May24
photo via Arbore Historic Floors
Spanish flooring company Arbore Historic Floors created this fantastic wooden floor inspired by the famous lithograph ‘Reptiles’ by M. C. Escher. The custom floor was created at the request of a client in Madrid back in 2011.
photo via Arbore Historic Floors
image via Official M.C. Escher website via Technabob, Archie McPhee’s Endless Geyser of Awesome
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May23
Parallelepipedus Kovrikus is a clever parallelogram doormat designed by Vladimir Pavlenko for Moscow-based Art. Lebedev Studio. It is available at their online store.
via swissmiss
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May22
Designed by Italian company Mussi, this chair is more than just a comfy place to sit. Not only does it adapt to your body, Kangura’s base folds out to become a reclining chaise lounge. I’d say this is the perfect napping solution!
The removable covers come in any of the Mussi collection fabrics and leathers on an oval steel revolving base.
(Via Design Milk.)
May21
Canvas is a picture of a chair that also happens to be a functioning chair. The chair consists of a frame of elastic fabric with the image of a chair printed on it. When the frame is leaned against a wall, a person can sit against the fabric, which conforms to their shape. The Canvas series includes a stool, armchair, and sofa. The series was created by designers Naoki Ono and Yuki Yamamoto of Tokyo-based studio YOY.
photos by Yasuko Furukawa via designboom
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May17
Inspired by the unusually-shaped sea creature it’s named after, CIRRATA, a suborder of octopuses, is a glowing, delicately formed lamp designed by Markus Johansson that is meant to light up the ‘darkness of the ocean.’
The tentacle-like base creates the illusion that the fixture is floating across the surface it sits on, or the ocean floor where the idea was born.
Who would have thought this lamp was made from Corian®, that solid surface material most often used for kitchen and bathroom countertops?
(Via Design Milk.)
May16
Young Italian architects Giulia Bortolotti and Lucio Leone, who are based in New York City, shared their latest project called Wooden Letters, which consists of an alphabet of letters that can have everyday applications. For example, this set of B-O-O-K is intended to serve as book storage.
WE ArchDesign places an emphasis on uniqueness—the product design and execution of the letters depends on what the clients needs. From shelves to frames to tables, there are lots of possibilities for letters.
The letters are handcrafted creations by skilled woodworker artisans using water-based paint and sealers. You can contact them at wearchdesign@gmail.com.
(Via Design Milk.)
May15
The ongoing project to install a RoboCop statue in Detroit is nearing the final stage: bronze casting. Across The Board Creations has completed a 10-foot-tall RoboCop model out of foam, wax, clay and steel. It is now headed to Venus Bronze Works in Detroit for casting. We posted about the project when it launched in February 2011, and again in April 2012.
via Boing Boing photos via Detroit Needs A Statue of RoboCop!
May14
Footwear designer Kobi Levi has created ‘Witch-Craft,’ a line of stylish leather heels designed to resemble some of Disney’s wickedest villains. The shoes are modeled after Maleficent from Sleeping Beauty, Ursula from The Little Mermaid, and the Evil Queen from Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, and feature each villain’s face on the inside of the shoe.
images via Kobi Levi via Maison Mouse, DesignTAXI, Fashionably Geek
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May13
In the whimsical kinetic sculpture ‘Zip Synch’ by Nemo Gould, vintage film canisters are transformed into a chorus line of chomping heads.
Zip Synch 2013 from Nemo Gould on Vimeo.
May10
The team at Sputnik Zurich aim to keep bikers and pedestrians both visible and fashionable when they’re out in the urban world with their high visibility bags.
Taking inspiration from the streets for its material and production, the company’s aim was to help bring safety to the complex and intertwining transportation system that left individuals in risky situations. Their solution: bags to hold your stuff while at the same time alerting traffic to your position on the streets. The concept and design seems fitting since the bags are made from safety vests you see joggers wearing at night or construction workers on site.
Their idea is to use building containers on construction sites around the city as production locations, bringing a locally produced product to the people in those locations as a way to help shine attention on urban development.
(Via Design Milk.)
May9
‘New scale creates new purpose.’
Designer Peter Bristol has created the Clip Bag, a handbag made with wool felt and aluminum tubing that ‘playfully borrows its form from a common binder clip.’ This cleverly designed bag is not currently for sale but his website states that potential manufacturing and/or distribution partners should contact him. Lots more images of the bag’s prototype are available online.
