Saving space

KAMKAM a korean design studio created furniture for single people, it includes a table, a bookshelf, a closet and a storage cabinet.  The compact sizes saves in raw materials and waste.

Barrelling

Bourbon barrels are only used once in the ageing process (if you can believe it) then they're either discarded or shipped off to Scotland for making Scotch. Now if you happen to live in Barstown, Kentucy the bourbon capital of the world you're in luck.

But if you don't a company called Uhuru has done the work for you by upcycling used bourbon barrels and making them into sleek, clean, modern chairs. The base has also been upcycled from old fire trucks so all the materials have been reclaimed.

This chair does remind me of the Meis Van de Rohe chair in terms of the clean lines and simplistic design so this chair will always remain timeless. And like the Van de Rohe chair you do have your choice of finishes

Rain, rain, go away

Or at the very least collect in this beautifully designed rainwater vessel. According to designers Jenny Lemieux and Leo Carrales, it can hold 45 gallons of water.



Save your tap water and your bill, they'll be enough of a water supply for all your outdoor chores. Get a really great filtration system and this water could supply your indoor needs as well. Their company is called Hero Design Lab located in Toronto. Contact them directly for where to purchase.

Jason Phillips

Jason Phillips passionately calls himself a green designer specialising in occasional furniture and accessories. A mixture of organic shapes and space age pieces make up his very likable collection.





Educated at the University of Michigan in industrial design and a Magna Cum Laude graduate, Jason won a number of highly coveted awards such as 2008 ARTs award, 2008 ADEX Gold Award Winner,2007 Future Furniture Award - Interior Design Magazine.

Above is a smattering of think magazine's furniture wish list. We especially love the sea urchin inspired glass coffee table and the Alice in Wonderland table with cirly whirly glass legs.

Collaborations I would like to see: Apartment Therapy, M3 Architects, Graft

Thinc Design

Thinc Design is an international design company that creates work appearing in natural history museums, botanical gardens, science centers, aquariums and theme parks – anything to link public experience with social change. The company, based in NYC and founded by Tom Hennes in 1992, hopes that its design concepts are “springboards to action” and inspire “dialogue, perception and participation.”

Most recently, the company developed the creative strategy behind the planning and design of the Johnson & Johnson 2008 Olympic Games Pavilion in Beijing.

Other projects include: California Academy of Sciences; The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk; Cleveland Botanical Garden and IBM Thinkplace at Epcot.



On October 19, 2008, Thinc Design will be presenting its latest concepts at the International Aquarium Congress in Shanghai, China: “The Water Planet: New Forms and New Strategies Expand What An Aquarium Can Do.”

Future plans include the design and planning on the September 11 Memorial Museum, set to

open in 2011.

text: Vanessa Voltolina

Annie Foo

Enthusiastic industrial designer Annie Foo wants to design it all. She loves the idea of not being limited by her imagination and puts this to the test by taking inspiration from everything she sees. The cup and saucer above fits perfectly in your hand for an afternoon tea or even coffee. High street fashion as well as couture influence the design process as shown in her party shoe below.

A graduate from Central Saint Martins, Annie fine tuned her skills designing bags, shoes, and jewellery for other companies and now feels confidant to start her own accessories label. In recent years accessory sales have grown and in some cases accessory sales have saved a few of the well known luxury brands. Not limited to materials this porcelain light is a demonstration of her infinite level of design.

Collaborations I would like to see: Pierre Hardy, Vera Wang, Wedgewood

Dima Dadashev

The idea of public transportation has never brought on feelings of comfort or pleasure until now. Isrealian industrial designer Dima Dadashev has created an esthetically pleasing and comfortable people mover shown here.

The tram would glide along the streets, use very little fuel and provide passengers with expansive views, plush niche seating and an air conditioned environment.

The train offers passengers the choice of sitting comfortably indoors or standing on built in patios. Still in the prototype stage, the design has strong possibilities for the future given the increase in trams around the world.

Collaborations I would like to see: Bombardier, British Rail

Tord Boontje

Delicately woven patterns are Tord Boontje's signature style. A master at incorporating magical touches inspired by nature, he has produced a body of work that is highly recognisable.

Born in the Netherlands where inspiration has played a large part in his direction, he studied at the Design Academy in Eindhoven but acquired a masters at the Royal College of Art in London. Above is an installation for Swarovski called winter wonderland.

He has also produced product for Target such as this candleabra shown above.



This was lamp was created for Artenica. His work is highly accessible for a variety price points.

Collaborations I would like to see: Alexander McQueen, Christian Louboutin, Rayban

Vanessa Marie Robinson

I believe this designer is still a student at Pratt Institute, but if her designs are anything to go by it looks like she will have a promising future. The light above is made out of wood, wool felt and metal.


A floor lamp and a chair constructed from numerous dry cleaner hangers is an ingenious way to use materials that you no longer have use for. Instead of throwing them away, they've been turned into working objects of art.

Collaborations I would like to see: Ikea, Henry Bertoia,Louise Campbell

Russ Hagan

Russ Hagan recently graduated (May 2008) this year with a wealth of ideas ready for production. This chandelier was made out of disposable plastic utensils making this the recycled darling of this update. Two of the chandeliers will make their debut on MTV's The Real World.


These bookends are not only practical but strikingly beautiful and would appeal to the consumer that's constantly on the move. They pack flat for shipping so they'll take up very little space if any. Made out of 1/16th aluminum sheets they can be easily manipulated to keep their shape and strength.

This sofa implies that easy feeling that all his designs seem to portray. His concentration seems to be in home furnishings, whether he stays in that catergory is yet to be seen.

Collaborations I would like to see: Karim Rashid, Umbra, Ikea

Daniel Love

Daniel Love's inspiration for turning ordinary objects such as this humidifier comes from stepping outside and viewing the world he lives in. Located in Lion City Singapore tropical inspirations seems to play a large part in his direction.

For example this fish tank could have been inspired from the beach pebbles one might see in Kuala Lumpar. Smooth and streamlined something so ordinary has now taken on a sensual esthetic.

Collaborations I would like to see: Target, Philippe Starck,Cartier