At one small seed we believe in the power of unique ideas and novel concepts. Ranging from technology, design, art and music, we’ve compiled a collection of crazy, fascinating, funny and bizarre findings that we think would be of interest to you. Here are some of our favourite finds this past week. Stay tuned for weekly material…
Image: dailybri.com
Image: mumbrella.asia.com
Advertising extraordinaire OgilvyAction has teamed up with Coca-Cola and Japanese DJ-inventor Jun Fujiwara on a social music project to bring Coca-Cola’s ‘Open Happiness’ message to life. The campaign revolves around capturing everyday sounds from a particular time and place, and mixing them into a creative track that can be shared with people to spread happiness. The recordings are available as ringtones and music videos on Youtube.
The project began in Tokyo and locals have been thrilled at the mixes that have been taped from their ordinary sounds. The Coca-Cola ® Remix Bottle campaign is a clever way to position Coca-Cola as a social brand for everyone.
Obake: interactions with a 2.5D elastic display from Dhairya Dand on Vimeo.
Image: news.discovery.com
Image: facebook.com
Creatives at MIT’s Media Lab have invented an interactive screen that can be stretched, poked, and pinched. Designed by Dhairya Dand and Rob Hemsley, the display is built from flexible rubber sheets that rest on a set of actuators (a motor variation that can move and control mechanisms and systems). Laid over all of this tech is a camera that projects images onto the display sheet, measures how far the screen is stretched and how deep it is poked.
Dand and Hemsley have named their attention-grabbing design Obake, and have explained the display aims to create a truly 3D experience. The 3D movie-goers see in cinema theatres is an optical illusion, whereas Obake is a tangible display that allows users to have an actual sensory experience through touch and interaction. If the project is available for sale, then maybe the next time you see something annoying on your screen you can poke it, or better yet – pinch it.
Image: digtaltrends.com
Image: digtaltrends.com
Image: digtaltrends.com
Apple fans have excitedly whispered about an iCar for a while now, and although Beetles are an unlikely choice, Apple has collaborated with the German car-makers to produce a motor vehicle that is fully compatible with the iPhone. The car includes an iPhone docking port that syncs wirelessly with its dashboard unlock various features via the iBeetle app. This means that when the iPhone is connected to the car Facebook and SMS messages can be read aloud, and iTunes can be synced to blast some of your favourite tunes. Spotify users will be pleased to know that the app also allows drivers to switch channels between Spotify and iTunes.
Volkswagen and Apple will release the iBeetle Coupe and the iBeetle Convertible. Both cars are designed with Apple’s modern tones and simplistic motif. The exterior and interior are shaded in greys, silvers, and charcoals, but the leather sport seats of the car add a neat flair with tailored cream seams. The iBeetle will be ready to zoom through streets in 2014.
Image: thisiscolossal.com
Image: thisiscolossal.com
Image: thisiscolossal.com
Canvas furniture is the perfect option for people who struggle to fit furniture into their cramped quarters. Designed by spatial designer Naoki Ono, co-founder of Tokyo-based YOY design studio, Canvas is a collection of two-dimensional furniture that is made from wood, aluminum and stretched elastic canvas that can be hung flat on a wall. Launched at Milan Design Week 2013, each canvas is printed with an image of the furniture it represents so you can add some décor to any bland walls. When you’re in need of an extra chair just take it down from its perch, prop it against the wall and you’ll have a new chair. The chairs won’t last for long periods of time, but if you’re in need of a temporary solution to a spatial dilemma, these clever pieces can give some help.
Animals Carved from Crayons and Other Miniature Pencil Works by Diem Chau
Image: thisiscolossal.com
Image: thisiscolossal.com
Image: thisiscolossal.com
Artists use various tools and media to create their works, but Diem Chau has re-created her tools into works of art. The Seattle-based artist carves detailed portraits of animals and people from crayon and graphite pencil leads in spectacularly miniature works. Chau is Vietnamese by origin but her family arrived in America s refugees escaping from Vietnam in 1986. She has since exhibited her work in Miami, LA, New York, Seattle and Chicago. You can see more of her tiny works on her blog.
Image: dezeen.com
Image: psfk.com
Image: psfk.com
Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay – co-founders of UK-based design brand Raw Edges – have created a bookshelf inspired by a weaving loom called Bloom. The simple design is crafted from a wooden border that frames a series of red threads. Each thread is clipped with a black stopper that can be moved up and down to position books at different heights. The bookcase was commissioned by the British Council and debuted at Milan Design Week 2013. The unique interior piece draws attraction to both the inventiveness of the structure as well as the books it showcases. With electronics gaining interest and pace, it’s easy for books to be lost in the fray, but this bookshelf helps to put book back into the spotlight.
Image: highsnobiety.com
Image: highsnobiety.com
Hublot has paid homage to Ferrari’s new supercar ‘LaFerrari’ with a watch dedicated to one of the champions of the motor industry. The MP-05 ‘LaFerrari’ was unveiled at Baselworld and the futuristic design is a definite nod to Ferrari with the watch being modeled to replicate a Ferrari engine. The wrist-piece is not just a cool accessory, it is also a historical record setter with its 50-day power reserve. The interface might seem complicated to look at in terms of practically tell the time, but there’s no doubt that the conceptual design will turn heads.
Image: telegraph.co.uk
Derelict revival projects are the new rage with designers increasingly attempting to renew forgotten corners of cities and transform them into social spaces. Pop Down park is an attempt to re-create London’s abandoned network of tunnels into a public green space. People can access the park via street level entries and exists to the underground rail. A mushroom garden will also be planted along the tunnel pathways with sunlight being filtered through sculptural glass-fiber mushrooms located at street level. The mushrooms will create an agricultural space for the green concept and will also be used as food in pop-up restaurants and cafes called ‘Funghi’ that will appear at the entrance of the installation.
Image: ufunk.com
Image: ufunk.com
The modern world is a busy rush where almost everything we do is on the go. Finding time to eat in between hurrying to get to places often leads people to munch their food while driving. Eating while driving can be a messy experience and showing up to a meeting or party with grease on your clothing is not the best start to your planned event. Luckily for the Japanese, McDonald’s Japan has created a French fries holder that prevents your chips from falling into your lap. The handy little cup fits snugly into the cup holder of a car or the water bottle grip of a bicycle, so that cyclists and drivers can enjoy their snack with no hassle.
The useful holder is available in Japan and comes free with any meal that is ordered with a large serving of crispy, salty potato goodness. Let’s see if McDonald’s will expand their nifty fast-food gadget beyond Japanese borders.
Image: lostateminor.com
Image: lostateminor.com
Image: lostateminor.com
Bike helmets aren’t the most attractive accessory, but YAKKAY has designed a helmet that is both stylish and safe. The hat is a helmet in disguise, and while it appears to be another headwear piece to spruce up your look, the helmet has been tested according to international safety regulations. The cool designs come in an array of colours with various textures and patterns to meet your style needs. Thanks to YAKKAY being safe no longer has to pose a hazard to your wardrobe.
Images: thisiscolossal.com, psfk.com, ufunk.com, news.discovery.com, telegraph.co.uk, highsnobiety.com, digtaltrends.com, facebook.com, dailybri.com, mumbrella.asia.com, digitaltrends.com, highsnobiety.com, lostateminor.com
