14th September 2023
September news: movings and shakings across the London Design Festival
Adam Nathaniel Furman gets floral in Kew, Apparata eyes up a Stirling, TEMPLO takes on the Syrian government, and Design Can has a question for you…
Portrait of Nicholas Lobo Brennan and Astrid Smitham, courtesy of Apparata.
Apparata
Duo with radical housing vision nominated for RIBA Stirling Prize 2023
Duo with radical housing vision nominated for RIBA Stirling Prize 2023
Following their critically acclaimed debut project, A House for Artists, and the just-announced news of their RIBA Stirling Prize nomination, the inspiring duo behind Apparata – Astrid Smitham and Nick Lobo Brennan – are on a stratospheric rise. And we’re delighted to be working with them on all things communications.
Since 2015, they’ve been embedding progressive values into the built environment, unpicking the assumptions and conventions that put a stranglehold on so much British building design. We’ll be helping them to champion their projects and share their radical vision for housing with the world.
Read more about them here.
Since 2015, they’ve been embedding progressive values into the built environment, unpicking the assumptions and conventions that put a stranglehold on so much British building design. We’ll be helping them to champion their projects and share their radical vision for housing with the world.
Read more about them here.
Portrait of Samar Maakaroun by Rick Pushinsky.
Samar Maakaroun
Pentagram’s latest partner is on a multilingual mission
Pentagram’s latest partner is on a multilingual mission
Our dear friend and client, designer Samar Maakaroun is taking a big step. Last week, it was announced that she will be joining Pentagram as a partner and we couldn’t be more proud.
In 2021, she founded Right to Left to address a gap in the design industry. Since then, she has built a multidisciplinary team that speaks seven languages and spanned three generations, working to fluidly integrate worlds, cultures and scripts. Now, Samar and her team will be continuing their mission within the globe-spanning community of Pentagram, bringing their distinctive cross-cultural understanding to the design world on the grandest scale.
Follow Samar for more font-astic news
In 2021, she founded Right to Left to address a gap in the design industry. Since then, she has built a multidisciplinary team that speaks seven languages and spanned three generations, working to fluidly integrate worlds, cultures and scripts. Now, Samar and her team will be continuing their mission within the globe-spanning community of Pentagram, bringing their distinctive cross-cultural understanding to the design world on the grandest scale.
Follow Samar for more font-astic news
Street posters by UNCLE with graphic design by TEMPLO.
Design Can
Are you using your power? #LDF23
Are you using your power? #LDF23
There is no doubt that the creative industries are deeply unrepresentative of the world around them, skewing white, male and middle class. Although many businesses and institutions have expressed their desire to see better representation, the lack of action demands a response. Enter Design Can’s latest campaign.
During London Design Festival and London Fashion Week 2023, a provocative call-to-action – ‘Are you using your power?’ – has appeared across 400 street posters. Designed by cause-led brand agency TEMPLO, and printed and distributed by UNCLE, the campaign will officially launch at NOW Gallery on 14 September.
You have power to use and a role to play, too. Design Can invites everyone to find these posters (and share a pics!) across every corner of London and/or visit the website and learn how they can take action – in ways both big and small.
Join the campaign and follow @_designcan__ today!
During London Design Festival and London Fashion Week 2023, a provocative call-to-action – ‘Are you using your power?’ – has appeared across 400 street posters. Designed by cause-led brand agency TEMPLO, and printed and distributed by UNCLE, the campaign will officially launch at NOW Gallery on 14 September.
You have power to use and a role to play, too. Design Can invites everyone to find these posters (and share a pics!) across every corner of London and/or visit the website and learn how they can take action – in ways both big and small.
Join the campaign and follow @_designcan__ today!
By launching a ‘hopeful and poetic’ brand, TEMPLO aims to secure justice for victims of the Assad regime.
TEMPLO
A ‘hopeful’ visual identity to tackle human rights abuses
A ‘hopeful’ visual identity to tackle human rights abuses
With a long-standing track record of designing for human-rights campaigns, TEMPLO is unveiling its latest launch: a ‘hopeful and poetic’ brand for Free Syria’s Disappeared, a coalition of leading activists and charities holding the Syrian government to account.
