$29 AirTags get confirmed in Apple’s Spring Loaded Livestream EventThe long-rumored tracking device finally dropped today and became the latest of Apple’s roster of product offerings. It bolsters and expands on Apple’s ‘Find My’ feature, allowing you to now find daily objects in real-time, even while offline. The device is coin-sized, and can be tracked with real-time feedback and even a live indicator on your smartphone’s display, allowing you to know exactly where your objects are in relation to you. The AirTags come at a price of $29, with $99 for a 4-tag bundle. They can be customized with initials or emojis, are IP67 water and dust resistant, and ...
Self-sanitized autonomous pods combine public transit with safe socializingCOVID-19 has changed the perception of life in the last year or so, and it’s still showing no signs of retreating as new variants push their claws towards human life. Scientific researches have proved that such pandemics will be a common affair in the coming time, and to get around them, we’ll have to alter our living methodology. Pretty obviously, the way we commute is also going to take a ‘detour’ – especially in public transport systems. Pivot of Safety by Yongho Jeon is a look into the future where maintaining social distancing in public transit will be of prime ...
These cabins are designed to be habitable cocoons hanging on the edge of Cuban mountains!Imagine a cabin that envelops you in the landscape through its design – that is exactly the feeling Jorge Luis Veliz Quintana envisioned with his cabin design located on the edge of mountains in Cuba! It is an organic refuge for those who want to connect with nature and disconnect from the world. The cabin brings in the panoramic views of the landscape while also visually blending in the natural setting with its carefully chosen CMF. The unique cocoon shape structures are perched on giant boulders and each cabin spans over an area of 150sqm. The curved wooden lattices sit ...
This reinforced vehicle storage system is the protection your gear needs to stay safe while adventuring outdoors!For a true professional globe trotter, their gear is the biggest asset – be it a snowboarder, photographer, blogger, adventure junkie, or drone operator. Hauling gear from one location to the other comes with its set of unforeseen circumstances – inclement weather, chances of a robbery, or damage during the transit itself. This is where you need robust, customizable storage to fit in the bay of your ride – be it a pickup truck, SUV, or even sedan. TruckVault creates state-of-the-art storage vaults for creative people who like their life organized and non-compromised at all costs. Much attention has been given ...
Fun Things You Can Do With Heat GunWe all know just how versatile a heat gun is and how useful it can be in everyday handiwork. But when you’re armed with a device that can spew hot air up to 700°C, you’re bound to explore that power for some mindless fun. A man going by the name of Mr. Hacker is just one of many who have enjoyed the heating capabilities of a heat gun for their own nefarious (and very entertaining) purposes. The heat gun used in the video above isn’t the hottest version out on the market (it only reaches up to 600°C), but it ...
This space-saving sink features a top-load dishwasher to create counter space in tiny kitchens!There are two types of people in the world: those who pretend to enjoy doing the dishes and those with dishwashers. If like me, you’re the former, then there’s probably a reason you don’t already have a dishwasher and it’s safe to say that reason most likely has something to do with limited space. Blanco, a design studio oriented around finding water-based solutions for sinks, has launched Vita Neo, their take on the kitchen sink that saves space with an accompanying top-load dishwasher. Vita Neo was designed and built to create space in the kitchen by merging the kitchen sink ...
Ever find one room warmer than the rest? This smart HVAC system evenly temperature regulates your homeThink of SmartCocoon as your thermostat’s tag-team partner. While your thermostat can only give you a general indication of what your home temperature is (often leaving one room too cold and another too warm), SmartCocoon’s artificially intelligent dual-fan system uses a series of register booster fans to circulate air in your house more efficiently, giving your thermostat’s performance some consistency, so when you set the thermostat to 72°F, your ENTIRE house is verifiably 72°F. SmartCocoon’s fan units are pretty easy to install and fit right inside most air vents built into traditional home floors using basic DIY methods. They come ...
This new era of portable SSDs is replacing hard drives and cloud storageA picture went viral on the internet a few years ago, of a woman standing beside a stack of papers as tall as her. The woman, American computer scientist Margaret Hamilton… and the papers, lines of computer code that controlled the Apollo 11, helping humans reach the moon. That same stack of code could be stored more than a million times on an SSD today, and the SSD would be no larger than the size of your thumb. SSDs are rapidly becoming the future of storage. They’re replacing the clunky hard-disks (HDDs) as well as the expensive cloud storage bundles ...
This self-driving electric car sets new landmark for automotive design by cleaning up air pollution!Eco-friendly cars have many different faces: hybrid, electric, diesel, and biodiesel. Coming from the same studio that brought the Vessel to New York City’s Hudson Yards, Heatherwick Studio has conceptualized an autonomous electric car that goes further than reducing fossil fuel pollutants. Airo, Heatherwick Studio’s new concept electric car runs on electric power and actively cleans up the air when driven. Airo comes complete with a state-of-the-art HEPA filtering system that removes fine particles from the air it drives through, edging the electric car’s green initiative even further. HEPA filters, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, are mechanical air filters that ...
OPPO’s new “O” headquarters by Bjarke Ingels show how architecture + typography are a perfect matchIn what could be an incredible branding move, OPPO’s new headquarter design will adorn the Hangzhou skyline with a massive O. Envisioned by Bjarke Ingels Group, the headquarters are described as an “infinity loop” shaped skyscraper that “connects [the] ground to sky in a continuous loop of collaboration”. The larger-than-life O-Tower is representative of OPPO‘s status as China’s largest smartphone manufacturer. The upper and lower surfaces of the O remain flattened, creating what feels like a möbius strip that represents Oppo’s infinite potential and innovative spirit. The O-Tower will be located in Hangzhou’s Future Sci-Tech City, within the Zhejiang province ...
These playing cards also act as instruction guides to help you brew better coffee!Now THIS is an idea that seems like it was created by someone who had their cup of coffee in the morning! Designed as probably the world’s most fun user-manual, Sip-To-Suit Coffee Information Cards are a set of coffee-brewing guides disguised as actual playing-cards! You see, brewing coffee can be an incredibly elaborate affair, with different brewing machines and techniques requiring different water quantities, brewing times, and even coffee-ground sizes. Sip-To-Suit helps simplify that in an incredibly fun way by creating a set of flash-cards that help give you critical information on how to brew the best coffee. Moreover, the ...
Brian James McManus Delves Into Incredible Engineering of X-15 AircraftPicture this: it’s 1955. The United States and Russia are beginning their forays into space travel. But how do you get about exploring a frontier no one has ever been to before? The U.S.’ answer: by getting as close as possible and collecting a bunch of data along the way. But to get close to space, you have to have something really fast and powerful. Something which can exceed the speed of sound. For the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) – now NASA – that answer came in the form of the X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft. Brian James McManus, ...
Life Hacker DaveHax Uses Liquid Gallium to Create Some Interesting BuildsAh, gallium. Thanks to its very low melting point (29.76 °C or 85.568°F, to be exact), the metal can easily be turned into liquid and be used in a lot of ways. Using some gallium he easily bought online, YouTube life hacker DaveHax shows just a few instances where having a quick changing metal can be useful: Upon receiving the gallium, it comes as a solid in a small test tube. By placing the tube in some water slightly above room temperature (you can get similar results by holding the tube in between your hands on a hot day), Dave ...
Deuce Studio Creates New Packaging for The Urban Spice ShopThe Urban Spice Shop and Deuce Studio first started working together to create the branding and packaging for a wholesale range of organic herbs and spices, delivered in large pouches and supplied to premium restaurants and boutique hotels across Asia.
Reviving Broken Sculpture With Some Glue, Gold, and KintsugiYou know what sucks? Working hundreds of hours on a project, only to have the project break right in front of you. This is the sad reality Bobby Duke had to deal with one of his sculptures. After carving a bucket and hand sculpture and painstakingly gluing thousands of pencils to create a flowing rainbow stream, it all ended abruptly with a simple push from gravity. The sculpture broke into pieces, and he was so upset about it that he stored all of them in a box and hid them in his closet. This was back in July of 2019. ...
Recreating Avengers Fight in Flipbook FormOkay, I know we’ve covered flipbooks before, but those were cartoonier and based on the creator’s original content. And while it’s difficult to make your own creations, it’s just as hard recreating something all of us are familiar with. dP Art Drawing is a New Zealand-based artist whose YouTube channel is full of drawings. Recently, they’ve been focused more on flipbooks and recreating scenes from iconic movies. Just a few days ago, they completed their longest and thickest flipbook yet – a 1,434 page book which captures key scenes between Iron Man and Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The ...
Watch How Honey and Wax are Extracted From HoneycombsIt’s always good to learn something new every day, so I figure now’s a good time to talk about the birds and the bees. Well, actually, just the bees and how people extract their goods, to be precise. Blake of Daddykirbs Farm posts tons of videos on how he and his family have become self-sufficient in their daily farm lives. From farming to taking care of livestock, his YouTube channel covers almost everything you could think about when it comes to homesteading. In this particular video, he shows us how he extracts honey and beeswax from the frames of his ...
How Much Pure Aluminum Can You Recover From 517 Soda Cans?It’s always a good and fun idea to recycle when you can, especially when the process involves firing up a smelter and melting a couple of hundred aluminum cans. TheGrowingStack is a YouTube channel whose goal is to melt and cast the largest pile of metal imaginable. While some pieces are turned into fine metalworks, others are just hunks of scrap waiting to be turned into something beautiful. So just how do you go about smelting 517 aluminum soda cans? There’s actually just very little to it. The only problem is how time-consuming the process is. After painstakingly crushing and ...
Consumer Goods Digital DayMesse Frankfurt's Consumer Goods Digital Day will take place on April 20, 2021. The digital event marks the virtual meeting point of the consumer goods industry and will cover Messe Frankfurt trade fairs - Ambiente, Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld
hcma Unveils Refreshed Identityhcma has launched a new brand identity that moves away from the stark visual conventions of the firm's architecture roots in favour of a warmer, more approachable look and feel that's rooted in moments of connection.
Handful of Things That Can Survive Hydraulic PressI am sure you have asked yourself before if there is anything that can survive the force of a 100-ton hydraulic press. Well, this YouTube channel dedicated to crushing stuff using the said machine will satisfy that weird curiosity. We’ve seen the Crazy Hidraulic Press channel crushing some interesting stuff, but ‘sometimes’ something survives under the foot of this powerful machine: The title of the video is a bit misleading, since not everything shown actually makes it out from under the hydraulic press alive. Objects like anvils are expected to give a lot of resistance, thanks to their high density ...
This Full Tang Knife is Made From Single Slab of High Carbon SteelNormally when you make a knife, you have two main parts: the blade and the handle. The former is normally made out of some kind of metal while the latter is made from a separate material that provides a good grip like wood or rubber. While full tang knives exist (meaning the metal covers the whole portion of the handle), only a few knives use metal as a handle material. The answer behind this lies in the characteristic of metal being smooth. Unlike wood, metals don’t provide good grip unless they are properly shaped and textured. However, for the sake ...
The World’s Biggest Matchstick Creations at The Matchstick Marvels MuseumCreating matchstick art is a skill in and of itself. It takes a certain mix of patience and madness to glue thousands, if not millions, of matchsticks together to create something truly awe-inspiring which would make people wonder “Who has time to make all these?” Matchstick Marvels is a Gladbrook, Iowa-based museum owned and operated by Patrick Acton. The place houses a number of his giant matchstick creations. Pat has been making matchstick art for over 40 years now and what started as a hobby has now become his retirement plan, especially that his tenure as a professional career counselor ...
Ben’s Worx Tries Casting Ice in ResinWe’ve seen some weird things cast in epoxy resin before, from a Godzilla bust to a McDonald’s cheeseburger, but never have we seen something as delicate as an ice cube encased in the permanent mixture. There is a good reason behind this. Since epoxy casts have to be pressurized to remove the air bubbles inside the mixture, a fragile ice cube could melt or break inside the pressure pot. If you simply skip this process, your resin will look misted with all the bubbles inside – resulting in a cast that simply isn’t nice to look at. Even with this ...
