Brazilian designer Rafael Morgan is one of my new faves. Not only does he have a modern aesthetic that I clearly enjoy, but his work explores the intersection of the organic and technological (another one of my weak spots) and social awareness. Forward-thinking design with a globally inclusive message – what more could you ask for?
First up is “Light Drop”. The tap is steel, the “water” is silicone, and the intensity of the LED light is controlled, intuitively, by the tap. Turn it higher, more light. Turn it doesn, less light. Morgan says ” the Light Drop is supposed to make people think about how we are
dealing with our natural resources, in this particular case, the water, which is the main source of energy for every living organism in this
fantastic world. Water is energy indeed.” I love this guy.
The 3rd place winner in designboom’s Bright LED design competition, “Light Drop” was originally a concept piece, but keep your eyes peeled as it’s going to be produced and up for sale some time in 2008 from Belgian design firm Dark.
On more of a social awareness tip, Morgan’s “Indigestive Plate” plates are deliciously subversive in how they deliver their message at the most opportune time. A collaboration between Morgan and Ben Collette, hard-to-swallow facts about world hunger are printed in Victorian script on porcelain plates. Created with heat-sensitive ink, the messages (like “Every day 16,000 children die from hunger related causes” – how ’bout them apples?) only appear once hot food is plated. That gives the message time to appear, so that just while the eater is finishing their meal they’ll discover what’s underneath.
Like Morgan himself suggests, it would be amazing to re-stock a restaurant with “Indigestive Plates” and then watch what goes down before dessert is served.
