Design Conference: Icsid World Design Congress

It looks like Singapore is the place to visit come November if you have an interest in Design.





Icsid Conference Site

Singapore Design Festival Site

Graphic Designs: What's the Best Way to Signal Trouble?

Since its introduction the terror threat color code key had its detractors. In the video link here the rationale behind at least one designer whose believes it is ineffective at communicating its stated message at best.

Video: Discussion on Alert Symbols

A Different Kind of Design Firm: Project H Design

Project H is an different kind of design firm, more in how it is structured than in the projects it takes on, though they are unique in many ways.

This young firm, started in 2008, seeks to address humanity centered problems though leveraging the talents of designers dispersed throughout the world but anchored in local chapters.

Emily Pilloton, a product designer and founder of Project H, will have to shore up the organizational structure if the network of well intentioned designers is to sustain itself.

NYTimes Article

Project H Website

Metropolis Article

Typography: The NYTime's Style Magazine Covers

The power of a single type character to be made expressive is demonstrated in the covers of the New York Times Style Magazine.


Slide shows of "T" magazine covers:

Covers from 2009

Covers from 2008

Covers from 2007

Covers from 2006

Covers from 2004

Typography: IKEA Makes a Change

This Swedish based international furniture producer/retailer has decided to update its word mark and much of the respond has been less than flattering.

The switch from the type Futrua to Veranda was intended to improve online readability, you can decide (see the link below).

NYTimes Article

Samples of Before and After

Ikea's History

Video: Heartless by The Fray

This video pays homage to the time old tradition of sketching as an effective tool when your physically held hostage( i.e. classroom/ work meetings) freeing the mind to travel elsewhere or tackle more pressing issues of the heart.

The FRAY - Heartless from IE HAGY on Vimeo.

Design History: Carl Hansen Lounge Chair

Here is beautiful chair with an interesting history. I am not sure when I first noticed the CH07, but I did take the opportunity this summer to sit on one at NeoCon's furniture tradeshow.

"Wegners three-legged shell chair was originally introduced in 1963. A few limited series were produced, but the project soon came to a stand still. The 90s brought a growing interest in chairs of more individual designs. The chair was relaunched in 1997 and fortunately the new manufacturer had been able to keep down the costs. These two factors in combination resulted in an increasing market, and after 34 years oblivion the chair finally got its breakthrough. As a curiosity it is worth mentioning that one of the original shell chairs from the 60s was sold at 104.000 Danish Kroner at Christies in London in 1999. At the same time a chair from the resumed production was sold in a Danish furniture store at 8.000 Danish Kroner. Not only is the CH07 Shell Chair beautiful and unique, but it is also incredibly comfortable! The perfect fusion of form and function, this is a piece of furniture you will cherish for years to come.

Seat and back are made of formpressed plywood shells. The 3 legs consist of a laminated construction, the 2 front legs are made of one continuous piece and the hind leg is a separate element. To enhance the comfort Wegner has added 2 upholstered cushions which are fastened to the shell with screws from the back."

Danish Furniture

Essay: Seattle Central Library: Civic Architecture in the Age of Media

Amy Murphy writes an interesting piece on the influence of media and its impact on Architecture.

"While all of technology might be involved in this inversion to some extent, media technology has had the most powerful impact on the general population and its relationship to urban experience. Media today is more mediatory than ever, insinuating itself between us and everything else. In particular, digitization has created a situation where media is now not only a means by which we understand the world (as with traditional media like newspapers), but increasingly the means by which we experience it. Even when we visit real urban spaces such as Times Square, the plurality of experience suggested by the two words “public city,” has been slurred into one word — “publicity.” Through this slurring, the larger experiential potentials of architecture, as well as media, more often than not become diminished."
read more

Bike Design: Another Folding Bike

The question of how to provide urban dwellers with a viable solution for personal transportation seems to be on the minds of many. The IF Mode folding bike from Pacific Cycles, based in Taiwan is the latest attempt to make a bike easier to live with and transport when not in use.