The binder icon functions so well as a bag you can almost take it seriously.
via Super Punch
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May7
New York-based Jake Meier (aka ‘autorazr‘) has custom built minifigures models of the French electronic music duo Daft Punk, including models of their audio equipment, out of LEGO bricks and pieces. You can view more of Jake’s recreated characters from movies, comics, video games and more on his LEGO Tumblr blog. image via autorazr via reddit
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May6
The Window Socket is a portable solar-powered electrical socket that affixes to a window and harnesses solar energy through a built-in solar panel. The socket stores excess energy in an internal battery. The Window Socket is a design concept by Kyuho Song and Boa Oh.
via Yanko Design
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May3
For a school project, 15-year-old art student and aspiring fashion designer Demi Barnes from England has created a wedding dress made from 1,500 photocopied divorce papers in an effort to be ‘ironic.’ She’s stated as saying, ‘Originally I was going to make it out of newspapers and magazines, but I thought using divorce papers was a lot more interesting. I think a lot of people rush into marriage quickly and then get divorced – it’s a statement.’ photo by Arthur O’Hara via this is Sussex via policymic, Fashionably Geek
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May2
Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield and the Bank of Canada have unveiled the country’s new space-themed $5 bill. The redesigned currency features robots and astronauts, and the Bank of Canada says it ‘demonstrates our commitment to space exploration.’ The new bank notes will be introduced in November 2013image via Bank of Canada via io9
(Via Laughing Squid.)
May1
These cute black cat ‘fake thigh high’ stockings feature faces of black cats on the front and their tails on the back. They are available at Japanese fashion retailer RyuRyu.
images via RyuRyu and SlamRock1118 via Pouch, RocketNews24
Apr30
IOTA is a deck of regulation playing cards by Joe Doucet that dallies with the idea: how much you can take away while still maintaining a playable deck?
Simple geometric symbols are reductive versions of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades. While it’s necessary to mark the back of regulation playing cards, Joe’s done so with a minimal diagonal line instead of the overly ornamental versions used at your granny’s bridge club. LOVE. So. Much.
Joe Doucet will be debuting IOTA among other projects during his Play exhibition at Wanted Design in New York, May 17-20, 2013.
Photos by Kendall Mills.
(Via Design Milk.)
Apr26
Since 2009, South Korean artist Yeonju Sung has been using foods to make elaborate women’s clothing for her series, ‘Wearable Foods.’ Most of the clothing is made out of fresh vegetables and none of the items are actually wearable, or long-lasting—they exist primarily in Sung’s photographs.
This series deals with the concept of creating images that interchange the actual reality and the made-up reality on many levels. This body of work is her version of the made-up reality, which destroys the core meaning of clothing, which is the ability to be worn.
This series of her work forces viewers to defy the actual meaning, the functionalities, and the aspects of what clothing signifies in our lives. The essence of clothing and food has been reinterpreted. Each element does not fulfill its own role and yet, each suggests an unconventional and even contradicting role – un-wearable clothing that is made out of the materials that do not last.
via Visual News
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Apr25
In the late 1990s, self-proclaimed ‘24th century interior designer’ Tony Alleyne turned an apartment into a replica of the Transporter Control Console featured in Star Trek: The Next Generation. You can see more pictures of the space and even take a virtual tour over at 24th Century Interior Design.
images via 24th Century Interior Design via Inthralld, Coudal Partners
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Apr24
The Reflex Lens Stool by Monóculo Design Studio is a stool that is modeled after a Canon wide angle lens. The stool is handmade out of wood and features a soft fabric top and a storage compartment. It is available on Etsy.
via PetaPixel
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Apr23
Cats wearing silly head-through-a-hole cardboard costumes:
photo via eatmytwins
Imgur user eatmytwins and redditor Chicosley have posted amusing photos of their cats with their heads in various silly cardboard costumes. Previously, we wrote about a Chinese blogger creating similar cardboard costumes for her cat, Guagua.
photo via eatmytwins
photo via eatmytwins
photo via eatmytwins
photo via Chicosley via Sad and Useless, Lost At E Minor
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Apr22
Winnif Pang of novelty company Fred & Friends has designed Poppin’ Hot, an unpoppable silicone rubber oven mitt that looks like it’s made of bubble wrap. It will be available to purchase in May at online retailer Perpetual Kid.
via The Green Head, Book of Joe
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar29
The Doctor WhoTARDIS Throw Blanket is made of cuddly fleece to keep you warm while you wait for the Doctor to come whisk you away on a grand adventure. It’s available at ThinkGeek.
How do we let the Doctor know we’re ready to be his next companion? We’re drinking out of our TARDIS mug, brewing tea in our TARDIS teapot, wearing our TARDIS t-shirt and TARDIS hat, and wrapped up in the TARDIS Throw. Surely the Doctor will notice that we are the most dedicated Whovians ever and come pick us up for some wild adventures, right? Right?
