Port’s design editor talks us through his 2012, including London Design Ferstival and Corin Mellor’s cutlery factory
At a time when many are questioning the ongoing relevance of print media, I started off the year by speaking to some pioneering figures from the field of online architecture and design journalism about how the Internet is revolutionising the way in which fans of these disciplines consume content.
While there is a demonstrably large audience for design online, the consensus is that print media is still able to offer a tangible experience that web content lacks, and this has been a focus for the design section of Port throughout the year.
For our summer issue Food, I took a trip to the Peak District to visit kitchenware designer Corin Mellor and the spectacular cutlery factory designed for his father David by architect Michael Hopkins.
“While there is a demonstrably large audience for design online, the consensus is that print media is still able to offer a tangible experience that web content lacks”
It is a glorious location and Corin and his family provided us with wonderful hospitality: eating a homemade Bakewell Tart in the cafe with David Mellor cutlery, while looking out at the lush English countryside was a particular highlight.
We were privileged to have Deyan Sudjic, director of London’s Design Museum, guest-edit the design section of the autumn issue, and Deyan helped us gain unprecedented access to the new OMA-designed London headquarters of the Rothschild Bank for a stunning architecture feature.
Our winter issue included a fascinating look at life in London’s iconic Barbican Centre apartments – direct from residents who told of their personal experiences living in abrutalist landmark that has always divided opinion. We also took an inside look at the future of automotive design, featuring thoughts from top car designers and Professor Dale Harrow, Dean of the School of Design at the RCA, who predicts that cars will become smaller, lighter and more autonomous.
Throughout the year, the Port website has featured interviews and insight from many outstanding design personalities, including designers of the Olympic torch, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby. We also published previews and reviews from several of the year’s top design events, including[/one_third]Clerkenwell Design Week, the London Design Festival and the 23rd Interieur Biennale in Kortjik, Belgium, where Betty Wood spoke to curator Lowie Vermeersch about his vision for reinventing the show’s format.
Add to that London’s design festival and Open House events, the Milan Furniture Fair and contributions from the likes of Zaha Hadid, Adam Khan and Paola Antonelli and it’s been a bountiful and inspirational year. I can’t wait to see what 2013 has to offer.
Alyn is Port’s Design Editor