Metropolis Article

Houseware Design: The Element Grill by Fuego

From a relatively new player in the world of high-end home products Fuego introduces a moderately priced grill for the aspiring high-end connoisseur. The Element fuses functionally and aesthetics that can make out door grilling less of a fuss.


The Element Grill

NYTimes Article

Apartment Therapy Review


Fuego Website

Fancy Feet

I like distinctive footwear and FiveFingers by Vibram fits that description. They appear idea for folks that practice yoga, or maybe they can help others escape their flip flop fixation.



Wired Review

FiveFingers Website

An Insiders View of the Fashion World

The New York based fashion designer, Eric Gaskins, dishes on the goings on of the fashion world through his blog site.

With the recent closing of his label he has in away been freed to speak on how the fashion industry works, and to a larger extent point out issues that the other design professions suffer from as well - lack of inclusion.

He questions aloud the lost of craft and growth of corporate/celebrity as well touching on the personal cost of being a designer.

NYTimes Article: How Do You Like Me Now?

The Emperor's Old Clothes Blog

Copper Hewitt National Design Awards 2009

First Lady, Michelle Obama will continue a tradition started under the Bush administration by hosting a series of events on July 24th in Washington DC to acknowledge the 2009 National Design Award winners.



10th National Design Awards

Events Planned Around DC

Music After MJ: Death of Audio-Tune (D.O.A.)

Could this video mark a new direction in Hip Hop? Is JayZ pushing the envelope with music videos that has the potential to be as influential as Micheal Jackson's Thriller?



The thematic quality is first rate, visually and sonically it seems to in a league of its own. The fusion of jazz undertones and the use of real musicians underscores the message of D.O.A. - a reference to a technology that many singers are using to distort or correct their vocals.

Beware some of the language could be offensive.

NYTimes Review of Blueprint III

Information Design: 9.20.21 Project

Led by Richard Saul Wurman, information architect and founder of the TED conferences, the initiative will explore trends in cities.

While based on statistical analysis, the project no doubt will deliver something entertaining and accessible, delivered through the Web, television, print publications, and exhibits and seminars.

So what’s the big deal?

The idea is to standardize the way information about cities is collected and shared. This means coming up with patterns of data, comparing trends, and developing communications strategies to provide a “roadmap for understanding the world ahead.”

19.20.21 Project

Video:19.20.21 Explained

Why 9.20.21 is Important?

Bike Design: Trek's Chainless Bike

Instead of a drive chain made up of metal linkages and up to 3,000 individual parts, chainless bikes utilize a carbon belt similar to the drive belt on motorcycles and snowmobiles. (They're manufactured by the same Denver-based company that makes drive belts for Harley-Davidson.)


The carbon belt has a number of advantages over a traditional chain: lighter weight (80 grams vs. 300-400 grams), longer lasting (3 years vs. 1 year), minimal stretch, and lower maintenance (no lube required!). Belt drive systems are virtually silent and rarely catch pant cuffs, making them a good choice for commuters.

The carbon belt is a great solution for single speed bike like Trek's bike design with the urban commuter in mind, but it not yet ready for use on multiple speed bikes.

Trek's Website

Blog Site for Trek's District

Architect: Thom Mayne

Thom Mayne and his firm, Morphorsis Architects, based in southern California is responsible for some of the most praised buildings of today.

In the video below he describes his philosophy and approach to designing buildings that not only connects to its immediate environment, but also boldly expresses and redefines it.

Morphosis Architects

NYTimes Article:The Civic Value of a Bold Statement

Thom Mayne: Architecture is a new way to connect to the world

Design History: Georg Olden

A design pioneer whose legacy had been unknown to me. Georg Olden an African American Graphic Artist who achieve professional success at a time that proceeded the civil rights movement.

His 1963 design of a commemorative postage stamp of the 100th year anniversary of the Emancipation Proclamation was the first stamp designed by an African American.