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar28
Hotello, a portable sleep & work space that packs into a trunk:
Hotello is a portable work and sleep space that packs into a trunk. The 43 square foot cubicle is surrounded by a sound absorbent curtain and contains a small desk, stool, and bed. It is intended to provide a private room in a large indoor space such as a warehouse. Hotello was designed by architect Antonio Scarponi and artist Roberto de Luca for Swiss design firm Das Konzept. It will be presented at Fuori Salone 2013 in Milan, April 9 to 14, 2013.
via PSFK photos via Conceptual Devices
Mar27
Clever implementation…
A homeless man in Canada has gotten creative and made a cardboard ‘Hobo Facebook’ sign to ask for money. image via jays via reddit, Blame it on the Voices
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar26
The Retro Video Game Cartridge Pillow Set from ThinkGeek consists of two cushions designed to resemble old school Nintendo video game cartridges from the 1980s. The set is available to purchase online.
Video games are a huge part of our lives and have been ever since we got our first console as wee geeks. We’d hug those consoles and cartridges, but they are hard and pointy and hugging hard and pointy things hurts. (Don’t ask how we know.) That’s when we knew what we needed to do: we created the Retro Video Game Cartridge Pillow Set! These cartridges are cuddly and soft and make perfect throw pillows, nap pillows, or butt pillows for wee geeks who are on the floor starting their love affair with gaming.
images via ThinkGeek
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar25
On Instructables, New York-based custom made electronics specialist Mark Bongo of Major League Mods shows how to build a Star Wars Boba Fett lamp out of a small list of easily attainable items.
via Obvious Winner
Mar22
Control Group — the designers behind the high-tech NYC I/O payphone redesign — is working with the New York City MTA to create new ‘On The Go’ touchscreens for subway stations throughout the city. The new 47-inch displays will deliver real-time station directions including transfers and line alerts, countdowns until train arrival, and service updates, and will also include video cameras, microphones, and Wi-Fi, Fast Co. Design reports. According to Control Group, the kiosks will also feature looping content and help the MTA cultivate more ad revenue. Beginning this year, the MTA will install up to 90 ‘On The Go’ stations throughout NYC.
images via Control Group via Fast Company Co. Design
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar21
This is very nice…
Handcrafted by Callum G. Robinson of Method Studio, this umbrella stand from London Undercover brings together both companies’ passion for originality, craftsmanship and traditional techniques.
Made of twelve oak staves individually joined using a specially-joined waterproof ring, the unique interior design features a pop of color with woven orange webbing. The webbing, which holds the umbrellas suspended, is also available in military green. The space between each piece of wood allows air to circulate, allowing the umbrellas and the base of the holder to dry quickly. The design itself is inspired by the very items it has been designed to hold.
(Via Design Milk.)
Mar20
The Pencilburster, a tiny ‘Alien’ chestburster carved out of pencil lead:
Hungarian tool-maker and artist Cerkahegyzo has created a tiny and incredibly detailed Alien-themed chestburster sculpture carved out of pencil lead. Cerkahegyzo uses a variety of common items found around the house to make his intricate carvings, such as nails.
images via Cerkahegyzo via Obvious Winner
Mar19
Artist and instrument maker Alex Sobolev built three violins and joined them together to create the ‘Triolin.’ The instrument is quite striking but rather impractical—because the violins are joined at the base, musicians must play them upside down, more like a cello. In addition to making the occasional Frankenstein instrument, Sobolev is working on an intriguing electric violin that will be able to mimic the sounds of rare and antique violins.
via MAKE
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar18
Creamer Carafe that looks like a miniature diner coffee pot:
ThinkGeek has just released the Java Jr Mini Diner Creamer Carafe, a creamer carafe that looks like a miniature diner coffee pot.
The Java Jr Mini Diner Creamer Carafe looks just like the classic carafe your diner waitress would use to top off your cup of joe. It’s the perfect size for a shot of espresso, but we recommend you use it for your choice of creamer: heavy cream for the keto-ers, skim milk for the low-fatters, soy milk for the vegetarian-ers. No matter how you lighten your coffee, the Java Jr is going to make the process much cuter!
images via ThinkGeek
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar15
‘Invisible Bike’ by artist Jimmy Kuehnle is a functional bicycle made of clear Lexan panels—with the exception of a few components, the bike is transparent. When he debuted the bike in Austin, Texas back in 2005, Kuehnle sported a matching clear vinyl suit. The effect, particularly from a distance, is uncanny.
via Jimmy Kuehnle, Neatorama
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar14
We’ve seen Braille Rubik’s Cubes, keyboard Rubik’s Cubes, and Pantone Color Rubik’s Cubes, and we’ve even watched people solve them while juggling or doing one-handed push ups, but this Roulette Wheel IQ Cube from Brando Toys is an especially tricky take on the classic puzzle thanks to the added difficulty of a number dial.
images via Brando Toys via 7 Gadgets, Gizmodo
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar13
Lumio LED Lamp folds into a book and can light photo shoots on the go:
Lumio is an innovative new LED light idea that has been making quite a splash over on Kickstarter. Conceived by San Francisco-based industrial designer Max Gunawan, the lamp has raised nearly half a million dollars from nearly 5,000 backers over on Kickstarter — after an initial goal of just $60,000. It’s a lamp that’s inspired by the design of a book: open the cover and the light turns on, close it and it shuts off.
