[Emily Potts] Last week we were inspired by three amazing artists: Henning Wagenbreth, Sophie Dutertre and Placid. In keeping with the French artist theme, I’m starting off this week’s Creative Chain with an illustrator I deeply admire and respect.
[Kim Rogala] As the Mohawk Show 12 entry deadline approaches (May 31st, so hurry and enter!) we wanted to direct your attention to the Show’s materials that were created by the team at Tether. We asked Stanley Hainsworth, founder and chief creative officer of Tether, to tell us a little about his thoughts behind the designs.
[Alyson Kuhn] Michael Boyd, designer of the PLANEfurniture line, collects modernist furniture, art, architecture and design books, and ephemera. Last year, he decided to create a line of modernist-inspired furniture that “makes you think, holds your body, eases your mind, and sits well within your budget.” That’s a quote from the jacket flap of PLANEfurniture: types + prototypes, designed by Mick Hodgson of Ph.D, A Design Office. I recently sat in some of the furniture and can confirm that it is quite user-friendly.
We love Marian Bantjes‘ attention to detail and sense of wonder. Her 2010 TEDTalk explores her creative approach as well as some of her (and our) favorite projects, including her book, I Wonder, which we wrote about here, and our very own, iconic Strathmore thistle (read more about the history of the thistle here).
“I exist somewhat outside of the mainstream of design thinking,” Bantjes says in her talk. “Where others might look at measurable results, I tend to be interested in more ethereal qualities like does it bring joy? Is there a sense of wonder? And does it invoke curiosity?” We answer “yes” to all of these things whenever we see new work from her. Our favorites? Her Valentines.
Since 2005, Bantjes has handcrafted Valentines and sent them out to hundreds of friends, family members and acquaintances. Do you recall the Valentine she sent to Tom Biederbeck? Above are a few of the ones we love, but watch her TED talk for more. And if you still can’t get enough (we couldn’t), Lynda.com posted a behind-the-scenes video of Bantjes making her 2011 Valentines.
Do you have a few TED talks you watch over and over for inspiration? Share them with us in the comments. [SJ]
What makes life wonderful? TEDGlobal 2011 is underway in Edinburgh, Scotland, and the theme is the “Stuff of Life.” It is in this spirit that we share a few of our favorite TEDTalks, like those from artists Vik Muniz and Maira Kalman and Ixoraa Media founder Lakshmi Pratury. And, all week on Felt & Wire, watch for talks curated by design pioneers like Bryan Flynn, Johnny Selman, and CMYK Magazine’s Curtis Clarkson.
