Tag Archive for Design

thought starter

Rise up: The world can’t fix itself

Do you despair at the news? Deplore those in power? Dream of a future that’s not quite so apocalyptic? Cool. Then what are you doing about it? It’s your fault the world is broken. And mine. It’s our friends’ fault, and their friends’. Our families’ fault, and lovers’ and neighbours’ and colleagues’… it’s all our fault. As a child of… Read more →

sea_level

Rising tide: Young climate activists and signs of change

How climate strikers are borrowing words and images from 1960s counterculture to influence the hippies of yesterday that stand in the way of climate action today.   A little over a year ago, an image took the world by storm. It was of a girl outside an old building, beside her a white board with hand-painted black capital letters on it: ‘SKOLSTREJK… Read more →

connect creativity thoughtful workshops

Connecting the dots: How to solve bigger problems with better creativity

Commercial creatives are learning to get to better solutions faster by partnering with mission-led startups.   What happens when you combine a social mission with commercial ambition? It’s a question that’s fascinated me for ages. For me, there’s no inherent conflict between purpose and profit. In fact, given the influence it has on every aspect of our lives, I think… Read more →

wishlist play

Wishlist: Thoughtful ways to play

Could there be anything more satisfying than changing the world and having fun while doing it? Creatively designed and compassionately made, here are a few things to help you do just that.   Travel… … And Leisure Fun… … And Games Photo credit (header): Erol Ahmed Read more →

made by us

Made by us: Appreciating the human side of things

Designing unique objects with, and for, the homeless.   Terry can fill a room with his laugh. A furniture restorer and french polisher by trade, he’s never without his multi-coloured crocheted hat sitting slightly askew on his head. He’s a colourful character who’s had a colourful life. An East Londoner by way of the Scottish Highlands, as a youngster he… Read more →

thoughtful fix wishlist

Wishlist: A curated set of items for getting your fix on

What could be more thoughtful than mending, repairing and improving things that are broken, forgotten or neglected? Creatively designed and compassionately made, here are a few tools to (and things which) do just that. Get stuff fixed Get fixed stuff Fix yourself Get your fix Photo credit (header): Lachlan Donald Read more →

goldfinger factory

Goldfinger Factory: A place to call home

The sea of pavement in front of Westbourne Park underground station is a dull grey; the sky, peppered with mist and threatening rain, a grey haze. Down the road, the Regents Canal is mottled flecks of silver. There are grey faces, grey hoodies. Tiny specks of colour—laundry hung on balconies to dry—punctuate a looming grey hulk of concrete. This is… Read more →

sophie howarth

Shopkeeper of the mind: An interview with Sophie Howarth

The glare of fluorescent lights and an overpowering scent of perfume welcome you to most department stores. Not so at the Department Store for the Mind, a retail concept responding to the rise of ‘mindfulness’ with clean, calm, thoughtful design. Online and in the occasional pop-up, it sells products to help you reflect on your thoughts and emotions. I sat down with… Read more →