Thursday, 1 March 2012

friends of lysn: katelyn james



I am so excited to announce the new addition to the blog 
'friends of lysn'.

'friends of lysn' is dedicated to guest bloggers who are as obsessed with design as I am and love to talk about it!

Our first friend to lysn is the very talented graphic designer and illustrator, Katelyn James.

Katelyn's compelling article on 'The Mad Square' exhibition takes you on a journey through the eyes of a graphic designer.

Check out Katelyn's article on 'The Mad Sqaure' exhibition:

Sticky Note 19: Oh so Modernity!

Question. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Melbourne?

Graffiti laneways?


The aromatic coffee? The precincts nestled in inner city suburbs? The unpredictable 'keep you on your toes' weather? The never ending selection of restaurants, fashion, art, music and sport? The festivals? Getting swarmed by dandelions while casually strolling down Chapel Street? (or am I the only person that happens too?).

Well when it comes to Melbourne, I think 'design in all of it's glory', which is precisely why I recently packed my bags, blew Brisbane a kiss goodbye and headed south to see what this design savy city had to offer me.

Melbourne does not disappoint. This city has everything to offer and in the five weeks that I have been here I have submerged myself in the culture. Luckily for me I have a couple of Melbournians that are showing me the ropes. One Melbournian in particular, Katelyn James, who I am so excited to announce as a guest blogger on 'friends of lysn' and who shares my obsession for all things design. Katelyn is an extremely talented graphic designer and illustrator. Katelyn's compelling article on 'The Mad Square' exhibition takes you on a journey through the eyes of a graphic designer.


Check out Katelyn's article on 'The Mad Sqaure' exhibition:
http://littleyellowstickynote.blogspot.com.au/p/guest-blog.html


Recently, Katelyn and I headed to the NGV (National Gallery of Victoria) to check out 'The Mad Square - Modernity in German Art 1910-37' exhibition. The exhibition takes you on a very emotional  journey through three decades of German modernism that encompasses avant-garde movements, such as; Expressionism, Dada, Constructivism, Bauhaus and New Objectivity.


‘Self Portrait’ by Christian Schadd 
Image link: http://www.ngv.vic.gov.au/


The Bauhaus has always captured my curiosity so it was to no ones surprise that I spent the majority of my time in this part of the exhibition. The Bauhaus is one of the most important modernist art and design schools of the 20th century. Designers such as Walter Gropius, Marcel Breuer and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe come to mind when thinking of the Bauhaus from an architecture, interior and furniture design point of view. 
Walter Gropius once said, 'Our guiding principle was that design is neither an intellectual nor a material affair, but simply an integral part of the stuff of life, necessary for everyone in a civilized society'. I believe this is why the designers from the Bauhaus have created timeless designs that integrate into our modern society.

Tac 02 by Walter Gropius 



Mmmmm I want I want! There is a timelessness about the language of the Bauhaus style with its clear and defined lines. Walter Gropius took his inspiration from the mirror symmetrical inversion of teapot and bowl in his design for a modern, streamlined tea service. The elements can also be combined in contrasting white and black porcelain. 


Club Chair B3 by Marcel Breuer (1925)



I was a little overwhelmed when I walked into the room and right before me was a Club Chair. The Club Chair B3 was one of Marcel Breuer's first projects (later renamed the Wassily, after the Bauhaus teacher Wassily Kandinsky) made from extruded nickel-plated tubular steel, this chair was the result of Breuer's years of experiments with bending steel and was immediately hailed as an important breakthrough in furniture design. 


With so much inspiration in one room it got me thinking, has the Bauhaus influenced design in Melbourne? It would appear that it has influenced design in this city on so many levels. While I was spoilt for choice on examples to show you this particular Bauhaus inspired design captured my attention.


Now I know what you are all thinking....I choose this image because of the Pug. Yes, I did. But, I also choose this image because Australian designer Catherine Federici has designed her third series of eyewear for ISSON. Her new designs embrace the simplicity of the Bauhaus ideology: stripping back design to its core function focusing on the lack of unnecessary ornamentation.



On a side note, how fabulous is this fashion photography?!

Check out Isson for the entire collection: http://www.isson.com.au/

The Bauhaus designs continue to inspire designers to use contemporary materials that are functional, lightweight and hygienic which then translates into creative, innovative and functional objects for our modern society. 





Monday, 28 November 2011

Sticky Note 18: Prosopa Restaurant

Prosopa is a quirky industrial style restaurant located in Rouf, a hotspot in Athens, Greece. Rouf is a central hub for cafes, restaurants, music, clubs and the new Benaki Museum which makes Prosopa fit in seamlessly into this dynamic precinct.


Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

This little restaurant beside the train tracks on the outskirts of Gazi has plenty of atmosphere going for it in this once-forgotten section of the city. Situated opposite the train tracks in a former glass factory which was converted into the restaurant by 360id studio, the design for ‘Prosopa’ was inspired by the ‘faces’ (Prosopa – in Greek) of its potential clients. Interior designer Alexandros Tsikordanos’ 360id studio sought a rather artistic/industrial interior design scheme; the graphic design on the walls reading: under construction, and the ‘restaurant’ circuit links creates a similar link between the interior/exterior of the restaurant as with the customers and the service.

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Both façades of the old-glass factory have been left relatively untouched, and have only undergone a face-lift. The industrial character of the façade has been transferred into the interior through the 360id studio's design approach. With uninterrupted views through the industrial windows to the interior, and a clean, contemporary industrial design the visitor is prepared for what he/she is about to see and experience. The former glass factory is now a contemporary space which unfolds onto two levels, where industrial style amalgamates with new design trends.

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Materials such as steel, screed cement flooring, wood and bricks add up to the overall industrial feel. The double-height spaces, the revealed air ducts and vents and the timber roof, all make references to the former glass factory. The interior program is divided into two double-height spaces, linked by a corridor where the bar, which is the heart of the restaurant, is positioned in the main space. While customers enjoy their food, they are able to enjoy views of the suburban train tracks and the fast trains passing by. 

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

The second space is the rear of the restaurant with views of St. Basil church. The two spaces are linked by a corridor with exposed brickwork, on the opposite wall of the corridor, the wall paper reads: ''The way you cut your meat reflects the way that you live'' by Confucius.  The restaurant’s overall design scheme is harmoniously balanced, and this has a lot to do with the choice of colors used in the interior – a lot of achromatic tones have been applied as well as materials which create a Zen feel. A selection of furniture by Magis and Moooi light fixtures blend in subtly with the industrial elements.

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

Photography by Vangelis Paterakis

In essence, this rustic take on an industrial setting works for this restaurant. I personally love the introduction of the graphics. For me, they link back to the nearby train station forming simple railway lines along the wall with the inclusion of the 'stops' relating back to food. 
Clever, I say!

Information about this project has been sourced from Yatzer. They have a great design website which I recommend taking a look at:


What do you think? Would you dine there? I would love to know your thoughts so feel free to leave your comments below.