Coentry design poetry - product poetry with a story
A design without a story is like a human being without a soul’ - Coen van Ham
Whether it is an interior, a product or an identity. A Design without a story is like a human being without a soul. Therefore, Coen van Ham composed poems matching his designs: ‘COENTRY design poetry’. Poems tell the story behind a design, behind a product. They give design, and maybe also your life, more meaning.
Coen is a passionate designer. He says ‘Products need to carry your identity, not overrule it. Memories, stories, a special piece of music, thougths and feelings. A vase is filled with flowers you like, a magazine rack with your favourite magazines and an étagère with your special delicious treats. You are the one to fill your life and the products you use with identity and individuality. And that’s what creates unique stories for all products. The longer you own them, the more it reveals the stories of your life.
While designing its products Coen wrote fragments of text in the outline. Texts with a vision to design and life. These mini poems are called ‘coentry', a combination of the words poetry and Coen. It makes these poems a personal gift from the designer.
During the Dutch Design Week 2013 the Philips Museum had the world premiere. In this week of wonders you can find the poems reflecting the soul of the design studio of COEN! The first seven poems are presented as posters to the public along with the products for which they were originally written. You can find them together behind the windows of the new Philips Museum.
These posters will be available for everyone. Coen van Ham ‘Shouldn’t it be fantastic to see them in schools, hospitals, offices and at your home? They can make you wonder: what’s really important in life? And how good design help you?’