Creating Easy Life Hack Items Using 3D PrinterIf you’ve recently just bought a new 3D printer, chances are your mind is going berserk thinking about the potentials your new toy has. But hold your horses! Instead of printing something as large and complex as a 3D printer or, dare I say it, a house, you might want to start your new printer off with something smaller and simpler. Kickasss 3D Prints has 5 simple objects you can make with a standard FDM printer and some plastic filament. While not as life-changing as printing a new house, these “life hacks” are accessories you just might find useful when ...
Crowdfunding : Aquarium Potager, l’écosystème d’intérieur !Vous connaissez les aquariums ? Vous connaissez les mini jardins d’intérieur automatisés ? Que diriez-vous de mixer les deux ? C’est en provenance de Toulouse que le projet nous vient, la collaboration entre le studio Antracite et la startup Nenufarm. En pleine phase de lancement et financement sur la plateforme ulule, l’idée est de reprendre les grands principes de l’aquaponie en version miniature pour votre intérieur. Ainsi le projet Aquarium Potager, vise à faire cohabiter, plantes et poissons au sein d’un même écosystème ou chaque entité à besoin de l’autre pour vivre et se développer. « Inspiré de la nature, l’Aquarium-Potager ...
DÉJÀ-VU fragments de Paris à emporterRemarquer un projet grâce partage d’un designer sur Instagram, échanger sur ces produits, se faire rappeler par les fondateurs… Les cycles de veille et de découverte évoluent avec le temps, et c’est une bonne chose ! Il n’a jamais été aussi facile que maintenant de se lancer, de faire parler, de se faire connaitre, de susciter l’intérêt , voir de se faire financer ces premiers objets ! Les leviers, les outils, les terrains sont multiples mais ne remplacent pas LA ou LES bonnes idées… Partons à la rencontre de la jeune marque DÉJÀ-VU, pour ceux qui suivent @EspritDesign sur Instagram vous ...
TAMABLE chair le nuage par Fountain StudioUn peu de légèreté pour débuter cette nouvelle année… Tel un petit nuage en provenance directe de Corée, le projet baptisé TAMABLE chair est le fruit de la collaboration entre le studio Fountain et le designer Donghwan Song. En préparation de la date anniversaire de BED, demain, depuis maintenant 13 années, ce projet fait écho, non sans une certaine nostalgie à un projet présenté dans les premières heures de vie du blog (en 2008, oui oui). Sur une base de carton et extensible, on s’éloigne légèrement, mais l’utilisation de matériaux souples, en version astucieusement plus rigide lui permettant de s’adapter ...
Mobilier PLÔ, quand le bois rencontre le plastiqueNous sommes actuellement entre deux mondes, deux principes, deux orientations… Les visions plutôt classiques, traditionnelles et les nouveaux acteurs qui souhaitent, tentent de faire bouger les lignes. L’écologie au coeur de toutes les réflexions des designers (enfin bientôt, espérons), les créations intégrant cette préservation ou limitation de l’impact sont trop souvent anecdotiques, à la limite de l’acte de communication. Sans parler du style (en écho au domaine automobile, même si cela change peu à peu maintenant), comme si écologie, engagement, démarche responsable ne pouvait pas rimer avec style, désidérabilité, ou tendance. Mobilier PLÔ, quand le bois rencontre le plastique Toute ...
Collection graphique AFTER AGO par Richard YasmineReprenons les bonnes habitudes, je sais que l’activité sur BED est plutôt limité depuis quelques mois maintenant… Changement professionnel, manque de temps, il reste tout de même en vie, à travers le réseau, les liens tissés depuis toutes ces années ainsi que les réseaux sociaux. Une passion qui m’anime et qui ne risque pas de s’éteindre. Laissons la parole à Richard Yasmine, designer libanais présenté il y a maintenant 4 ou 5 ans par ici, se démarquant par des créations uniques, originales, naviguant ouvertement entre design et art pour notre plus grand plaisir… Plaisir des yeux mais pas que, découvrons ...
Gertrude lampe à poser par Gabriele Panciera« Bonjour Gertrude, enchanté ! » Les présentations maintenant faites, Gabriele Panciera, jeune designer italien basé du côté de Milan lève le voile sur l’histoire de son projet… Résolument rétro, ce modèle de lampe à poser, lampe de table ou de chevet nous transporte quelques années en arrières, au coeur de l’Italie en nous offrant certaines références religieuses… On remarque assez rapidement sa ligne, nous renvoyant à la silhouette des nonnes délicatement épurée… Pour être parfaitement exacte : « The main inspiration of the design is the character Gertrude, the Monza’s nun from “The Betrothed” by Alessandro Manzoni, published in 1827 » Une ...
Crowdfunding : SLEAN, le bon bureau pour télétravaillerVéritable rampe de lancement, phase de crash test, confrontation client… Le Crowdfunding est un véritable catalyseur quand vous avez une belle idée, un concept dans l’air du temps qui pourra trouver rapidement son public.. Sans rentrer dans le détail des étapes de lancement d’un projet à succès notamment sur Kisskissbankbank, SLEAN coche toutes ces cases et augure à un véritable succès et lancement de marque Made in France. Fruit d’une rencontre entre Martin Sauer et le duo de designers Nathanaël Désormeaux et Damien Carrette (retrouvez leurs projets présentés sur BED) le projet SLEAN arrive à point nommé en cette période et ...
Nouvelle collection George Sowden pour HAYOn ne présente plus HAY, célèbre marque danoise, mais connaissez-vous George Sowden ? Designer anglais basé du côté de Milan, il collabore avec de nombreuses marques, il se distingue comme membre fondateur du Memphis Group. « George Sowden studied architecture at Gloucestershire College of Art. In the 1970s, Sowden moved to Milan to work with names such as Ettore Sottsass and Olivetti, and in the 1980s he became one of the founders of the design collective, Memphis Group. » Déja à l’honneur au catalogue Hay, il décline sa collection en imaginant un nouveau grille-pain et bouilloire reprenant lignes et couleurs de la ...
MESH l’organiseur béton par Shift StudioLa belle découverte du jour, baptisée MESH, la rencontre entre l’architecture et l’univers du bureau ! Le studio Shift, entre Mexique et New-York présente son projet comme un système de rangements modulaires, pouvant s’adapter aux nouveaux besoins de nos intérieurs. Ils projettent leur création, pas uniquement dans le bureau.. Réalisé entièrement en béton, en collaboration Opticretos, Mesh se décompose en un plateau « cranté », pouvant accueillir à votre guise, gobelets bas et hauts ainsi que des modules plats. Pour les fans, des choses bien rangées. Une chose à sa place et chaque chose à sa place.. Une idée, plutôt une obsession ...
INTERVIEW : Chris Baumann, le Design chez TADOLe design au coeur de nos quotidiens, partons aujourd’hui à la découverte de la marque TADO, spécialiste allemand de la technologie / domotique à destination de nos chauffages et climatisations. Une réflexion au coeur de notre projet de rénovation de notre appartement, où comment rendre notre habitat plus intelligent ? plus en phase avec nos modes de vie ? et s’il est possible de moins consommer… Facilité la maitrise de noter consommation d’énergie, pièce par pièce, mais également garder un oeil sur la qualité de l’air intérieur, idéal quand certaines personnes du foyer ont des allergies particulières ou en milieu ...
$29 AirTags get confirmed in Apple’s Spring Loaded Livestream EventThe long-rumored tracking device finally dropped today and became the latest of Apple’s roster of product offerings. It bolsters and expands on Apple’s ‘Find My’ feature, allowing you to now find daily objects in real-time, even while offline. The device is coin-sized, and can be tracked with real-time feedback and even a live indicator on your smartphone’s display, allowing you to know exactly where your objects are in relation to you. The AirTags come at a price of $29, with $99 for a 4-tag bundle. They can be customized with initials or emojis, are IP67 water and dust resistant, and can last for an entire year on a full battery. In fact, they even come with user-replaceable batteries too, extending the product’s usage cycle (unlike Tile trackers that need to be ditched after their battery depletes). The tags come paired with a carrying case that lets you strap them to your belongings like your wallet, purse, or your keys. Hermès has even designed its own carrying cases for the AirTags that let you track your objects in style! Designer: Apple
Self-sanitized autonomous pods combine public transit with safe socializingCOVID-19 has changed the perception of life in the last year or so, and it’s still showing no signs of retreating as new variants push their claws towards human life. Scientific researches have proved that such pandemics will be a common affair in the coming time, and to get around them, we’ll have to alter our living methodology. Pretty obviously, the way we commute is also going to take a ‘detour’ – especially in public transport systems. Pivot of Safety by Yongho Jeon is a look into the future where maintaining social distancing in public transit will be of prime importance. The autonomous share ride system is imagined as a 1, 2, or 4 person unit with an airy home-like space being the focus. Keeping things very minimal on the inside, the idea here is to create a relaxing environment while making sure of safety when we talk of social distancing. The pod-like vehicle segregates the sitting area for each passenger with glass separators and individual infotainment systems to keep in touch with friends & family. Air purifiers and UV sanitization (on exposed surfaces such as tables) ensure the minimal spread of contagious viruses or other pathogens for the safety of the rider. There are plants potted in between the four-person pod unit’s diving section to bring the calming effect indoors. Once a passenger or group of passengers have completed their journey, the pod self-disinfects using UV light. Over the wheels, there is space for storage of luggage or any big items passengers want to haul. The concept makes even more sense in an uncertain future where being safe is the only option to stay clear of harm’s way and helping curb the spread of deadly pathogens. Yongho’s concept is practical and has a very clean design blueprint that is feasible in real-world settings. Designer: Yongho Jeon
These cabins are designed to be habitable cocoons hanging on the edge of Cuban mountains!Imagine a cabin that envelops you in the landscape through its design – that is exactly the feeling Jorge Luis Veliz Quintana envisioned with his cabin design located on the edge of mountains in Cuba! It is an organic refuge for those who want to connect with nature and disconnect from the world. The cabin brings in the panoramic views of the landscape while also visually blending in the natural setting with its carefully chosen CMF. The unique cocoon shape structures are perched on giant boulders and each cabin spans over an area of 150sqm. The curved wooden lattices sit on concrete platforms which match the grey tones of the cliff which makes it seem like the cabin is born out of the rocks itself and is levitating – I absolutely love it when designers pay attention to smaller details in their CMF which makes their concept truly one with the surroundings and it is visually soothing. The cocoon shape unfolds into a welcoming terrace out in the front and I can imagine it is the most perfect spot for uninterrupted sunrises and starry nights. The open balcony-porch concept makes most of the scenic setting and lets you literally breathe in the Cuban landscape! There are two levels in this concept – the stairs lead into an open-plan interior that features a bedroom and bathroom with 360° views while the other level is partially outdoors so guests can enjoy the weather. Veliz Arquitecto has used a combination of software programs – he uses Sketchup for 3D development and Lumion for rendering. After adding textures, light, and the surroundings, he moves it to Photoshop for finishing touches. At the end of his process, we get these dreamy natural cabins that move us all one step closer to booking out flights to Cuba! Designer: Veliz Arquitecto
This reinforced vehicle storage system is the protection your gear needs to stay safe while adventuring outdoors!For a true professional globe trotter, their gear is the biggest asset – be it a snowboarder, photographer, blogger, adventure junkie, or drone operator. Hauling gear from one location to the other comes with its set of unforeseen circumstances – inclement weather, chances of a robbery, or damage during the transit itself. This is where you need robust, customizable storage to fit in the bay of your ride – be it a pickup truck, SUV, or even sedan. TruckVault creates state-of-the-art storage vaults for creative people who like their life organized and non-compromised at all costs. Much attention has been given to the usage of the vaults, therefore, they are made out of tough MDO and are insulated against fire or freezing temperatures. They are dust and grit-free while also providing insulation from moisture built up inside. Thanks to the premium insulation and design, the gear inside won’t make that irking sound whenever you hit a bump on the road. For people who take security pretty seriously, the TruckVault’s custom storage vaults for vehicles can be had in a five-button combination lock with key override too. The possibilities with them are endless, thanks to the limitless customizations one can go for depending on their vehicle type or particular requirements. Incepted by Al Chandler a couple of decades ago, the venture started as a one-off custom build by Al to store his firearms and gear in the bed of his truck. As others found it to be a good enough solution to carry anything important, TruckVault evolved into a custom provider for safe and secure storage that’s the safest way to move your valuables from one location to the other. Now they take privilege in providing their customers with custom in-vehicle storage rigs that are invisible. Their prized clients include adventure seekers, hunters, sportspeople, law enforcement agents, military personnel, or commercial and residential tradespeople. Designer: TruckVault
Fun Things You Can Do With Heat GunWe all know just how versatile a heat gun is and how useful it can be in everyday handiwork. But when you’re armed with a device that can spew hot air up to 700°C, you’re bound to explore that power for some mindless fun. A man going by the name of Mr. Hacker is just one of many who have enjoyed the heating capabilities of a heat gun for their own nefarious (and very entertaining) purposes. The heat gun used in the video above isn’t the hottest version out on the market (it only reaches up to 600°C), but it still melts, burns, and explodes normal everyday objects pretty easily. Ping-pong balls, for instance, can be levitated above a heat gun pointing upwards. This works with all types of devices that emit air, but due to the high temperatures coming out of the heat gun, the air inside the balls expands and causes the balls to swell. When the balls can take no more, they pop and (in some instances) catch fire. To prove the air inside the balls is the cause of the swelling, Mr. Hacker stabs a hole through one ping-pong ball and holds it in place with a screwdriver. Instead of swelling, the ball actually starts to shrivel up. With enough time, the heat gun melts the plastic ball down to almost nothing. Matches are a no-brainer experiment for the heat gun, but did you know you could ignite them without taking them out of the box. It seems so obvious when you think about it because the heat gun actually increases the temperature around the box of matches, thereby removing any need to strike the match heads. You would think heating cheap plastic lighters would cause them to catch fire but instead, they forcefully jettison the fuel from the container. This is due to two factors: the plastic area nearest the heat gun melting away and the lighter fluid evaporating before it has a chance to ignite. Once the fluid has evaporated, the lighter can’t contain the amount of gas inside it. So it forcefully expunges the excess gas through the most accessible exit: the melted plastic. What you see emanating from the melted hole is the lighter fluid that didn’t evaporate. Similar to the lighters, heating up an aluminum Coke can cause the soda inside to bubble, evaporate, and eventually explode the top off. Since the melting point of aluminum is way higher than plastic (660.3°C, just 60.3°C above the heat gun’s heating capabilities), the can doesn’t melt down. Likewise, taking a heat gun to a glass bottle of Coke doesn’t break down the container. Glass has an even higher melting point, breaking down at around 1400 °C to 1600 °C, so all the heat gun does is evaporate the soda inside. It does cause a very high stream of cola to pop out of the cap and spray all over the studio, however, which is nice. I definitely wouldn’t want to be on clean-up duty after this video. These are just a few of many, many shenanigans you can get yourself into with a super-powered heat gun. If you have some excess junk to get rid of, you could definitely add more to Mr. Hacker’s list. Just be sure to follow proper safety procedures!
