A Lifehacker reader, frustrated with every headphone wire management solution in the market, decided to design his own dead simple solution that I dare say rivals any professionally designed consumer solution! I do wonder why designers can’t seem to get away from reinterpreting the dog bone, fish bone or donut?
Charles Kim found that by reusing a vinyl badge clip, (found on those old conference badge tags) he could keep his headphone wires cleanly wrapped up, knot and tangle free. Furthermore, this metal clip also allows the device to be attached to objects like a shirt or bag, so that the wrapped headphones can be easily accessible if necessary.
What a wonderfully clean and simple solution to an age-old problem! Has it been that long since portable music players were introduced?
A colleague recently shared with me an interesting product proposition he purchased. It’s not really a product proposition as such, but an interesting mix of different electronic components slapped together in a “why did I not think of that” manner. It was purchased for under USD $50 from the back streets of Hong Kong’s Sham Shui Po electronics district.
This sound system, has a simple pair of unadorned speakers, shocking neon colored LCD display, volume dial, and a radio antenna. What is interesting is the built in MP3 player that plays media from a ubiquitous SD Card or USB thumb drive slot housed on the top. Best of all this MP3/USB player cum radio, can be operated by the power mains or by its built in rechargeable battery. What more would you need for a portable entertainment system?
This product will likely not win any beauty contests or design awards. However if this was hacked together by an entrepreneurial electronic shop owner, there must be a market for it. Strangely, I can’t think of any brands that actually offer a product similar to this. (Please let me know if you know of any?) I wonder why is that so, as I would imagine (research data aside) it would be a quick sales kill. Then again this product would not be something consumer research will tell you. It probably took observation and a good understanding of consumer behavior and purchasing habits, something a shopkeeper would be in a perfect position to obtain.
What I also find particularly refreshing, is the lack of serious graphic user interfaces we have come to expect in such digital media players. I believe the MP3 playback in this device runs in a folder/alphabetical order. These days the man on the street has come to a level of computer literacy, that dragging and dropping MP3 files on to a SD Card or USB Stick is not an issue.
It is interesting to ponder what happens to high tech electronics when they become commodities.
What a well-designed and choreographed TV ad that tells a meaningful, heartwarming and simple story by just showing us enough information and getting us to fill in the rest.
This is the first time I’ve actually seen Google advertise what they are all about. Considering that they hold the majority market share for search engines on the Internet, I am curious to find out their objectives for this ad. My guess would be as a reminder to consumers of what the Google brand is all about.
What I found particularly interesting was the ad’s innovative use of the mouse pointer. In the ad, the pointer runs across the sentences giving us the impression of someone reading or tracking the sentences with their eyes.
How many of you actually read on the computer and track words with your mouse pointer? I know I do it some times. So by mimicking this habit, we unconsciously track the words that eventually builds up the story behind the ad. Very clever I must say.
To celebrate the launch of the iPad, the team at Frog design went to their design archives and dug out a tablet PC concept that frog founder Hartmut Esslingner developed for Apple in 1983. Looking at how concept Bashful works, it does seem to be a precursor to the iPad.
The “Bashful” — named after the story-book dwarf in Snow White — was created alongside the Apple II computer series as an extension of the Snow White design language that frog Founder Hartmut Essligner helped create for the company in 1983. Concepts for this early pre-touch tablet included one with an attached keyboard and one with a floppy disk drive and convenient handle for maximum portability. An attached stylus helped the user interact with the screen.
I don’t know about you guys but I really like this concept. Perhaps it is the product Archetype with an old school floppy drive, or my nostalgia for the simple “Cranbrook-ish style” block forms, or even my general tiredness for high gloss and metal finishes, whatever it is, this design proposition does appeal to me. If you consider the level of technology we have today, this concept should be easy to realize with space to spare. I’m tempted to even hack one out of existing Macbook parts!
It is interesting to also note that simple is timeless, as this design can hold its own today. Also, we have become pretty comfortable with technology these days. If you recall the evolution of computers, we went from black boxes we hated and feared, to transparent and organic forms we connected with, and now back to black boxes again, abet much thinner and glossier.
