Barbara Chandler is on the selection panel for 100% Design, and was asked to nominate her favourite object for display at the show. She explains why she has selected the Tetris chair as an example of what 100% Design means - and has meant - to her.
“To me 100% Design is about innovation. KithKin are an enterprising and imaginative design cooperative of young graduates. Their advanced aim is “downloadable” design - objects that you can get for very little money from them, directly off the internet. “We want to make design as accessible - and democratic - as music, in a restraint-free market place.” So their website has all kinds of design goodies at minimum prices. 2D items (relatively easy to implement) include posters, limited edition prints, trend reports and even a new font which you can download and print, or get printed.
But 3D is the challenge. There is a light for example that can be taken to a laser cutter, who (working from your downloaded file) cuts a series of clear acrylic sections, each one different. Then you join them together to make an intricate, sculptural fitting.
” But the Tetris DIY chair designed by Jason and Sarah of WEmake is my favourite. You simply download a 10cm square template to use as a measuring module. Then you requisition some heavy-duty discarded cardboard packaging from your supermarket, mark out the profile of your chair, and cut it out, section by section (they are all the same). Finally, you stick these sections together with pva glue. Thus digital meets recyling: two key current design concepts for the price of one. (And talking of prices the chair costs £1 to download and about £20 to make - that’s the cost of glue, and some cutting blades).
www.somerightsreserved.co.uk
www.WEmake.co.uk
Text: Barbara Chandler
Image: WeMake