United Visual Artists

Are ya looking for some cool interactive ambient light projects? If so, link yourself over to UnitedVisualArtists. They have a some great project using light and interactive sensors. Some are a bit trippy, but a few are breathtaking. Make sure to watch their project video clips. I'll list a few of my favorites:

Victoria and Albert Museum
Interactive Installation
Massive Attack
Fashion Show

IDIOM jacket

Here's a slick jacket by IDIOM. Then again, I'm a sucker for products with an "apple affect". In the design world, the "apple affect" is where the outside is one color, but the insides a burst of another. There are tons of great products with this design element. I'll list a few:

IDIOM Jacket
Pastel Bowl
Puma Starck Shoes
Shanghai Tang Jacket
Sky Umbrella
MoxBox

3D Table!

There are two incredible developments in the interactive tables arena, the muti-touch table by Jef Han and the touch table by Applied Minds. So, whats next?... A freakin dynamic 3D version of one!!! Yes, like the one in the X-men movie. Xenotran has developed a Dynamic Sand Table (DST) that can produce accurate topographic models in under 3 minutes. It's basically a table with a bunch of needles that retract or extrude upwards to represent the projected terrain. Watching this table work is awesome!

Touch Table (has video clips)
Multi-Touch Table
Xenotran Table w/videos
Touch-Table /3D table demo at EG (a must watch!)

Movers&Shakers!

Here's a fun product. Your pull the string, and the shaker starts shaking!! Just pull, turn upside-down, and the bits flicker out. You can always shake it yourself, but why shake when it can shake itself.

PerpetualKid

Breaking the Mold

A nice slideshow on materials and manufacturing methods used in products by industrial designer Arik Levy.

via Core77
BusinessWeek Slideshow

Billion dollar networks!

Geocities was bought for 3.6 billion dollars in 1999 by Yahoo. Facebook, one of the newer trendy social networks, is apparently trying to sell themselves for 2 billion now. The founders of Facebook are Harvard undergrad dropouts. The number of American millionaires is at a record high of about 9 million Millionaires. Are all of these social networks worth this much? Myspace, Orkut, Friendster, Hi5, LinkedIn, etc?

Sure makes me wonder when I'm going to make my million. Check out those links, figure out a better network, and go make a billion.

Coin Ring

John Huber has a fascinating method in creating a pretty slick ring from a half-dollar coin using a hammer. The tools are simple, the process is easy, and the end product is plain cool!

via Make
John Huber (picture process)

Solar Decathlon

The 2005 Solar Decathlon competition has an amazing assortment of incredible designs based on sustainable energy-efficient living. The competition introduces a variety of innovative methods to use solar energy and high-tech materials. If you dig deep into some of the submissions, you'll be blown away by the student concepts. I recently saw a special on TV about this competition and became hooked. They recently announced the roundup of schools invited to compete in 2007.

Solar decathlon image gallery
Video summary

2006 City's Best

"AOL has released their Cityguide for New York with a list of "The 2006 City's Best," some of which are a surprise and others which were not so surprising. Stone Park Cafe in Park Slope took Cityguide's top restaurant honor, beating out big names like Daniel, Le Bernardin, Per Se, and Masa."

Yummmm.. I'm due for a nyc trip.

via gothamists

Accouphene Tuxedo!..fabric speakers

"The Accouphene tuxedo is decorated with 13 soft speakers, embroidered in the shape of a coil with highly conductive yarns. By pulsing energy through the coils and running a magnet, embedded in the sleeve of Accouphene, over the coils, sounds are generated. Accouphene creates a 3D sonic environment around the human body that can be activated and modulated through movement of the hands and the twisting and compression of the cloth."

Accouphene is a project by Vincent Leclerc, Joey Berzowska & the XS Labs Squirrels. (photos by Vincent)

Babble Sound Management System

"Babble, from Sonare, is the industry's first sound management system designed to provide patented voice privacy without walls™. Babble is the only voice privacy device currently on the market that offers true confidentiality for any office, open workspace or cubicle."

