NEW from XK
12 JAN 2010
Xandre Kriel was recently commissioned to design new barstools, called Leer, for Superette in Salt River.
Inspired by step ladders, I think the little string detail is pretty neat!
Blog
Super! SUPERETTE
15 SEP 2009
I’d like to say that the reason I haven’t blogged in ages, is because we were so busy with the design and installation of Superette, but I won’t, because it isn’t true. The process of putting the cafe together (a new initiative by WITW) was so organic and easy that I wish that all my jobs were as fun as this!
New from Liam Mooney - the little desk that could
27 MAY 2009
The little desk that could is a new piece I’ve added to my collection, manufactured in black powder coated Mild Steel and stained FSC approved SA Pine.
House and Leisure Stand at Design Indaba ‘09
29 APR 2009
This year House and Leisure chose the / Design Studio to design their stand at the Design Indaba Expo.
It was their small spaces issue, so we designed a shelving unit that fits under a stair case. Try this at home folks.
Destination Glaceau - popup
2 APR 2009
The Destination Glaceau popup stores we did for Vitamin Water are all finished now, and I have some pictures to share with you of the Cape Town space…
VITAMIN WATER
22 MAR 2009
I’m in JHB again this weekend to finalise one of the two pop up stores (the other being on Loop Street in Cpt) that the design studio has been commissioned to create for the American brand GLACEAU VITAMIN WATER. Its a really cool brand and we’ve had a lot of fun with the amount of freedom we’ve been afforded. The stores open later this week, so if you get a chance come and have a look.
ADRIAAN HUGO - PUBLIC SCULPTURE
13 MAR 2009
Unless you’ve been down to the Ellis park train station in JHB lately, you might have missed the public sculpture that Adriaan Hugo was commissioned to do on the sides of the ticket booth. Well now you’re in luck, Katy has emailed me some images of the work, at different stages of completion. Its really beautiful, and might encourage more people to take train rides, maybe…
PRESIES curated by Dirk de Waal
4 MAR 2009
Here are some images of PREsies, curated by Dirk de Waal, which opened last week.
The online catalogue will be out soon, should you wish to buy the whole lot ;)
cheers
Liam
THE grand Daddy - Trailer Park
3 MAR 2009
Towards the end of 2008, WITW / Design Studio did the creative direction for the trailer park on the roof of the new Grand Daddy hotel on Long Str.
PRESIES - PIETER HEYNEKE
21 FEB 2009
Hailing from Sasolburg I went to study graphic design in Pretoria at Open Window School of Visual Communication. Completed my studies there and started working here and there in advertising. Got bored of it and went into an animation/broadcast design direction. Started at a production company, Seventh Wave, were I was trained and helped on commercial accounts for Fanta, Nedbank, Nissan, Audi to name but a few. Left them to become head broadcast designer at Mindset Network, which I’m still at at present. As with all designers, I have a few projects on the side. I’m doing my Honours in Multimedia at UJ. I have done some work with the fashion designer, Ella Buter for Supperella. Been part of the band Plasticoma and currently working on my own, yet unnamed, band, which I style, brand and create the look & feel.
PRESIES - ALWIJN BURGER
21 FEB 2009
As a young boy I never dreamt of becoming a florist. I am still not one.
The gardens of my hometown and the markets of Europe made flowers my medium of choice.
Today I am the co-owner and creative director of the intimate, yet well established, “Floral Firm” OKASIE in Stellenbosch.
PRESIES - JOE PAINE
18 FEB 2009
“Studied Industrial Design at WITS Tech. Worked in manufacturing before recently going on his lonesome designing and making furniture and products under his own name. He currently sees plants as being integral to our built environments and is questioning why they are not.”
PRESIES - SAREL PETRUS
18 FEB 2009
Sarel Petrus holds a Fine Art degree from Tswane University of Technology. He learnt bronze casting through apprenticeship at the Vignali Artistic Bronze Foundry in Pretoria North, and in the bronze studio of Guy du Toit. He exhibits regularly in Gauteng and Paarl, had a solo show in Graskop in 2008 and will be exhibiting in Cape Town in 2009.
