Week of Jan 31st

Blow Table Lamp

This table lamp is a clear example of how design and art are interrelated. There are little if any practical reasons for a table lamp to be housed within a crystal bubble. This lamp is completely impractical. You have to adjust the swivel of the head of the lamp by a magnet that glides over the outer surface of the glass bubble. Even though that is an entirely impractical idea that adds unjustified cost and decreased usability, something about it still makes you think, how cool. Industrial Designers are trained to keep designs simple, reduce costs, increase usability however an artists is not. It takes an artist to uncover innovative new ways to do something we’ve always done. Of course the magnet is impractical, but look at the new experience it has brought to such a simple task of swiveling a lamp head. It redefines our definition of a desk lamp. Designers must be artists in order to form new ideas that can transform our world.

Source: Ylighting

Snowdozer

Currently snowdozer is only a concept but it’s halfway to meeting the 1200 preorders it needs to go into production. Snowdozer is an improved design over your basic $5 scraper. Snowdozer cuts your scraping time in half by scraping both of the forward and backward stroke. The best feature is that the forward and backward designed scrapers also keep the piled up ice and snow off your hands while you scrape.  Although this product has improved functionality a $5 price-point for similar features is tough to beat. If you want a Snowdozer for yourself you can pre-order one now at the link below.

Source: Quirky

The Swimming Pool

The “fake” swimming pool is by Argentinian artist Leandro Erlich, know for his illusion-like installations. A large sheet of transparent acrylic upon which a few inches of water are placed create the ripples. Guests are able to walk into the aqua painted pool where visitors above can view in puzzlement as to why fully clothed individuals are standing at the bottom of the pool.

View more of these unusual installation photos below.

Source: Ifitshipitshere

Infinite Clip

The Infinite Clip is a new paperclip designed and built for 3-D printing. The Infinite clip inventors Joris Peels and Artur Tchoukanov are encouraging people to print the Infinite Clip and let them know what you think. How are are you using the Infinite Clip, what changes did you make to you clip to make it work for you? The clip can be used in four different configurations and printed at any size you want. You can download the file to print your own 3-D clip below.

Source: FastCompany

Brave New World Lamp

Inspired far by Far Eastern bamboo scaffolding the lamp was designed and built without a plan. Each piece is individually notched to piece together into a whole form. Weights are attached to give the lamp balance. The design appears to resemble the skeleton of a lamp that has lost its outer skin exposing its internal mechanical workings.

Source: PicoCool

Pipe Table Lamp

Formed from extruded aluminum the minimal form is accented by the splash of color on the interior surface of the lamp. The flexibility of  the material is important in the minimalistic design of the Pipe Lamp. Designers and engineers are able to design better products with the knowledge of knowing material restrictions and abilities.

Source: PicoCool

Grow Bottle

The Grow Bottle is an example of upcycling. The Grow Bottle herbs are packaged in reclaimed wine bottles that are cut in half. The halves of the wine bottle then function as a growing pot for the seeds. In addition to responsible design the Grow Bottle’s minimal but well designed graphics make this product attractive as well.

Source: thedieline

Week of Jan 17th

Kodak Playfull

Capture 1080p HD video or snap 5 MP photos with the Kodak Playfull. With the flick of the switch you can load your videos onto your computer with the pop out USB. Kodak looking to distinguish itself from other competitors in this product line such as the Flip opted for a fun playful design versus the sleek, iPod simplicity of the Flip.

Source: Kodak

Top 100 Youtube Clips of All-Time

Here’s your Infographics lesson for the year. Follow this link here. Name the viral video that is depicted by each infographic. The poster is designed by Toronto based Ibraheem Youssef  and Paul Parolin. How many did you get right, without looking at the answer key?  Post your results in the comments.

Source: FastCo.

Can you guess who calls this building home?

Any guess now?

Still stumped? If you guessed a fire station then you’d be right! This fire station is located in Bergen, Norway. For more photos of this magnificent building that is home to the  men who risk their lives to save ours follow the link below. Our design skills  as architects, graphic artists, interior designers, and industrial designers should first and foremost be used to improve the lives of those who give back to our communities. It is our social responsibility to help others help one another. The Bergen station is a magnificent tribute to those who make our communities a better place.

Source: abduzeedo

Benders

You may have seen these at your local Target. The design of these spoons stood out amongst the rest of the spoon hanging on the racks. What I didn’t know was that these spoons have a hidden talent. The Bender is an adaptable spoon to help little ones feed themselves in any direction they can muster. The spoons are able to bend in any direction to accommodate any ergonomic angle.

Source: Boon

Zoku

Yummmmmmmmy! No question these popsicles look delicious! Just look at all those colors and pretty designs, there’s no way I would want to eat just one. Now what if I told you you can make these yourself? Somewhat hard to believe right? However, Zoku has packaged together an easy to follow popsicle making kit complete with tools to help you achieve the perfect popsicle. Scroll below to see the unique tools Zoku has come up with to help you achieve the perfect look to your icy treat.

Source: Zoku

FreshForce Collection

The FreshForce kitchen utensil set is brought to you by Chef’n and will appear at the 2011 International Home and Housewares Show in Chicago. I feel marketing and design work well together on this project. Customers are looking to bring more fresh food into their kitchen as America tries to shape up it’s eating habits. The green, white, and grey color scheme has a feel of yard tools, mixed with grass, with the white to bring in the cleanliness of the kitchen.

