William Knight
William Knight, Show Director of 100% Design and Clerkenwell Design Week, comments on the possible challenges and opportunities that face the design community once the trigger is pulled on Article 50.
As current show director for 100% Design and Clerkenwell Design Week, as well as former Deputy Director of London Design Festival, William Knight has extensive experience in public policy and governmental affairs, both in the UK and internationally, having served in senior public affairs roles for both the Design Council and British Council.
Commenting on the UK’s impending exit from the EU, Knight tells darc: “There was uncertainty in the air this September as London Design Festival returned. Following the results of the UK referendum to leave the EU earlier in the summer, there were questions, which still remain, about what form this might take. Though the new Prime Minster has declared that the UK will trigger Article 50 in the new year, starting the process, we are none the wiser as to what will be prioritised in these complex negotiations – what might be won, or lost.
As one of the UK’s largest trade fairs for designers and architects, at 100% Design we are well aware of the anxieties that this process has created, the challenges that we may now face, but also the opportunities that may now be opened too. Despite anxieties over the economic and trade uncertainties around Brexit, and its implications for the design sector, this year’s 100% Design show was notable for its ebullient atmosphere and brisk business. Of this year’s visitors, 77% were registered as trade, of whom 68% were architects and designers. There was a rise in retail buyers and developers attending the show. Visitors also reported an increased spending power of eight percent, with £3.9bn at their disposal, and more than 38,303 generated business leads. These figures prove that the businesses at 100% Design are in a strong and confident position to face the upcoming challenges.
The publication of the Design Brexit Manifesto, signed by many leading designers and architects, has helped to focus conversation in across the sector and in time I think will help to direct our concerns into areas of action. It states simply ‘Brexit presents the architecture and design sector with a challenge’ and identifies five areas in which the design and architecture industries need help to grow – recognition, education, recruitment, manufacturing and intellectual property.
As part of the agenda-setting talks programme curated by the Design Museum at this year’s 100% Design show, I chaired a talk on this very topic. The panel featured Ben Evans, Director of the London Design Festival, Louise Jury of the Creative Industries Federation, designer Paul Priestman, Chairman of PriestmanGoode, and Marcus Fairs, Founder and Editor-in-Chief of Dezeen brought together an incredible range of experiences from across the design sector.
Marcus Fairs, as one of the key forces behind the manifesto provided an insight into the thinking behind the document that has been signed by so many in architecture and design, and opened up debate about how it should go forward. Engagement with policy makers has come about through this work, and it seems design is finding its lobbying voice.
It was encouraging to hear about the in-depth work the Creative Industries Federation is conducting right across its membership, and how issues that seem particular to our sector also effect others as diverse as film, fashion and publishing. It was also reassuring to note the government is listening to the concerns of the sector, but it is cross-departmental given the scope and impact of creativity and innovation.
But before we even come to the details and mechanics of Brexit, we have to address the problem the vote has created, such as perception: Ben Evans, also a governor at the University of the Arts London, pointed out that a number of the current intake of students who come from the EU had cancelled or deferred their entry since the referendum. It’s clear there is a lot to resolve, not all of which is directly in our control.
100% Design however is a key piece of the design infrastructure in London and for the UK. It remains a strong place for business to happen, products to be successfully launched and for debate and dialogue about and for the design industry. It seems its role in bringing the industry together will continue to be essential for us all to ensure a stronger voice to government and for that matter the rest of the world.”
Plumen launches new modular chandelier
(UK) - Plumen launches a new modular chandelier making it easy for customers to create unique and impressive lighting centrepieces.
After recent launches of the Plumen 003 bulb and WattNott filament LED range, Plumen is back with the Plumen Chandelier, designed for anyone looking to build their own dramatic lighting installation. The Plumen team developed Spacers, a clever and affordable way to build bespoke, standalone lighting centrepieces without the use of ceiling hooks.
