Internationally renowned designer Philippe Starck and BBC Two are coming out with a brand new TV show to find the next great British designer. It will be oh so cleverly named “Philippe Starck’s School of Design” and it will all take place in Paris, France. It will feature 10 aspiring designers with the talent, drive, and vision to create the next ‘must have’ products of the 21st Century. Have what it takes to work along side Philippe Starck? Find out more here.
With the TED Conference going on right now, we thought we’d highlight a talk by Philippe Starck at last year’s conference. Philippe Starck, with no pretty slides behind him, spends 18 minutes reaching for the very roots of the question “Why design?” Along the way he drops brilliant insights into the human condition; listen carefully for one perfectly crystallized mantra for all of us, genius or not. Yet all this deep thought, he cheerfully admits, is to aid in the design of a better toothbrush. The full transcript is available here.
We found the new Cafe Racer Super Naked bike designed by Philippe Starck through our friends over at Dezeen. This is still in the prototype phase at French manufacturer Voxan
and there’s still no official release date.
While we love cafe bikes, Philippe Starck, and anything naked, we’re still not 100% sold on this particular concept. While we like the metal plate over the headlight instead of a windshield, it looks like the top of it holds a tiny digital instrument cluster. Having to squint to see your RPM’s while dodging traffic sounds more difficult juggling act than we’d like. The seating position looks like it puts the rider leaning slightly forward right into an angled gas tank which again, sounds like no picnic. We’re still undecided on the wrap around tail pipe idea, only because it’s so different from what we’re used to looking at. Given, this is one of those ideas that looks odd know, but in five years this could be the new craze and Starck ends up being ahead of his time.
Over all, we like that Starck is taking chances, trying something a little different, and challenging himself. This maybe one of those instances where if he really likes designing bikes and does a few more we could see something really special in the future.
Many more photos of this bike when you click “Read More” below.
If you thought Philippe Starck had retired from designing think again. Starck designed this simple and elegant watch for Fossil watch with a grommet at the center. The hour is displayed by a number and the minutes fill the circle as the hour progresses. Available on Fossil’s website for $110.
If you thought Philippe Starck had retired from designing think again. Starck designed this simple and elegant watch for Fossil watch with a grommet at the center. The hour is displayed by a number and the minutes fill the circle as the hour progresses. Available on 
