Simple, graphic and clean was the order of the day. A big thank you to the Good Weekend crew.
What a great way to kick off 2012!
Art Direction: Marylouise Brammer / Photography: Geoff Boccalatte

I have been attending her classes for over a year now – she really is the best! Her school is on Glenmore Rd in Paddington and you can find information about lessons HERE.
Below >> Martine and I out the front looking chuffed.

Below >> I enlisted the help of Louis to finish off the stars.

Below >> It makes me so happy to spread a bit of Chrissy cheer. The pink star is Martine’s favorite shot – I think I look like I’m up to no good! You can practice your French verbs too, si vous voulez.

Above >> Up a ladder. Below >> The wreath in my studio prior to installation – you can see the brightness of the colours better here.

Ill get some better shots of the window when I have time – till then >> Bonne année!!

So I’m writing this post from Paris.
I have the honour of being the first Australian invited to partake in the Petit h program that runs out of the Hermès atelier.

Petit h was born from a modern desire to “up-cycle” left over and blemished materials from the Hermès creation process. Artists are invited to come and collaborate with the talented craftsmen/women here – who bring to the mix their highly specialised savoir-faire – and produce limited edition objects.

It’s a very exciting challenge, and perhaps a little daunting, but this city has a depth of art and design that I find so inspirational. The atelier is like an Aladdin’s cave of wonders where any dream seems possible – and everyone has been so very welcoming. Can’t wait to see what we come up with.
More news soon >> à bientôt!

Over the time I knew him, Boomi often asked me to create something for his FAB ArtBox – really happy I finally got there.
I wanted to make something site-specific and I like the texture of the recycled timber cladding that surrounds the artbox. Taking structure and place as my reference point, I engineered a facsimile in white card, sinking design into that.

Below >> To give you an idea of the charismatic person Boomi was – the Forbes & Burton Christmas decorations back in 2009? Glam-Rock Santa spreadeagle on a boogie board being towed by Rudolph the great white shark of course! Hilarious! So Aussie. He had a strong vision of sustainability and giving back to community through food, art and laughter; hence the creation of a public place to display public art on his building.

Above >> studio WIP at the final dimensions, it was bloody huge! Below >> the install – snapped a kool pic of this foxy local strutting past. Thank you BOOMI! It was an honour. Thank you to Zoe too.

Its the first cover I’ve ever created so I’m rather chuffed. When I was studying design at Enmore College, desktop was one of the coolest design mags around but it lost its relevance in the ensuing years. Editor, Brendan McKnight, has since made the magazine a modern voice in the #AUS design conversation.

As a side venture, my next door studio mate – the talented photgrapher Trevor King – put together this ‘making of’ video that is soon to be uploaded to the Desktop website. We’ve been looking for a project to work on together for a while – I think he produced a little wonder. Thanks Trev!
And below are some WIP shots >>

The handles, which took ages – curves always do >> Below the model from behind via photo shoot - these things are never sleek from the back.

Below >> photographer Tong from Tong and Danny at work. He really pushed me to get everything right so no Photoshop was needed. I appreciate his ethos of “get the camera to do as much of the work as possible”.

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I’m presenting a speech at Semi-Permanent down in Melbourne over the weekend.
Such a priviledge to be asked >> Hello Melbourne!

I’m really looking forward to sharing my work with the design savvy audience down there. I’ll be bringing some of my pop-up books along as well >> it’s always better to see them in the real.
There is a pretty impressive list of speakers and more about what is in store HERE.
Please come say hello if you are attending! Enjoy your weekend.

I’m collaborating with my brother and we have conceived two works for the show (here he is gettin’ jiggy with the spirit level next to the grid that took me 5 hours to rule up). All the artworks are games that you guys get to play. I’m impressed with the whole notion this year – can’t say too much other than if you feel like some international travel be sure and come along. If the outcome of last year is anything to go by this one is not to be missed. See you at the show!

At any rate, thought I would start by posting a snap of my new Offcut Stool by Tom Dixon in fluro. I want to be Tom Dixon’s grasshopper. Beautiful design.
It fits well in my studio but it is so bright it doesn’t look real!

The exhibition, entitled ‘The Paper Attic’ and held upstairs in The Project Space at Object Gallery, runs for 2 months from this Saturday and will contain a cabinet of curiosities of forgotten relics and dusty treasure from the attic.

With my exhibition forming a small part of Sydney Design Week, I will be present in the gallery for two nights to meet and greet design savvy punters on Thurs 4th August and Thurs 11th of August from 6pm. Please come along!

Also, following on from the success of last years kids pop-up book workshops at the Powerhouse Museum, I will be host two more classes. Look HERE for more information about dates and bookings.

See you around the traps during Design Week and enjoy!

Benja