For this deeply personal project, the team created a bilingual Arabic and English website and brand that spoke to survivors, everyday citizens as well as governments around the world and the United Nations. The visual identity dovetails with ongoing legal action to defend victims of torture by the Assad regime, and aims to platform future lawsuits.
Listen to the voiceless
For this deeply personal project, the team created a bilingual Arabic and English website and brand that spoke to survivors, everyday citizens as well as governments around the world and the United Nations. The visual identity dovetails with ongoing legal action to defend victims of torture by the Assad regime, and aims to platform future lawsuits.
Listen to the voiceless
The Supporting Act
Last chance to support, share and apply
Calling all artists and arts organisations who care about social justice, the Supporting Act Foundation has extended the deadline for its latest open call.
There will be six unrestricted grants worth €50,000 for non-profits through the Impact Grant, and 10 unrestricted bursaries of €10,000 for undergraduate students from marginalised backgrounds through the Creative Bursary. Applications are open from 29 August until 18 September, to those based in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy or Spain.
Apply now
There will be six unrestricted grants worth €50,000 for non-profits through the Impact Grant, and 10 unrestricted bursaries of €10,000 for undergraduate students from marginalised backgrounds through the Creative Bursary. Applications are open from 29 August until 18 September, to those based in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, France, Italy or Spain.
Apply now
Zetteler x LDF
Our best of the fest
Our best of the fest
Want to hear about beautiful, story-rich projects that truly put design into action for this London Design Festival? Course you do.
First up, at the V&A, keep an eye out for Emerging Designer Commission Andu Masebo’s Part Exchange – and, just down the museum’s hallowed halls, curator Deep K Kailey of Without Shape Without Form is presenting the remarkable work of British-born Canadian artist Nirbhai (Nep) Singh Sidhu.
If that weren’t enough, wood-turning maestro Darren Appiagyei will be exhibiting his remarkable crafted vessels at the New Craftsmen on 16–24 September 2023 and speaking with Roddy Clarke about creative entrepreneurship at London Design Fair on 23 September 2023.
Who's where when?
First up, at the V&A, keep an eye out for Emerging Designer Commission Andu Masebo’s Part Exchange – and, just down the museum’s hallowed halls, curator Deep K Kailey of Without Shape Without Form is presenting the remarkable work of British-born Canadian artist Nirbhai (Nep) Singh Sidhu.
If that weren’t enough, wood-turning maestro Darren Appiagyei will be exhibiting his remarkable crafted vessels at the New Craftsmen on 16–24 September 2023 and speaking with Roddy Clarke about creative entrepreneurship at London Design Fair on 23 September 2023.
Who's where when?
The Temperate House at evening © RBG Kew.
Adam Nathaniel Furman
Unveiling a fantastical floral feat at Queer Nature in Kew Gardens
Unveiling a fantastical floral feat at Queer Nature in Kew Gardens
On 20 September, as part of Queer Nature, an ambitious festival celebrating the diversity and beauty of plants and fungi at Kew Gardens, Adam Nathaniel Furman is taking over two spectacular octagonal greenhouses with a 5 x 16 metre floral fabric installation.
Within the centre of the structure, the audience will encounter a dozen or so video interviews with horticulturists, scientists, authors, drag artists and activists, dramatically framed against the backdrop of Adam’s unique wallpaper inspired by queer history.
Take a walk in the garden
Within the centre of the structure, the audience will encounter a dozen or so video interviews with horticulturists, scientists, authors, drag artists and activists, dramatically framed against the backdrop of Adam’s unique wallpaper inspired by queer history.
Take a walk in the garden
Based in Wapping, Manalo & White designs function-driven, user-led buildings and interior spaces around the UK. Image courtesy of Manalo & White.
Manalo & White
Meet the architects of ‘magical utilitarianism’
Meet the architects of ‘magical utilitarianism’
Set up in 1999 by architect Brian Greathead, London-based Manalo & White has spent more than two decades quietly, efficiently and beautifully designing ‘factories, galleries and everything in between.’ Promising pragmatism with a playful tilt, the practice has become especially renowned for creative retrofits and arts and cultural projects – including the Towner Gallery in Eastbourne, host venue for this year’s Turner Prize.
Having evolved from one-man-band to talented team of 20, the instinctively inclusive practice (currently and consciously 70% women) has earned its stripes creating imaginative interiors, delivered with humility and humour. No wonder we’re so proud to announce them as our latest client.
