The Design Mart opens it’s doors at the prestigious setting of the BALTIC - photography courtesy of Design Event

A selection of the North East’s top design talent participated in the Design Mart at the BALTIC Centre for Contemporary Art

The regional selling exhibition offered work from some established designer/makers and previewed some great new-kids-on-the-scene too. Furniture was predominantly bespoke works, which are continuing to gain popularity as customers gradually shy away from the mass-produced to find solace in custom design.

Evoke was pleased to be one of the first to witness a new range of Deadgood “Wire Lights” a dominant yet elegant presence in the BALTIC. Other highlights included; Afid Design (Michael Armstrong) works, a range of hand made storage units and the unusual READesign Table; Alexandra Tinning’s conceptual “Divorce Cabinet”; Lounge Chair by David Irwin; James Churchill; Electrik Sheep’s excellent graphic tees and the Janet Collin handbag range.

Although Evoke are impressed to see so much independent young (and established) talent in the somewhat dominated domain of mass-manufactured retailers, we feel it a shame that the custom-design market is not quite suited to online retail.

I would be first in line to support “bespoke design” if even a handful of internet customers would consider waiting the 6 week plus timescale, so it remains to be seen if this form of e-commerce works without furniture available to view up close and personal. Alas, the internet looks to remain a “buy it now, ship it fast” mentality.

Unless anyone can prove me otherwise?

bookmark What are these? Filed under: Design by Rob at 17:29
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bookmark What are these? Filed under: Design by Rob at 16:08
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