We were impressed with this stool which easily withstands the weight of an adult. He designed it for a Flat Sheet Project he was set using thin card, it is flat packed and assembled in seconds - even a young child could put it together
We left Nottingham feeling inspired by the creativity, and forward thinking showcased by these young people, it gave us the feeling that the future was in good hands
A good brisk walk from the University Hall of Residence
through Nottingham Arboretum
A Jacaranda Tree
Helianthemum 'henfield brilliant' (rock rose) lining the pathway leading
past the duck pond where it was 'bottoms up'
our first visit to a Caribbean restaurant
with a very lively buzz
and delicious spicey food
Luckily for us our visit coincided with the first day of the final year students Degree Show which the three of us enjoyed
Two different views of the same glass topped table
A stunning theatrical costume - this is the back of the skirt
Tableware called Lotus which is self-cleaning. The self-cleaning properties are made possible by changing the surface of the cellulose making it super-hydrophobic. Once the crockery is rinsed under a tap it is completely sterile.
A sofa designed for the smaller homes of the future. It has a coffee table that slides underneath when not in use, and the back section drops down to form a small table suitable for drinks or books
Concrete salt and pepper mills - challenging perceptions that concrete does not have to be for roads, buildings and bridges only. These will be in the shops this year, and come in different coloured concrete and textures
Another space saving idea for future compact living. A dining table that converts easily into a coffee table
Sounds like a most enjoyable visit. I love to see how creative people are and the wonderful things they produce - creating something useful and beautiful at the same time - it's a win win situation.
ReplyDeleteThe opportunities for this kind of creativity are so much greater today than ever before - in that particular respect I envy them.
DeleteI personally admire those young people who so actively contribute to the creativity,providing a strong boost to the future furniture design and industry.A huge and interesting sector! How interesting studies your grandson has undertaken Rosemary! I'm in awe of the clever and so elegant ideas on resolving the problem of space!
ReplyDeleteOlympia
We need their imaginative creative outlook today to respond to our ever changing world. The young people are growing up in such a different environment to that in which I grew up.
DeleteYoung people with designs for the future. They have wonderful ideas and are able to put them forward and develop them.
ReplyDeleteThe garden is lovely....your photos too.
Regards,
Margaret
Thank you Margaret - my new camera seems to be performing well. It is lovely to have flowering trees and lovely plants within the city - so much nicer to wander to the shops and offices in pleasant surroundings.
DeleteSo inspiring to watch all those new ideas. I have been to a simular design academy here too a few years ago and was amazed by all the beautiful things they make. Your grandson made a very nice seat, my compliments.
ReplyDeleteI would liked to have been able to spend longer at the degree show, there was so much to see from the different department, but we did not have time. Lovely fashions, jewellery, leather bags, graphics, lingerie, swimwear, textiles, and all in a very pleasant contemporary setting.
DeleteWhat a feast of inspirational ideas, Rosemary. You must be proud of your clever grandson - I would buy a folding light stool in a moment: I can think of many occasions when that would be extremely useful for me. The Caribbean restaurant looks lively, and fun, and I was amazed to see a Jacaranda tree growing in England!
ReplyDeleteWe are just so happy for him that he seems to have found his niche and is loving his time at the University.
DeleteI don't think that Jacaranda trees would have been seen in England perhaps 50 years ago, it must be climate change. Nottingham isn't even in the south of the country either. We also have one in the small town where I live.
Given the chance I shall definitely return to a Caribbean restaurant again, they are fun, and I liked the food too.
big diversity of pictures, like the diver duck.
ReplyDeleteGreetings,
Filip
There was obviously something very interesting under the water because all the ducks were diving.
Deleteinspiring AND beautiful AND far reaching.....our future is in good hands!!!
ReplyDeleteIt is very unfortunate that young people often get a bad press when so many of them do not deserve it.
DeleteGoodness me, I'm blown away Rosemary, this post is just fabulous! Creativity and forward thinking design is in good hands in England by looks of it. I loved so many things you've shared here - your grandson's stool design is fabulous - the final year designs, many of which are awesome, are delightful. Namely, the costume design, the sofa with coffee table, the lighting, pottery, use of concrete. . . . . . . and the Lotus tableware is almost unbelievable in concept.
ReplyDeleteGlad your visit was so much fun - here's "bottoms up" (love the ducky) to a bright future in design for your very talented grandson.
Hugs - Mary
Glad that you enjoyed seeing some of the degree work Mary - there was so much but unfortunately we didn't have time to visit it all.
DeleteLots of imaginative ideas and thinking about what the future might hold which I liked.
I can see that Lotus crockery having uses in all kinds of establishments i.e hospitals, the third world etc.
Very impressive! We have a local college, SCAD--Savannah College of Art and Design-- that offers degrees in similar fields and the senior show is always interesting.