SonareTechnologies
Video Example
Applied Minds- Firm that worked on it.

Glas Platz, glass speakers

Sounds been a hot topic in the past few years. Pictured right are "Glas Platz", glass speakers, an elegant solution to those large ugly looking speakers. This technology also works by using the SoundBug, which is a device you slap onto to any hard surface, and whala, that surface projects sounds. Below are a few more sound based inventions I've come across. Enjoy!

SoundBug -surface speaker device
Feonic Tech products- a bunch of sound concepts
Glas Platz -glass speakers
HyperSonicSound(HSS) -directed sound
AudioSpotlight -directed sound
Herman Miller Babble -White noise for your cubicle

Litracon, translucent concrete.

Litracon made the blogsphere last year, but it's making second rounds. Litracon is concrete reinforced with fiber optic strands, hence creating a semi-translucent material with some magical results. As for a new material, great, but what are the new and valuable applications? I haven't seen any great application yet, but I'm sure there are some in the works. Anyhow, check out their site, think up some great applications, and post them here.

Litracon

FedEx Shirt!

How cool is this! Perhaps it's my geek side, but I want!

via boinboing
billboardom (image)

Bubbly Clock?

I have no idea what this is, but it grabs my curiosity! Each of those bubbles have number displays in them... hmmm.

via mocoloco
Japan Design Net (images)

AudioPad!

"Audiopad is a composition and performance instrument for electronic music which tracks the positions of objects on a tabletop surface and converts their motion into music. One can pull sounds from a giant set of samples, juxtapose archived recordings against warm synthetic melodies, cut between drum loops to create new beats, and apply digital processing all at the same time on the same table. Audiopad not only allows for spontaneous reinterpretation of musical compositions, but also creates a visual and tactile dialogue between itself, the performer, and the audience."

James Patton AudioPad
Video

Car Loft!

Car Loft introduces a unique option in parking your car in high-rise buildings. Parking your car in front of your door has it's obvious benefits, but living in a high-rise generally requires a basement trek. Car Loft lifts your car up to your floor and lets your park right there.

I dont live in a high-rise building, but if I did, this would be awesome!

Car Loft

Sustainable Art!

"Sustainable design, which balances environmental, social, economic and aesthetic concerns, has the potential to transform everyday life and is already reshaping the fields of architecture and product design. Beyond Green explores how this design philosophy resonates with an emerging generation of international artists who combine a fresh aesthetic sensibility with a constructively critical approach to the production, dissemination and display of art."

via inhabitat
Museum of Arts and Design

Tofu Bear!

Talk about sustainability in design. These cute bears are made out of, well, Tofu!

"SOYSILK® is a fabulous, cutting edge fiber made from soy. - it's earth-friendly and from renewable resources. No petroleum products are used. "

Tofu Bear
SoySilk (the creators of silk, bamboo, tofu, and other such innovative fabrics)

Running Screen

"dVitral, [is] an interactive high dimensions digital vitral....developed for the IVAM facade, this non-approved installation allows to convert the actual glass facade of the museum in a dynamic interactive, low-resolution screen.based in an array of SmartGlass pieces, a high tech glass cappable of turn opaque with an electric impulse."

via poeticsoft
running screen (details)

Monster Clock!

This is one freakin amazzzing wall clock! If you have a hard time seeing your clock display from across the room, go make yourself a 12 footer. The website has instructions on making this beast which includes a GPS receiver as well.

Spark Fun

Fruit Codes

Have you ever wondered what the number tags on fruit meant?

"The numbers tell you how the fruit was grown. Conventionally grown fruit has four digits; organically grown fruit has five and starts with a nine; genetically engineered has five numbers and starts with an eight."

Pretty cool!

via gothamist

American Inventor!

If your into inventing and a bit of entertainment, then check out abc's new reality show "American Inventor". The show is produced by the infamous judge Simon Cowell from American Idol, and takes on the same format as the Idol show. The winner wins 1 million dollars and a chance to market their invention to millions of people. The show airs Thursday nights on ABC. So far, there have been mixed reviews, but plenty of entertainment and some inspiration.

