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These are a few of my favourite things

Posted by David Hatton

I was recently asked for my three favourite examples of design by a mate who was guest editing an online design journal (my3favourite on Despoke.com)

I had to think long and hard about this not least because the audience for my bloggette would be highly design savvy. As designers we all have nice stuff that we’re either inspired by, wished we’d designed or simply love to have around.

The list of things that I really love – useless tat when viewed in terms of raw human need – is endless. Sentimental, luxurious, stylish, indulgent stuff: Some it ephemera, some of it useless. A Phillipe Starck Juicy Salif sits on my kitchen windowsill. I use it but why is it on the windowsill? My potato peeler isn’t?

But what this submission demanded was three things that are the very best of what they represent. A tough ask given that everyday we all surround ourselves with carefully chosen objects that we use as both tools and status symbols.

There was of course the added pressure of looking sharp and down with the designista. Pick a cliché – like Juicy Salif – and risk the wrath of a design undergraduate from Dudley. Pick a really obscure Italian motorbike and risk looking like a tosser.

I realised that I like a lot of things that other people like. I like anything designed my Jonathan Ive. I like the Citroen DS, the Eames Lounger and Nike Air Max 95. I’m sure I’m not alone in these choices.

So I looked outside everyday consumer objects. I looked at experiences, environments and movements that have challenged those around them. At last I was on to something. I didn’t take much longer to hit upon my three.

First was an album. Screamadelica by Primal Scream. A seminal album that changed dance music in the UK. Everything about it is class. The production, the sleeve, even the lilting Bobby Gillespie vocals. This was more than an album it was a moment in time. It defined a post club generation and set the template that made the now tedious chillout genre possible.

Second was a gas sto

ve. More specifically the Primus Gavity. These are simple stoves designed for cooking in extreme conditions. They are robust, lightweight and run off any fuel. Most importantly they are reliable. Life and death reliable. If your primus gives out on the side of the Eiger you will die. End of. They don’t break, not ever. In addition they are really good looking things.

Lastly is a resent phenomenon. Someone with too much time on their hands discovered that Oyster cards melt in acetone (nail varnish remover to you and me) and reveal the chip and delicate antenna that the card houses.

The clever tykes then buried the liberated technology into a Harry Potter wand and delighted in opening the barriers on the London Underground with a flick of the wrist (and no doubt a magic word for effect). I love this idea. You could bury the technology into pretty much anything!

So there you have it. Three great things.

So what, you might say. Well, here’s my challenge. Have a go. Submit your own 3Faves to the BrandNew blog. No clichés (anyone who submits Helvetica will have their mouse hand removed), no showing off and include a nice explanation of what makes your things great.

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