Source: Core77

Sleekstor Pinch+Pour

Another product by Chef’n, the Sleekstor does just as it says. Pinch the sides of the bowl together and a pour spout is formed allowing more control in getting ingredients from A to B. The Contrasting colors also make Sleekstor attractive enough to put on the kitchen table as a serving dish. A functional form with great design aesthetics,  well done Chef’n!

Source: Chef’n

Week of January 10th

Nike Better World

Nike’s Better World project is a great program that will surprise and delight you. The project contains programs the consist of environmentally friendly products, community projects that inspire, and design that fulfills the needs of people across the globe. The website navigation is a bit odd, however, it keeps you scrolling and wondering what will happen next. Don’t forget to catch the video at the top of the page as well. Check it all out here.

Source : Nike Better World

Audrey Felt Bowl

Designed by CraftedSystems, in collaboration with the YMCA Women’s Shelter of Portland, Oregon. Homeless woman are provided training and employment assembling the bowls by hand. The bowls are made from 100% sustainable materials. No fasteners or stitching are used in the construction, only interlocking pieces of wool.

Source: Branch

Scrubble

Scrubble a product of Boon, a company started Rebecca Finnell, an industrial design student who is also a mother of two. Boon’s products shy away from the typical cartoon figures in primary colors that are plastered upon most products for baby. The products instead use vibrant blue, green, orange, and pinks in a variety of patterns still making them fun, but more appealing to the parents who are actually buying them.

Source: Boon

ReCompute

A computer that is designed for sustainability throughout it’s entire life cycle from manufacturing, usage, and disposal. The computer can also be ordered as a kit that the end user may assemble themselves. Oftentimes this is the dilemma faced by sustainable products, they just don’t look good. As consumers we need to shift our focus away from products that attract our eye and become more concerned with the impact the product is going to have on our environment. No one ever said sustainable products were going to be pretty.

Source: ReCompute

Pentagram Parking Garage

A parking garage in Midtown Manhattan, designed by Paul Scher of Pentagram, the garage seemingly talks its visitors through its winding passages. The signage directs visitors where they need to go and what they must do next. For those typography junkies the font used throughout the garage is Verlag.

Source: Pentagram

YoGen

A universal mobile device charger, with a few pulls of the chord will get your mobile device back up and operating. The simplicity of the device makes it great for traveling, hiking or a great addition to any survival kit. I understand the YoGen name, like a yoyo that’s also a generator, however, it’s very cheesy. If you visit the YoGen website you will find even cheesier promotional advertisements. YoGen is a great product that would greatly benefit from some design help.

Source: YoGen

Glo

Could you tell? Glo is another product of Boon, it’s a night-light with portable glow balls. The balls contain nothing electronic making them super safe for children. They can make a fun game of after dark catch or be tucked into bed to help your child fall soundly asleep. The glow begins to fade after 30 mins. This product is Boon’s newest and has not yet hit the stores, but look for it soon.

Source: Boon

Week of January 3rd

Wall Tears

Wall Tears are formed from recycled glass in a furnace that’s powered by wind energy. The hand blown tears available in a variety of colors will transform any wall or space. Each tear is one of a kind and are made to order.

Source: Branch

TRUBA

Made from 100% recycled mailing tubes, sourced from a local mill. The tubes are made for holding the contents of your pockets; cell phone, keys, wallet, and more. The tubes can be hung as a cradle to hold your goods or a shelf, hang them alone or gang them together to make a decorative unit for your wall.

Source: Alesina

Inflatable Pincushion

A second product from Alesina Design. An inflatable pincushion? Of course, it’s just filled with “air” polyester fibers instead. A simple play on an inflatable good and the damaging effect of a simple needle prick make for a clever idea.

Source: Alesina

WASARA

Made from 100% renewable resources. This tableware goes as far as to disclose each material that is used to create this product which includes sugar can fiber, bamboo, and reed pulp. The single use tableware is biodegradable and elegant. They are resilient in their functionality as well, being they can hold hot or cold foods, while also being oil and water resistant. The Japanese designer Shinichiro Ogata brings beautiful Japanese design to the masses with his line of WASARA tableware. It would be great to get these graceful forms into the hands of designers in the United States and see what great ideas they just might spark.

Source: Branch

Isometric Table & Chairs

Fabricated and finished by hand from solid bamboo. Designed by Kalon Studios, who located in Gardner, MA, in hopes of revitalizing the once, “chair capital of the world” that supported 5,000 skilled woodworkers. Kalon Studios is committed to sustainable design practice, using sustainable & non toxic materials while focusing on manufacturing their product through local businesses.

Source: Branch

Napkin Hugs

A simple hug can bring relief to someone’s bad day or show your loved one how much you care about that. Therefore, it’s no wonder the Napkin Hugs are winning over hearts. The Napkin Hugs not only keep your place settings looking clean and neat, but these little guys will also bring some warmth to your heart. It’s hard to bring oneself to part the little guy and/or girl from her warm hug with his/her napkin.

Source: Branch

Bambu Bowls

A great example of what a splash of color can do for a product. Hand coiled bamboo bowls are updated to fit in any modern kitchen. Unlike many wooden bowls, these bowls have 18 layers of natural lacquer finish to make them not only an accent to your table setting, but a functional piece as well. Make any table setting pop by mixing and matching these bowls with your setting. Feel good too because this product is made from highly renewable bamboo and a natural lacquer.

Source: Inhabitiat