NOS Sphere 228 wins Design Award

(UK) - NOS Sphere 228 is the winner of Home Interior Products/Lighting category at teh European Product Design Awards 2020.

Featured in darc magazine's issue 36 digital edition, the NOS Sphere 228 chandelier is the first of a range of upcycled lights by London designer Matt Kavanagh. Launched prior to lockdown, at the NoFormat Gallery in South London, it has been gaining traction amongst the design community.

Discarded nitrous oxide canisters are collected from streets and parks around London. "As well as an object of recycled beauty, you could say that this chandelier is literally an illuminated cloud of hundreds of moments of joy from locked down Londoners," says Matt Kavanagh.

www.diplomatdesign.com

 


imm cologne returns with live event in January

(Germany) - imm cologne and LivingKitchen will return to a live event.

On 18 January 2021, imm cologne and LivingKitchen will open. With 70% of the hall space already been booked, the event team behind the show believe it is important to offer the industry a secure platform on which it can maintain its position on the international market and address the subject of home living. “We want to blaze a bold trail into the new normal together with the industry,” says Matthias Pollmann, Koelnmesse’s Vice President Trade Fair Management.

“Given the present circumstances, this really is a very good registration figure,” continues Pollmann. “Compared with previous months, we are also currently seeing increased interest overall in holding live trade fairs. The motivating realisation is gaining ground that real-life interactions between people are essential when it comes to establishing and building business relationships.”

Exhibitors can expect a trade fair with high safety standards for all participants and a strong public appeal through the media and digital alternatives to reach those visitors who cannot take part in person. “Unfortunately, however, there is still uncertainty in the industry due to the repeated emergence of hotspots in Europe. That is why I am absolutely convinced that we need to start living the ‘new normal’ now. We can’t wait for a return of the old days. Instead, we have to be bold and shape the future together,” comments Pollmann.

To ensure the safety of exhibitors and visitors, Koelnmesse has worked in cooperation with the public authorities to develop #B-SAFE4business, a concept that makes provisions for all measures relating to hygiene, medical care and organisation. On top of that, Koelnmesse has drawn up a hygiene and infection control concept, which complies with the current provisions of North Rhine-Westphalia’s Corona Protection Ordinance and the requirements of the relevant health authority. Measures include discharging used air from the exhibition halls to the outside and drawing in entirely new fresh air so that aerosols cannot spread via our ventilation system.

“From my perspective, a successful restart does not necessarily call for a showcase consisting exclusively of innovations. What is crucial is being present at the fair with your products. In the interiors sector, where touch and feel and the ability to experience the products in person are particularly important, the cancellation of many industry trade fairs has stimulated a renewed need among trade visitors to attend the fair,” says Pollmann, describing the industry’s sentiment.

According to Pollmann, “Because its international business is largely focused on European buyers, the German furniture industry in particular can anticipate a high level of attendance from its export customers at imm cologne 2021.”

“It is not only the traditionally high proportion of prospective European customers that is fuelling our hopes for a satisfactory number of trade visitors,” says Claire Steinbrück. “Following the cancellation of ORGATEC, we also expect that architects in particular who had planned to visit that trade fair will now come to imm cologne instead.”

At the same time, the imm cologne team is also developing a hybrid event format for those participants unable to attend in person. “We will focus on extending our digital reach and will learn from the digital formats we are offering this autumn for gamescom and DMEXCO,” comments Pollmann. “Of course, it is in the nature of the interior design sector that its products are more difficult to present digitally than games are, for instance. Nevertheless, we are seeing some good concepts for streaming certain imm cologne events as well as top-class congress talks and discussions. Exhibitors will also be able to present their products digitally and thereby increase their reach. To supplement our digital matchmaking options, we are not only expanding the business opportunities available to our exhibitors but also reaching a broad spectrum of visitors.”

www.imm-cologne.com


Cruise Ship Interiors and Hospitality Expo America 2020 moves online

(Global) - Cruise Ship Interiors Expo and Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo America 2020 moves online for a virtual event.

On 2 September for a whole month, the cruise industry will come together from across the world through a brand new digital platform, CSI & CSH Online, created in lieu of Cruise Ship Interiors Expo & Cruise Ship Hospitality Expo America 2020.

"We know that you are missing the interaction and buzz of a physical event (we are too!), so we have been working hard to bring to life the sense of connection and excitement that comes from meeting innovative suppliers and sparking new important business deals," says the events team behind the virtual platform. "Through our seamless meeting system you'll be able to network with our award-winning suppliers from the cruise interiors and hospitality industries. With an extensive range of IMO Certified companies, you'll find suppliers specialising in all your needs from within cruise design, refurbishment and newbuild to guest experience, food & beverage, health & hygiene and so much more."