ReplyDeleteWe were blown away by the quality and standard of the students work and their ideas
DeleteThe future definitely lies with all those young creative people who aren't afraid of dreaming and believing in themselves and their ability to change the world. And what a talented grandson you have Rosemary. It sounds like he's just where he should be.
ReplyDeleteAs always so many lovely pictures. It's pure magic to scroll up and down enjoying it all.
Sweet, sweet Rosemary, thank you so very much for your kind words and all the love you've been sending my way lately. You've no idea of how much it means to me. I'm so glad we found each other out there in the big blog world. Thank you for being there.♥
Take care and I hope you're having a lovely Sunday.
Charlie
xx
Dear Charlie - I have just bought myself a new camera so I am enjoying trying different things with it. I am pleased that you enjoyed the pictures, hopefully they will improve as I get to grips with it.
DeleteSo many young people today are lovely, it makes me cross when they are all tarred with the same brush in the media and newspapers
Hey, I could use a couple of your grandson's folding stools right now! Glad he's enjoying himself at university. The best time in life, they say, and it's true!
ReplyDeleteI must tell him what you said - it was just one of the projects he was set, and I think that he did well in view of it being a new discipline for him.
DeleteRosemary I agree with your comment "the future is in good hands" . I love the creativity and lines of the pieces you showed.
ReplyDeleteHelenxx
I am pleased that you enjoyed seeing the degree show work Helen - there were so many creative and imaginative ideas on show, and ones looking at ways to solve problems in the future
DeleteHello Rosemary, Nottingham looks like a lively college town, and it is fun to see all those clever designs, especially when it is your own grandson who is creating.them.And this is only the first year for him! I'm sure that if I tried to create paper seats like that they would defy the underlying physics principles and collapse anyway.
ReplyDelete--Jim
Hello Jim - He gave the seat strength by twisting the central panel then putting in some square column supports as can be seen on the illustrative diagram - I was surprised at just how sturdy and strong it was.
DeleteThe seat your grandson made is quite interesting, it's impressive to see what the students create. By the final students show I was drawn to that little sofa with the sliding table, a great and beautiful idea. And then Nottingham Arboretum, I did not know that Jacaranda trees could survive in England.
ReplyDeleteYou would not have seen Jacaranda trees here 50 years ago, it must be climate change. Last week I saw two Flame trees too.
DeleteDear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteI can imagine that the visit with your grandson must have been exciting, not just to see him and to take pride in the great work he's doing, but to know that he's in an environment that seems to spark creativity in every direction.
As I study your grandson's project (as a graphic designer myself) I see a rich sense of graphic design, industrial design, illustration, an eye for detail, and a high degree of professionalism. Little details like his subtle background design and the humor of the socks are not lost on me, either. I can see that your grandson could go in any number of directions — probably including architecture — all with great success.
I have to admit that at his age, I don't think my contemporaries would have mounted as exciting an exhibit. Your posting says to me that your grandson has professors who not only teach good design, but also to think in terms of problem solving, and God knows our world needs a fresh crop of problem-solvers.
I am most impressed, Rosemary.
Dear Mark - the visit to our grandson was a revelation to us, although unlike yourself we are not professionally competent in this field.
DeleteThe university is highly regarded and importantly has a very close relationship with many important companies.
Thank you for your interesting and thoughtful comment - I hope that our grandson reads it.
There really are some wonderful pieces aren't there! Lots of great up and coming talent. I hope that your grandson enjoys his time at Uni and goes on to great things! xx
ReplyDeleteHe is definitely very happy and fulfilled at Nottingham
DeleteThis is a very impressive and uplifting post Rosemary! You are right: it does leave you feeling that the future is in good hands!
ReplyDeleteYou must be very proud of your grandson!
Thanks for your visit Wendy - I have only shown the tip of the iceberg, hopefully we can again another year.
DeleteGlad to hear that your grandson is enjoying his degree course. I find the creativity of students' work, especially as demonstrated in the end of degree exhibitions, a thrill to see and always want to wish them well in their chosen career. A wonderful post featuring the Nottingham University Design School. Lovely photos of the flowering plants too.
ReplyDeleteI do feel that the flowers are spectacular this year Linda both in everyones garden, along the roadside verges, and in the meadows, it is a memorable spring.
DeleteWe did enjoy the degree show, it was inspiring.
Hello dear Rosemary,
ReplyDeleteYour grandson, has invented a really good seat. Ideal for artists who want to paint outside.. I would use it.
You have shown some amazing photos of genius ideas. These are the architects of the future.. of some great furniture , lamps, pottery.. so much ..You can see, that the students have put their heart and soul into their work. I love the green sofa and the stange looking table. I feel like a change around here now.
Your photos of the flowers are so beautiful.. and the little ducky, showing his derrier.! );.-
I am working on catching up with my dear blogging friends.. Thank you for leaving your comment on my posts ..most appeciative Rosemary.
I am getting better each day.
xxxxx val
Lovely to hear from you again Val, and so pleased that you are making good progress.
