Hasta La Ideas

Our behind-the-scenes video at one of the world’s biggest and oldest knife factories

Zwilling J.A. Henckels recently gave us the opportunity to stop by the factory in Solingen, Germany to see the production process behind their new Zwilling Pro knife series. The Pro, created by architect and designer Matteo Thun, signals the brand’s move to bring high-design elements into an affordable kitchen accessory. Using lower-grade steel on bodies similar to the knives of the higher-end series, the new knife offers a superior culinary experience with its specialized bolster (the curve where your hand sits). We spoke with Chief Technical Officer, Dr. Joachim K. Droese to learn more about the production process and get a taste of the lasting power of properly-constructed steel tools.

Our video inside a workshop reviving the lost art of Turkish tiles

by
Gregory Mitnick

A celebrated Turkish art form dormant for more than 300 years, Iznik tiles play an integral role in Turkey’s Ottoman Empire history and the production of them today is a labor of love.

In 1993 economics professor Dr. Işıl Akbaygil visited some of Istanbul’s historic buildings and noticed that some of the tiles were as bright and clear as new, while others were dull and deteriorating. Research soon confirmed that these tiles were indeed special, though they hadn’t been made since the early 1700s and there was no historical record or documentation of how they were made.

Dedicated to reviving this lost art, she founded the Iznik Training and Education Foundation. It took around ten years for the Foundation, along with a host of government, preservation, research and university partners, to determine what made the tiles so unusual, to recreate the lengthy handmade production process, train local artisans and construct a manufacturing facility. Today the Iznik Foundation creates tiles for repair and restoration of historical buildings, pubic works (including large murals in Istanbul’s subway stations) and for private use.

The secret to the tiles is their composition, primarily ground quartz, which also makes up the bright glazes that adorn them. Quartz brings many purported health benefits, such as improved circulation and shielding from radiation, but they also have some practical features such as being temperature neutral (ideal for warm environments) and durable—these tiles are engineered to last 1,000 years.

Our video features Istanbul-based architectural historian Gökhan Karakuş, who takes us through the history and modern-day labor-intensive process of making these beautiful tiles.

GM’s head of interiors on the difficulties and rewards of automobile design

We recently caught up with David Lyons, the Executive Director of Interior Design for General Motors North America, at an event for Chevy’s new on-board technology system, MyLink. David gave us the scoop on the difficulty of designing a car interior and how a focus on specific consumer needs is essential for a successful product model.

Watch our video on how a burgeoning design studio takes typography to the fourth dimension

by
Gregory Stefano

While in Barcelona recently (thanks to
Red) we visited Borja Martínez, the founder of LoSiento, a studio that specializes in 3D typography, packaging and product design. Young and imaginative, the small firm is constantly pushing the limits of what can be accomplished with paper as a medium. One of Borja’s founding philosophies is encouraging self-initiated projects at the studio, an approach of constant experimentation that has given birth to LoSiento’s amazing 4D typography. We had the chance to talk to Borja and check out his studio in this video.

America’s biggest antiques show, handmade instruments plus artisan cars, beds and chocolate from our favorite videos of 2010

Another great year for Cool Hunting Video, 2010 saw a cast of fantastic characters from Brooklyn to Bristol. While each video is its own compelling story, some of our personal favorites are highlighted below.

Micachu and the Shapes

We got an inside look at how British musician Micachu makes her instruments and her music with The Shapes. Their hands-on approach and experimental nature brought this piece to life, not to mention their irresistible charm.

Hästens

The quality and process of the Hästens mattress production was fantastic enough in itself to merit a video, but we quickly discovered that the dedicated group of people behind the scenes are as equally intriguing as their product.

Mast Brothers

Friends and now chocolate collaborators, the Mast Brothers gave us a walk-through of their delectable factory. Their unique process and philosophy make these siblings stand out in the chocolate world and we hope to work on more delicious projects with them in 2011.

Bristol Cars

We went to London’s Kensington area to check out where and how Bristol makes their luxurious cars. The experience made it clear why driving a hand-built custom car has its perks—the beauty in the design and thought that goes into each instant classic was a reminder of how much work it takes to stay classy.

Brimfield Dealers

At Brimfield we found a perfect slice of Americana. The items varied as widely as the people, but both were definitely worth getting to know. In our video about the dealers we met a couple who had been selling collectibles for most of their adult lives, offering valuable insight on the market while expressing true love for what they do and serving as an inspiration to the eccentric in all of us.