a similar cubicle shape already present at home. The design in total features about six cubes with slits. Each cube can be fixed to the slit of the other and a compact voluminous shelf can be created. When not in use, the cubes can be placed one inside the other, allowing it to occupy minimal space. Most importantly, its basic design will complement any home decor style."

Playsuit

2010-03-10T13:38:00.003Z

Playsuit that I have been making today.

Button jewelry illustrations

2010-03-03T21:36:00.005Z

I have decided to do some illustrations of my button jewelry that I made just before Christmas.

Lisa Whatmough

2010-03-02T22:53:00.004Z

"Patchwork is most often associated with quilts. Once a craft born out of economic necessity, patchwork quilts still enjoy widespread popularity. However, British designer Lisa Whatmough whose company is Squint Limited has adapted the patchwork technique not for familar bedcoverings but as upholstery material for her fun and funky bespoke furniture line. Just one of her chic furniture pieces will brighten up any dark corner. These are extraordinarily vivid focal pieces indeed."
"The best way she found to showcase the fabrics from her antique textile collection was to combine them with period furniture. By mixing her vintage stash with contemporary fabric, her colorful upholstered furniture pieces have fused into truly one of a kind designs. The types of furniture ranges from chaise longues to footstools, cabinets and all types of chairs. Her accessory line also includes patchwork lampshades, bedheads and cushions."

"The furniture is painstakingly upholstered the traditional way using tied springs and hand stitched seams. Due to the range of textiles used for each design, prices vary. Squint Limited sells internationally through several outlets."

http://freshome.com/2008/07/31/funky-patchwork-furniture/

sunny day

2010-03-01T12:27:00.003Z

Today was a really sunny day, and as we havnt had many of these recently I thought I'd make the most of it and go for a walk in the park. Below are a selection from my digital camera. I also took my film SLR camera, so hopefully have some nice ones with that, but will have to wait for them to develop.

Podcast

2010-02-28T23:29:00.001Z

I am currently listening to the podcast from BBC4 called the History of the World in 100 Objects.
It is based on items found in the British Museum, and each week a different object is discussed. I'm finding this really interesting, and would recommend it to anyone.

Science Museum

2010-02-21T20:05:00.003Z

Current exhibition on at the Science museum about the future fuels we could potentially be using. Reminded me of something you might see at an RCA show. Some interesting ideas.

Chinese New Year

2010-02-18T17:16:00.004Z

Roundabout sculpture

2010-02-16T17:07:00.003Z

A tree in Heron Quays that I saw today. Traffic lights are constantly changing.

Nana

2010-02-12T16:53:00.002Z

I spent a week up at my Nana's looking after her as she has just come out of hospital. She has a lovely big garden that is far too big for her. But it takes some nice photos.

Ofili

2010-02-04T15:34:00.001Z

Article from the Evening Standard on 25/01/10 on Chris Ofili.

Are you average?

2010-02-02T13:00:00.003Z

"Are you average?

We’re looking for the average British man and woman to become sculptures in our revamped Who am I? gallery

These average Brits – whose vital statistics most closely match those published in the latest NHS health study – will have their life-sized naked bodies scanned and replicated in paper using the latest rapid prototyping technology, also known as 3D printing.

The life-sized paper people will then appear in the Who am I? gallery, where the latest developments in brain science and genetics are explored through a mixture of interactive exhibits, object-rich displays and artworks. The existing gallery will remain open until 4 January and the revamped gallery will open in summer 2010."

http://www.sciencemuseum.org.uk/visitmuseum/wai_average_brits.aspx

Decode: Digital Design Sensations

2010-01-31T23:33:00.006Z

"Decode: Digital Design Sensations showcases the latest developments in digital and interactive design, from small, screen-based, graphics to large-scale interactive installations. The exhibition includes works by established international artists and designers such as Daniel Brown, Golan Levin, Daniel Rozin, Troika and Karsten Schmidt. The exhibition features both existing works and new commissions created especially for the exhibition.

Decode is a collaboration between the V&A and onedotzero, a contemporary arts organisation operating internationally with a remit to promote innovation across all for

ms of moving image and interactive arts.

The exhibition explores three themes: Code presents pieces that use computer code to create new works and looks at how code can be programmed to create constantly fluid and ever-changing works. Interactivity looks at works that are directly influenced by the viewer. Visitors will be invited to interact with and contribute to the development of the exhibits

. Network focuses on works that comment on and utilise the digital traces left behind by everyday communications and looks at how advanced technologies and the internet have enabled new types of social interaction and mediums of self-expression."

