|
 Q&A with Chief
Designer at Bentley,
Dirk van Braeckel
What was the design philosophy for the cover?
The design captures traditional craftsmanship qualities and
techniques and reveals design cues we are passionate about, while
also paying homage to the first edition Ian Fleming books. It was
important that the design was complimentary to both Bentley and Bond
and the history behind both brands meant that the book should be
something to be admired and cherished forever.
How did you
capture the spirit of Bond and the spirit of Bentley?
Marrying Bond and Bentley had to derive from themes that linked both
entities: passion, adventure and appreciation for the finer things
in life. This helped shape the book into an item which would please
people through an element of surprise but could also be admired as
something which is unique and unobtainable to everyone.
How does the use
of materials reflect materials in Bentley cars?
The choice of materials had to demonstrate the high quality and
finishing evident in our cars. It was an opportunity to reflect on
historical themes, for example the fluting on the inside book cover,
along with the diamond stitching we use on the sport theme seat
covers today. The juxtaposition of metal and leather is a theme we
work with everyday, and is naturally explored in the design.
How did the idea for the pewter model Continental car come about?
Kate Whatmore, one of our young designers, is very proud of this
feature. She wanted the book to have a feel of sophistication and
history but to make it “Bond” it had to have something that was a
bit unexpected. The element of surprise created from opening the
book to find the car within allowed us to carry the Bond–Bentley
theme throughout. The model car is handmade and numbered to the
book, which makes it a complete entity especially as the model is
the car featured in the book.
How closely did you work with Penguin?
Working with Penguin was a unique experience. We learned a lot from
designing around an unfamiliar product and certainly learned a lot
technically about Bentley craftsmanship in relation to a product
other than a car. The people we met and worked with from Penguin
were very supportive and enthusiastic about the prospect of the
book, Bentley and Kate’s ideas for the design. It was a very
positive experience.
What challenges did you face in both design and production?
In all areas of design there are problems that challenge you as a
designer to produce the best solution you can. The feasibility of a
design idea is always the greater challenge to achieve the best
aesthetics and quality. Transferring our design knowledge from the
car world to a book was a new challenge for us, but working closely
with Penguin, we think we have come up with a unique product which
is complementary to the history of Bentley and Bond that can be
appreciated by all audiences.
Who at Bentley was involved in the project?
We always start a project in the Bentley design studio by giving all
designers a chance to have an idea input and then proceed with the
selected work and the designer behind it. In this case it was Kate
Whatmore, our lady in exterior design, who came up with the goods.
Crispin Marshfield was at hand to help with the right process to
follow and link with Penguin. I, as always, had the overview and the
pleasure to select and guide the ideas and take them to fruition. |
