Over sixties are emerging as the latest market for the Super Soaker; (the large water pistol with pump action). The squirting action is fast becoming a household item amongst senior citizens as the method of choice for moving on neighbourhood cats from flower beds and seagulls perched on rooftops. The Super Soaker turns out to be an effective alternative for watering a variety of pot plants. “It was Hettie from across the road who one got first” explained Edna Whittle, 79 from Brighton, who went on joke; “Well I was never allowed one as girl…”

Text: Lorna Robertson
Image: Catriona Robertson

The Royal College of Art are KithKin’s neighbours in Designers Block, with their exhibition “Disruptive Thinking”. Working with professionals in other non design fields, the work is well informed, endlessly interesting, presenting fantastical possibilities of everyday experience.

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The design and manufacturing company “Inflate” create inflatable pop up structures, used for a wide range of events in the shape of portable offices, bars and night clubs. Their individual inflatable changing room in army camouflage can be seen at the stand at the entrance of 100% design. Here you can see how it all works, by making your own inflatable key ring. At the stand Mahani Baharum and Gaia Fachini are encouraging people to dig into their pockets and then trap the miscellaneous contents in between two pieces of translucent PVC and which can then be inflated.

Ben Hugh’s “Claystation” workshop is back again, this year inviting you to design your own chair and win the opportunity to have it made into a full size version. Designers, students, children and families are making their way over, given an A3 paper template of a mini “Onepiece Chair” and invited to decorate it however they choose and then fold their design into the chair . Over then week the stand has built up a colourful array of mini “Onepiece Chairs”, alongside the full sized version. Paper for the project has been supplied by Whitelines.

‘The Hospital’ in Covent Garden is a private members club and creative arts venue, who are currently showcasing the work of their Creatives in Residence; the program supports creatives across film, music, fashion, theatre, graphic design, visual and performance arts. As part of the residency, stylist and fashion designer Nova Dando presented her latest showcase ‘The Rainbow Collection’ at the Hospital, in a concept video, and in performances worn by Mercury Prize nominee La Roux and New York dance collective The House of Danger Kat.

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Super Contemporary is the current showcase exhibition at The Design Museum, who have teamed up with Beefeater 24 to commission 15 new design projects by established and emerging London designers. Each design touches on a social consideration of design within London, such as the ‘K9 Post Office Kiosk’ by Industrial Facility; ‘The Listening Station’ by Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby; and Paul Smith’s reactive rabbit shaped rubbish bin, whose ears light up in thanks when receiving a piece of rubbish.

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