Master Piece of Kaws: OringinalFake Companion Be@rbricks

the American street graphic artist Kaws (Brain Donnally) has becoming more and more popular since he had cooperation with the Japanese fashion toys' company Be@rbrick in 2006. The two toys showed above are different types of the 'Anatomy' series. One is using illustration on the cover of the toy's body, while the other is curved. they are all easy to understand. All the artworks' styles of Kaws are sort of Pop, He always use Famous Cartoon figures as the oringin to rebuild an 'oringinalfake figure'. Prevailing toys of Kaws just represent the renaissance of Pop in some extent. Nowdays, there are not only OriginalFake toys but also clothes, shoes and a lot of products. I love his designs , because KAWS has successfully blurred the line between fine art and mass-produced merchandise.Instead of copying, He used his own way to borrow the art of others then rebuid it. If u love his design as well , you can find more fun in his blog  http://www.kawsone.com/blog and also by visit http://www.original-fake.com/ Aodong Wei

Syd Mead is a great guy probably

After thinking about writing this post during the afternoon I realised that I don't have any specific ideas for designs that I like, so I've gone into movies for ideas.

I like boxes, and I like them because they exist solely because of their function. They store things, they're square and you can tessellate them to fit into a space with absolute efficiency. Similarly, I have great respect for products which carry out their job exceptionally without any superfluous art crap. There is an elegance to the economy of NASA's spaceships and other items designed only for efficiency of use.

Even my art influences I find tend to carry some sort of realism, so that they fit in the context of what's around them and make sense physically. So, I'm offering up Syd Mead's designs in Blade Runner as my example. He managed to integrate the style of the movie (the dirty sci-fi future of Metal Hurlant comics from the 70s) into the architecture of vehicles and cities into intricate designs that made sense. As well as technical drawings detailing the internals of transport seen in the movie, he was able to construct models from these that proved that they could translate into a real-world context. These then easily translated into blueprints used by the build team for the full scale models.

Syd Mead creates beautiful landscapes and detailed structures without fluff. The lines he draws feel like they have weight to them, and are arranged in an economical way to display all relevant information.

Did I do what I was meant to do for this blog? Did I contradict myself by talking about art after my point of really economical design? Who can say.

Tom Millward

My Favorite Speaker Design

Edifier M12 is a portable speaker that can be carried around.

One of the biggest reason that made this small piece of work to be my favourite design is because its simple design and such sleek looking. It has a white "skin" with two black sounders which emphasis its contrast with circle sounders and rectangular body. Visually this design is more interesting than other kinds of decorations. The flat surface of front and back have get rid of those too fancy design, i mean the complex one. On its side, it has a long ellipse shape and gives a thin and narrow feeling which people can easily hold it on hand.

The speaker come with a plastic transparent cover which protect the sounders. It usually packed in front, but the cover can also place at the back and instantly it become a nice supporter to made it stand up.

It has enough room to put 4 AA battery so it can play music outdoor and of course it has a 3.5mm port and a USB port at the back, i think it has almost everything need to be a mini speaker. 

Regarding its weakness of design, i think it is not flexible, i think it could be better if those two sounders can separate to place in different position. It can also use more expensive materials (maybe..) 

Overall, i think Edifier M12 is good design for all ages people, its sleek design reminds me of iPhone 4. The used material of hard plastic has efficiently reduced its cost and so it is also very cheap. $30 for this product i think that make it to be my favourite design.

Yifu Wei

Dr. Marten's

My favourite design at the moment is my Dr. Marten Classic, black patent leather ankle boots. I have owned these black beasts for just over an year and a half. Normally I am one to trash my shoes and they don't last very long, but my Docs are practical and the most comfortable shoes I own. They can survive extreme weather and underfoot conditions such as ice, snow, mud and rocks. You aren't about to roll your ankle in these bad boys.

 

Dr. Martens have been around for many years and have become quite trendy these days. Considering they were designed as a workman's boot, for men in the trade industry, they have really come quite a way. The company has embraced this and now sells them in numerous colours and styles. My Doc's have air cushioned thick rubber soles and laced traditionally with my added touch of rainbow laces.

 

Docs can be worn with almost anything from jeans to leggings, or even tights, and with dresses or skirts. I choose the classic design over other designs, because when I was little I always dreamed about getting a pair of Docs, and once I finally bought a pair I liked the simplicity and history behind the classic. When I was younger I had a pair of boots that were similar construction and aesthetics to the classic design, but where purple and red in colour.

The future for Doc's could possibly be ways in creating shoes that could come in all different widths to allow for a wider population's feet.