The design allows it to be compact and go wherever a book can go (it collapses into a book that’s roughly 1-inch thick). It can serve as an at-home light source, but Gunawan tells us that the device holds exciting potential for photography lighting as well. In addition to being portable, the light is extremely easy to use and simple to adjust. Basically, all you need to do to increase illumination is open the book to a wider angle.
The accordion-style interior is made of durable and water-resistant Tyvek, and strong magnets are installed in the covers to make it attachable to various surfaces.
The Lumio is cordless, and provides 8 hours of continuous lighting with an internal rechargeable lithium ion battery. It contains long lasting LED modules that emit 500 lumen, which is slightly more intense than a 40 watt lightbulb.
You can learn more about the Lumio over on its website. There are also a handful of days left in its Kickstarter campaign, through which a $95 contribution will preorder you a Lumio unit.
(Via PetaPixel.)
Mar12
photo by Rusty Blazenhoff
To promote Season 2 of HBO series Game of Thrones, several pedicabs decorated like the Iron Throne were launched on the streets of Austin to help SXSW attendees get around. Scott and I spotted some of them around downtown and later heard the ‘king’ of Craigslist, founder Craig Newmark, had taken the opportunity to sit in the bladed seat. Season 2 of the series premieres March 31, 2013 at 9 PM.
‘I could get used to this, won’t lose my head. #westeros at #swsw’
image via Craig Newmark
photo by Scott Beale
Mar11
You can now show off your love of Star Wars while also passing out your business information with the spring-loaded Han Solo in Carbonite Business Card Case from ThinkGeek. It is available to purchase online.
images and video via ThinkGeek
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar8
Vermis, wallpaper designed using ceramic worm sculptures:
‘Vermis’ is a digitally printed wallpaper designed by Danish artist Malene Hartmann Rasmussen. The wallpaper’s pattern is made up of Hartmann’s ceramic worm sculptures arranged into abstract patterns. Hartmann notes that if you stare at the pattern long enough, malicious faces begin to appear—almost like a Rorschach test. The wallpaper was created last year for an exhibition at the Red House, the 19th century London home of Arts & Crafts movement founder William Morris.
via Dezeen
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar7
Heartwalk, Time Square Heart Sculpture made of wood salvaged after Hurricane Sandy:
photo by Situ Studio
Heartwalk is a heart-shaped sculptural installation made out of boardwalk planks salvaged from the aftermath of Hurricane Sandy. Designed by Brooklyn-based Situ Studio, the installation was selected to be the 2013 Times Square Valentine Heart Design. It is on display in Manhattan’s Duffy Square (the northern triangle of Time Square) through March 10, 2013.
photo by krutons14 via Instagram Blog
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar6
CubeSensors, wireless cubes to monitor your environment:
CubeSensors are small, wireless cubes that measure temperature, humidity, noise, light, air quality, and barometric pressure, and continuously stream the data to a smartphone app. The app then analyzes the information and sends notifications telling you when to turn on the light, humidify the room, etc., with the goal of increasing your productivity. CubeSensors are available for pre-order now, and are expected to ship this summer.
images via CubeSensors via Robert Scoble
Mar5
Pantone Pairings, food & condiments as colour swatches:
For his ‘Pantone Pairings’ series on Instagram, Minneapolis-based David Schwen has combined foods and condiments that typically go together to look like Pantone swatches. Prints from the series will be available soon. Personally, I am hoping for a peanut butter and Fluff pairing.
via Instagram Blog
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar4
Authentic weather App tells you if it is “Cold As Fuck” outside:
Designer Tobias van Schneider has created a brutally honest weather app called Authentic Weather. The app tells you whether it’s ‘cold as fuck’ or just ‘damn chilly’ outside, and will let you know if there are ‘clear fucking skies’ or if ‘it’s fucking raining right now.’ It’s currently only available for BlackBerry users, but van Schneider has submitted it to Apple’s iTunes App Store for approval.
images via Tobias van Schneider via Lost at E Minor
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Mar1
Hand-drawn floor plans of popular TV show apartments and houses:
House of the Simpson Family (The Simpsons)
Azpeitia, Spain-based professional interior designer Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde (aka ‘nikneuk‘) has hand-drawn an incredibly detailed series of floor plans that map out numerous popular television show apartments and houses. Prints are available to purchase on RedBubble, Etsy and deviantART.
