Assignment 5

Best Friend Forever

Pie by Alan Woo

Stanley Kubrick A Clockwork Orange

"Curious to see if there were any stark similarities or contrasts within particular films, Pie aims to create an incredibly simple and concise baseline of comparison of films trough one particular trait: colour. The outcome is a number of triptychs comparing various films of particular trilogies, directors or genres. A program written in processing captures each frame of each movie and essentially creates a ‘pie chart’ of the colours contained within each film producing a simplistic and abstracted representation. Each poster includes the film title, year, director, cinematographer, running time and occasionally, various surprising/unsurprising similarities."

A program written in processing captures each frame of each movie and essentially creates a 'pie chart' of the colours contained within each film producing a simplistic and abstracted representation. Each poster includes the film title, year, director, cinematographer, running time and occasionally, various surprising/unsurprising similarities.


[ via noquedanblogs ]

Nikon S60 Campaign

This is the campaign of Nikon S60, it used very interesting idea to demonstrated the “Face detection” function, very simple and humor.

[ via fubiz ]

Ezpandable bookcase design

"REK is a bookcase that grows with your book collection. The more books, the bigger the bookcase. The zigzag shaped parts slide in and out providing as much space as needed. Regardless of the quantity of books REK will always be full."

Design by Reinier de Jong. This design is a brilliant! It has several different spaces for the book and changeable shape. Moreover, it looks simple and beautiful!

[ via core77 ]

Mitsubishi's Wakamaru in SOHO

Wakamaru showed up in UNIQLO store in SOHO, it offered some basic greeting, but I think it still has some different with my imagination, for instance, it had no reaction when people ask question sometime. Moreover, the sentences which Wakamaru can used is not enough, so, for now, robot still more like decoration…

Wakamaru

Audi Q5 Synchronized

"Synchronized for the Audi Q5 the latest from Psyop, produced with Tempomedia and Stink, for Berlin agency Heimat. Psyop was asked to show the principle of synchronicity and to find interesting ways to create real images of driving using thousands of perfectly synchronized humans holding cards."

Incredible visual idea plus great execution, created a whole new image of the car.

Audi Q5

[ via glossy ]

More than DSLR

For now, there are only two DSLR can shoot movie, Canon 5D Mark II and Nikon D90. The new DSLR shows great ability about shoot movies, the biggest advantages are the shallow depth of field and exchangeability of lens. The result of HD video which shot by DSLR can compete with the expensive video camera, I think this new technology can give students and independent movie studio more opportunity to create high-quality movies.

[ via core77 ]

5D2


D90

Visualizing Sound (With a Sewing Machine)

"We’re really enjoying the work of interactive design group Sound Butter. The duo of Patrick Li and Ian Gallais has a radically different approach to design. Using humor, everyday objects, artistic flair and a healthy dose of adventurous experimentation, Sound Butter makes you simultaneously laugh and think with their creations. One such project is the “visible sound sewing machine”. It’s a prototype of a device that would make sound visible and physical by sewing waveforms onto fabric.”

This is an interesting idea, like its name, user can sew “music” on the clothes by this Sewing Machine, but other people may not know those waveforms are “music.”

[ via soundsbutter ]

Minority Report For Real!

G-speak : a operating system which similar with Minority Report.

[ via fubiz ]

Creative Waterfalls system

This is a creative mechanical waterfall system in Japan, it can forms words and objects, I think it is a very good example that technology integrated with visual design!

[ via scene360 ]

Kinetic Sculpture at the BMW Museum

The Kinetic sculpture is build with 714 suspended metal balls, it can form any different shapes by magnetic force. The film shows some abstractions and typical BMW vehicle forms.

[ via today and tomorrow ]

Tagline & Bullet Points

Theme: Gizmo is your best friend

Tagline:
Best Friend Forever!

Bullet Point (Purpose / uses):
-Talk: Gizmo can communicate with user.
-Intelligence: Gizmo can help user solve question.
-Portable: Gizmo is extreme small.

