Photo chromatic eyewear by Monoqool. Changes color when exposed to daylight.
Photo chromatic eyewear by Monoqool. Changes...
Photo chromatic eyewear by Monoqool. Changes...:
Photo chromatic eyewear by Monoqool. Changes color when exposed to daylight.
Photo chromatic eyewear by Monoqool. Changes color when exposed to daylight.
Lightwood Chair by Jasper Morrison
Lightwood Chair by Jasper Morrison:
British designer Jasper Morrison will show his Lightwood Chair for Japanese company Maruni as part of Shoreditch Design Triangle during the London Design Festival next month. (more…)
The Future of Sketching is here with Wacom’s Inkling
The Future of Sketching is here with Wacom’s Inkling:
Insert expletives of awe here!
Finally, you can now sketch on real paper, with a real writing instrument, and get your artwork converted seamlessly into an Illustrator or Photoshop format. Here take my money…
On the flip side, here is a brand that is willing to do some major re-thinking of their product range in a bid to innovate and grow. Even if it means potentially making some of their product, like their drawing tablets, obsolete. That takes guts.
Here is another thought. They have kept traditional sketching on paper alive, especially in this iPad dominated era, by evolving it into something the enjoys the strengths of both the digital and analog worlds.
Trapeze LED Table Light
Trapeze LED Table Light:
Whoa, this lamp is something else. The rounded counterweights are distinctly sculptural, and the 3-axis range of motion means you’ll get an even warm light (thanks to the LEDs) wherever you need it. Aluminum spherical joints allow for fluid-yet-precise movement.
Also available in a smaller size: Trapeze LED Table Light Small ($300).
Trapeze LED Table Light Large ($350)
Trapeze LED Table Light Small ($300)
-Aluminum spherical joints are precision engineered to accommodate a wide range of motion in all directions, but stay precisely in place once positioned
-Swiveling light head contains 102 high output LEDs, emitting brilliant, warm light with adjustable brightness
-Cutting-edge diffusion technology and the thinnest flat-panel light engine on the market produce soft, uniform light, free of multiple shadows and harsh glare
-Energy-efficient LEDs consume 8 watts of power and are rated to last 40,000 hours
-Aluminum construction and innovative engineering eliminates the need for visible wiring or excess moving parts
Materials: Aluminum, steel, iron and ABS plastic
Color options: white, blue
Finish: Matte, soft-feel paint
Light source: 102 8W LED array
Cardboard Radio Lets You Listen Responsibly
Cardboard Radio Lets You Listen Responsibly: 
Sure you've seen cardboard radios before, but none of them have been SuckUK cardboard radios, so there! The brand's spankin new Card Radio is a simply cool design that is worthy of note. Its internals [...]
Visit IncredibleThings.com for the full post.
Sure you've seen cardboard radios before, but none of them have been SuckUK cardboard radios, so there! The brand's spankin new Card Radio is a simply cool design that is worthy of note. Its internals [...]
Visit IncredibleThings.com for the full post.
Sennheiser Eco-Vinyl Turntable Provides Great Experience for Young People To Enjoy Vinyl Records
Sennheiser Eco-Vinyl Turntable Provides Great Experience for Young People To Enjoy Vinyl Records:
Sennheiser Eco-Vinyl Turntable is a design proposal for Sennheiser, a German private audio company. The company produces a wide range of high fidelity products, unfortunately marketing is not their strongest point at this moment, since not many young people have heard of this brand. However, the company claims that they are focusing to come up with unconventional ways to introduce their brand to younger people.
Designer : Matthew Lim
The main objective of this project is to help this premium brand more appealing to younger users. Sennheiser Eco-Vinyl Turntable box set contains a turntable and headphones. This audio product is made from cost-effective materials (recyclable and biodegradable) without sacrificing its performance and hardware quality. It provides a balance between cost and quality. This eco-vinyl turntable introduces young consumers to high-fidelity audio via vinyl. The package design offers clutter free interface, intuitive design, and eco-friendly product.
The retail price of Sennheiser Eco-Vinyl Turntable can be set not too high although it might not be the cheapest on earth, but the consumers will get Sennheiser quality.
