The Uncomfortable by Katerina Kamprani
Uncomfortably Useless
Great design is often invisible as the functionality of the product is so well engineered that users take them completely for granted. It therefore takes spectacularly badly designed products to remind us of the value of good design, something architect and freelance graphic designer Katerina Kamprani is only too happy to oblige.
In her ongoing series of illustrations called The Uncomfortable she redesigns everyday objects to render them frustratingly useless, although we're sure some bright spark will invent a use for self-watering cans, leaky wellington boots and inch-thick forks. A serious commentary on functionality or just a bit of fun? Either way it makes us very thankful for good design.
Links
http://www.kkstudio.gr/projects/the-uncomfortable
Shop the Style
Product Inspiration
Create your own unexpected and amusingly surreal look with side tables that look like buttons (Twine from Casamania), multi-functional storage units which look like airplane trolleys (from Bordbar) and side tables which look like a house of cards (A La Carte from Seletti).
Continuing on the same theme, what about wall lights shaped like motorcycle helmet visors (Moto from Moustache) and bird cages that work as suspension lights (Twee T from Casamania)?
We love the beautifully made and slightly surreal accessories designed by Studio Job for Ghidini 1961, especially the thimble ice bucket and bullet vase. The porcelain skateboard from Seletti is just as fun and works well as a serving tray too.
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Shutter House by State of Kin
Japanese zen style goes far beyond minimalist white spaces. It is about thoughtful spaces which encourage the contemplation of light, colours, textures and shapes - the building blocks of nature and beauty. The Shutter House in Perth is a great example.
Terrazzo Things from Lick My Brick
There was a time when the use of marble was largely restricted to floors, posh kitchen counters and grave statutes. And then, at some point around the mid-noughties, marble was everywhere. Could the same be happening to terrazzo?