This space-saving sink features a top-load dishwasher to create counter space in tiny kitchens!There are two types of people in the world: those who pretend to enjoy doing the dishes and those with dishwashers. If like me, you’re the former, then there’s probably a reason you don’t already have a dishwasher and it’s safe to say that reason most likely has something to do with limited space. Blanco, a design studio oriented around finding water-based solutions for sinks, has launched Vita Neo, their take on the kitchen sink that saves space with an accompanying top-load dishwasher. Vita Neo was designed and built to create space in the kitchen by merging the kitchen sink and dishwasher. The countertop sink features a stainless steel finish that mimics the jet-black, reflective nature of classic induction stovetops. When inactive, Vita Neo’s surface is continuous and discreet, creating more counter space when cooking or preparing the kitchen. Whenever users choose to activate the dishwasher, a sensor-operated LED display screen brightens up to reveal the different functions of Vita Neo, including vegetable and crustacean-washing along with dishwashing. Built with what appears as a soft-close lid, Vita Neo enacts the use of embedded swing hinges and cushioned, suctioned lining to open and close. Unless you’re looking at compact, portable dishwashers, built-in dishwashers often require a substantial amount of space in the kitchen. Thinking of even the smallest of details, Blanco reduced the size of a typical dishwasher and merged it with a faucet and sink that fits on most kitchen countertops. Co-developed with German engineers and backed by over 90 years of experience in kitchen-based solutions, Blanco designed Vita Neo for today’s minimal, yet versatile kitchen. Designer: Blanco An LED display screen brightens up to reveal the dishwasher’s menu against its reflective, jet-black finish. Amounting to the size of a large kitchen sink, Vita Neo is two-in-one: a kitchen sink and dishwasher. When inactive, Vita Neo assumes an idle screen to create more kitchen counter space.
Ever find one room warmer than the rest? This smart HVAC system evenly temperature regulates your homeThink of SmartCocoon as your thermostat’s tag-team partner. While your thermostat can only give you a general indication of what your home temperature is (often leaving one room too cold and another too warm), SmartCocoon’s artificially intelligent dual-fan system uses a series of register booster fans to circulate air in your house more efficiently, giving your thermostat’s performance some consistency, so when you set the thermostat to 72°F, your ENTIRE house is verifiably 72°F. SmartCocoon’s fan units are pretty easy to install and fit right inside most air vents built into traditional home floors using basic DIY methods. They come WiFi-enabled and can be easily controlled via their iOS and Android apps, allowing you to regulate and control the temperature within your house to create consistently warmed or cooled microclimates in each room. You know how there’s always one part of the house that’s warmer than the rest? Or that one chair in the living room where you really feel that draft of cold air? Well, SmartCocoon’s booster fans were designed to eliminate those problems. Adding consistency to your thermostat’s temperature-regulating abilities, SmartCocoon’s fans kick in when they realize a room is colder or warmer than the rest of the house… or even allow you to maintain different temperatures in different parts of the house. The entire system of fans can automatically and intelligently re-route airflow to ensure each room is at its desired temperature, so you’re not fiddling with the thermostat every couple of hours to adjust temperatures. Moreover, SmartCocoon helps save energy costs too, by preventing you from constantly adjusting the thermostat. The SmartCocoon fans work with both regular thermostats as well as smart ones. The devices automatically connect to your existing smart or traditional thermostat, syncing themselves with your heating and cooling system using a proprietary AI algorithm. They can be controlled, instructed, or scheduled within the app. You can run them on one of two modes – eco and auto, and the app lets you individually control the temperature of each room. When you do, the fans autonomously run when they detect a temperature shift, helping regulate your room and house temperature. By using a network of smart fans and a proprietary AI, SmartCocoon works sort of like the arteries of your HVAC system, helping air flow to every part of the house while also being able to deliver more or less air to different rooms depending on their needs. In doing so, the system boosts your thermostat’s efficiency while keeping you comfortably warm or cool… not to mention the fact that it can also help save up to 30% on your energy costs! Designer: SmartCocoon Click Here to Buy Now: $88 $104 (15% off). Hurry, only 5/65 left! SmartCocoon – Smart HVAC Register Booster Fan The SmartCocoon is a smart climate system that gives you complete control over your home’s airflow, so the temperature in every room is always just right. SmartCocoon’s Smart Register Booster Fan can be easily installed into your existing vent, syncs up to your conventional or smart thermostat and is easily controlled using a mobile app. Use Cases Room Comfort – In most 2-story houses there are one or two rooms that doesn’t follow the thermostat settings and no matter what you do they’re always either too hot in the summer or freezing in the winter and no matter how you adjust the thermostat and close off vents it doesn’t seem to help. Always Adjusting Thermostat – Constantly adjusting your thermostat at home to keep everyone comfortable, affects your energy consumption, monthly bills, and HVAC equipment. Keeping your Kids and Pets Comfortable – Making them comfortable is essential for a good night’s sleep and your peace of mind. How SmartCocoon Works SmartCocoon Smart Register Booster Fan is installed under the vent grill, and is best used in the rooms that need air flow improvement and works towards your comfort all year round. Once it’s set up, it automatically connects to your existing smart and even non-smart thermostats, syncs itself with your heating and cooling system using its proprietary AI algorithm. Then it draws the trapped air in the ducting system based on the user requirements and environmental properties – and it does that in a very smart way. Using multiple ranges of sensors it detects when the room is falling behind the set thermostat temperature. Based on its four different operating modes it then turns on to blow (warm or cool) air to balance the airflow to a comfort level of your liking. Unlike the other solutions out there, SmartCocoon smart booster fans can actually control the airflow imbalance instead of just monitoring it. They act like the arms and legs of your thermostat and heating and cooling system (HAVC) to make sure everyone enjoys their desired comfort in their rooms. Do-It-Yourself Installation The booster fans come with special slide out springs that can be easily and safely installed and once plugged in, it will only take 2-3 minutes to set up using the mobile app. To install your device first remove your existing vent grill. Wipe or vacuum inside the vent before installation. Slide out the brackets and place your smart register booster fan inside the vent. The next step is to install and setup the mobile app. Energy Saving SmartCocoon uses an A.I. algorithm that controls the unit. The algorithm allows the device to actively and intelligently boost and control the airflow in sync with the main heating and cooling (HVAC) system and creates desired comfort for each room. – A 2-fan system saves 30% on HVAC consumption, on average – One fan can increase the overall efficiency of the ducting system by 11% Compatibility SmartCocoon automatically connects to your existing smart or traditional thermostat, syncs itself with your heating and cooling system using its proprietary AI algorithm. Using the SmartCocoon app, you can easily set your desired temperature for any room (area) in your house and set the mode to auto, eco, on or off. Click Here to Buy Now: $88 $104 (15% off). Hurry, only 5/65 left!
This new era of portable SSDs is replacing hard drives and cloud storageA picture went viral on the internet a few years ago, of a woman standing beside a stack of papers as tall as her. The woman, American computer scientist Margaret Hamilton… and the papers, lines of computer code that controlled the Apollo 11, helping humans reach the moon. That same stack of code could be stored more than a million times on an SSD today, and the SSD would be no larger than the size of your thumb. SSDs are rapidly becoming the future of storage. They’re replacing the clunky hard-disks (HDDs) as well as the expensive cloud storage bundles we’ve become so used to over the past few years. A good SSD is universally compatible too, giving you the same freedom and access as a cloud-storage account would, without the need for an internet connection. Take the TRANSFAST SSD, for instance. It’s roughly the size of a Bic lighter, but comes with a mind-numbing 2 Terabytes of storage, up to 550Mbps of read/write speed, and supports virtually every device you own, from your laptop and phone, to your tablet, DSLR, and even your gaming console. The TRANSFAST measures a mere 73mm in length (2.8 inches) and weighs 24 grams (0.8oz). It sports a metal body which not only allows it to look sleek and compact but also doubles as a nifty heat-sink, ensuring that the SSD remains cool during file transfers. A Type-C port allows you to rapidly transfer as well as read files from the SSD, making it perfect for everything from backups to using as a drive to store and edit heavy video footage. In fact, with its ability to read data at 550Mbps and write at 480Mbps, you could practically transfer a BluRay film in the time it took you to read this sentence. Moreover, the USB-C port gives the TRANSFAST unrivaled compatibility, allowing it to work with Windows, MacOS, Android, iOS, DSLRs, the Nintendo Switch, and a host of other gaming consoles including the PlayStation. The TRANSFAST comes in 1Tb and 2Tb variants, both encased in the same slick-yet-rugged aluminum body. As portable as the TRANSFAST is, it’s shock-proof too, making it unaffected by drops. With its cover in place, the TRANSFAST’s outer shell is waterproof too, and just to make things easier, each TRANSFAST Portable SSD comes with a 3-year warranty. The 1Tb variant comes at an early-bird price of $130, while the 2Tb version should set you back by around $236 – but then again, they’re just a one-time payment… So, why are you paying those expensive iCloud and Google Drive subscription fees again? Designer: Michael Lee Click Here to Buy Now: $129 $219 (41% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! TRANSFAST – Universally Compatible Portable SSD Powered by USB 3.1 Gen 2, this next-generation universal connectivity solution allows TRANSFAST to hit stable read and write speeds of up to 550MB/s, which is 30x faster than your typical USB flash drive. Store and carry practically all your data around with you, right in your pocket. Features & Benefits High Speed Transfer – TRANSFAST can quickly backup a large number of multimedia files so you spend less time waiting. 20GB sized video footage will only take about 42 seconds. Capacity, file transfer speed, and black magic speed test video. Universally Compatible – From your DSLR to your drone, and from your laptop to your phone, you’ll be able to connect it to everything. This will finally allow you to seamlessly back-up, restore, and transfer files between the all of devices around us. iPad pro & Android demo video. Large Capacity – More affordable and safer than cloud storage. Unlike subscription-based business models of a cloud drive, all your data exists offline on the SSD, which means you can access your files without an internet connection, making you safe from data-breaches and hackers. Efficient Design – The heat generated during high capacity usage can be spread evenly to its surface, as TRANSFAST is individually crafted from Anodized Aluminum using CNC machines for rigid durability to ensure that the TRANSFAST delivers superior endurance and stability. Click Here to Buy Now: $129 $219 (41% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!