Kate

 

http://www.shoes.com/en-US/Product/EC1225928-5108271/Dr.+Martens/Black+Patent+Lamper/Men's+1460+8+Eye+Boot.aspx

 

Uzu Vacuum Cleaner

For as long as I can remember I have been fascinated with vacuum cleans and it's not because I'm a neat freak who cleans the house a hundred times a day. I think it's because the ones my family owned always looked so sleek and futuristic and had such bright colours compared to the other lifeless white or stainless, box shaped appliances we owned. I think that a good design should intrigue and if need be compel  the consumer to want to use the item. This is especially important with vacuums as no one likes cleaning and if you had to do it with an ugly lifeless machine fewer people would. That is why the Uzu vacuum cleaner is one of my favourite designs as it actually makes me want to do something I dislike because I want to interact with the machine.

There has clearly been so much thought put into the design, for one its cordless which has always been a huge hindrance in the practicality of former models. Secondly, it easily folds up to a minimal size when not in use, locking in place with a pleasing soft click and when it is needed there are simple release buttons to unfold it. But apart from the functionality in my opinion it looks beautiful. The site describes it as, not only been designed to clean but when not in use be part of the interior design of a  room, and I agree. It uses such simple basic shapes which to me look so smooth you can't help but want to handle the appliance. Additionally the block colour, which does come in others apart from this fluorescent orange, is so eye catching that it almost would force an observer to first notice the design then appreciate the hard work that has gone into creating this item and inevitably use it.

James Meikle

Resources:

http://www.metaphys.jp/product/electric/archives/200803172.php

Aston Martin Virage

The pinnacle of British motoring has yet again released another machine to captivate mind and body. The two door Virage coupe boasts a huge 6 litre V12 engine. But it's not just the performance that is outrageously impressive. Once again Aston Martin have produced an immaculate exterior. Featuring as always are the largely recognizable grille and front/rear lights. However there's something about the Virage that separates it from say the DB9 or Vantage. Could it be the gorgeously flared bumper and skirting or the lower grille which seamlessly and somewhat invisibly blends into the road. As always alike to every other current model Aston the large bonnet is turned up in such away that it exudes class and wealth yet unlike Ferrari's and Lamborghini's the Virage displays such beauty effortlessly. No vicious angles nor flashy 'look at me' facades. The Virage gains attention by just being there yet it has the ability to subtly slide into the confines of society instead of becoming a Sunday drive type deal. I still can't put my finger on it but the Virage's sleek and subtle curves make for one jaw dropping car while still retaining the typically immaculate beauty contained in that winged badge carrying the name of British motoring. Kingsley

Rolex Daytona

One of the most well known watches in the world, the Rolex Daytona combines both function and form into one small unit.

 

The watches are available in various metals from stainless steel to solid gold.  The watches feature a chronograph, and tachymeter and are water resistant.  The simple yet extremely well finished watch design complements the high tech automatic movement, one of the most accurate available.

 

The fact that the watch is sold as a fake on almost every street corner in Thailand is probably a good way of judging the effectiveness of this timeless design.

 

Ross Thomas

 

http://www.rolex.com/en#/rolex-watches/cosmograph-daytona/cosmograph-daytona-40mm-steel-m116520-0016

"Good Grip" thoughtfully designed for users

This peeler which is called "Good grip" is one of the most famous kitchen tools manufactured by OXO and designed by Smart Design

This peeler is simply designed for easy usage, less power and less pain on user's hand. Instead of plastic grip, rubber bike grip is attached, which is pretty bigger than normal grips. By using rubber grips, when it's used, there is a less friction between hand and the peeler. Moreover, the grip is bigger so there is more momentum to pill a potato.

I saw this peeler in the film titled "Objectified". It's the film about industrial design, several of industrial designers talk about their own opinions in this film. And one of the designer in the Smart Design was in there. I still clearly remember what he said about industrial design.  He was emphasizing the universal design and said "What we really look at as a design is extreme, because when we understand what the extremes are, the middles take care of themselves"

There are many over views on industrial design, someone said Industrial design is just making the face of products or make a product looking good so that the company get more profit from it. which ended up with designers look at the beauty of the product.

However, I really agree with that user understanding is just more than making products beautiful. This peeler is a good example for well representing this idea and also commercially succeeded.  That is why I like it

 

Reference : Objectified (2009) filmed by Gary Hustwit

                       OXO Website : http://www.oxo.com/s-21-good-grips.aspx

                        Smart Design  : http://www.smartdesignworldwide.com/

 

Soon Myoung Suh (Richard)

Zippo Lighter

It might seem strange to cite the Zippo Lighter as a favourite design of mine, but time and time again, this product's simple, classy and ultimately utilitarian design has fulfilled it's purpose and proven it's worth.

