Lessons from Frankfurt

WHO: Annemarie Meintjes, Visi deputy editor WHERE: Frankfurt, Germany 

Lesson: Design less, design better  

The designs that drew the crowds and won the awards were functional good lookers that invited touch
 – and were often based on tradition. Overall, the move was towards designing less, but designing better.

Winning design

Chinese homeware brand JIA invited international designers to reinterpret Chinese object culture, traditional craftsmanship and materials. The results were on display – with two designs, a wok and a steamer set, both by Hong Kong designers Office for Product Design, winning Design Plus 2012 awards. The Ding Steamer, made of terracotta with a cedar wood insert, is based on the traditional bamboo basket. The Ding Wok is made of modern carbon steel, stainless steel and magnolia wood, and reinterprets the traditional Chinese cooking pan. Also impressive was Rice, a dinnerware set that plays with the subtle contrast between glazed and un-glazed finishes. www.jia-inc.com Available in South Africa from Brands by Lenso 021 448 2240. 

Design and architectural magazine Domus celebrated the 50th anniversary of its highly successful cookbook, The Silver Spoon, by sponsoring a competition to design a silver spoon. French designer Inga Sempe took top honours with her ISO1 risotto serving spoon in polished stainless steel for Alessi. The judges applauded her “for her ability to design a very simple, rigorous and yet highly expressive tool”. www.alessi.com

This Birdie letter opener, designed by Yohei Oki and made in Japan for +d/h concept co, received a Design Plus 2012 award at Ambiente. The award is given to design products that combine aesthetics and functionality, and use innovative materials and a sustainable method of production. www.plus-d.com

The items on my shopping list

In the bird world, the wolf, shark and crocodile are causing a sensation. The Radius Piep Show Birdhouses are designed by 040studio and made in powder-coated steel. I loved the wolf. To order online quote Wolf 742a. www.radius-design.com

Arzberg has launched a contemporary take on its legendary design icon Shape 1382. Called My First Arzberg starter service, it’s been developed by Heike Philipp, head of product development at the company. I chose dinnerware in white, but it’s also available in a maize yellow, coral red or azure blue. www.arzberg-porzellan.com

Artel Jungle Baroque is a collection of handcrafted crystal glassware from Prague in the Czech Republic. There’s an elephant, piranha, rhinoceros, tamarin monkey, jaguar, bird of paradise and iguana in the striking set. www.artelglass.com

The Pin Table from Menu has been designed by Norwegian Andreas Engesvik. Made of painted wood, it’s ideal for a trip to the beach or high tea in the garden.

Tretchikoff Porcelain dinnerware has been developed by Natasha Mercorio, Vladimir Tretchikoff’s granddaughter and custodian of his artistic property. Local talent always gives me a lekker kick!

The PILL hot-water bottle is a traditional hot-water bottle with a neoprene cover that locks in warmth but also protect against burns. www.authentics.de

To celebrate our excitement about the rejuvenating season of spring we’re giving away a Braai Cube and case of Henry Shiraz from Zandfontein to two lucky readers.

To enter, tell us what your top spring trend is for this year. Either Tweet it to @visi_mag with #springvisi or post it on our Facebook page, beforeSaturday 1 September 2012.

More trend reports

• Lessons from Stockholm: Alma Viviers visits Stockholm Furniture and Lighting Fair and learns that we should look to our heritage for authentic design expression.
• Lessons from Paris I: Tracy Lynch, our Cape Town decor editor, visits Maison & Objet in Paris and learns that the humble is turning heroic.

• Lessons from Paris II: Gera Smuts also visits Maison & Objet in Paris and learns that design is going practical by prioritising assembly.

• Lessons from Frankfurt: Annemarie Meintjes, Visi deputy editor, visited Ambiente in Frankfurt, Germany, and learnt about designing less, but designing better.