This self-driving electric car sets new landmark for automotive design by cleaning up air pollution!Eco-friendly cars have many different faces: hybrid, electric, diesel, and biodiesel. Coming from the same studio that brought the Vessel to New York City’s Hudson Yards, Heatherwick Studio has conceptualized an autonomous electric car that goes further than reducing fossil fuel pollutants. Airo, Heatherwick Studio’s new concept electric car runs on electric power and actively cleans up the air when driven. Airo comes complete with a state-of-the-art HEPA filtering system that removes fine particles from the air it drives through, edging the electric car’s green initiative even further. HEPA filters, or high-efficiency particulate air filters, are mechanical air filters that remove fine air particles measuring 0.3-microns in diameter. Airo’s HEPA filter is located in the vehicle’s undercarriage, where pollution from the air passes through and filters out, leaving the air around Airo that much cleaner. In addition to its embedded air-filtering system, Airo’s interior has a versatile configuration that can be altered to form multi-functional spaces specifically designed for today’s progression toward a mobile lifestyle. Inside, Airo’s seats are fully rotational to form social spaces centered around the car’s four-leaf table that unfolds to create a lounge-like booth and folds away when driving. A collapsible screen can also morph the inside of the car into a pod for gaming after long drives. Settling into the night, Airo’s seats fully recline to form a cozy double bed, and the electric car’s transparent, glazed roof turns opaque when you’re ready for lights-out. Slated for production in 2023, Airo is designed for IM Motors and runs as a fully electric vehicle equipped with autonomous and self-driving modes. Whenever you’d like to turn Airo’s interior into a dining booth or lounge area, the driving is taken care of through smart technology. Constructed from weathered steel, Heatherwick Studio designed a charging station for IM Motors that will become an integral piece of city infrastructure for the future of electric vehicles. Designer: Heatherwick Studio Airo’s smiling exterior combines a minimal grille with a sinuous design. The electric car dons its roof and facades with a jet-black finish, while its wheels feature a radial scheme that echoes its front and rear. With self-automated driving capabilities, Airo’s interior can be transformed into a social hub thanks to its fully rotational front seats. When the driving day is done, Airo’s inside can morph into a spacious double bed that enhances any mobile lifestyle. Planned as city infrastructure, Heatherwick Studio created charging stations that mimic the structure of foxtail agave plants and streetlamps.
OPPO’s new “O” headquarters by Bjarke Ingels show how architecture + typography are a perfect matchIn what could be an incredible branding move, OPPO’s new headquarter design will adorn the Hangzhou skyline with a massive O. Envisioned by Bjarke Ingels Group, the headquarters are described as an “infinity loop” shaped skyscraper that “connects [the] ground to sky in a continuous loop of collaboration”. The larger-than-life O-Tower is representative of OPPO‘s status as China’s largest smartphone manufacturer. The upper and lower surfaces of the O remain flattened, creating what feels like a möbius strip that represents Oppo’s infinite potential and innovative spirit. The O-Tower will be located in Hangzhou’s Future Sci-Tech City, within the Zhejiang province of China. Its purpose will be to primarily serve as an R&D building for the smartphone company while acting as an “iconic landmark and gateway” to the business district. The O-Tower lights up after sundown, creating a magnificent letter-O in Hangzhou’s skyline at night. Not only does it serve as an iconic landmark within the city, but it also helps reinforce Oppo’s brand through the incredible architecture. Meanwhile, the front and the top view look equally stunning in the day, creating a rather memorable piece of architecture that’s both iconic and awe-inspiring. The tower is expected to be built alongside a natural lake and a 10,000 square-meter park. The O-Tower creates a pretty stunning entrance into the building as you walk right through the alphabet into a large circular courtyard populated with greenery. “The central oasis and the surrounding [Hangzhou] wetland park expands the public realm into the heart of the complex,” explained Bjarke Ingels, founder of the Denmark-based architecture studio BIG. “The compact form folding in on itself provides large flexible floorplates with the daylight access and fresh air of a slender tower”, says Ingels. The O-Tower’s lower floors will contain exhibition spaces, conference areas, and a canteen, while the offices located on the floors above will be joined with a series of triple-height spaces under the sloping facade of the tower’s roof. On the outside, the building will be wrapped in an adaptive louvre facade, featuring slanted slats that almost look like the building has fingerprints. These facades, however, will play an important role in minimizing solar glare. “The adaptive louvered facade omits incoming solar glare and thermal heat gain, enhancing the passive performance of the building”, says Ingels, who’s studio BIG began working with the Chinese smartphone manufacturer at the beginning of 2019 to envision the R&D Building’s design and master plan. Designer: Bjarke Ingels Group (BIG) for OPPO
These playing cards also act as instruction guides to help you brew better coffee!Now THIS is an idea that seems like it was created by someone who had their cup of coffee in the morning! Designed as probably the world’s most fun user-manual, Sip-To-Suit Coffee Information Cards are a set of coffee-brewing guides disguised as actual playing-cards! You see, brewing coffee can be an incredibly elaborate affair, with different brewing machines and techniques requiring different water quantities, brewing times, and even coffee-ground sizes. Sip-To-Suit helps simplify that in an incredibly fun way by creating a set of flash-cards that help give you critical information on how to brew the best coffee. Moreover, the cards double up as playing cards too, allowing you to start your day with a nice hot brew, and end your day with Texas Hold’em! Each deck of cards comes beautifully illustrated on the back as well as the front, with an easy-to-read guide that’s ideal for every type of coffee-enthusiast from the pour-over pupil to the espresso expert. The deck includes a standard set of 52 cards, divided cleverly into categories. The aces highlight roast levels, while the black court cards (king, queen, jack) cover the brew basics and the red court cards provide helpful brewing tips. The black number cards cover all brewing techniques from your basic chemex to your more complicated espresso machine (there are 18 of them to choose from); and the red number cards act more like menu-cards, showcasing 18 different coffee recipes, complete with detailed instructions. There are even 2 Joker cards included in the pack, which comes immaculately designed and manufactured in USA. Here’s the icing on the cake, though… or the crema on the coffee, if you will. There’s even a waterproof edition of the Sip-To-Suit cards that are manufactured from PVC, so even if you do accidentally spill coffee on them, you can simply run them under tap water, wipe them down with a dry cloth, and pretend as if nothing happened! Designers: Michelle and Vincent Lam (Art of Caffeination)
Brian James McManus Delves Into Incredible Engineering of X-15 AircraftPicture this: it’s 1955. The United States and Russia are beginning their forays into space travel. But how do you get about exploring a frontier no one has ever been to before? The U.S.’ answer: by getting as close as possible and collecting a bunch of data along the way. But to get close to space, you have to have something really fast and powerful. Something which can exceed the speed of sound. For the NACA (National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics) – now NASA – that answer came in the form of the X-15 hypersonic rocket-powered aircraft. Brian James McManus, creator of Real Engineering, took a deep dive into the design and creation of this powerhouse of a flying machine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7zR26e504u It wouldn’t be an exaggeration if you said the X-15 paved the way for space travel as we know it. Not only was this the United States’ first blueprint in terms of engineering for re-entry, atmospheric pressure, and the other unknown factors of space, but it is also a mission to gather data on its surroundings mid-flight which would later provide information on what to expect once the man left the confines of the planet. The X-15 is interesting because each part of its design, from the engine to the frame, is connected and built for a specific purpose. The Rocket Propulsion Engine Take the engine, for instance. There were a lot of unknown factors when making the X-15, but everyone knew the aircraft had to be fast. Think Mach 6.7 fast. This was a problem, because the X-2, the fastest plane at the time, could only reach speeds of Mach 2-3. But the engine also had to be able to easily adjust its thrust output. To do this, engineers varied the speed of the turbo pump – which forces fuel and oxidizer from their respective containers into a combustion chamber – by using hydrogen peroxide as the pump’s dedicated fuel source. Lastly, the engine also had to be slim enough to fit into the aircraft. This sounds easy to do on paper, but when you realize the engine has to burn 8,165 kg of fuel AND oxidizer in 85 seconds, putting that much power into a relatively small engine is a big task. Fuel and Oxidizer This brings us to what the engine ran on. Finding a fuel source for a space aircraft was one of the biggest challenges for the NACA. Just like the engine, the fuel had to be powerful but also weight-efficient. There are many substances that can be mixed together to form a powerful fuel, but their mixing ratios and weight on a molecular level have to be taken into consideration so the X-15 won’t be held down by heavy fuel and oxidizer. The NACA was looking for a substance with a high specific impulse (which is how efficient a fuel converts its mass into thrust) as well as one with regenerative cooling properties so the engine wouldn’t overheat and break down. Water, kerosene, and hydrazine were considered, before finally deciding on anhydrous ammonia as the fuel source for the X-15. Combined with liquid oxygen as the oxidizer, the problem of finding propulsion substances seemed to be solved… The Inconel X Frame …But was it really? Take note that ammonia is a toxic substance, which is one of many reasons why the metals used in the X-15’s creation had to be well-considered. And then there was the problem of heat resistance. Not only did the frame of the X-15 have to be able to withstand the high temperatures of friction and re-entry, but it also needed to deal with the extreme cold coming from the internal cryogenic liquid oxygen tanks which house the oxidizer. No natural metal can withstand both these high and low temperatures, so NACA employed the use of Inconel X – a mixture of nickel, chromium, iron, and niobium with extremely good heat resistance. The metal was used on most of the aircraft, even on the joints. Using heat-sensitive paint, engineers were able to find temperature hotspots during testing and remedied them with Inconel X strips. Titanium Windows Not all of the frame was Inconel X, though. While the area surrounding the cockpit windows used to be made of the stuff, testing found that the metal would buckle due to thermal expansion. This would crack the window, leaving the pilot with very little visibility and could even suck them out of the aircraft if it was completely destroyed. The metal around the windows was replaced with aluminum frames (which experience lower thermal expansion), while the rear framing was removed altogether. Ablative Layers Even with its good heat resistance, the Inconel X wouldn’t survive the Mach 6.7 flight. To help it, ablative plating was added on top of the Inconel X as a sacrificial layer that would absorb some of the heat. There were still many problems that had to be addressed. From the ablative material falling from the aircraft, to the liquid oxygen mixing with the ablative, to the various issues with the plane’s geometry such as the tails and even the X-15’s nose shape. Finally, after a decade of development, the X-15 was placed under the B-52 bomber, carried up to 45,000 feet, and carried out its 188th flight on October 3, 1967. Flown by William Knight, the X-15 broke into Mach 6 for 2.5 minutes before slowing down and coming back to Earth. The aircraft would never fly again. The ablative coating didn’t fully protect the X-15 from the extreme heat, and some of the plane’s pieces had melted away. Two more X-15s flew for 11 more times before the project was ultimately shut down. But it wasn’t all for naught. A lot of data was gathered both during the development of the aircraft and its many flights. With it, scientists and engineers were able to refine and develop better methods for space travel with their future endeavors. The whole video is definitely worth a watch if you have the time. Brian McManus delves deep into the design of the X-15 and expertly connects each piece of the aircraft like a jigsaw puzzle. As the pieces fall into place, you get a better appreciation for the X-15 as a whole.
