AIGA: futurescoping

This may be an interesting insight into how to gather and develop ideas for the future of a professional organization:

http://www.core77.com/blog/case_study/the_aiga_research_project_by_ziba_part_6_the_final_winnowing_-_evaluate_evaluate_evaluate_25808.asp

It may also be a very expensive design consultancy trying to justify their price with a ream of bullshit. Genuinely unsure.

This Just Inbox: Cardboard Interior - Core77

http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/this_just_inbox_cardboard_interior__16991.asp#more


Note sure I like this particular incarnation, but I like the idea of cardboard furniture. We had a crack when I was in uni, making surprisingly sturdy chairs. Just think - it's already 100% recycled, it dents before your child does, and you can design it yourself to exactly fit the space available! And when it gets a bit tatty, or you get a bit bored with it, just make some more!

aesthetics of joy

http://aestheticsofjoy.com/


This isn't what I was going to post, but Ingrid Fetell's "Aesthetics of Joy" is a charming blog of the genus "I wish I'd written that". Packed full of really interesting posts and links - marvel at the cubist art of the Dutch tulip growers, and discover what noises children in different countries think animals make! Brilliant. And that multicoloured cake looks just too good not to copy...

M. Kawaguchi at TEDxTokyo: "Peace on Earth via the Japanese Toilet" - Core77

http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/m_kawaguchi_at_tedxtokyo_peace_on_earth_via_the_japanese_toilet_16593.asp
Again this is more a reminder to myself to have a look at this - but you might find it interesting, I don't know.

New Bus for London unveiled, and look who it isn't...

http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/new_bus_for_london_unveiled_and_it_looks_pretty_sweet_16585.asp
Yes, my favourite designer is back, hurrah! The Heatherwick strikes again. I'm a tad suspicious that this thing might be a bit longer than the ones it's replacing, but damn if it doesn't look good. Two staircases! Three doors! How do they manage to fit people in?

Here's the official London Transport announcement. Damn you Thomas Heatherwick, you're so curly and brilliant.

Hoodie Origami: gotta try this

http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/hoodie_origami_fold_your_sweatshirt_into_a_laptop_bag_baby_carrier_etc_16131.asp
I haven't yet fully got my head around this - for example, in that video, where does the hood go? The only hoodie I own doesn't have a zip, either - I worry this may be a problem...

Still fascinating, though.

Spirograph business cards!

http://www.adafruit.com/blog/2009/05/25/adafruit-business-cards-laser-cut-spirograph-cards/
If you'd been to Maker Fair, which was... somewhere, recently, then you might have been lucky to get your hands on these adorable business cards: How cool are they?

From Adafruit, who also have on their website a multitidue of small wonderful electronics projects, including the Minty Boost, which I think I might have to have...

Beyond the Schlock of the New: a design essay on core77

http://www.core77.com/blog/featured_items/beyond_the_schlock_of_the_new_eight_strategies_for_design_and_foresight_by_kevin_mccullagh_10912.asp
Strange how some things seem like complete common sense, and yet rarely get articulated...

Designer//Slash//Model

http://www.designerslashmodel.com/
Oh this is good. "Perfect people create perfect design" - of course! Why didn't I see it before. As core77 puts it, "a sort of mockumentary site that pokes fun at the nauseating glam-o-rama image fest otherwise known as the design scene." V good.

Nokia's Design Research for Everyone

http://www.businessweek.com/innovate/content/mar2007/id20070314_689707.htm
Interview with Jan somebody or other from Nokia. Interesting comments about how they go about their research, but the most interesting part (I thought) was how prepay mobile phones are being used in the Third World as ATMs...

Pedal powered rollercoaster

http://www.core77.com/blog/object_culture/motional_rollercoaster_5722.asp


...in Japan, of course (where even the trains have cute little ears).

Work have blocked treehugger as being an 'advocacy group'. Grrr.