Sunday, August 8, 2010

I've spent the last few days at the IDSA international conference where the theme was DIY Design: Threat or Opportunity? Grace Bonney, the founder and editor of Design*Sponge, kicked off the weekend as the first keynote speaker with a discussion of how the growing DIY culture has let truly talented DIY designers step forward, and how shabbier DIY products are an opportunity for the work of educated designers to shine.

John Jay, executive creative director at Wieden + Kennedy, shared his ideas about how "the DIY spirit is simultaneously global and local, celebrating the power of the individual by removing former obstacles and traditional rules of engagement." Jay Rogers told of the outrageous possibilities with an exciting company he's co-founded--Local Motors, a DIY car company that allows customers to design their cars according to their needs, preferences, and the demands of their locale. Once designed, customers build their cars themselevs in "microfactories" which are popping up in various regions of the U.S.. Scott Wilson, formerly of Nike, now the founder of UNCOMMON discussed the company's double top secret customization capabilities for iphone, ipod, and ipad cases that allow individuals to make a one of a kind case using uploaded photos and original art.

Ann-Marie Conrado showed how design for social change at HOPE is saving lives in Nepal. And, at the conference from Cologne, Germany, Tine Latein brought us the hilarious story of the trials and tribulations of titanium jewelry design and handling journalists. Local chef, Naomi Pomeroy, made our mouths water furiously before lunch on Saturday by telling us about BEAST and slow food in Portland.

Bill Moggridge, the director of the Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, deftly discussed crowd sourcing and viral videos and showed video interviews with Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales and Blixa Bargeld of Einstürzende Neubauten. Portland, Oregon glass designer, Andi Kovel talked about Esque Design, and Dale Dougherty, the founding editor and publisher of Make Magazine showed an awe inspiring video about Maker Faire, where people can "bend, tweak and hack technology to make it their own, bridging digital worlds."

The weekend was a little exhausting, incredibly inspiring, and I only wish I'd been able to go to every single presentation.

Sunday, August 1, 2010

Ai Weiwei

I made a post about Chinese artist, activist, and iconoclast, Ai Weiwei, to the American Craft blog this week. The story reviews an exhibition of his work at the Museum of Contemporary Craft in Portland. Hope you like it!