Below are a few of my favourites from the exhibition.

Dieter Rams

2010-01-28T22:15:00.004Z

Currently exhibiting at the Design Museum is 'Less and More- The Design Ethos of Dieter Rams'. I very much enjoyed this exhibition, although I wish it had been on while I was doing a project on Braun as this would have been very useful. Could have stayed much longer than I did, but went to close to closing time.

"As head of design at Braun, the German consumer electronics manufacturer, Dieter Rams emerged as one of the most influential industrial designers of the late 20th century by defining an elegant, legible, yet rigorous visual language for its products. The exhibition will showcase Rams’ landmark designs for Braun and furniture manufacturer Vitsœ, examine how Rams’ design ethos inspired Braun’s entire product range for over 40 years, and assess his lasting influence on today’s design landscape."

erganomics

2010-01-27T00:20:00.003Z

cake

2010-01-26T20:01:00.003Z

My days work.....
I think I need to practice my cake making skills, and also my photography skills! I don't really understand how to use my polaroid camera properly, but I quite like the outcome in a weird kinda way.

Graduation

2010-01-20T23:52:00.001Z

Bought my graduation tickets today, so in March I will finally graduate! :)

magazine cover

2010-01-18T01:41:00.003Z

While sorting through some old magazines I came across some old an magazines and liked the covers of these.

Lothair Hamann

2010-01-09T14:58:00.003Z

Sadly not my own work, but a leaflet from lothair hamann that I like.

Market

2009-12-14T20:19:00.003Z

Thank you to everyone who came to the Chrimboodle market yesterday. It was very very cold, but a good day. Although I didnt sell as much as I would have liked was a good experience and it was my first market, and first attempt to sell my things since graduating, so all good experience.

doodle

2009-12-10T13:28:00.002Z

Just a little reminder that this Sunday is the Doodle Christmas market where I will be selling some things I have been making over the past few weeks.

Buttons

2009-11-26T15:46:00.001Z

Been spending the day making button jewellery to sell at the Doodle Market on December 13th. Looking good so far, lots more to be made.

Revisiting my dissertation

2009-11-24T13:50:00.002Z

I have noticed a few advertising campaigns and articles recently on the topic of recycling and of plastic bags, and I thought I would re visit the topic of my dissertation. Its almost one year on since I finished writing it, and there has been many new articles and company policies changed since then. So I'm looking into what has changed to see the developments.

Doodle Christmas Market

2009-11-14T14:56:00.003Z

On 13th December me and two friends are having a stall at the Doodle Christmas market, at the Doodle Bar in Battersea, so if you would like to buy any of my things pop on down! Tell your friends as there are lots of stands so will prob be able to find some good christmas presents for your friends and family. www.thedoodlebar.com

Restore

2009-11-11T18:13:00.004Z

I did my first day at ReStore Community Projects today. They are a non profit organisation who have furniture and appliances donated to them, and then sell them on the people with low incomes and people on benefits.

I was doing some restoration of the older furniture, and also selling it on.

I really enjoyed my day, met some really nice people and looking forward to going back.

Funny Fruit

2009-11-06T16:44:00.000Z

Victor Man

2009-11-05T12:20:00.003Z

The free exhibition space at the Hayward Gallery is currently exhibiting works from Victor Man. I didn't really like the paintings on display, I much preferred the illustration below.

Design museum

2009-11-04T17:52:00.002Z

Visited the design museum this week, but there was only one exhibition on currently, David Chipperfield.

"With a style that is restrained, quiet and thoughtful, David Chipperfield is of one of Britain’s leading architects. He has a huge international reputation and completed buildings in China, Japan, Italy, USA, Spain and Germany. Chipperfield produces subtle and sophisticated buildings, from museums to homes, with an acute sensitivity for materials and a powerful awareness of their environment."

vintage shop

2009-11-03T23:05:00.002Z

After my visit to the book shop I came across a nice vintage shop called Calneva. Had vinyl records, furniture, clothes and bits and pieces. Also on Creek Road in Greenwich.

http://www.myspace.com/calnevavintage

Bookshop in Greenwich

2009-11-02T14:29:00.001Z

While in Greenwich the other day I found a cute little second hand bookshop, just opened last week. Called Greenwich book place and gallery on Creek road, check it out even if just for a browse.

