Nicholas Engert | Inspiration

In a world of over abundance and hence over consumption, we increasingly fail to discern between what is truly beautiful and yet functional and the cheap or vulgar alternative.

Few can deny that living in Britain today is a profoundly depressing experience. The country is in a parlous state - broken, bankrupt and with no sense of direction for the future. The culmination of twenty plus years of government...

As a fan of the detective books of Agatha Christie, Margery Allingham and Dorothy L Sayers, the period in which the stories are set is in itself fascinating on many levels.

I have always been fascinated by symbols, badges and logos. These designs act as a gateway to a sub world of brands, clubs and memberships. They confirm identity and belonging.

The early postage stamps of Queen Elizabeth II capture a nation in transition — graceful, confident, and beautifully made. A meditation on design, dignity, and the quiet power of miniature art.

Shapeless, styleless and completely lacking in elegance, most cars today are dull beyond belief. To level this criticism at the designers, and them alone, would be unfair as we must assume they are meeting the requirements of the market they serve.