Stefan Ulrich’s Bachelor Project in Design at HAWK Hildesheim uses an Arduino board, an open-source electronics prototyping platform, to create an inspiring interactive design object. He explores how physical objects will transform into social objects, exploring design’s future functions and our demands of it; will we be satisfied with an object that is only a tool, or only something aesthetically pleasing? Ulrich’s conceptual project shows how the application of interactive elements to objects will be more accessible in the future and the thought of what technological advancements will mean to everyday design is rather mesmerizing.

The Acne Jeans a/w 09 ready-to-wear men and women pre collection is available from today in their online shop.

Developing this design was a great challenge for me, because it required to build a “bridge” between Issey Miyake’s philosophy and mine… I had to create the “new”, being utterly innovative and have zero compromises. It was a great creative process where all sides were enthusiastic and everybody was aiming to achieve excellent results. i have capitalized the narrative form of a bottle, given it a new definition  and added a refining value to it. The reference point was the notion of RAW-INDUSTRIAL-ART. When handling a raw block of glass out of the mould and cutting it, we discover the great contrast between the absolute transparency of the core and the rough sides… that also expresses the main concept of the extrusion. I used the extrusion idea to create the connection between Miyake’s concepts in fashion and my definition of the container’s size. The rest of the line, bath gel, body lotion and other products are in continuity with this concept. Thanks to this bottle we get away from the proportional scale container sizing that is so common in the cosmetic industry. Arik Levy

Reflect is a new mobile generative-art application by artist/technologist, Joshua Davis. Using color and form swatches by Joshua you can produce random, generative art pieces and play with them in a Kaleidoscope.

It’s a bit of a movement going on with Brian Eno (Bloom), Andreas Muller (For All Seasons), Reality Jockey (RjDj). Sideways and Joshua Davis are proud to join a pioneering community of individuals who view mobile devices and their increasingly rich, human interfaces (multi-touch) as a curious canvases for creative expression.  In the way that the mobile first provided spatially-dislocated impulsive communication, these powerful mobile creative tools allow spontaneous creativity to blossom regardless of where or who you are.  So much current application development emphasizes improving your efficiency, we applaud these efforts to improve your creative soul.

“In my work I derive huge satisfaction from creating discrete shape and color palettes and then writing algorithms that assemble the pieces into randomized, whole compositions.  Chance is not always pretty, but it is fun.  Take a walk, or rather design, in my shoes” says Joshua Davies.

The Sideways Guarantee: Reflect won’t improve your productivity, but it will enhance your soul…

The new issue of the David Report bulletin is a checklist for sustainability. We will not provide all of the answers, but we will on the other hand ask a lot of questions - one of the most important ways to acquire knowledge. You will also find thoughtful quotes and best practise examples. One thing is for sure - sustainability is not about doing nothing.

You can also experience this issue of David Report live! We offer one-hour inspiring lectures and half or full-day engaging workshops. We are also performing experience travels on certain themes. Pls let us know if you need further info.

As Remo Camerota was photographing his book ‘Graffiti Japan’ he came across various drain designs in different prefectures. Camerota started documenting these manholes and eventually collected enough to get a book together. “I noticed there was an otaku culture based around these manhole covers, as well as a huge internet following. People actually have website museums dedicated to the pursuit of drainspotting! There is no other book on the subject so I wanted to show the rest of the world the kind of artistic design going on here.” So while it’s not the oddest fetish in Japan, there are people who travel the length of the country enticed by the prospect of a compellingly designed manhole.

In Japan, modern sewer systems began appearing during the late 19th century, and foreign engineers introduced the Japanese to modern, underground sewer systems with above ground access points. At that time manhole covers had similar geometric designs to those used in other countries. In the 1980s, one bureaucrat devised a way to make these mostly invisible systems aesthetically appreciated aboveground, and the customised manhole cover was invented.

Asked which is his favourite manhole, the photographer replies, “The one I found in Shiga. I was arguing with my partner because I took a wrong turn, and low and behold, I found my favourite manhole cover lying there in the wrong street. We wouldn’t have found it if we went the correct way.” The manhole was a fireman and his bio suit. “How apocalyptic, and it was just there on the side of the road,” he exclaims. The reason it was Camerota’s favourite is because it reminds him of sci fi movies, anime and manga, which he’s a big fan and creator of himself.

Even though Japanese custom manhole covers cost more than generic ones, nearly 95% of the 1,780 municipalities in Japan sport their very own specially designed manhole covers. Designs range from images that evoke a region’s cultural identity - flora, fauna, landmarks and local festivals - even fanciful images dreamed up by school children. In Kyoto, a turtle adorns the city’s manhole covers signifying wisdom and longevity.

So what can other countries learn from this art? Camerota replies, “Attention to detail and unusual art practice are just some of the things they can learn. What this kind of thing shows is that no matter how small or insignificant the item, they can still make it perfect. Designing a manhole cover for each prefecture means there are over 2500 throughout Japan. Slowly but surely this insignificant item is getting its own cult otaku following meaning people are looking at Japan as modern leaders in landscape design and attracting tourists in a bizarre way. Even if they are maniacs!”

This is a new post by David Report contributor Kristina Dryza.

Ping Intressant.se

Soft Series is collection of accessories for the MacBook Pro and iPhone. They are made from a padded embossed material that has a soft lining. A batch of 50 pieces have been Made in England by Studio Leung.

As we mentioned before the Knowledge company Designboost went to Milan Design Week and made a MiniBoost to explore the personal viewpoint of sustainable cities of some of the worlds most acknowledged designers.

The MiniBoost resulted in thirteen unique interviews. Now Designboost releases the six last interviews which incude Erwan and Ronan Bouroullec, James Irvine, Kristina Dryza, Patricia Urquiola, Richard Hutten and Tim Power. The seven first interviews was released a couple of weeks ago and included personalities like Ilse Crawford, Tom Dixon, Konstantin Grcic, Arik Levy, Ross Lovegrove, Katrin Olina and Satyendra Pakhale. The interview above is with Patricia Urquiola. You will find all interviews by following this link.

The questions asked look at sustainable cities from a holistic point of view and touch among other subjects sustainability according to cultural life, emotional amplification and the personal stories of the inhabitants. The questions are written by different Boosters at the DesignBoost 2008 key event “Long Live the City” in Malmö, Sweden. One may say that the MiniBoost is like a relay race with questions as batons passed on to new Boosters.

Ping Intressant.se