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dot tactile smartwatch ‘feels’ like a 2017 best product-of-the-year candidate.

Jan 26, 2018

we strive to be a pioneer in accessible and affordable innovations for the vision impaired and the deafblind to lead independent, fulfilling lives. ~ dot inc.

the dot watch braille smartwatch is the first of its kind to provide the time with tactile information instead of visual clues. you don’t see time ticking away, you feel it. dot not only tells the time, but also creates text messages, sns, as well as traffic or weather information, with just a tap of your finger.

there’s also an open dot api so anyone can develop apps or services for dot. existing apps can be easily adapted. apps for braille education, social networking, navigation, newsfeed, weather and many more are already in development.

it launched in late 2016 but for practical purposes this is a 2017 product. the dot ‘feels’ like a 2017 best product-of-the-year candidate.

possibly best bike lock just got better. abus bordo alarm.

Jan 25, 2018

the world’s first alarmed folding bike lock

with the bordo alarm, abus, the security expert for mobile safety, is bringing the world’s first alarmed folding bike lock into the market. with electronics that have been proven for years on abus motorcycles locks, these provide a precise 3d movement sensor that triggers a 100-decibel alarm should an attack be attempted and thus deters thieves.

bordo alarm “the sound of security”

[ specs ]

100 db alarm

intelligent alarm system

90cm length

plus cylinder which can be keyed alike with other plus cylinders

level 10 security

designed and made in germany

msrp $169.99

new epic react flyknit by nike. the light soft and springy running shoe.

Jan 23, 2018

the epic react debuts a new sole that replaces eva foam. it’s lighter and way springier. so soft and springy that the mid-sole is taller to absorb bumps and wider for support. the sole has been tested 17k miles by nike’s best runners and ready for prime time 22 february 2018.

nike labels the springiness “energy return” and seems self-explanatory.

the upper is the one-piece bootie from the flyknit racer with a refined modifications. very light, supportive and breathable.

designer hossein baghdadi, director of nike nxt footwear, is lead on react.

upstart lucid air fully charged to compete in the luxury all-electric environment.

Jan 2, 2018

lucid air, an all-electric that evolved from a battery, now scalable for a broad range of applications including and charges quickly. in matters of taste, the air evokes luxury yacht or executive business jet stylishness: artful enough to remind us now tesla s is showing her age.

the interior design though really shines, less about aesthetics but spacial restraints have vanished. air is narrower, shorter, and lower than a model s, but with the interior space of a long wheelbase s class mercedes. this zero-emission car is designed for an era of luxurious limited space.

[ facts ]
concept > zero-emission luxury mobility sedan
power > all-electric lithium-ion battery cells
number of passengers > 4
drive-train > no details
0-60 > 2.5 sec
top speed > software limited 217 mph (*)
(*) maximum velocity of 235.44 miles on the 7.5-mile oval track / see video below
launch date > 2019

configuration 1 > 400-horsepower / 100 kWh battery / rear-wheel drive / range 240 miles / $60,000 usd / $2,500 usd deposit
configuration 2 > range 315 miles / no price yet
configuration 3 > 1,000-horsepower twin-motor / 130 kWh battery / all-wheel drive / range 440 miles / $130,000 usd
special launch edition option > first 255 of configuration 3 / well-optioned / $130,000 usd / $25,500 usd deposit

[ storyline ]
2007 lucid motors (formerly known as atieva) started with a battery and an idea. worth mentioning the tesla roadster (2008) was the first production automobile to use lithium-ion battery cells and the first production ev with a range greater than 200 mi (320 km) per charge.
2014 lucid began engineering an electric vehicle
2016 lucid launches all-electric air
2016 lucid becomes official sole battery-pack supplier for formula e racing
2016 lucid partners with samsung sdi to craft next-gen lithium-ion cells. sdi is the leading manufacturer of lithium-ion cells in the world. they also signed a similar agreement with lg chem giving them maximum flexibility to select the best cell for each application.
2017 lucid moves to new headquarters in newark california
2017 though lucid says tesla is not their competition, that audi, bmw, and mercedes is
editor’s note > we’ve been watching this car this since early 2017, considering it a best of 2017. this car seems so far along it comes as a surprise the launch date target is reset to 2019. the word on the street is financing, their current funding spread between developing a car and building a plant. they are also talking to ford. this car will help push the aforementioned ev’s to raise their bars.

pantone 18-3838 ultra violet (ahem) color of the year 2018.

Dec 31, 2017

here’s what pantone marketing spins…

enigmatic purples have long been symbolic of counterculture, unconventionality, and artistic brilliance. musical icons prince, david bowie, and jimi hendrix brought shades of ultra violet to the forefront of western pop culture as personal expressions of individuality. nuanced and full of emotion, the depth of pantone 18-3838 ultra violet symbolizes experimentation and non-conformity, spurring individuals to imagine their unique mark on the world, and push boundaries through creative outlets.

prince, bowie, and hendrix.

we do like the color – enjoyed finding examples for this gallery – but ultra violet has very limited applications. not a quintessential first choice for durable goods such as furniture. in an interior, more likely to be an accent and not a dominant color. and maybe not a very long shelf life, typically a year from collection to collection.

but then again this year, a homage to prince. and bowie. and hendrix…

supercar maker lamborghini unveils turbocharged super suv urus. extra super hybrid coming up.

