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February 20, 2006
A Web To Give You Power
The Olympics are extremely important to athletic companies who need to test their latest and greatest performance fabrications in real world conditions. The Adidas Clima TechFit suits may make athletes look like they just walked off the set of Aeon Flux but there's a lot of design behind the suit.
Designed to optimize bodily efficiency in energy expenditure, reduce oxygen consumption, and muscle energy output, the Clima TechFit suits utilize special compression strips strategically "webbed" across the body linking appendages to the body's center mass. By doing so, the body's energy is more efficiently distributed giving the athlete that split second edge that he/she may need to win gold.
Sounds great to me. I wish I had the chance to wear one of these suits. I also can't help but notice the position the model above is taking. I know it's angled that way so you can see the web but DAMN, that's a really hot photo. And by the way, that isn't just any ordinary model, that's German Olympian Alexander Wolf.
More OLYMPIANS after the jump
German Olympian Sven Fischer
Swiss Olympian Simon Hallenbarter
Posted by tranism at 6:14 PM | Permalink | Comments (3) | TrackBack (1)
February 19, 2006
The Jacknife
I wasn't sure what a jacknife exactly was or how it applies to this bike. After a quick google image search, I guess a jacknife is a foldable knife and that's exactly what this bike does. It's just a concept by two designers trying to achieve a minimal design aesthetically and mechanically for easy and low maintenance.
Visually you can tell how this bike is far more minimal than your typical bike, but how is it mechanically minimal? Look closer and you'll see there's no chain system. The bike is powered by hydraulics. The power delivery is more consistent with no wear and tear since you eliminate the need for chains and gears.
I'm not a bike person but I'll gladly take one. BUILD IT.
Posted by tranism at 11:37 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
February 11, 2006
Next Step In Interface Design
Jefferson Y. Han demonstrates what I believe to be the next step in interface design before we move into three-dimensional immersion. Multi-Touch Interaction Research is a flat screen that can sense simultaneous points of touch and allow real time manipulation of objects and sounds. By eliminating the keyboard and mouse, we remove the "middle man" making it easier to directly access content. We are tactile beings and the action of touching, manipulating, and accessing with our hands comes naturally. Simple gestures such as dragging and scaling objects are easily understood by everyone and opens the doors to truly accessing and creating information more quickly and efficiently.
Make sure you check out this video to appreciate the possibilities.
Posted by tranism at 5:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
American Cement Building
I drove by this awesome building in Los Angeles and immediately did some research to find out what it was. It's called the American Cement Building - an old chocolate factory from the 1960's converted into lofts. The architecture is beautiful. The exterior grid surrounds a glass facade facing downtown Los Angeles. I can only guess how much it must cost to live there. It sort of reminds me of Toyo Ito if she were forced to stay geometric.
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 3:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBack (0)
February 8, 2006
Punk Golf Bag
plankton here, jackin' electro's blog account again.
Golf used to be a sport for the wealthy and prestigious. Over the past couple of years, times have changed and today it is essentially okay for anyone to pick up and start swinging without ridicule.
If you're looking to make an undaunted and revolting impression out on the green, check this golf bag out.
Posted by tranism at 3:45 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 7, 2006
Park(ing)
plankton here, jackin' electro's blog account again
This creative group of people took the initiative to make San Francisco more green and improve the quality of urban habitats - at least temporary. "Park(ing)" a park in a metered parking spot made it possible for people to rest on the bench, relax on the grass, or just do nothing until the meter ran out.
70% of San Francisco's downtown outdoor space is dedicated to private vehicle, while only a fraction is allocated to the public realm.
Watch the trailer on their website to see the park unfold.
Read full story. . .
Posted by tranism at 3:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBack (0)
February 6, 2006
BIX
Designed for the Kunsthaus Graz in Austria, BIX is a permanent light and media installation by realities:united architects in Berlin.
The structure consists of an acrylic glass facade on the eastern side of the building with a matrix of 930 fluorescent lamps integrated into the skin.
The biomorphic structure often animates with a rippling of lights making it appear as if it's living. The possibilities extend further since each lamp's brightness can be adjusted to display different images forming a giant low resolution screen.
You can watch the documentary video here to get a better perspective.
Posted by tranism at 11:52 AM | Permalink | Comments (2) | TrackBack (0)
Orikasa Fold Flat Bowl
Great for dogs and humans alike, the Orikaso Bowl is for those that just want a fold flat bowl for 1 purpose - to eat from (although it does make a mean frisbee). You can get a 2 pack for £3.
Posted by tranism at 10:50 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
February 5, 2006
Rustboy Vinyl Figure
And he's available EXCLUSIVELY at Android8. If this little fellow seems familiar, it's because he's the main character from Brian Taylor's RUSTBOY - a 3D animated film created, written, and produced by the multi-talented man. While the film is currently on hiatus, that doesn't mean no goodies for the legions of Rustboy fans. First it was the book, now it's this beautiful toy.
Standing at 7" tall, he's not a shortie and the detail is HIGH QUALITY. Get your ass over to Android8 and buy one NOW.
Posted by tranism at 1:54 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBack (0)
Aeron Chaise
Sietze Kalkwijk and Joris Laarman designed a Herman Miller Aeron Chaise, commissioned by Berry Friedman. Their Aeron version is inspired by American consumerism. The design is targeted at a growing group of Americans who watch up to 9 hours of TV a day.
Of course I want one and the nay-sayers will have you believe it is yet another product aimed at profiting off how fat and lazy Americans are. Another T.V. chair? Do we really need one? Maybe not, but I can think of more than one way to use that chaise. Can you???
via reluct
Posted by tranism at 12:21 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
February 3, 2006
Selk'bag
UPDATE:
You can now purchase the Selk'bag. Read all about it here.
Where the f*ck was this when we were in cold ass Utah for the Sundance Film Festival. This thing looks so comfortable, I wouldn't have minded one bit sleeping on the floor.
It's called the Selk'bag - a sleeping bag system which looks like a giant full body uni-garment. Inside or outdoors, the Selk'bag gives the body maximum mobility and comfort. Fully lined and insulated but not bullky. Stand without any trouble, walk, cross your arms and legs, and when you get tired, just roll over and sleep.
Please BUY us both one!
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 9:24 PM | Permalink | Comments (79)
Spotlight
Spotlight is a set of 16 interactive portraits. Each portrait has a set of 9 temporal gestures - photographic quality sequences of human gestures. The portraits are networked and placed in a 4x4 layout.
Every few seconds, a randomly selected portrait looks towards a neighboring portrait. In turn the neighboring portrait looks back. To an observer, these "random discussions" create a sense of social dynamics. The observer can interrupt the group dynamics at any time by selecting on of the 16 portraits. The remaining 15 portraits react and direct their attention to the selected portrait; being the center of attention.
check out the movie
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