NOISE 2008 Curator Choice for Architecture (as chosen by Zaha Hadid) Natalie Wooller sold her work in KiosKiosK during August. Here's her account of selling her work in this unique space, smack bang in the heart of London...

"During my time in the Kiosk I sold interior and exterior decor pieces.

Very few people actually ventured in, as generally people were a little timid and I don’t think they got the concept it was actually a stall where you could buy stuff, majority thought it was an exhibition or a tourist information booth” Interestingly though, many people who did come in were not British! Don’t know what that is saying about us Brits!!...not very nosey!


But, those that did take a look were really positive and helpful and helped me see my work from a consumers point of view. I went away with some ideas to work on which should, encourage more people to purchase my work. The experience helped me think of different applications for my work and where I should market it.



The audience was varied. Kids were attracted to my brightly coloured 3D stuff, teenagers girls to my fashion accessories, and women and men from 20years to 70, everything else; from wall pieces, lamps and 3D interior and exterior sculptures.

I think the location of the Kiosk wasn’t ideal, it needs to be in an area where people are in a mind set to shop, so Camden, Covent garden, Spitalfields. I think people would be encouraged to come over and have a nose if there was a cluster of kiosks together, so people can mingle from one stall to another.

It was great to meet and talk to Ciara the girl I was sharing the Kiosk with on how she is doing as business, and get advice and website, contacts etc.

This was a great opportunity, to listen and talk to consumers. I went away with lots of ideas to work on, which in turn will hopefully benefit my work."

For more of Natalie's work and to get in touch with her for possible commissions and sales head to www.NOISEfestival.com/NatalieWooller

Royal College of Art graduate Catherine sold her unique home furnishings, including wallpapers and table linen in the KiosK during September.

"thanks for the opportunity and time you and the team gave me at Kiosk Kiosk last week.

Whilst it wasn't a especially lucrative (a few small sale products that I won't be retiring on just yet!) it was a good PR opportunity and chance to meet customers face to face for their honest feedback and market opinion.

The KiosK itself was very well designed and allowed me to create a strong display that was easily accessible by visitors. Its positioning was great for meeting high spending office workers rather than tourists, who took away information and seemed genuinely interested - a good start given the current economic climate and the hard sell is wallpaper!

Whilst the location saw heavy footfall, it was clear that a lot of people were apprehensive to approach and engage with the Kiosk, as its solo appearance seemed to be a little intimidating. Generally speaking, and from the feedback in the group comments book, this is definitely something that would need to be addressed and considered should you run the scheme again - perhaps a duo or trio of Kiosks or simple branding and A board advertising? It just needs to shout shop a bit louder.

It was great learning experience on direct selling and something which I have had little experience of and would like to develop further. It has given me a view into the consumers minds eye (which can often get lost during the designing process!) and ideas for future endeavors.

KiosKiosK has been a real learning curve, and something that I would advocate to other young designers - if only to get us out of our design comfort zone and into the real world of the market place! I would definitely like to be considered for another event should you be running the scheme in other locations in London later in the year or in 2010.

Many thanks again for the opportunity,

Catherine"

www.NOISEfestival.com/CatherineHammerton

Fire on the Lifeboat takes a look at the visual art of Annika Garratt.

Bournemouth-based artist Annika Garratt offers a feast for the eyes on her online portfolio through a variety of means and modes. Oils on canvas is where her work achieves most resonance and whether it is her portrayals of new blossom over swept seas, reclining goddesses, or forests of deciduous Klimts that her hand decides upon, Garratt balances finesse with hue, and subtlety with surety.

Equally happy to accede to the drama of pencil or daguerreotype stylings of acrylic on board, Garratt appears happiest when experimenting with both form and execution. Check out her site for delicate flower murals, paper-mache paintings and cut-and-paste photo/drawing splicing and examine the scope of the work for yourself.

Also worth a mention today is the daily-updated wood s lot. A phenomenal resource for writers, artists and musicians, it focuses upon the finest avant-garde and experimental work of the past centuries and offers links to retrospectives, opinion and showcases. There is no finer hub of artistic intention than this site - Kurt Schwitters is featured today.

Contributed by Fire on the Lifeboat