Life Hacker DaveHax Uses Liquid Gallium to Create Some Interesting BuildsAh, gallium. Thanks to its very low melting point (29.76 °C or 85.568°F, to be exact), the metal can easily be turned into liquid and be used in a lot of ways. Using some gallium he easily bought online, YouTube life hacker DaveHax shows just a few instances where having a quick changing metal can be useful: Upon receiving the gallium, it comes as a solid in a small test tube. By placing the tube in some water slightly above room temperature (you can get similar results by holding the tube in between your hands on a hot day), Dave easily melts the gallium and pours it onto his hand. Think of gallium like metallic clay for metalworkers. You can sift and pour it safely using your bare hands, though it may leave some gray stains which can easily be removed with soap and water. Even if the metal is non-toxic by nature, you still don’t want to ingest it. This is metal after all, and not something edible you can buy at a candy store. With his liquid gallium in a syringe, Dave proceeds to pour the metal into a couple of plastic molds. He first makes some LEGO-like figures, followed by a few blocks also in the LEGO style. Since the gallium has liquid properties, it sets into the molds and hardens easily once it cools down. While the figures turned out pretty well (you obviously can’t move their arms), some of the bricks’ studs didn’t form properly – rendering them unconnectable. The best part about having an easy melting metal is you can just break down your previous creations and reuse the gallium to make something else. Dave uses the low melting point of the gallium to his advantage to create a metal candle. By piercing a hole at the tip of a candle mold and fitting a candlewick through it, he is able to pour the liquid gallium without it seeping out. Once the metal has solidified, he can remove the candle and light the wick on the other side. The metal just melts down as the candle burns, allowing Dave to collect it afterward and use it again. He makes a couple more things by pouring liquid gallium into molds and plasticine clay: a metal ball, a padlock, and tons and tons of fidget spinners. I know these toys are dead by now, but Dave actually uses a bunch of molds to make multiple types of fidget spinners. You have a spiral one, a sun-shaped one (made from a plasticine clay mold using the cap of a ballpoint pen to craft the rays), and a decision-making fidget spinner just to name a few. That last one is interesting because Dave uses a mold to create the words “yes” and “no”, then places the solid gallium letters into a plasticine clay mold filled with liquid gallium. But by far one of the most interesting properties of gallium is how it can turn aluminum into a brittle, paper-like substance. Thanks to the wonders of chemistry, gallium breaks the oxide layer of aluminum and invades its crystal lattice, turning it brittle. Just a dash of gallium on anything aluminum can break it down faster than Michael Jackson at a dance party (which is why the element is strictly illegal on airplanes). Soda cans, metal water bottles, even tennis rackets aren’t safe from the destructive power of gallium. So while it’s fun to play with the metal in its liquid form, take note not to use it to anything aluminum. You can find more life hacks on the DaveHax YouTube channel. They won’t always make your life easier, but they’ll always make it interesting.
Deuce Studio Creates New Packaging for The Urban Spice ShopThe Urban Spice Shop and Deuce Studio first started working together to create the branding and packaging for a wholesale range of organic herbs and spices, delivered in large pouches and supplied to premium restaurants and boutique hotels across Asia.
Reviving Broken Sculpture With Some Glue, Gold, and KintsugiYou know what sucks? Working hundreds of hours on a project, only to have the project break right in front of you. This is the sad reality Bobby Duke had to deal with one of his sculptures. After carving a bucket and hand sculpture and painstakingly gluing thousands of pencils to create a flowing rainbow stream, it all ended abruptly with a simple push from gravity. The sculpture broke into pieces, and he was so upset about it that he stored all of them in a box and hid them in his closet. This was back in July of 2019. Recently in January of 2021, Bobby Duke decided to clean out his closet and take another look at his broken sculpture:
Seeing this as an opportunity to make it better, he took his fans’ suggestion of mending the sculpture with kintsugi – which is the Japanese art of repairing broken pieces and dusting them with gold to make the imperfections look intentional. The principle behind this is to make the cracks stand out and to show just how much better the piece is restored after being broken. There’s a lot of philosophical mumbo jumbo associated with kintsugi, but we won’t delve too deep into that. Instead, let’s take a look at what Bobby Duke did to breathe life back into his broken sculpture! Fixing Shattered Hands and Bucket Sculpture Before gluing the broken hands and bucket sculpture, Bobby first performed some extra detail carving on the fingers and inside the bucket. Since he couldn’t do this when the sculpture was still whole (*sniff*), he takes the time to chisel in some extra features while using an air gun to remove the dust. As aforethought, he also drills a deep hole through the hands to make room for some LEDs, should he want to add them in later. Then, armed with a ton of wood glue and a bit of super glue, he joins the broken pieces together and holds them in place with some ratchet straps so they can dry properly. When the glue is nice and dry, he sands the whole thing down to complete the main portion. Coating Broken Rainbow Fixing the resin-casted rainbow of colored pencils is going to be a little more difficult. Seeing as this is the centerpiece of the sculpture, Bobby wants to trim off the bubbly epoxy resin surrounding the rainbow before covering it in resin once again. Starting with an angle grinder and moving to his orbital sander, Bobby smoothens out the pieces of the rainbow before taking them back to his shed, suspending them, and slathering all the pieces in a nice, thick coating of resin. Spin and Kintsugi Technique Instead of connecting the pieces of the rainbow together with gold, Bobby Duke instead wants to sand and gild the edges of the broken rainbow with a 24 karat gold leaf. By leaving the pieces separate, the gold will stand out much more and make it look like the inside of the rainbow is pure gold. The Suspended Sculpture After all the sanding and gilding, Bobby then unveils his final plan. He suspends the pieces of the broken rainbow on the ceiling in order while the main bucket is mounted on a nearby wall. You can see he decided to go through with his idea of adding LEDs inside the bucket. This helps illuminate the rainbow and bring out not just the various pencil colors, but the gold-gilded edges, as well. It’ll be hard to bring this thing home and find a place for it, but the finale definitely is more interesting to look at than its previous life as a single-piece sculpture. All things considered, having the sculpture break turned out to be advantageous to Bobby Duke. Just as the famed American painter Bob Ross said, “We don’t make mistakes – just happy accidents”.
Recreating Avengers Fight in Flipbook FormOkay, I know we’ve covered flipbooks before, but those were cartoonier and based on the creator’s original content. And while it’s difficult to make your own creations, it’s just as hard recreating something all of us are familiar with. dP Art Drawing is a New Zealand-based artist whose YouTube channel is full of drawings. Recently, they’ve been focused more on flipbooks and recreating scenes from iconic movies. Just a few days ago, they completed their longest and thickest flipbook yet – a 1,434 page book which captures key scenes between Iron Man and Thanos in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The flipbook covers three scenes: the first fight between Tony Stark and Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War, the infamous snap of the Infinity Gauntlet, and the defeat of Thanos in Avengers: Endgame. (This shouldn’t be a spoiler by now, right?) Each page starts with a rough sketch of the scene. Using the movies as a reference, the characters’ outlines are positioned differently on paper as the “camera” moves around them. Once the scene is set, the details are set in. You’ll notice there’s a stopwatch close at hand. To keep track of how much time is actually spent sketching, a timer is turned on at the beginning of each drawing. Once the picture is complete, the timer is stopped and a new page is brought in. The timer is then resumed with the next picture ad infinitum until the entire flipbook is completed. It’s hard enough to draw a person’s face but add in the fact that these are iconic characters portrayed by famous actors in a movie almost everyone in the world has seen and you have yourself some big expectations to meet. Not only do you have to draw such a detailed picture once, but you have to do it more than thousand times to get the animation just right. Just to be clear, while all of the drawings feature one of two of the intricately detailed characters, the backgrounds themselves aren’t fully recreated. Maybe there’s just too much detail to be captured, but I think the reason the backgrounds aren’t fleshed out is to put more emphasis on Thanos and Iron Man. This is all well and good in a fight scene, but thankfully when it comes to what’s happening on the battlefield (such as when Thanos’ army gets annihilated) there’s just enough detail so you see what’s happening. It took 737 hours to make 1,434 drawings. Combined, these pictures produce a short 1-minute film. Now you know how hard it was to bring animation to life back in the day! dP Art Drawing has tons of flipbook videos, but is dedicated to the broad field of all things drawing-related.
Watch How Honey and Wax are Extracted From HoneycombsIt’s always good to learn something new every day, so I figure now’s a good time to talk about the birds and the bees. Well, actually, just the bees and how people extract their goods, to be precise. Blake of Daddykirbs Farm posts tons of videos on how he and his family have become self-sufficient in their daily farm lives. From farming to taking care of livestock, his YouTube channel covers almost everything you could think about when it comes to homesteading. In this particular video, he shows us how he extracts honey and beeswax from the frames of his man-made beehive: After removing the bees from their hive, Blake removes the multiple frames which store the bees’ honey and wax. He explains that the bees create these walls of honeycomb which hold the honey in place, and there are multiple ways of getting the sweet, sweet honey inside. Normally Blake would crush and strain a few frames but thanks to a friend of his, he managed to get his hands on a honey extractor. This is also doubly good for the bees since it keeps the honeycombs intact, allowing the bees to use them again. Breaking Wax Walls But before he can even place his frames into the honey extractor, Blake has to first remove the wax walls on the front of the frames which keep the honey from flowing out. He chips off the walls of wax into a container with the aid of a knife and a fork, which he can then use later to form his lump of beeswax. Spin Out That Liquid Gold! Once the walls have been removed, Blake carefully places the frames so the open sides face the inside walls of the honey extractor. He then cranks the handle on the side of the machine to get the frames spinning. This application of centrifugal force ejects the honey from the frames and splashes it all over the inner walls of the extractor. The honey then falls down to the bottom, where a sieve separates the liquid gold from all the other sediments which make it impure. The pure honey flows further down the extractor, where a spout allows it to be poured out into containers. Blake explains you don’t have to spin the extractor fast, as this doesn’t speed up the extraction process in any way. Rather, you should conserve your energy and spin the handle slowly but steadily – this is thick honey you’re working with, after all. Saving Wax It would be a shame to just throw the wax out. Beeswax is a sought-after ingredient in beauty products, lip balm, and other things, after all. Blake takes the container holding the wax walls he broke down earlier and sets it into a strainer. With the help of gravity, the excess honey will seep down into another container below while all the wax remains above. With most of the honey removed, Blake crushes all the wax and places it into a milk carton. He then pops the milk carton into the oven, where he sets it at a low temperature – just enough for all the wax to melt. Once the wax has solidified, he cuts open the carton and slices off the bottom portion of the hardened wax. This brown part is where all the sediments accumulate and you don’t want that in your hardened chunk of beeswax. All in all, Blake managed to get around 4 gallons of honey from all his frames and a good slab of beeswax, as well. Is it worth cultivating bees for a whole year? That depends on how much he can sell the honey and wax for. No matter what he gets for it though, you can’t deny how satisfying it must be to produce your own honey.