The story of Sennheiser Eco-Vinyl Turntable Provides Great Experience for Young People To Enjoy Vinyl Records is an original content from: Industrial Design News
Hiplok: Human-Centered Design (Literally) for Urban Cyclists
Hiplok: Human-Centered Design (Literally) for Urban Cyclists:
Aside from security itself, portability and versatility are among the top criteria for bicycle locks for urban cyclists the world over. Existing solutions include everything from the classic pocketable U-lock—though ultra-portable locks inevitably compromise security for size—and the holster to more creative innovations such as the newfangled "bow" lock and even more unorthodox wrappable frame. Savvy urban cyclists now have yet another option, which sits on the rider's hip (instead of the hipster's ride?).
The Hiplok is essentially a chain lock with an adjustable buckle that allows riders to wear it as a belt—an instance of user behavior informing design. If this seems like a minor tweak, it's one that purportedly makes a big difference (Note: I personally have never rocked the chain-as-belt or -bandolier look, so I wouldn't know... though I imagine it can be a bit unwieldy):
As the Hiplok can be carried independently, there is no need to take a bag with you just to carry your lock. Also, by transferring the weight of the lock directly to your hips rather than it being on your back and shoulders, you are more stable as a rider and transmit less strain on your body.
If you've ever worn a chain lock or flexible lock on your body, you'll know that you have to lock it in place in order for it to stay in position. This is not very safe if you, or somebody helping you, needs to take off the lock in an emergency situation. Due to it's unique design, Hiplok is never locked into a loop while it is attached to your body, and it remains fully adjustable and quickly removable at all times when being worn.
Infurn's Other Eameses
Infurn's Other Eameses:
You don't have to be Paola Antonelli to recognize the chair above; everyone from first-year ID students to Frasier fans will recognize the Eames Lounge Chair, perhaps Charles' and Ray's most iconic piece. But what about this:
That's the lesser-known—at least to laypeople—Eames Lobby Chair, a chromed-aluminum and leather beauty originally designed to grace the lobby of Rockefeller Center. It's currently in production by manufacturer Infurn, who produces a host of unsung Eames designs like the Designer Bench...
Business and Legal Forms for Industrial Designers
Business and Legal Forms for Industrial Designers:
Article by Martin Gibson – Twitter: @martingibson @embody3d - 25.06.2010
Attention all Industrial Designers!
I have a book that could save you thousands of dollars one day, a book that could reduce your business and legal risks and expenses, and will protect you IP-wise every time you to talk to a client or send them a sketch. Also a book that will save you dozens of hours (maybe even hundreds), and you just can’t put a price on that!
Have you ever wanted to find out how to do the perfect legal proof, non-disclosure agreement, employment contract, IP and trademark application, project status report, project time sheet for all you contractors our there, or a warning to a client who hasn’t paid you on time!
This is one book that will save you hiring a lawyer, will take no time but will last you a whole career. Time and time again I find myself scouring the internet in search for a great template for a form, and unfortunately being industrial designers we use these forms way more than we probably should! With every project comes administration and often when you develop your own forms there are often gaping legal loopholes at the end of every sentence. To my surprise I found a book called Business and Legal Forms for Industrial Designers, Published by Allworth Press (www.allworth.com) and have found it to be an absolute Godsend even after owning it just a week.
The book itself is endorsed by the Industrial Designers Society of America so it does have some substantial credibility behind the contents of the forms. The language used is professional enough to suggest that you are smart and know what you’re doing, but not so smart that it will have your responded perplexed as to what you’re trying to communicate. When it comes to legal forms it is all about content. You can sound smart by using abstract sentence structures and mystical words, but at the end of the day you can achieve stronger legal protection by the designation of clever words, contexts and scope. This book just takes all that hassel away and lets you concentrate on what you do best, which is hopefully designing!
At the start of each form there’s a thorough introduction as to the purpose of the form as well as the justification of headings and tables etc. This is helpful if you’re planning on customising a form heavily.
Thankfully the authors, Tad Crawford, Eva Doman Bruck and Carl W. Battle included a CD-ROM with all the forms in a digital copy. Without this CD-ROM the whole book is almost worthless as one would have to transcribe finger by finger the plain text of the book onto the computer and that would be a nightmare. The digital copies allow you to quickly create your own forms and documents in your favorite programs and templates like Microsoft Word and Indesign.
