Smart new app from Wallpaper* and HTC explores cities' hidden design gems

Date
27 May 2013

There’s something overwhelming about turning up in an unfamiliar city during one of the major design jamborees and it can be hard to know where to start. But a new initiative from HTC and Wallpaper* provides carefully-curated guides to a several design-savvy cities showcasing shops, bars and galleries far from the madding crowds.

After the scheme’s launch at this year’s Salone in Milan, the latest cities to be added to the HTC Global Design Tours app are New York and Hong Kong, to coincide with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair and Art Basel respectively.

Selecting their favourite parts of The Big Apple are Wallpaper* New York editor Pei-Ru Keh, One&Co (HTC) principal Irina Kozlovskaya and British-born/New York-based fashion designer Andrew Wren, and in a nice touch the trio have selected a suitable track for every destination they recommend.

This app breathes new life into the old adage that cities are best explored in the company of those who know them best, and where it excels is by adding unusual and genuinely out of the way locations to the well-worn design trails that tend to take over cities at the time of major festivals. It also helps visitors drill down to find out a bit more about the fascinating design stories to be found behind the immaculately-presented finished products.

With other cities including London in the pipeline, it will be good to see how this programme expands and evolves over the next few months. You can download the apps here.

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A 3D printed space elevator sculpture at the Fields Project Gallery in Chelsea

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The Wanted Design showcase

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Lighting display at the Future Perfect store

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The Mociun design shop in Brooklyn

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The Mociun design shop in Brooklyn

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The American Design club show around Trophies at The Standard Hotel

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The American Design club show around Trophies at The Standard Hotel

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The American Design club show around Trophies at The Standard Hotel

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Lighting at Karkula in Brooklyn

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About the Author

Rob Alderson

Rob joined It’s Nice That as Online Editor in July 2011 before becoming Editor-in-Chief and working across all editorial projects including itsnicethat.com, Printed Pages, Here and Nicer Tuesdays. Rob left It’s Nice That in June 2015.

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