Introducing the Wallpaper* ‘World View’ series
Wallpaper* ‘World View’ shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with contributing editors across eleven global territories, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope.
These are tough times for the design industry. Shutdowns and social distancing measures have required designers everywhere to abandon their studios and other collaborative workplaces in favour of their own homes. Supply chains have been thrown into disarray, manufacturing and retail both forced into a slump, and fairs and exhibitions either postponed or cancelled. The loss of Milan Design Week 2020 – a cherished occasion to come together from all over the world, celebrate the fruits of our labour and chart our course for the year ahead – has been felt particularly keenly.
To this, we say, let us unite in spirit.
Beyond picture-perfect places and tantalising things, Wallpaper* has always been about creative talent, the fertile minds and adventurous spirits that sustain the design industry. And we recognise that in this era of physical isolation, we need a sense of camaraderie more than ever. This is why we’re launching a new series, titled ‘World View’. We’ve tapped into our global network of contributing editors, to showcase how designers in each of their territories are meeting challenges with creativity and resilience.
We have asked participating designers to tell us how their work has been affected by the pandemic, what limitations they may be grappling with, and how they are staying positive and productive. We want to find out what technologies they are leveraging, whether they are returning to analogue methods or experimenting with new platforms for communicating and designing. We’ve also invited them to each contribute an image – whether a photograph, sketch, rendering or collage – to offer us a window into their current frame of mind.
Above all, we’ve encouraged them to share how they might have found a silver lining to this crisis. Some have seized the opportunity to revisit personal projects that had been put on the back burner; more have reconnected with and found solidarity among fellow designers; even more have taken the time to reflect and recharge, to discover new priorities and new sources of inspiration.
‘World View’ is our attempt to weave together their stories, in hope that they might offer illumination in our darker moments. We hope you will find inspiration in this series and keep in mind that, though we can’t come together in person right now, we are all in this together.
With love from home
Team Wallpaper*
Read more from Wallpaper* World View
Letter from Milan
Letter from Singapore
Letter from Melbourne
Letter from New York City
Letter from Paris
Letter from California
Wallpaper* Newsletter
Receive our daily digest of inspiration, escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox.
Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.
-
Lito’s ‘Paris 1925’ jewellery collection lightens strict art-deco codes with a shimmer of sensuality
Athens designer Lito Karakostanoglou adds a modern dimension with dancing chainmail earrings, tactile gold layers and an all-round deft touch
By Caragh McKay Published
-
Introducing Flora Danica, a new Danish perfume house bottling the philosophy of hygge
Flora Danica is a newly launched fragrance house rooted in Danish culture both past and present
By India Birgitta Jarvis Published
-
The future of Salone del Mobile: new report quantifies impact of the world's biggest furniture fair
For the first time, Salone del Mobile reports on its size and impact. ‘Milan Design (Eco) System’ puts Salone into numbers, allowing its future and challenges to be addressed
By Cristina Kiran Piotti Published
-
World View: Letter from The Netherlands
Our World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. Dutch designers have taken the opportunity to reset and move towards a more sustainable future, writes Yoko Choy from Amsterdam.
By Yoko Choy Last updated
-
World View: Letter from Germany
Our World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. In Berlin, designers have embraced the slower pace of life and developed a stronger appreciation for community and environment, writes Emily McDermott MORE FROM WALLPAPER* WORLD VIEW
By Emily McDermott Last updated
-
World View: Letter from India
Our new series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. In Mumbai, Bangalore and New Delhi, studios and designers have been connecting with team members through craft, while stepping back to appreciate local sources, writes our design editor, digital, Sujata Burman
By Sujata Burman Last updated
-
World View: Letter from Brazil
The World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. Brazilian designers have been characteristically composed, and coming together in the face of the country’s mounting crisis, reports Scott Mitchem
By Scott Mitchem Last updated
-
World View: Letter from Denmark
The World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. Among designers in Denmark, there has been some disorientation, but also patience, resilience, and a newfound sense of purpose and generosity, writes our commissioning editor TF Chan.
By TF Chan Last updated
-
World View: Letter from Mexico
The World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. Reporting from Mexico, writers James Burke and Molly Mandell examine the ways in which designers are supporting local makers and elevating traditional craft, avoiding distractions and focusing on the things that matter most.
By James Burke Last updated
-
World View: Letter from South Africa
The World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. As South Africa emerges from one of the world’s strictest lockdowns, designers and artists are scrambling to revive small businesses and channelling their creative energies to analogue production, reports Sean O’Toole from Cape Town.
By Sean O'Toole Last updated
-
World View: Letter from the Middle East
The World View series shines light on the creativity and resilience of designers around the world as they confront the challenges wrought by the Covid-19 pandemic. Working with our international contributors, we reach out to creative talents to ponder the power of design in difficult times and share messages of hope. Designers in Lebanon, Jordan, the UAE and Bahrain are experimenting, reflecting, connecting with local makers, and exploring projects with social impact, reports Rebecca Anne Proctor from Dubai.
By Rebecca Anne Proctor Last updated