« design: December 2007 | Main | design: February 2008 »
January 31, 2008
Wet Benches Suck
Praise Jebus for a group of clever Korean designers whom came up with the Rolling Bench concept. The slats can roll via crank. Now you're bum will always be sitting dry. That and playing dirty tricks on napping homeless people.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 1:58 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Radiator With A Twist
People with old school radiators aren't left with many options on how to hide it. You can cover it but that defeats its purpose since it can't radiate. The Marco Dess Wall Radiator can easily replace those old furnaces with a more modern unit. What's more, each ceramic plate can rotate to personalize a look. Turning the first plate also turns the unit on/off.
via Trendir
Posted by tranism at 1:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
MacBook Air Cousins
You know how the Care Bears had cousins? Well DViCE went there and created some cousins for Apple's MacBook Air. Behold the MacBook Elements!
How is this remotely related to Care Bears? Barely, I just wanted mention Care Bears today after reading about something terrible. We need more caring and compassion in this world.
via DViCE
Posted by tranism at 12:13 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 25, 2008
Angora Trophy Head
I personally find the idea of a mounted animal head disturbing, real or fake. But I really like Rachel Denny's angora trophy heads. No real animals were harmed in the process. Get one for $500.
Posted by tranism at 11:59 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
You Indecisive Monkey
Having a heard time making simple decisions? Then you need the Instant Feeling flower. Like a much more tactile Magic-8 ball, you ask a question and proceed to tear off the petals one by one. Last one standing is your decision. Just be careful tho. Each petal bursts into flames as a reminder of a decision's permanence.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 11:47 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 24, 2008
Aerial Stick Cams
Taking photos is fun but aren't you getting tired of the same old angles grounded by gravity. With the Flying Stick Camera, aerial shots are easier than ever. Using kinetic energy created by rolling it between your palms, the camera snaps pictures at set intervals. Sure you won't know what kind of shots were taken until it comes down but that's just half the fun. That and jumping around like an idiot.
Whole lot more at Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 3:04 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 23, 2008
Amazing Pencil Sculpture
I love Jennifer Maestre's pencil sculptures. This one in particular called "Basilisk" is uber cute.
via Neatorama
Posted by tranism at 4:18 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 22, 2008
My Eggs Wear Pants
Egg Pants have three stubby "legs" which will keep your breakfast eggs standing tall. They're white on the outside and yellow on the inside, just like the eggs they hold. Pick up a set of 2 for $20.
Posted by tranism at 2:46 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 14, 2008
Elastic House Is Shaky
The elastic houses are made for those who like instability and precarious, who like to be awakened by the sound of the rain, those who like to sleep under the overturned boats. They will be recalled at any time to the realities of gravity, rocked by wind and earthquakes. The elastic houses therefore ask its inhabitants a strong sense of balance and a real taste for the experimental.
Designer Etienne Meneau is a little nutty. It's just one of his sculptures. . . for now.
Posted by tranism at 3:59 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Fisker Karma Live
One of the cars I'm most interested in is the Fisker Karma, officially making an appearance at NAIAS. The hybrid sports sedan is the first of it's kind utilizing lithium ion batteries combined with a 4-banger. That may sound kinda weak on paper but it goes 0-60 in 5.6 seconds. That's nothing to laugh at. The Karma can roll 50 miles on pure silent electric power before the gas engine kicks in to recharge. Like the Prius, the transition is seamless. For faster speeds (up to 125mph), both the electric and gas work in tandem. All are supplemented by the solar cells integrated into the roof.
Outside the engine bay is an very unique design that looks more concept than production. Henry Fisker went all out on this one. You can take delivery in 2009. How much? Just $80,000. That's a lot less than I expected for a luxury maker like Fisker, especially for a hybrid. I'd be much more impressed if I saw one of these rolling down the streets instead of the usual Maseratis or Ferraris in Beverly Hills.
Posted by tranism at 2:38 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 11, 2008
Signed In Blood
Artist, designer, crazed de facto Bob Partington writes with his own blood. This blood pen sorta works like a tattoo needle except you can clearly see, that is no ordinary ink. The silvered quill feather is a nice touch. Real chic Bob. If you're not squeamish, hit the jump for video.
via Core77
Posted by tranism at 3:19 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 10, 2008
Smarter Clothing Labels
RFID is the name of the game and pretty soon we'll see it reach mainstream in some very unexpected applications. One in particular is the ClothTAG. Meant to replace current garment care labels, the ClothTAG uses RFID technology to tell your washer and dryer what settings to use. Of course, that requires you to have RFID enabled appliances. If you don't, no worries. The RFID circuitry cleverly mimics icons found in current garment care labels so you'll still know how best to wash your undies the old fashioned way.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 1:57 AM | Permalink | Comments (2)
Shaken, Not Stirred
The Bello PMP concept by designer Ryan Han looks to be just another touchscreen doodad currently flooding the market but upon closer inspection, it does a lot more.