How Much Pure Aluminum Can You Recover From 517 Soda Cans?It’s always a good and fun idea to recycle when you can, especially when the process involves firing up a smelter and melting a couple of hundred aluminum cans. TheGrowingStack is a YouTube channel whose goal is to melt and cast the largest pile of metal imaginable. While some pieces are turned into fine metalworks, others are just hunks of scrap waiting to be turned into something beautiful. So just how do you go about smelting 517 aluminum soda cans? There’s actually just very little to it. The only problem is how time-consuming the process is. After painstakingly crushing and counting all the cans, you can fire up the smelter. You notice how a bit of slag is melted before adding the aluminum cans. This is to line the smelting pot and prevent it from wearing down over too much use. Once the slag has liquidized and lined the inside of the pot, let the melting of the cans begin! Since there isn’t enough space in this tiny smelter to melt 517 aluminum cans in one go, a number of cans are pressed and smelted before adding more. Whenever the smelting pot gets full, the excess impurities are removed. The pure aluminum then gets poured into cast-iron molds where they harden into ingots. Pop the ingots out, dump some more aluminum cans into the smelter, pour the pure aluminum out, rinse, and repeat. Thanks to the impurities in the aluminum cans, the smelting pot gets constantly lined with slag which prevents it from wearing down after being heated so many times. After what feels like an eternity, the last of the cans are melted down and turned into the final aluminum ingots. What’s amazing is how all the ingots are still very hot even after they’ve had time to cool in the open air. This is evidenced by how easily they melt through chunks of ice like they were nothing. Once the ingots have cooled down, it’s time for the inevitable weigh-in. In smelting 517 aluminum soda cans, you get *drum roll*… 10.75 pounds (which is also 4,874 grams) of pure aluminum in 15 ingots! Well, not a bad haul for 517 cans; plus you can sell the ingots off for a hefty sum for all your hard work. But seeing as this is TheGrowingStack, a single ingot is polished and expertly shaped before storing the whole pile with the rest of the channel’s metalworks. To see how the other metal pieces in TheGrowingStack’s growing stack are made, check out the other videos on their YouTube channel.
Consumer Goods Digital DayMesse Frankfurt's Consumer Goods Digital Day will take place on April 20, 2021. The digital event marks the virtual meeting point of the consumer goods industry and will cover Messe Frankfurt trade fairs - Ambiente, Christmasworld, Paperworld and Creativeworld
hcma Unveils Refreshed Identityhcma has launched a new brand identity that moves away from the stark visual conventions of the firm's architecture roots in favour of a warmer, more approachable look and feel that's rooted in moments of connection.
Handful of Things That Can Survive Hydraulic PressI am sure you have asked yourself before if there is anything that can survive the force of a 100-ton hydraulic press. Well, this YouTube channel dedicated to crushing stuff using the said machine will satisfy that weird curiosity. We’ve seen the Crazy Hidraulic Press channel crushing some interesting stuff, but ‘sometimes’ something survives under the foot of this powerful machine: The title of the video is a bit misleading, since not everything shown actually makes it out from under the hydraulic press alive. Objects like anvils are expected to give a lot of resistance, thanks to their high density and large size. But what’s curious is that even some smaller objects can leave a literal lasting impression on the hydraulic press. Take a well-made ball bearing or a chunk of tungsten. Place these under the hydraulic press and watch as they get pressed into the pressure plates. There’s no way anything can get out of a 100-ton press unscathed, but this is a different story. Yes, it has received some damage but it has also left some marks on the machine’s surface! Bulletproof ceramic plates and railroad tracks crumble under just 90 tons of pressure, so it’s interesting to see Rupert’s drop take just as much punishment as these dense materials. For those who don’t know, a Rupert’s drop is made by pouring molten glass into cold water. The glass solidifies, producing a droplet with a very dense bulbous head and a very fragile tail end. It wouldn’t be very interesting to pop the brittle tail end under the hydraulic press, but with the dense head underneath it, it becomes a party. It’s only after applying a generous amount of pressure that the Rupert’s drop shatters into a million tiny pieces. If you count them properly, only 5 items really survived the 100-ton hydraulic press. You have two different ball bearings (the smaller one being partially crushed), two anvils (the cheaper, China-made one was easily but not quite completely pressed), and a tiny piece of pure Tungsten. Considering they’ve been putting everything under the sun through their hydraulic press, I’m impressed that the number of objects which survived even made it past three. If you’re looking to fulfill your crushing needs with a bit of ASMR, check out the Crazy Hidraulic Press Channel.
This Full Tang Knife is Made From Single Slab of High Carbon SteelNormally when you make a knife, you have two main parts: the blade and the handle. The former is normally made out of some kind of metal while the latter is made from a separate material that provides a good grip like wood or rubber. While full tang knives exist (meaning the metal covers the whole portion of the handle), only a few knives use metal as a handle material. The answer behind this lies in the characteristic of metal being smooth. Unlike wood, metals don’t provide good grip unless they are properly shaped and textured. However, for the sake of our curiosity, let’s defy the stated fact above and see how reliable a knife made from a single slab could be. Taking a knife model from designer Aslan Zhanabayev, YouTube creator Slavik Tely turns a 3/8 inch slab of high carbon steel into a full tang knife with no extra handle. That means no other metal, wood, or any other material other than the steel slab has been used to make this kitchen knife. As you would expect, a lot of cutting, sanding, and drilling is needed to turn this chunk of steel into a fine blade. Slavik starts by sketching the initial knife shape into the steel and cutting it using a band saw. Right now, the blade measures 3/8ths of an inch thick (or 9.5 millimeters) and weighs 12.75 oz (.79 lbs). Both the weight and the thickness of the blade will be decreased as the metal is cut and shaped. To help with the different cuts, some blue layout fluid is painted on the width of the steel. This allows for easy markings of the various measurements needed to trim this hunk of metal into a thin knife. Once all the lines have been drawn, the knife goes back to the band saw where the excess metal is cut and removed. After sanding the now thinner knife on a belt sander, it’s time to shape the blade’s different parts. More layout fluid is applied to the side before taking the knife back to the belt sander to fashion out the cutting edge. The knife’s heel can be fashioned with the spine and the cutting edge now well-defined. Instead of taking it back to the belt sander, Slavik uses a file to carefully shape out the lower rear part of the blade. You can see he also has a bit of scrap steel which he places along the spine of the knife to prevent it from accidentally getting filed down. Sand the whole thing afterward and the knife heel is good to go! Carving out the knife handle requires a combination of all the techniques he has used up to this point. Upon marking the metal with layout fluid, the handle goes through heavy belt sanding and filing with multiple different files before being sanded down. Slavik also adds a small groove to the bottom of the heel for some extra pizazz before popping the knife into the forge to superheat it. He leaves the knife to cool for a while before sharpening it a bit and popping it into his oven two times at 400°F for two hours. Afterward, it’s back to the belt sander for some final sanding before he engraves the knife with his signature logo.It would be a shame to go through so much effort and have a dull knife to show for it, so Slavik gives the knife a good sharpening and tests it on a piece of paper. Satisfied, he shows it off to us before hiding it away in his kitchen drawer. After all that sanding, filing, and cutting, the finished knife now weighs 8 oz (.5 lbs). The Slavik Tely YouTube channel is dedicated to making all sorts of sharp and deadly items – some can be used in the kitchen, others in real combat situations.
The World’s Biggest Matchstick Creations at The Matchstick Marvels MuseumCreating matchstick art is a skill in and of itself. It takes a certain mix of patience and madness to glue thousands, if not millions, of matchsticks together to create something truly awe-inspiring which would make people wonder “Who has time to make all these?” Matchstick Marvels is a Gladbrook, Iowa-based museum owned and operated by Patrick Acton. The place houses a number of his giant matchstick creations. Pat has been making matchstick art for over 40 years now and what started as a hobby has now become his retirement plan, especially that his tenure as a professional career counselor is over. Starting way back in 1977 as a college grad, Acton’s first creation was a 500-matchstick church built using Ohio Blue Tip matches, some glue, a knife, and some sandpaper. After 10 years of painstakingly cutting sulfur tips off of matches, Pat found out he could contact the matchstick company directly and purchase the matches without the flammable tips. So that’s what he just did. Over the years, Pat has cultivated and improved his matchstick model-making process. Using pliers, he has realized that he can curve and crimp matchsticks to create models with more rounded sides. Once the curved matchsticks are glued and dried, he will lightly sand them to make them blend seamlessly with the rest of the model. (He actually learned this technique when his daughter asked him to build her a matchstick model of Pinocchio!) Another trick he also uses is matchstick sheet-building. By gluing multiple matchsticks on a plexiglass table and peeling them off, Pat can create multiple matchstick sheets which he uses as a base for creating many of his giant matchstick models. Even with all these tricks up his sleeve, not much has changed about Pat’s creation process. It’s still very much about taking one matchstick, gluing it, and moving on to the next. Pat has made models of the International Space Station, the United States Capitol, and multiple battleships with rotating turrets. Nonetheless, his biggest creation by far is a steampunk train he calls “Plane Loco”. Made using 1,029,000 matchsticks and 35 gallons of wood glue, this giant train measures 20 feet long, 9 feet high, and 13 feet wide if you include the wings. It took Pat 3,000 hours to design and make this fictional locomotive from scratch, using a 2-6-0 steam locomotive and Leonardo da Vinci’s Renaissance wing design as inspirations. The train was actually commissioned by Ripley’s Believe It or Not and now stands in their New York City museum. As of today, Pat has completed 74 matchstick creations, all of which are catalogued on the Matchstick Marvels webpage. His most recent project, a replica of the Apollo 11, was completed last 2020 using 504,000 matchsticks. Pat is currently in the process of completing his 75th project: a full-size matchstick model of NASA’s new Perseverance rover. This 10-foot long, 9-foot wide, 7-foot high model has been in the works since April of 2020 and will hopefully be displayed in the museum sometime this summer. Coolest Thing actually did a pretty cool interview with Pat Acton last year where he shows them around the museum and talks about his process for making giant matchstick art. You can find more about Patrick Acton’s monstrous matchstick models at the Matchstick Marvels webpage. If you happen to be near the vicinity of Gladbrook, Iowa, you can also give the actual museum a visit. They’re open 7 days a week from 1-5 pm.
Ben’s Worx Tries Casting Ice in ResinWe’ve seen some weird things cast in epoxy resin before, from a Godzilla bust to a McDonald’s cheeseburger, but never have we seen something as delicate as an ice cube encased in the permanent mixture. There is a good reason behind this. Since epoxy casts have to be pressurized to remove the air bubbles inside the mixture, a fragile ice cube could melt or break inside the pressure pot. If you simply skip this process, your resin will look misted with all the bubbles inside – resulting in a cast that simply isn’t nice to look at. Even with this complication, Ben from Ben’s Worx sets about casting a normal, everyday ice cube in resin. His solution? Pressurize the resin before adding the ice cube. Ben had two solutions before deciding on one – the first being to pressurize the resin before adding the ice and the second is to add a base layer of resin, add the ice cube, and then add a second layer or top of it. To start everything, Ben mixes his epoxy resin and adds a couple of drops of blue dye and pops it into his pressure pot. You’ll know the pressurization has done its job when you can’t see any air bubbles inside the resin. Once the resin has been cleared of air, Ben has to patiently wait for it to cure. This is where things get tricky. Ben has to pop the ice cube into the resin at exactly the right moment. Too early and the resin may not be thick enough to hold the ice in the middle; too late and the ice won’t sink in at all. A few seconds after he sees steam rise from the epoxy resin, Ben grabs his ice cube and drops it into the mixture. You can see the disruption of the resin causes a lot of air bubbles to form as the ice gets pushed deeper into the resin. Nevertheless, Ben trudges along and uses a wooden stick to push the ice into place. To make the finished product look nicer and easier to see through, Ben shapes his resin cast using his lathe before sanding and polishing it. Just as it was prior to sanding and polishing, you can see an abundance of air bubbles where Ben pushed the ice cube into the resin. This is why you want to leave the pressure pot for last when casting something in resin – so that the end result looks as clear as glass. Still, he did manage to do what he set out to. The inside of the ice cube has already melted, creating this snow globe-like effect when you shake the epoxy. I would very much like to see what would happen if Ben tried pouring the second layer of pressurized resin on top of the ice cube, thereby removing the need to push it down and creating more air bubbles in the process. Ben’s YouTube channel, Ben’s Worx, is full of his pet projects. From woodworking to resin casting, Ben tries his hand at almost anything with always entertaining results.