The Spacers are the key to creating a chandelier. They are assembled into a frame which holds the cables in position and creates the internal structure of the chandelier. Combined with a multi-cable ceiling rose, the can hold three or four pendants. The spacers are easy to assemble and attach to the pendant cable. They can grip at any angle, allowing the installer to create geometric forms and interesting dynamics to suit their space.
The chandeliers work as part of a fully modular system, customisable to match any lighting and design design needs with three levels of modularity available.
The Chandelier Set offers an all-in-one lighting solution that allows customers to create beautiful and impressive centrepieces from Plumen's modular range.
The Chandelier Kit is the ideal solution for customers who want to push their customisation even further. They are made up on a three-way or four-way ceiling roses and a set of matching Spacers. They can be used with or without Plumen products, offering infinite creative possibilities.
The Spacers are the ultimate accessory to create a bespoke chandelier. Customers can purchase the spacers as individual units, in sets of three for a triangle formations, or in fours for a square arrangement.
David Pompa Barro Negro
Barro Negro black pottery pendant is from Mexico, characterised by its black colour, which is polished before firing with smoke to create the metallic shine on the surface. Its form and finish accentuate its elegance, with its tubular shape and edged terrace combining heritage and tradition with a modern twist.
Shane Holland Design Cymbal
Cymbal is a spun ground 2mm copper plate set on a turntable to create unique concentric patterns by hand. Designed in collaboration between Shane Holland and drummer Greg Tisdall, Cymbal’s diffuser is a torched stainless steel hemisphere and is set with three prongs to allow for lamp changing.
One Foot Taller Waisted
Inspired by the powerful elegance of long robes with a slight waist, and heavy blown glass, Waisted brings these two elements together in its production in a Scottish glass blowing atelier. Boasting simple yet durable feminine strength, One Foot Taller strives for a loving elegance and the excitement of connecting with its users.
Mervalia Viiva
Viiva is a collection of pendant lamps for OLED inspired by the OLED’s flat shape and soft, comfortable light, rejecting the imagery often associated with glowing screens. Hanging horizontally, the OLED panels disappear into their own thinness, leaving empty the wire structure, highlighting the lack of a traditional lamp.
Leo Scarff Lightweave-Frustum
The Frustum is a simple conical form and can be ordered in custom sizes or combination of form. The pendants have a warm white diffuser disc recessed under the base, and any of the perspex acrylic colours can be used. Many other forms of this fitting can be supplied to suit the needs of the user.
Zico London Globe
On display at 100% Design and LuxuryMade is the London Globe. Designed by LED lighting specialist Zico Lighting London, using recycled brass, it is fitted with BSI approved lamp holders and a fully dimmable LED filament lamp from 22,00K-2,600K that works with specialist 1-100W Zico Lighting rotary / handheld LED dimmer.
Woodlikes Nautilus
This handcrafted chandelier is made of brass and zinc with an internal LED system. The design allows for a variation in the composition of the branches, including the positioning of the nautilus-inspired spheres. Light is cast at different angles creating a cosy, subdued feel to the interior, with different finishes available.
www.woodlikesfurnituredesign.co.uk
Mambo Unlimited Ideas Jules
Jules collection is one of the latest additions to the Utu Soulful Lighting Collection. Jules suspension lamp is a light and delicate combination of three materials embroidered together: lacquer metal embroidered in a smooth shape and copper frame enriching the piece, finalised with a fabric lamp shade.
Original BTC Walter
With a combination of brushed satin brass and glass, the 1960's-inspired Walter exudes minimalist glamour. Available in either opal or anthracite, the cylindrical shade is hand-blown at Original BTC’s Birmingham glassworks, then the edges are hand-polished for a neat finish. The pendant is suspended from a brass ceiling rose.
www.originalbtc.com
Industville Orlando
Orlando balloon cage pendant is an elegant light fitting available in dark pewter and copper finishes. It has been designed in components, allowing users to tailor the fitting to their exact specifications. It can be used singularly or clustered in numerous configurations as a dramatic decorative feature in any interior.
