Hasta La Ideas

Since mid-September when the news broke that renowned architect Santiago Calatrava announced that he was walking away from the massive, $500 million redevelopment project at the Denver International Airport, the Denver Post has been killing it with all the ins and outs of what ultimately led to the break up. Now the paper has filed perhaps the best and most interesting read about the fallout. Combing through hundreds of documents between Calatrava’s firm, the contractor, and the airport, the Post writes about how the “dysfunctional relationship” ultimately dysfunction-ed itself to death, largely with the airport trying to act as the middleman between the two other warring parties. If you’ve ever wondered how projects as large as these fall apart (or how sometimes, occasionally, things actually get built), it’s a terrific read about all the ins and outs of a development this large. And we don’t think it’s a spoiler at all to tell you that these battles aren’t usually held while looking over blueprints or moving scale models around — instead, it’s a bevy of lawsuits and angry contract negotiations. In the end, hardly anyone comes across looking very good, starchitect or otherwise.

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Images and Reporting by Hayden Martis

Founded by Japanese wooden furniture manufacturer laugh, see-saw is a range of everyday day objects from designers Ryohei Yoshiyuki, PANTALOON and Atsushi Suzuki with an emphasis on the relationship between people and products.

A table, chair, stand and series of trays round out this nicely balanced collection of objects, best described as playful, light, efficient and functional.

I was instantly engaged with the “knotted” table, designed by Ryohei Yoshiyuki. Well-proportioned, visually light and dare I say almost IKEA-like in it’s simple construction. It wasn’t until my second look at see-saw’s exhibit and a good chat with the designers, was I informed that the seemingly random inlaid spots of color were, in fact, covering big knots in the grain…duh!

knotted table by Ryohei Yoshiyuki

Made from Japanese Cedar, or Sugi, it’s natural defects ensure each and every table is a unique and individual object. Purists can object to “covering” natures blemishes, however the spotty additions create a beautiful and playful dimension which would have otherwise been lost had Yoshiyuki kept things clean and minimal. Selected Melamine tones were soft and complimented the natural wood grain color nicely.

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Full-Time Graphic Design Faculty
The Maryland Institute College of Art
Baltimore, Maryland

The Graphic Design Department of Maryland Institute College of Art invites applications for a full-time position with a multi-year renewable contract in a non-tenure institution. The graphic designer and educator will bring exceptional visual and critical abilities to a vibrant graphic design department at an art school nationally known for its dedication to teaching excellence, a rigorous liberal arts curriculum, and the importance of the fine arts and design.

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The best design jobs and portfolios hang out at Coroflot.

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Photo from RGD Ontario

I’ve been a fan of Chip Kidd‘s book cover design for a long time. But I must say that Mr. Chip Kidd, presenter, is also entertaining and amusing and complex—and more flamboyant! The first half of his presentation was funny, affected and full of ATTITUDE.

Case in point, on design for printed books:

photo by Allison Toohey“Creative people should have a mantra, something to provide peace and solace in times of stress…” he advised. Expecting some wise words, the audience listened attentively. Kidd shared his mantra: “Oh my god! this is an F*ing nightmare!” We all laughed, realizing that we all have our own version of this exclamation that we utter to ourselves during the frustrating times.

Photo from RGD OntarioHe then elaborated with a detailed story involving a long line for KFC, a greasy cashier and a man ordering three buckets of chicken and how it resulted in a new mantra…

Photo from RGD OntarioKidd dotted his presentation with words like “rapidograph”, “photostat” and “Quark”, playing up his persona as an old school designer. His hairstyle, glasses and cardigan were also suitably old school (or at least mid-nineties). The second half of his presentation chronicled the development of his dream project: to write an original Batman comic which is slated for release sometime next year.

Chip Kidd was a tough act to follow, especially for the gentlemen of Chermayeff and Geismar who appeared quite tired for their keynote address which closed day one of presentations.