February 2nd, 2012

“Weniger, aber besser – Less but better” – Dieter Rams

Dieter Rams is one of the most influential industrial designers of the 20th century, who made Braun a household name in the 50′s, producing electronic gadgets that has sent waves of design influence far into the 21st century. His passion for simplicity and honest design is always declared whenever he’s interviewed or appear in videos as the one below. His 10 principles for good design should be at the core of any designer.

– Good design is innovative
– Good design makes a product useful
– Good design is aesthetic
– Good design helps us understand a product
– Good design is unobtrusive
– Good design is honest
– Good design is durable
– Good design is consequent to the last detail
– Good design is concerned with the environment
– Good design is as little design as possible

January 31st, 2012

Felted Anatomy

Designer and illustrator Dan Beckemeyer created this dope exploration of anatomy by first illustrating a skeletal structure on hand-made abaca paper, then stitching a cardiovascular system, and finally adding hand-felted muscle mass. Some crazy details, that almost makes it looks real, maybe a tip for next year sketch presentation for our clients.

January 30th, 2012

Be bold

It takes a certain caliber for high profile athletes to do the things they do. Hate them or love them, the numbers that these iconoclasts put up will be forever remembered.

This past weekend at the Winter X, Shaun white took first place…with a PERFECT SCORE. Some say it was the perfect storm, we say it was the outfit. Courtesy of Mage Design.

…and don’t forget about the never understated styles of the original sir airness.

January 10th, 2012

Iron & Resin – brand to watch

“Born in a small, Southern California, blue-collar beach town, graced with world class point breaks and seaside racetracks, where ghosts of a once towering oil industry still linger in the shadows. Iron & resin is the brainchild of several friends who, after decades of collective experience building successful clothing brands, decided to turn back the clock and start anew. The result is a small, hand built collection of goods that draws heavily upon the founder’s own lifestyles and experiences.

Forged in California…
In a mass produced, disposable world, Iron & Resin is a product of “one-off” culture. Where men still build, by their own hands, the craft they ride, be it water or land. Our goods are carefully hand crafted and printed one at a time in California.” – Check out their collection and inspiring images/videos at http://www.ironandresin.com

Iron & Resin : 2012 Brand Video from Scott Toepfer on Vimeo.

December 23rd, 2011

Adidas Originals x Burton Outerwear

Mage Design is proud to be a part the recent Adidas X Burton collection presented this fall at select retailers. Offering sketch and graphic support to lead designer, Kazuki Kuraishi, just a few of our contributions include a parka length down, casual rain coat and faded camo print. Available at all Burton flagship stores.

December 16th, 2011

The Eames aluminum chair

Great classic design will never die, the new ad campaign by Vitra for the Charles and Ray Eames aluminum chair is just right. “The Aluminium Chair is one of the greatest furniture designs of the 20th century. The Aluminium Chair stands out for its intelligent combination of materials. It adapts to fit the body snugly and delivers great comfort, even without extensive upholstery.” – Vitra

November 30th, 2011

without craftsmanship, inspiration is a mere reed shaken in the wind. – Johannes Brahms

Made by Hand from Persol on Vimeo.

November 1st, 2011

Fall/Winter 2011 Burton x Adidas Originals Lookbook

“Along with “Rider of the Year” John Jackson joining Team Burton the season, snowboard sport’s most valued brand has another thing to celebrate about – the Burton x Adidas Originals Capsule Collection. With the snowboard season winding up in the Northern Hemisphere, the collection culminates to the more insulated designs like the Burton x Adidas Originals Down Casual Snow Jacket. A hint of plaid on a classic parka design, the Casual Down Jacket is more than winter-ready with its 70% down and 30% duck feather insulation. The addition of a detachable faux fur hood completely seals you off from the elements. But in case that isn’t adequate enough, a set of flannel shirts might just do the trick. The Burton x Adidas Originals Flannel Shirt and Down Casual Snow Jacket are available now at select Burton and Adidas Originals retail locations.” – http://www.freshnessmag.com

November 1st, 2011

EAMES: The Architect and The Painter – Trailer

October 25th, 2011

Play of light

Celebrating his 70th birthday, Robert Wilson with the help of the Italian furniture company Kartell (well known for their transparent polycarbonate material use) created this series of seven chair-sculptures. As a famous American director, stage designer and master of visual experimentation it’s only fitting that he should express his seven decades of life through this project, and also name it fittingly ’7 electric chairs…..as you like it’ – referring to the comedy by William Shakespeare. Each chair is similar in size, but different in shape and with different white colored neon light configurations.

The chairs are hand etched with a thickness of 20mm,which thin neon tubes are inserted, each piece expressing a different form and power. The lights seems to float in the plastic giving life to sophisticated plays of light while reflecting on the precious classic décor of the Milanese theatre, where the exhibition is held.

“‘from the number seven. seven days of the week. I am 70 years old, seven decades, seven deadly sins and there are many more references in philosophy, mathematics. Shakespeare’s play ‘as you like it’ contains the seven ages of man, here are seven dwarfs in snow white and there is the soft drink 7UP. seven has always been a number that interests me.” – Robert Wilson