Now in its 20th year, the London Design Festival is one of the world’s biggest design events, placing UK’s capital at the forefront of innovative and creative design.
The festival runs from 17–25 September 2022, so if you happen to be visiting The Big Smoke during this time, you’ll no doubt see some exciting and intriguing structures as you wander around. Not in London? Don’t worry; you can still get your fill of fascinating design online – here’s a whirlwind tour of seven installations that have caught our eye.
Swivel by Sabine Marcelis
Swivel is an outdoor rotating seating installation made from colourful blocks of marble. It’s currently displayed in the usually grey and bland St Giles Square, where it brings a new vibrancy to the space. Passerbys can stop and take a seat for a moment, easily interact with others and take in the surroundings from all angles. Swivel is designed by Dutch designer Sabine Marcelis (with the marble provided by SolidNature).
Divine Inspiration by Lee Broom
Lee Broom is one of the UK’s top product designers. His award-winning brand is recognised around the globe for original luxury furniture and lighting. For London Design Festival, Lee Broom is showcasing a new collection of ethereal lighting pieces called Divine Inspiration. Made using a variety of materials, the collection pushes the boundaries of art, architecture and design.
Meet Me in the Metaverse by The Conran Shop and It’s Nice That
Meet Me in the Metaverse is an immersive installation at The Conran Shop, Chelsea, which sees the digital and physical collide through the lens of design. It features the work of six digital artists who’ve reimagined The Conran Shop’s products into never-before-seen objects.
Extended by Studio Sanne Visser
In response to a theme of ‘Make Yourself at Home’ from Brompton Design District, Studio Sanne Visser created a new series of mirrors made from recycled glass and framed with ropes of human hair. The concept behind Extended being that the spaces where we get our hair cut are homely and evoke a sense of comfort, familiarity and belonging.
Regenerative Futures by Arup
Regenerative Futures explores a reimagined future where the needs of people and nature co-exist seamlessly. The exhibition contains a selection of designed props, including a lamp made from waste coffee cups and a bicycle helmet made from the organic material mycelium (a network of fungal threads).
Inky Dhow Universe by Bethan Gray
Sketch London is one of the most iconic restaurants in Mayfair, known for its breathtaking interiors. For London Design Festival, furniture and homeware designer Bethan Gray transformed the entrance at Sketch with the Inky Dhow Universe, a mesmerising display of cobalt blue and white stripes flowing across walls, floors and furniture.
Awakening by Gary James McQueen and Simon Emmett
Awakening is a digital fashion show hosted at the V&A Museum where visitors can virtually try on couture garments using AI-powered smart-mirror technology. You can do this at home on your phone by scanning a QR code! Learn more.
See much more from the London Design Festival 2022 here. And for more articles like this one, browse the Journal.
Planning to venture into the world of product design? We have tons of information and resources on design and innovation. Check out the Knowledge bank for starters.