In addition, the team have brought some of the industry's biggest names together for a conference programme hosting eight industry leading sessions. The experts in cruise design and hospitality will explore and discuss the topics that are most important to the industry, and the businesses within it right now. Attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions to the speakers; head over to CSI & CSH Online where you can submit your questions for each session.

The speakers you can expect to hear from are Antonio Di Nenno, Architect Director at MSC Cruises, Dee Cooper, Senior Vice President of Design & Customer Experience at Virgin Voyages, Boris Ruskovsky, Senior Director Vessel Refurbishment at Norwegian Cruise Line, Iain Hay, Managing Director at Anchor Hygiene Services Limited, Paris Swann, Director Architectural Design, Newbuild & Innovation at Royal Caribbean Cruises and My Nguyen, Director Interior Design & Operations at Seabourn & Holland America Line. See the full line up on the website.

CSI & CSH Online will be live on 2 September between 9am - 6pm (EST) and will be available online for registered attendees until 2 October, giving attendees a whole month to make the most of the platform.

It's completely free to attend, with registration details listed on the website.

csi-csh.online


Meet a Preciosa glass master | The Lightkeepers

 

Preciosa launches a new video series, putting a spotlight on its craftspeople and their stories. "We are shining a new light, not on a space, but on our people. The people whose passion for crystal, tradition and light create the stunning installations found round the world. Vaclav is one of our glass masters, working in the glass foundry for more than 20 years. Learn more about his love of glass and the craft of crystal lighting."

www.preciosalighting.com


HIX announces postponement to 2021

(UK) - The Hotel Interiors Experience Event (HIX) postpones its 2020 debut to 2021.

Based in London's Business Design Centre in the heart of Europe's hospitality specification community, HIX is London’s new event dedicated to hotel design. Its doors will open for the first time in November 2021.

"With a heavy heart, a real frustration and yet a sense of the inevitable, we have decided to postpone HIX 2020 until 2021," says the HIX Event team at Connect X Media.

"We made this decision based on loads of uncontrollable factors but just one question: 'can we guarantee a brilliant HIX experience this year?' The potential implications of the uncontrollable made it impossible to answer that question with a confident 'yes we can!'

"And this brings us to the good news. The HIX 2020 exhibitors have pledged their support for 2021 and with 15 months before the event we have already allocated most of the stand spaces. So we now have the time and clarity to reflect, discuss, sketch and then create the hotel design experience that the community deserves."

"It's sad not do it this year but we'll all build HIX 2021 to be something credible, meaningful and something for the future," says Anand Gandesha from Hansgrohe.

"So here's to getting 2020 done, to staying safe, sharing, collaborating, washing our hands, designing a brilliant tomorrow and the journey to HIX at London's brilliant Business Design Centre, November 18th-19th 2021," added the event's team.

www.hixevent.com


Women in Lighting launches T-shirt competition

(UK) - Women in Lighting (WiL) have launched a T-shirt design competition for the lighting community in an effort to spread words of positivity.

"In recent months we have all been bombarded by some serious and scary Covid messaging, but at the same time have been treated to an unprecedented wave of positivity in message-form with signs in windows and on billboards about kindness, community and helping each other. Then came the start of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and more messages appeared all over the globe. Without a doubt, it's a time for sharing messages and for creating global solidarity," says Light Collective, Co-Founders of Women in Lighting.

"Women in Lighting wants to join in this global phenomena by sharing our positive messages and to achieve this we are launching a T-shirt design competition.

"The T-shirt was originally designed to be a basic undergarment. But over the years, the world’s most ubiquitous fashion item has become a powerful political weapon. T-shirts are a great barometer of social change. They can shock, outrage, unite and challenge the status quo. They can also help to disseminate messages around the world," they continued.

"With a T-shirt as your canvas, WiL invites you to express your creativity to create a special WiL T-shirt that share the values of our community. Using the themes of equality, empowerment, inspiration and light, we invite you to submit a design for this competition.

"We kick off the competition on 17th August and the WiL website will be open for submissions from then. All the Terms and Conditions are on the website along with a form to submit your design. Submissions will close on 30th September. Our lovely judges Liz West, Giacomo Rossi and Yishan Zhuang will pick 10 designs that will be made into T-shirts and housed on our very own WiL T-shirt shop. Any profits from the sale of these T-shirts will go to the US based charity Light Reach. Watch out for information on social media about the competition as it proceeds.