 

The history of the Zippo lighter began in 1932, when George G. Blaisdell, when he saw the potential in an Austrian lighter with the design of the chimney to protect the flame from wind and rain, but realised it wasn't durable or ergonomic. Blaisdell refashioned it, retaining the chimney, but changing the case with a hinge.

 

For the next 75 years the design has undergone minor modifications, and the company has maintained their policy that "It works or we fix it for free".

 

The Zippo lighter has proved to be timeless and a design icon, being used in all sorts of environments including military and outdoor use.

 

I'm sorry if this sounds like I'm plugging Zippo lighters, but believe me, I'm just a fan

 

Rohan Satyamurthy

 

Resources:

http://www.zippo.com/corporateinfo/zippo_manufacturing_history.aspx?article=fb7471d5-7322-46f4-881f-08d8cfa64785

 

http://www.republicdomain.com/photos/wallpaper/Silver-Zippo-Lighter/

Also,

The pictures didn't seem to work,

Third time lucky:

Gibson eb-1

Fender P bass

Sorry About That

That Bass guitar one was by me,
-Tahl

What do you call some dude who hangs out with real musicians?

A bass player

What really intrigues me about the bass guitar is the way that is so heavily polarized the music industry after it's formal industry creation in 1950(ish). Sterling Morrison of the velvet underground has been quoted as saying "Rock and Roll consisted of... guys who played the uptown clubs and had matching suits". I think this shows the true impact that downsizing the bass guitar's fat uncle - the double bass - to the sleek, compact and versatile form had on trajectory of music at the time. The bass now being part of the guitar family meant that there was one extra pretty face to put at the front of the stage and sing harmonies. Rock music began and the bass has been a staple sound ever since.

It's also interesting to note the contrasting takes on this new four-stringed marvel produced by the two major and rival guitar companies at the time - Fender and Gibson.
Arguably, Fender came first with a solid ash-bodied 20 fret monster - not in a design sense, in terms of scale. I really love the way that to this day that curved scratch-plate/pick-guard still has that same 'groovy' feel to it and I think it shows a snapshot into the approach of materiality of the time; to combat high tensions in the neck and across the bridge Mr. Leo Fender simply made it out of a heavier, stronger and more durable wood, gotta love that!

Ford GT40

Tom Grech

The Ford GT40......yeah sorry guys, its another car

All areas of design interest me, but the Automotive industry is something I am very passionate about. Family involvement in motorsport sparked my early interest and from then on, cars have been pretty much been my life. To single out one object, or product to be my most favourite is impossible for me, and although the most likely answer for me would be something automotive, there are quite a few products, buildings and interiors that I can really relate to, and believe that they are successful in their own right. So despite my indecisiveness, I have chosen a car, and its The Ford GT40.

The Ford GT40 is a car that from the first time I saw it, I loved. I'm not talking about the newer "GT" version, but the older 60's le mans winning and road car models. The car was named GT (for Grand Touring) with the 40 representing its overall height of 40 inches (1.02 m, measured at the windshield) as required by racing rules. The GT40 started its life as a race car, but later road car versions were released. This car was the winner of the 24 hour Le Mans four times in a row, and so far, is still the only race car built in America to win overall at Le Mans.

 

The reason why this car appeals to me so much is because one, it has history, and two because of its emotional connection that can be established from driving one. The GT40 has a real rawness to it that I love. It's like its saying "this is no bullshit, I'm the real deal." As I am a race driver myself, driving emotion, and car handling are two very important things in which I and other drivers look for in all cars. My first part time job, was working for a company that built GT40 replicas for clients in Australia, and in other countries. This was where my love for these cars only intensified. To have the opportunity to build these cars, was both a great education, but an awesome experience.

 

The GT40 solves the very hard task of being extremely appealing (in its design) whilst being functional. Another important reason on why this car is so successful in my mind, its how it can relate to not only motorsport fanatics, but everyday people too. Its super low seating position, aggressive styling and iconic sound of its 4.9 ltr V8 engine turn just about every head when driven down the road. I have had the very lucky opportunity to drive an original 60's GT40, as well as the replicas on the road, and on the race track. You as the driver, is instantly filled with an overwhelming sense of excitement, and control when sitting behind the wheel. Everything around you is there for a reason from the instruments and  materials used to the enormous amount of power generated from the engine.

