Design Year Book

Vintage Converse All Star Ads

2013-04-12T00:10:00.000+08:00

Converse All Star Sneakers, probably the world most famous & beloved sneaker than any other shoe brand in the world. In 1917,Oscar Eduardo Reyes designed the All Star sneaker which composed of a rubber sole and canvas upper and was designed to be an elite shoe for the professional basketball league. In 1921, when a basketball player named Charles Taylor walked into Converse complaining of sore feet. Converse gave him a job. He worked as a salesman and ambassador, promoting the shoes around the United States.

In 1923, after Chuck Taylor made improvements to the shoe, Converse decided to incorporate his name onto the ankle patch that displayed the Converse All Star logo. Then, in the 1930s Taylor’s signature was put into the design, which is how the shoe became known as the “Chuck Taylor” All Star. When first created, the Converse All Star had three main styles - a monochromatic shoe with a black canvas upper and black rubber soles, an all white shoe with blue and red trim, and an all black leather and rubber shoe. It wasn’t until after World War II when Converse decided to make the toe guard, laces and outer wraps white, which gave the appearance of the iconic black and white Converse All Stars of today. In 1957, Converse came out with the low-cut “Oxford” version on the All Star and soon after started to produce the shoes in multiple colors. Today, Converse makes the Chuck Taylor All Star in a variety of colors, styles, prints and fabrics.

Here, we have collected some of the vintage ads of Converse All Star plus some recent one. Have a look and enjoy!

Warownia Restaurant by Karina Wiciak

2013-03-21T19:45:00.000+08:00

As part of a series of 12 thematic interior designs title 'XII', designer Karina Wiciak create a poetic space called 'Warownia' as part four of the series.

"Warownia” is not only a restaurant and a club, but also a magical place, where the décor imparts an intriguing, slightly fairy-tale atmosphere. Usually, each interior has its history, but his place came into existence in a special manner...

In the “Warownia”, one can see primarily white, shiny walls, among which a beautiful and young girls lives. Shutting herself off from the truth of the external world, she resembles a princess locked away in a tower. Yet life is no bed of roses, and any artificial, idealized world which we, people (as well as this princess), construct for ourselves never stands the test of time. Therefore, the white, shiny walls which symbolize impeccably clean appearances, ultimately break off dirty, cracked walls, showing the other, dark side of life. This is when the bright, clean interior turns into a dirty, dark dungeon. What happens to the "princess” afterwards? Everyone can invent their own story. Yet, this is not a fairy tale which should be told to the customers of the restaurant, but rather a short (albeit made-up) history of the interior, which should be treated with a slight pinch of salt.

The collection "XII" will consist of 12 thematic interior designs, together with furniture and fittings, which in each part will be interconnected, not only in terms of style, but also by name. Each subsequent design will be created within one month, and the entire collection will take one year to create. Here, visualization is to constitute more than a design, which is thrown away after implementation of the interior design, but mainly an image, which has a deeper meaning and can function individually, for instance as a print on a wall, or even a CD cover. These will not be interiors made to a specific order, but designs based on the author’s fantasy and his fascinations of various sorts. It will be possible to order a specific interior design in the form of adaptation of the selected part of the collection, on the basis of exclusivity. The author’s assumption was not to create trite, fashionable interiors, but non-standard places, full of symbols and metaphors, at the borderline between architecture and scenography. Due to their nature, these are mostly commercial interiors, intended for use and reception by a larger group of people. Yet, it was not supposed to be an art gallery, in which art is merely watched, but places in which it could be put into use and to do virtually everything – depending on the purpose and function of the premises. The author of the collection did not strive to artificially ascribe ideology to random ideas, but rather to make the entire design readable and coherent, and at the same time to design every item specifically for the given interior. The “Warownia” (which in Polish means “stronghold”) design includes white table “Baszta” (which in Polish means “tower”), a chandelier “Luna”, a glass hocker and chair “Tron” (which in Polish means “throne”).

Green Cast By Kengo Kuma

2013-03-21T00:37:00.000+08:00

World renowned architect, Kengo Kuma has designed the Green Cast House, an eco green building design that features a curtain wall-like cladding that funtions as a huge green wall. This building, located in Odawara-shi, Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan is covered with planters made of aluminum die-cast panels, which provides space for facilities. The 3 (up to 6) aluminum panels, which also form planters, are made in monoblock casting. Each panel is slanted, and its surface appears to be organic, of which cast comes from decayed styrene foam. Equipment such as watering hose, air reservoir for ventilation and downpipes are installed behind the panels so that the façade can accommodate a comprehensive system for the building.

