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The world of design has been inspired by countless creative minds, but behind many iconic works are pioneering women whose impact on design is immeasurable. These women have broken barriers, pushed boundaries and transformed the norms of the design industry, making a significant contribution to its evolution.
The inspiring stories and remarkable achievements of some of these female figures have played a central role in shaping the landscape of design, from architecture to furniture, interior design and beyond. Their work and legacy continue to shine in the design firmament, inspiring current and future generations to push back the boundaries of creativity and innovation.
Her avant-garde creations, including her famous round armchair with its tubular “Bibendum” design, appealed to an elegant clientele in search of furniture revolutions. At the end of the ’30s, Eileen Gray turned her attention to her major work, a seaside villa named E-1027, which would become a jewel of modern architecture. Died in 1979, Eileen is still the creator of the second most expensive piece of furniture in history, with her dragon armchair dating from the late 20s, sold for 21.9 million euros at auction in 2009.
A visionary creator, Charlotte Perriand is undeniably one of the 20th century’s leading figures in architecture and design. Born in 1903, Charlotte Perriand turned to architecture following a hospital stay for appendicitis.
A designer to be sure, but also and above all a committed humanist, she campaigned against fascism and for the working classes. Among her plethora of achievements and commitments, it’s essential to remember Charlotte Perriand as a pioneer who revolutionized the place of women in the kitchen with her daring open kitchen concept, designed for the Cité radieuse in Marseille, a radical idea for its time. She demonstrated once again that design goes beyond artistic expression, constituting a powerful lever for social change.
The early 20th century saw the birth of Ray Eames, whose real name was Bernice Alexandra Kaiser Eames. An American architect, filmmaker and designer, she had a major influence on the Streamline movement, which was the Modern era’s push for more fluid lines in furniture.
Bernice graduated in 1933 and moved to New York to explore her artistic passion, taking courses in modern dance and expressionist painting until 1939. At the same time, she founded the AAA (American Abstract Artists) in 1936, a group of amateur abstract expressionists, and became a major figure in the movement.
It was at the Cranbook Academy of Art in Michigan that Ray met her future husband Charles Eames, with whom she designed unique furniture and quickly established a solid reputation in the design world. Unlike other design couples of the time, their major pieces were co-designed, such as the Eames Lounge Chair. Despite this, history has often tended to remember only the name Charles Eames.
Her rationality in design emphasizes the relationships between objects, optimizing space and the cost-benefit ratio. Constantly experimenting with plastic, she has created mass-produced products accessible to all, promoting easy storage.
Winner of numerous awards, including the Compasso d’Oro, a prestigious Italian award for industrial design, her creations continue to be produced, testifying to her lasting impact. Her design approach, combining the useful with the pleasurable, continues to influence many designers.
The exceptional legacy left by these pioneering women still resonates today in the world of contemporary design. Their ingenuity, creativity and determination transcended gender barriers, paving the way for new perspectives and challenging the place of women not only in design, but also in our everyday lives. Their impact is measured not only by their iconic creations, but also by the inspiration they continue to bring to succeeding generations. Celebrating these visionaries reminds us of the importance of diversity in design, inviting everyone to embrace boldness and innovation in this timeless discipline.
Photography and design, two different things? Well… not really! If you thought these two domains were unrelated to each other, get ready to be surprised.
Even though photography remains a distinct art form, it practically serves the same purposes as design.
There’s no need to separate them, as photography often becomes an integral part of design and also plays a fundamental role in its service. 📸
Intrigued? Let’s scroll down!
Photography extends far beyond mere moments captured; it embodies an authentic visual language that breathes life into visual narratives! For brands, it’s a golden opportunity to engage with their audience, igniting powerful emotions, arousing curiosity, and leaving a memorable imprint in the minds of individuals.
Let’s focus on EU in my region carried out by our teams in Belgium in collaboration with the European Commission. Its mission? To bring to life the various activities and campaigns initiated by the institution under a single unified brand umbrella.
The agency has chosen a yellow framework, present across all communication mediums, which highlights the population, landmarks, or projects of the regions they showcase.
Photography reinforces the statements of the European Commission, allows visualization of the causes it champions, and triggers an emotion of pride among Europeans. 🇪🇺
Beyond emotions, photography serves as a conduit for relaying information. Brands, institutions, or associations don’t hesitate to use photography to shed light on social or environmental issues and communicate their missions to encourage action. It plays a crucial role in raising awareness around topics such as poverty, natural disasters, conflicts, pollution, deforestation, and many more.
Citizens become aware of these issues when they see them “in real life.” Photography has the power to touch the core and evoke emotions… capable of triggering action!
Let’s focus on the French foundation Pure Océan, for which CBA has developed the branding and packaging design for its new initiative, the Goutte Bleue (Blue Drop, in French). Its mission? To contribute to the fight against climate change while preserving marine biodiversity.
La Goutte Bleue? It’s a bag made from recycled materials designed for collecting waste on beaches, in cities, in the countryside, in the mountains… before it reaches the sea.
Impactful photos of waste, like plastic bottles or masks in the sea or on the beach, enable the visualize the human impact on the marine ecosystem, and raise awareness among conscious consumers about environmental issues.