Dec 5, 2017

supercar maker lamborghini can’t help themselves habitually creating super’s in performance and looks. new – urus will become their first turbo-charged lamborghini. while we love these cars, times dictate who benefits from just another supercar, when should we ask, is it a better solution? with this model superlatives kick into another gear with a plug-in hybrid following shortly. notably they recently unveiled their first all-electric terzo millennio

[ specs ]
engine > twin-turbo 4.0-liter V8 tuned to send 650 horsepower and 627 pound-feet of torque to all four wheels
transmission > eight-speed auto channeling
0 to 60 mph > 3.6 seconds
top speed > 190 mph

[ configure your car ]
hey, have fun with the family and visit the urus site and play with the configurator. here’s mine below…
exterior color > giallo auge
tires and rims > nath 22 inch titanium matt
brakes and calipers > yellow
interior color > sportivo alcantara giallo taurus
steering wheel > stitched to match interior
interior details > carbon fiber big package
equipment > interior ambient light package / acoustic and heat insulated glass / off-road modes
options > heads-up display / night vision / front and rear seat heated / bang & olufsen 3d advanced sound system / hands free tailgate / 22 pzero corsa tires / washing package / 85 liter fuel tank / full ada package

the first deliveries are scheduled for spring 2018, and in the u.s.a., the urus base price is $200,000 usd.

nina mûr goes memphis: the new eyewear collection powered by abet laminati.

Dec 4, 2017

an oft maligned genre gets a renewed respect.

on this year’s centenary of ettore sottsass’s birth, with exhibitions and books celebrating the gigantic work of this great artist, spanish brand nina mûr eyewear presents a new eyewear collection in collaboration with abet laminati, inspired by the colours and formal shapes of the memphis group, founded by sottsass himself and which has influenced many designers all over the world.

nina mûr goes memphis is a collection that comprises two lines: original memphis, featuring unique details realized with the bacterio pattern (in reduced scale) in digital print, and basic memphis, made up of monochromatic models with cleaner lines.

2017 design miami/ design visionary and collaborations preview 1.

Dec 3, 2017

above > mwabwindo school which will serve primary school students in rural zambia

design miami/ 2017 exhibitions feature
utopian aspirations, robotic fabrications, americana, monumental scale, world debuts, and solo exhibitions

/ 33 galleries represent 14 countries, and include 8 founding galleries & 3 first-time galleries
/ design for a better world is a narrative that runs across galleries and through time periods
/ computer numerical control (cnc) continues to change manufacturing forever––see examples on-site
/ natural wood and craft furniture make a resurgence
/ galleries bring the large and the statuesque from the outside in, showing works of unprecedented scale

[ design visionary/ ]
an exhibition space within the fair will be dedicated to honoring the recipient of the 2017 panerai design miami/ visionary award – mwabwindo school which will serve primary school students in rural zambia. developed and operated by 14+ foundation, designed by selldorf architects, with artwork by rashid johnson, and newly commissioned furniture by christ & gantenbein, all of whom have provided their services pro bono. opening in 2018, the school will provide quality arts-based education to the community. below >

[ collaborations / ]
fendi/ welcome! to celebrate its tenth edition at design miami/, fendi presents welcome!, a luxurious living room setting designed by chiara andreatti that creates a survey of the fendi universe. this sophisticated, open environment, incorporates fendi selleria leather and stitching, fur craftsmanship and other iconic elements of the house’s dna. below >

audi/ the audi/ motherboard audi presents the audi a8 featuring a new design language, an innovative touchscreen operating concept, and a systematically electrified drive. the audi a8 is also the first production automobile in the world to have been developed for conditional automated driving. audi engineers are giving visitors an intimate look into the core of audi’s research and development facility: a mock-up for testing of the electronic components from the various stages in the development process of the audi a8 is on display. below >

maison perrier jouët/ becoming in collaboration with artists petra bachmaier and sean gallero of luftwerk, chicago, maison perrier-jouët’s becoming takes over miami in key locations throughout art basel miami beach including design miami/, eden by perrier-jouët, and miami international airport, using projected color and light to reimagine familiar environments in unexpected ways. the immersive space at design miami/ features a rhythmic ebb and flow of colored light that results in a bold, contemporary reinterpretation of the maison’s historic links with art nouveau. below >

airbnb/ a wild thing designer duo fien muller and hannes van severen of muller van severen invite design miami/ visitors into their own home in a complete replica of their actual living room in belgium. the installation includes their personal items, such as works of art by the designers’ family members, souvenirs they’ve collected over time, and original furniture of their own design. but there’s more than meets the eye––listen closely for whispered stories detailing the hidden lives of the room’s objects, which discreetly guide visitors through the space. below >