First off the simplicity in the design is quite gorgeous in an understated way. The entire surface is a touchscreen framed in a glass bezel. Finger swipes and flicks ala iPod Touch navigate across menus but the Bello ups the ante by integrating hand gestures for deeper controls.
For example when you shake the Bello, all you personal files change into little icons that can be stacked and organized. It beats having to drill down thru 2-3 steps of menus. Perhaps the coolest feature is what I call "teapotting." Simply gesture as if you're pouring tea over another Bello to initiate a file transfer. Bravo!
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 1:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (4)
January 8, 2008
Fujitsu Laptops Might Be Plushy
At least in concept they will be. Fujitsu unveiled a trio of concepts at CES. The plush laptop caught my eye because it's brilliant. I find myself falling asleep with my laptop all the time. Would be nice if I could just nuzzle it like a mini-pillow. Of course, Fujitsu didn't explain how they would make such a product but then again that's why they call it a concept.
Reminds me of the Soft Little TV from Sony. Could they be on to something? Maybe future electronics will be all about soft pliable materials instead of the super thin hard surfaces we see emerging today.
More pics after the jump.
Posted by tranism at 11:05 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
January 7, 2008
Heat Sink Mug
If you've ever been scalded by a hot mug then you know exactly how painful it is. The Radiator Mug uses the same fin shape you find in large computer heat sinks to accomplish the same task; dissipate the heat before it reaches your hands. Just by coincindence the fins also provide nice traction to grip. Only $25.
via Core77
Posted by tranism at 1:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 4, 2008
I'm Back In The Closet
Because... I want the Invisilight by designers Gunmund Rebnord, Hands Christian Berge, and Ingrid Clausen. It's a closet rail with embedded lights. Isn't it's purpose obvious? Not only does it illuminate but it also looks pretty snazzy. As any good interior designer will tell you it's all about lighting. Hell, this looks so good I may even leave my closet doors open. Anybody care to step inside and join me? :)
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 11:19 AM | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 3, 2008
Playing With Sperm
OMG, I've been wanting to use that title since day one of this blog. Hell I even wanted it as a tagline but alas, it didn't fit.
Thank my lucky stars some mad typographist by the name of Oded Ezer made it possible. What you see here is his project called Typosperma. The idea is to combine sperm and type into a biological design. Weird but if I can get them to spell out my name then I'm all for it.
via Notcot
Posted by tranism at 5:34 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Keep One's Nose To The Grindstone
The ultra minimalistic Freedom Mobile Phone by designer Vadim Kibardin is gorgeous by any standard but it's just a concept for now. Specifically designed for chronic travelers who need to stay in touch, instead of paying outrageous roaming charges you just buy one of these. They come charged with 200 minutes which you can recharge at any time. Each one also has it's own number that works internationally. No SIM card or mobile contracts needed. Sound idea but what about this design?
I'm all for minimalist designs but this is one that's a little too far in. First off there's no screen so how am I supposed to know if I've dialed the correct number? Second, the ultra thin form factor is just begging for chronic hand pains. Fix those two problems and BRING IT ON!
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 5:11 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
January 2, 2008
Miko Gets A New Bowl
My dog Miko is spoiled. Ask any of my friends and they'll tell you. I don't care tho. I'm going to take it to the next level and get him this beautiful bowl called Coco's China. I mean white porcelain on a walnut base? That is gorgeous and for $99 it better be.
Posted by tranism at 2:16 PM | Permalink | Comments (1)
Mazda Furai is a Thing of Beauty
Out of all the big auto manufacturers, I am most impressed with what Mazda has done with it's wind inspired concept vehicles. The latest is the Furai which won't officially be unveiled til' the Detroit Auto Show but I like early surprises.
Like it's brothers the Taiki, Hakaze, Ryuga, and Nagare; the Furai has a wind carved body but injects a HUGE load of performance with a 450 horsepower rotary engine. You'd be amiss to think it's just another gas guzzler because this beauty runs on pure E100 ethanol - clean burning and Earth friendly.
Posted by tranism at 1:29 PM | Permalink | Comments (3)