More PDP Research!

Previously, I updated my blog with the three artists I researched in an attempt to further my knowledge of each practice. So as I have successfully completed the contemporary artists research by looking into installation artists, I have now decided to carry on the theme of exploring space as this is something I am inspired by and drives my own artwork, by now continuing my research by investigating into interior designers.

Jestico & Whiles

Jestico and Whiles is a world renowned and recognised architectural and interior design firm which have designed award winning hotels around the world including Andels Lodz, the recipient of the European Hotel Design Award 2009, Andels Berlin and the new “ultraluxe” Yas Hotel on Yas Island in Abu Dhabi which spans the new Formula One Grand Prix race track. A running theme within all hotels designed by Jestico and Whiles is an ultra-modern elegance and exceptional attention to detail as well as pushing the boundaries of how things are supposed to be ‘seen’. If we look at the award winning ‘W Hotel’ in Leicester Square, this design  is a prime example of a building posing as a multi-functional  pixellated screen – the first of its kind in the UK – capable of projecting dynamic light installations in an exciting new collaboration between contemporary architecture and art. This digital alteration existing within the outer skin structure of the building allows the presence of the building to alter as day turns into night. During the daytime, the building reflects everything around it, creating a reserved and calm atmosphere whereas as night falls, the building comes to life and epitomises the largest electronic light installation in London. This building shows how careful consideration to the surrounding space of a building can have a dramatic impact on the appreciation of the design as this carefully reflects the folds evident in a theatre curtain, which evokes the cinematic heritage that the West End is certainly well known for. The reflection of a progression of day into night can also be seen and adhered to as passers-by notice the subtle changes that occur steadily throughout the day illustrating the evolution which has occurred within todays architecture. The working of space and the reflection of space within this design has been the focal point I have addressed as I also work with these specific mannerisms and greatly value this type of contemporary architecture which engages not only the art world, but also the general public.

W Hotel in the day time.

W Hotel at night.



SHH Design Agency

SHH based in its own west London studio, is a 55-strong practice and employs a highly talented and cosmopolitan team of architects, interior designers, graphic designers, technical and administrative staff.  SHH’s work is also very much international in scope, located anywhere from Moscow to Bahrain, Pisa and Riga to Qatar, Lisbon and Tokyo. SHH has a strong portfolio stretching from bars and restaurants, to hotels and offices. Their design team offer cutting edge ideas followed by a bold and confident elegance which can be seen in every design they produce. One of their most famous clients was The Barbican Centre which they created The Barbican Foodhall and Barbican Lounge for, winning numerous awards including Best Restaurant and Bar Design Awards 2011 and Best Bar/Club Lounge to name just two. I have decided to focus on the Barbican Lounge as I feel this design appeals to me more as an artist with the vibrancy of the design, and the attention to every detail from the poured peacock blue resin flooring which was colour-matched to a photo of the Barbican Lake in Summertime which is then complimented by the solid timber cladding from floor to ceiling. The Barbican Lounge also offers a 14m bar which is made with black glass with a black mosaic bar front, excelling in anyone’s standards with lavish materials to compliment the surroundings the interior design has originated from. I am particularly impressed with the linking of spaces, and the visual connections which can be made from the outdoors to the interior design choices made within the Lounge. The decision to create a ‘bare all’ approach to reveal the fine materiality which already exists within the Barbican, and instead work around this feature to heighten it has paid off and allowed SHH to further expand in terms of international recognition. The decision to focus on links and visual connections made within the building to the external terraces and beyond is one which I am particularly interested in, as I also create links and visual connotations to the concepts I am trying to portray in relation to the materials I decide to use. The linking of materials and ideas in this design is one which I hope to investigate further, and again explore space further as SHH display  the exploration of space doesn’t need to be confined just to just the interiors.

Part of the 14m Bar.

'Stripped back' yet stimulative lighting.

CAMPAIGN Retail Interiors

  

Campaign is an award winning retail design agency. The studio develops integrated brand experiences through interior, brand and digital design. Campaign is comprised of creatives from a diverse range of backgrounds – architects, film makers, interior, graphic and product designers – all hands on in exploring different media and methods in order to tell unique and engaging brand stories. Their unique selling point with designs is undoubtedly their ability to create the unexpected, and make it work to their advantage. Their designs are beyond breath taking and certainly evoke the award winning contemporary retail interiors of today. The striking links which are played upon using minimal direction is inspirational and really exaggerates how the brain can link which market setting is being shown through simple yet effective advertising design decisions. An incredible example of this can be seen in the recent renovation of London’s Kirk Eyewear Store as every connotation made with your typical opticians is thrown out the window, in place for dramatic interiors. The inspiration for this design was taken from the global brands latest Kinetic collections which is played upon by a series of oversized lenticular printed eyes suspending in the front window. By using leading graphic design, the eyes simultaneously wink in various disguises automatically drawing any passer-by to the store. Inside the store, a gallery like product display can be seen as the black on white theme continues in every inch of the design leading you to the eyewear being displayed to one side, suggestive of an installation in a modern art gallery. Again, visual links can be seen from those displayed in the windows to the display rack which the eye graphics are repeated behind every piece of eyewear they hold. The artistic design of this store is second to none and is definitely one of the most inspiring and contemporary uses of retail design I have seen. The eyes play on the customer as they illustrate varying emotions as well as draw your attention to the eyewear as no annotation can be seen in or outside the store apart from the store logo. The typical furnishings seen in most opticians are not seen in this store, along with any other business related product placement and instead the focal point is purely on aesthetics which mentally suggests, the glasses help your aesthetical appearance. The store has an encouraging and persuasive composition as you are drawn in further and further towards the services provided at the back of the store, where the large iris wall feature lies, identifying the main part of the store. The ideas and concepts behind this store layout are inspiring towards myself by focusing on one thing, but using simple ideas in innovative ways and methods to create something purely outstanding. This store is a work of art in itself, and the use of varying observations and transforming these into something aesthetically pleasing is one which I hope to take further and even evidenced in a previous project with numbers. Taking a simple idea and converting that to display something unidentifiable is definitely a route to take further.

Kirk Oringial Eyewear store from outside.

Close up of 'Gallery like' set up.