louis vuitton objets/ nomades presents an exclusive objet nomade: the turquoise-colored edition of the bomboca sofa, a new piece by fernando and humberto campana. other objets nomades making their design miami/ 2017 debut include atelier oï’s swing boat and belt chair; patricia urquiola’s palaver chair; india mahdavi’s talisman table; and marcel wanders’s lune chair and diamond screen. louis vuitton objets nomades is an ever-expanding collection of limited edition, collectible furniture inspired by louis vuitton’s storied art of travel. below >

preview day (by invitation only)
tuesday, december 5/
collectors preview/ 12–6pm
opening night preview/ 6–8pm
vernissage (by invitation only)
wednesday, december 6/
10am–12pm

public show days
wednesday, december 6/ 12–8pm
thursday, december 7/ 10am–8pm
friday, december 8/ 11am–8pm
saturday, december 9/ 12–8pm
sunday, december 10/ 12–6pm

[ design miami/ ] is the global forum for design. each fair brings together the most influential collectors, gallerists, designers, curators, and critics from around the world in celebration of design culture and commerce. occurring alongside the art basel fairs in miami, florida, each december and basel, switzerland, each june, design miami/ has become the premier venue for collecting, exhibiting, discussing, and creating collectible design. http://www.designmiami.com

luminaire a highlight among many 2017 design miami/ satellite offerings.

Dec 3, 2017

above > luminaire lab² / 4100 ne 2nd avenue – suite 104

in addition to its distinguished gallery program presenting 34 design galleries from around the world, design miami/ – 6 > 10 december 2017 – offers an extensive series of collaborations, satellites, events, retail and hospitality offerings as well as site-specific design commissions for visitors to enjoy throughout the fair week.

above > luminaire’s latest design district outpost, lab², comes alive with an illuminating investigation of the future of domestic design. in conjunction with the launch of the monograph, this will be the place, cassina’s recently appointed art director, patricia urquiola will join the book’s editor and pin-up magazine founder and editor felix burrichter along with renowned german industrial designer konstantin grcic to interact with guests and sign copies.

event > cassina: this will be the place
venue > luminaire lab² / 4100 ne 2nd avenue – suite 104
date > wednesday 6 december / 6 > 9p
[ rsvp ]

above > homage to kuramata by synthesizing the familiar with the avant-garde, japanese designer shiro kuramata created a dynamic and wide-ranging oeuvre that is still celebrated today. on thursday, december 7, luminaire lab opens its latest exhibition with a look at prolific designer featuring a collection of pieces produced by cappellini that highlight his sensitivity to form an abundance of creativity.

event > luminaire to open shiro kuramata exhibition during art basel 2017
venue > luminaire lab / 3901 ne 2nd avenue
date > thursday 7 december / 6 > 9p
[ rsvp ]

above > luminairex in collaboration with neushop will host creativemornings / miami presenting designer and dj lia figueredo who will share her experience throughout her career in design, marketing, and music through an interactive talk over breakfast. creativemornings has reunited new york’s creative community and engaged the city’s creative talent, connecting like-minded individuals based on a global theme. today, attendees gather in cities around the world to enjoy fresh coffee, friendly people, and an international array of experts on different topics.

event > creativemornings / miami
venue > luminaire lab / 3901 ne 2nd avenue
date > friday 8 december / 8:30am > 10:30am
[ register ] [ free / details ]

charlotte olympia launches limited edition collaboration with zaha hadid design.

Nov 21, 2017

in tribute to the late visionary zaha hadid, charlotte olympia launches two limited edition pieces, a platform wedge shoe and a clutch bag, both featuring fluid forms in perspex with rose gold metal accents. in conjunction to these, special packaging was created to echo the sculptural qualities of the designs.

combining the unmistakeable design language of the renowned architect with the creative hallmarks of the british luxury shoe and accessories brand, the partnership began when zaha and charlotte first met in 2015 and agreed to collaborate on a collection. zaha hadid design and charlotte olympia have meticulously realised these pieces as zaha originally envisioned.

launching on 21st november, the two pieces will be available exclusively at charlotte olympia retail stores and online, priced at £1,600 for the shoes and £2,600 for the clutch bag. to mark the occasion, a reception will take place at christie’s on the day of launch with charlotte olympia dellal taking part in a panel discussion. charlotte will also be at the brompton cross store on 22nd november to sign the purchased limited edition designs.

“zaha hadid was a phenomenal person to have known and her work and aesthetic are constant sources of inspiration for me. it was an honor and privilege to have worked with her and to continue working with her fantastic team on this dream collaboration.”
charlotte olympia dellal, founder and creative director of charlotte olympia

“we are always delighted to work with clients who share our passion for bold design and pristine craftsmanship. charlotte olympia and her team have masterfully translated our ideas into reality in two fantastic pieces of superb quality.”
maha kutay, director of zaha hadid design