Digital (the enabling power of modern technology) Eskimo (the guiding hand of ancient wisdom).
When founding Digital Eskimo we wanted the name to represent the concept of harnessing the power of modern technologies (and methods) with ancient humanist principles (social equity, ecological sustainability). The unusual pairing of the two words creates a moment of dissonance in the viewer, opening the possibility for conversation.
Digital Eskimo also expresses the relationship between mastery of new technology, precision, accuracy, refined process (all things we strive for and value highly in the studio) with the more human qualities of consideration, passion, intuition, serendipity and respect for all living things.
Why Eskimo?
We chose to use the term Eskimo as our representative word for the ancient wisdoms because of the deep respect in which we hold Inuit culture*. The Inuit (and other peoples of the far north of the planet) are amazing designers, having not only survived but thrived in the most challenging of environments for many thousands of years.
The igloo, for instance, is one of the first man made structures known to have been created and yet it exhibits most of the design principles upon which modern architecture is based. An igloo is made entirely from its surrounds and returns to them, leaving no waste. It uses available energy sources – once built, the heat of its maker melts the snow from the inside, sealing the gaps between the blocks – and protects its inhabitants from the harshest elements known to man, all while being aesthetically beautiful! It truly is the epitome of a considered design and we need look no further than the igloo and its makers for our inspiration.