 

The weight placement had also been very thought out and is considered one of the many trademarks of the GT40's design. The mid mounted engine and seating position being so low (and close to the middle) enabled the weight to be as close as possible to the centre of gravity, which helped greatly in its handling.

I believe this is to date, its one of the few cars that has even come close to solving its purpose entirely. Don't get me wrong, there are lots of cars that look amazing, serve their purpose and drive exceptionally well, but most of the time they a lacking that little something, or the body lines aren't quite right. Or, it simply doesn't meet all the needs of the intended user(s). The design of the body, lines and features of the GT40 all seem to work, and its raw racing appeal, are just a few of many reasons why the GT40 is my most favoured design icon.

Hope everyone here can appreciate this car, just as much as i do.

Tom Grech

Favourite Designs

One of my favourite designs at the moment is the Mercedes SLS. Made in 2010, it is inspired by the 1954 300SL Gullwing.
Even with the unconventional doors closed, the SLS has an amazing shape to it, with clean, sleek lines and accents that give it a sense of power and luxury.
Over the years, Mercedes has always been a luxury car manufacturer, however in late years, many of their new cars, such as the CLS, SLK and the new C200 - with their much sportier look and feel and a sense of sex appeal - have been marketed to a younger target-audience.
Even though I am definitely not in Mercedes' target socio-economic bracket, I still very much admire the aesthetics of their new range of cars.

I am also fascinated by the Bahrain World Trade Centre, after recently watching a documentary about it.
With construction starting in 2004 and being completed 4 years later, the BWTC cost $US150 million to build. Aside from the budget of the project, what captures people's attention is its cutting edge design which focuses on harnessing green wind energy. This is achieved with 3 wind turbines being attached in between the two towers. The two towers are also sail-shaped, in order to funnel wind towards the turbines.
With global warming and climate change such a debated topic lately, i think more buildings such as this are great. Not only do they look amazing, but they also have a smaller impact on the environment.

Harris Koutrouzas

Resources:
Google Images
http://bad8.net/wp-content/gallery/mercedes-sls-amg-bande-annonce-fiml-3d/mercedes_sls_amg_0011.jpg
http://static.worldarchitecturenews.com/news_images/935_2_1000 Bahrain 2.jpg

The Swisscard

Out of all the Swiss army Knives, Pen Knives and Multi tools I've owned (no I'm not knife crazed, I don't keep them under my pillow, I used to be outdoors a lot and it became a hobby), my SwissCard was my favourite. It was beautiful gadget, one that I consider to be masterpiece in combining necessity with convenience. Small enough to fit in the credit card pocket in your wallet, and yet so useful that having it that hidden away was almost a pain. It holds a variety of handy tools (depending on model you choose); scissors, a knife, a pen, tweezers, several screw drivers, etc. All stored away side by side in a tidy, light weight, transparent package, safely sheathed yet not hidden from the user.

 In all reality, the design isn't that complicated, just well executed. Frankly, it would seem many designers in this field create clumsy, round-about ways of squishing different tools together into a small package. The simplicity of the SwissCard is reflected in its ease of use. I would challenge anyone to try and find the scissors on a Leatherman Wave with one hand, let alone try and use it. Or even open anything on a Gerber Flik without being fully briefed on how the contraption works - probably why Sir Edward (Bear) Grylls only uses their fixed blades.

 The SwissCard is also one of few utility knives that consider the needs of those working in a business environment; not just those working outdoors. Unfortunately, these days its considered pretty suspicious  to be carrying any sort of blade no matter how small or how truly useful they are to you -so carrying one in your pocket or on a belt has become unheard of - which is where the SwissCard really makes it mark.

 In fact, the only thing I have against the SwissCard, is that I no longer own one, but the man working at customs in Singapore does, he reckons its great!..  All grudges aside, Victorinox have done very well to have their claims on the SwissCard, It's a great bit of kit.

-Alex Beattie

http://www.victorinox.com/category/1/100/1009;jsessionid=4A8BC7E46C39F67B127508AC8AAC6728.hyb4?f=category&v=1/100/1009&m=add&

Favourite Design

In year 12, I designed a rocking chair for my final piece in Design Technology. When I was doing my research, i came across this rocking chair. It is only a concept design, and it is called the 'Rocking Wheel Chair' by Mathias Koehler. I just love the boldness of the design and the endless possibilities that were thought of during the designing of the chair. The thought of sitting in it would scare me, however there is so much curiosity involved to the bystander. its futuristic, and out of this world and so awesome. it even has an overhead lamp. what more could you want? i would love to see these go into production, but it would be for a very niche market and not sure it would do very well. for these reasons, i post this rocking wheel chair as one of my favourite designs.

