blog post on 24 hours of design

Creative Practices (graphic design, fashion, photography and fine art) are everywhere around us. Over 24 hours I kept a note of where they were around me.

Reaching out to turn off my phone alarm, I checked for messages. Some problems with the design of the phone – looks good but could be slimmer shape and buttons easier to manipulate (especially when half awake!) Emerging from the shower I thought about the rather clunky design of the shower fittings, which could be updated.

From my pile of clothes I chose a warm slim line top of woven cotton. Feels slightly itchy against the skin but is an easygoing design and I’m working at home today. Whoever hit on denim jeans was a genius. They are tough enough for all purposes and can be adapted in shape and trimmings to new trends all over the world.

Switching on the kettle for coffee I realised it was a new one! This one showed the level of the water from the outside and you could see just how many cups you would get from the boiled water. Good design to help us use less electricity and water – better for the planet.

Most of the day working on my own projects I lost track of time. Later I switched on the T.V. and one of Attenborough’s “Life” series was on. Such startling photography in making the film it really caught my attention. The advert breaks were annoying, but a couple caught my eye as they didn’t seem to match the product they were selling. Possibly the designers were trying to catch my eye just like that! The meerkats comparing the market still made me smile; who thought to make them Russian and put them in Jacuzzi baths? Just in time before the shops shut, I remembered I had to send a birthday card and didn’t pick one with photos on the front, but a fine art print of soothing colours.

Ending the day enjoying a new Sony game I couldn’t help noticing how the designers had updated the graphics to make the characters more realistic. The speed of improvement in these graphics is astonishing. Bit addictive these things. Off button. Sleep (in kikoy – very distinctive Kenya fashion statement, now all over the world).