Be informed

Paul Smith, the fashion designer, was interviewed on the Today Programme on 24 January 2012 to discuss the significance of the Design Musuem’s move from the South Bank to Kensington (along with the other key national museums including the V&A). Whilst he was not electrifying, he does give a sense of what design is and why it is important. And maybe why the British are quite good at it. The interview can be heard here Paul Smith on Design

I’ve been doing quite a bit of DIY in the last few days in Germany. In executing my tasks, I have been to a number of Baumärkte to buy materials and tools. What I found particularly interesting is the origin of many of the tools on sale. In my experience, in the UK, many tools and materials are sourced from far-away places. For example, I recently purchased a workbench that was made in China. I expected the same to be true of German retail. In fact, the domestic sourcing in the German Baumärkte is extraordinary. This bench is a German brand made in Germany. The price was comparable; it was easier to assemble than my UK equivalent.

The extent to which this is a phenomenon of building materials and tools I am unsure. Further research is required. For example, kitchen equipment (I know that there are some high-end UK manufacturers making toasters,  for example).

This is my latest handiwork – a mailbox attached to a wall (designed by Portferm of Mannheim, Germany). It may look simple, but it has a serious design flaw for which I have no explanation. It is designed, from what I can see, to sit flat against a wall. Do so, and the top cannot be opened, something that is required for the post person to insert the mail.

The solution, of course, is to mount it on wood. A little less elegant, I feel. But it works.