I never thought there would be such a specific resource on the legal side of industrial design especially considering the size of the market. So on this resolve I highly commend the book to you!
Shikun Sun's DrawBraille Phone Concept for the Blind
Shikun Sun's DrawBraille Phone Concept for the Blind:
The DrawBraille Phone concept was a school project done by Shikun Sun while he was studying industrial design at the UK's Sheffield Hallam University. The haptic phone uses a "display" of mechanically-raised dots on one end and a touch-sensitive sensor on the other end for input; additional raised dots on the phone's edge indicate battery life.
While the larger size of Braille text versus visual text means the display can only output five rows at a time, the Up-Down buttons to the left enable the user to "scroll down" through infinite "screens." Check it out:
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Form That Follows Geometry, Literally
Form That Follows Geometry, Literally:
Earlier this week, we took a look at a numero-morphic desk lamp by Pieter Desmijter under the Aldentro moniker. Of course, the digit-shaped lamp was less a comment on the digital age than a homage to Bauhaus, and Desmijter's furniture designs follow in form (and, by extension, function).
"Square Root" is a literal take on geometric inspiration: it's a small-ish coffee table with a radical gash, taking its silhouette from the mathematical operation of the same name. The isosceles incision serves as a storage area for traditional print media.
Calling All Design Students: Launch Your Portfolio on Behance’s ProSite Today!
Calling All Design Students: Launch Your Portfolio on Behance’s ProSite Today!:
Hey design and art students! Are you looking for a new platform to share you best work with the global creative community? We’ve teamed up with The Behance Network, to offer Inhabitat’s enterprising students the opportunity to kick off their portfolio on Behance’s awesome ProSite. A wonderful tool to start getting your creative work the attention it deserves, ProSite syncs up to your work on the Behance Network, and lets you create a fully customizable site without any coding — you can showcase your work in your own style! All you have to do is join the Behance Network (where membership is free) and when you’re ready to launch your personal portfolio site, they’ll get your started with your first 3 months free. Use promo code INHABITATB2S. Offer ends Monday, September 30th, 2011!
Aloft collection by Qdesign for Arcadia
Aloft collection by Qdesign for Arcadia:
Designed by Qdesign for Arcadia, the Aloft collection will elevate your spirits as well as your design sense. Who doesn’t need a lift during the workday?
Aloft bench. Designed by Qdesign. Manufactured by Arcadia.
Aloft offers lounge seating, occasional tables, and benches, which complement many different environments from the waiting room to the boardroom. Your next meeting will fly by in comfort.
Beautiful mixed materials are combined together to produce the end result, which is a modern collection with clean lines. The Lounge chair has an upholstered body surrounded by wood, supported by minimal metal legs. Aloft has a distinct balance of durability and style, with seats that appear to float, sculptural design, and veneered wood. Don’t be fooled by the skinny little legs, they pull their weight.
About the Manufacturer: Arcadia is a company concerned about sustainability, as well as providing the best options possible for everything from health care to education, sports facilities to corporate offices. Since 1979, they have been growing and striving to improve the way they achieve new furniture technology to match current needs.
The Adjustable Kid’s AZ Desk by Guillaume Bouvet
The Adjustable Kid’s AZ Desk by Guillaume Bouvet:
Flip the Surface of the Modular AZ Desk by Guillaume Bouvet to go from Whiteboard to Homework.
Rarely do I get so excited about a product that I can’t finish reading the description before I writing, but today it happened. I clicked the link to an adjustable kid’s desk by Guillaume Bouvet - which he calls the AZ Desk - and to my surprise, a wild flurry of excitement hit me when I realized that after all of these years, I found my childhood dream desk.
Adjustable Kid’s Desk. Designed by Guillaume Bouvet.
Flip the Surface of the Modular AZ Desk by Guillaume Bouvet to go from Whiteboard to Homework.
