KENNETH GRANGE IN MONOCLE MAGAZINE

There is a great interview with Kenneth Grange in the latest issue of Monocle. Here are a couple of choice quotes:

'When you have companies buying the best equipment and tools to make things as good as they can be made then you get the finest partners for designers to work with. When these things don't exist, when cost and quantity become more important than quality, as has happened in Britain, then designers look elsewhere for partners and the industry falls to pieces.'

'One of the biggest rewards as a designer is knowing how to make something. If I were Chancellor I would give big tax incentives to small firms providing a fantastic service or making something beautifully. In 10 years this would create a platform of makers again.'

We could not agree more.

The Design Museum in Bermondsey, SE1, will hold a retrospective of Grange's work this summer.

Image from Monocle

ANGLEPOISE : DOCUMENTATION

A brief post to document the documentation that comes with an Anglepoise Type 75 lamp. We particularly like how the monochromatic design communicates the simplicity of the lamp itself.

ANGLEPOISE : A CASE STUDY

We recently came across this excellent case study on Anglepoise, courtesy of the Design Council:

Anglepoise is run by father and son team, John and Simon Terry. By 2001, the pair realised that if Anglepoise was to survive it was time to make a few harsh decisions. The most straightforward option, and one chosen by many UK manufacturers in recent years, would be to stick to the same products and distribution channels but move all production overseas – probably to China.

But the Terrys could see that this strategy might easily erode one of the company’s key remaining strengths – its reputation for precision design and engineering excellence.

‘Our margins were very small, and shrinking fast,’ explains Managing Director Simon Terry. ‘But we had a strong name, as well as our flawless design and engineering credentials. We wanted to find a way to reinvent the business to capitalise on these assets – not undermine them.’ There had to be another way.

The answer turned out to be a much more radical overhaul of the entire business. Anglepoise would start again, in a new location, as a high design, premium priced brand addressing an international marketplace.

Image from the excellent looking John's Adverts

'INSPIRING AND DEPRESSING'

Before leaving work this evening I tore a piece from The Daily Telegraph. I believe it is by Rupert Christiansen but my clipping technique left me with only his forename.

In this sidebar piece Rupert (apologies to Mr Christiansen if it was not his work), talks of 'German industrial excellence' alongside the British manufacturing culture that 'is one of corner cutting and quick profit, which ultimately leaves the landfill sites full of broken down plastic rubbish.'

Rupert ends by stating that 'the best travel clock, the best food mixer, the best iron, with the clearest dials and crispest switches are German every time.' One would like to point him in the direction of similarly crisp and clear designs from the likes of British manufacturers Anglepoise and Dualit.

However, I do admit to having a large soft spot for the work of Dieter Rams and therefore am permitted to include the picture above.

BLETCHLEY PARK RADIO EQUIPMENT WITH ANGLEPOISE LAMP

SCRAPBOOK PT. 4

Peter Marlow's office in Narrow Street, Limehouse. London. 1982

Pellicci's cafe, Bethnal Green Road. London

Marx's shield design - used in 1949 on the Bakerloo, Northern and District Lines

PINCH DESIGN STUDIO

YVES DESK

JOYCE CABINET

IMO STOOL

CLEMENT COFFEE TABLE

ANGLEPOISE STAMP