You Can Learn a Lot from an Electronics Company...

Really, we don't want to beat you over the head with it, but branding and marketing turn pitfall companies into windfall companies. Take a moment to see what setting a clear brand strategy and positioning consumers to associate their brand with specific benefits did for the once struggling Taiwanese company BenQ. They've built their brand to achieve a marketer's ultimate goal--cult status. Interesting, and the best part is, all of their strategies are easily applicable in contemporary furniture, the world that branding forgot.

Read BenQ Corp thrives on its brand name and experience their success.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary.

Last Call for 1848

It may have been a long time ago, but 1848 thrust America into the Faster, Cheaper, Newer, More attitude we're still exploring. Since June, the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum has hosted an exhibition entitled, appropriately, "Faster, Cheaper, Newer, More: Revolutions of 1848," but after January 9, 2005, your chances of experiencing the forward thinking past will be over. The exhibit encompasses objects from all four Cooper-Hewitt curatorial departments (Drawings, Prints, and Graphic Design; Product Design and Decorative Arts; Wallcoverings; and Textiles), from the Cooper-Hewitt Design Archives, and from several collecting departments of other Smithsonian branches. It's curated by novelist, design critic and public radio host Kurt Andersen. Find out more at the Smithsonian's Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum's New & Upcoming Exhibitions.

While you're there, check out the other great exhibits "Josef and Anni Albers: Designs for Living" and "Design is Not Art: Functional Objects from Donald Judd to Rachel Whiteread" both running through February 27th.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary. 

Hello...Any Women Out There?

We're always looking for more women on the forefront of contemporary furniture and industrial design and it seems like Sweden has more than its fair share. Kudos! From Vacuums to Volvos Swedish women have been rocking the status quo design boat. Still, women have a way to go. According to an article published in Sweden's Form Magazine, "The Society of Swedish Industrial Designers (SID) has just over 330 members, and just under one hundred of these are women. (It is perhaps no surprise to learn that the gender distribution in the Association’s textile designer division is dramatically reversed, with only one man among some 70 women!)"

The article explores the issues of and solutions to breaking a gender bias, introduces some of Sweden's leading female designers plus takes a look at some of their groundbreaking work. Treat yourself to the full read, Women gaining ground in industrial design in Sweden.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary. 

Promote Your Designs, A European Primer

The Challenges of Europe: "Challenges of Design Promotion in Europe" is a two-day conference organized by APCI, Paris, on January 10 & 11, 2005. The program will cover design promotion issues, including the economic impact of design and the design sector. For more details, contact APCI : [email protected] or Jean Schneider : [email protected].

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary. 

Adding to Plus Minus Zero

A second collection of accessories and appliances, including a streamlined trashcan that fits into a corner and petri dish ashtray that will evoke both function and conversation, has officially been released by Japan's Plus Minus Zero.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary. 

Hot, Hot Baths

No longer just a source for cleanliness, the contemporary bathroom has become an oasis for style, luxury, and serenity. With designers like Clodagh making the bathroom into a spa experience, where will contemporary ideals go next? From flowing sinks to televisions flat mounted within a mirror, it is possible to make every aspect of your living space a sanctuary.

It is not far-fetched these days to describe the bathroom as a private retreat or getaway. Think for a moment of a room that is as luxurious as it is functional with cashmere towels, tubs that evoke art on a pedestal and a shower so heavenly it bathes the user in a funnel of light and steam that could very well render the spa obsolete.

Continue reading Hot, Hot Baths.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary. 

100%DESIGN

All the up and coming designers out there should consider planning for the 10th annual 100%DESIGN show, Sept 22-25 in London. Last year the show entertained over 36,000 visitors and brought countless green designers and experienced manufacturers together. The show also gets great press––from The Independent, AJ, Elle Decor and more. Find out more, and get ready to go at www.100percentdesign.co.uk.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary.

New Year's Reflections in Contemporary Design

January 1st approaches, bringing it's annual demand for serious reflection. So, Pure Contemporary bids adieu to 2004 by looking back at the year's best contemporary designs. No category is off limits, from best contemporary city to best designer to best set of contemporary coasters. Let us know what you think––just click comment and have at it. After all, contemporary design is all about personal expression...

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary.

Spark Their Imagination

It seems as if we're not the only seekers of modern baby decor. It took a few frustrated parents disillusioned with uninspiring baby gear to launch Sparkability, an online manufacturer specializing in pieces built to nurture the imagination of your little one. From high chairs to cribs, and accessories to toys, it's colors and shapes and designs - oh my!

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary.

Eames' Remembered

In a marvelous nod to the Eames legend, Metropolis magazine in its January 2005 issue, features the daughter and grandchildren of Charles Eames and his partner and wife, Ray. Now, as then, there is no doubting the couple's impact on modern design. But, says grandson Eames Demetrios in a December interview with Pure Contemporary, it was only a small, albeit select community that recognized the Eames' talent.

For all things contemporary, visit Pure Contemporary.