 

Razan Sappideen

Holden Efijy

The Holden Efijy concept car would have to be one of my favourite designs. The entire package from the body shape, to the interior and paint look fantastic.  The Efijy is a modern interpretation of the 1953 FJ Holden, combining the best of both worlds with classic design, produced with the latest technology. The Efijy shows me how far the automotive industry has come over the past 5 decades.
 
The appeal of the Efijy is not only its stunning looks, but the processes, and materials used to make the concept. The Efijy was built over a Chevrolet Corvette C5 under body, and boasts a supercharged 6l LS2 V8 which puts out 480kw. The 5.2m long body is entirely constructed from fibreglass moulded from the full size clay model.  The materials used throughout the concept range from the full fibreglass body, to the billet aluminium trim, and maple timber interior floor. These materials, and technology used have allowed for imaginations to run wild and a dream car to be made. 
 
The appeal of this car comes from the flowing lines, elongated wheel arches, and overall really just the curvaceous body.  When the Efijy and FJ are compared side by side, the overall stretched shape of the Efijy is noted. But the similarities of the front grill, and headlights, to the rear stone guard really show the origin of the Efijy design.  The coupe styling, and removal/relocation of parts such as the doorhandles and petrol cap helped to create a sleek and minimal look so the meticulously formed lines of the body are not interrupted.
 
Holden's purpose in the Efijy was to not only to create a stylised version of the iconic FJ Holden, but to make a bold statement of the work which can be produced by their design and engineering team. I think this has been achieved very successfully as the Efijy has toured around the world, surprising, and appealing to a large range of people.
 
Jarrod Burge
 
References:
http://www.holden.com.au/concept-cars/efijy
http://www.webwombat.com.au/motoring/news_reports/holden-efijy-custom-hotrod.htm
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qTNtMuv46Wc

Form follows function.

Form follows function.

I believe that a good design is a useful design and that if a designer can create something that excels in performance and they can make it aesthetically pleasing they have succeeded in their job as the designer.

The product I have chosen for my post is in my short list of many designs that all share this philosophy of form following function.

The Boblbee, Megalopolis Aero is the epitome of combining these two worlds of function and form in that it is a backpack designed to get the job done in a handful of environments and activities. This bag is primarily geared towards motorcycle riders, skiers', push bike riders and general active applications such as jogging etc.

The Megalopolis aero sports an injection molded ABS shell that protects your gear from external knocks and keeps your laptop dry in those horizontal rainy days! The inner lining has plenty of sleeves that fir your notebooks or tools for bike riding perfectly and not to mention it has an industry graded ergonomic back brace which keeps the bulk of the weight above your lumbar region of the spine to save your back on bumpy terrain on your bike or just carrying loads to and from uni.

As an owner of this bag I can vouch for its usefulness in its applications and I have fallen in love with this product and the company's ideals and designs of their bags. (Boblbee, Sweden)

Form > Function… However a good designer can make anything look good :D

-Robert Schoch (Pronounced 'Shock' … not 'Skootch' LOL)

Whoops...

Here are the resources from that last post of mine:
http://mac.appstorm.net/wp-content/uploads/2009/11/apple-magic-mouse-2.jpg
http://cache.gawker.com/assets/images/gizmodo/2009/10/newmousenew.jpg

Dael M

Apple Magic Mouse

Now I'm not a huge Apple fanboy...
However, one thing I have always admired about Apple products is amount of care they put into the appearance of their products.
The Apple Magic Mouse is no exception. The combination of functionality and simplicity, make it one of my favourite designs. 

Utilising technology from the iPhone, the Magic Mouse eliminated the need for a scrolling wheel. 

Without going into too much detail (I'm no technology expert) the mouse uses Multi-Touch technology, which allows you to scroll by simply sliding fingers across the top of the mouse. As a result, the mouse has a smooth uninterrupted surface which feels much more natural to hold and is generally much more pleasing to look at! 
Also, through the use of Bluetooth technology the mouse is completely wireless, reducing desk clutter, and potentially improving office efficiency. 

As with all other aspects of design, I value simplicity. In recent years there appears to have a been a greater emphasis on the importance of simplicity.
Through advancements in technology, we now have a range of keyboard, screens, controllers, and remotes which aim to become a more seamless part of the home/office environment, rather than a just stand-alone object. The mouse does this. It sits comfortably (even more so next to an Mac) in its environment.