Sheldon, Leonard and Penny’s Apartment (The Big Bang Theory)
Chandler – Joey & Monica – Rachel Apartments (Friends) images via Iñaki Aliste Lizarralde
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Feb28
Tattoupées are a tin of 35 temporary toupée-like tattoos created by Archie McPhee for ‘your favorite baldy.’
It’s the hat tat for the adventurous baldy
Once you have some Tattoupées, you’ll know exactly what to do when you look at that expanse of empty space on a bald man’s head. This set of 35 temporary tattoos is designed to be put on bald heads as a Tattoupee. From the power outlets to a spit curl to an actual tattoo toupee, you’ll have trouble deciding which one to put on first. This is the perfect gift for an over the hill party or any time you’d like to tease the follicly challenged. They’re so cool, you’ll wish you were bald. (At least that’s what you’ll tell them.) Each set of Tattoupées comes in a beautifully decorated collectible tin.
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Feb27
‘R³bots’ are a series of small hand-made robots by Portuguese product and toy designer Marco Fernandes. He builds each unique robot out of scrap electrical parts from computers, televisions and more. You can view more creations from Marco’s R³bots series on Behance and watch the time-lapse video below to see his build process.
Project #R³bots from Charlie Dontsurf on Vimeo.
video by Charlie Dontsurf images via Marco Fernandes on Behance via Colossal
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Feb26
JeanPants Underwear look like a pair of very tight cutoff jeans:
Japanese fashion brand CUW has created JeanPants Underwear, a pair of cotton boxer briefs that look like a pair of very tight jean cutoff shorts (perfect for the ‘Never Nudes‘). They are available to purchase at Japan Trend Shop.
via GeekAlerts
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Feb25
An Idea Journal Packed With Inspirational Photography Quotes:
Inspirational quotes are usually the realm of motivational posters and self-help books, and idea journals the realm of writers (thank you very much) but that doesn’t mean photographers can’t get a piece of that action.
Along those lines, San Francisco-based artist Lisa Congdon has put together a photography-themed journal that is packed full of inspirational photography quotes and over 100 lined pages for you to fill with ideas for your next shoot.
To add her own stamp to the journal, many of the quotes are accompanied by painting of vintage cameras that were actually done by Congdon herself.
Here are a few samples:
You can grab a copy for yourself over on Compendium for $7. (via My Modern Met via Photojojo)
(Via PetaPixel.)
Feb22
Brazil’s master of architecture: Oscar Niemeyer…
You’re bound to be captivated by at least one building designed by Oscar Niemeyer when exploring Brazilian cityscapes. With an international career that spanned nearly 80 years, Niemeyer (1907-2012) paved the way for Brazil’s urban modernization as South America’s innovative, prolific architect. His 600-projects list includes distinctive monuments that express what the jury of the Pritzker Architecture Prize stated as ‘the distillation of colors, light and sensual imagery of his native land.’
See more of Niemeyer’s projects in photos: Architecture by Oscar Niemeyer gallery | Oscar Niemeyer group
Photos from fotografia de arquitetura, MichaelMostert, Roberto Peradotto, david.bank, and fallrod.
(Via Flickr Blog.)
Feb21
Fully Booked, a camping tent that looks like a giant book:
The Fully Booked tent is a two person camping tent with a digitally printed outer cover that looks like an enormous book. The tent was designed by Jack Maxwell for FieldCandy, a UK-based manufacturer of high design tents. We have featured their tents on Laughing Squid in the past.
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Feb20
Het Arresthuis is a Dutch luxury hotel in a building that was a jail for more than 150 years. Guests at the hotel can stay in jail cells or, for a more luxurious experience, the warden’s quarters. Het Arresthuis is located in Roermond, The Netherlands.
via Neatorama
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Feb19
Fast food “Fly Thru” Bird Feeder, which looks like a tiny Burger King:
Danish designer Brian Wolter created this ‘fly thru’ bird feeder that looks like a Burger King. The feeder includes a solar-powered LED lighting system so that migrating birds can find it at night (the feeder is presumably open 24 hours). Wolter has posted DIY instructions for the feeder on Instructables.
photos by Povl Thomsen submitted via Laughing Squid Tips
Feb15
Tea Cup SlingsHOT, a teacup with a groove for holding a tea tag:
Tea Cup SlingsHOT has a groove built into the handle with two purposes—it keeps the tea bag from falling into the cup, and the tea bag can be pulled tight against the edge of the cup, slingshot style (get it?), to squeeze liquid out of the bag. The cup is a design concept by Samir Sufi.
via Yanko Design
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Feb14
napcabs, miniature sleeping cabins for airport terminals:
‘napcabs’ are miniature sleeping cabins specifically designed for airport terminals. The cabins include a full bed, workspace, Internet access, and a multimedia screen, all in an enclosure that takes up just 40 square feet of floor space. napcabs are manufactured in Germany and are now available at the Munich Airport.
via Om Malik
Feb13
At the Vienna Design Week Laboratory, artists Gosia and Tomek Rygalik of Studio Rygalik created ‘Baguette Tables,’ tables made of stale bread that were meant to be tossed. It aimed to ‘start a discussion about food waste’ and show that the ‘materials to build from are all around us.’
