Support Sarah’s Design Research in Japan!

Sarah is keen on learning the secrets to why Japanese culture has become such a popular influence on today’s western society.

She is enchanted by the phenomenon of Japanese cuisine, Manga and Anime, the Art of Bonsai and other traditional practices of ancient Japan. In order to further her research into the westerners idealism of Japan created by the Japanese tourist industry, she too will be embarking on her own journey to the “Land of the Rising Sun”. Sarah just needs your help…

Her plan is to travel for a month around Japan’s most famous tourist sites to see what it is really like out there for a western traveler. Are the fantastic stories of Japanese etiquette and craftsmanship true? Or just a figment of my imagination, fuelled by the Media, Museums and secondary research she have previously undertaken?

Sarah plans to go at the end of the summer (August – September), to hopefully glimpse a sight of both the busy holiday season and the post-tourism side of Japanese life.

The places she plans to visit are:

Tokyo
Kyoto
Osaka
Mt Fuji
Mt Koya
Hiroshima
Himeji

The attractions on her list to possibly see and do:

Tokyo
Visit the Ghibli Museum.
Visit the Pokemon Centre.
Stay in a Capsule Hotel.
Travel on the Bullet Train.
Visit Aoyama Cemetery.
Visit the Hachiko Statue outside Shibuya Station.
Travel around the shopping district in Shibuya.
Visit the Imperial Palace.
Witness a fish auction at Tsukiji Market.

Mt Fuji
Climb Mt Fuji for the summit at sunrise.

Kyoto
Stay in a Ryokan in Kyoto
Take part in a Kaiseki Meal/Tea Ceremony.
See Geisha travelling through the streets of Kyoto.
Visit the Enryaku-ji Buddhist Temple on Mt Hiei.
Visit KYOTO DESIGN HOUSE.
Visit the Fushimi Inari Shrine.
Visit The Golden Temple.

Osaka
Visit Minoo Park and find Ryuanji Temple.
Visit The National Art Museum.
Visit Osaka Aquarium.

Mt Koya
Take a 2 day tour around Mt Koya, and partake in a Temple Lodging in Fukuji-in, and experience life as a Buddhist Monk.

Himeji
Visit Himeji Castle.

Hiroshima
Visit Hiroshima Castle.
Visit Hiroshima Peace Park and War Memorial Museum.
Visit Shukkeiken Garden.

Sarah plans to raise up to £2000 herself fundraising and through her own studio practice and working during this summer to pay for the flights and accommodation, but any contribution whether it be large or small would be immensely appreciated as it will enable her to see some fantastic things when she gets to Japan and make her final year project far more in depth and exciting. You can contribute here.

She shall be blogging about the journey on her blog and she also plans to make a video documentary of her experience as a British tourist in Japan.

The aim is to share with you all this life changing trip and the research will contribute to her dissertation and studio practice for her Masters exhibition in June 2014.

Exciting Stuff!

Sarah Brawn – Japan In The Western Eye

Another break through designer at the University of Brighton Degree Show was Sarah Brawn of Brawni Design.

Sarah is studying a Masters of Design in 3D Materials Practice (WMCP). She specialises in metal and plastic fabrication, primarily small scale metalwork and mould making.

Sarah is especially interested in creating her own composite materials, inspired by the theme of her projects.

Designer Statement

“I have a passion for Japanese culture and how it is perceived by the western population. I like to draw links between ancient legends in Japan and popular illustration that is internationally famous today. My work has been drawn from research on Origami, Shintō, Pokémon, Studio Ghibli, Anime, and Japanese Tea Ceremony. “

PROJECT TITLE: “JAPAN IN THE WESTERN EYE

“This project is the beginning of a study about how the Western world perceives Japanese culture.”

“The core of this project features a very traditional Japanese practice; the Tea Ceremony. Tea Ceremony in Japan is a formal, ancient and unchanged practice carried out by Tea Masters centuries ago and still today. It involves meticulously preparing and drinking a powdered bright green tea called “Matcha”, using a vast range of handcrafted, specialist utensils. The practice of drinking of tea in Western countries is very different, we drink a brown powdered tea filtered through a teabag with milk and sugar, with little effort in preparation.”

“In order to celebrate the variety of Japanese teas used in Tea ceremony, I created a range of tea and resin composites, in which most of the set is cast from.”

“The second branch of this project has been the study of ancient Japanese folk lore and popular (Japan-originated) Western illustration and game art. Following on from “A Japanese Fox Tale” I have discovered other Pokémon, Studio Ghibli, Mario and Sonic the Hedgehog characters that are based on the Kappa, Tengu, Kitsuné, Tanuki and Maneki Neko. These are all creatures featured in Shintō and old Japanese legends.”

“This Japanese Tea Ceremony Set represents the merge between two cultures, the ancient and the modern, and to suggest that ancient Japanese craft culture is not lost within today’s westernised society.”

“All the characters were hand-drawn and printed on to the fabric using printed transfers and the sublimation printer (T-shirt press) onto satin.”

