In pursuit of Imperfection: Designers in Residence

Do you love good design as much as we do? Have what it takes to impress Peter Kelly (Editor of Blueprint) and Deyan Sudjic (Director of the Design Museum)? Then get your thinking caps on for the following brief:

In Pursuit of Imperfection

For a century and a half mass production has done all it can to make perfect objects in large numbers that are all exactly the same. But now we have the ability to make objects, or messages, or experiences in quantities that are not ‘perfect’, but rather are unique, or particular, or responsive to their users and owners. We would like product / furniture / graphic/ interactive / furniture designers to explore the idea of the imperfect in an object, an environment, or an experience.

For previous winners, further details on this year's entry and to download the application form, visit the Design Museum site. Deadline for submission is 5pm Monday 28th February so there really is no time like the present!

Sustainable Kettle Mug: The coolest way to heat up your water

It's no secret that boiling a kettle takes an enormous amount of electricity, but did you know that the energy required to boil this amount of water is sufficient to power 50 light bulbs?

Designer Rio Soetanto has been tackling the issue and created the ingenious 'Sustainable Kettle Mug' based on induction heating which conserves energy. This innovative kettle is apt for everyday users and is personalized with six mugs for the entire family. The kettle is made of lightweight, not-toxic, recyclable ABS plastic and can withstand very high temperatures of 105 °C (221 °F), while the induction system helps in improving the boiling time.  As the water is boiled in the mugs themselves you don't even need to pour anything. Eco friendly and uber cool, putting the kettle on has never been such a good idea.

Breathing some fresh air into TV

Channel 4 are taking on a new lease of life as they put a breath of fresh air into, well outside of, their offices. Hannah Gourlay's iconic new scultpture was inspired by yoga paced breathing exercises with the intention of creating 'a brief moment of calm for passers-by and Channel 4 staff, a moment to pause for relaxation, reflection and renewal.'

Gourlay and FreeState collaborated with structural engineers Atelier One and Architen Landrell, a tensile architecture specialist to create the installation. Each section of the Big 4 has been wrapped in a fabric from Dartex Coatings Ltd, which is more commonly used for NHS bed mattresses but chosen here for its ability to stretch sufficiently and then revert to its natural shape. The creative review highlights more of these technical details.

At night, the 4 will be lit from within to give a golden glow in colours reminiscent of those used in the first idents created by Martin Lambie - Nairn.

Best of British Buildings

When strong architectural design meets strong cultural significance, there will always be an element of excitement involved.  The future does indeed seem bright for architectural design as The Department of Culture NI has now begun to view architecture as a leader of the creative industry sector and that achieving design excellence is embedded as an ambition in Northern Ireland.

With restorations of old buildings taking on a modern new shared design, and significance, it appears that NI seem truly ready to look to the future. For further details on the buildings undergoing re-design and restoration please visit http://bit.ly/f0SGPs

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