Creating Easy Life Hack Items Using 3D PrinterIf you’ve recently just bought a new 3D printer, chances are your mind is going berserk thinking about the potentials your new toy has. But hold your horses! Instead of printing something as large and complex as a 3D printer or, dare I say it, a house, you might want to start your new printer off with something smaller and simpler. Kickasss 3D Prints has 5 simple objects you can make with a standard FDM printer and some plastic filament. While not as life-changing as printing a new house, these “life hacks” are accessories you just might find useful when doing everyday tasks: Toothpaste Squeezer If you’ve ever had trouble squeezing the remaining toothpaste from its tube, you know exactly what this tool is for. The toothpaste squeezer is made of three parts – a tube to wrap the toothpaste container in, a small roller, and a cap to keep the roller in place. Pop the toothpaste container into the tube, wrap it around the roller, and watch as your toothpaste ejects from the spout. You might want to ease up on the pressure there, as a lot of toothpaste tubes tend to spray their contents excessively at the slightest hint of force. Earphone Holder Making this particular earphone holder requires you to print two covers with nubs on one end. These nubs fit into the holes of the third 3D-printed piece which you can wrap your earphones around. Once you have your earphones wrapped, you can secure them in place with the covers to prevent them from getting tangled with all the knick-knacks in your bag! Wrapping Paper Cutter This one is a little more complex as it needs the addition of a small blade inside. You want to print yourself a rather wide tube of plastic so it can fit different sizes of wrapping paper but once you’re done, all you have to do is buy yourself some X-acto blades and squeeze one into the crevice of the cutter. Slide the cutter down the length of your wrapping paper and you’ll have cut it into accurate dimensions with no problems whatsoever. Lip Balm Cap Keychain More an accessory than an actual life hack, printing yourself a lip balm cap keychain requires you to measure the dimensions of your ChapStick container and create a cap that fits it. Adding a small hole on the side of the cap allows you to add a keyring on it which in turn lets you keep your lip balm close to your keys. Page Holder The last “life hack” is a 3D printed page holder, with a hole to fit your thumb into as you read a book single-handed like the sophisticated person you are. To be honest, no one really reads books this way; it’s just a fun object to 3D print. But if you ever find yourself with one hand on a long commute, you can always bust this out and look snobbish as you read literature with one eye and glare at the smartphone-using masses with the other. If you want to make these yourself, you can find the digital files in the video description. For more 3D printing goodness, you can check the Kickass 3D Prints YouTube channel.
Crowdfunding : Aquarium Potager, l’écosystème d’intérieur !Vous connaissez les aquariums ? Vous connaissez les mini jardins d’intérieur automatisés ? Que diriez-vous de mixer les deux ? C’est en provenance de Toulouse que le projet nous vient, la collaboration entre le studio Antracite et la startup Nenufarm. En pleine phase de lancement et financement sur la plateforme ulule, l’idée est de reprendre les grands principes de l’aquaponie en version miniature pour votre intérieur. Ainsi le projet Aquarium Potager, vise à faire cohabiter, plantes et poissons au sein d’un même écosystème ou chaque entité à besoin de l’autre pour vivre et se développer. « Inspiré de la nature, l’Aquarium-Potager reproduit le cycle de l’eau, à l’image des lacs ou des rivières, ou un subtil équilibre se crée entre la vie végétale et animale. Les poissons évoluent dans leur environnement en produisant des déchets. Ces déchets permettent d’apporter des nutriments aux plantes qui vont alors filtrer et assainir l’eau pour être ensuite retournée aux poissons. La fusion de l’aquariophilie et du jardinage. » On aime particulièrement le style du projet, entre laboratoire d’expérience et source de vie et de bons produits pour votre cuisine ! Ce système intelligent va vous permettre de produire différentes variétés d’herbes et plantes grâce à la lumière du système, à l’eau et nutriments apportés par les poissons. ? « Le studio Antracite signe le design du produit de la startup Toulousaine Nénufarm : un Aquarium-Potager intelligent et autonome fabriqué en France, qui reproduit et miniaturise le principe de l’aquaponie pour créer un véritable écosystème à installer dans son intérieur. » Si vous souhaitez participer à la campagne, cela est encore possible : Plus d’informations sur le projet et studio : Nenufarm, Antracite Retrouvez tous nos projets sélectionnés lancés en CROWDFUNDING By Blog Esprit Design Galerie (6) The post Crowdfunding : Aquarium Potager, l’écosystème d’intérieur ! appeared first on Blog Esprit Design.
TAMABLE chair le nuage par Fountain StudioUn peu de légèreté pour débuter cette nouvelle année… Tel un petit nuage en provenance directe de Corée, le projet baptisé TAMABLE chair est le fruit de la collaboration entre le studio Fountain et le designer Donghwan Song. En préparation de la date anniversaire de BED, demain, depuis maintenant 13 années, ce projet fait écho, non sans une certaine nostalgie à un projet présenté dans les premières heures de vie du blog (en 2008, oui oui). Sur une base de carton et extensible, on s’éloigne légèrement, mais l’utilisation de matériaux souples, en version astucieusement plus rigide lui permettant de s’adapter à l’utilisateur, ces deux projets se rejoignent : Flexible Love par Chischen Shiu (préparez vos yeux, on était loin de la HD à l’époque). Revenons à nos moutons, entre nuage et mouton, le jeune designer coréen se joue du polystyrène souvent caché au coeur des assises pour ici le mettre à l’honneur et parfaitement l’utiliser. « Styrofoam has the property that deforms accordingly when subjected to more than a certain amount of force and pressure. » Une forme assez simple, nous renvoyant presque aux radiateurs sous certains angles, le designer travaille l’assise tel un sculpteur afin de permettre à son utilisateur de lui donner la forme parfaite. (Une complémentarité à faire pâlir Homer et son fameux creux..) Le designer évoque presque la notion d’habitude, d’adaptabilité, donnant le temps au fauteuil et à son utilisateur de faire connaissance, peu à peu, le fauteuil se forme, s’adapte et se fera moins ressentir pour être toujours plus accueillant. Une vraie relation est alors instaurée, liée entre la personne et le fauteuil, devenant SON fauteuil… « In the early stages of using, the users may feel unfamiliar when they sit on the chair, but the more they use it, the more chair becomes tamed and optimized. » Plus d’informations sur le studio : Fountain Studio Retrouvez notre sélection de projets autour de la CHAISE By Blog Esprit Design Galerie (12) The post TAMABLE chair le nuage par Fountain Studio appeared first on Blog Esprit Design.
Collection graphique AFTER AGO par Richard YasmineReprenons les bonnes habitudes, je sais que l’activité sur BED est plutôt limité depuis quelques mois maintenant… Changement professionnel, manque de temps, il reste tout de même en vie, à travers le réseau, les liens tissés depuis toutes ces années ainsi que les réseaux sociaux. Une passion qui m’anime et qui ne risque pas de s’éteindre. Laissons la parole à Richard Yasmine, designer libanais présenté il y a maintenant 4 ou 5 ans par ici, se démarquant par des créations uniques, originales, naviguant ouvertement entre design et art pour notre plus grand plaisir… Plaisir des yeux mais pas que, découvrons la collection baptisée AFTER AGO (jeu de mots avec alter ego ?). Entre brutalisme, graphisme, minimalisme… Le designer rend hommage au courant Memphis en lui apportant une touche d’Art déco. « “AFTER AGO” is an ode to an arch, a tribute to a city, an elegy of lost souls, altogether converted to emotional fantasy objects, transmitting functionality however remaining timeless and sculptural. It’s a hybrid collection inspired from the metaphorical Postmodernism/Memphis movement with a twist of graceful Art Deco lines assorted to monolithic Brutalism sobriety. Always trying to promote exactly how using simple lines can create an infinite range of objects constantly thoughtful and minimal » Fabriquées entièrement à la main, le designer se joue des matériaux en indiquant que chaque pièce est réalisée avec de la mousse ou plâtre ou béton léger, l’acrylique ou la pierre/argile, surprise ! Chaque forme laisse sous-entendre à se définir tel un vase, une étagère, un bout de canapé, un siège, un plateau.. Ou simplement une oeuvre inspirante. « The alteration between drawn black and white stripes on each side of the object translate a dramatic illusion of the internal and spatial chaos , Black color is mysterious it is associated with the unknown future, the undesirable or sad past while the white is considered to be the color of serenity and safety. Black traps space, while white opens space. Black evokes sophistication the white communicates innocence and renewed beginnings » Un hommage à sa ville, Beyrouth, alternant joie et malheurs, une pensée pour toutes les personnes touchées suite au dernier drame survenu en ses murs… Plus d’informations sur le designer : Richard Yasmine (son portfolio) Retrouvez notre sélection de projets en provenance du LIBAN By Blog Esprit Design Galerie (9) The post Collection graphique AFTER AGO par Richard Yasmine appeared first on Blog Esprit Design.
Gertrude lampe à poser par Gabriele Panciera« Bonjour Gertrude, enchanté ! » Les présentations maintenant faites, Gabriele Panciera, jeune designer italien basé du côté de Milan lève le voile sur l’histoire de son projet… Résolument rétro, ce modèle de lampe à poser, lampe de table ou de chevet nous transporte quelques années en arrières, au coeur de l’Italie en nous offrant certaines références religieuses… On remarque assez rapidement sa ligne, nous renvoyant à la silhouette des nonnes délicatement épurée… Pour être parfaitement exacte : « The main inspiration of the design is the character Gertrude, the Monza’s nun from “The Betrothed” by Alessandro Manzoni, published in 1827 » Une représentation composée d’une sphère jointe à une forme triangulaire et d’un plan incliné, tel un salut, une révérence, un signe de respect.. Sans même parler de religion. 35 degrés exactement nous indique le designer, garantissant un angle adapté à une utilisation rapprochée. Structurellement, la sphère est divisée en deux parties, son corps principal imprimé en 3D recevant l’ampoule tandis que l’autre est en PLA translucide, également imprimée en 3d. Le design peut être immédiatement rapporté à son inspiration mais aussi perçu comme une composition solide agréable. « all people know the meaning of the name connected to the reference, so they can feel the object as an iconic object. » On aime l’histoire derrière l’objet, l’intention derrière la création, mais seulement si celui-ci répond aux attentes fonctionnelles et puisse « vivre« , avec ou sans son histoire… « Bye bye Gertrude à très vite » Plus d’informations sur le designer : Gabriele Panciera Retrouvez notre sélection de LUMINAIRES By Blog Esprit Design Galerie (13) The post Gertrude lampe à poser par Gabriele Panciera appeared first on Blog Esprit Design.