Biography - AIGA

Neuton: Battery Powered Lawn Mower

As I anticipate becoming a homeowner there are some tasks that I will be taking responsibility for that as a renter I did not have to consider.

This means purchasing tools that allow for the ongoing maintenance of the property. Though my goal would be to minimize the amount of lawn by using a variety of plants in lieu of grass, there will remain a need for the purchase of a mover. Here is one that appears to be a good solution to the conventional noisy and polluting gas powered machines.

Neuton Website

Designers421: Kickoff at NeoCon 2009

Following months of planning the web based network devoted to addressing the need to increase diversity within the design professions.

The group intends to be a resource to all designers, but specifically designers of color.

Designers421 Website

Defining GOOD Design

Metropolis magazine considers the old adage that attempted to define Good design by aesthetics and sales only.

Peter Hall challenges this thinking with an argument that today Good design must consider other factors, such as the following:

Good Is Sustainable
Good Is Accessible
Good Is Functional
Good Is Well Made
Good Is Emotionally Resonant
Good Is Enduring
Good Is Socially Beneficial
Good Is Beautiful
Good Is Ergonomic
Good Is Affordable


Metropolis Article: A Good Argument

Dieter Rams Ten Principles of Good Design

Innovation Policy: The Next Frontier

The role government plays in seeding innovation is a subject I am keenly interested in not only because I am a designer employed in government. But, because the opportunities that are available for the application of technology within government to advance its goals is often perceived as something foreign and is often misunderstood by many of my peers in the public sector.

Above all, innovation policy is an attempt to bring some coordination to often disparate government initiatives in scientific research, education, business incentives, immigration and even intellectual property.

“It’s about setting an agenda and helping build a portfolio of skills that let an economy and a society move forward in smarter, faster ways,” Mr. Kao said.

NYTimes Article: Can Government Till the Fields of Innovation?

The World Bank's New Industrial and Innovation Policy

WSJ Article: Where to Find Innovation

Toy Design: Little Tike's Cozy Coupe

While the American auto sales slip the Cozy Coupe continues to rack up sales. In 2008 it actually sold (425,000 units) more than any other car model in America, more than 10 million since introduced 30 years ago.



To think that this popular toy does not rely on electronics but on the basic joy of the physical challenge of making an object move through space.

Fox News Article

Materials supporting Design Solutions

The series of case studies produced by Eastman's Innovation Lab speaks to the role materials can play in the design process. Admittedly it is an infomercial for Eastman but none the less revealing on how new materials can aid in solving design problems.

Eastman Innovation Lab Interview Series

Why WIFI is Not Yet Ubiquitous ?

This is a question I often return to since raising the question as part of my graduate thesis on of all things - the parking meter.

The article below asks the same question.

Wired Article

Auto Design: Saturn a New Business Model

With all of the necessary changes happening within the auto industry one of the brightest spots is the purchase of Saturn by the Penske Automotive Group.

I see this as the best chance for Saturn to get its mojoe back. Originally created to break the mold of American auto manufactures it eventually was left unsupported by GM brass for years. But in spite of the neglect it has an lineup vehicles that is worthy of its continued survival. But now that Roger Penske has taken over, my bet is that the company product offerings, stock and reputation will increase more than any other automotive brand. Ir once the shakeup settles and the new American auto industry emerges.

USA Today Article

Saturn's Website

The Form Function Relationship - No More!

The digital age continues to cause shifts in industry after industry and reverberations in company after company. The profession of Industrial Design is being forced to change as well. And the question is has it changed enough to drop the often misunderstood name and replace it with something more fitting?

Innovation design is what I would like to see replace Industrial design as the name for what product designers do. Innovation design better captures the idea of the value adding quality that designers bring to the product development process. Innovation is also the resulting output from that unique ability to synthesize information coming from various sources: technological, commerce and consumers into an idea that solves a problem or maximizes the potential of an opportunity.