Nespresso Window Display Hamburg

2013-03-20T09:33:00.000+08:00

Premium capsule coffee maker Nespresso has always done some incredibilly retail design using their coffee capsules. Their flagship store in Hamburg, Germany has take the concept a step further in their store design. (The design was done in year 2011)

Nespresso store in Hamburg features a 30 metres long window display. By purposely develop a laser technology to aid the position of 40,000 Nespresso capsules, the results were six unusual three-dimensional sculptures seems to hover weightlessly in the air along the display of Nespresso brand and coffee machine.

The project was done by WIN Communication.

Artisan Bread Maker- Baker D. Chirico Branding + Interior by FOD

2013-03-12T10:35:00.000+08:00

Australian studio Fabio Ongarato Design (FOD) has collaborated with architects March Studio, artist and fashion designers PAM and artisan bread maker Daniel Chirico to create a new store for Baker D. Chirico. As a second store in Australia, Daniel Chirico has asked FOD to create a new identity for the store and brand.

Focused on the juxtaposition between age-old tradition and craft, and contemporary design thinking with a surreal twist, the new store creates a truly unique and unexpected experience.

+ FOD

Small Apartment Interior by Maurizio Giovannoni

2013-03-06T10:25:00.000+08:00

This small apartment (approximately 65 sq m)is located in Turku, Southern Finland. Like other typical apartment, too many walls and doors blocked the spaces and the natural light. Architect Maurizio Giovannoni first task was letting the light flow in and creating a modern living apartment design.

The partial demolition of walls was a natural consequence, along with reversing the location of bedroom and living room so that the beautiful view of historical site of Turku can be seen from the living space. The interior concept of this small apartment is a blend of cultures. The floor is covered with parquet of white ash solid wood, the shelves are birch and the kitchen table is also in birch but colored with heat. Wood is a omnipresent element in this apartment design as it constantly is for Finnish people, but the real attention is catalyzed by the nature theme wallpaper, carrying colours and a typical Mediterranean "courage". The furniture itself is a mix of the two cultures and of past and present: the grandmother's armchair is a piece of Finnish vintage from the sixties as is the red floor lamp. The arc framing the wallpaper is the famous Twiggy by Foscarini and the suspended lamps are Italian as well. ANd everything fits together in perfect harmony!

+ Maurizio Giovannoni

Holi- Festival of Colors

2013-03-06T00:10:00.000+08:00

The festival of Holi is celebrated on the day after the full moon in early March every year. It is also called the Festival of Colours. On this day people throw colors at each other. Holi is celebrated as a welcoming of Spring, and a celebration of the triumph of good over evil. It is India's most celebrated festival along with Diwali.

+ Poras Chaudhary

Doce Cielos Honey Packaging by Anagrama

2013-03-05T00:13:00.000+08:00

Mexico branding agency, Anagrama has done the honey packaging and branding design for Doce Cielos, a brand specializing in traditional handcrafted honey-based products. Doce Cielos aim to encourage the recognition and consumption of these native food, emphasizing its different tastes, textures, colors and its benefits.

The packaging lines make allusion to traditional handcrafted Mexican paintings and art pieces. Our proposal achieves a sophisticated link between the Mexican handcrafts heritage and the honey’s sweet traditional essence.

Since the brand’s primary products are honey-based, we chose a bee for the logo.

The packaging design praises the great variety of honey varieties using a categorization based visual system and nomenclature. The typography is meant to convey the cleanliness and elegance of the product.

+ Anagrama

If Fonts Were Dogs by Grafisches Büro

2013-03-03T13:21:00.000+08:00

Vienna-based graphics designer Grafisches Büro had created something unusual for a series of posters. The work playfully relate the dog with an appropriate typeface by observing each dog characteristics in the same way as comparing fonts- a dalmation as courier, or perhaps a german shepherd as helvetica.

+ Grafisches Büro

Iron Lace House by Rene Desjardins

2013-03-02T22:18:00.000+08:00

Along the calm street that lined with trees and 1960s bungalows, stood a newly re-constructed modern single family house designed by Rene Desjardins that easily blend to its bungalow landscape.