Crowdfunding : SLEAN, le bon bureau pour télétravaillerVéritable rampe de lancement, phase de crash test, confrontation client… Le Crowdfunding est un véritable catalyseur quand vous avez une belle idée, un concept dans l’air du temps qui pourra trouver rapidement son public.. Sans rentrer dans le détail des étapes de lancement d’un projet à succès notamment sur Kisskissbankbank, SLEAN coche toutes ces cases et augure à un véritable succès et lancement de marque Made in France. Fruit d’une rencontre entre Martin Sauer et le duo de designers Nathanaël Désormeaux et Damien Carrette (retrouvez leurs projets présentés sur BED) le projet SLEAN arrive à point nommé en cette période et se présente simple comme : « Slean, le bon bureau et la bonne chaise pour télétravailler » Repenser nos habitats, nos agencements afin qu’ils puissent passer d’un espace privé de vie de famille, à vie professionnel n’est pas simple… A l’épreuve durant les mois que nous venons de passer, les solutions et possibilités arrivent peu à peu et SLEAN représente une belle alternative. ? « Chez Slean, notre vision c’est celle d’un monde nomade et plus responsable. On y répond avec l’idée que l’on doit pouvoir travailler de n’importe où, et dans les meilleures conditions, en créant de bons produits avec du bon sens. «On a voulu se concentrer sur l’essentiel: un bon bureau». Et pour nous, un bon bureau doit être beau et bon pour l’Homme et pour la planète. Nous ne sommes pas en phase avec cette industrie du meuble jetable. Faire un meuble aujourd’hui, ce n’est pas lui donner une durée de vie limitée pour qu’il finisse sur un trottoir. C’est pourquoi nous nous engageons sur la durabilité de nos produits, fabriqués en France, et sur un modèle circulaire ultra novateur. » Une alternative autour d’un bureau modulable pouvant se transformer en console en quelques gestes. Les designers poussent l’offre en imaginant la chaise parfaitement adaptée à leur bureau afin de vous garantir un confort optimal. On a l’habitude de dépenser par exemple pour un canapé, par plaisir, pour son confort et durabilité… Le mobilier de bureau, sur lequel vous travaillez environ 8 à 10h par jour doit recevoir la même attention, aussi pour votre santé. Les petits plus : la multiprise directement intégrée au piètement afin de facilité l’installation et alimentation de vos périphériques. Hop on participe ! Plus d’informations sur le projet : Campagne, Projet slean Retrouvez notre sélection de projets lancés grâce au Crowdfunding By Blog Esprit Design Galerie (15) The post Crowdfunding : SLEAN, le bon bureau pour télétravailler appeared first on Blog Esprit Design.
Nouvelle collection George Sowden pour HAYOn ne présente plus HAY, célèbre marque danoise, mais connaissez-vous George Sowden ? Designer anglais basé du côté de Milan, il collabore avec de nombreuses marques, il se distingue comme membre fondateur du Memphis Group. « George Sowden studied architecture at Gloucestershire College of Art. In the 1970s, Sowden moved to Milan to work with names such as Ettore Sottsass and Olivetti, and in the 1980s he became one of the founders of the design collective, Memphis Group. » Déja à l’honneur au catalogue Hay, il décline sa collection en imaginant un nouveau grille-pain et bouilloire reprenant lignes et couleurs de la gamme. Sous le charme, le designer joue avec les codes en nous proposant ces nouveautés au look des années 60 ? 70 ? 80 ! Le tout en alliant plastique et métal, totalement démontable, ils seront faciles à nettoyer ou réparer ! Couleurs, formes et minimalisme, il nous transporte dans l’univers Braun vintage… Plus d’informations sur le marque et designer : Hay, George Sowden Retrouvez notre sélection de projets ELECTROMENAGER By Blog Esprit Design Galerie (16) The post Nouvelle collection George Sowden pour HAY appeared first on Blog Esprit Design.
MESH l’organiseur béton par Shift StudioLa belle découverte du jour, baptisée MESH, la rencontre entre l’architecture et l’univers du bureau ! Le studio Shift, entre Mexique et New-York présente son projet comme un système de rangements modulaires, pouvant s’adapter aux nouveaux besoins de nos intérieurs. Ils projettent leur création, pas uniquement dans le bureau.. Réalisé entièrement en béton, en collaboration Opticretos, Mesh se décompose en un plateau « cranté », pouvant accueillir à votre guise, gobelets bas et hauts ainsi que des modules plats. Pour les fans, des choses bien rangées. Une chose à sa place et chaque chose à sa place.. Une idée, plutôt une obsession savamment assouvie par ces modules une fois disposés. Tel un puzzle au look d’architecture moderne, Mesh se propose en trois déclinaisons de coloris. Plus d’informations sur le studio : Shift Retrouvez notre sélection de RANGEMENTS dédiés aux BUREAUX By Blog Esprit Design Galerie (17) The post MESH l’organiseur béton par Shift Studio appeared first on Blog Esprit Design.
INTERVIEW : Chris Baumann, le Design chez TADOLe design au coeur de nos quotidiens, partons aujourd’hui à la découverte de la marque TADO, spécialiste allemand de la technologie / domotique à destination de nos chauffages et climatisations. Une réflexion au coeur de notre projet de rénovation de notre appartement, où comment rendre notre habitat plus intelligent ? plus en phase avec nos modes de vie ? et s’il est possible de moins consommer… Facilité la maitrise de noter consommation d’énergie, pièce par pièce, mais également garder un oeil sur la qualité de l’air intérieur, idéal quand certaines personnes du foyer ont des allergies particulières ou en milieu urbain et sa pollution. La bête sélectionnée par nos soins, sans être signée d’un grand designer, va à l’essentiel, minimaliste et fonctionnel ce thermostat trouvera facilement sa place dans votre intérieur. (un blanc poudré au toucher agréable). Nous optons pour un starter kit accompagné d’un kit de têtes thermostatiques intelligentes à fixer directement sur les radiateurs. Un véritable plus, permettant comme avec beaucoup de système standard de piloter habilement la température de votre pièce de vie (là où est situé le thermostat) mais également d’adapter pièce par pièce, la température parfaite. Idéal pour les chambres éloignées, ou chambre d’enfant par exemple… En début de phase de test, nous reviendrons avec les premiers résultats, laissons passer l’été pour en juger les bénéfices. (Certains autres tests consultés annoncent entre 10 et 25% d’économies sur la consommation d’énergie en chauffage !) Le thermostat connecté, pourra à souhait ajuster la température en fonction de votre présence ou de votre arrivée prochaine.. Il adapte au mieux sa consommation et son « travail« . Lors de la configuration, le thermostat prendra la configuration de votre habitation (surface, isolation, orientation) ainsi que la météo afin d’ajuster les t° en fonction des conditions climatiques. Un jeu d’équilibre entre chaleur naturelle et chaleur rapportée, permettant à votre thermostat d’orchestrer tout cela pièce par pièce et de réduire la consommation d’énergie sans perte de confort.
Le bonus, partons à la rencontre de Chris Baumann, Head of Product Design TADO, ayant accepté de répondre à mes questions. (in English) Un plaisir de découvrir son parcours, sa vision, ses inspirations et détailler le métier de Designer intégré à ce jour ce société. Un métier « de l’ombre » essentiel au fonctionnement et développement de « toute » société. Deux réponses et citations, retenant particulièrement mon attention : « Designers at tado° have multiple roles. They all focus on the goal of continuously improving the tado° experience across all touchpoints. » Au delà du produit, de la conception, de l’objet en lui même, l’intervention réside dans toutes les interactions les futurs utilisateurs. La seconde, faisant de chaque employé, de chaque bonne volonté une approche, une énergie bonne pour la marque.. « What I like at tado° is that we do have a lot of ‘silent designers’ in the company » Une équipe en charge du Design, en lien, en échange, en interaction avec l’ensemble des autres services… De quoi faire rêver certains ou certaines ? Voici l’interview, dans sa globalité ! N’hésitez pas à nous partager vos réactions et citations marquantes ! Bonne lecture. Chris Baumann, Head of Product Design TADO
What is your level of education & background? Born & Raised in Munich, Bachelor of Industrial Design from University of Applied Sciences, Munich., First professional experiences at BMW and its mobility startup DriveNow. Master of International Design Business Management from Aalto University Helsinki Previously worked at Finnish Digital Service Creation Agency Future
What are your inspirations in your work? The most inspiring input into my work are the insights we gain from talking to our users as well as the positive product & service experiences my colleagues and I have in our daily lives. Whenever working on a concrete project we collect inspirational examples of how others have solved similar challenges, often from completely different industries. As the focus of my team spans across multiple design fields including service design (both for B2B and B2C), interaction design, and physical product design there are a lot of sources for inspiration
How did you come to tado°? In 2018, after 2.5 years of agency life at Futurice, I was looking to join a smaller product company in which I could contribute to the development of great digital and physical products from the very beginning to launch and beyond. I had quite a few expectations for my next step. The most challenging one: I wanted to work on a product which I really believed in, one that offers not only a great experience but also has a positive impact. tado° was the company that I knew that would meet all the criteria I had in mind. I had known the young company for quite a few years and really liked the design philosophy and the sustainable contribution of their products.
What is the role of a designer at tado°? Designers at tado° have multiple roles. They all focus on the goal of continuously improving the tado° experience across all touchpoints. Everything we develop needs to be relevant to our users by solving real problems for them. One of the key roles of our designers is to lower risk in our strategic decision making. We do so identifying user needs early and experiment and testing to validate hypotheses before we invest resources in development. Once we identify opportunities, our designers develop concepts, prototype and iterate the solutions with user feedback in close collaboration with multiple other departments across tado°. The designers are often in an interface position between Product Management, Domain experts, Marketing, Customer Support, Development and others in which their role is to combine the input of this cross-functional setup into a holistic concept.
How would you define design at tado°? Put yourself in the shoes of the users and continuously improve the experience they have with our brand everyday. What I like at tado° is that we do have a lot of ‘silent designers’ in the company. Team members who are not trained designers but who are sharing the same goal as our design team and stand up for the needs of our users in order to deliver them a great experience. What is your typical day like? Waking up during a short bike ride to the office For the past few months, we have a quick Product Design team standup every morning to discuss the highest priorities of the day and update each other on the status of ongoing work. Throughout the day I will spend some hours supporting the team members in whatever they are currently working on. I will join a demo of one of our product teams where the latest concepts and implementations are presented by designers and developers. For lunch, the design team would normally go to a small cafe nearby (An experience that can’t be fully replaced via video calls). In the planning session following the demo, the product team will then together agree on the highest priorities for the upcoming week based on user needs, company goals, and latest market developments.
What is the difference/innovation brought? tado° makes any heating system smart. We enable users to conveniently control their heating and cooling from anywhere via their smartphone while saving a lot of energy with features like Geofencing or the Smart Schedule. It’s a great feeling to know you will have warm feet in your bathroom in the morning while being sure that no energy is wasted whenever you leave your home.
What does a designer bring to this kind of company & product & innovation? As designers we merge tado°s goals and expertise with the needs of our users to create a successful & user-friendly product offering. Our designers bring the necessary empathy for our users, understanding of market, and design trends as well as collaboration skills to make this possible.
What will the future of the brand be made of? The impact of Covid-19 ? I personally don’t expect a long term impact of Covid-19 on our brand. With the strategic decisions made in the past years and the high quality of our products, services and support I see tado° perfectly set up for the future. Across our markets we see a growing interest in the smart home as well a sustainable usage of technology. Thanks to the hard work we put into ensuring our products are highly compatible with all types of home heating and cooling systems, anyone can take part in a smarter and more sustainable future. Personally I am very excited about our growing services offering which is an interesting time of transformation at tado°. We are constantly looking into how we can support our users even more in the field of climate in their home and are building valuable experiences on top of our core product.
What will be for you the great innovation(s) of tomorrow? I think we need to differentiate between technological progress and great holistic innovations. Many past ‘innovations’ came along with the promise of making life easier, providing convenience etc.. Often they had negative side effects like causing bad social impacts, contributing to steadily increasing consumption and energy usage, causing social pressure and addictions especially among younger generations. For me a great innovation is having a positive impact on society, our planet, users’ private lives and their health. I hope that we’ll be seeing more development in these directions. Plus d’informations sur la marque : TADO Retrouvez notre sélection de projets CONNECTES By Blog Esprit Design Galerie (14) The post INTERVIEW : Chris Baumann, le Design chez TADO appeared first on Blog Esprit Design.
This website uses cookies to improve your experience. We'll assume you're ok with this, but you can opt-out if you wish.AcceptRead More