Food thrown away in Vienna could feed half of the population of Graz… These bread structures were part of a ‘bread experience’ created by Gosia and Tomek Rygalik at the Vienna Design Week Laboratory, where people were surrounded by bread eating bread dishes from bread tables.
photos by Nick Albert / Kollektiv Fischka via designboom
Feb5
2013 Submarine Cable Map depicts communications cables that traverse the world’s ocean floors:
The 2013 Submarine Cable Map depicts 232 communications cables that traverse the world’s ocean floors, as well as 12 additional cables that will be in service by 2014. The map also includes a timeline, network latency constellations, and other infographics. Inspired by antique maps and star charts, the cable map was created by TeleGeography, a telecommunications market research and consulting firm. The map is available for purchase.
via The New Aesthetic & Nerdcore
Feb4
Artist makes birdhouses that look like Google Maps icons:
For ‘Project Google Birdhouse,’ Taiwanese artist Shu-Chun Hsiao has created birdhouses that look like the icon from Google Maps.
The project is aiming to put numbers of birdhouses all over the city for bird to accommodate. The iconic symbol will become a navigating landmark for the flying birds.
photos by Shu-Chun Hsiao via Freshome
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Feb1
Bullet bottle opener that is made from a real .50 caliber round:
The Bullet Bottle Opener from ThinkGeek is made from an actual fist-sized ‘US Military .50 caliber Browning Machine Gun’ round and is sure to pop a bottle cap off with deadly precision. It is available to purchase online.
It’s expertly machined and polished to last you years and years. And if you’re just a little goofy like us, you can stick googly eyes over the hole and it’ll look like your Bullet Bottle Opener has lots of personality!
images via ThinkGeek
Jan31
Wearable sculptures that make the wearer perform a gesture:
Artist Jennifer Crupi makes wearable interactive sculptures that encourage the wearer to hold a specific pose or gesture. Some sculptures are jewelry-like, such as the sterling silver ‘Ornamental Hands’ which creates a dancer’s hand gesture. Crupi has also made gestural furniture—the ‘Empathy Table’ fits on the laps of two people and has indentations that invite the participants to regard one another thoughtfully. Crupi’s sculptures are intended to highlight the role of body language in communication.
via designboom
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan30
PixelPads are sketch pads that replicate the dimensions of iPhones and iPads. The pads feature a grid measured in pixels–ideal for user interface designers who are working on apps. PixelPads were created by Jeremiah Warren.
submitted via Laughing Squid Tips
Jan29
Canadian LEGO enthusiast and artist Chris McVeigh (aka ‘Powerpig‘) created an awesome LEGO built representation of the original Macintosh computer to celebrate its 29th birthday. The first Mac was introduced by Steve Jobs on January 24, 1984. Prints of this photo are available to purchase at Society6. image via Chris McVeigh via Daring Fireball
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan25
If you seriously want to nerd out in the area of photography-related fashion, check out this T-shirt by The Unrefinery. It’s titled ‘Crop It,’ and is available for $24. You can even get a matching set of white dangle earrings. They cost $10 a pair, feature the same crop symbol, and are laser cut out of white acrylic and hung on simple fishhook style hardware.
If you’re for some reason obsessed with the concept of cropping, you can also show your enthusiasm with a $3 round pinback button or a $2 white vinyl decal of the symbol. The other two photography-related T-shirts and earrings in the Unrefinery store feature a simple camera icon:
One of our most popular posts back in 2009 was a roundup of creative and/or humorous photography-related T-shirts. Be sure to also check that post out if you’re in search of items to add to your closet this year.
(Via PetaPixel.)
Jan24
Daisuke Nagatomo and Jan Minnie of MisoSoupDesign has invented the Anti-Loneliness Ramen Bowl, a ramen bowl that doubles as an iPhone dock. It is available as a pre-order by emailing the design team.
image 1 via DramaFever, image 2 via MisoSoupDesign via DramaFever, Gizmodo
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan23
A skull ice cube mold that keeps drinks chilled and looking dangerous:
The skull ice cube mold from GAMAGO will keep any alcoholic (or non-alcoholic) beverage chilled while also giving it a great dangerous look. It is available to purchase online.