AMERICAN INVENTOR on ABC

BrandVerbs!

I've always been facinated how certain brands replace product names, such as Coke=soda, Kleenex=tissue paper, sharpie=permanent marker, ipod=mp3 player, etc. I've noticed in todays tech world that powerful brands also replace our everyday verbs. When a brand replaces a noun or verb in our mindsets, then it becomes a brand Sneezer (a brand that spreads fast and becomes ridiculously powerful!)
Here's my short list of brands that have replaced a few of my everyday verbs!

I'll ____ it!
Google= search/find
Tivo= record
Xerox= copy
Ebay= sell(maybe buy or advertise)
Fedex= mail (with quality)
Kazaa= download
?= shop (maybe amazon someday)
?= email (maybe gmail soon)

Coca-Cola Blak, coffee+coke

Coca-Cola blak introduces the new and invigorating blend of Coca-Cola with an essence of coffee. Comes out April 3rd... can't wait to give this one a try!

Reminds me of those days of soda fountains and mixing your own creative brew. Here's another mix, coffee and beer.

Blak
Press release

Carpet Poofs!

"Royal College of Art grads Michael Cross and Julie Mathias joined together as London-based design studio Wok Media in 2004. Wok Media's Sprinkle Carpet consists of hundreds of individual "poofs" that congregate to form a larger mass, with the shape and size left to the user's discretion. Each part is weighted with silicone disc bases, providing a non-slip walking surface. The Sprinkle Carpet pieces are conveniently machine washable and can be easily gathered for compact storage."

Wokmedia
via core77

Elastolite, Crushable EL

Oryon technologies introduces Elastolite, the crushable, washable, moldable, and irresistable cool EL sheets. Elastolite can be printed directly on fabric and most other substrates.
I received a sample of this material at the TED conference from the Inventables crew. I can't wait to see applications for this magical and tangible material.

Oryon Technologies

Cat Door Brush!

How smart! A door that's also a comb for your cat! I love it!

via Elmanco
via Petistic (in english)

The MS ipod video

"Microsoft spokesman Tom Pilla on Tuesday confirmed with iPod Observer that his company initiated the creation of the iPod packaging parody video that was first reported last month. "It was an internal-only video clip commissioned by our packaging [team] to humorously highlight the challenges we have faced RE: packaging and to educate marketers here about the pitfalls of packaging/branding," he said via e-mail."

This is a great video with a bit of humor to it. I'm glad the big giant has finally poked fun at itself about their ugly and distracting packaging.

Google Video of it (a must watch!)
via ipod observer
via Seth Godin

Buggy Rollin!!!!

BuggyRollin is a suit of armor with a bunch of wheels! This suit keeps rollin, no matter how ya fall! Lay down, stand on two feet, sit on your side, roll on your knees.... no matter what, you seem to keep rolling. I'm not sure how safe this is but it seems crazy fun! Check out their site..they have some pictures, videos, and info on purchasing the suit.

Buggy Rollin (a bit hard to navigate..drag and drop the disks into the main box)

Can you count!!

This video is mind-provoking!.... There are 6 people tossing around 2 basketballs. 3 people in white shirts, and 3 people in black shirts. They only toss the ball to like shirts. Can you count how many times the people in "white" shirts pass the ball to each other in less than a minute?? Here are the rules:
1. Watch the video once only! No cheating...
2. Count how many times the people with "white" shirts pass the basketball to each other.
3. Focus!

Let me know if you figure out why this video is mind-provoking. It makes me think about 'marketing' in some sense once you figure it out. If your stumped still read this for the answer.

Watch it!

Pocket Plush Pork!

Who says food can't be cute. Creator Shawn Smith at Shawnimals offers these delightful plush porks along with other cute creations.

via coolhunting
shawnimals
myplasticheart

Handheld Vacuum, Stefano Giovannoni

Stefano Giovannoni brings us a beautiful gem like vacuum. It's about time someone made one that I don't hide in the closet!!! The pricetag is a bit scary but it's ooo sooo pretty! Very much the ipod of hand vacs.