NYTimes Article: The Demise of Form Follows Function

Article: The Shifting World of Design

Bike Design: Folding Bikes

As I look into replacing my own bike I have discovered a variety of innovative ideas from which to chose a new one. A feature that holds particular interest is bikes that fold, making them portable, and very useful when it comes to storing during the off season and travel.

One of the most durable and traditional looking folding bike is the Swiss Bike. Unlike, most folding bikes which opted for unique designs this bike maintains an aesthetic that would not at first glance be perceived as odd looking.

The GoCycle is a folding electric bike made for urban commuters.

Fashion: Rappers Need Designer's Too!

The rappers turned moguls: Jay-Z, Dr.Dre, Kayne West and Pharell continue to expand their reach into mass market consumer products.

All have targeted the youth market where these young consumers drop hundreds of dollars on a pair of limited edition kicks or stylist ear gear.

So, for that aspiring designer coming out of school this spring without a gig lined up, consider lending them your skills.

RocAWear's New Sneaker

RocAWear's Mobile Store

Beats by Dre.

Video Profile of a "Sneaker Freak"

Social Media's Power to Change Behavior

We have begun to hear more and more stories of how various media tools (digital products) are being used to support the desire of people to connect with others.

Us Now from Banyak Films on Vimeo.

Concept Presentations: A Way to Share your Vision

The west coast based consultancy, cooper, focuses on developing and designing products for a digital world. And so, the need to effectively communicate the solution idea by way of a structured presentation/ story is that much more important.

Examples of Concept Presentations

Ways to Improve Typography in your Designs

Here is a link to an article which provides eight considerations that can enhance the type in your designs.

AisleOne Site

Design Education: An Integrated Curriculum at Philadelphia University

Yesterday I attended a seminar of innovation held at Philadelphia University that proved interesting in that the school has embraced an approach to teaching Design within a broader context including Commerce (Business)and Technology(Engineering). The schools strategic plan frames it as follows:


Traditional design produces products that are safer, easier to use, aesthetically pleasing, highly cost effective, and environmentally friendly. Corporations have begun to realize that there is exceptional power in the design process, or design thinking, not just the product.

Design, as a discipline, contributes its process, which identifies the needs, opportunities, and as a discipline, contributes its process, which identifies the needs, opportunities, and applications of capabilities; design also serves as the integrator synthesizing the complementary design, engineering, and commerce discipline methodologies

Engineering applies the principles of mathematics and the laws of natural science to analyze, design, develop, and devise improvements that benefit humanity. The engineering major provides for flexibility to address the unknown technical challenges that will confront society.

Commerce is the act of leading a team toward accomplishing a goal beyond the scope of individual effort with the intent of creating and capturing value. Business must be opportunity seeking, holistic in its approach to problem solving and driven to create and capture value for a broad set of stakeholders.

Innovation is spawned at the intersection of business, engineering, and design. In the integration of these disciplines will develop an education for leaders and decision makers. In the College of Design, Engineering, and Commerce, innovation will be at the heart of the academic experience, leading to success and leadership in the professions.


The keynote speaker was founder of ECCO Design, Eric Chan.

Philadelphia University

ECCO Design

New Product Catogory: Portable Hotspot

Well, it sounds like this little thing-ama-bob will make being connected to the internet infinitely easier than it has been.

The portability of this mini router means that for its $100 cost you can make use of it at home or on the go without being tethered to an outlet(plus monthly service fee). It will be offered by Verizon in mid-May, and uses its 3G cellular technology to access the internet.

NYTimes Article

USToday Article

The Future: Large Format eReaders?

Whispers are increasing that Apple has plans for a tablet size computer. But, presently there are a few ebook type devices most notably the Kindle by Amazon, that are already on the market.

These devices may just alter the way we compose written material. Newspaper organization should work hard to explore the potential of moving away from the costly method of printing and distributing its product. By developing a business model that would leverage this technology could just save the news organization from collapsing.