"What do you want to say?"

www.womeninlighting.com

 


ILP launches Lighting United

(UK) – The day of online events and activities, held on 9 September, will offer support to lighting community.

The Institution of Lighting Professionals (ILP) is planning a series of online events and training throughout the remainder of 2020, and will launch its Autumn plan at its online AGM day, Lighting United, on 9 September.

The professional body, which supports everyone in lighting to share CPD knowledge, has no plans to organise any face to face events or training until 2021.

John Sutcliffe and James Duffin, the ILP Honorary Treasurers, explained: “The Institution relies on membership subscription fees to operate. Our view is that it’s not responsible or respectful for us to take on financial risk by organising face to face events and courses which could be cancelled while the pandemic continues.

“We also recognise the challenges employers and employees face in finding time and resources to allow colleagues to attend events. Sharing knowledge online at least eliminates travel time and expense.”

Tracey White, ILP CEO, added: “We know how much the lighting community is looking forward to being able to gather again in person, and we share those sentiments. In the meantime, we offer several different ways to stay connected, including our open house Hi Lights sessions. We will also be supporting our friends in the industry who are planning a mixture of digital and in-person events this Autumn, providing speakers and promotional support.”

Lighting United is a free day of online events and activities for the lighting community. On 9 September, the ILP invites lighting professionals to connect, update themselves on opportunities and be part of the future of lighting. The ILP team will show attendees how the community can support each other now and in the coming months, topping up your resilience and making attendees better equipped to deal with whatever else 2020 throws at us.

For more information and to register for Lighting United, visit: www.theilp.org.uk/agm-2020/

www.theilp.org.uk


[d]arc media partners with Designers Mind

(UK) – Designers Mind aims to promote mental health awareness in the design community.

[d]arc media is delighted to announce that it has entered into a media partnership with Designers Mind.

Designers Mind is a forum and community, whose mission is to “help improve the mental wellbeing of designers at work”. The community, founded by interior designer and health coach Kaye Preston, aims to break down the stigma around mental health, while promoting a message of openness and acceptance through sharing stories and experiences, holding wellbeing-focused talks and workshops, and providing tools and resources on mental health and wellbeing.

Since its formation in late 2019, Designers Mind has already gained a great deal of support in the lighting design community; Nulty’s Kael Gillam is an active member of the Designers Mind team, and the pair have spoken on several different platforms about the forum, and the importance of raising awareness on mental health and wellbeing.

Of the new media partnership, arc editor Matt Waring said: “We’re living through some very strange, stressful times at the moment, so it’s more important than ever that we continue to break down the stigma surrounding mental health and encourage more open discussions on the subject. The work that Designers Mind is doing in creating that dialogue, and offering a platform of support for the design community, is something that we are 100% in favour of.”

Kaye Preston, founder of Designers Mind, added: “We’re so excited to announce that [d]arc media is our first Media Partner supporting Designers Mind and helping us to spread our message: raising awareness about the mental health and wellbeing of designers in the workplace.”

www.designers-mind.com


[d]arc awards early bird deadline ends this Sunday

(UK) - Early bird deadline for entries to end on Sunday 16 August.

This year's [d]arc awards has officially opened, with the entry process for new products and projects now underway.

Entering its sixth year, the online, peer-to-peer awards platform has proved to be a big hit with lighting designers and manufacturers alike, with all entries being displayed on the [d]arc awards website.

Once entries have been shortlisted by a panel of international lighting designers, it'll be up to the international lighting design community to cast their all important vote.

Categories this year are:

Projects STRUCTURES (High + Low Budget) – Best Exterior Lighting Scheme PLACES (High + Low Budget) – Best Interior Lighting Scheme SPACES (High + Low Budget) – Best Landscape Lighting Scheme ART (High + Low Budget) – Best Light Art Installation / Best Bespoke Installation EVENT – Best Creative Lighting Event

Products KIT – Best Lighting Products • Interior Luminaires • Exterior Luminaires • Decorative Luminaires • Technology

The deadline for entries is 7 September 2020, and all entries must have been completed or launched between 1 April 2019 and 7 September 2020. The early bird deadline for entries is Sunday 16 August 2020.

Every independent lighting designer and light artist is eligible to vote online for their favourite lighting schemes and products. Every designer that votes is also eligible for a free ticket to [d]arc night, the [d]arc awards ceremony, which will once again return to MC Motors in London on 3 December. The awards party has become a staple in the lighting design calendar, and for the past two years has acted as the unofficial Christmas Party for the lighting industry.

