Exploring Design Inspiration – Adrienne Bush

 

 

 

 

London’s Design Museum is dedicated to exploring the various forms of design and how designers gain inspiration. The current exhibits at the museum include the European Design Show, Shape and Shapers, and Designing Modern Life. Each exhibit focuses on the inspiration for designers including the end result of that inspiration. The museum has examples of idea that were motivated by the past, present, and future. The Design Museum is open from 10:00am to 5:45pm daily.

 

 

 

The Design Museum is located on the river adjacent to Tower Bridge. With such a beautiful view it would be easy for designers to create amazing new pieces while sitting in the museum café. Basic white walls are used on the exterior and interior to provide an uninterrupted look at the exhibits. As you travel through the museum you are exposed to vehicle, furniture, fashion, and electronic designs. Rooms are filled with unique pieces that depict the era they were created in.

 

 

 

Fashion evolves from the atmosphere of the times. Sometimes things are glamorous, other times punk or grunge, but whatever the atmosphere designs reflect the feelings of society.  During the race for space, there was an increase in speculation of what effect space travel would have on society, including fashion. At the Design Museum there is a special section based on Stanley Kubrick’s “2001: Space Odyssey” which explored what the future world would be like. The exhibit features fashion, architecture, and furniture designs influenced by the unknown.

 

Everyday objects can be altered to be a part of fashion. Some inspiration comes for colors in nature such as fall leaves, spring flowers, or stormy skies. Other ideas come from questioning what is expected and turning everyday objects into something new. Some of the exhibits at the museum explore this design concept through chairs made of logs, soccer balls made of duct tape, and a language created from everyday symbols. There are also architectural drawings that have inspired numerous fashion silhouettes and detail work.

 

 

           

 

The Design Museum is located a few blocks from Tower Bridge and is the perfect location to spend a few hours on a relaxing afternoon. Be sure to check out the exhibits on surf boards and race cars while you are visiting. For more information contact 0870 833 9955 or log on to www.designmuseum.org.

 

By Adrienne Bush