One can remember the recent lesson of the music industry's failure to explore the opportunity to respond to customers during the early days of the Napster phenomenon. Music company rejected the opportunity to innovate, and chose to sue its customers rather than provide a means for consumers to purchase music online. And so, leaving a wonderful opportunity for an outside player, Apple Inc., to provide the tools to satisfy the public demand for sharing and purchasing music online. Likewise, Associate Press(AP)last week vowed to pull back its content from online news gathering sites like Google News etc.

My recommendation would be for the AP to develop an approach to the future that explores seriously a move to distribute their content by way of these new crop of eReaders from which they could expanded their customer base and generate new streams of revenue.

Today just before a Senate hearing on newspapers:

Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass., said steps must be taken so the news media can stay diverse and independent.

"As a means of conveying news in a timely way, paper and ink have become obsolete, eclipsed by the power, efficiency and technological elegance of the Internet," Kerry said in prepared remarks. "But just looking at the erosion of newspapers is not the full picture; it's just one casualty of a completely shifting and churning information landscape."

NYTimes Article

Amazon Introduces a Large Screen Kindle

Article on: Kindle DX - Large Format

Three Problems with the New Kindle

Publication Design Awards 2008

Here are some outstanding examples of the creative work of Graphic Designer's who can make a magazine spread enjoyable to look as well as support the contents message.

Society of Publication Designers Website

The Finalist For Magazine Design

A Design for the Developing World

The opportunity for designer's to address real world problems with beautiful solutions is a wonderful thing when the results are as nice as the Cookstove by Envirofit.

According to Popular Science magazine, "more than half the world’s population cooks over open fires or small charcoal or biomass stoves. These burn fuel incompletely, producing carbon monoxide and smoke that cause 1.5 million deaths a year. Envirofit’s Cookstove burns the same easily found wood but does so more completely to cut emissions by more than 80 percent and use half as much fuel."

EnvroFit's Cook Stove

First Signs of a Green Revolution

Serious Materials a California based company is creating products that will place it in a leadership position within the Green Revolution. Should I say buy stock in the company, now!



In 2008 it received a green tech award from Poplar Science magazine, and today received recognition by the Obama administration by leveraging stimulus funds to expand their commitment to supporting the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) weatherization program.

Serious Materials Website

Green Tech Grand Award Winner: EcoRock

Book: Change by Design

Here is a book written by the CEO of IDEO, arguably the worlds most successful design consultancy, on the subject of Design Thinking.

"Tim Brown, shows how the techniques and strategies of design belong at every level of business.

The myth of innovation is that brilliant ideas leap fully formed from the minds of geniuses. The reality is that most innovations come from a process of rigorous examination through which great ideas are identified and developed before being realized as new offerings and capabilities.

This book introduces design thinking, the collaborative process by which the designer’s sensibilities and methods are employed to match people’s needs with what is technically feasible and a viable business strategy. In short, design thinking converts need into demand. It’s a human-centered approach to problem solving that helps people and organizations become more innovative and creative."

IDEO Books

Bike Design: Strida's Folding Bike

Mark Sander's graduate design thesis project has grown into a company that produces one of the smartest folding bikes on the market.

In the video below he demonstrates the the design process in the development of the Strida.



Strida.com

Selection of the New National Museum of African American History and Culture

The selection has been made on the design that will house a museum devoted to presenting the history and culture of African Americans to the world. The winning design selected from six finalist, is a structure that fits comfortably into the architectural landscape of the national mall, as well as capturing the textures of the experiences and aspirations of a people. The winning team of Freelon Group/Adjaye Associates & David Brody Bond in association with SmithGroup led by David Adjaye.

The land on which the museum will sit is situated caddy-corner to the George Washington monument. Follow the link below to view the five other finalist.


Smithsonian Article

Article: Pursuing Public Space...Studies of David Adjaye

"In accepting the commission, Mr. Adjaye described it as “the dream of my career” and said that the group’s concept for the building — an elevated “mound” dominated by a two-tiered structure that he called a “celebration crown” — focused on the idea of a canopy or porchlike setting for people “to come as a respite, to come and view, to learn.” He said he believed that the primary spirit behind the building, whose interior will be open to skylights at its top, would be one of praise.

