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June 20, 2008
Ride a horsey
I swear I dreamt of this a long time ago. You see, in my dream I worked in a paper mill to make ends meat. My long work days were met with an aching back and the realization I'd have to do it all over again. Only my daydreams saved me from insanity but the constant lapse in concentration gets me into an accident. I get caught in one of the mill presses. As I lay there slowly drifting into unconsciousness, I see myself folding a giant origami horse, hop on its back and ride away to peace.
Enjoy this video. It's a solar powered kinetic paper horse.
Posted by tranism at 1:53 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
June 11, 2008
This BMW feels like silk
I've never been a fan of BMW's aesthetics (ducks from fanboys throwing rocks) but their GINA Light Visionary Model concept provides a peek into what future advance materials may mean for the proverbial automobile. Instead of typical sheet metal, this vehicle is covered in a flexible, super strong, memory retention textile stretched across a frame.
Various aspects of the vehicle's substructure can move via electo-hydraulic controls, dynamically morphing the skin. For example when headlights are turned on, fabric stretches open to reveal LED lights. BMW envisages a future where rigid body panels are a thing of the past. Today's cars are designed to absorb impacts in their frames, not sheet metal. Switching to a textile base shell significantly reduces body weight which improves performance and efficiency.
This is exactly the type of thinking I want to see from industries that shape so much of the future. Not to sound cliche but BMW thought "outside the box" and totally hit a home run IMO.
More pics after the jump.
Posted by tranism at 12:49 AM | Permalink | Comments (3)
June 8, 2008
Tattoos activated by touch
Tattoos and physical mutilation are amongst the oldest forms of personal expression and identity. Subcultures have used tattoos as a form of self representation; a visual language communicating personality and status. Philips Design examined the growing trend of extreme body adornment like tattoos, piercing, implants and scarring in a project called SKIN: Tattoo.
The Electronics Tattoo film expresses the visual power of sensitive technology applied to the human body. The film subtly leads the viewer through the simultaneous emotional and aesthetic transformations between two lovers. Your touch activates the tattoo and conversely, hides it.
Posted by tranism at 8:28 PM | Permalink | Comments (2)
2016 Olympic City Applicants
Here they are ladies and gents, the 2016 Olympic city applications. Which do you prefer?
Posted by tranism at 6:46 PM | Permalink | Comments (16)
June 6, 2008
A whale of a vase
As Editor in Chief on the best industrial design blog, Yanko Design - I come across many designs with potential. Some are more viable than most and this is one of those concepts. Designer Alessandro Beda's Whale vase is simple, elegant, and easy enough to mass produce. He's currently looking for a way produce it so I'm going to use all my clout to see if I can help.
Posted by tranism at 5:26 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Seeding urban landscapes one seed at a time
The Bloom device is meant to be a subversive and inspirational tool for our concrete jungles. Similar to the tuft of a dandelion as the wind carries the seedling, we propose a way of dispersing seedlings with bubbles and bicycling. Seeds are co-mingled with a bubble mixture and upon pedaling to your destination , you release the floating seeds which land in cracks and crevices throughout the city streets. Over time, the seeds grow into flowers and plants to create a green "fringe" to our sidewalks and streets.
Using natural ingredients; vegetable based soap and seeds, combine together to make a dissolving "nugget". The resulting mixture resides in a reservoir inside Blooms aluminum housing. The housing is attached to the lower frame near the rear tire, similar to a exhaust pipe. Upon pedalling, air enters the front of Bloom and spins a pinwheel inside which picks up a small drop of the seed/bubble mixture and blows a bubble carrying a seed out the back as "exhaust".
Our inspiration comes from the tale of Johnny Appleseed, where he would spread seeds everywhere he went planting apple trees for future generations.
via Make
Posted by tranism at 5:22 PM | Permalink | Comments (7)
Putting the Speak in Speaker
Speech bubbles made into speakers. Clever and a product that should have been conceived a long time ago. Designed by Sherwood Forlee.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 5:12 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
How Does A Stormtrooper Go On Holiday?
Speaking as a former Imperial Stormtrooper myself, I can tell you I love my Nereus craft. Designed by the brilliant Mathias Koehler, this waverunner is totally kite powered, way quieter than those speeder bikes. This fuel free craft provides hours of fuel free fun above and below the water. Steering is managed via foot pedals while the handlebars pivot the craft forward/backwards. Most importantly it matches my armor - white and post modern.
via Yanko Design
Posted by tranism at 5:06 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)