DeleteI have a new camera Val, and this is only the second post that I have done using it. It takes time to
familiarise yourself with new equipment, but glad you enjoyed seeing the flowers.
The students were full of ideas that they had designed and created, this is just a very small sample.
Degree shows are brilliant places for inspiration. Wish I could study all over again. Well done to your grandson.
ReplyDeleteIndeed, so do I - I would certainly have taken a different route if todays opportunities had been available in my younger days.
DeleteYour Grandson is a very talented young man, love the chair he designed, very practical ! And some other awesome pieces of furniture displayed, , that sofa with the coffee table underneath, just great !
ReplyDeleteWish I could have spent more time there and seen the other departments work Jane.
DeleteI love it when I get to visit a place and then there's something I hadn't counted on like your getting to see the finale of the design student's creations! My agreement with all of the other's comments about your grandson's stool! I'm wondering if he had studied Frank Gehry's corrugated chairs?
ReplyDeleteThat duck photo really baffled me : - I was trying to see the eyes of the little sparrow or some other bird and I was trying to figure out what happened to her (his?) little feet (backward-working elbows)!!! I must need a break from the computer - I couldn't believe it when I read the caption, afterwards! As if I'd never seen a duck diving ...
My question is: did anyone try a caribbean-themed beverage (I noted the sign for happy hour!)
Congratulate your grandson for me in his choice of university. From the evidence you have shown me, he will have some very talented professors during the rest of his schooling! I was enamored with the costume!
Mary in Oregon
The duck is a she Mary! - grandson gave me a sip of his non alcoholic drink made with fresh passion fruit which was delicious. Glad that you enjoyed seeing the students work Mary.
DeleteA post packed with interest; the arboretum, the Caribbean restaurant, I would buy the sofa at the drop of a hat and I am intrigued by the self cleaning tableware.
ReplyDeleteMs Soup
I imagine that the self cleaning tableware could be very useful in many circumstances - the third world, camping, hospitals, and there would be no need for dishwashers!
DeleteYou really have been having a lot of enjoyment out of your visits to your grandchildren, Rosemary. Your grandson's course sounds both demanding and very worthwhile and if he ends it producing artifacts as useful, beautiful and well-designed as the ones you illustrate, you will undoubtedly be very proud of him.
ReplyDeleteI am really enjoying the way all of the grandchildren are taking different routes towards their future careers and lives. My next granddaughter sets off to the Northern College of Music this year to become a classical singer.
DeleteWow! My youngest sister studied there back in the 1980s. She's a mezzo-soprano, but went into teaching and only performed as a semi-professional.
DeleteThat is so interesting to learn Perpetua - my granddaughter had six offers, and decided to accept the one from Manchester because of its reputation for singing.
DeleteLooks like you had a lovely day Rosemary. The work the students made looks impressive and professional too. What fun it must have been to have your grandson to show you around. He sounds like a talented young man.
ReplyDeleteWishing you a lovely week!
Madelief x
We spent a delightful day with him Madelief. It is so lovely when the grandchildren grow up into special young people that you can enjoy spending time with.
DeleteLovely to read this Rosemary and your pictures are great to look at too.
ReplyDeleteIt must be so rewarding for your Grandson.
All the best Jan
Dear Jan -Thank you for your kind comment. I am pleased that you enjoyed seeing the photos from the degree show - my only regret is that I wish we had been able to spend more time there
DeleteWhat a joyful visit … in various respects! I’m amazed at these hand-made refined, functional, and beautiful things and the young people’s new and creative ideas. And, the stool! I bet his parents must have been nice as an inspiration to your grandson, Rosemary, which is invisible but is grown through nurture. Thanks for this inspiring post.
ReplyDeleteYoko
Dear Yoko - Thank you for your thoughtful comment. You have all of this pleasure still to come when your own sweet grandchildren grow up and become lovely young adults too.
DeleteVery interesting post. I keep thinking that those salt and pepper mills must be heavy.
ReplyDeleteThey weren't too heavy Janey, but just right - they only have a shallow layer of concrete, the centre is hollow.
DeleteVery interesting and lovely post.
ReplyDeleteHugs
Thanks very much Orvokki
DeleteI always enjoy reading about your grandchildren and I'm glad your grandson has enjoyed his first year. All of these designs in the show look incredible. I wonder what your grandson will be displaying in a few years time. The Caribbean restaurant looks fun too!
ReplyDeleteSarah x
I haven't actually come across a Caribbean restaurant before, but if I do I will definitely try it as we enjoyed the atmosphere and food so much.
DeleteDear Rosemary, The saying that nothing is new certainly does not fit your grandson's environment. How absolutely fantastic it is to see the new ideas and designs. Your grandson's stool is not only practical but also handsome. No doubt your grandson's head is spinning with new ideas.
ReplyDeleteDear Gina - we enjoyed visiting our grandson, he showed us his projects, had lunch with us, and took us to the Degree show - we loved spending time in his company.
Delete