“Throughout the history of African-American struggle and celebration, there are these moments of praise,” he said. “It’s for us a deeply spiritual and powerful culture.” NYTimes



Audio: Interview with David Adjaye

Article: Man with a Plan

Not Talking about Race in Acrhitecture

The Future of the Printed News: What will it Look Like?

The conversation around the failing printed newspaper industry is another demonstration of the impact of technology causing disruption within an industry. The loss of the journalist as challenger/investigators of truth for the public good is thought to be in danger as well. I am not sure that is the case, but that question I will leave for another to explore. But, what comes to mind is the other industries that have faced similar challenges as a result of the pace of technological advances in the past thirty years

The auto and music industries are other examples that come to mind, and whose failure to adjust their business models to accommodate emerging opportunities afforded by new technology advances left many companies little choice having ignored the early opportunities to respond.These examples are also mark by successes, companies who were not asleep to the opportunities but used them to expand their markets by providing the consumer greater value perceived or real. (i.e.Toyota with their Hybrid technology; Apple in terms of distributing music digitally through their iPod/iTunes products; Goggle with its ever expanding digital products).

In each case of failure, the focus on short term markers, seems to have cost many of the organizations and in some cases entire industries from prospering during the last thirty years of massive technological evolution.




Fast Company Article: Will NPR Save the News


NYTimes Article: News Without Newspapers

The Framing Document for the Internet (aka: Request for Comments)

Drafted forty years ago this week the document known as Request for Comments (RFC)
contains technical and organizational documents about the Internet, including the technical specifications and policy documents produced by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF).

NYTimes Article

RFC Webpage

Bruce Mau: Designs a Cultural Event- In Good We Trust

Bruce Mau can best be describe a big thinker in Design. This Canada based designer has been known for his philosophical thoughts on Design, but also on the scale of and his approach to design problem solving.

His latest undertaking is the design of a Western cultural event planned for Denver in 2010. Check out the video and links below.



In Good We Trust

Bruce Mau Website

Shephard Fairey Designs for Saks' Campaign

Its amazing to see how fast Shephard Fairey has become the face of a new generation of graphic designers. In less than a year since producing Obama's Hope poster, he has become a media darling with an exhibtion of his work at the Musuem of Contempary Art in Boston, corporate clients and on the downside lawsuits.

In this case Saks Fifth Avenue has hired his firm to design its latest campaign - Want It!
NYTimes Article

Another NYTimes Article

Design of the Year Winner

Fairey's Firm: Studio One

Fashion Design Icon: Valentino

A movie "The Last Emperor" looks at the life and loves of the designer Valentino providing insight into what led to his decades of prolific and sought after designs. The film also touches on the changes in the fashion industry itself from which Valentino retired from in 2007.

NYTimes Article

Movie Trailer

An Online Interior Design Tool: Project Dragonfly

Here is a nice tool to develop ideas for those with the inclination to doddle on a napkin, now they can translate simple ideals of an interior space into 3D renderings.

Project Dragonfly

Innovation Google Style: Google Voice

Google has introduced a product that answers the question: How to manage your various phones, phone calls and voice messages all from a single number.

Unlike, the big telecoms (that do not address the needs of the consumers if a direct profit isn't graunteed), Google seems to explore the potential of new business models that have the potential to change the direction of an entire industry even if the financial benefits are long before there obvious.

NYTimes Article 1

NYTimes Article 2

Wired Article

Mark Newson - Industrial Artist/Designer

Few designers get to operate on the breathe of projects Mark Newson has worked on, but the following series of videos allows a peek into the process of a this "rock star" designer's work.



Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Interview with Newson

Interior Design: SunkenTubs

I like the idea of a sunk tub so much more interesting than the tradition above the floor model in most American homes.

Kaesch Inc.