PRESIES - DIRK DE WAAL
16 FEB 2009
Leading up to the opening of PREsies next week Tuesday, I’m going to be introducing some of the participating designers. Each of the designers have written a short bio on themselves, as well as answered 3 questions: What is important? What is exciting? What if the world…?
Dirk de Waal has been involved in over 400 stage shows and events across 3 continents over the past 5 years as project manager and show director. At the moment he does creative direction and concept development for deconstruction.be (a multifaceted media company), creative consulting to fashion designers and musicians as well as his involvement with WITW/DS events.
presies - curated by Dirk de Waal - Tue 24 Feb, 18h00
2 FEB 2009
PRESIES, curated by Dirk de Waal is the first exhibtion for our programme for 2009. Opening night is Tuesday the 24th of February at 18h00.
XK 2008 Collection
4 NOV 2008
2008 has been (and still is) a busy year for Xandre Kriel. He’s imposed his indelible style on a variety of pieces, ranging from bar stools to shelving systems, and with great success I think.
An Arc Lamp by Liam Mooney
30 OCT 2008
This has been a totally crazy week, the Moving Rooms project I’m creative directing for Daddy Longs Legs Hotel has been taking up most of my time and left little for anything else. That being said, I have some new shots of my new Arc Lamp, (shown at Number Three) to share with you.
Depeche Mode Scatter Cushions by Proletariat
22 OCT 2008
Proletariat is a new range of limited edition smalls, manufactured entirely from vintage found or recycled materials.
ID Magazine - Disturbance design
21 OCT 2008
It’s always really cool to see South African designers on the cover of really great international magazines. This time the folks from Disturbance Design in Durban got the honour, of being on the cover of ID Magazine from London.
NUMBER THREE - Christopher Strong, Liam Mooney and Timothy Wang
17 OCT 2008
A selection of images from Number Three - The third in a series of projects and events for emerging designers.
NUMBER THREE - Easy now, by Dokter and Misses, Adriaan Hugo and Givan Lotz
17 OCT 2008
A selection of images from Number Three - The third in a series of projects and events for emerging designers.
NUMBER THREE / Friday 10 October
1 OCT 2008
Its that time of the year again!
Hope to see you all supporting local design at NUMBER THREE, next week Friday.
The Springkaan by Xandre Kriel
17 SEP 2008
Our Hope street studio is busy being renovated this week, so in the interim, here are some images of the new Springkaan shelving unit by Xandre Kriel. This new design will be available at the studio within the coming months.
Laptop bags by Missibaba
26 AUG 2008
Images of Missibaba’s new laptop bags, which are now on sale at the Design Studio shop.
The bags are hand-made, and come in an array of colours with beautiful lining.
AGTER ELKE MAN - ‘n gay magazine
23 AUG 2008
I’m really sorry for not having posted anything this last week. The truth is, the last week has been a mad rush to finish AGTER ELKE MAN, ‘n gay magazine I’ve started with my friend Timmy Wang.
Dinner Date at /DS - July
31 JUL 2008
Our first dinner date at the design studio was held on Tuesday evening…and while I will admit it might be a little weird to have a dinner party in a shop window, hehe, a lot of fun was had by all.
NUMBER THREE
30 JUL 2008
The annual Number Events by WITW / Design Studio, were created to provide platforms for young and emerging South African designers. This years event NUMBER THREE, is being held on the Friday the 10th of October.
Miggi High by Xandre Kriel
24 JUL 2008
The beautiful A - Frames (Miggi’s) by Xandre Kriel have recently been adapted to a high barstool.
TUISNYWERHEID
22 JUL 2008
This weekend WITW / DESIGN STUDIO will be holding the first of its quarterly designer bake sales - TUISNYWERHEID.
The Kreep Planter by Joe Paine
6 JUL 2008
“Adding plants to the kitchen, patio or balcony, makes one a happier person.” - Joe Paine
I think you’ll agree that this new adjustable planter by Joe Paine is incredibly beautiful (or kick ass!, as Adriaan calls it)!