Step into their spaces
Having evolved from one-man-band to talented team of 20, the instinctively inclusive practice (currently and consciously 70% women) has earned its stripes creating imaginative interiors, delivered with humility and humour. No wonder we’re so proud to announce them as our latest client.
Step into their spaces
Developed to promote sociability as much as productivity, Omlet’s new HQ provides appealing, versatile workspace for the company’s various teams. Image: Veerle Evens.
Studio Rhonda
Fun and flexibility in the Omlet office
Fun and flexibility in the Omlet office
We’re massive fans of Rhonda Drakeford – which is why we got her to design our own studio. And we’re not the only ones.
Omlet – the pioneering pet-accessories company behind the now-iconic Eglu chicken coop – worked with Studio Rhonda to bring a playful practicality to the company’s new headquarters. Commissioned to accommodate Omlet’s expanded team after the pandemic-induced explosion in pet ownership, the Oxfordshire office is a huge, brilliantly colourful and undeniably fun environment that still retains the character of the19th-century Palladian malthouse it occupies.
Find out more about Studio Rhonda here
Omlet – the pioneering pet-accessories company behind the now-iconic Eglu chicken coop – worked with Studio Rhonda to bring a playful practicality to the company’s new headquarters. Commissioned to accommodate Omlet’s expanded team after the pandemic-induced explosion in pet ownership, the Oxfordshire office is a huge, brilliantly colourful and undeniably fun environment that still retains the character of the19th-century Palladian malthouse it occupies.
Find out more about Studio Rhonda here
Graphics from the exhibition, courtesy of POoR Collective.
POoR Collective
Curating PowerShift group exhibition in Brompton
Curating PowerShift group exhibition in Brompton
Curated by POoR Collective, PowerShift is a group exhibition exploring ideas of collaboration and collective power.
Taking place on 16–24 September at Brompton Design District as part of the official programme from Jane Withers Studio, and featuring works from an inspiring mix of artists, designers and collectives – including Andu Masebo, RESOLVE Collective and Issi Nanabeyin – the show aims to demonstrate how the balance of power can shift when people work collectively.
If that weren't enough, just yesterday POoR Collective were announced as the winner of the 2023 Emerging Design Medal at London Design Festival. All the more reason to visit and congratulate this most inspiring team.
Check out POoR Collective and visit Brompton Design District
Taking place on 16–24 September at Brompton Design District as part of the official programme from Jane Withers Studio, and featuring works from an inspiring mix of artists, designers and collectives – including Andu Masebo, RESOLVE Collective and Issi Nanabeyin – the show aims to demonstrate how the balance of power can shift when people work collectively.
If that weren't enough, just yesterday POoR Collective were announced as the winner of the 2023 Emerging Design Medal at London Design Festival. All the more reason to visit and congratulate this most inspiring team.
Check out POoR Collective and visit Brompton Design District
Green Grads’ latest cohort. Courtesy of Green Grads.
Green Grads
Circular design and sustainability on the minds of the next generation
Circular design and sustainability on the minds of the next generation
Now in its third year, Green Grads, a much-needed platform for up-and-coming creative industry graduates, is set to take over a huge floor of the newly refurbished Heal’s Building over the first weekend of the 2023 London Design Festival.
The programme centres on ideas to heal the planet, bringing together BA and MA graduates from around the country, including everyone from art to engineering, product design to animation, glass, ceramics, fashion and more. Themes of circular economy, natural materials, local production, and restoration and repair are at the forefront.
Huge shout out to Barbara Chandler for working so tirelessly to support the next generation of design talent in this country and the entirety of Earth as well. We truly love you Barbara.
See the future
The programme centres on ideas to heal the planet, bringing together BA and MA graduates from around the country, including everyone from art to engineering, product design to animation, glass, ceramics, fashion and more. Themes of circular economy, natural materials, local production, and restoration and repair are at the forefront.
Huge shout out to Barbara Chandler for working so tirelessly to support the next generation of design talent in this country and the entirety of Earth as well. We truly love you Barbara.
See the future
+44 (0)7791 568890
Unit 73B Regent Studios
8 Andrews Road
London
E8 4QN
8 Andrews Road
London
E8 4QN