In danger of sounding like I worship the mouse and all things Mac. I'll add that the mouse does take a little while to adjust to after using a mouse with a standard scroll wheel.

I have also read reviews that say the mouse makes it hard to use powerful software such as CAD. 
Regardless, the mouse is still greatly innovative and I wouldn't be surprised if we see a lot more 'button-less' mouses popping up...

Dael M


 

joe colombo's modular kitchen

hey guys i though my favorite design was going to be the modular
kitchen by Joe Colombo.

He was on of the worlds most influential product designers during the
1970's and still today we see his work being expressed through others.
The modular kitchen was one of his many famous designs, but this one
stood out the most for me because it was a design that we still see
people today imitating, it has revolutionized how we build our houses
and apartments and think about saving that extra space. the modular
kitchen was made for a small living environment, such as a city based
apartment. It contains every necessary house hold appliance and
sleeping quarters built into one unit, which can be removed and taken
apart if necessary. the design of the unit is outstanding everything
fits together well in an overall form. The vibrant colors make the
design appeal to its viewers to make it seem like something from the
future. Joe's base idea was to design a universal unit which would
maximize the amount of space saved for a small apartment.

Avinda Fernando

Resources:
http://www.specifier.com.au/pastissues/37140/Joe-Colombo-Inventing-the-Future.html
http://www.flickr.com/photos/glenhsparky/4659413320/

iPod Touch 4th Gen (2005)

This iPod was the first ever electronic gadget I ever bought, as I had never been interested in games consoles or music players before. But when I saw this iPod I had to have it. There was something so beautiful about it. It wasn't overly bulky or cluttered with buttons like the walkmans but just so simple.  The basic geometric shapes that made up the scroll wheel and screen were so perfectly proportioned and placed I can't find any faults with it. It wasn't the first iPod out on the market but was the first to have a colour screen.  Even the graphics that appeared on-screen were so well designed, the battery icon, the time slider, everything was just so perfect.  

There are two reasons/features that I loved about this particular iPod. The colour scheme of white, grey and chrome was something I instantly loved and something that I really miss seeing on the newer iPod models. The other thing I loved about the iPod was the scroll wheel. While the newer iPod Touch is no doubt incredibly easy to use, the scroll wheel was amazing to use and still is even when compared to a touch screen. The fact that it can scroll by touch and still function as buttons was the reason behind its appeal.

At that point in time the ability to have 20gb worth of songs on something that small was incredible. Of course now that amount of storage not as impressive and sadly why I had to upgrade to a newer iPod Touch but I still love the design of this iPod much more.

Stefan H  

Fun(ky) Chess

Although I've already posted a thread earlier about my favourite design, I couldn't help but also share to you all this amazing design as well, that I stumbled across a few years ago in a games shop.

Karim Rashid is one of the world's most prolific designers with over 3000 designs in production, specialising in many areas. Rashid has given a modern twist to the classic game we're all familiar with. 

As with many of Rashid's other designs, he has used a bright and vivacious colour scheme for his chess set design.  The vivid colours of the chess set give the design an undeniable contemporary feel and a luminescent quality is created by the translucency of the plastic material. I find its dynamic look very unique to the millions of dull black and white existing chess sets.

Even though Rashid has simplified the chess pieces to simple organic shapes, he has amazingly reattained each individual chess piece's identity, allowing the players to still be able to distinguish between different pieces.  Rashid has also designed the chess board with great consideration. Not only is the board visually stimulating with its circle pattern, it also serves great function of being able to store the chess pieces when they're not in play. I also really like how the clear board almost gives the illusion that the chess pieces are floating mid air. 

 

Rashid's modern approach to this chess set design will likely encourage some new players and excite existing chess enthusiasts. Who knew chess could look so funky????

-Phi Do

Resources:

http://www.karimrashid.com/

Acoustic Guitar

Alrighty, for my first blog ever, and seeing its on our favourite design, i would have to say at the moment it would be the Acoustic Guitar.

ill have to break this down into sections why I love the guitar. 

First of all I think the guitar is one of the most beautiful looking and sounding instruments around. I love the curves, and the way it sits on a persons lap, and when straps are placed on it to carry, i love the fact it can be held, and also moved around in a ROCK manner. The wood of an acoustic guitar gives off a warm vibe, and not to mention that different types of wood give off different sounds. 

