Bring on the final….

Crikey is it just me or could BBC 2′s ‘Design For Life’ series have been condensed into half the episodes? The remaining four just seemed to be going round and round in circles…..

Jean Phillipe, Starck’s top model maker was let’s say underwhelmed at the prototype making stage of procedures whilst Eugenie’s comments were ambiguous at best…..’they need refining…’ very helpful. Perhaps it’s just the language barrier??

To be honest I felt a bit sorry for Jess, Trevor, Mike and our northern girl Ilsa, the critiscism they received was hardly constructive however Trevor at last showed a little spirit as he vented his frustrations (well whispered them truth be told!)

Fed up with refining prototypes they headed off to ‘branding school’ with chic Mathilde and Carolyn at the helm. The message being that the brand needed to be ‘strong, recognisable and consistent…. ‘ with their various design backgrounds  you would hope the students would be up to speed with this one at least…..?

….and so with hope in their hearts off they trotted with a lifesize silhouette in tow on which they were asked to portray an emblem which would attract their target consumer and also design a logo for their chosen design. More research, more angst, more close ups; in the end Mike and Trevor prevailed whilst Ilsa was politely told by Mathilde to ‘cut the crap…’ hmmmmm.

Finally came the pitch to Starck and the clear message that maybe even designers cannot be all things to all people? Just as my fave Polly couldn’t draw both Ilsa and Jess couldn’t tell the story of their brand in a clear and uncomplicated fashion. It was a mixed review….. Starck liked Trevor’s branding but not his prototype, Ilsa’s prototype was good her branding not, poor Jess failed on both counts and in the end it was Mike, resurrected from episode 2, for whom success prevailed (shock, horror!)

Decision time…au revoir Jess and Trevor. In the final Ilsa versus Mike….until next Monday evening, I can hardly wait.