RICHELLE SIBOLBOROCommunication Strategist

‘The secret to success is dedicating your life to mastering your skill.’ -Jiro Ono

Around the world

01: MILANPersonal interviews with the top Starchiects. p 4, 16-17

02: VALENCIAA behind-the-scenes look at the Spanish tile industry.p 14-15

03: REYKJAVIKVernacular designs and sustainable product development.p 12-13

04: TORONTOThe hub of social innovation. Thinking globally, acting locally.p 22-23

05: SÃO PAULOAn emerging creative class flexes its muscles.p 5-11

06: CUSCOFostering new forms of economic development.p 20-21

07: LOTAA revitalization plan wherepeople change places.p 18-19

Preface &Contents04VISIONThinking BIG: ‘take your dreams and turn them into reality.’

05 - 07INSIGHTUp close and personal with Studio MK27.

08 - 11FORECASTINGThe Manhattan of South Americapremieres a new four day festival.

12 - 13CULTURECommon ground post the economic crisis.

14 - 15BUSINESSThe manufacturing process revealed.From showrooms to structures.

16 - 17TRENDSRock and roll aesthetics applied to modern furniture pieces.

18 - 19STRATEGYIntegrative thinking and problem solving using systems design.

20 - 21AFFAIRSSocial entrepreneurship transformingtraditional models into sustainablesolutions.

22 - 23DESIGNCreation of concepts and the execution of ideas.

24COMMUNICATIONOnline content and social mediaplatforms.

I am a content strategist who specializes in transmedia storytelling. I translate culture into thought-provoking narratives, predicting the events of tomorrow into stories for today. I hedge my instincts and leverage my diverse background to navigate multiple platforms, generating insights on future trends. I have a passion for communication and believe design has the ability to both provoke and inspire change.

Throughout my career, I have worked to stretch what a designercan do. I have collaborated with diverse professionals to execute innovative ideas to become a new breed of designer, demanding leadership, forward thinking and vision. I have an entrepreneurial spirit, an awareness of complex global issues and an artisan aesthetic for customization and personalization.

I have traveled to the remote areas of South American to the dense metropolitan centres in Europe, investigating consumer trends and current affairs. I have interviewed influencers in the fields of architecture, design and entertainment focusing on so-cial ingenuity and insight. It has led me to continually evolve as a person and ask the questions:Who am I? What does it mean? How can I make a difference?

The following pages are a reflection and response to these questions. They are an attempt to inspire the human spirit to think big and dream beyond what is imaginable - that design can be used as a creative catalyst to solve the challenges we face.

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Located in the Jardins district of São Paulo, sits Studio MK27, one of Brazil’s leading architecture firms led by founder Marcio Kogan. The three story building was one of the firm’s first projects. The concrete facade stands out from the neighbouring structures with trickling overgrown ivy and an interactive chalk board found at street level. The corner entrance greets visitors with a suspended dripping detail which pays homage to its former residents.

BIG ARCHITECTSBjarke IngelsIs there an architect, from the past your appreciate?Two days ago I was walking on the steps of the Sydney Opera designed by Jan Utzon. He was actually 38 when he won the competition and that is amazing.Today 39 years later, since it was completed, it’s still a completely, contemporary, timeless and super relevant piece of architecture that magically fuses input from Central American, South American, indigenous culture, … ancient Chinese culture, gothic arches, and sort of contemporary Australian sensibility… with the modernism and futurism of the sixties. An amazing hybrid of so many different influences that still achieves a complete synergy and becomes something uniquely timeless and still completely relevant - 40 years later.

How would you describe your architectural style?In a way as an architect what you do is you try to take your dreams and turn them into reality.

Is there anything you are afraid of regarding the future?Fear is never the solution to anything. I am a really rational optimistic, in the sense that all evidence shows that we are actually getting smarter. Roughly we are getting ten IQ points smarter every decade. The speed of innovation is also faster. The growth of longevity and prosperity is getting greater...I’m quite optimistic about the future in general.

