Yes, time is running out but you can still register for October to spend an hour on the empty plinth in Trafalgar Square. Now which of your colleagues do you need a break from! Register here. It’s another Antony Gormley project that’s gone down fantastically well in the capital. A few years ago we were travelling home to be confronted with 31 life-sized figures, cast from his body, atop buildings & public walkways along the Southbank. Awesome.

We’ve been keeping an eye on Ginger Monkey, Tom Lane down in Bristol doing some cool stuff for a while.
www.gingermonkeydesign.com

We bump into our old friend photographer Mark Newton who has updated his portfolio. www.marknewton.com

We’re not adding to the expectation at all on our office Wimbledon chart!

“These days, Web designers have to do more with less,” said Jim Heid, who has served as the conference chair for over 30 Web Design World conferences since 1997. “We want to address that reality with practical sessions that teach them how to work smarter and that help them master the tools and issues that drive today’s Web”, PR News By Business Wire.

Web Design World comprises more than twenty sessions that span the spectrum from technology to business strategy to design aesthetics. Attendees will learn the best coding and development practices for CSS and JavaScript. They’ll get the latest thinking in social networking, from business applications of Twitter to the business case of allowing user reviews on Web sites. And on July 22’s Workshop Day, four three-hour sessions will enable attendees to deep-dive into topics ranging from Adobe Photoshop to Web typography to maximizing return on investment.

Check out some of her work at
http://insertcopyhere.wordpress.com/ & at
http://www.flickr.com/photos/crumplestiltskin/

We’d like to add our own tribute to Tony Hart. The Vision On, Take Hart & Hartbeat presenter, who gently introduced us to the wonderful world of paint and art (& morph) passed away yesterday. You were the first person to reject our artwork for your gallery and you’ve not been the last!! Thanks for the memories Tony.

2008 has been a year of global uncertainty. Legacy of record food and oil prices, major financial sector failure and world-wide recession will haunt 2009 as Governments, industries, companies and populations navigate uncharted waters.

In the third Forum, India Insights speaks to five Indian professionals to establish what they believe are the major challenges facing India in 2009.

Economy

Sanjay Sarma, Director and CEO of Design World thinks long-term lessons can be learned from the fact that India is better insulated than most economies. Sarma comments, “India has significant control over its future, due to its large domestic market, the world will look at India for solutions to overcome the current weak economic phase”.

Sarma predicts, “During 2009 India will emerge much stronger than many other nations, both economically and socially”. In conclusion he feels that India’s position of relative strength may pave the way for another round of global acquisitions as revised company valuations make buy outs more attractive.

Rohit Mathur, Consultant at Accenture, also concludes that India can benefit, “India has become an integral part of the global economy, the current crisis will boost (cheaper) outsourcing. India’s software sector may experience a mini boom over the next 3 – 4 years.”

Inequality

Rahul Mittra, CEO of Brandsmith and Legal expert, Arun K Mishra agree that while economic growth has reduced levels of poverty, a sense of inequality and social injustice may lead to instability, possibly fueling extremism. Mittra hopes that recent terrorist attacks will act as a wake up call for Government and wider Indian society.

Mishra comments, “If the social tension which is building up is allowed to grow without finding a quick remedy, India will become a target for all types of militancy”. 

Parag Rastogi, Head of Merchandising at Bharti Retail, highlights the importance of transparent governance in election year, his concern is that national elections will place the emphasis on campaigning and promises rather than clear and honest leadership. Mishra agrees, “If India is serious it must provide better governance where corruption levels are reduced.”

Security

With recent terrorist atrocities fresh in the mind, Mathur and Rastogi each believe that security – internal and external – is a major challenge that needs to be met.

Sarma feels recent events in Mumbai give India increased international credibility, “India’s strong position on the global war against terror and the manner in which it responded to 26/11 achieved global support. Developed nations cannot help but take India seriously from here on.”

Local issues

On a local level, Mathur pinpoints the fact that India’s chronic infrastructure needs to be improved through increased investment. He also thinks the time is right for India to show leadership on environmental issues.

Optimism

Despite the inevitable difficulties of 2009, optimism prevails. Sarma believes that providing there is continuity at the next election the outlook is positive, “I am certainly more optimistic about India’s development and its ability to lead from the front in 2009”.

Mathur identifies India’s middle class as reason for optimism, “Middle class growth is causing and driving administrative and educational reform, though this is a slow process it is a good start.”

Our friend Adam Oldroyd, has let us know that his latest project, Baby Planet, will be airing on Mondays at 8pm from 1 December 2008 on the Animal Planet Channel. Well done Ace.

Perry & Mick attended the recent D&AD President’s Lecture by Michael Peters.

A pioneer of the international design industry, Michael has worked with clients ranging from Nike to the BBC, via Universal Studios, Martell, Vodafone, British Airways and Johnnie Walker whisky. He was awarded the OBE for his services to design and marketing. He also famously became identity consultant to the Conservative Party, working closely with Margaret Thatcher to design the Conservative Party logo.

A good chat from a man who doesn’t blink or laugh when he informs a client that it’s £100k for the next project stage. We really listened after that… although we didn’t buy his new book ‘Yes Logo’ out at all good book shops!

Need a reason to put London on your travel list in autumn? Here is a good reason to do so…

DesignArt London is London’s first design art fair devoted exclusively  to modern and contemporary furniture and decorative arts. The context of the event gathers only the finest collection of twentieth and twenty first century design. Curated by the world’s foremost gallery owners (including Paris, Milan Brussels, Copenhagen, New York, Chicago addresses), DesignArt London defines its place at the top regardless of its second edition. More than half of the 32 art galleries came from Paris in 2008 which tells a lot about design important destinations.

The event presents an impressive array of collectible classic pieces from Le Corbusier, Jean Prouve, Arne Jacobsen, to more contemporary ones with signatures of Zaha Hadid, Marc Newson and Ron Arad; but also creations by rising design stars as Junko Mori, Fredrikson Stallard, Sebastian Erazuriz and others. Curators made sure that every piece was rare and esthetically beautiful, showcasing furniture produces as one-offs or limited edition.

The things sold on the fair aren’t just extravagant and expensive. They maintain the integrity of creativity and function, presented for someone who understands design and its products. Art and design collectors will not miss because galleries’ selection includes a range of prices so that even a novice collector will find something of lasting value for himself and with such a selection, I can say you will be entering the haute couture of the design world.

This year the organizers of DesignArt London have decided to exhibit only limited editions, unique vintage pieces and the creme the la creme of contemporary design. Everything had to be closely related to the theme “Design as Art” so most of the pieces had elements derived from both tradition and innovation.

In the future DesignArt London will “…provide a showcase for those designers and dealers whose creativity and social consciousness rewards new technologies, a respect for the environment, and a dearing sense of humor.”*

DesignArt is held in October every year since 2007, at Berkly Square in Mayfair. Ticket price for the entire event is £15.

Stella – European Travelling Advisor

* from DesignArt London press release