My top design facts you have probably never heard.
You will know by now that I am obsessed with everything design, not in the, dress head to toe in high end well known labels but in a more behind the scenes tech and methods.
Alongside that, my other obsession is design history, these are a few of my favourtie designers and their stories.
If you've never heard of Carolyn Davidson, take note now. She designed the iconic Nike tick logo in 1971 and was paid just $35 for it. Her design however was recognised for its brilliance, when Nike floated on the stock market in 1983 and Carolyn was a sizeable amount of share in Nike, these are rumoured to be worth around $1 million.
Margaret Calvert and Jock Kinnear designed the road signs for the UK starting the project in 1957 it took five years to complete the designs, an awful lot of thought went into the designs to make navigating the british road systems easier and safer. Margaret designed a brand new pictogram so that the sign could be read without words to accompany them, she also invented the 'Motorway' typography. As a graduate fresh out of Art College and never taken on a design project like this before, her designs were then used all around the world.
Ever heard of Hilary Fisher? No? but I bet you've heard of 'Lego'! Hilary is the genius behind the timeless childrens (and Adults) building bricks, it has never lost it's appeal and today is as popular with adults as it is with children. Hilary designed and 'interlocking building brick' and Ole Kirk Christienson, the creater of the company 'Lego' took the design to Denmark where he got permission from Fisher to prduce the bricks under the trademark Lego. There are very few parents who have never trodden on a Lego brick and regretted it but it's a product which has and I suspect will endure the test of time for future generations.
The neat and stackable three legged stool and side table was designed in 1933 by Alvar Aalto, designed to be cheap and multifunctional simplicity wins in this timeless piece we all take for granted.
The 'Flex Foot' carbon prosthesis is a leg which allows amputees to run, jump. Designed in 1971, 90% of athletes use it today as well as allowing children to be active with prosthetic legs, by storing and releasing kinetic energy like a spring the wearer can be as active as anyone else.
Dr Earle Haas, not a name you would associate with your menstrual cycle? Well maybe you should? women had used tampon like devices for hundreds of years to absorb menstrual blood but Haas designed a safer and more sterile rayon and cotton device which came with an applicator making it safer and easier to use. The tampon/tampax enabled to be liberated and get on with life while on their period and enjoy activities such as swimming.
The iconic VW camper van a firm favourite even today with many retro vans being refurbished and new life unleashed in them. Designed by Ben Pon in 1950 his creation has carried many families, carried untold amounts of tools and stock for tradespeople around the globe a truly iconic van with simplicity in mind for everyone.
Otl Aicher designed the Olympic signage for the Olympics in 1972, his pictograms can be still be seen in sports centres, a unique mixture of straight lines and curves creating strikingly angular graphics which simplify the action or sport depicted in the image.
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