Our pick of the design shows: TENT/ Super Brands and designjunction

26th September 2014

MINI and Dezeen’s 'Future of Mobility' exhibition was the real show stopper that took design possibilities truly into orbit. Lucy McRae’s installation envisioned a future where space travel is common, featuring performers inside a vacuum who were encased with a space-age, silver foil material in preparation for the journey.

There was even a stained-glass, driverless car. Created by Dominic Wilcox, the lack of human navigator in his collision-free future meant safety concerns were no longer fundamental, making way for the possibility of cars created from any material. Using the same techniques as Tiffany lampshades, hand-cut glass was soldered onto a frame allowing the passenger to recline and relax in a colourful, transparent heaven.

Leaning to natural materials was designer Laura Wellington and the 'Mini Hula' light. Launched exclusively at the show, it is made entirely from cardboard which simply pops out of its packaging for a neat, iconic lighting solution.

French design house Oree even made portable wireless computer keyboards out of single pieces of wood, impossibly transforming the natural into the technical and beautifully functional.

Yet again this year TENT, Super Brands and designjunction impressed. Design boundaries were not only pushed but were broken as unique, creative visions came to life. If this is what the future holds, we can’t wait to see what’s coming in 2015. Stay tuned to see more of our highlights from London Design Festival with a peek into the Designer's Block event….

Meanwhile over at designjunction at The Sorting Office, we saw the weird and wonderful, the bizarre and the bespoke, in a line-up that brought together internationally-renowned brands, smaller labels and pop ups. Showcasing furniture, lighting and product design, the themes ranged again from geometric and origami inspired patterning to installations and futuristic visions that were frankly out of this world.

Foldability studio’s soft geometric lighting features hand-folded, modular sections of paper, thanks to owner Kyla’s McCallum’s skills in traditional origami techniques which was also put to good use for its unique folded fabric.

Sarah Mellone’s folded stool again bent to the origami trend whilst Hypetex’s Halo carbon-fibre chair is visually dynamic with its minimalist softly curving design.

Woodgrains and waves added subtle textures to products and displays throughout the show, contrasting with the concrete creations seen throughout, with Setworkshop demonstrating the inspirational use of this traditional material turning it from functional into fabulous furniture with the use of block key trend colours of blue, yellow and mint green.

Bringing in an edgy, industrial vibe was Lolo Palazzo and her intriguing installations, lighting and objects. Made from recycled materials, everything from car parts to bike chains and cogs are transformed into floral petals and swinging chandeliers in a fusion of urban and nature-inspired design.

Sharyn Dunn’s ‘Lightscape’ concept illuminated the trend further with the texture and pattern of paper shining through, enhanced by subtle hole detailing adding further dimension.

Whilst at the softer end of the geometric scale, Tracey Tubb’s origami wallcovering was simply beautiful to behold with its delicate paper patterning enhanced by its white-on-white setting mixed with subtle, sweet pastel styling.

Jack Phipp’s ‘Stella screen’ was a dazzling example, with its sparkling sections featuring over 1,000 individual angular mirrors on each panel, this gem of a piece, inspired by diamonds, demanded our attention.

With inspiration at every corner, dazzling displays and installations that seem to make the impossible possible, designjunction and TENT/Super Brands gave us an indulgent feast for our senses as we gorged on the new, the creative and the impressive.

TENT and Super Brands eclipsed last year’s effort with a bigger, better and practically buzzing event with plenty to see and explore as big brands showcased alongside up and coming names and independent designers.

A hub of trends for 2015, colour grouping was a recurring theme with 2014’s favourite combo of blue, yellow and grey still a strong trend throughout the show. Netural and natural tones dominated the exhibition palette, with single colour prints creating simplicity often seen against a stark white contrast.

Geometrics were a sharp presence across the show, not just in printing but across all design disciplines from wall coverings to art and lighting. From hard and angular art to origami-inspired installations, lighting and wall coverings, exhibitors proved the flexibility of the trend.