Today we’re looking to the futuristic work of architect and designer Neri Oxman for inspiration!
Oxman’s designs are particularly striking, incorporating digital and computational design with materials science and synthetic biology to explore the relationship between the natural world and the artificial components that we build into it.
We find the ‘Wanderers’ collection particularly compelling, not least for Oxman’s stunning use of colour, materials, and surface textures. This project is a collaboration with Stratasys, a 3D printing company, and ties in with their collection ‘The Sixth Element: Exploring the Natural Beauty of 3D Printing’. The designs are tailored to the various environments of the planets within our solar system, and the concept behind each design is to aid humanity’s survival within that landscape through absorption and production of biomatter.
What we find so inspiring about Oxman’s designs is their tactile quality; you can’t help but be drawn in by the diverse textures and materials. Though beautiful, the designs are also subversive and surreal – a unique blend of science, technology, and design innovation that we can’t resist.
Over the past few months Andrea has been working alongside our Chief Designer, Eliza, as an intern. Andrea is currently studying Styling and Design with Academy Artemis in the Netherlands, though she has been working with Moody Monday for the past six months. As she’s nearing the end of her time in Edinburgh, we wanted to catch up with Andrea and ask about her experiences.
What three words would best describe your experience of Edinburgh and Moody Monday? Worldly
Reality
Magnificent
How has interning for Moody Monday compared to your expectations before you arrived in Edinburgh? Before I came I knew Moody Monday was re-branding as a company. What I did not expect was that I could help with literally everything. A great challenge!
What aspect(s) of the internship have you enjoyed most? I loved working on the styling projects, so being highly creative. This involves setting up the photo shoots but creating the look book as well. Besides working, meeting the people at St. Margaret’s House made me happy too.
What advice would you give to other design interns?
For a long time I was quite shy about showing my designs to other people, until I noticed people actually enjoyed seeing my work. Don’t be shy – show your work to others. You will see when you do; people are supporting you., always.
How will you use your experience of this internship in the future? Well, I always said I want to freelance or start my own business. Working at Moody Monday showed me a lot different aspects of having your own business.
What do you think is the most challenging part of getting into the design industry? Everything should be challenging. Then you move forward and that’s something you need in life, although that is my opinion. I think the most challenging part would be to keep surprising the people who are enjoying following my blog, Poppin, over and over again with my designs and eventually my products.
Which designers do you idolise/get inspiration from? One of my idols is Iris van Herpen, an amazing Dutch fashion designer. I recently discovered Blackpop, a designer from the United Kingdom. I think her print designs are quite amazing. And, of course, I love the work of Antoni Gaudi, especially how he found his inspiration and looked at things differently. Well, I can talk about this the whole day because there are a lot more great designers who I idolise!
What would be your dream design job? E.g. the interior of a famous building. For me, working with prints is everything. That’s why I started my own blog about 3 months ago – Poppin. So, working with print design could be my dream job, especially if I create products with my prints.
Tell us about Poppin! Poppin is my blog about prints, patterns, structure, and texture in fashion, interior, and exterior design. But that is not everything: for example, nature is something that can be really interesting with regards to patterns as well. We are surrounded by beauty itself – I filter everything that inspires me, to inspire you. At the moment I’m working on a first product but this takes time. When I’m ready, you will see it appear on my blog.
What has been your favourite experience in Edinburgh? Wow, really hard question. Living abroad in general is quite an experience. There are a lot experiences and adventures I had the past five months. For example, my journey to the Isle of Skye was more than amazing. Scotland is absolutely beautiful. I tried haggis, surprisingly I really liked it! Although, black pudding not so much. During my time in Edinburgh I met great people and I’m thankful for that.
A change in pace this week for our inspiring designers series, we’re looking at Ryo Matsui, of Ryo Matsui Architects Inc.
Matsui’s work is undeniably elegant, clean, and stylish, with a real architectural edge. His use of contrasting surface patterns and muted, natural colours means his design concepts remain at the forefront of contemporary trends.
What we find most inspiring about Matsui’s work is its ability to present complex design ideas in a simplistic, minimalist form. His use of lighting is also something to be marvelled at; these finishes are often delicate but make such a difference to creative spaces.
Our Inspiring Designers blog continues this week with French architect and designer, Emmanuelle Moureaux.
Moureaux resides in Tokyo, Japan, where she has been living and working since 1996. For Moureaux, colour is key. She prefers to use colours as a way of structuring rooms, rather than as a finishing touch or complement to the physical design. This concept, created by Moureaux, is called ‘Shikiri‘ which, literally translated, means ‘dividing space with colours’.
We find Moureaux’s work particularly inspiring for its fresh, contemporary vibrancy. If Pantone had gone down the architecture route, we feel, it would look something like this.
Here at Moody Monday we’re always keen to keep up to date with current design trends and show appreciation for other designers we admire. As such, this blog series will explore creative companies and individuals whom we find influential and inspiring.
To begin, we’re looking at Blacksheep design agency.
This London-based company always delivers fresh, cutting-edge design concepts throughout their respective projects which permeate creativity and innovation.
To this end, Blacksheep’s design solutions are always inventive, often incorporating technology into their creative concepts. Though their work is design-led, it remains accessible, approachable, and liveable – even playful – which is what makes this dynamic company so special.
We particularly admire their work on the PUROHotel in Poznan, Poland. The concept behind this compelling space aims to reflect the cultural and artistic sensibility of the city, therefore, Blacksheep produced a design-focused environment in which the hotel’s guests could feel at once inspired and welcomed.
The use of geometric surface patterns and bold colours is stimulating, and the furnishings make use of contemporary shapes which make the space feel fashionable though with a distinct absence of pretence.