Treatment:
-Gizmo shows up in a very small device.
-User can create a Gizmo friend, and it can be any figures.
-Gizmo will stay with user forever.

Assifnment#4

A Gizmo is Your Best Friend

SecondLight

“SecondLight,” the new multi-touch display technology by Microsoft.
The new table projects an image through the table itself, so that any translucent material (such as tracing paper or perspex) held above the Surface screen displays a different image to what you see on the table's display.

How it works?

SecondLight works by projecting two different images from beneath the table. The table surface itself is formed of a liquid crystal display that switches between frosted and transparent states when electrical voltage is passed through it.

By rapidly flicking the screen between the two states, the table appears as permanently diffuse, displaying an image like an ordinary Surface table.

The screen is, in fact, transparent for half the time. And during these periods then second image is beamed on to the paper, confusing the eye into believing it's seeing two images simultaneously.

Using an infrared camera, the secondary "display" can also be used as a multitouch surface. What's more, it can display video.

[ via engadget ]

Lumalive Fabric Technology

This is a new technology about lighting Fabric from Philips call “Lumalive.”

1. Standard Lumalive panels measure 20 cm square and contain an array of 14 x 14 pixels, spaced a little over one centimeter apart. The panels can be interlinked or scaled up to cover large areas.


2. Lumalive fabrics incorporate arrays of LED pixels mounted on a flexible lightweight substrate, with each pixel containing closely spaced red, green and blue LEDs.


3. The flexibility of the substrate material in which the LEDs are embedded and the softness of the covering layers make Lumalive fabrics pliable, while the low weight of the panels (typically around 100 grams) means they add very little to the total weight of garments. As a result, clothing made of Lumalive fabrics should remain comfortable to wear.


4. Electrical connection to the panels is made via a waterproof connector leading to a compact control unit, measuring around 11.5 x 6.5 x 2 cm and weighing approximately 150 grams, that contains the control electronics and battery pack.


5. Based around an ARM microprocessor and 256 MB of flash memory for content storage, the control unit allows the display of animated graphics sequences of up to ten minutes duration.


6. Lumalive fabric solutions are supplied with Windows-based PC software that interfaces with the USB connector on the control unit, allowing for animated graphics, scrolling text messages or moving images to be uploaded.


7. The Li-ion battery in the control unit typically powers a single 20 cm square 14 x 14-pixel Lumalive panel for three to four hours, depending on the type of visuals displayed.


8. Lumalive panels are encased in a translucent pocket of water-resistant material, allowing them to be used in applications where the material may be subjected to rain, snow or liquid spills.

[ via dailytech ]

Is this art?

How to define “Art”? if we can’t see it.
This is an exhibition created by Irina Blok, in this series of painting, artist is trying to convince us that art is all in our head, in my opinion, I agree with this idea, but I don’t agree with the manifestation, because I still believe that artworks should have support by visual or other media, without the unique elements which is the most precious part of art, as a result, how to define “Art”?

[ via swissmiss ]

Wassup 2008

Original version


Interesting “copy” idea from classic TV commercial, and the concept is perfectly the same, smart work!

[ via designyoutrust ]

Jeff Koons on the roof

Exhibition: ” Jeff Koons on the roof” in Metropolitan Museum of Art
Balloon Dog (1994-2000) is made by high chromium stainless steel with transparent color coating, height 121 x 143 x 45 inches, and it has 5 unique versions (Blue, Magenta, Yellow, Orange, Red. ) The artwork is extremely simple, but it has great challenge in materials and technique of creation, because artist try to make the enormous sculpture which made by stainless steel looks like balloon in enormous, therefore, Koons cooperated with physicist and chemist, and spent several years to simulated the texture, then created the beautiful artworks. It looks simple, but extremely complex, isn’t it?

In addition, there is a critical article by Kelly Devine Thomas (ARTnews), she mentioned that there are several points in Jeff Koons’s artwork.
1. Koons always created enormous artworks, and only rich people can buy it, because of their mega-mansion.
2. Great feels of works, and makes people want to buy it.
3. Koons’s works can touch the lonely of people, especially rich people.
4. Koons promoted himself to be like famous people, and created a lot of topical subjects.
5. Koons just like an advertizing star, more than artist.
I like the honesty of Jeff Koons, he didn’t hide the desire about money and reputation, and he also has great talent in art field. Moreover, I believe that he has good concept of advertisement, as a result, he can keep increased the value of his works, and create Incredible price.