Ceramics at the V&A

2009-10-29T13:44:00.002Z

A selection of images from the newly opened Ceramics gallery at the V&A. I really enjoyed this exhibition, it has a history of ceramics from different countries through the ages, and also display of techniques. They also have an artist in residence, currently it's Stephen Dixon who I spoke to about his work that he is working on in the studio. Well worth a visit, and the studio is open on Wednesdays if you would like to see a ceramicist in action.

London 2012 Pictograms

2009-10-28T12:20:00.002Z

New Pictograms for the London 2012 Olympics.

http://www.creativereview.co.uk/cr-blog/2009/october/london-2012-pictograms

Graduate Fair

2009-10-20T21:02:00.002+01:00

Today I went along to the Guardian Graduate Fair in Islington. Was a horrible experience!

Stupidly hot, like it always is in the Business Design Centre, far too many people trying to look at the same things, and me a little confused as to what I was trying to get out of it.

There was a lot of information if you wanted to become a teacher, or do something to do with business, but for design orientated jobs there wasn't a lot there.

Signed up to a million job agencies, so hopefully I will get something from those.

Tent London 2009

2009-10-17T18:45:00.005+01:00

A selection of images of my favourite things from this years Tent held at the Truman Brewery on Brick Lane. Below is the Digital Tea party, where each cup made different sounds, and colours when moved around on the interactive table.

Javier Mariscal

2009-10-16T16:56:00.002+01:00

"A fascinating insight into one of the most original designer-illustrators to come out of Spain in recent history"
GRAFIK

The first UK retrospective of Spanish designer and artist Javier Mariscal. Regarded as one of the world's most innovative and original designers of our time, Mariscal's rich and diverse body of work spans kooky cartoon characters to stunning interiors, from furniture to graphic design and corporate identities.

Currently exhibiting at the Design Museum until 1st November.

Jan Kaplický

2009-10-15T20:35:00.002+01:00

Jan Kaplický, who died earlier this year, was the Czech architect responsible for some of the most remarkable buildings that Britain has ever seen. Lord’s cricket ground holds the press box he built with his former partner, Amanda Levete – it was their first major project and won the Stirling Prize.

Kaplický also designed the Selfridges department store in Birmingham, 2003 and yet even more remarkable are the buildings that Kaplický designed, which the world will never see – to say nothing of his stream of ideas for solar powered vehicles, electric cars, jewellery, bikinis and double-decker buses. This exhibition will celebrate the work of a gifted architect and designer.

Sea Kayaks

2009-10-14T21:25:00.002+01:00

Sea Kayaks along Shad Thames, London Bridge, taken this afternoon.

MA Graduation

2009-10-13T22:49:00.004+01:00

MA Graduation show in the Bargehouse, near the OXO tower.
I only got a chance to have a brief look around the show, and unfortunatly missed the illustration section, but here are a selection of images of what I thought was some of the best work.

Image created using shadow, the light switches from one side to another, one image is a couple in love, the other arguing. This was a project focusing on domestic violence.

Work by Jenny Chow, on Asian pronunciation, how many Asians pronounce words wrong and give a very different meaning. Such as beach and bitch. Interactive screen with words spoken by several different nationalities.From the Product section, objects morphing and evolving.

Cyber Pac

2009-10-09T17:06:00.002+01:00

I found this company while researching for a project at my internship.
They are really interesting, and I was particularly interested by their Harmless Packaging as I wrote my dissertation on recycling materials such as plastic bags.

http://www.cyberpaclab.co.uk/#67678

"Don’t be fooled by all the logos and titles you see on certain products claiming to be environmental champions – everything is biodegradable eventually; it just depends on how long you are prepared to wait.

This is the future of packaging – harmless bags, here today gone tomorrow. The utility is endless: protection for premium quality jean labels to NHS laundry sacks.

Harmless-Dissolve is a readily biodegradable, water-soluble polymer which completely biodegrades in a composting environment, in a dishwasher or washing machine. It has no harmful residues and will biodegrade ultimately to naturally occurring substances."

intern end

2009-10-02T21:17:00.003+01:00

So after four weeks working on the Foldz project my internship has come to an end. I feel like I've learnt a lot and that it has prepared me for life as a product designer.

