design sketches on show in paris

dessiner le design
les arts decoratifs, paris
on now until january 10th, 2009

currently at les art decoratifs, paris is 'dessiner le design' - an exhibition of design drawings
by more than 12 of today's influential designers. the works on show question the role of manual
and digital processes within design. in the current computer age we are living in, what part has
drawing come to play? computers do not replace manual methods of drawing. rather, they come
with complexities, but on the other hand, also offer precision and the ability to allow all kinds of
audits, as well as opening up the possibilities of simulating an object in different ways...

ronan et erwan bouroullec, free drawing in pencil, 2007

contemporary designers use all the tools available today, but the hand drawing is a gesture which
cannot be replaced. it is the birth of an idea or product - the start of its development. drawing is still
very much an important mode of representation, although its purpose may be different from designer
to designer. for example, konstantin grcic uses the sketch as a technical tool to help visualize,
understand and develop a form. but drawing can also be more free and an expression of a personal
universe, such as those by benjamin graindorge.

more than 200 drawings by designer practitioners such as the bouroullec brothers, françois brument,
pierre charpin, naoto fukasawa, benjamin graindorge, konstantin grcic, mathieu lehanneur,
jasper morrison, marc newson, pierre paulin and laurent massaloux are on show,
from preliminary sketches to formal research drawings, exhibiting this manual technique as an
important language and expression of design.



ronan and erwan bouroullec, ballpoint pen drawing on paper, 2005


ronan and erwan bouroullec, design research drawing for the vegetal chair, vitra, black felt on paper, 2009


ronan et erwan bouroullec, sketch for vegetal chair, vitra, felt pen on paper(sketchbook), 2005


ronan et erwan bouroullec, design research - planning for camper shop, pencil and felt pen on paper(sketchbook), 2007


konstantin grcic, preliminary drawing for the chaos side chair, classicon, 1999

konstantin grcic, design research for 360° stool, magis, 2008