Assigment #3

National Geographic Channel: Think Again

SONY bravia!

Carcade!

"Augmented reality in-car videogame" designed by students at the Berlin University of the Arts.
The webcam projects buildings, trees and other objects outside the car window onto a computer screen, and the player has to steer a "ship" around the obstacles on the screen without crashing into them. The faster the speed of the car, the faster the ship flies and the more difficult it is to keep from crashing.

This is an interesting idea! I always want this game when I was a kid, because back seat is one of the most boring places in the world!

[ via Edmunds ]

Waiting until the last hour!

I figure that the cliche was never, "the last hour," but for a long time, it was, "waiting until the last minute." In our ever-faster society, now we wait for the last second.
Of course we do. Why shouldn't we? The last second eliminates the need to make a decision, most of the time, because the last second doesn't arrive, thus saving us the angst. And when we do take action, there's no penalty (usually) for waiting.
Airlines and others penalize people for planning ahead by instituting non-refundable fares. We don't get treated like royalty for signing up early, and the penalties for waiting often seem fairly small.
In Florida, on the other hand, where dinner is half price before 5 pm, the restaurants are often packed.
Every time I've posted a job or an offer with a deadline, I get amazingly well-written and thoughtful notes one day after the deadline has passed, begging for another chance, or quoting time zones or some other sort of nonsense. Of course, it's all because we've persuaded ourselves to wait till the last second.
With less than two weeks to go, my event in New York has officially reached the last minute. If you want a seat, today is the day, as there are only 38 left. The first five people to buy a seat today (here's the link) get a free copy of my DVD set. Early bird special, you know.

People always waiting until the last minute including me, I think the most difficulty element of design process is making decision, you never know when will be the best timing that should stop change your works, the inspiration always pop up in a unpredictable mo moment, so even I try to prevent the situation like this, but it always happen, again and again..

[ via sethsblog ]

Useful Bad, Useless Good

“Lack of utility and rarefied exquisiteness are seen as the shortest paths to being art.” - Roberta Smith of The New York Times recently reviewing a show at the Museum of Art and Design in which many artists use everyday objects in their work. She doesn’t agree with the statement and by paraphrasing it, she doesn’t mean it as a compliment.

I would argue that art does, in fact, have a utility, but not always in the obvious functional way that, say, my bike racks for NYC do. Of course in Asia, functional objects like screens, teacups, tea wisks and other paraphernalia have traditionally been the closest to our notion of fine art, but they are also utilitarian objects. They are a version of a household item that is also a tool to focus and refine attention — a changed awareness that then resonates out into the world. And the objects are completely utilitarian, which makes the mundane daily activities they are associated with into small focused performances, little rituals. Tea ceremony is a refined example, but many more ordinary practices and activities are focus pullers as well. One performs the act, and is aware of performing the act at the same time.

While viewing art, at least in the western sense, is not the road to self-improvement some still claim — art is not “good” for you — it still has practical and psychologically positive functions. Making it, performing it (in the case of some art forms) and the various social links and connections that arise (or don’t) in the whole world of surrounding activity are where much of the usefulness comes from. Participation (whether making it, dancing it, singing along or being together) is so obviously psychologically cathartic that it’s hardly worth mentioning. It facilitates talk, flirting, hanging out, travel, and money exchange. Isn’t that useful? The object itself might be useless, but, like paper money, it has a kind of agreed upon exchange value — it’s a kind of social currency.


I agree with the author, “art” has practical and psychologically positive functions, it doesn’t offered an actual service for people, but it communicated with people, and produce unexpected feedback for them, I believe that this “invisible function” has more value than functional product!

[ via David Byrne Journal]

Assignment# 2

A Gizmo is Your Best Friend!