MOMA Store

Chindogu Society, goofy inspirations!

The Chindogu Society is a great collection of bizzare and quirky inventions. Pictured above is a baby suit mop!!!....yes, keep laughing, but take it as inspiration for why it's so funny, wrong in some sense, and also why it's such a great idea starter.
I love these books and anyone looking to get some creative juices flowing in a brainstorm meeting should buy these!!! Getting goofy brings the best out of creativity! Buh-Yeah!!

Chindogu Society
Amazon Books

Peanut Butter by the Slice!

Who says peanut butter has to be spread! PBslices creates the easy to spread peanut butter slice, much like cheese slices. It was introduced in 2002, but hasn't really spread out in the market..hehe. I love the idea, but then again, it seems odd. I eat slices of meat, cheese, and bread...but jam, peanut butter, perhaps a vitamin slice one day? This again is an example of perceptial familiarities. If peanut butter was first introduced by the slice, would we find the spreadable version odd?

PBslices

Create It Yourself Galore

I've noticed a growth in mainstream "Create-It-Yourself" products. Usually I'd only see these options in a hobby store, but it's nice to see some hitting the mainstream with style. It's a definite question of "mass customization", success or a mess. Are consumers willing to pay more for a blank canvas and a sense of individualism? Do they want to do more?(Betty Crocker Egg Cake Case)

Puma Mongolian Grill (Desgin your own shoe)
Bytrico Chalkboard Shirt
Adicolor Shoes, via SneakerFreaker
Timbuk2 Artist Canvas Bags
Sketch On Munny Vinyl, Kidrobot

Inflatable Pincushion!

Did it fool you? It fooled me! It's amazing how the smallest details trigger your perceptions. These cute pincushions by Alesina Design appear to be inflated by air, but are in fact filled with polyester fibers. Can simple elements within a design, such as these air valves, entirely change your perception of an object? For sure! I'd love to see more examples of visual triggers like this one. As far as I know, these colorful soft objects might be hard painted pieces of concrete, but who knows.

Alesina Design

update: seems you can buy these through this company, kikkerland.

Eggology!!

I recently picked up a box of Eggology at the local market.... made a few breakfast plates and am hooooked! Eggology is simply fresh egg whites, and no yolk. At first, it was a bit odd, holding an entire container of egg whites, but it taste great and fresh!!... check out their website for fun recipes and facts.

Eggology

More Pumas by Starck

Pumas added a new fleet of designs to their Starck series. Check them out!

Puma.Starck

NuScup

NuScup is a simple and beautiful solution to those many measuring spoons you have stashed in your kitchen. Pollen Design in nyc worked on this project awhile back.

Pollen Design

Spore, the game!

You think Google Earth is cool? Well, get ready to be blown away by Spore, a PC game by Will Wright, creator of The Sims and Sim City.
I'm not sure what kind of cpu power this game will require, but you pretty much create and affect every single element within a galaxy and let time happen through "procedural" content development.
The magnitude of this game is ridiculous and you feel like a god of a god! Check out the video of Will presenting Spore at the 2005 Game Developer's Conference!

Google Video of Spore
GameSpy Article

Furry Lobster

"A team of American-led divers has discovered a new crustacean in the South Pacific that resembles a lobster and is covered with what looks like silky, blond fur..."

How freakin crazy cool is this! How about some inspiration from this crustacean for your next design project.

via boingboing
yahoo news

McQueen meets PUMA

Fashion designer Alexander McQueen has a collaborative partnership with PUMA to bring out a refreshing line of men and womens shoes. The line-up includes a series of shoes inspired by the human DNA. Go to 'hotspot' in Pumas website to get the full story on the design methodology. The series will be available at select retailers Spring 2006.

AlexanderMcqueen.Puma Site
eLuxury