“All the cast items are plastic (Jesmonite) with Japanese green teas in them. I really enjoy experimenting with composite materials in plastics to create pieces with interesting properties and finishes.”

If you would like to see some more of Sarah’s work, just visit her website at: www.brawni.co.uk

Or find her on Twitter at: @BrawniDesign

You can also email her on: sarah@brawni.co.uk

Holly McNicol – One To Watch

Last year, ContemporaryLab sponsored the Brighton University degree show as Emma, Founder of ContemporaryLab, studied with the 3D Design students graduating.

This year, another of Emma’s friends, Holly McNicol, was exhibiting her final project at the degree show.

In short, Holly’s idea is just brilliant!!

Name:  Holly McNicol
Course: 3D Design BA(Hons)
Year of graduation: 2013
Contact email address  holly.mcnicol@live.co.uk

Title of work: The Living Office

“I am offering a service design proposal to improve the working environment with small, designed interventions. These interventions (my products) could grow into larger investments, allowing employers to ‘reap the rewards’ that they provide, through their employees being healthier, happier and more productive.”

“Research demonstrates that ensuring employee well being in computer-based offices can in turn improve motivation and productivity. I am particularly focusing on the introduction of herbs and edible plants and how their natural properties could benefit employees. When plants are added into an office, evidence demonstrates that the number of sick days taken be employees are reduced, employee happiness is increased and general productivity is improved. Herbs and edible plants have a wide range of properties from cold and flu relief to extra vitamins and instant sugar level boosts, and natural remedies to decrease stress and anxiety.”

“By using digital manufacture to prototype and create the products, I have been able to develop the following products in a sustainable fashion, with minimal wastage of materials. My proposals ‘interface’ with the office environment at common ‘junctions’ found in everyday office environments.”

“Grow Box – a laser cut, flat pack seedling planter. With the option of pre-grouped herbs for particular ailments (eg cold relief, anxiety, etc) it is a starter back for beginning your personal desktop herb garden.”

“Clip Planters – A trio of planters that offer a range of adornments for the office. Clamp to a table leg, place over a partition or screen, or even hang on the wall. Easy to move. Designed for one plant per pot. 3D Printed.”

“Pen Top Tools – 3D Printed pen lids with miniature gardening tools. Perfect size for the office and fit to most pens.”

“Herb Recipe Markers – Laser cut plywood markers clearly identify your herbs, whilst also highlight their properties for particular ailments and suggesting a recipe for a delicious herbal tea.”

“www.hollymcnicol.co.uk is the web platform for the proposition. This presents information about the concept, other possible interventions, and more information about integrating the products in the workplace. It takes the form of an office map to give an easy visual interface for the service design offer.”

If you want to get in touch with Holly about her brilliant project, just email  holly.mcnicol@live.co.uk

Great work Holly!

Introducing our new AU “After Upholstery” Range!

Eleanor has been very busy over the last 6 months! Not only has she been completing various upholstery projects; she has also worked on several commercial commissions and on top of that – released some new products.

Understandably, from all that work, there was a hell of a lot of fabric left over! Being a cleaver girl and keeping her products in touch with sustainable design, she has introduced her AU “after upholstery” range.

First in her new AU Range, Eleanor launched these gorgeous “AU” Cushions which use the off-cuts of upholstery fabric that could not be used on bigger projects. How great do these look too!

She has designed these cushions so that even the smallest off-cut can be used somewhere. You could say that these cushions are not only super quirky and very stylish but also up-cycled; a notion we are very fond of here at ContemporaryLab.

Another of our gorgeous up-cycled products – The Amethyst Showers Seat

A close of The Amethyst Showers Seat

As Eleanor has used off-cuts, her cushions are limited edition and there are only 4 available in each colour, so get your’s today! It’s FABULOUS FRIDAY TOO! So why not get it at 15% off the normal retail price – bargain!

Visit the shop today: www.contemporarylab.com

Happy Shopping

x

ContemporaryLab become Mentor’s for Vanilla Ink!

As many of you will know. ContemporaryLab & Vanilla Ink support each other as “sister sites”. Both businesses promote design graduates and therefore, it only made sense to join forces!

On 1st October, Kate from Vanilla Ink asked if we would like to become a mentor for one of her in-house jewellers and we were over the moon!

ContemporaryLab will be mentoring the very talented Victoria Kelsey!

Vanilla Ink have recently opened its doors within WASPS Meadowmill, Dundee, and has taken on 7 design graduates to develop their skills over the year.

We are excited to be working with the Vanilla Ink Mentoring Program and can’t wait for our first official meeting with Victoria!

You can read all about the program on the Vanilla Ink website.

ContemporaryLab Ltd – Our Story

CONTEMPORARYLAB Ltd

“AN EXCITING MULTI-DISCIPLINARY DESIGN COMPANY SET UP TO PROMOTE DESIGN GRADUATES ACROSS THE UK AND EUROPE”

After studying 3D Design at Brighton University, Business undergraduate Emma Brocklesby realised that creating a job for herself and others was probably going to be easier than finding a job in the current employment market.

