red dot: best of the best for Yin Yang chaise longue by Dedon
The graphic representation of Yin and Yang in the form of the Chinese Taiji symbol illustrates the dual principle of the Asian philosophy, according to which balance can only be obtained as harmony of opposing forces. The design of the Yin Yang chaise longue created by the Swiss designer Nicolas Thomkins draws on this philosophy and for that received a distinction.
Yin Yang is a collection, which has its origin in the harmony of forms. The designer Nicolas Thomkins got the idea for this at the beach. He drew the first sketch into the sand using a stick: A piece of furniture made of two elements, as if formed by nature—like stones sanded by water or dunes shaped by wind. Yin Yang combines the dynamic opposites of the oldest Chinese philosophy in a harmonic interplay of colour and form—the bronze and platinum coloured fibre reflects this harmony in the alternation of convex and concave surfaces.
Four kilometres of woven Dedon fibre—a real challenge for the weaving artists of the Dedon manufactory—cover the chaise longue; incorporated sitting depressions offer space for one person each. The piece of furniture, which combines two elements in a flowing shape, was created in close collaboration between the designer and the development team. The Swiss-born Nicolas Thomkins, whose Yin Yang is his second Dedon collection, calls Yin Yang the climax of his design career: “With Yin Yang we have created something completely new. This is pure emotion for a designer.” Thomkins studied sculpting at the State Academy of Art in Düsseldorf and industrial design at the University of Essen. He created exclusive designs for renowned companies all over Europe. After living in the UK, Switzerland and Germany, he and his family now live in Lüneburg in the North of Germany. Thomkins has worked for Dedon since 2003. red dot online interviewed him:
Mr Thomkins, what inspired you to create this special product and what was your intention behind it?
Stones that have been hollowed out by the surf; sand dunes in the desert, which appear and disappear again within a single day and into which you can embed yourself and drift along.
What does it mean to you to receive the red dot: best of the best?
To be on the right track.
What are in your opinion the special challenges designers are facing today?
To react to the omnipresent sensory overload with modesty, following the ‘Smart’ dogma: ‘reduce to the max.’
What would you as a designer like to achieve in the future?
The sustainable integration of so-called developing and emerging market countries into our economic system by design transfer.
What economic significance does design have in your opinion?
Design is the trigger of desires and therefore the trigger of the buying impulse in a saturated society.
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Dedon is clearly aiming to position itself as the most creative outdoor brand. And peer recognition seems to validate that wish. 
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Another great find Anne, way to go.
First pics have been taken but John's not happy with them :( So we'll have to stall for a bit longer.
I can say that for 2 * doubles + 2 * single seats + table, it looks like we can produce it for <£3K RRP
Posted by: Richard Boyd | April 25, 2007 at 08:11