IMM Cologne 2006: Design Talents

By gimena on 6 March 2006

At Cologne there was a hall dedicated exclusively to young designers: Design Talents. Small if compared with the enormous Salone Satellite at Milan but still fresh and inspiring.
What first caught my attention at Design Talents was the lounge that swedish giant IKEA set up presenting its latest additions to the PS Collection: Hella Jongerius gorgeous vases; side table, fun cushions and decorative figures by the prolific Maria Vinka, the ingenious half rocking chair Ellan by Chris Martin and the mummy stool by Mc Elroy and Findlay among others. All while watching the making of videos of the products explained by the designers and eating macrobiotic food.
The hall hosted also the presentation of the Inspired by Cologne awarded projects, the Future Point showcasing Design schools accross the world and the NRG show dedicated to promoting young designers.

After the jump all the pics!

Inspired by Cologne

Ninfea is a set of beautiful seaters made of layers of wood and felt designed by the duo GAMplusFRATESI.

Kevin Fries and Jakob Zumbuhl presented Hakeln, a clever coat hook made of bended metal sheet that can be freely connected in various combinations creating an ornamental effect that is both beautiful and functional.
06_imm_fries&zumbuhl-1.jpg
06_imm_fries&zumbuhl-2.jpg

Idan Friedman and Naama Steinbock presented the Yakuza table that was awarded with the first Prize of the Inspired by Cologne 2006. The table has a digitally printed tatoo, a strong cultural identity.

Austrian designer Robert Ruf presented a clever adjustable lamp that can be quickly built or dismantled, PLG is made using a standard safety plug ans socket.

Warit Tulyathorn presented his project Volume of Light, that consists in a reading lamp that abstract the cone-shaped volume of light creating a private space, blocking out noise and visual distraction.

Czech designer Halka Marsakova presented three decorative fabric panels that I loved from the very first second. Patterns and motifs are all inspired in the city of Munich.

NRG

Design duo Mixko was also present, this time they decided to split in two separated booths. Nahoko Koyama presented her known felt lampshades and a new collection of felt bags and hats. Alex Garnett went for a new series of furniture inspired in football.

I was delighted to find a group of chilean designers, not only because I could speak spanish to them but also because they were lots of fun. Rodrigo Alonso, creator of Musuc, lab of happy projects, presented the comfortable wearable sleeping bag Selk'bag. Designers from Onceneto showed some of their creations, among them the chop sticks for those that are less skilled with traditional ones. Sebastian Errazuriz from MeetSebastian presented his crazy lamps.

I loved this simple yet bright piece of furniture designed by the trio Speziell. The radiating ability of gleaming bright colours creates a fascinating effect by reflecting in the white shelves.