10 January – Guest 25: Richard van der Laken – what design can do

KAIROS 25 – OBJECT 25

Object: The Swiss Knife

About The Swiss Knife: (From Wikipedia)
The term „Swiss Army knife“ was coined by American soldiers after World War II after they had trouble pronouncing the German word „Offiziersmesser“, meaning „officer’s knife“.[2] The Swiss Army knife generally has a main spearpoint blade plus other blades and tools such as screwdrivers, a can opener, a saw blade, a pair of scissors, and many others. These are stowed inside the handle of the knife through a pivot point mechanism. The handle is traditionally a red color, with either a Victorinox or Wenger „cross“ logo or, for Swiss military issue knives, the coat of arms of Switzerland. Other colors, textures, and shapes have appeared over the years.
Originating in Ibach, Switzerland, the Swiss Army knife was first produced in 1891 when the Karl Elsenercompany, which later became Victorinox, won the contract to produce the Swiss Army’s Modell 1890 knife from the previous German manufacturer.

A cultural icon of Switzerland, both the design of the knife and its versatility have worldwide recognition.[3] The term „Swiss Army knife“ has acquired usage as a figure of speech indicating extreme utility applicable to more or less any scenario at hand.

ON Richard van der Laken – What Design Can DO

(From AGI – Alliants Graphique International)
Richard van der Laken is an acclaimed Dutch graphic designer, entrepreneur, initiator and on a fierceless mission as an unlikely globetrotting ambassador for the social impact of design.

His work is well known in graphic design circles. His Amsterdam design agency, Design Politie (Design Police) has shaped the cultural scene in Holland and shot to fame in the ‘90’s on a wave of interest in the Dutch design.
Today, he divides his time between designing for clients and running a global design organization called What Design Can Do. It started as a conference on the impact of design. It rapidly attracted many people to Amsterdam’s state theatre and to exhibitions at the Stedelijk Museum.
Nowadays What Design Can Do operates on a global level with partnerships in Mexico City, São Paulo, Nairobi, Delhi and Tokyo.

In his career Richard was honored with many awards and nominations, such as Red Dot, D&AD, Design Museum – Design Of The Year, ADCN (Art Directors Club Netherlands), Dutch Design Awards and more.

www.whatdesigncando.com
no-waste
www.designpolitie.nl
www.thedailygorilla.nl

Zusammenfassung 

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