the crusty sandwich

plate design and half solutions [utensils]

Design has become something any one can do. I have done it and some of it is even good. But design recently seems to be focused on a solution to a problem that can be solved by, for example that brief respite you get by putting your drink down while you compose your self for an introduction. Or in the case of most of my friends dropping every thing but your  drink and having a big hug and stuff.

Take this. Via Mike Davidson.

Its a great idea and a well thought out solution. Until you think “gee I have more than 5 friends” So if your BBQs run into figures that reach more like the 30s then you will be dropping some serious coin on these things. Does that make it bad design? Yes. If you disagree where do you put a beer, a water, a Pimms and ginger etc…? Its bad design. Here is another example.

The “to become one, table and seats” has two parts, the sack, which is formless,  and the construction of the frame. By reinforcing each other the two parts become one. The sacks defy to form and play, just like the sand on the beach.

My comment was blocked for probably asking the obvious “the selection of materials does not seem right for something trying to associate with the beach” maybe those at dezeen have a better idea of what design is? But I don’t think so.

Here is another example

Via dezeen as well. The designer claims

Gillian Westley has created a range of cooking utensils that don’t leave a mess on worktops.

Assuming we are all cooking the same none de-script paste the above cook seems to be brewing up. Its not bad design but it is not good design either. I think I am going to coin it a “half solution to not a very real problem”.