Powered by www.myfabrik.com

Great Marketing Weapon

"Product is the ultimate communication tool," Winsor explained, "To me, branding and ID are different sides of the same coin. We're both satisfying the needs of the customer."

I think product and branding are depending on each other, branding can’t easy extend without an appropriate function of product, and product also have use branding to increase market. Moreover, the relationship of product design studio and a branding agency become more and more close, I believe it’s the trend, combine the advantages and opinion, created the new opportunities.

[ via core77 ]

"Project 10 to the 100th"

"Project 10 to the 100th" is a new call for ideas sponsored by Google to change the world by helping as many people as possible.

Interesting project, helping people is the most important thing of design, every concept should follow it, and make the world better!



[ via core77 ]

How to create a great website?

Here are principles that Seth Godin think Designer can’t avoid:

1. Fire the committee. No great website in history has been conceived of by more than three people. Not one. This is a dealbreaker.

2. Change the interaction. What makes great websites great is that they are simultaneously effortless and new at the same time. That means that the site teaches you a new thing or new interaction or new connection, but you know how to use it right away. (Hey, if doing this were easy, everyone would do it.)

3. Less. Fewer words, fewer pages, less fine print.

4. What works, works. Theory is irrelevant.

5. Patience. Some sites test great and work great from the start. (Great if you can find one). Others need people to use them and adjust to them. At some point, your gut tells you to launch. Then stick with it, despite the critics, as you gain traction.

6. Measure. If you’re not improving, if the yield is negative... kill it.

7. Insight is good, clever is bad. Many websites say, “look at me.” Your goal ought to be to say, “here’s what you were looking for.”

8. If you hire a professional: hire a great one. The best one. Let her do her job. 10 mediocre website consultants working in perfect harmony can’t do the work of one rock star.

9. One voice, one vision.

10. Don’t settle.

All of these elements are simple and direct, I think it’s a good opinion that I should keep in mind. Here are more advices:

Launch Faster: 12 Tips for Avoiding Web Project Delays

The 10 Commandments of Web Design.

[ via sethsblog ]

Assignment # 1

Theme:
Gizmo is your best friend!

Kai

View SlideShare presentation or Upload your own.

The 12 Ugliest Gadgets of All Time

Most of gadgets represented the newest creativity and technology, but some gadgets has problems, bad function design plus ugly looking, I think there are very good examples that designer should be avoid it.

The 12 Ugliest Gadgets of All Time

[ via crunchgear]

Design by Nature

"The boxfish's surprisingly streamlined form inspired Mercedes-Benz's bionic concept car. Flowing vapors during wind-tunnel tests in a Stuttgart facility show off the car's aerodynamics, which helps boost its gas mileage to as high as 70 miles per gallon." (photo by Robert Clark)

The design of nature is marvelous, it always combine artistic and functional elements. In my opinion, I believe that nature is the best teacher. It inspired people to imitating, learning and creating. Moreover, the process of evolution is also the best example for the course of creation.

Design by nature gallery

[ via core77 ]

Did Innovation Cause The Crisis on Wall Street?

The stock market is crashing, housing prices are plummeting and the economy is poised for a severe downturn so I'm reminded of the criticism I heard at the World Economic Forum in Davos in January that innovation is responsible for this mess. A European banker came up to me and said, "isn't innovation at the root of all our problems?" "All those new financial instruments failed, right?" (by Bruce Nussbaum)

Author believes that there are two major problems:
-New inventions were not stress-tested in a real environment.
-The new financial products were flawed.
I think new innovation which means new function and risk, especially we depend on technology deeply. But I believe that the advancement of civilization is base on new invention, and people should use it, but fear it, because dread can make people become more cautiousness.

[ via businessweek ]

But you're not saying anything

These big companies didn't want the logo to be part of their story, they just wanted it to fit in with all the other big company logos. The only thing the logo said was, "we're a big company with a big company logo." (by Seth Godin)

This is a new idea for me, I always believe that logo must be unique and meaning, and audience can easy understand that the story of the brand. In this new concept, logo become a identity which can locate the position in the market, and base on the same position with your competitors, then create the different story to attractive audience. I think the advantage of this strategy is rapidly building the branding, and get into the market easily with appropriate price!

