It is important to observe, explore, experiment and evaluate.
Here is a selection of images; references and ideas we like and think are inspiring.
Please roll over images to see more.
Auto Union
Modern day Audi grew from the V12 Type D Auto Union.
Hard to believe it was designed in the mid 1930's!
London Eye
The Butter Market - Chichester
Built in 1808 as a toll market for local farmers and producers to sell their fresh produce. It is a major lost opportunity for the city of Chichester. Owned by the City Council, for many years it has been the home to an odd range of local retailers selling sweets, sandwiches and second hand clothes.
A competition in 2007 set out to find a bidder with a vision, but resulted in a lost opportunity. As a market town, the Butter Market could help define Chichester and provide a destination to celebrate local produce.
Chicago
Caravan Club Competition
To celebrate the centenary of the Caravan Club, in 2006 they held a competition to design a caravan of the future.
Our entry won a comendation and was aimed at active families. It was less about a cottage on wheels and more about a flexible container to use as a base as well as a means of transportation. The aim was to develop a concept that was practical, versatile and rugged.
East Beach Cafe
An enlightened client - Jane Wood and an imaginative designer - Thomas Heatherwick can create memorable work together. The Eastbeach Cafe in Littlehampton is like no other. Inspired by drift wood, it has become a destination and one of many interesting and innovative buildings along the south coast.
Wipoq
Working with US technology company COMScience, we developed a series of interface icons for this little hand held device to partner with an existing cell phone.
Canopy Walk - Kew Gardens
West Wittering Beach - West Sussex
Berlin
A trip to Berlin was tagged onto the end of Orgatec 08, the short hop over was worth it. Its definetly a place I'd recommend with a great range of stuff to see and do.
Excel
To commemorate the many destinations visited by the cargo ships that once used London's Royal Docks, this steel canpoy uses simple fret cut lettering.
Cardiff - Queen Street
Street Furniture Design Competition Entry
Frank Gehry Serpentine Pavillion
Italy
Ah Italy...
Happy days...
Flexible Contemporary Transport Shelter
Assist pedestrian flow, create opportunity for different materials and provide a modular construction.
Ledgible London wayfinding scheme
Applied information Group - good work by Sam and Tim
Tate Modern
We are lucky to have such a great gallery that is free to visit. Here's a couple of snaps from a recent trip.
Milan
A few snippets from our Salone Moblie 08 library. As expected the satellite events dwarfed the main show and some April sunshine was most welcome.
Touch cable port
A natty way to stop those cables falling on the floor when unplugged from the back of your lap-top!
Crown Fountain - Chicago
Objectifed Screening
Gary Hustwit, Alice Rawsthorn, Jonathan Ive and Marc Newson fielded questions after the London premiere of Objectified. We highly recommend Hustwit's feature length documentary exploring our relationships with manufactured objects. His documentary Helvetica is also well worth a peek if you get a chance.
Core77- Nidecker snowboard design competition
Core77.com and Nidecker snowboards launched a design competition to come up with some graphics for their snowboards.
Winning entries get their designs slapped on the Nidecker 2009/2010 season boards.
We have a fond relationship with the white stuff at BroomeJenkins so the thought of owning a board with your winning design on prompted us to indulge in some graphic design.
Apple
From top to bottom you know it's APPLE. Engaging and inspired.
Orgatec 2008
Several shots of stuff we liked at Orgatec 08. Despite missing a few of the major names it was still an excellent show and Cologne is always an interesting place visit.
Paddington Basin - Wayfinding concept
A system designed to evolve throughout the life of the development of Paddington Basin.
Heritage information is set in the ground in the base plate - this will never change. Wayfinding and other information will change and is designed as replaceable panels set in a structral frame.
Peroni - Aperitivo Design competition
Premium Italian beer brand, Peroni, launched a design competition with designboom.com to create products to use as part of the Italian tradition of aperitivo.
This is a pre dinner event invloving drinks, snacks and socialising. In Italy this is taken very seriously.
We had a stab at coming up with some ideas.
Some research involving bottles of Peroni was required first.
Stockholm
Stockholm in the spring. Boasting a huge range of attractions and exhibitions it doesn't just rely on the beautiful setting to impress.
Vitra Cafe - Goodwood
Tucked away in the Goodwood Motor Racing Circuit, it is a rare mix of contemporary furniture, design heritage and classic motor racing.
Thermae Bath Spa
Despite controversy, the Thermae Bath Spa by Grimshaw Architects shows how strong modern acrhitecture can work in sensitive locations if the context and purpose is understood.
Tignes
We occasionally find time to play as well. Tignes was the destination for the annual trip to the cold in 2009. A great place, especially when you get lucky and it pukes snow.
Office DIY foot warmer
It can get pretty cold under the desk in winter.
Some out of the box thinking with these USB cup warmers = toasty toes.
2nd generation model will see them fully integrated into some slippers.
Ergo beer glass
Whilst visiting Interzum 09 in Cologne/Bonn, Germany, I came across these ergonomic beer glasses in Brauhaus Bonsch.
Basically means that you can drink more without fear of dropping one.