Week 1

"Writing about design is understanding design"
                                                                                         _____ Kenya Hara

(born 1958) is a Japanese graphic designer and curator. Hara is art director of Muji since 2001 and desgined the opening and closing ceremony programs of the Nagano Winter Olympic Games 1998. - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenya_Hara

Form and Meaning
-------------------------------------- Semiotics
is the study of cultural sign processes (semiosis), analogy, metaphor, signification and communication, signs and symbols. Closely related to the study of the structure and meaning of language.
-------------------------------------- Connotation and Denotation
are often described in terms of levels of representation or levels of meaning. Denotation refers to what is literal, while connotation refers to the meaning behind what id described in denotation. Normative is how we describe what is "normal" for our culture.

DENOTATION- NORMATIVE-CONNOTATION

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Lidewij Edelkoort

is a Dutch trend forecaster, recognised as one of the worlds best.

www.edelkoort.com

 

"Her work has pioneered trend forecasting as a profession; from the creation of innovative trend books and audiovisuals since the 1980s to long-ranging lifestyle analysis and research for the world's leading brands today.
Li announces the concepts, colours and materials which will be in fashion two or more years in advance because,

"there is no creation without advance knowledge, and without design, a product cannot exist."

In this way, she and her closely-knit teams orientate professionals in interpreting the evolution of society and the foreshadowing signals of consumer tastes to come, without forgetting economic reality.
Travelling, shopping and searching the world over, Li Edelkoort is constantly gathering information and emotions, studying the fabric of society, picking up materials, words, figures and flowers like a global beachcomber.
Li's work has evolved into the realms of education at the Design Academy Eindhoven, humanitarianism within the Heartwear foundation and ATA Europe, and curatorship as she delves into the art and design domain illuminating museums around the world, such as ARMOUR in the Netherlands (2003), Skin Tight: the sensibility of flesh at Chicago's MCA (2004),North meets South at Centre Culturel Suédois, Paris (2005) and Stockholm's Nordiska Museet (2006)." –– http://www.edelkoort.com/lidewij_edelkoort

Li studied fashion and design, she first realised her talent in forecasting when she started at a leading Dutch department store, De Bijenkorf after graduation from the School of Fine Arts at Arnhem. She is a unique person and her ability to forecast trends several seasons ahead is truly amazing. Her website {http://www.edelkoort.com} has a range of information about her, about her company and the branches that have been possible because of her distinct gift. She looks at what is happenning in the world and studies the impact it will happen. Recently looked at our concern with the 'Globel Economic Crisis' and thought that fashion would probably turn towards greys and dull colours as a result, similar to when she forecasted the greens in fashion when we were concerned about the environment. She has a sense and researches every detail to make sure her (counted on) advise is as possibly correct as it can be.