If you’ve ever struggled with organizing yourself as a studious academic and creative at the same time, French designer Guillaume Bouvet understands completely. He has taken this dilemma into account, along with spatial efficiency it seems, to tackle the issue of surface area for accomplishing all of the above at a moment’s notice. On one side, a magnetic whiteboard is great for idea generation, drawing, playing with magnetic puzzles, etc. The other side, once flipped, becomes a desk surface for homework and other seated exercises.
Unlike most kid’s furniture, the AZ Desk “grows up” alongside your child. No need to pass it along from one small tyke to another. No, no - this one will stay in the family. Bouvet’s desk adjusts to different heights making it possible for adults to enjoy its flexible form too! The “practical adjustments” were designed to follow the development of a child’s life and make sure the features offered traverse time and classes - from elementary through high school and beyond.
Finally a desk that growing children won’t get sick of or outgrow. The modern wood design by Guillaume Bouvet takes care of the modular features, the gorgeous angles, and the characteristics necessary to capitalize on schoolwork, artwork, games, and everything in between.
About the Designer: Drawing his inspirations from travels through Scandinavian design culture and the incontrovertible book of Raymond Loewy « la laideur se vend mal », Guillaume Bouvet made his first splash as a product designer at the side of Gilles Damon of Damon Design. He specializes in flexible furniture for youth, and recently presented his AZ Desk at the Exposition Internationale de Design, the DMY-Berlin, in June 2011.
Helios Floor Lamp by Milos Todorovic
Helios Floor Lamp by Milos Todorovic:
The emotional design of Helios floor lamp provides a modern and artistic look during day time. The elegant lines of this lamp send a soft wave of energy to people around it. It illuminates the room with intrigues and fascinates positive energy. The name Helios came from a Greek god of the Sun where he was always imagined as a handsome and charming God who crowned with the shining aureole of the sun.
Designer : Milos Todorovic
The light source is located at the center of this design. Ultimately, the main purpose of Helios floor lamp is not only to illuminate the room, it gives you the feeling of warm and calm whenever you’re around it. It provides good ambient for ready and at the same time magnifies all of the modern design of the lamp.
Tuvie has received “Helios Floor Lamp” concept from our ‘Submit A Design‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their design/concept for publication.
The story of Helios Floor Lamp by Milos Todorovic is an original content from: Industrial Design News
Autodesk's "Introduction to Design for Lifetime" video
Autodesk's "Introduction to Design for Lifetime" video:
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As part of their Sustainability Workshop series, Autodesk's excellent "Introduction to Design for Lifetime" vid clearly and visually explains the factors we need to consider when introducing new products. We like that it recognizes that some products should be made to last a long time, others should live shorter lives, and that there's a grey area of products in between that are not so easy to classify; but the one thing they all need to share is a good "end-of-life" strategy. Check it out:
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We Like What They Do: Andreas Kowalewski
We Like What They Do: Andreas Kowalewski:
We’ve said it before but we’re saying it again: we think modern design is when we see something simple and clever that’s never been done before, even if it’s just a small or unique detail that helps set something apart from other designs. We’re definitely seeing a lot of details like that in the work of Andreas Kowalewski. You can see it in his Clamp Chair, which is the first piece that won us over:
“The intention was to design a comfortable yet simple wooden chair, which reveals the beauty of the wood material and the skills of the craftsman. The “Clamp” principle shapes the chair consistently and determines its character, by interlocking the legs, corpus, seat and backrest structurally as well as visually and forms eventually a seamless unity of all elements. Made from a single piece of molded plywood, the upholstered backrest embraces the body of the user like a shell. Each of the wooden parts was carefully selected in terms of coloring and grain. The structural details such as the wooden joints emphasize the aesthetical appearance and precision of the chair.” Also check out his Vika Table and Studio Cube and all his other work here.
1969 Dodge Chinook Mobile Juice and Cocktail Bar
1969 Dodge Chinook Mobile Juice and Cocktail Bar:
Portland-based design firm Von Tundra has just completed the conversion of a 1969 Dodge Chinook into a mobile juice and cocktail bar. Their client wanted something a little different to serve street food to the city’s public as well as host guests inside. It went from a bland old white truck to Sip Mobile Lodge, a stylish vehicle that feels right for the American Northwest with its heavy use of wood and comfortable interior.
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