All in all, a nice track back into the history and heritage of our profession. Thanks for sharing Frog!
The GoGirl Female Urination Device allows women to go standing up, thus avoiding annoying pitfalls like heavy clothing, dirty bowls, grassy environments or creepy crawlers etc.
Only GoGirl is made with flexible, medical grade silicone. Dispose of it after use. Or clean and reuse as you like. (Urine is sterile, but the product can come into contact with contaminates during use, so take precautions when cleaning.) Our patented splash guard eliminates messing and spilling. Once you practice a time or two, using a GoGirl is going to feel like second nature. You won’t be like a man. You’ll just pee like one.
Women of the world, you can now Stand for your Rights!
21. It will not be the first of its kind in the Market, but it will likely jump ahead of the competition and become a market leader.
Think iPod, iPhone and Macbook. They were not the first of its kind, and often under-spec. But when they launched, they left the competition behind in the dust.
I so love this beautifully elegant and simple “Mast” humidifier. Made of Japanese cypress (hinoki), it was designed by Shin Okada and crafted by Masuya Koubou.
Known for its high-quality timber, rot-resistant qualities and lemony scent, the thinly sliced Hinoki mast absorbs water from the hull and diffuses it, and its intrinsic aroma, into the room. And it goes without saying, but no electricity needed. I am willing to bet money that it will look more elegant than the damp washcloth draped over my ceiling fan.
There is an interesting possibility that sees consumers of going back to basics, using traditional materials and products to solve modern day problems. Imagine the money you would save on power bills with this humidifier? I wonder how we lived before we had fridges?
Bryce Bell, a Mechanical Engineer from Oklahoma, is another Engineer that has a soul of a Designer. I love these guys! He shares, on his website Cardnetics, his 2 crazy transformable business card creations that literally reinvents the term boardroom battles! Check out the videos after the jump!
This 3.5″ x 2″ business card unfolds into a fully functioning catapult suitable for launching bits of paper of paper clips at your annoying neighboring cubicle. Ariel bombardment at its best. Now where did I put that thumbtack? For more information on how to purchase this check out his Bryce’s website.
His latest creation is just screams crazy fun! The Penny Shooter allows you to stack 10 US Pennies and use them as ammunition to take out that annoying gecko or colleague. Whatever it is, this little baby means war! Bryce is currently selling his prototypes, and if he can sell enough, he will turn this design into a proper production run. Check out how the prototype is evolving here.
I have to admit that I am a closet toy freak, unfortunately (or fortunately) I never really got into the toy collecting hobby. Chasing down plastic crack was just too much for my wallet and room space. However, I do still get turned on by the occasional Toy Porn. The SR-71 Blackbird + Optimus Prime mash-up from Transformers 2 got me going, but Bertie here nearly made me mess my pants!
This toy, designed by Ashley Wood in collaboration with Bigshot Toyworks, is just freaking awesome! This robot’s design is a homage to the best elements of G.I. Joe, Tamiya WWII Tanks, Commando comics, and Japanese Anime Robot Tech. Hey, I don’t even mind his quirky, impossibly small legs!
Looking at the level of part detail and the fact it has 46 points of movement made me tip my industrial design hat with respect. And that Commando black version with the basket of trophy heads is just a hoot! Now I wonder if there is a pilot inside…
The BigShot Camera is an awesome little product proposition that aims to teach children (and adults) the ins and outs of cameras and photography. It does this by engaging traditional old school learning methods: building things with your hands.
It is truly a hat tip back to the traditional electronics kits you could find in most shops in the late 80’s. I fondly remember creating FM radios, LCD clocks and even a voice transmitter you could used to spy on someone! It was through such kits that I taught myself to solder.
More significantly are that these kits are often of products that have evolved to become commodities. Therefore it is interesting to see that the digital camera, (with even a panoramic mode), has become so simple and miniaturized that a child could put it together.
It is truly a hat tip back to the traditional electronics kits you could find in most shops in the late 80’s. I fondly remember creating FM radios, LCD clocks and even a voice transmitter you could used to spy on someone! It was through such kits that I taught myself to solder. 
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