Steelcase coordinated office.
Looking back. The Steelcase coordinated office approach. via The Midcentury modernist. [PR]
Shimano electric shifter.
Shimano, a company that’s been at the forefront of the cycling-component industry for decades, has got a new product. It’s an electronic shifting system that forgoes mechanical cable for electronic impulses and servomotors. (more…)
ECCI TrackStar 6000
Speed freak racer controller. The ECCI TrackStar 6000 is simply the best PC steering wheel and pedal set available in the world. If you can afford it, you’ll never regret buying one.
We’re talking a two-tone leather steering wheel, fluid damped steering which emulate the feel of tyres on pavement, fine tuned customizable steering resistance, high precision USB electronics and a shock absorbing desk clamp. Matching pedals also available. That’s enough for us, we’re sold. Now where’s that copy of Colin McRae’s rally from 1992?
Unlike most wheels that are circular in grip section, the 6000 Talladega wheel is deeper than it is wide in frontal profile. This creates a more natural grip shape for the hand. The grip contour at the nine and three o’clock positions is ideally suited to actuate the close fitting shift paddles behind. Lock-to-lock road course racing is a snap, but it is large enough in diameter to offer the incremental control critical to oval
track racing.
An all-new breakthrough design, the 6000 features true automotive ergonomics with a top-pivoting hang down pedal mounting. This is mated with a heel rest offering a stable platform for pedal operation.
Unique to the new 6000, all critical pedal geometric relationships are fully adjustable to uniquely suit each user. These include: pedal angle from vertical; heel rest angle and distance from pedals; pedal height from heel rest; pedal to pedal lateral spacing; and individual pedal resistance rate.
Priced at USD$989 with the tricked-up 6000GT and clutch-pedal packing 6000GTS models at $1198 and $1398 respectively.
Producer: ECCI
Snail mail. English style.
Classic via old style messaging: the “post stamp” from Royal Mail. “We always like to start the year with a classic and this year we’re launching our Special Stamp programme with ten, in one very special issue– British Design Classics.”
1st Class – K2 Telephone Kiosk
Sir Giles Gilbert Scott’s design bright-red phone box always stood out on the streets of the UK.
1st Class – Polypropylene Chair
Found in public buildings throughout the world, almost everyone will have sat on a Robin Day chair
at some time.
1st Class – Penguin Books
Edward Young’s book jacket design was instantly recognizable as a Penguin edition.
1st Class – London Underground Map
Harry Beck’s easy to understand design was based on an electrical wiring diagram.
1st Class – Routemaster Bus
Once a symbol of London to visitors from all over the world now only a few of Douglas Scott and Colin Curtis’s remain on London’s streets.
1st Class – Supermarine Spitfire
The superlative Battle of Britain fighter with its distinctive elliptical wings was designed by R J Mitchell who sadly died before the plane went into production.
1st Class Large – Mini Skirt
Mary Quant rewrote the fashion rules for women forever with her daring design.
1st Class – The Mini
Sir Alec Issigonis made use of every available space in the small car that was as much a fashion statement as a means of transport.
1st Class – Anglepoise Lamp
George Carwardine’s flexible design brought light wherever it was needed.
1st Class – Concorde
Aerospatiale and BAC’s supersonic jet was capable of twice the speed of sound and beautiful to look at too.
First class. Jolly good idea!
Producer: Royal Mail
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about ron kovach
Modern water fountains.
Some water fountains are really people magnets. Observing human interaction, the kinetic creativity of the Jaume Plensas fountain in Chicago the past three years has inspired this post.
( above ) designer, jaume plensas, chicago, USA. water and digital video.
( above ) designer, armand vallancourt, san francisco USA. concrete tubing.
( above ) fountain clock, kanazawa JP. fountain clock.
( above ) designer, unknown, location unknown. the waterboard, not exactly a fountain.
( above ) designer, lotta hannerz, paris, FR. water mobile venus.
( above ) designer, unknown, seattle US. variable pressure fountain.
( above ) designer, unknown, zacatecas MX. a fountain inside a silver mine.
( above ) designer, william pye, sunderland UK. water vortex.
Is there a difference between an older, more traditional fountain vs modern? Do you have a favorite you frequent or fond memories of one?
Fraktur mon amour. Blackletter.
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 facing-page design using the typeface. Many quite well done and some even exciting. Of course, I’m not the first to find the book spectacular. It won the Type Directors Club of New York’s 2007 Award for Typographic Excellence.
Designer:Judith Schalansky ( Berlin )
via amazon.com
Congratulations president Obama.
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. You won’t find Eames donkeys however.
That said, if anyone finds appropriate donkeys, or other animals for that matter, please inform us.
marvin gaye sings american national anthem observed via designobserver
overheard: time to recycle campaign signs
Middle colors humidifier.
For many of our readers, winter is just around the corner. And that may mean it’s time to trade the A/C unit for a humidifier. Here is a cute one.
Designed by Takashi Hiroshi Tsuboi, the tear-drop shaped humidifier is ultrasonic and can produce moisture for up to ten consecutive hours. If you speak Japanese or knows someone who does you are in luck as they aren’t yet available in the U.S. But it would make a great gift for someone you really care about, and you too!
Designer: Takashi Hiroshi Tsuboi
Producer: Middle Colors
via cool hunting
RCRB. Battery recycle.
If it’s rechargeable, it’s recyclable. Don’t toss those those dead rechargeables out of your mobile phone, camcorder or camera—they can be recycled.
In fact, they’re toxic, the industry wants them back and is providing thousands of recycle bins in the U.S. and Canada to make it that much more convenient.
So far, RCBC claims to have recycled 42 million pounds of rechargables since 1994, and aim to continue the effort. There are already 40,000 recycling points in North America.. Get in touch to find out how you can get your old batteries recycled in the Call2Recycle program.
ABUS bordo granit X-plus.
New! ABUS – as the inventor of the U-shackle lock – has once again launched an innovation for bicycle locks: the foldable locks.
above: granit X-plus
above: granit X-plus
above: granit X-plus
above: granit X-plus
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 maximum picking protection
Links made from 5.5 mm thick hardened special steel protect against brutal opening methods
Link construction offers maximum flexibility for external securing (i.e. lamp post)
Easy transport thanks to modern bag in stylish design
Compact lock dimensions offer various and simple fixing possibilities at the frame
Transportation:
Handy modern bag protecting against dirt
Producer: Abus