Blackletter, without a doubt the stimulus behind the more efficient font designs we’re familiar with on a day-to-day. On the other hand, a now popular foreboding font for super-hip urban graphics and a time-travel message for packaging.
In addition to the thorough presentation of some 300 typefaces with dates, designers, and origins, you will find a [...]

An election wrap up: more creative generated in presidential election 2008. Passion trumps strategy — the bulk unsolicited, unapproved by either candidate.

Whether or not you must throw your trash on the street, what about pink and white polka dot designer trash bags? Or Anycoloryoulike? Each bag is biodegradable and treated with repellent for even rodents of unusual size. Though this is a New York City art intervention initiative, you can splashy trash in your town too.
via [...]

New! ABUS – as the inventor of the U-shackle lock – has once again launched an innovation for bicycle locks: the foldable locks.
Application:
The innovation for all cyclists, whether hobby cyclists or pros.
Protection of two-wheels with a high theft risk
Operation:
Fix your bicycle to a solid object (e.g. lamp post, sign, fence)
Technology:
ABUS X-Plus cylinder for [...]

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

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

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

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 [...]

Phillipe Starck’s latest — a plastic chair — earned it’s name on the first sketch. Mr. Impossible. The designer said it couldn’t be made. The challenge being the weld. Using existing methods to weld the seat and the legs would create an unsightly seam. Kartell’s engineers had to go the blue water route. The [...]

In a highly extraordinary example of creativity and high-design, the iPhone captures the 2008 Creativity Awards Grand Prize Winner. Why so unusual? This event is judged by the advertising community where ad campaigns and 30-second spots typically rule.
A POV from one of the judges: “The iPhone. Iconic design or iconic brand? Simply put Apple [...]

High-design. Electric. 50-state approved (USA).
After quite a bit of tweaks, good and bad press the FDA finally blessed the Tesla in January 2008 and this red (green) car can go on sale. The car won’t solve the world problems, at least not this particular car — $100K — but it is a start.
Tesla is [...]

“The brain is a category buster.”
-Elizabeth Phelps, American Cognitive Scientist, 2007
GRAVITY FREE is a truly unique multidiscipline design conference. Each year we pick a theme. Then we select 22 of the most passionate designers, design thinkers and innovators on the planet from 20 different design disciplines to help [...]

The biennial Art Center Design Conference is a three-day international gathering of entrepreneurs, thought leaders, and innovators from many fields and disciplines. The 2008 Conference, Serious Play, will explore the essential role of play in business, the arts, science, storytelling, technology, and more.
May 7-9, 2008 Art Center College of Design, South Campus, Pasedena, California, [...]

If you like Eames, a collectors item, a childs toy resurfaces.
During the early 1940s Charles and Ray Eames developed a successful technique for molding plywood into three-dimensional shapes, which led to the creation of a variety of furnishings and sculptures. The Plywood Elephant, in particular, has attained legendary status among collectors. Designed in 1945, this [...]

Today at MoMA
February 24–May 12, 2008
The International Council of The Museum of Modern Art Exhibition Gallery, sixth floor
In the past few decades, individuals have experienced dramatic changes in some of the most established dimensions of human life: time, space, matter, and individuality. Working across several time zones, traveling with relative ease between satellite maps and [...]

All you need is water, money, a Darth Vadar fetish. One you burn calories. One you burn 951 gallons an hour. Both burn holes in pockets.
There is little info on the Tu-fin save a link to their site. “TU_FiN Walking on Water—das Fun und Fitnessboot.” But here is a story on Wally…

the problem and the solution
These stairs are beautiful. An artform. No 5 inch stilettos or alcohol allowed. This is a very clever solution. You have to wonder who conceived of the problem in the first place…
Title: Stair
Object: Stair
Location: Stockholm, Sweden
Client: Private Residence
Design: Gabriella Gustafson & Mattias Ståhlbom
Date: 2006
via TAF

What do these two bikes have in common? Two wheels? We can feel the love.
Designer Roland Kaufmann has gone and built a bicycle out of wood. He calls this cycle Jano, and says it’s a dual bike, equally at home trekking cross-country or taking its rider to and from work every day. This project [...]

Much like a canteen for campers, this simple design is a compact carrier for your pet’s food and water. Made of two halves, the Charlybox includes a two-liter canteen for fresh water, and two bowls for water and kibble.
Great gift for a pet owner. Or treat yourself if you are an outdoors type person.
Via Design [...]

Italdesign Ggiugiao Quaranta concept powered by Toyota Hybrid Synergy drive
Uncompromising innovation in Giugiaro tradition
An ‘extreme’, clean-technology project embodying 40 years of styling research and engineering celebrated by Italdesign Giugiaro in Geneva
The ‘Quaranta’ project is a concept car designed to celebrate Italdesign Giugiaro’s forty years of business in styling and technological research at the service of [...]

The entire Yahoo Design Innovation Team, aka yHaus, has been axed en masse, Portfolio.com has confirmed with one of the team’s former members.
“Yahoo Design Innovation team has been shut down completely,” wrote Doug Fritz, a former full-time staffer for the team, in an email.
The team had been working on next generation design projects. This week, [...]

Apparently, the Macbook Air is selling well enough to be unavailable in many stores and require a 5-7 day wait for online orders. Despite the high price, the super-thin laptop is often selling out the day a shipment arrives at an Apple Store according to research done by Ars Technica. Of course, without knowing just [...]

Simplehuman’s handsome new Steel Frame Dishrack makes years of mildew-prone materials and leaky drip trays a thing of the past: It features a bamboo knife block, an under-the-drip-tray spout that pivots to drain excess water into the sink, and a fingerprint-proof coating that will keep the thing as pristine as the stainless-steel appliances it’s meant [...]

The 78th International Motor Show will be held from the 6th to 16th of March. Over 130 worldwide and European premieres have been announced, coming from every sector of the industry. The trend towards new technologies and alternative fuels is continuing. Visitors will discover three new manufacturers and many attractions both inside and outside the [...]

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DesignApplause hit the world-wide-web on 3/1/08.