A LOOK INSIDEStudio MK27

WELCOMEHOMEPeep ShowPrefaceAn intimate view into one of the most prominent architecture firms coming out of South America. Studio MK27 opens its doors to showcase their working environment and their extraordinarycollection of personal objects.

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The main level, which was previously rented out to a glass shop, has been transformed into an open reception area, meeting room, kitchen and patio to adapt to the growing practice of now 18 architects. The major presentations take place in the conference room which is one of three areas for assembly in the office and features a wall of drawings which Kogan has personally collected and received from various architects, such as Isay Weinfeld and Le Corbusier over the years. The space opens onto a back deck which the staff occupies during lunch and where once a month, the studio entertains clients with parties catered by invited chefs.

The second level contains an informal meeting area which is positioned beside a linear horizontal shelving unit which divides the working space from the circulation zone. At the end of the floor is a meeting room which features stacks of publications that have published the studio’s work. Encased in glass are models of birdhouses which were designed for an exhibition with fellow brazilian architect Isay Weinfeld that looked at the city with a critical objective. Much of the furniture and artwork throughout the office are original pieces and were personally collected and chosen by Marcio Kogan.

The firm represented the Brazilian pavilion with Lúcio Costa during the 2012 Venice Architecture Biennale in Venice, Italy. Entitled ‘Riposatevi’ the installation takes an intimate look at the lives of multi-generational households in modern Brazilian architecture.

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01 Exterior with a street level chalk facade02 Interior reception area03 Stairwell to the upper office04 Marcio Kogan’s office05 Personal collection of nick-nacks06 Meeting room with a library of all the studio’s publications07 Favela model of a São Paulo skyscraper08 Dividing partition wall with shelving09 Hallway with original furniture pieces10 Open staircase design with a portrait of Oscar Niemeyer

01Hugo FrancaSculptor andfurniture maker

São Paulo-based sculptor Hugo Franca transforms dead and fallen trees into urban furniture items for the public space. The technique to create these massive expressions is an organic process as Franca draws on the trunk with chalk to outline the cut mark for his team. The sculptor then uses a chain saw to carve the wood to the desired shape.Similar to the finishing action of wood furniture, the seating will undergo further detailing and curing.

02Campana BrothersDesigners

The design weekend featured a Campana Brothers circuit which highlighted ten of their most diverse projects ranging in scale and material. Located around the city, the event featured spaces which have never been shown to the general public, in addition to new work and classic items.Some of the compositions include a garden courtyard with towering palm trees developed for a studio office; and the interior design of a cafe located in the Theatro Municipal.

DESIGN CULTURESão PauloPrefaceAn extensive look at the emergingdesign scene in the largest cityin the southern hemisphere.

São Paulo, Brazil, celebrated the city’s first international 2012 design weekend. The event consisted of four days which hosted 160 exhibitions, openings and proposals of work by established and emerging brazilian designers. Characterized as the Manhattan of South America, the program allowed this vibrant community to present their diverse portfolio of ideas and concepts. While strong themes of history and culture echoed throughout the collections, new views and perspectives materialized to spark a modern development in the current industry standard. Inspired by Milan’s Fuori Salone and the London Design Festival, it celebrate’s the city’s creative industry and growing design awareness among its citizens by promoting free events throughout the municipality.

01 Art Museum02 Iron sculpture03 SOPA Graffiti04 Ceramic tiles05 Subway InstallationW06 Urban design07 Public furniture08 Hugo Franca09 Favela chairs10 Custom table11 Bar design12 Courtyard

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03Guto RequenaArchitect & designer

São Paulo-based designer Guto Requena presented two collections. The first was the ‘Noize Chair’ which took the sounds of the city and mashed them with iconic post-modern seats to create a new hybrid piece. The process showcases how the advancement of technology can be used to develop new forms offurniture blurring the lines of art and science. His second collection, ‘Once Upon a Time’, looks at story-telling as a theme of exploration. The vases are composed of four narratives which were told by his grandmother, that outline the dynamics of her voice as she told the tales. Her speech was recorded and then transposed into a single line which was then given to a glass blower to create the final form.

