Posts from — December 2007

Darth Maul as a character from Star Wars Episode I – the first of the new trilogy, really seemed to capture the cool factor the most, out of all the new characters. Its probably the double-ended lightsabre coupled with martial artist Ray Park’s wushu moves that did it.

Anyhow, being cool is the best reason I can give for posting this new Kubrick release which is scheduled for May 2008. The Kubrick style is admirable for creating compact versions of its licenses, yet still retaining the essence of each character.

Via ToysREvil

Technorati Tags: Darth Maul, Kubrick, Sith Speeder, Star Wars

More bugs. I’ve previously worked with the contrasting themes of the natural and organic with the mechanical. There’s something fascinating to me about combining these opposite elements in life, and the way the aesthetics can be shaped to create something unusual and eye-catching, but pleasing to the eye.

So regardless to say, Maine-based Mike Libby’s work in re-constructing these invertebrate with mechanical parts really caught my eye.

Insect Lab is an artist studio that customizes real insects with antique watch parts and electronic components. Offering specimens that come in many shapes, sizes and colors; each insect is individually adorned, each is one of a kind and unique.

Borrowing from both science fiction and science fact, Insect Lab’s customized insects are a celebration of natural and manmade function. Specimens are presented in custom black shadow boxes or glass dome display, allowing for presentation anywhere.

If  you’re not too squeamish, and like what you see, check out Mike’s website at InsectLabStudio.com. You can purchase his models, which start at $200.

Via CoolHunting

Technorati Tags: art, ideas, insects, insects with mechanical parts, models

With programmable interactive technology such as (Adobe) Flash, you’ll always have the ubiquitous “experiments” to demonstrate coding prowess. As Flash enters its 9th incarnation, actionscript has long since matured to provide coders with flexible syntax to create digital toys that incorporate real physics.

To this extent, Bare Choons host a Flash module by the guys at box2d.org, where you can get a taste of what Flash is now capable of facilitating. It’s open source too.

Flash Physics

Technorati Tags: Flash Physics, Flash Programming

A house with a hole doesn’t sound unusual until you see THIS hole. I think the eye catching thing about this “idea” is that it’s done in real life (as opposed to PhotoShop) and that someone went to all this trouble to make it happen.

I’m wondering if this house is still livable and whether this is meant to be a piece of art, or whether it has some other function.

Via Geekologie

Technorati Tags: art, house with a hole, ideas

I’ve always loved nature, even if not all things are perceived as beautiful by us humans. However, you can’t deny mother natures work in creating some of the worlds most beautiful colours, textures and structures.

Photographer Igor Siwanowich creates amazing photography which captures the essence of his insect subject matter and nature’s tiny works of art.

For many more photos, click over to DarkRoastedBlend for the Best Bugs in the Universe!

Via Neatorama

Technorati Tags: Igor Siwanowich, insects, mother nature, natural world, photography

Sigh – I may be jumping on the bandwagon when I comment on all the commercialism that happens around Christmas time, but this illustration called “Presents Opening Children” by Rob Sheridan (which of course can be bought) did make me smirk a little.

But then, I don’t have kids. I’m sure Christmas becomes much more worthwhile with kids around.

See more on Rob Sheridans website

Via NotCot

Technorati Tags: illustration, Presents Opening Children, Rob Sheridan

Suck UK recently released a bunch of new products. They usually create quite quirky items which you can always find a use for, either as a gift for someone else, or just because you like it!

Two outstanding items are these coffee and tea mugs which have colour charts on the inside to help guide beverage makers on how you’d like yours made.

Its a great idea which seems to appeal to the designer in me, what with a reference to Pantone colour charts, or even the much more widespread paint colour strips in DIY stores. I like the subtle comment on British society with the naming of tints such as “Classic British” and Builders Brew”.

More on Suck UK – you can buy MyCuppa here for £10, but at this moment, they seem to be out of stock – testament to the idea?

Via Core77

Technorati Tags: ideas, MyCuppa Coffee, MyCuppa Tea, products, Suck UK

I’m not heavily into tattoos, but this post (admittedly from a few weeks ago) did strike me as a pretty good use of computer graphics. If you forget the effort needed to generate a CG likeness of the person. And the fact this idea won’t save the world.

But for those who would like a tattoo, but aren’t sure, or even those who would just like to see what a tattoo would look like on them, this application seems blindingly obvious. An example of a good idea just staring you in the face, maybe.

I guess it just needs a few more years of development to make the process quicker and more accessible/affordable, and whether the idea has potential in other areas too.

The software was developed by computer graphics artist Loic Zimmermann.

Via Gizmodo

Technorati Tags: computer generated tattoo, ideas, popular culture, tattoos

I don’t drink coffee or any similar beverage (tea of course!), but I’ve always been fascinated by the design of expresso machines. I’ve given up looking for an excuse to buy one though.

Here’s a design that I haven’t seen before and certainly looks to be in a different realm to most machines.

This has been designed and created by Swiss artist/designer Carlo Borer, and as the blog Core77 say, it does seem to incite Navy Seals to defuse the bomb like design before pouring their cuppa!

As a one-off, the design could justify an investment purchase, although typically, the price will probably say otherwise to mere mortals like myself (who don’t drink coffee).

More on CarloBorer.ch

Via Core77

Technorati Tags: Carlo Borer, design, expresso machine, Swiss

Brooklyn artist Emily Barletta has crocheted a number of pieces, for a series called My Biology, that takes inspiration from cells, fibers, veins as well as other microscopic biological structures.

Aside from the quirky subject matter for I suppose, a usually modest craft, these pieces caught my eye for the way the crochet technique really seems to create an aesthetic that matches up with organic structural forms that Emily creates.

See more on Emily’s website

Via Neatorama

Technorati Tags: crafts, crochet biology, Emily Barletta, My Biology