100%

2009-09-27T21:17:00.002+01:00

A selection of images from 100% Design at Earls Court as part of the London Design Festival. As always there was lots to see, and the materials section was very interesting. Designers Block was in Earls Court this year, with stands by the RCA and Kith Kin.

Above is a folding, sliding kitchen unit that looked amazing. But very expensive so will be a while before I have one of these in my house.
This was an amazing rocking piano. It looked a bit like a sleigh from its shape. No-one was playing on it when we went up to it, but once we got on, everyone crowded around taking photos.
This was a sofa that had lots of zips and the high back folded down onto itself, to completely change the look of the sofa.

Design Festival

2009-09-25T16:12:00.003+01:00

Went to the Rooted Exhibition in the Truman Brewery:

"Rooted is a FREE experimental exhibition that helps to showcase the talent of graduates from an array of disciplines by giving you free reign within a space to display your work to top industry figures and the public.

There are no rules or boundaries; you can put up, hang, project (or even wear) your work wherever you want for it to be seen and stand out from the rest. This means that the presentation needs to be just as creative as the work itself."

I really liked this exhibition, and the whole concept behind it. Some good work was exhibited and was a ideal space.

Maries Cafe

2009-09-12T15:39:00.002+01:00

Discovered one of the best thai restaurants that I've ever been to this week. Near Waterloo station, Marie's cafe looks like a greasy spoon cafe, but it does really good thai food and very cheap.

New Job

2009-09-07T23:25:00.004+01:00

I started work today as an intern product designer on a project called Foldz. Working on fittings and furniture for a shoe retailer.

Very exciting as this is my first job as a designer since graduating.

New Website

2009-09-06T20:48:00.001+01:00

I have completely re written my website as the previous one somehow got a virus.

It's currently very simple, and I will keep adding to it.

www.naomiwinters.co.uk

Belgrade

2009-08-08T08:34:00.000+01:00

Im currently in Belgrade, Serbia. I have been to a few quite good museums and gallerys here, and they even have their own design week. It's not a place I would automatically have thought would be a design hotspot, but it seems quite good. Mainly graphic design, they have a few independent gallerys and then main ones that host various events. There is currently some installations all around the city.

Exhibition during design festival

2009-07-22T12:19:00.004+01:00

Date for your diary, 23rd September- the private view for my exhibition in Shoreditch during the London Design Festival. Exhibition is on until 28th September.

A group of product and furniture designers who all recently graduated from Kingston University with a diverse range of products.

Fiona Zobole

2009-07-09T15:18:00.003+01:00

20/20 Vision? is the piece of work pictured below by textile artist Fiona Zobole. She is visually impaired and her methods of working are intrinsically linked to her loss of sight and her related experiences.
Her work challenges the sighted viewer to interpret the printed text presented to them. The tactility of the printed text draws them to explore further, yet gives no real clue as to the meaning of the words, and remains visually inexcessable.
http://www.fionazobole.co.uk/

Fun House

2009-07-01T00:40:00.004+01:00

Fun House is an exhibition currently showing at the Hayward Gallery.In the emerging British artist Matthew Darbyshire's installation Funhouse, a fairground attraction is remade using the design language of 21st Century British public architecture. Is this a people's palace, or a very contemporary house of horrors?

Paris

2009-06-26T11:59:00.004+01:00

I went to Paris for a long weekend last weekend. Was really nice did lots of the typical touristy things. Went to the Pompidu Centre, which the museum bit is actually free to EU students so that was nice. Also open until 9pm which is a nice contrast to London where everything closes at 5pm.

the end of my degree!

2009-06-17T18:36:00.004+01:00

Have now finished my entire degree! Scary stuff.

Handed everything in, it has been assessed by the external examiner, even had our degree show. Now just have to wait for the results. Feels nice to have everything finished and I think it all looked quite good.

degree show

2009-06-16T08:35:00.001+01:00

Degree show was last week at Kingston Uni, and went very well. Lots of people came to see our work, nothing was too badly broken, and everyone seemed to have a good time. All taken down now ready for the next exhibition which for me is New Designers in July.

Below are images of my work during the show.

saatchi gallery

2009-06-15T13:52:00.004+01:00

Currently showing at Saatchi gallery is Abstract America: New Painting and Sculpture.

I havn't been to see many art galleries recently, most of what I have been going to see is more product related, so I quite enjoyed to contrast of this exhibition.

Below are a few of my favourites.