Welcome to Optimism

Selfridges A-Z 2109

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In
February
Wieden + Kennedy London pitched and won a
project to design the Concept Store windows for Selfridges’ 100th anniversary.
The brief was “What will Selfridges be selling in 2109?” It was a great chance
to do some non-traditional creative work and satisfying to know that we beat
some top designers and artists to win the project.

The
outcome was the ‘Future A-Z 2109’, which officially launches on July 3rd.
We wanted to come up with something that
reflected Selfridges, the ultimate pleasure palace, in the future. The idea
allowed us to show a collective view of the future with a series of 26 ‘crazy
sensible’ future products, created by W+K. Thoughts range from the stupidly clever Airbag Cycle
Helmets through to the darker dimension of Designer Organs. (This concept was endorsed
by Vivienne Westwood.)
Here
are some shots of the installation.

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The
A-Z along Orchard Street.

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A is for Airbag Helmet. Instantly inflates on
impact providing 360 degree protection for any cyclist. Do not wear in bed.

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A passer-by admiring the window.

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As of all this wasn't enough, we
have come up with a competition where we are asking you, the blog-reading public to complete
our A-Z, since the letter X is missing. Can you think of what product the letter X could
represent in 2109? Download the template from the
Selfridges website and take a look at the teaser film.

The
winning IDEA X will be made and exhibited in the window, along with the other
25 letters, from Saturday 8 August until the end of the month. The winner will
also receive a £500 Selfridges gift card. Judges
include Dr Frances Corner – Professor of Art and Design Education at the London
College of Fashion, Patrick Burgoyne – Editor of Creative Review and Linda
Hewson – Selfridges head of creative.

A special thanks to the team at ATOM for all their support and
exceptional model-making.

grand designs

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Work nears completion on our additional space just across the road. We're due to move people around this weekend, so these really are the finishing touches. (Fingers crossed.)

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Alex in the kitchen.

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Big screen for big presentations, which is accompanied by some proper AV kit.

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Ooo – design feature!

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General work area: lots of desks to go in here very soon.

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Looks like it's just been abandoned rather than about to be finished, but this will be a meeting room.

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A yellow door.

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A small room with some dodgy carpeting. This will be an edit suite.

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Stairway to nowhere.

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Looking down on the open area from the gallery. Minstrels not yet in residence.

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Up on the roof.

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View from the roof terrace: our current space on 16 Hanbury Street.

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