KEY POINTS:
1. The Barbapapa light by Per Dahlgreg.
Barbapapa was a Swedish cartoon character popular when I was a child and this lamp is fun, colourful and contemporary. Per has focused on designing a lamp which is truly scalable. One could produce versions from a tiny bedside model up to a huge outside waterproof pool-side monster.
2. Return to Sender Coffin by Greg Holdsworth.
A coffin designed to truly decompose seems like such good sense. After all, why would one want to be buried in a casket that is made from a cocktail of non-biodegradable materials? Greg has tackled one of society's taboos masterfully and Return to Sender is elegant and noble. Rest in peace and style.
3. The constellation light by Jonny McDonald.
This is great "light" design. The designer is using the minimum amount of materials necessary to complete the task - something all designers should be attentive to. For me, this wire version of Jonny's light is the most successful, probably because it reminds me of one of my favourite inventions of all time - the paperclip.
4. Purple South shelf.
This summer I journeyed down to the East Cape with my family and friends and the white shelf reminds me of the piles of sun-bleached, bone-like driftwood on the beaches of East Cape.
Werner Aisslinger has designed the shelves to be friction-fitted together - no screws, glue or brackets. And the finished piece holds its self together in an ethereal manner.
5. Purple South Table.
Aisslinger's table complements the shelf he designed and uses similar construction principals. This table is a great example of understated design.
6. The World Crutch by Christopher Metcalf, Darrin Smith and Greg Holdsworth.
What could be better than a universal, ergonomically designed, cheap-to-make crutch handle that can slip on to a length of bamboo, a straight branch or a length of steel tube? The cost price is approximately $1.50 per unit. This is design at its best - socially relevant, well priced, easy and comfortable to use and good looking.
7. The Self Assembly Platter by Christopher Metcalf.
Take a sheet of material, place it in laser cutter, connect up your computer and press go. Christopher has created a whole family of table-top products which are cut using laser technology - plywood, stainless steel, plastic. You name it, if the laser can cut it, it can be produced.
8. Pig sponge by David Garguilo.
David's pig sponge is both witty and valuable. It adds sparkle to cleaning chores while reminding you to clean up regularly or risk becoming a dirty pig. The other real value lies in its fundraising potential for the diabetes foundation. Research has shown that pig cells can be used to treat diabetes so a percentage of the purchase price of the pig is donated to assist with cell research.
9. Bomb pins by David Garguilo.
Anyone who has fond memories of playing with toy soldiers, aeroplanes and spaceship will love David's bomb pins. Shaped like cartoon bombs, these pins almost demand that you hurl them into the noticeboard. David's designs are humorous and canny, but point to a set of deeper questions and problems which are prevalent in today's society.
10. Mayland Design Exchange Visual Identity by Terence Tsang.
The Mayland Design Exchange is a design research centre that the Unitec School of Design has set up in Guangzhou, China. The visual identity for the centre was crafted by graduate Terence Tsang and it is a beautiful piece. Terence rolled the design out and apart from the normal application such as stationery and business cards he has applied the VI to gift bags, wrapping paper, swing tickets, T-shirts, windows and signage.
