Archive for September, 2007

Percuss Beats On Your Lap

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

People like to express themselves by sharing their emotions with others. Music is used as one of the most significant measures of communicating one’s feelings. Lapbeat is a digital percussion instrument that can be played anywhere, in any position, and at anytime. Lapbeat has been designed with precise ergonomic considerations for playing in a sitting position. This digital percussion instrument has adapted and innovatively redefined the sound structure of classical percussion instruments where sound of the drumming echoes and flows out from below. By installing built-in speakers at the bottom and v-drum (advanced electronic MIDI drum trigger) technology into the touch pads, the timbre of the sound is made deeper and richer.

Designer: Lee Dong Chul & Tamy Lee

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Inka Pen Review

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

So how many times have you tried write yourself a note under water, or really needed to jot down some coordinates in the vacuum of space, or more practically sign a receipt against the wall? If you’ve answered yes to any of those questions you may want to snag yourself an Inka Pen.

There are really 3 parts to the pen, the pressurized ink chamber, the metal enclosure, and the cap. In its most compact form the ink chamber slides into the metal enclosure perfect for stowing away in your pocked or just hanging on a keychain. When you want to write something, just screw the ink chamber into place and you’re good to go. As an added bonus, the opposite end of the ink chamber hids a stylus tip - you know for all you touchscreen fanatics out there. So does it work?

Under water - yes. Upside down - yes, In space - not sure. Hey 2 out of 3 is pretty darn good. Tho I can never think of a time when writing anything under water is necessary I found most pens fail when the tip is wet. Not so with the Inka. The ink flowed smoothly without interruption. The next test was writing from any angle. This was most useful for signing take out food receipts. Often times you’re forced to substitute a vertical wall as a flat stable surface to sign on. Most pens fail from this 90º angle. The Inka kept working like a champ. Curiously I decided to see if it could write totally upside down. While assembling my TV cabinet last weekend, I found the Inka to be a reliable mate for making crucial measurements upside down.

The pen itself it decently comfortable to hold. I usually prefer some squishy gel padding but that’s because I hold and press hard when I write. It’s not the most comfortable pen to write long letters with (use email) but it more than achieves its goal - a lightweight, watertight pen built to withstand harsh environments with a pressurized ink cartridge that will write wet or dry at any angle, any temperature, and any altitude. Buy it here.

Buy It Here: Inka Pen

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With A Built In Brush

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

A small simple detail can make all the difference. This plate has a small brush stowed away in its corner. When crumbs run aloof, just get to sweeping. Easy clean up is always a winner in my book.

Designer: Tao Lin

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360 Degree View Bridgehouse

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

An addition to the existing Station Bridge (located in Netherland) that connects Middelburg’s downtown to its outlying areas, this jewel-like building offers 360-degree views for the bridge attendant during his infrequent visits. The architects say the green glass relates to the copper roof of a nearby abbey and that they saw the project as an urban folly on the Walcheren canal. 

Architect: Bar

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Play In The Dark

Thursday, September 27th, 2007

A chess game which offers the possibility to play in the dark. Light is provided by four LEDs situated in the corners of the board. The separation of respectively black and white is made clear by matte and transparent pieces. All pieces are derived from one basic shape.

Designer: Daan Van Tulder

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A Bigger Diamond For My Bum

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007
In South East Asia, gemstones not only mean wealth but also prosperity. Of course not everyone can afford a real diamond so Trimode Studio designed a very cool looking ottomon shaped like a diamond. This gives a sense of well being and preciousness to something that will mostly serve to rest people’s bums on.
 
Designer: Trimode Studio
 

 

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Psychro-ray, No It’s Not A Sci-Fi Weapon

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

For those of us that don’t have automatic climate controls in our cars, the Psychro-ray is just the ticket. The solar powered device comes equipped with a bevy of sensors to detect when hot is just too hot for you; said driver. The unit automatically cools the interior cabin and purifies the air with its carbon filtration system and electrostatic dust collector. So where can you get one? Ya can’t. It’s just a concept for now but a tasty one at that.

Designer: Chun-Yen Tsao

Chun-Yen Tsao

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The Rocking Kitchen Scale

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

The “balance silver” kitchen scales combines traditional handling and functions with modern design. Form and function harmonize perfectly and guarantee an intuitive use. Taking advantage of gravitational pull, the device easily weighs a load on a cleverly designed rocker. Goods up to 2 kg are precisely weighed by shifting a weight.

Designer: Hannes Mayer [ Manufacturer: Mayerundthiele ]

 

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The Bored Jacket

Wednesday, September 26th, 2007

Takkiainen is a jacket for lonely or bored people. It is designed to help the wearer to get in contact with others. Since we brush against each other every day as we move around in the city, we can use our clothes as a medium for meeting people and communicating with them. The jacket is made out of Velcro strips of different widths that have been sewn together side by side to form alternating hook and pile stripes. When these materials touch each other, they grab onto each other. The lonely user can be happily connected with other loners simply by walking around in the jacket. Even babies can be attached to their parents.

Designer: Aamu Song & Johan Olin

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Modular Glass Tubes Lighting

Monday, September 24th, 2007

Kaleidolight explores the light conductivity capacity of glass tubes by connecting the outside wall with the inside. Designer Ganjavian uses his design to create a magical constellation. The system is modular, each component made up of a clear glass cylinder with aluminum lid and contained within a Teflon lined aluminum tube which is inserted into the exterior wall. Different colored glass tubes can be used to create different colored light sources.

Designer: Ali Ganjavian

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