Restrict by the municipality laws and regulations, the original structures was allowed to be demolished but the new building must follow the original building height which was only two storey.

One floor, a long façade, a double-pitched roof; that the designer solutions for the challenges set by the by-laws and the owner. No one would ever think that behind the simple long facade hide a generous volumes on three levels. The slope of the roof at the back of the house, invisible from the street, was raised to recuperate space under the rafters. And the basement, excavated to below the water table, was given extraordinary height, to become an attractive living space. Liveable space was created under the roof of the garage, and the tight spaces of the former ground floor gave way to a wide-open space, worthy of an industrial loft.

The ground floor foyer sets the tone. It is generous and unadorned, with the garden on the horizon and a spectacular staircase in anthracite iron lace. Because of the almost museum-like simplicity of the space, the sense of well-being is immediate, while the unity achieved through materials and colours establishes a chic simplicity. The walnut in the floors is carried through in the stair treads, the door frames and occasional tables; the same anthracite stone sheathes the chimney and washrooms; and the effect of the patinated stainless steel is sharpened by the metal bases of the furniture. Set off by the multicoloured carpet, the use of classic black and white is tempered by monochrome warm greys, which has an unexpected effect derived from the ultra-graphic setting. The neutral palette serves to frame signed works by Jim Campbell, Simen Johan, Koka Ramishvili and Marc Seguin, the beginning of a promising art collection. The same can be said for the discrete lighting rails – the sole light source – and the niches, which will eventually house sculptures. In back-lit glass, the niches are repeated on the second floor and fill an entire wall that cuts, like a bolt of lightning, through the "Iron Lace" railing of the gangway leading to the couple’s private quarters.

Just as ordered, the ground floor doubles as a living space and a setting for parties. The DJ can set up his gear on the immense island in the kitchen, and there is still room for the bar. Once the table’s leaves have been removed and stored away with the chairs in one of the many closets, the space can easily accommodate some sixty people, given the sparse furnishings. Clean design as an incentive to party: it’s a hit!

+ Gestion René Desjardins

Ronaldo Fraga for Tok & Stok

2013-02-27T06:23:00.000+08:00

Brazillian fashion designer Ronaldo Fraga collaboration with furniture retailer Tok & Stok has seen two new collections of prints on a wide range of products, from cushions to lampshades and tableware.

The Croquis prints were inspired by the designer's own sketches for his fashion collections, while Flores para você pays homage to Brazilian singer and songwriter Noel Rosa.

+ Tok & Stok

Tantangan Villa by Word of Mouth

2013-02-25T23:10:00.000+08:00

“Villa Tantangan” is a single family residence located in Nyanyi Beach, a private and secluded beach on the west coast of Bali. Overlooking the Indian Ocean to the west and a natural river system to the north, the layout of the villa attempts to capture these spectacular views wherever possible, and really connect the interior spaces with the natural environment. With such spectacular location, Bali-based design firm Word of Mouth was to create a house that truly connected with its surroundings.

The design followed the concept of creating a ‘Landscaped Architecture’, whereby the boundaries between the natural and built environments become blurred. This became an important mechanism in establishing not only connections between the natural and built environments, but also between these environments and the building’s inhabitants. The design utilizes a layout whereby the buildings are formed around the central courtyard, creating intimate internal spaces between the buildings, and more open spaces towards the perimeter. The buildings are situated on different levels of the land and are treated like giant planter boxes, each with a roof landscaped by either natural vegetation or ponds. In doing so the architecture not only sits sensitively on the land, but actually becomes part of it. The planter boxes also provide cooling effects to the spaces below and assist with rainwater collection. Because of the remote location of the project, it was important that the Villa could operate self -sufficiently. To achieve this, a number of green systems and design approaches were adopted. The splitting of building forms created natural ventilation through the site, as well as through each individual building; effectively cooling the spaces and reducing the strain on the system of solar panels and batteries.

The material palette is largely comprised of natural and locally sourced materials, meaning that not only could local suppliers and artisans be supported by this initiative, but also that the carbon footprint of the building could be further reduced. In adopting this approach the material palette becomes a true reflection of the building’s location, further blurring the line between the architecture and its landscape.

+ Word of Mouth

52 Aces Limited Edition by Poker Deck

2013-02-21T15:03:00.000+08:00

52 Aces poker deck by Zeixs is a deck with 52 extremely different design cards from 52 international designers. The basic idea was to have a distinctive style design card by an international designer or illustrator in their distinct style.