ONE VOTE @ Dokter and Misses
23 JUN 2008
Dokter and Misses will be hosting an exhibition of prints by Zimbabwean artist Kudzanai Chiurai, on Friday the 27th of June.
“Come and cast your vote of no confidence in the Zimbabwe elections. What happens in Zimbabwe affects us all.”
WITW / Design Studio LAUNCH - Thurs 26 June
18 JUN 2008
The new WITW / Design Studio showroom at 11 Hope Street will be opened on the 26th of June with the launch show, T- by Dokter, Misses and Friends.
New Benches + Stools by Adriaan Hugo
5 JUN 2008
Wow, its been a bench and stool fiesta here lately!
Adriaan Hugo’s new bench and stools for Rooms on View last weekend, are some of my favorite products from his collection …The cork and white steel is really beautiful!
The 2 Old Chairs Bench by Lyall Sprong
28 MAY 2008
Lyall Sprong’s new 2 Old Chairs Bench for iLunch at Rooms on view is made from reclaimed chairs found on Voortrekker Rd, Salt River.
The Centipede by Xandre Kriel
28 MAY 2008
The Centipede by Xandre Kriel was designed for Laureen Roussouw’s iLunch stand at the Rooms on View Exhibition happening this weekend at Gallagher Estate, Midrand.
The Mensch Bench by Liam Mooney
25 MAY 2008
The Mensch Bench was designed for Laureen Rossouw’s installation, iLunch, at the upcoming Rooms on View in Johannesburg.
Emerging designers across all disciplines were invited to take part, by either designing a bench / stool or table wear.
Flex doll
16 MAY 2008
Question: What does one do with found plastic coating from stolen electrical cable?
The Wessels Table by Liam Mooney
15 MAY 2008
Originally designed as a bespoke piece, I’ve recently added the Wessels Table to my own collection of products.
The Sputnik by Lyall Sprong
12 MAY 2008
Lyall Sprong has redesigned the beautiful Sputnik Shades that he showed at Number Two late last year.
Daddy Long Legs “Moving Rooms” - Open Invitation to pitch on Brief
18 APR 2008
Moving Rooms, a Daddy Long Legs initiative which will be launching later this year, is calling on all creatives to pitch on the brief to decorate one of a fleet of Airstream trailers.
WITW / DS Window April - 08
17 APR 2008
This months window was done by Charl Edwards for “The Group”.
Daddy Long Legs is at it again! (and we’re excited to be involved)
7 APR 2008
Daddy Long legs (the guys that brought you the Art hotel on Long street) have started work on their new project, Moving Rooms.
Well its been quite the month of exhibitions
29 MAR 2008
Whatiftheworld / Design Studio was chosen to take part in three various exhibitions this month. All huge success’s, thank you to everybody that supported them!
WITW / DS Window - March ‘08
14 MAR 2008
Welcome to the Whatiftheworld / Design Studio window for March ‘08.
Help Godfrey Liamba build his rickshaw
12 MAR 2008
I was recently approached by Godfrey Liamba, with a request to help him find materials to build a rickshaw. I think this is a terrific idea, and definitely want to help.
Lighting Installation by Daniel Hirschmann
5 MAR 2008
After a year’s absence, Daniel Hirschmann was back in town this February to showcase his new lighting installation at the Design Indaba ‘08.
Design Indaba Expo ‘08
29 FEB 2008
We would like to thank all our visitors for your support and feedback at the Design Indaba 2008. For more products, visit the whatiftheworld / design studio at 11 Hope Street, Tuesday to Friday 10h00-16h00 or Saturday 10h-14h00. Hope to see you soon.
