Nexus Creates Stylish Film for The Map Table

Cutting edge furniture manufacturers Vitra and renowned multi-disciplinery designers Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby have commissioned animation director Celyn, from Nexus, to produce this gorgeous animated film, showcasing their product the Map Table. The film, which can be seen online from 11th February beautifully illustrates - using hand drawn 2D animation - the functionality and simplicity of the product, which has been fabricated by Vitra.

This is the second product film that Nexus has been chosen to produce for BarberOsgerby, the first being made by Johnny Kelly, who created the Tip Ton Chair film for them in 2011.

The new Map Table film, directed and designed by Celyn with his own very distinct illustration style and colour palette, has a unique look and feel. The film shows the life of a young designer, who, after starting up her own creative company, demonstrates how the Map Table can become an integral part of studio activity and the ever evolving environment. The natural flow of each scene, perfectly emulates the many useful aspects of the table's construction and the growth of the simple geometric shapes Celyn uses to represent the table, reflects the versatility of the product’s design.

The Internationally acclaimed designers, Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, who famously designed the London 2012 Olympic torch and the new Ace Hotel in Shoreditch, created the Map Table as a modular system which works by using a linking construction. The table has been manufactured by the universally stylish Vitra –who produce furniture from the world’s leading designers past and present.

Celyn, Director & Designer, says about the film: "My Mum bought me some lovely books when I was a child. She is an avid reader and always has an eye for a good tale. I wasn’t surprised to find out, on rediscovering a dusty old cardboard box in my folks attic, there would be plenty of gems to rediscover inside. There were two psychedelic books by Alan Aldridge, the gloriously nutty Horton Hatches an Egg by Dr. Seuss, the insane Zeralda’s Ogre by Tomi Ungerer and right at the bottom of the box, almost forgotten, was the sepia tinted A Child for all Seasons by Satomi Ichikawa. This beautifully illustrated book was elegantly unassuming. The book captured the transition of the seasons in subtle detail, with a composition that implied limitless space, even within the confines of a room. In the Vitra film I wanted to bring to life the essence of a well thumbed picture book. Edward and Jay originally commissioned the film with children in mind but after some study they discovered the target audience for the Map Table was older. The idea held true and seem to be fit the process of joyful play for artist and children alike. We are all big kids at the end of the day.”

Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby, designers say: "We have been fans of Celyn’s work for a number of years and were keen to collaborate on a project together. Working with him has been a delight. His brilliant use of colour and character studies have delivered a joyous colourful world which the Map table inhabits. The animation clearly demonstrates the flexibility of the table system with the growing studio of the main character."

Credits

Concept – Edward Barber and Jay Osgerby

Direction and Design - Celyn

Producer - Beccy McCray

2D Supervisor – Dave Walker

2D animation - Stuart doig

2D animation - Maki Yohikura

2D animation - Manav Dhir

2D animation - Luca Toth

Compositor - Alasdair Brotherston

Composer - Dan Arthure

Studio manager - Natalie Busuttil