A shot in the dark

This week we were thrilled to hear that Dott's initial website has been nominated for Media Innovation Award within the Community Web Use category.

We are delighted, both for SEA and for Gendall who did an amazing job bringing the site to life.
From the start it was experimental. We deliberately created a blank canvas and hoped that people would be willing to share with us their thoughts on design in Cornwall. The website, now Dott Shot allows people to upload an image (or a few) of design in Cornwall.

The premise was simple, rather than tell people what design is in a 'top down' way, we wanted to create a space for people to show us design in the real world.

And so you have.

What emerged has been sometimes a traditional view of design such as furniture from Sam Boex or Jethrow Macey's tables. Beautifully constructed pieces that are using innovative new methods of construction.

In places I must say we have wondered about the design story, I didn't expect a dead rabbit from Oliver Udy, but then again I also didn't expect a wave the size of four houses at Porthleven by Jon Penn.

It has been great to see the quality of work promoting sustainable design such as Neil Tinson's fresh take on the branding of 'Colin & Me' using reclaimed materials. Or Matt Hocking's 'Do not disturb' Door Notices made from reclaimed rubber for the Scarlet Hotel.

Sam Lanyon's Chair from Concept Shed caught our imagination so much we have commissioned him to make one for us. As part of our 50+ cares project we will be capturing peoples stories and advice about work using a special prototype chair.

Dott Shot has been a window on Cornwall through the eyes of those who know it well. And as I have spent weekends around the county I have been delighted to find the designed objects in everyday life such as my visit to Coronation Park at Helston the other weekend where I stumbled with joy over Sarah Williams' shot of tessellated tiles

So what next? We are revisiting Dott shot to take it to the next stage. Our images go on show at the Royal Cornwall Museum and we are planning to broaden its reach as planned earlier in the year with the Dott advisory board and Emily Campbell. We are hoping to get lots more people involved, to print some postcards of the best shots and to showcase the best of Cornwall's creativity and ingenuity.

A big thank you to everyone who has spent time giving us your images so far, we love seeing design through your eyes, so keep them coming.