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October 31, 2006
Freeze Me Now and Thaw Me in 2054
Because if Venezuelan designer Carlos Agell is right, we all could be driving cars with laser gyro-stabilization and liquid metal bodies.
Actually, it doesn't seem too far fetched. The best shape for a car would be a circle or a sphere of sorts. After all, it is inherently the strongest shape (provided it's made up of triangles) and offers the best mass : volume ratio. I only have one question for Agell. Please tell me more about this liquid metal you speak of. I'm totally fascinated.
via jalopnik
Posted by tranism at 2:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (5)
Luau Lamp
A simple design enhanced by some cool features. The Luau Portable Lamp is elegant enough to find a place in your living room, yet functional enough to be lifted off it's tiny charging base to do double duty as a portable lamp.
The amount of light can be controlled and at full brightness, gives you anywhere from 6 - 10 hours of light. The shell is made of polycarbonate making it super lightweight and the built in metal handle makes moving it around a snap.
I already have the candeloo light set. I think I may have to add the Luau to my home soon.
another picture after the jump
Posted by tranism at 2:25 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
October 24, 2006
Playsam Goes Fitzsu
Two design enthusiasts and owners of the Fitzsu Society, a Los Angeles based home decor store decided to take the classic PLAYSAM Streamliner toy and invite 33 of their favorite designers to create their own version of the toy. The original PLAYSAM is above and my favorite design interpretations are below.
The one of a kind toys were auctioned off to benefit the World Childhood Foundation. Fitz and Su chose PLAYSAM because cars are such an important part of L.A. culture.
Posted by tranism at 2:08 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Symbiotic Relationships: Parasite and Host
To further explore the complex relationships of nature, growth and survival, friends hosts and parasites demonstrate these relationships using fashion as a template.
Printed Organism is a jacket with a artificially living and growing organism that comes to life with vivid patterns and illumination when worn. Just like a parasite, it crawls and bends to the body relying on the structure of the body to sustain itself. However, when the host removes the jacket, the parasite begins to die slowly, mimicking how in nature, a symbiotic relationship can not exist without coexistence.
Posted by tranism at 1:55 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
October 16, 2006
Magic Basin
I've become obsessed with bathrooms as of late. I think it's because I feel safe in there, so now that I've been looking to move, the first place I usually ask to see is the bathroom.
The Magic Basin manages to incorporate the faucet right into the basin. The design is a lot cleaner and makes a lot more sense. The pressure is just enough for the stream to land smack center at the bottom on the basin. What makes this sink tech-worthy are the automatic sensors around the bowl. They detect the position of the hands and adjust the flow of water to compensate. Temperature is also automatically controlled but can be changed by tapping the sensors.
Posted by tranism at 3:21 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Dishwasher Safe Chandelier
The Da Vinci crystal chandelier by Schonbek is the world's first dishwasher safe chandelier. They come in various sizes, from 10" to 24", and the larger ones can be dismantled to fit inside a standard dishwasher. What also makes this chandelier unique are the way the crystals are arranged. Their geometric pattern illuminates with an intensity that is ambient but bright. Just think about what a full moon looks like.
The design is gorgeous and it's a perfect example of how technology and art can intersect to preserve function meanwhile keeping it simple to care for.
via trendir
Posted by tranism at 2:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (1)
October 11, 2006
Fish Loft
Ironic that I thought about moving into a loft all month and after doing a convoluted google search; end up with a loft for fish.
The Fish Loft is a design set-up consisting of a clear acrylic tube that's pressurized so water fills the tube beyond the natural water level. The tube sits on a filtering board with openings to allow your pond fish to swim up and enjoy a higher arial view of its home.
I wonder how this affects their psyche considering that most fish probably never see what's above the surface and if they did, they probably never found their way back under the water. Clearly this was designed for human entertainment because vertical tanks don't allow enough oxygen to circulate, which is why vertical fish tanks are generally bad.
If you'll notice, it's only the bourgeois pretty gold fish that are swimming up there. I guess you have to be more than a bottom feeder to afford a view like that.
via OhGizmo
how it all works, after the jump
Posted by tranism at 11:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
October 9, 2006
Mitsubishi Says Yes to Electric
I'm totally elated with this morning news (subscription required) from Mitsu's President Osamu Masuko about plans to start selling an electric car similar to the CT concept (pics posted above and after the jump).
With Mitsu's current slump from stronger competitors like Toyota, Honda, Nissan, and Hyundai; the company has been experimenting with new battery technologies and in-wheel electric motors. The fruition to which is the CT concept. Powered by next generation lithium ion batteries (like the ones in your notebooks) that are super light but can handle many more charge cycles than current lithium batteries, Mitsu promises electric vehicles will no longer be confined to short runs and distances. The other half of the equation is the amazing MIEV (Mitsu in-wheel-motors) system which places an electric motor in each wheel creating a car that's basically transmission-less. Remember, electric vehicles are much more torquey than combustion ones since the power band is much more consistent allowing you to sprint off from a full stop.
Although Masuko didn't say specifically when we would see such a car, we do know Mitsu has possessed the tech for quite some time. This is a bold move but one much needed for a company that desperately wants to separate itself from the rest of the "alternative pack". I personally love the CT concept and the return of all electric vehicles was bound to happen sooner or later. Toyota has been working hard on creating a plug-in Prius, could Mitsu actually beat them to it?
more pictures after the jump
Posted by tranism at 12:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)
October 5, 2006
Sterile Masks with Style
Asia seems to be an area of the world on the verge of a hypochondria meltdown. You can often find people wearing thin sterile masks, the same one your Dentist wears, walking about the city, as if it will protect from germs and pollutants.
Designer Samira Boon plays on that distinct cultural oddity by turning a dreary preventative into something humorous called Get Well Soon Masks. 15 masks, each designed to make you look silly and make others laugh.
Posted by tranism at 2:13 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
About Freakin' Time
I know a few mountain bikers out there that would probably drool for the FlexFix bicycle rack system. You see, the entire rack system is hidden inside the rear bumper of the Opel Antara, a crossover SUV for Europe. The rack slides out to reveal a locking-pin mechanism to hold your bikes.
It's an idea long overdue and why should people in North America care? Simply because the Opel Antara will be sold here as the 2008 Saturn Vue. Do you guys love it or what?
more pictures after the jump
via autoblog
Posted by tranism at 2:00 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
October 2, 2006
Suzuki Splash Live
mmmm, I'm lovin' the Suzuki Splash. These live shots of the cool compact only bolster its standing as a potential b-segment winner. It's a bold design and there's a unique look here that should find a place in many future happy homes. I won't get into details, for that you can read my earlier post. Let's just enjoy the pretty pictures for now. Some people thinks it looks like a mean kid with eyeshadow and contact lenses. Just try to imagine it in cherry red, or black, maybe a foam metallic green, mmmm.
more pictures after the jump
via autoblog
Posted by tranism at 6:02 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)