Then the unique ensemble, in which a variety of illustrations in many styles come together to form an interesting compendium, was to be presented in high-quality packaging and sold in a limited edition of 999 copies.

52 Aces Limited edition poker deck is a reddot design award winner.

+ 52 Aces

Swatch Kidrobot Watch

2013-02-20T23:35:00.000+08:00

Swatch has collaborate with Kidrobot to create a collection of eight Kidrobot watches for Swatch with each come with a complimentary Dunny.

Dunny is Kidrobot’s iconic and highly collectible bunny-like vinyl toy, offering a customizable canvas for artists. Eight artist from various background: Gary Baseman, Jeremyville, Frank Kozik, Joe Ledbetter, MAD, Tara McPherson, SSUR, and Tilt have contributed their unique interpretation of Swatch's Kidrobot Gents and its accompanying 3-inch (7.6 cm) Dunny.

+ Swatch

Valentine's Gift Idea: Petit Bouque by Marc Chagall

2013-02-07T23:22:00.000+08:00

Flower inspired artist Marc Chagall's painting, the Petit Bouquet is a highly desirable gift that fits very well as a Valentine's gift idea for the loved one.

The slender outlines and splashes of colour in Petit Bouquet epitomise Chagall's distintive style of painting. Bursting from canvas with great energy, Chagall's flowers seem to shower the lovers in a spray of bright pink confetti.

Petit Bouquet (estimated £8,000 – 12,000) is one of the two flower paintings auctioned by Bonhams Impressionist & Modern Art sale last Tuesday.

Bonhams, founded in 1793, is one of the world's largest auctioneers of fine art and antiques. Today, Bonhams offers more sales than any of its rivals, through two major salerooms in London: New Bond Street and Knightsbridge; and a further three in the UK regions and Scotland. Sales are also held in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Carmel, New York and Connecticut in the USA; and Germany, France, Monaco, Hong Kong and Australia. Bonhams has a worldwide network of offices and regional representatives in 25 countries offering sales advice and appraisal services in 60 specialist areas.

+ Bonhams

Portable Milk Dispenser for Infants by LemonYellow

2013-02-07T22:20:00.000+08:00

One of the Best of Korea Design, the portable milk dispenser for infants is an effective device that ease the process of feeding babies by conveniently and accurately dispensing a certain amount of formula into a nursing bottle.

The milk dispenser consists of three parts- the bottle, middle case and lower case- and a cap each for the bottle and lower case. with a capsule form, each parts are made to assemble easil and through rotation and up-down movements, the powder is dispensed and the amount is adjusted.

The portable formula milk dispenser is designed by Korea-based LemonYellow.

+ LemonYellow

Espression Quotidiane Ceramic Vase by GumDesign

2013-02-06T10:06:00.000+08:00

I love these simple minimal ceramic vase from GUMDESIGN. Titled Espression Quotidiane in Italian or Everday Expression in English, the vase is a reflection of human facial expression.

Everday Expression series of bowls and vases called Everyday Expressions is based on six different human facial expressions. Made from ceramic and created on a lathe, the objects are designed to reflect our thoughts, emotions…

+ GumDesign

Cecilia Paredes' Landscapes Art

2013-02-01T00:28:00.001+08:00

Artist Cecilia Paredes experiments with her own body in her recent project titled 'Landscapes' where she blend into the background wallpaper. The collection shows parts of her body - mainly her back and her hands - painted in the same design as the wallpaper she is standing infront of. With the help of her assistants, she wrap, cover or paint her body with the same pattern of the material and "re-present" herself as part of the landscape. Working just like camouflage, the effect makes it hard to distinguish Ms Paredes from the wallpaper. Her hair is often the only thing that makes her form visible.

+ dailymail

RIVELI Art Shelving by Mark Kinsley

2013-01-29T23:21:00.000+08:00

Storage shelves doesn't have to be boring, bulky and bland. The RIVELI Art Shelving System, designed by Mark Kinsley from Chicago is a smart modular, wall mounted shelving system that dynamically incorporates stunning artwork like a cityscape or even Vincent Van Gogh's 'Starry Night' on the underside.

The beauty of RIVELI lies within its ability to transform into any number of functional shelving layout. With each shelf pivots independently of the others, one can quickly change up upon the look and the display any time you like. Fold them up to create a beautiful image, or fold them down to display books and much more.