I absolutely love the sound of the guitar. The fact it can be played with almost any other instrument and sound good is impressive. i love the sound of a solo guitar, i melt every time i hear or listen to it. I love the fact that a person can pour their heart into playing a song and it sounds amazing. A guitar, i think can truly capture emotions, by certain chords, by the strums, by the picking of the strings, by the amount of pressure that is placed on the strings, and by how fast a person plays. I think its amazing how any combinations of these can make up a single song. 

As you can probably tell, i love listens and watching guitars being played. I love it so much, I am starting to learn how to play. :)

Tegan :)      

Porsche Boxster

What is there to say about a Porsche Boxster? Sleek, Luxurious, Elegant, Sporty.

This car has been appreciated by many car enthusiasts and the general public since it was first seen in 1996. Built and designed by Porsche, in Stuttgart, Germany, this "roadster" has captivated me for years. I will never forget the first time I saw this car and I would always strive to buy it on the video game, Gran Turismo!

It may not be the quickest car on the market but, it's look and design have proven to be a winner amongst it's admirers. By having a low profile and many lines similar to a fully fledged sports car, the Boxster can definitely be classified as a sports car. However, in my eyes, I see it as a "hydrid" of sorts. A sports car with luxury.

Over the years of watching this car evolve, one of the only things to stay constant since 1996 in it's design is the headlights. The distinctive shape and vibrant white background, contrasting against the glossy finish of the car (especially against the black), make the headlights seem as if they were the eyes of this fine automobile.

Porsche have really designed a fantastic car in the Boxster. Not only aesthetically pleasing, but also packs some fantastic machinery under the hood. The recipient of numerous awards around the world, with the most prestigious, holding the title of both Car of the Year (1997) and Best Roadster in the World. I just hope that Porsche continue to further modify and develop the Boxster so we can all admire it's beauty and elegance.

Chris K

References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Porsche_Boxster
http://porsche-boxsters.com/buying-a-porsche-boxster/

Beats by Dr. Dre

I'm quite a fan of accessories. And the Beats Solo HD is one of my favourite.
The name of the headphone says it all; it's HD so you can't go wrong with it. Sound quality is great, and the design is attractive.

Beats Solo HDs are the perfect light-weight headphone, adequate for active lifestyles. Lightweight soft on-ear cushioned headphones are perfect in any setting. They keep the noise out and the music in. Monster's compact tri-fold design makes it easy to store.

Actually you could get other headphones with specifications as good as those Beats and for a cheaper price. However, what makes the Beats Solo HD stand out is its 'cool' factor. Its shape is simple with very smooth contours just like its logo.  The headphones have a good combination of the glossy (red) and titanium-coated (black and grey at the ear piece) texture. Also, I believe the red strip at the ear piece keeps the design very balanced.

They feature an attention-grabbing, red high gloss finish. Those headphones are produced in many colors, but those specifically made in red are to support the RED association (which is designed to help eliminate AIDS) as  Monster gives a portion of the proceeds directly to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS in Africa.

How awesome are those headphones? You buy them, you feel good (as they are comfy and deliver great sound), you look good (as they are cool), and you're doing something good by helping RED.

 

Dwayne Chung.

my car

I absolutely love my car. The first time I saw the Mazda2 in the showroom I fell in love with it - it was the perfect small car, shiny and smooth black paint, that great new car smell, and even better - it had a raisable front seat so I could actually see out the windscreen (no joke, I wouldn't be able to drive it otherwise...).

 

Now don't get me wrong, I love my car, but I'm not a rev head and I know next to nothing about cars. It wasn't what was under the hood that made me love my car, it was what was inside. Sure, the freedom it represented was great too, but what was best, and what made me want to drive my car every day for the 3 years I've owned it now, is the comfort, how easy and zippy it is to drive, and the space inside. Anyone who's ever seen a Mazda2 would know that its a very small car, but somehow the inside feels as big as a 4WD. Add to that the comfy and supportive front seat, the smooth steering wheel and how easy it is the change the radio channel, and I'm happy.

 

Holly Squirrell

Honda CBR 1000rr Fireblade

For me personally, good design not only needs to be aesthetically pleasing, but also needs to incorporate the key features of the product seamlessly. This is one of the reasons I admire and draw inspiration from a Honda CBR1000.

 

This bike screams speed, it screams aerodynamics, its aggressive but sleek and compared to its competitors (excluding the fact that it can go over 300km/h) it displays comfort and safety.

 

Whether it's the minimalistic pillion passenger seat for weight reduction, the low riding frame or variety of flowing decals, this bike looks fast. The curves and cut-outs of the fairings are incorporated into the design so well that you almost forget that they are a necessity of the bikes performance and the tip of the bike followed by the low angled screen really give it that wind piercing aerodynamic look.

