Graphic Masters II: Highlights from the Smithsonian American Art Museum

Graphic Masters II: Highlights from the Smithsonian American Art Museum, the second in a series of special installations, celebrates the extraordinary variety and accomplishment of American artists' works on paper.These exceptional watercolors, pastels, and drawings from the 1920s to the 1960s reveal the central importance of works on paper for American artists, both as studies for creations in other media and as finished works of art.Rarely seen works from the museum's permanent collection by artists such as Stuart Davis, Sam Francis, Edward Hopper, Willem de Kooning, Joseph Stella, Grant Wood, and Andrew Wyeth will be featured in the exhibition.Joann Moser, senior curator for graphic arts, selected the artworks in Graphic Masters.

More: www.dexigner.com/jump/directory/13166

Refreshingly Creative Design From Kenya and Senegal

All across Africa, designers are distinguishing themselves with their own authentic signatures. Read what some of the continent’s Thought Leaders have to say in an exclusive DESIGN>magazine interview with icons such as Marianne Fassler, Peet Pienaar and Veejay Archary from South Africa, Frieda Lühl from Namibia, Senegal’s Ousmane M’Baye, Odoch Pido of Uganda, Karo Akpokiere of Nigeria and Sara Abera Alemu from Ethiopia. Read more>>>
Have a look at how Nairobi-based Planning Interiors Ltd tackle the challenges facing their interior design studio in the fields of corporate, hospitality and retail design >>>
And find out how Parisian influences help contemporary Senegal-based designer, Dominique Petot, make his range of vibrant occasional chairs from stainless steel and colourful nylon string >>>
The latest edition of DESIGN>magazine celebrates design in Afrika, in all its different guises. Make sure you receive the latest news and future editions of DESIGN here .

Leonardo Glass Cube

With a distinctive corporate architecture as an interface between client and brand, companies today manage to convey an image and enhance their branding – set in stone, steal or glass – through outstanding achievements in construction. When a corporate philosophy is expressed through symbolic architecture and by setting new quality standards in building culture, there is often more to it than meets the eye. Many companies consciously use the art of architecture as a tool, not only for their outward but above all for their inward image, in order to create an ideal work environment for their employees.The Glass Cube for Leonardo is both a showroom and an inspiring workplace for employees, designers and product developers alike. Its design concept combines architecture, landscape design, as well as interior and graphic design into a complex aesthetic entity which, through a wavelike spatial structure, creates a futuristic atmosphere and ambiance for various exhibition arrangements. Due to an open floor plan layout the different functional areas integrate into one another; paths connect to presentation zones, meeting rooms to relaxation lounges. With the consistent organic design of its glass front, the Glass Cube is a transparent signifier and, above all, an aesthetic eye-catcher.

More: http://en.red-dot.org/2994+M5f60973f93b.html

Design is No Coincidence

Not afraid of innovation, students from Salford University's Design Studies Cluster have taken a fresh approach to "the final show." The 41 students have worked together to conceive and develop a campaign titled "Design Is No Coincidence" to place themselves, and their unique courses, in the shop window.Incorporating a quality print book, a website and a forthcoming exhibition at the Sterling Prize-winning Centenary Building, it's an ambitious showcase of multidisciplinary work from those graduating in Design Management for the Creative Industries, Journalism and Design Studies and Design Futures.Yet this well-crafted project is also impressive due to the funding behind it being secured by the students themselves: perhaps a particularly impressive feat given the current economic climate."This project challenges those about to graduate to stop thinking like students and start functioning like industry professionals," says Roy Chilvers, the Lecturer leading the project."To finance all their ambitious components required them to identify high-calibre partners, meet with them, and convince them that their respective brands would benefit from being associated with the themes of innovation, boldness and the development of the Twin Cities as a creative hub.

More: www.dexigner.com/design_events/design-is-no-coincidence-groundbreaking-approach-to-the-student-.html

Esquina Norte: 9th International Design Conference

Esquina Norte, the most anticipated expected design conference of Mexico's northwest region, is coming once again this fall to Tijuana.This year will include a series of interactive seminars and hands-on training courses.This international signature event becomes possible thanks to a dedicated group of committed, responsible and independent professionals whose creativity has inspired over 2,500 students from all over USA, Mexico, and Latin America.Eighth successful editions have turned Esquina Norte into a wide community of academics, students and professionals who intensely expand their minds in a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity of dialogue with international known creators, within a unique atmosphere.

More: www.esquinanorte.com

WATER POLLUTION

Designer: Maziar ZandMember of: IGDS, IranAbout the design"The solids suspended in the water can block the sun's rays, and this blocking disrupts the carbon dioxide/oxygen conversion process. When large populations of decomposing bacteria are converting these wastes it can deplete oxygen levels in the water.

This causes other organisms in the water, such as fish, to die."Client: m.zand studio Dimensions: 7000 x 1000 px Copyright: 2007About the designerMaziar Zand, b.1978, Tehran, Iran

More: www.mzand.com

17 International Lahti Poster Biennial

Lahti (Finland) - An unparalleled number of entries were submitted for the 17 International Lahti Poster Biennial. Nearly 2 600 posters from 49 countries around the world were offered for this year's exhibition, exceeding the number of posters submitted for the 2007 event by more than 1 000. The great number of posters sent from Iran, China, Taiwan (Chinese Taipei), Japan and Poland and their high general standard is worth noting. New participating countries include New Zealand and United Arab Emirates. Young graphic designers from various parts of the world have shown a great interest in the environmental posters category. On the other hand, the number of commercial posters offered for the show has decreased compared with previous biennial exhibitions.The competition committee of the Lahti Poster Biennial has chosen 252 posters to be displayed in the exhibition. The criteria emphasised in the selection process included topicality, high-quality visual design, seeking new ways of expression and multicultural tendencies, which have always been central issues in Lahti Poster Biennial.The 17 International Lahti Poster Biennial, organised by Poster Museum, Lahti, Grafia ry and Poster Friends, will be on display from 14 June - 27 September 2009 at the Lahti Art Museum. There are two categories in the exhibition. The general category includes social and ideological posters, commercial posters and cultural posters. In addition, there is a special category for environmental posters in the exhibition.Michal Batory (France), Vladimir Chaika (Russia), Bruno Monguzzi (Switzerland), Antti Raudaskoski (Finland) and David Tartakover (Israel) have been invited as members of the International Jury to select the prize winning posters. Grand Prix, Grafia Prix, Lauri Tarasti prize, 2nd Prize and certificates of honour will be granted in the exhibition.

More: www.lahdenmuseot.fi