Chill your ice to the bone. Two part skull ice cube mold. Fill with water, freeze & easily remove. Ideal for chilling whiskey, 3 x 3″ in size.
images via GAMAGO, Gizmodo via Gizmodo, The Awesomer
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan22
Hicks Custom Furniture has created an informative tutorial on Instructables that shows how they built a wooden set of Tetris shelves inspired by the video game. The custom built Tetris blocks can even be stacked in various formations to suit your needs. Commissioned shelves can also be requested online from Hicks Custom furniture through Folksy. image via Instructables
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan21
Roots Vases, a glass flower vases with a colourful root inside:
Roots Vases by Italian designer Giorgio Bonaguro are glass flower vases with a colored glass root-like structure inside. The vases can hold a single flower in the root, or can be inverted to hold multiple flowers. Roots Vases are available at Galleria Luisa delle Piane in Milan. via Yanko Design photo by Andrea Basile
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan18
Mandolinsect, a kinetic sculpture made out of a mandolin by Nemo Gould:
‘Mandolinsect’ by Nemo Gould is an insect-like kinetic sculpture made out of a mandolin, antlers, and other found objects.
Mandolinsect 2013 from Nemo Gould on Vimeo.
Jan16
Good Night Lamp is a set of Internet-connected lamps that turn on and off together. A primary Big Lamp controls one or more Little Lamps, and because the lamps are Internet-connected, they can be in different houses or different continents and still be synced. The Good Night Lamp can serve as a simple worldwide communication system—parents can see if their children are still awake, or friends can see if each other are home, all by checking whether the lamps are on or off. The London-based Good Night Lamp team, led by Alexandra Deschamps-Sonsino, is raising funds for the project on Kickstarter. They expect to ship in September 2013.
via Shelby DeNike
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan15
Athletic wear inspired by totem poles by Adidas Originals:
‘…a classic adidas hoodie with a eagle that’s ready to fly. This jacket has a cropped hood with fluttery wing sleeves…’
Items from the ‘Eagle’ line of the adidas Originals Spring 2013 collection by designer Jeremy Scott include pieces that are inspired by totem poles.
‘…Eagle Track Top is ready to fly with a bold and brightly coloured allover graphic print featuring flying eagles on the arms.’
via M.I.S.S.
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan14
British coins can be assembled into Royal Coat of Arms:
The coins of the United Kingdom can be arranged together to form the Royal coat of arms. The coat of arms feature was added in an extensive 2008 redesign of the coinage by British designer Matthew Dent. photo by Matthew Dent via Shea Bennett, Super Punch
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan11
Hand-crafted iPhone chargers made to look like little tanks:
Singapore tech toy designer PHU has hand-crafted a series of unique iPhone 4/S and iPhone 5 chargers that are made to look like rugged little tanks. They are available to purchase from the online Four Corner Store.
One-of-a-kind iPhone chargers for the person who, literally, has everything. All Tanks come with the charge cable built in. They are constructed of both found objects and repurposed model fittings. As PHU’s motto says: ‘Deconstruct / Recreate’.
images via Four Corner Store, design boom via designboom
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan10
This hand grenade-shaped purse by Motif holds money, keys, and nearly guarantees questioning by airport security.
via Boing Boing
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan9
Flying Houses, surreal photos of houses that appear to be floating:
‘Flying Houses’ by Laurent Chehere is a surreal photo series of French townhouses that appear to be floating in mid-air.
via It’s Nice That & Colossal
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan9
The HAL 9000 Life-Size Replica by ThinkGeek is an impressively accurate, voice-activated recreation of HAL 9000, the AI computer villain from the 1968 sci-fi film 2001: A Space Odyssey. It is available to purchase online.
This replica is based on the actual studio blueprints, for exactly perfection (even down to the original studio files for the HAL 9000 label). The HAL 9000 Life-Size Replica features a custom-ground replica, with a sticker of the writing on the Nikkor lens (in case you want your HAL to be accurate down to the close-ups). But wait, there’s so much more. Of course the HAL 9000 Life-Size Replica has a red LED eye. And of course he talks (one of 15 movie quotes, randomly cycled through). But get this: HAL 9000 also responds to your voice. That’s right, say something to HAL longer than 1.2 seconds, and it’ll activate a sound clip. OR, point almost any IR remote at him and press a button for a sound clip.
images and video via ThinkGeek
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan8
Blood of Grapes, wine bottles shaped like the human heart:
‘From the heart of France.’
Belarus-based designer Constantin Bolimond has created Blood of Grapes, conceptual wine bottles that are cleverly shaped like the human heart.
via designboom
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan7
Lorraine of Fairy Meadow Miniatures in Australia created this beautiful dollhouse inside of an acoustic guitar as a thoughtful birthday gift for daughter Cathryn who is headed off to university.
Jan4
‘It’s a door into another world (one which, quite literally, lies below the boat).’
Robbie and Kara Johnson are behind Below the Boat, a website that specializes in wonderful laser-cut and layered wooden charts showing underwater topographical features (also known as bathymetric charts). Regions in the West Coast, Interior Lakes and East Coast are available to purchase online.
