How much brainpower does it take to blog? I know! Let’s ask a plant! Well, it seems that’s possible in Japan where a plant has been wired wired with sensors that pick up bio-electrical signals and converts the signals into data that’s then translated into Japanese. Are you following this?
A typical entry? “It was cloudy [...]

Well, why not? It’s perceived reverse inspiration to many…
What is Chrome?
Google Chrome is an open source, free web browser developed by Google that has about 1% share of browser market. It was first released as a beta version for Microsoft Windows on September 2, 2008. The name is derived from the graphical user interface frame, [...]

Five more days to vote. Did you know Crayola’s evolution? A corporate ethos, marketing statement.
via pearweed
DA editor responds to comment…

Artist: cane toad

Artist: diem chau
Overheard: the crayon was mightier than the sword.

artist: todd peterson

Check out twenty-five crafty carvings. oh, yes, the obligatory political pumpkins …
via designobserver

Making the Monopoly board more palatable to designers.
via designobserver surfstation

The All-New mophie ‘Juice Pack 3G’ is designed to more than double the time you can rock, talk, surf and send with your iPhone 3G
This is the first Apple certified ”Works With iPhone” attached battery in the world!
The Juice Pack is a rechargeable lithium polymer battery in the form of a non-slip, soft grip case. [...]

Creativity at work again: turning a negative into a positive. Yes, they’re a green product, 100% biodegradable.
Producer: Jungeschatel
Designer: Jungeschatel
via thedieline.com
Want to make a 100% biodegradable political message? dogs for democrats

Every year, Cooper-Hewitt gives out design awards chosen by a jury of distinguished design gurus— but do you agree with the experts? First place: Zon hearing aid Second place: Design Observer Third place: Bennington Bookmarks. There are 276 listed winners!

I am reminded that this book is supposed to go on sale October 2008 but have done nothing yet to see if true…

Design student, Erin Weartz, alerted her typography class and me to this movie. Fun!
The french artist is Marion Bataille. The French ABC pop-up book won’t be available until October 2008.

Extended deadline: November 7, 2008. Architects. Designers. Interiors. Fashion. Graphics. International Design Awards Call to Entry

Many people are trying to decipher the latest comments by Steve Jobs. The rumor out there now is a new product. Think MacBook Nano or iPhone Slate? Or is it the coming of the NetBook?
Remember, the iPhone was spotted online in Web traffic blogs. So many this is going to be the real deal.
Gizmodo hypothicizes [...]

Another USA financial crisis casualty. This bit of news not about Joe the plumber. On the contrary, it’s an example of the very wealthy feeling it. Make you feel better? Probably not.

Architect Santiago Calatrava is in the news suing the developer of the Chicago Spire.
Mary Ellen Podmolik and Blair Kamin, Chicago Tribune reporters spell it [...]

Italian company Scirocco presented a new decorative home radiator where technical innovation is combined with design and with the desire to have fun and continue having fun. Designed by architect Marco Baxadonne, Brick is a small colored block with a technological heart, a radiator in aluminium that internally conceals copper pipes and aluminium plates, making [...]

The premium T@B for epicures has meanwhile taken over the editors of the first league: Auto, Motor and Sport.

( below ) The T@b.

You are an individual and a non-conformist.

You don’t drive on holidays.

You drive into life.
You don’t stand at the ocean shore, look out at the blue and say: “It’s beautiful here”. You stand at [...]

New eco-company Kayu handcrafts sunglasses from pesticide-free bamboo.

The shades are oversized in a retro-stylish way (think Jackie O. goes green), but the best part is what’s behind the lenses: for every pair purchased, Kayu donates enough funds to cover one sight-restoring surgery in the developing world. So the shades are not only green, they [...]

The final stretch. Our feature article leading up to and thru the election will recap what many “branders” have concluded: Obama’s campaign is case-study worthy. ( collage on left from special edition - Creative Marketers Report 2008, Creativity; campaign logo/button from on-line store on official Barack Obama website. )
( above ) logo design: collaboration [...]

It’s a toaster from Siemens and Porsche and it means serious toasting business. The TT911P2 2-Slice automatically adjusts itself to the thickness of the bread, has an LED display that counts down until the toast is ready, has 11 different degrees of browning, and it can remember which one was used last. The quartz heating [...]

It’s a tea kettle design competition. Cash awards. Winners to receive expense-paid trip to Chicago for the International Home and Houseware Show in March 2009. Competition details.