[ via sethsblog ]

Charging stations

Work:Charging stations
Designer: Takafumi Nemoto.
What a brilliant solution! Charging stations solved the problem that unpreventable today - the cable of gadget, with a six-pointed "icon". It makes "charging" become easy and convenience, moreover, keep your desktop straight!

[ via core77 ]

Tomorrow Now: Envisioning the Next 50 Years

Quote:
The nineteenth century made machinery. The twentieth century made "product". But the twenty-first century makes gizmos. In a "product," form follows function. There isn't much decoration, because that would be irrational and inefficient; it increases production costs on the assembly line. For a gizmo, the function is the decoration. A gizmo, like a cell phone or a jogging shoe, has more functions than the user will even be able to master, deploy, or exploit. It is designed to have baroque and even ridiculous amounts of functionality. A gizmo "empowers the user" but not in any permanent or predictable way. It has irrational levels of power, which are base on experiential values like "fun" and "amusement" and "involvement" and "technical sweetness" and all things hip and designery.
A gizmo is neither a "machine" nor a "product." It doesn't want you to accomplish any task in particular. It wants a relationship; it wants to be an intimate experience, as close you as your eyebrow. It wants you engaged, it wants you pushing those buttons, it wants you faithful to the brand name and dependent on the service.

P.89-90, Stage 3: The Lover,
Tomorrow Now: Envisioning the Next 50 Years, Bruce Sterling


Theme:
Gizmo is your best friends!
Extension of Product:
Computer, Camera, AIBO, Car, iPhone, MP3 player, etc.

E ink

Esquire magazine (October) will use this new technology on it. Although it only has simple display function at the moment, but it make print become more possibility!

In addition, I found an article talk about this new tech:
“It's pretty simple...a small circuit board with six (yes, six) button cell batteries on it. Then there are the two displays. Esquire says the batteries should last 90 days or more and that life can be extended by storing the magazine somewhere cold, like the refrigerator or freezer.” (By Ryan Joseph)

[ via NYtimes ]

The 10 Commandments of Web Design.

This 10 Commandments of Web Design is come form Matt Vella after he interview some well experienced folks on web usability. In my opinion, these commandments seems reasonable, It may not the perfect rules, but it offer some suggestion that web designer can think about it.

There is the list:
1. Thou shalt not abuse Flash. Don’t overwhelm the viewer.
2. Thou shalt not hide content. With advertising.
3. Thou shalt not clutter.
4. Thou shalt not overuse glassy reflections. Apple.
5. Thou shalt not name your Web 2.0 company with an unnecessary surplus or dearth of vowels. Meebo?
6. Thou shalt worship at the altar of typography. Check out Daring Fireball.
7. Thou shalt create immersive experiences. Perhaps the most important.
8. Thou shalt be social. Hmmm. Maybe this is the most important.
9. Thou shalt embrace proven technologies.
10. Thou shalt make content king. Content trumps pretty.

[ via business week ]

OLPG

Innovation should focus on people’s need and daily life.
This article is about personal experience of writer, Bruce Nussbaum. He visited two old folks recently, and there are some idea pop up form his head – the OLPG (One Laptop Per Grannie). It is a laptop for elderly people, touch screen, music form 30s~40s and medical care program. Maybe this concept isn't initiative and no economic benefits, but it help people indeed. I think designer should think more about this.
Moreover,
Jive – the reality of this concept.
OLPC – laptop with the same idea, but for the students in the third world.

[ via business week]

Liquid light

Ordinary material with a different thought, it makes maximum creativity and opportunity!
This is a thesis project, called (DE)light, it come from the student (Cristina Ferraz Rigo) at the Royal College of Art's IDE program.The designer used chemoluminescent reactions to create luminous liquids, and utilize it to some distinctive application. She tried to make people realize we can use different way to change the technological advance, and think deeply that everything surround us.

[ via core77 ]