5 design things to look out for in January 2019

This month you can delve into the magical design world of Disneyland California, learn about how furniture and products need to adapt for Generation Rent and make your own political art.

Conference: Consumer Electronics Show (CES) 2019

Vayyar 3D imaging technology

What: The gargantuan technology show based in Las Vegas returned again this month, bringing with it new products in areas including smart homes, artificial intelligence and robotics, voice activation, health tech and more. Notable launches this year include the iPet Robot, an AI that can allegedly take care of an owner’s pet when they’re not around by feeding them and playing with them, and IBM’s new Q System One quantum computer for scientists. You can read our comprehensive round-up of the best product launches from this year’s show here.

Where: Las Vegas Convention Centre, Las Vegas Valley, Nevada, US.

When: 8-11 January 2019.

Info: For more information, head here.


Book: Welcome to Disneyland

Courtesy of Taschen

What: Delve into the magical visual history of Walt Disney’s most notable theme park, Disneyland California. This book, published by Taschen, includes original colour photographs, concept drawings and items taken from the archives and collections of the Walt Disney Company, tracing the theme park’s story back to its foundations in 1955. Based in Anaheim, Disneyland California was the first park developed by the Disney brand, and over its 60 years of existence, has seen 800 million visitors. Readers can expect to discover the industrial design and engineering feats of its rollercoasters, through to the set designs and immersive worlds created for the park’s various sections.

Where: Available through Taschen’s website.

When: Released this month.

Info: The book costs £40. For more information, head here.


Talk: The Future of Renting

IKEA’s PS collection

What: As house prices have risen dramatically in the UK comparative to wages, buying a home has become increasingly unachievable for many people, young and old – the number of 35-54-year-olds who rent as private tenants has doubled in the last 10 years, according to the BBC. This talk hosted by the Design Museum and IKEA will look at how designers can tackle the problems that “generation rent” face, particularly how products need to adapt for flexible living conditions, as tenants might move regularly, and how to create more “desirable” and long-term furniture for renters. Read about Design Week’s partnership with IKEA looking at the future of renting here.

Where: Design Museum, 224-238 Kensington High Street, Kensington, London W8 6AG.

When: 6.30-8pm, 16 January 2019.

Info: Tickets cost £10 for adults and £7 for concessions and students. For more information, head here.


Events: Come Together — Art and Politics in a Climate of Unrest

Protesters at a recent anti-Trump march in London

What: Art, design and politics have become intertwined over recent years, as apathy and anger towards politicians and authority have caused the public and professional artists to turn to creativity to express their frustrations. Protest art has been the big one, ranging from posters, prints and paintings through to giant tapestries and knitted woolly hats made in bulk for solidarity. This workshop at the Tate Modern, in collaboration with art school Central Saint Martins, explores the power of creativity in expressing opinion and outrage, and will see various events including workshops, lectures, reading groups, film screenings and performances.

Where: Tate Exchange, Blavatnik Building, Level Five, Tate Modern, Bankside, London SE1 9TG.

When: 12-6pm, 15-19 January, and 12-4pm, 20 January 2019.

Info: These events are free. For more information, head here.


Opportunity: Pathways project for BAME illustrators

Emojiworld for Eyeyah!, by illustrator Esther Goh, one of World Illustration Awards 2018 winners

 

What: Pop-Up Projects is an Arts Council-funded charity that runs different schemes aimed at bringing the arts and literature to a wider range of people, with the goal of producing “a more literature, creative society”. Its latest venture, the Pathways project, in collaboration with magazine The Bookseller, is aimed at illustrators from black, Asian and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds, and looks to help them start a career in children’s books. Over the next two years, the scheme will invite 30 new illustrators to take part in 70 days of masterclasses, as well as give them mentoring and business training. They will then produce five children’s books, and the best will be sold by the House of Illustration and distributed by Pop-Up Projects. The organisers are currently seeking aspiring illustrators to take part in the scheme.

Where: All over the UK – the base will be at the House of Illustration in London, but at least 50% of placements will be given to those outside of the capital, with online teaching available.

When: Pathways runs from 2019-2021.

Info: Those interested should email pathways@pop-up.org.uk. For more information on Pop-Up Projects, head here, for the House of Illustration, head here and for The Bookseller, head here.


Other stuff to catch this month:

Exhibition: Jilly Edwards: Glimpses and Memories at the National Centre for Craft and Design — a show on intricate tapestries made from cotton, wool and linen yarns.

Prints: Alan Kitching’s A-Z of London — a limited edition run of only 25 copies of this print-set by the famed typographer and designer, comprised of 26 individual letters representing things to do with the capital city. If you’re interested in buying a set, contact Karoline Newman.

Workshop: Modern Calligraphy at Tate St Ives — a two-hour session on 19 January that will teach visitors how to draw letters using a dip calligraphy pen and help them master the modern calligraphy alphabet. All attendees get a calligraphy kit to take away.

Talk: Pentagram partner Sascha Lobe will be speaking about his recent and current projects for the likes of Bauhaus-Archiv and Mercedes-Benz on 24 January at Pentagram’s studio in Notting Hill, West London. For tickets, head here.

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