Highlights from last year's [d]arc night can be found here.

[d]arc night will feature up to sixteen light installations created by lighting designers using lighting fixtures from the awards sponsors.

Sponsors so far include formalighting, Kingfisher, LED Flex, Lumascape, Seoul Semiconductor and TLS. Lighting design practices involved include: Arup, Buro Happold, Foundry, Hoare Lea, Ideaworks, Ithaca, LDI, MBLD, Michael Grubb Studio, Nulty and Studio 29, along with a special Women in Lighting design team.

Suppliers interested in sponsoring the awards and working with a lighting design team should contact the darc team.

www.darcawards.com


Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe goes ahead

(UK) - Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe will go ahead this December.

The UK Government announced at the end of June that Exhibitions and Conferences will be able to start again from 1st October 2020. This has given the Cruise Ship Interiors Expo Europe permission to launch at the end of the year.

Event organisers commented: "Now we officially have the green light, we are excited to let you know that registration to attend the only cruise interiors show to take place this year will be opening in September! It really won't be long until we are all back together in London this December and we can't wait to put on an incredible and safe event."

The new dates for the expo are 2-3 December 2020 at the Excel London.


Sleep & Eat 2020 moves to an all-virtual event

(UK) - Sleep & Eat 2020 has made the decision to transition from a live event to an all virtual event format.
"For 15 years, Sleep & Eat has been the place where the hospitality design community connects, and we are excited to provide a unique virtual event that allows the design industry to gain inspiration, source new products, expand their knowledge and network in this new environment," says event organisers.
Sleep & Eat 2020 will go live on 3-5 November 2020, through an exciting digital experience. Further details are soon to be announced.
For the first time, Sleep & Eat Virtual 2020 will also be co-located virtually with Decorex, Europe’s leading event for interior design professionals. This co-location will offer new and exciting opportunities for both events, expanding the audiences, sourcing and networking opportunities, and diversifying the scope of thought leadership.
"For the industry to bounce back quickly there is a real need for us to come together in 2020 and discuss our future. There is still a huge desire for the industry to be united, to be inspired, share knowledge, and spark planned and ad-hoc conversations. Sleep & Eat Virtual will give all the opportunity to achieve this and we are very excited," says Mark Gordon, Event Director.
“We want to thank everyone in the hospitality family for their ongoing support,” continued Gordon, “We look forward to seeing everyone virtually in November and in person next year.”

Atlanta Design Festival moves online

(USA) -  Atlanta Design Festival embraces virtual events for September 12—30, 2020.

Atlanta Design Festival has rescheduled its events to September 2020 to allow time for the global pandemic to decline. The new dates have presented an opportunity to introduce dedicated virtual events allowing more people to interact from home.

In September 2020, festival attendees will be able to engage with Product Launches, Podcast Episodes, Daily Design Videos, Webinars & Talks and Outdoor Installations.  These activities are available for the first time to a truly global audience whilst maintaining social distancing at all times.

"Focusing on virtual events in 2020 has allowed us to reconsider the way in which we communicate to Atlanta’s vast design community," says Bernard McCoy, Founder of Atlanta Design Festival. "We want as many people as possible to enjoy the festival, therefore bringing the festival to attendees in their homes seemed the most logical solution."

Product Launches

New for 2020 is a virtual product platform allowing designers to submit their products, images, videos and text to be showcased on atlantadesignfestival.net. Each product will stay live in-perpetuity building an archive of products for Atlanta’s design consumers.

Podcast Episodes

Launched this year, the Design is Human podcast presents the stories behind the humans that design for humankind. Guests include Atlanta-born designer Chris Hardy, Atlanta commercial real estate broker and cultural developer Gene Kansas and Jonas Pettersson, CEO of the award-winning design firm Form Us With Love. Further episodes will be launched during the festival in September.

Webinars & Talks

A stalwart of the festival is the series of talks and workshops. For 2020, these talks will be virtual opening up to a wider audience of guests and attendees.

Outdoor Installations

As Atlanta opens up for business, so too will the outdoor installations creating a cultural centre for design whilst maintaining social distancing throughout.

Two events have been rescheduled and will now be part of the 2021 festival; the new DesignStation expo and an extended programme of MA! Architecture Tours. The dates for these are June 4—13, 2021. Any tickets purchased will be transferred to the new dates. Should you no longer be able to attend the event, a full refund will be issued.

atlantadesignfestival.net