Deciding that someone needed to step in and create a business specifically aimed at design graduates, Emma developed the idea for ContemporaryLab Ltd – a design company that provided opportunities, experience, networking and a solid career in design.

“It is all about design graduates pulling together. Our company ethos is that we all promote each other, as designer-makers, upholsters, up-cyclers and interior designers.”

ContemporaryLab Ltd is the brand name of 50 design graduates who work in all materials, from jewellery to furniture and everything in between. The Family of designers, showcase and sell their work in the online shop, as well as provide work opportunities for the collective in the form of corporate and private commissions.

  

Emma, the director and project manager says: “I wanted to create a design company dedicated to promoting design graduates. They are such an important part of the design industry, are incredibly skilled and have the initiative to create sustainable products helping reduce global warming. Having such a great team of designers means that the knowledge and skills we can share with each other allows us to grow and develop as both designer-makers and as a business.”

Emma has big plans for ContemporaryLab, but feels that the company is ultimately about a great team effort.

She says: “The website is based on the principle that it is the team effort and mutual support that makes a business successful. Whether it’s through, Facebook, Twitter or on a Blog, a team effort to promote the company is far more successful than just one person.

We continue this concept outside ContemporaryLab too, and have recently teamed up with Vanilla Ink Studios in Scotland – a design company specialising in jewellery graduates, as well as WD2 – a graduate interior design company and Chaise Inc. – a graduate upholstery firm. 

With the environment in mind, we have tried our best to reduce our carbon footprint. We send all of our clients their paperwork electronically and for every sale in the online shop, donate 50p to Trees For Cities! This brilliant charity plants trees in parts of cities that need it most and therefore help to make the world a more beautiful place to live. “

For more details and information contact Emma Brocklesby, Director and Project Manager on 07769656737 or email emma@contemporarylab.com or visit http://www.contemporarylab.com

Introducing FABULOUS FRIDAYS at ContemporaryLab!

Last Friday we saw the launch of FABULOUS FRIDAYS at ContemporaryLab and boy was it popular! Customers commented that it was nice to shop around and find somewhere that was offering a “really big treat” after a hard week at work.

Come and join in on the fun this Friday and treat yourself. We know you deserve it! Follow us on Facebook to keep up to date with our activity. Take part in our “WHAT MAKES YOU HAPPY” campaign and have the chance of winning a gorgeous set of coasters! There are 5 to give away.

Simply share a photograph of what makes you happy on our wall. The best photos win a set of fabulous coasters! We think this competition will be a lovely way to make each other smile.We have compiled a little photo album called “What Makes You Happy? – ContemporaryLab July Competition”, so we can share the smiles!Tell your friends about our competition too and don’t forget to like our page! Let’s see your photos!

Remember to check in this Friday – it’s not to be missed!

Hello Materials!

As you may know, we took a little holiday to Sweden to visit family. Conviently, Copenhagen was only 45 minutes away on the train from Malmo, where we were staying, so we decided to spend a day in Denmark.

As we hopped off the train, we saw big signs for THE DANISH DESIGN CENTRE, so thought we should have a look.

They had a fabulous exhibition on New Materials called HELLO MATERIALS. Here are some snaps of what we found.

What really got our attention was the topic about using fungus (mushrooms) as and alternative to plastics. The reason being – that it takes no time at all to grow and is fully bio-degradable! Fantastic!

If you get a chance to go and see this exhibition – we highly recommend it!

For more images on our trip to Sweden and Copenhagen, visit our facebook page.

Matteo’s Latest Masterpiece!

Matteo’s latest challenge involved transforming an Islington Estate Agents into a space that oozed quirkiness and sophistication.

Carlton, is an Independent, established estate agents on Upper street that begged to be refurbished to stand out from the corporate crowd. The brief was to create an estate agency with lots of personality and a very distinctive touch. Here’s what Matteo came up with!

Just spectacular don’t you think? If you are looking for your space to be transformed or even just a spruce up, don’t hesitate in contacting our project manager Emma on emma@contemporarylab.com or call her on 07769656737. We also offer full upholstery and up-cycling services if you have an old chair that you don’t want to get rid of – we can help!

 

 

 

Selected To Join The Manchester Craft & Design Centre!

We are very excited to announce our lovely Ella is re-locating her workshop to the Manchester Craft and Design Centre, Studio 20a, after being selected to join their fantastic community of makers.

The studio opening will be in the coming weeks so keep your eyes peeled for dates, events and exciting updates about Ella in her new space! Congratulations Ella!

To see Ella’s full collection – just visit the ContemporaryLab site! If you see something you love but it’s not quite the right size or shape – just give us a call on 07769656737 or email our project manager, Emma on emma@contemporarylab.com to discuss altering a current design or making something from,  scratch so it’s personal to you.

You’ll be surprised - we don’t charge an arm and leg for bespoke work. We believe in quality and accessible design – that means giving our customers great prices and an even better experience with us.

Look forward to hearing from you soon!