04Gerson de OliveiraFurniture designer

OVO (Luciana Martins + Gerson de Oliveira) showcased four different lines: Pedras, Clara, Tiras and Bloco. Pedras, which means pebbles or stones in Portuguese, is a modular sofa which combines several volumes and surfaces into asingle piece. The long linear item is accented with red, pink and yellow fabrics to add a level of playful to the line.

05Contain[it]Container furniture

Several brazilian designers were invited to create an exclusive line of furniture and lamps made out of discarded shipping containers. The objective was to transform these objects into commercial and residential structures through advanced technology and techniques. The process generated a diversity of cost effective pieces for the international market.

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01 Guto Requena02 Once Upon a Time Vases03 Noize Chair04 Pedras sofa05 Gerson de Oliveira06 Lounger07 Diana Albuquerque 08 Coffee Table09 Storage containers10 Pendants11 Vases

ICELANDICDESIGNReykjavikPrefaceDesignMarch is Iceland’s most important annual design event. For four days, the city plays host to the world showcasing the best of local design alongside international names.

I recently traveled to iceland for its DesigMarch 2012. Taking place in Reykjavik, the most northern capital in the world, the city opened its doors showcasing numerous projects, exhibitions and workshops. Ranging in products from art pieces, furnishings and items for the home, the young and emerging creative scene, developing a strong design culture based on its history, heritage and traditions.The design tour also included visits to several other locations such as The National Gallery, Grettisborg apartments and design stories such as Kraum and Epal. Exhibited at Crymogea ‘Text Page’, is composed of large letter tablets that give the user the opportunity to arrange and re-arrange their favourite sayings, passages or quotes. The piece references the history of typography where the traditional printing

01 Text Page02 Craddle03 President’s home04 Icelandic flag05 Natural pool06 Fashion designers Sigrún Halla Unnarsdóttir & Agla Stefánsdóttir07 Lysa Light08 Ból Bench09 Church of Iceland10 Reykjavik11 5 x pancake pan12 Restaurant13 Experimental cuisine

techniques of books and newspapers laid out individual letters in a mould by typesetters. resembling hymn or letter boards, the slabs come with a set of letters that when mounted play with light and shadow. The Icelandic pancake pan is considered the most coveted item in the family household, yet it has remained the same for the past 60 years. Introduced by Kraum and manufactured by Malmsteypan Hella, the ‘5 x pancake pan’ is a project that looks at five new interpretations to its traditional handle. Jewelry designer Steinunn Vala, industrial designer Tinna Gunnarsdóttir, product designer Stefán Pétur, graphic designer Ingibjörg Hanna and fashion designer Sonja Bent have developed a diverse range of grips that respond to the modern needs and wants of culinary users. The varying shapes and materials showcase designs that reflect an expression of individuality while maintaining a classic personality.

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SPANISH TILESValenciaPrefaceFrom city showrooms, to the high mountains, to the edge of the sea, this is a behind-the-scenes look at ceramic tiles.

I recently traveled to Valencia, Spain, to get an in depth look at the Spanish ceramics industry. The trip began with a visit to Cevisama, an international ceramics trade fair for architecture and interior design. It was a chance to see companies from all around the world feature their products and catch the latest innovative technology, green products and trends in the trade. We then left the city and journeyed up to the mountains of Alicante and then to the edge of the sea at Benidorm, looking at renowned architectural structures that use ceramics to create identity, form and a sense of space to the surrounding land-scape. To fully understand the ceramics process, I went behind-the-scenes with two ceramic manufacturers; Ceramica Mayor, a company which specializes in the extrusion process of tile making and Vives which has a focus on sustainability and the environment.