We’ve seen the splendor of China’s Bird’s Nest, now check out a new contender for the prize of most unique stadium. The stadium design by MZ & Partners Architects has already earned the nickname “The Laptop.” The main stand is upright with most of its height coming from the underground field. All lights will be [...]

Ferrari V-4 super bike concept based on Enzo. Israeli industrial designer Amir Glinik has come up with an incredible Ferrari motorcycle concept using a modified engine from the Ferrari Enzo supercar.

Using drive-by-wire technology, the V4 superbike features hand controls adapted from an F-16 fighter jet and buttons based on those found on the steering wheel [...]

Known for his red-soled stilettos, Christian Louboutin doesn’t disappoint his devotees with a new season favorite, the Layered Leather Hobo. Created with armor-inspired, scalloped design of carefully stitched calfskin this hobo sports a trough in the middle enhancing the carrier’s comfort. Available in signature black with red accents on the outer rings and inner, jacquard [...]

Branding 101. What does it take for a brand to make it in this economic environment? First off, consider hiring a professional - the positioning matrix (left) a valuable professional tool.
Killer product.

Killer concept.

Just what the doctor ordered. For today’s branding quiz - Identify three elements in a killer marketing plan.

Billy Chasen creates a human clock based on the 0-9 human-figure numbers. Number(s) origin not known at this writing. A clever and well-done blend of typography, flash, and flesh.
Thanks kid tech guru

Index is home to a dazzling display of interior design, quality and style. Featuring 1000’s of international brands, exclusive launches and an exciting mix of new ideas, if you’re fitting out an office, hotel, residential or public project or simply looking for eye-catching design, Index has everything you need, inside and out!

Here is an innovative, quirkly little product that may make a big (lemon) splash. The UTILO, Lemon Squeezer designed by Nicole Schaffert. Just insert spout into your lemon and squeeze for quick and easy seed-free juice. Made of stainless steel.
Producer: Blomus was established in 2001 to innovatively manufacture stainless steel items utilizing modern design. Blomus [...]

Paris council has unveiled plans for a 50-story glass pyramid after voting to drop a ban on high-rise buildings. Proposals for the Project Triangle, designed by Swiss architecture practice Herzog & de Meuron who designed the Olympic stadium in Beijing. The tower will have offices, a conference center, 400-bedroom hotel and restaurants and cafes. It [...]

With cold weather just around the corner, tea anyone?
Gems Teastick
The Teastick GEMS bring new light to your cup of tea. Now with two brilliant colors so sparkling clear you can see the steeping tea bloom. With classic “scoop it, slide it, steep it” functionality The Teastick GEMS are as useful as they are beautiful in [...]

This cool coffee maker offers up a smart industrial design which cleanly integrates a ceramic mug in place of a carafe.
The WMF1 Coffee Pad takes a single portioned coffee filter and can brew up a fresh cup of Java in about 1 minute. The compact coffee maker features a clean white design, with a [...]

What is this? An electric toothbrush on a stand? Darn, the title gives this product away. It is the Dyno outdoor shower by MyYour.

The Dyno designer shower is totally waterproof and UV-ray resistant and will stay looking new for years. It’s made from self-colored polyethylene, which is strengthened inside, and Dyno is available in a [...]

Anyone wondering what gasoline will cost in 2010? Here is a car from the Sexy Green Car Show you should keep abreast of. It’s a four seater eco car built from lightweight materials and should be on the market by 2010.
The British-designed Axon uses a tiny 500cc engine to give a fantastic 100 miles per [...]

Our feature for and through the month of October will be to develop a story on the state of wind turbine design.
A wind farm catches our eye. White feathery structures against a dark sky. The motion mezmerizes the viewer. Our mind vaguely grasps the meaning of this source of energy generation.
(top two photos) The [...]

Chicago developer hits design button to bolster condo sales. The contemporary condos are in not-yet-arrived Edgewater. Units range from 1200 to 1538 square feet priced at $350K to $452K.
Yes, this is a design blog but we have a national election coming up in a few days featuring an economy button. Let’s continue.
Recently, Donald Trump was [...]

Registrations are still opened and reductions for groups are available! The international event Multiverso - Icograda Design Week will take place in Turin (Italy) from October 13th to 19th 2008 and is enterely dedicated to the new scenarios in the fields of communication design. The programme of this leading Italian and European event in terms [...]