Usefulness in Small Things

To coincide with the Milan Furniture Fair, Paul Smith Milan will be hosting a mini-exhibition of some of the products and the photography featured in Kim Colin and Sam Hecht's new book: “Usefulness in Small Things”.

‘Usefulness in Small Things’ is the new book by Kim Colin and Sam Hecht (foreword by Paul Smith with an introduction by Deyan Sudjic). It presents a delightful collection of mass-produced objects that provide insight into the things that surround us. The book is designed by Graphic Thought Facility and illustrated with over 150 newly commissioned photographs by Angela Moore. The objects are organized thematically, with concise captions that clarify the individual function of each item, exposing what is not always apparent from looking.

Sam Hecht and Kim Colin are the founding leaders of Industrial Facility, a design studio based in London whose clients include Muji, Herman Miller, Issey Miyake, Established and Sons. Deyan Sudjic is the director of the Design Museum in London.

The book can be seen and purchased for the first time at the Paul Smith Milan shop from the 11th of April 2011.

“Usefulness in Small Things”
11th - 15th April
Paul Smith,
Palazzo Gallarati Scotti,
Via Manzoni 30

A study of everyday objects

 

Simple but telling, a visual taxonomy of price tags on the cover of "Usefulness in Small Things" cleverly sets the tone for the book, pointing out the subtle differences in a well-designed, but widely overlooked bit of industrial design. This meditation on little objects is the work of Sam Hecht and Kim Colin, co-founders of London design studio Industrial Facility, whose interest in the relationship between industrial design and the surrounding world is a cornerstone of their design practice.
The book showcases Hecht's personal collection of mass-produced items of various sizes, shapes and purposes, all of which he picked up for under five pounds from mom-and-pop shops all over the world.

Objects we routinely pass by without a thought find themselves on center stage thanks to Hecht's keen eye. With careful focus and brilliant diction, Hecht and Colin outline each object's intended purpose, origin, design and the relationship between it and the user. Some of the objects have been designed to make life easier, some have been designed to innovate and some seem to exist without reason. Regardless of their original purpose, the collection now gives new perspective to these neglected objects for the perusal of fans of design for time to come.

To see for yourself, pre-order online at Amazon.