A wonderful initiative, isn’t it? ♻️
A powerful tool of visual communication, photography provides the opportunity to highlight and celebrate the richness of human diversity in all its forms. By focusing on commonalities and differences that constitute the uniqueness of each individual, brands harness photography to raise awareness about stereotypes and promote inclusion. In short, it empowers us anew!
UNILEVER, for which our offices in Singapore, London, and Paris collaborated to develop the new visual identity of one of its flagship feminine hygiene brands, LUX, truly understands this!
The goal? To inspire women to rise above sexist judgments and express their beauty and femininity… unapologetically! ✊
Strong, multifaceted women lie at the core of the brand. These women exude confidence and glamour, rejecting being defined or confined by their beauty.
The featured faces mirror the Millennial and Gen-Z generations, which the brand addresses.
By showcasing a range of authentic faces, photography undoubtedly contributes to a better representation of society… in all its diversity!
The building sector generates the same amount of waste annually as 1.5 times the production of household waste by the French – according to the Ministry of Ecological Transition. This sector alone extracts over 30% of the planet’s natural resources globally! 🧐
We need sustainable development for constructions of tomorrow! Let’s put an end to concrete construction sites that cause pollution; it’s time for awareness of the environmental impact in the retail sector.
And what about design? By using natural ressources, sustainable design rethinks the ecological impact of spaces and considers the entire life cycle of materials, from their conception to their disposal.
Feel inspired? Let’s focus on the top 5 eco-responsible materials for sustainable retail.
Traditional building material, raw earth clay is making a big comeback in today’s constructions. Composed of clayey soil mixed with plant fibers, it is primarily used in block or brick construction.
Not only is earth a renewable natural resource, but it also provides excellent thermal insulation and regulates humidity, contributing to a healthy and energy-efficient indoor climate. In short, it is abundant, cost-effective, and eco-friendly!
From the chocolate industry, it is possible to transform cocoa bean waste into a durable construction material that can be applied to walls, floors, or ceilings! It is mixed with sand and cement to enhance its strength and durability.
The advantage? Cocoa bean waste is an ecological alternative to the industrial waste generated by the chocolate sector and provides durability and excellent thermal insulation properties.
Recyclable: By using cocoa industry residues, this material contributes to waste reduction and the valorization of by-products.
Insulating: Cocoa bean waste helps reduce the energy consumption needed for heating or cooling buildings.
Resistant: This material is generally robust, making it suitable for various types of construction.
Aesthetic: The part built with this material offers a unique and warm aesthetic thanks to its natural brown hues.
Looking for a material that combines style and performance? Look no further than Fibralith! Composed of compressed and mineralized wood panels, it offers excellent thermal and acoustic insulation while being made from renewable resources.
Besides requiring less energy for manufacturing compared to many other materials, the wood used in Fibralith panels also contributes to reducing carbon emissions. Insulation and durability in one package? Yes, please!
Insulating: With its thermal and acoustic insulation properties, Fibralith contributes to reducing energy consumption and creating a comfortable indoor environment.
Renewable: Wood wool panels are made from wood, a renewable resource, and can be recycled at the end of their life.
Eco-friendly: Its manufacturing process requires less energy compared to other materials.
Regulating: Mineralized wood has a natural ability to regulate humidity, which can contribute to maintaining a healthy indoor climate.
Known as Piñatex, pineapple fiber is the perfect sustainable alternative to traditional leather, increasingly embraced by ethical and vegan fashion enthusiasts!
This innovative material is made from pineapple leaves, which are often considered agricultural by-products or waste. Its manufacturing process helps reduce the ecological footprint of the textile industry, whether in fashion or furnishing.
Sustainable: Its production requires significantly less water and agricultural land compared to intensive livestock farming needed for animal leather.
Vegan: Unlike traditional leather, no animals are exploited or killed for the production of pineapple fiber, out of concern for animal welfare.
Fair: Its production often benefits local farming communities in regions where pineapples are grown, contributing to the sustainable development of rural communities.
Versatile: Pineapple fiber is used in various industries, from clothing and shoes to furnishings and accessories.
Need some deco inspo? Choose Terrazzo! Made from fragments of marble, granite, or glass incorporated into a base of cement or resin, Terrazzo offers an infinite variety of patterns and colors. Besides being sustainable and wear-resistant, it also allows recycling of stone and glass waste.
Resistant: Terrazzo is renowned for its longevity and wear resistance, making it suitable for long-term use.
Aesthetic: It offers a wide variety of patterns and colors, making it a material appreciated for its attractive aesthetics.
Recyclable: Stone and glass waste from other industries can be recycled and used in the production of terrazzo, contributing to waste reduction.
Easy to maintain: Terrazzo requires minimal chemicals and water for cleaning.
CBA Design partnered with Valrhona in developing the retail concept for their boutique in Paris – an immersive and sensory space. With the aim of highlighting the brand’s CSR commitments (B Corp), CBA created a hybrid space that combines a retail store and a discovery area.
The boutique was designed using the 5 materials mentioned!
Congrats to the Retail & Architecture team at CBA Paris! 🔥
In any case, one thing is certain: there is indeed an eco-friendly alternative to the construction materials we know! From raw earth to pineapple fiber, nature offers us a multitude of resources that inspire the world of design.
The goal? To design sustainable retail concepts, reduce the carbon footprint of spaces, and, above all, create immersive and responsible customer experiences.
So, what’s your favorite material among this TOP 5? 👀
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