 

Personally I like the look of the earlier models with the under-seat exhaust system. It seems to give the bike a more symmetrical look as well as being an excellent use of space.  The CBR, and in fact most sports bikes, display great spatial design. This bike includes so many components, the amount necessary to shoot a person from 0km/h to 100km/h in roughly 2.9 seconds, yet it still accomplishes a compact appearance and also achieves optimum mass centralization. The aggressive fuel tank cover achieves the goals of enhancing high-speed stability for the rider as well as the agility necessary for tight cornering and general road use. Not only that but the 'hump' is carefully designed to ensure the rider is placed in the best position to compliment the aerodynamics of the bike.

 

This supersports bike is absolutely incredible on the track, but where Honda have really beaten their competitors is by designing a bike that can perform well, yet also has the greatest ride-ability for a sportsbike of its kind on the road, not just the track.

 

Unfortunately, they are not cheap, but everything going to plan I'll be hoping to buy one of these machines by the end of the year. At least that way, my inspiration will never be far away.

 

 

Sean Hibbins

 

References:

Google images

http://motorcycles.honda.com.au/Supersports

The Most Super of All Gaming Systems

Aaaaahhhhhhh, the Super Nintendo.

This was my first gaming system in which i owned. Although the design may not be too aesthetically pleasing to many other systems today, the Super Nintendo (Or SNES) was once the pinnacle of gaming.

This design is one of my favourites as the idea of the aesthetics was for a pure function rather than an eye catcher. With the solid exterior and gaming slot operated entirely through forceful acts (by having to slam the games in, and to eject by punching the buttons), the SNES has been an iconic martyr of my childhood with such games as 'Super Mario' and 'Donkey Kong Country' glueing me to the television for hours at a time.

Operating on a 32-bit system (giving very basic graphics), the SNES is a typical design of 90's popular culture with its bland grey appearance and operations clearly un-masked by its shell. The SNES sold for about $200 when first released, but the sentimental value of my machine surpasses the retail value.

Although people may not agree with me, the SNES, I still believe, is a gaming system which none other have lived up to. Without the hi-tech graphics and lifelike characteristics of the games, there was a clear line drawn between the gamer and the system.

So why is the SNES my favourite design? Simple. The gaming system brought out by Nintendo was where the leaders of design had gone by creating a simple design without anything unnecessary; everything which appeared on the SNES was purely for a functional purpose rather than just aesthetic looks, and paved the way for other designs over the rest of the 1990's.

Jared Dettmann.

Coca Cola's Glass “Contour Bottle”

The design that springs to mind as my favourite is the classic glass coke bottle. Although it has evolved throughout the years, the bottle originally designed in 1915 and known as the "contour bottle" by Coke employees, the bottle has retained its elegant flowing curves. The form of the bottle, aided by the iconic graphic design we have all come to recognise by colour palette alone, has become an international symbol of capitalism, the United States and consumer culture.

The form of the original prototype was based on an image of a cocoa pod, taking the strong contours and incorporating them into an orthodox bottle form. However this prototype was too wide around the middle, so this diameter was reduced and this went into production as the first coke bottle. Throughout the decades, the design evolved. The embossed trademark was replaced with a printed one, and then a red background was added, and so forth, until the bottle we have today.

Although coke is now also sold in plastic bottles of various sizes, and cans, the glass bottle remains the most attractive in my opinion. The glass bottle is thicker than the plastic ones, and as such has a nicer feeling of weight and some interesting internal reflections and refractions. The glass bottle also seems more permanent: where an empty plastic bottle is trash, I always hesitate to throw away a glass one. This feeling belies a truth, the glass bottles will in fact last longer, and preserve the coke better, as the gas cannot escape as quickly over long periods of time. Glass is a better conductor of heat, and therefore it feels colder to the touch. This also means you will see more perspiration on the bottle, running down the contours, which is an appetising visual.

After adapting to almost a hundred years as the delivery method of one of the world's favourite drinks, and also becoming an internationally recognised symbol of the Coca Cola brand, Coke's glass "contour bottle" deserves recognition as a successful example of good design.

Resources:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Coca_Cola#Contour_bottle_design
http://www.thedieline.com/blog/2009/11/17/the-evolution-of-the-coca-cola-contour-bottle.html

Scott Everitt
---
Also, check out this student project I found aimed at reducing the environmental effects of coke bottles:
http://www.looks.gd/design/amazing-student-designed-coke-bottle-design
Thought it was pretty well done