Adriaan Hugo voted emerging designer of the year
29 JAN 2008
I think congratulations are in order for one of our featured designers. Adriaan Hugo was recently chosen as South Africa’s emerging designer of the year, for the Elle decoration EDIDA awards. We knew we were onto something when we found him! :)
Dokter and Misses
12 NOV 2007
Dokter and Misses is open! and the images that Adriaan and Katy sent me look beautiful! If you’re in Joburg, you definatley have to go down and check it out…
Dokter and Misses > le Flagship store :)
2 NOV 2007
The design duo behind Dokter and Misses (Adriaan Hugo and Katy Taplin) have joined forces with designer Joe Paine in opening their flagship store of the same name at 44 Stanley, Milpark Johannesburg. Stocking a diverse range of locally designed products from furniture, clothing, jewellery and accessories, packaging, ceramics and garden pots by Adriaan Hugo, Dokter and Misses, me and joe, Joe, Margaret Hugo and Smitten. The Dokter and Misses store is Johannesburg’s exclusive outlet for hot new shoes, Paez, from Buenos Aires.
Icon Magazine > Why design needs a recession
28 OCT 2007
‘…Enough with the regeneration - bring on the degeneration…’
I was on the Icon magazine website this weekend, reading some articles from previous issues, and stumbled on this article by the Icon Team.
Number Two > Liam Mooney
17 OCT 2007
And lastly work from my new collection. For this new work I was particularly inspired by the Mechano sets I used to play with as a child. The idea of building up pieces of furniture with components and hardware that are readily available off the shelf is something that interests me…hope you enjoy!
Number Two > Adriaan Hugo
17 OCT 2007
For Number Two we had Joburg based Industrial designer, Adriaan Hugo fly in for the show. His installation was beautiful, and I was particularly impressed by his colour palette. The engineering and attention to detail on Adriaan’s work is impecable!
Number Two > Lyall Sprong
17 OCT 2007
For Lyall Sprong’s new collection, he continued his exploration into the incorporation of specular reflections into furniture…and the results have been amazing. ‘Ambitious ordinary’ is the name of his new concepts in furniture and product design. He’s experimenting with subverting the function and perception of rather ordinary objects…Some exciting ideas!
Number Two > Xandre Kriel
14 OCT 2007
Xandre Kriel’s installation for the product design section of Number Two, was incredibly well received…and as I’ve said before, I’m a huge fan of Xandre’s work, his attention to detail is amazing, and I particularly like the joining techniques that he uses on most of his pieces.
the burble in london
19 SEP 2007
Skinnylaminx
13 SEP 2007
Graphic designer and illustrator, Heather Moore, has been a contributor and supporter of Whatiftheworld from the beginning. Many of you may have already seen her work, but attached are images she sent us of some beautiful pieces in her collection of fabrics and products. Check out more of her work at www.skinnylaminx.com, enjoy…
Trolley’s
8 SEP 2007
I’ve always been intrigued by the ladies and gentleman that push shopping trolley’s around the city, collecting recyclable materials. More often than not the trolley’s are souped up and customised so they can hold more materials. I think some of these trolley designs are ingenious…designed around the users, for real needs, using found objects. These guys are working hard, and providing a valuable service to our cities! Two years ago, I tried to start a project to help the trolley pushers in whatever way I could. The project quickly failed because no one wanted to support or be associated with a project that “supported alcoholics”… I feel that, how any one chooses to spend their money (provided its legal of course) is no business of ours, especially when the way they’re earning their money if providing such a valuable service. I also feel that, making the assumption that anyone that collects rubbish to be recycled is an alcoholic is a little short sighted and mean.
So now I’m beginning again. I’ve started a small collection of pictures of these trolley’s and would love you all to submit images of trolley’s that you’ve found. Maybe some day in the future, the images can be printed and bound…
(And the next time you have a heap of rubbish that can be recycled, consider giving it to one of the people with the shopping trolley’s, they’re usually everywhere, so finding them shouldn’t be difficult.)
Stiaan Louw
23 AUG 2007
We were recently invited by fashion designer, Stiaan Louw to view his latest collection at Cape Town Fashion Week. I thought that Stiaan’s show was great! I especially liked his mens wear. Stiaan has told me that he is now going to focus on extending the collection with some more conceptual pieces, which should be interesting!