+ RIVELI

Dia Calendar by Goncalo Campos

2013-01-22T00:27:00.000+08:00

Portuguese product designer, Gonçalo Campos has created the calendar- Dia, that allows you to see the year pass more naturally letting you interpret the time that passes in an intuitive way, adding one piece per day. It's universal puzzle pieces allow an expression of how you see the year, how you personally relate to it, or wish it will be, by arranging their place and drawing with them, as you build your year.

+ Gonçalo Campos

Endangered Animals iPhone Case by ANICASE

2013-01-16T00:15:00.000+08:00

ANICASE is a company based in NYC founded by Bo and Shin Han, designs adorable 3D iPhone cases based on endangered animals. Each cute case is molded to resemble an endangered species with their stories and origin printed inside the case while offering durable protection for your phone. A portion of the profits from every one sold goes to help protect endangered species the world over.

I'm a panda
Meet the Giant Panda from southern China. These creatures love bamboo as it consists 99% of their diet. There are only 1,600 of them because of climate change, cultivation of flatter habitats, and poaching by humans.

+ ANICASE

Opera Camper Trailer by YSIN

2013-01-10T19:43:00.000+08:00

Outdoor living has never been so elegance with The OPERA, a camper trailer or more specifically the 'mobile designer suite' designed by Netherlands-based YSIN after the Sydney Opera House. With the aim to make camping a luxurious of a comfortable hotel against the backdrop of nature, OPERA can transform itself from a trailer into a comfortable camping space within minutes. The OPERA features two electrically adjustable beds that can be transformed into one, a private ceramic toilet and two sinks, a top-loading refrigerator, a 30 liter water tank and water pump, LED lighting and even a teak veranda. The Opera also has a boiler that supplies warm water to the outdoor kitchen and the exterior shower, hot air heating, two cupboards, and a wine storage cabinet as well as baggage and clothing storage.

With OPERA, a whole new world will open up to you.

+ YSIN

ISOLA Easy Chair by Claesson Koivisto Rune for Tacchini

2013-01-08T22:23:00.000+08:00

This modern design easy chair is designed for today people, where we constantly connected to the Internet via laptops, tablets and other portable devices. While using these devices, our seating postures change to a more leisure relaxed fashion. As a response to this, Claesson Koivisto Rune designed the ISOLA Easy Chair, a wide and roomy seating with a gently organic shape lacking an obvious direction combined with an integrated oval-shaped tabletop.

Of course, the small tabletop close at hand also makes for a very practical place to rest your book, wine or a bite to eat too.

Tacchini is an Italian furniture company stood out for high quality and its indissoluble relation with contemporary design right away. Tacchini is nowadays a reference point in furniture business, thanks to its constant stylistic and functional research, project and product culture, care for people and environment.

+ Tacchini

Theurel & Thomas Pâtisserie by Anagrama

2012-12-21T23:23:00.000+08:00

As a first pâtisserie in Mexico specialized in French macarons, Theurel & Thomas Pâtisserie has tasked brand development agency Anagrama to create an imposing brand that would emphasize the unique value, elegance and detail of this delicate dessert.

To make the colorful macarons as the focal point when one step into the pâtisserie, white color was used extensively throughout the interior, from fit-outs furniture to display sets. Details were an essential part in the design. Anagrama meticulously selected each porcelain piece creating a balance with sophisticated specks that made the value of the brand and the exclusivity of the product outshine.

+ Anagrama

ARTREE for iPad

2012-12-21T17:44:00.000+08:00

Featured by Apple as "New & Noteworthy / Staff Favorites" iPad apps, Simply speaking, Artree created by Hansol Huh is a tree-generator.

With a tap of your finger, Artree's sophisticated generative algorithm begins growing an amazingly beautiful tree. Every tree has its own unique shape and life , so all you have to do is just letting it come through. Watching the tree grow is mesmerizing, because of the randomness you never know what you're going to get. "It's really one of the best zen-ish apps around.

ARTREE can be play in portrait or landscape mode. In portrait mode, a tree grow. In landscape mode, a number of trees will grow one after another so that they make a beautiful forest.

You can save Artree image as for iPad wallpapers or Make unique and novel images for wallpapers, web designs, page layouts, or illustrations.

If you like ARTREE, then growing flower in this Flowerium apps probably will interested you!

+ iTunes