March 11&12 the Seattle Design Center hosted Nordex 2010, Seattle's version of "Market", in which the design industry is enlightened by national speakers, designers, professors, authors, and company representatives about the latest products and trends. After two solid days of speakers, products, and parties, I came away with one main concept: customization. That's the essence of design, isn't it?
The opening keynote speaker, James Ford Huniford, talked about incorporating his love of "found objects" into interior design projects - for me, the essence of "contemporary" and "green" - and gave us a preview of his new furniture line. Plus, he loved and gave a big shout out to local fab store (and NWSID member!) Great Stuff , purveyor of all things great and re-purposed.
Michael Bruno, the founder of 1st Dibs, was the inspiration for so many things and he illuminated his rapt audience with predictions for the next 10 years of design online. Hint: better printers, online portfolios, more cell phone use (really? more?), 3D modelling tools, design Utopia.......
Thad Hayes was the keynote speaker the second day of Nordex and, despite technical AV difficulties, he managed to share with us some wonderful designs. I LOVE the idea of large dining rooms with large tables for entertaining but placing a small table for two at one end of the room - perfect for intimate meals!
Joan DeJean, explained to us fellow Francophiles, how the French under les Louis Quatorze et Quinze, ushered in the "age of comfort" through the introduction of the "sopha". Oh la la!
I'm inspired again!