01 Benidorm boardwalk02 Stairwell03 Red tiled waterfront design04 City of Arts andSciences05 Gallery space06 Teulada municipal auditorium07 Muca auditorium & Music centre08 Printed surface09 Green tiles10 Vives ceramicmanufacturing plant

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Q & ALenny Kravitz &Philippe StarckKartellHow did the collaboration first start?Philippe Starck: One day I was in the beautiful house of Lenny in Paris.And I was very impressed. He told me, ‘you know I would love to become a designer.’ And I said, ‘why not? You are smart. Very smart Lenny.’ I said, ‘OK, I can help you.’ And I introduced him to Kartell,because they are the best.

Can you tell us about the project?Lenny Kravitz: Well it’s the reinterpreta-tion of the mademoiselle chairs. So, it’s about texture and contrast. And using my aesthetic to dress these chairs. Some of the chairs are vey luxurious, very comfortable, very soft with reptile prints and faux fur.There are other ones that are this fabricthat look like a woven fabric that is very organic, very simple. But they both work really well on the plastic base, and the contrast is really nice.

Describe the collaboration process?Lenny Kravitz: There were things where he definitely said, ‘hey you know, I love this, but maybe try to go a little more this direction.’ I think at first, what I presented, he necessarily not rock and roll enough.Which is funny, right? Because I was going for something else. But then we presented the rock and roll chairs. And that was fun.

What are your thoughts on the final collection?Philippe Starck: It’s him. If you look at him. He’s very handsome, very sexy, very sexual. The furniture is very sexy, very sexual.There is no theory, just his life. He lives like that, so his furniture will look like his life.

BONJOURMADEMOISELLE

Kartell goes RockOn the occasion of the 2012 Milan Design week,

a creative partnership brings together a collaboration of superstar status as musician Lenny Kravitz reinterprets six Mademoiselle

chairs originally designed by Philippe Starck for Kartell.

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Q’ENCOMassclusivity

Translate rich Peruvian textile history into viable,sustainable and beautiful contemporary designs

that foster cultural vitality and economic sustainability.

01 One of the final collection pieces02 Q’Enco weavers detailing the items for the exhibitions03 Learning the weaving process04 Using the ancient backstop loom the artist weaves her storyinto mantas, belts and bags, identifying her family,community and region05 Naturally dyed yarn 01

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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT Design Aid

Q’Enco is a small village of 60 families,located 40 km north of Cusco, Peru.Subsistence farming and the sale of hand-woven textiles largely drive thecommunity’s economy. Like many small, indigenous communities around the globe, it suffers from the effects of a global market that has not sufficiently solved the problems of economic isolations and cultural exploitation.Dependent upon a fickle tourist community, Q’Enco artisans are forced to compete in an overly saturated local market of machine-made textiles at the expense of their artistic traditionsand cultural vitality.

In support of this remote Andean community’s endeavours to develop a viable and culturally-sustainingeconomic strategy, Design Aid, have initiated a collaborative project with the Q’Enco Weavers’ Association.

In October 2005, I traveled to Q’Enco, Peru, to meet with the Wavers’ Association and to act as a consultant. A series of design strategies and projects were implemented to foster confident artistic expressions andtechnical expertise.

The project has garnered tremendous success with exhibitions at Harbourfront Centre, the Design Exchange, Toronto Pearson International Airport and Gibsone Jessop Gallery. And talks at 401 Richmond in Toronto, Canada.

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SOCIALMEDIAFresh content, engagingconversations and trending topics

For more information or for consulting services feel free to contact me at +1 289 339 82882 or via email at richelle.siblboro@gmail.com.

Below are a list of social media outlets which allow me to continue a dialogue through a diverse range of platforms.

Video editor by day, documentarist by night. Hustle & flow and rock & roll@rsibolboro

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