From the aesthetics to the functions, my favourites are a mix of these elements.
The Alessi Juicer
This is such an iconic design, considering it was designed back in 1990 by Phillip Stark for Alessi, originally designed to squeeze lemons her designed it with a squid in mind.
He said "It is not meant to squeeze lemons, it's meant to start conversations" This sentence, without even knowing Alessi said it is something I say all the time, Art, Design and creativity as a whole is a conversation. If it doesn't make you want to talk about it then I would question the quality of the Design, even if it's bad design it should spark a conversation.
The Lemon Juicer by Stark has been a topic of conversation for the past 30 years such is its simplicity and functionality.
It's a beautiful object on its own, I mean, who wouldn't want one sat in their kitchen!?
It's perfectly designed for it's purpose, from the size and shape of the 'bulb' on which you press the lemon so that it spreads out gently following the shape with completely destroying the lemon to the ridges in the 'bulb' which direct the juice to the point underneath the 'bulb' and allow the juice to smoothly drip into the container below.
For me this design is one of the very few that really can't be improved on, at all.
The fact that it's a beautiful object in its own right playing straight into William Morris's hands in his famous quote, 'Have nothing in your house which you do not believe to be both beautiful and useful' the Lemon Squeezer' is exactly that.
If you haven't ever seen the Lemon Squeezer I urge you to see for yourself, pick it up and examine it, take the time to see how it relates to a squid and decide why it is such a brilliant design.
The Alessi name is synonymous with excellent design and any product in their range is brilliant but I think this one is the best.
Karen Cross
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