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| Design Page 3 |
Solar panels are ugly. No
denying it, even if they some
day provide a genuine
economic benefit, those giant
glass panels just look bad.
Now a company has
developed a series of solar
panels that can be colored
and shaped like tiles.
This seems like a much more
livable solution (at least, with
architecture that is compatible
with the look).
denying it, even if they some
day provide a genuine
economic benefit, those giant
glass panels just look bad.
Now a company has
developed a series of solar
panels that can be colored
and shaped like tiles.
This seems like a much more
livable solution (at least, with
architecture that is compatible
with the look).
How is your car feeling? Several articles lately have noted that automobiles often seem designed with specific expressions - angry being
typical for cars that appear to need to express power, while smiling cars seem to emphasize cuteness. The Berchetta in the middle seems
to me sad, or perhaps just world-weary.
The designs may be more subliminal than deliberate, but are powerful nevertheless. Many of us see our cars nearly every day, and they
become extensions of ourselves - where we are going, and the images that we project. Is this like air-brushing skulls in the whiskey ad ice
cubes? Do we thrill when visually threatened? I recall that the Chrysler Neon took off when the TV ad animated a smiling grille. I'd love to see
a study of cars that appear to have expressions, and how they make us feel (and then perform on the sales charts).
typical for cars that appear to need to express power, while smiling cars seem to emphasize cuteness. The Berchetta in the middle seems
to me sad, or perhaps just world-weary.
The designs may be more subliminal than deliberate, but are powerful nevertheless. Many of us see our cars nearly every day, and they
become extensions of ourselves - where we are going, and the images that we project. Is this like air-brushing skulls in the whiskey ad ice
cubes? Do we thrill when visually threatened? I recall that the Chrysler Neon took off when the TV ad animated a smiling grille. I'd love to see
a study of cars that appear to have expressions, and how they make us feel (and then perform on the sales charts).
At the Philly Alternative
ComicCon- featuring true self
published, outsiders art and
stories.
My Daughter at the right rear
with her friends at their table.
I bought many more books
than planned, because
although (like most art) 90%
was junk, the good stuff was
ComicCon- featuring true self
published, outsiders art and
stories.
My Daughter at the right rear
with her friends at their table.
I bought many more books
than planned, because
although (like most art) 90%
was junk, the good stuff was
very good.
Example, this $20
heavy volume of
comics from
school days, in a
bound volume
with duct tape.
The images
inside are hand
colored!
The artist, at right
with friend.
Example, this $20
heavy volume of
comics from
school days, in a
bound volume
with duct tape.
The images
inside are hand
colored!
The artist, at right
with friend.
I admit I don't understand it. But Robo-Garage has
some pretty slick robots all over the site - some are toys,
others clear your house, some are promoting movies.
Check out this Japanese site though, it has some really
interesting character concepts.
some pretty slick robots all over the site - some are toys,
others clear your house, some are promoting movies.
Check out this Japanese site though, it has some really
interesting character concepts.
A treehouse display at Tyler Arboretum in
Media, Pa. Volunteers (including some
architects) created an amazing collection.
Media, Pa. Volunteers (including some
architects) created an amazing collection.
Top and both side of this text are
details of the elegantly curved Bug
Observation house.
Below left is the guitar and drum
shaped Strum and Drum house
where kids can go in and bang on
improvised instruments.
The collection included a faith ful
reproduction of Thoreau's work
shop (on a pond of course).
Below right, the 'musical tree'
surrounded with ropes attached to
bells and chimes to create tunes.
details of the elegantly curved Bug
Observation house.
Below left is the guitar and drum
shaped Strum and Drum house
where kids can go in and bang on
improvised instruments.
The collection included a faith ful
reproduction of Thoreau's work
shop (on a pond of course).
Below right, the 'musical tree'
surrounded with ropes attached to
bells and chimes to create tunes.
My friend Nick sent me this video link. It is a nifty piece of design, anticipating how we may soon be reading newspapers and magazines.
See the reasons why I don't own a Kindle and why I think newspapers have a savior here.
The video is quite interesting - showing how we may someday have a great deal of interactive control over our reading material. If early
reports are true, the Apple 'Slate' will not only be touch-screen, but will be gesture-activated, using a forward-facing camera. I would expect
such a device to let me do video chat, emails, video viewing, gaming, and use my existing applications.
I don't think that common reading/viewing will be quite as interactive at the above video demonstrates. I would like to hit a link or expand an
image, but I don;t want my newspaper to become a game device; I just want it to do more. Also, I think that some publishers should reserve
the ability to fix a page, rather than run on forever like a we site - the design of a magazine or comic page can be integral to the enjoyment of
the form.
But in general, this is where we are going, and after Spring 2010, we will be going there very quickly indeed.
See the reasons why I don't own a Kindle and why I think newspapers have a savior here.
The video is quite interesting - showing how we may someday have a great deal of interactive control over our reading material. If early
reports are true, the Apple 'Slate' will not only be touch-screen, but will be gesture-activated, using a forward-facing camera. I would expect
such a device to let me do video chat, emails, video viewing, gaming, and use my existing applications.
I don't think that common reading/viewing will be quite as interactive at the above video demonstrates. I would like to hit a link or expand an
image, but I don;t want my newspaper to become a game device; I just want it to do more. Also, I think that some publishers should reserve
the ability to fix a page, rather than run on forever like a we site - the design of a magazine or comic page can be integral to the enjoyment of
the form.
But in general, this is where we are going, and after Spring 2010, we will be going there very quickly indeed.
The 2010 IMM Furniture show displayed
designs that showed talent, promise, and
fun.
See show images:
Here
designs that showed talent, promise, and
fun.
See show images:
Here
Bar Codes can really destroy the deign of a package. They
are especially annoying on magazine covers and small
cartons.
Now some design companies have come up with creative
solutions to this necessary buy ugly requirement.
One of them is VanityBarcodes. They have a selection of
interesting designs that allow you to insert a workable bar
code into an image that is appropriate to your product. They
will also custom design around your code.
I especially like the slided bread...
are especially annoying on magazine covers and small
cartons.
Now some design companies have come up with creative
solutions to this necessary buy ugly requirement.
One of them is VanityBarcodes. They have a selection of
interesting designs that allow you to insert a workable bar
code into an image that is appropriate to your product. They
will also custom design around your code.
I especially like the slided bread...