The 2010 Vancouver Olympic Medals are a one of a kind modern piece of art. They are just under 4" in diameter and weigh between 1.10 and 1.26 lbs. These medals are some of the heaviest ever designed. Each undulating (not flat) form includes unique Aboriginal artworks. Here are just a few images that I would like to share from Vancouver2010.
Dolomites photo by HdB1973
Merrell's Wilderness Hiking Boots are one of those items that were founded on such a sound and simple idea, the thought that form should follow function and that quality should transcend quantity, are still around after having existed in one form or another for almost a century. Made of incredibly high quality black leather with a nod to aesthetics contrasting blue laces and a white collar in the Italian Dolomites, boots like this have been made for ages. Functional items that perform their chosen function extremely well, that also bother to look good while doing it, seem to at some point in their existence earn the title classic. Merrell's wilderness boots perfectly fit the afore mentioned statement. Long live simplicity that has a strong sense of function and an imaginative sense of visual appeal.
Well...I think I will write some quick thoughts on Tiger Woods, since he is an icon after all and design does seem to follow him around a bit.
This is slightly off topic, however, I felt compelled to introduce a concept that many are not talking about and deserves some consideration. There is a relationship between major cultural icons, advertising, marketing, design and the human experience. I think we are seeing some of this unfold here...
If you are a public figure that makes all of their money being in the spotlight, then I am sorry, you do subject yourself to the spotlight (still) regardless if you feel that you are shown well in that light (or not).
Nike, Accenture, Gatorade, TagHeuer, American Express...all jumped onto the Tiger Inc. bandwagon because he was very good at hitting a little white ball around. Well, of course, they want a solid, upstanding gentleman who is also of course a winner. They shaped and formed this icon into this perfect human being.
However, we all know that humans are not perfect...but regardless, advertisers still create ads with beautiful women (hide the airbrush please) and create a powerful reaction of envy. This reaction is one of the components leading to the purchase of "X" (enter product or service here). This is no secret...
It is effective, that is why some are able to rake in $100,000,000 dollars worth of endorsements per year.
But humans aren't perfect. This also isn't a secret.
So...Tiger, you are human after all. Great...welcome! There is nothing wrong with being human...we all do make mistakes. Please do us all a favor and just admit to mistakes and talk to us as other human beings (we are actually a very forgiving race). I am not interested at all in some Tiger, Inc. manufactured BS like a post on your website or a "blame it on a disease/disorder" kind of thing, where you get "relieved" from some foreign ailment that you are not really accountable for.
How do you combat this contradiction of Tiger?
AUTHENTICITY!
People think you are a hypocrite because of this manufactured image of who you really aren't. That is major corporate advertising creating that image. That isn't you. Maybe you have been so focused on golf for so long and constantly led down this path of sponsorship, that you never had the chance to even find out who you really are. Who knows? Again, you are a human being and making mistakes is not a bad thing...it is perfectly normal.
Talk to us authentically about the situation. Sure, you'll lose a few endorsements...but you will easily replace them with companies who's customers value authenticity. But that isn't much of a concern. You have more than enough dough to last several lifetimes. The main impact, and I hope this gets to you one way or another, is that you are able to reach people who really did look up to this "perfect" human (especially children) and learn that envy is indeed ignorance...that everyone is human and everyone makes mistakes. Furthermore, they will understand that being "the best" at something doesn't always equal happiness (in fact, it might be at the expense of happiness or balance in your life)...or having a ton of money doesn't always equal happiness...but being true to yourself and maintaining your integrity (as imperfect as that might be) is more important than anything.
G
Every year since 2001, The Portland Adult Soap Box Derby hits the streets of Mt. Tabor with all sorts of cool, slick and off the wall box cars racing for the finish line. It's a good time had by all!
"It is our drive towards success of our ongoing experiment to stay young, yet not so young. Practicing safety with speed, ingenuity with science and creative tenacity in art of building and racing Adult Soapbox Cars. With a bit of luck, hard work and communication with all parties we will persevere. "We thank our beloved Volcano for allowing us to tickle her back."
This year's Winner for Best Engineering was Twin Barrels Burning by Charley Wheelock. Although not that fastest box on the road, it sure was creative!
"we put disc brakes on wine barrels with a '57 Ford F100 drop axle for a frame and rode them down a mountain."
Mr. Wheelock also runs Kapow Design, specializing in modern contract furniture design, tradeshow booths, children's furniture, environments, design/manufacturing consultation, and of course, any interesting projects.
You can see more pictures of the The Twins here
Think of bicycles as rideable art that can just about save the world. ~Grant Petersen
From simple to complex, a plethora of bewitching bikes are popping up these days, marketing themselves towards ...well...everyone! Whether you prefer to sweep the streets in a Tron-bike look-alike or ride easy with "ninja-quality quietness", you are going to eventually stumble across a modern model that fits your style. A few finds are posted below.
Teague Urban Bike Concept
Aside from resembling something out of the movie Tron, this bike features electric turn signals, a luminescent frame, and counterweighted foot pedals!
For more information, hop on over to their online booklet.
The District by Trek
The District is simplicity at its best. Complete
with a "worry-free, lube-rejecting,
lighter-than-any-chain-you’ve-ever-owned belt" you can coast freely with just a few pedals. Jaw dropping good looks have some calling it the Rolls Royce
of cycles. The "chain" is actually a carbon composite belt made by
the same Denver-base company that creates Harley Davidson drive belts.
The Folder
"A bike that folds rather than a folding bike was the inital aim" according to Dominic Hargreaves, the designer of this seemingly effortless cycle. I hope you click on over to his webpage and check out the video that demonstrates the ease with which this bike actually folds in on itself to the width of its wheels!
If you need just a little more control over your choice of two-wheeled transportation, Urban Outfitters may have just the thing. They recently teamed up with Republic Bike to offer custom purchases through their website. Boasting 100,000 combinations between components and color, these beauties come in at just under $400 and offer a mere 7-day wait time.
One last thing...
The final piece of bicycle heaven that I am going to let you explore all on your own...
Biomega's Copenhagen. No chain and no belt. Love. Not to mention Beatrice Santiccioli is responsible for the color palette (She has worked with the Apple Design team on the IMac and Ipod colorways!)
Have a great weekend!
If you love ping-pong, then you will love this door. A design by Tobias Franzel. When you want a regular door, you got it... and if you feel a little sportive, you can switch the door and get this amazing ping-pong table.
Is not a concept project, by the way, it is real... Enjoy it, if you want it ;)
Via TechEBlog.
We know two different couples whom, in the interest of lifestyle, have placed pool tables in their formal dining rooms. Great idea for casual California living, but on the few occasions they actually need the dining space their guests are, of course, left with sticks instead of forks. Voila! The new multi-functional fusion table offers recreation or dining with the flip of a cover.....make that a streamlined contemporary veneered cover that comes in five finishes. The table originates from Belgium, designed and manufactured by Aramith-Armand Billiards, a group who's been in the business since 1923. This one definitely goes into the"why didn't I think of that" category!
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