Starting with a bathymetric chart (the underwater equivalent of a topographic map), the contours are laser-cut into sheets of Baltic birch and glued together to create a powerful visual depth. Select layers are hand-colored blue so it’s easy to discern land from water, major byways are etched into the land, the whole thing’s framed in a custom, solid-wood frame and protected seamlessly with a sheet of durable, ultra-transparent Plexiglas.
The result is stunning. It lifts the surface of the water back like a veil, exposing the often-overlooked, under-explored, awe-inspiring world that lies below. To those familiar with the floor of the ocean or the bed of a lake, it’s a beautiful reminder of the deep channels, sharp drop-offs, and mountainous landscapes that are hidden from normal view. To the uninitiated, it’s wonderfully eye-opening; as though the world suddenly took on a fourth dimension.
images via Below the Boat via Cool Hunting, GBlog, Colossal
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Jan3
Marc Ecko created a Star Wars inspired furry and reversible Chewbacca jacket. It is available to purchase on Amazon. image via Ecouterre via Boing Boing
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec31
Ukrainian designer Anton Naselevets created a custom pendant lamp that is shaped like a head of garlic.
images via Anton Naselevets via Yanko Design
Dec28
The Full Moon is a credenza decorated with a photo-realistic moon image which is coated with a special eco-material that glows in the dark. It was created by designer Sotirios Papadopoulos and sold online by Generate LE. via bookofjoe
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec27
For their client’s private residence in San Francisco, California, Because We Can created the Cat Transit System (CTS). This specially designed cat mobility tube is equipped with viewing ports, has hidden access points and some cool details like an operable wheel. It was installed so a cat can land on top of the custom made armoire (which was built with secret storage compartments).
photos by Jillian Northrup
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec24
Springtime, a combo picnic basket and folding table that fits on a bike:
The Springtime picnic basket has two remarkable talents: it can be transported on the back of a bicycle, and upon arrival, it unfolds into a picnic table for two. Springtime was designed by Jeriël Bobbe of design studio Bloon. It is expected to go on sale in May 2013.
via Co.Design
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec21
WOW is a portable wireless speaker that can stream music from any Bluetooth device. The WOW speaker was designed by London-based design firm KAKKOii and is available in five bright colors. submitted via Laughing Squid Tips
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec20
Hollow Chair, an armchair that doubles as a storage space:
This ingenious hollow armchair doubles as a storage space (or a pet hiding place). The chair was designed by Judson Beaumont of Straight Line Designs in Vancouver, BC. It can be purchased by contacting Straight Line Designs. via Design You Trust
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec19
Urban gridded collection, jewelry designed to look like city grids:
The grid of New York City’s Central Park designed as silver earrings.
The Urban Gridded Collection by Aminimal Studio is a line of jewelry designed to look like the grids of various cities. Select pieces are currently available at Fab.
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec18
A wooden and leather case made especially for a Chupa Chups Lollipop:
Using saddle leather and mahogany, Japanese design studio LIFE has created a wearable Chupa Chups Wood Case which is made to hold a single Chupa Chups lollipop securely.
via Bit Rebels, Endless Geyser of Awesome
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec17
Studio Badini Createam in Italy has designed Pantone Xmas Balls, fabulous blown glass ornaments for the Christmas tree. via swissmiss
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec14
Melkwegbridge, a combo bike and pedestrian bridge by NEXT Architects:
Melkwegbridge by NEXT Architects is an ingenious combination pedestrian and bicycle/wheelchair bridge in the Dutch city of Purmerend. via Contemporist & Treehugger photo via NEXT Architects
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec13
Here is a bit of food design… Star Wars Chocolate Death Star filled with Maraschino Cherries:
Brazil-based ZeeK Confeitaria has created a geeky delicious Star Wars themed chocolate Death Star treat that is filled with gooey chocolate and maraschino cherries. ZeeK Confeitaria does not ship their custom edible creations internationally, but if you live in Brazil, you can contact them to request a price quote.
‘Look at him. He’s grabbing that small moon.’
‘That’s no moon! It’s a CHOCOLATE!’
‘It’s too big to be a chocolate.’
image via ZeeK Confeitaria on Facebook via Geeks Are Sexy
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec12
Artist Joyce Haughey rescues old computer memory chips from the e-cycler by turning them into Christmas tree ornaments. The ornaments and other art made from recycled computer parts can be purchased at her Etsy store.
via Recyclart photos by Joyce Haughey
(Via Laughing Squid.)
Dec11
The Bar10der is a 10-in-1 home bartending tool that includes a muddler, reamer, channel knife, jigger, zester, knife, a stirrer, strainer, corkscrew, and bottle opener. It is available to purchase in several colors online.
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Beyond Judgment (Brainrush 3) by Richard Bard
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