Inspired by Alchemy

Designers visit the theme of alchemy by mixing mathematics with magic

by Stefano Caggiano Design is all about making things more than they are initially—more efficient, more beautiful, more meaningful. In their work in improving reality, designers take care of all dimensions, from the functional, material ones to the aesthetic, conceptual ones. They are the ones who turn matter into meaning by shaping it into significant aesthetics. Designers can thus be compared to alchemists—the ancient “scientists” …

Interview: Beppe Giacobbe

The illustrator discusses visual paradoxes and his new monograph

“Visionary Dictionary: Beppe Giacobbe from A to Z” is the first monograph dedicated to the art of illustration master Beppe Giacobbe. Born in Milan in 1953 and having studied at the Accademia di Brera in Milan and the School of Visual Arts in New York, Giacobbe is renowned and appreciated because of his works for The New York Times, The New Yorker, Corriere della Sera, …

Danner Factory Tour

Behind the scenes at one of the world’s leading boot manufacturers

Like many heritage brands, the Portland, Oregon-based boot manufacturer Danner Boots has enjoyed a recent surge in popularity. Danner was founded in 1932 as a manufacturer of top-of-the-line work and logging boots, but when Japanese footwear retailer ABC Mart acquired Danner’s parent company LaCrosse Footwear in 2012, the purchase opened up new avenues of exploration. In addition to their partnerships with J. Crew and local …