
Alice Rawsthorn, design critic of the International Herald Tribune, reveals her design favorites:
Some of my favorite examples of design aren't at all striking. They're neither inspiring role models of sustainability, sophisticated applications of new technology, nor subtle reflections of changes in contemporary culture, and they're not in the least bit showy. Instead they are intelligent, elegant and appropriate examples of design that make you feel better just by being there. I'd be tempted to call them classic, if the word hadn't been abused so often that it's become design code for "mediocrity." The Swiss passport is one. The Chanel No. 5 bottle is another. Then there are those lovely Gallimard paperback books with creamy white covers. And, happily, rather a lot of new examples of quietly good design have surfaced recently.
MILAN DESIGN WEEK 2009
PICTOPIA FESTIVAL 2009
HOME AND HOUSEWARES SHOW 2009
TRANSVERSALE 2009
NEW YORK CITY TOY FAIR 2009
IMM COLOGNE INTERNATIONAL FURNISHING SHOW
NORTH AMERICAN INT'L AUTO SHOW '09
TOKYO DESIGN WEEK 2008
LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 2008
NeoCon 2009
MD&M East and ATX 2009
Nidecker Snowboard Design Competition
Tools of Engagement
Comments
What I sense from Ms Rawsthorn:
She is to good to use the word classic, but that is the word that comes to mind when reading her "examples of good design", With all elements of this article mixed together, we can enjoy a nice tall glass of "cliche shake".