by Ikechukwu Onyewuenyi

When one thinks of Atlantis, a phantasm of decadence and splendor floods the senses, harkening a city at the height of its glory. For the "Atlantish: quite like Atlantis" collection, design collective Greece Is For Lovers (GIFL) turned to the present to communicate the allegorical allure of the past through modest design classics synonymous to Grecian culture. GIFL designer Thanos Karampatos says he wanted to "play with the idea of how the current and the antique are often blurred." The ubiquitous and somewhat nondescript ...

by Matt Domino

Since 2007, Juliet Totten has embraced society's current entrepreneurial spirit as the co-owner and founder of the wedding decoration company Poppies and Posies. Building on the success of that venture, Totten decided to broaden her business scope by starting Cabin Cove Oysters, an oyster garden in South Bristol, Maine, which takes to the street on the Shuck Truck—a traveling Airstream trailer from which she and her business partner, Michael McAllister, serve fresh oysters—theirs and other local farmers'—with ...

By Mark Buche

Drop City is the artist community formed by clothing company COMUNE to attract like-minded artists to come together and collaborate on special projects. With an impressive group of new and returning artists Drop City launched their second group exhibition "Ce n'est pas la fin du Monde" or "This is Not The End of The World" at R&R Gallery in Los Angeles.

"We just wanted to have a lighthearted optimistic title for the show. Because it is a group show we wanted it to be a celebration of all of our ...

by Frank Galland

Founded by Aaron Broudo, Brooklyn Night Bazaar brings the inspirational energy and madness of Southeast Asian night markets to a 40,000 square foot former carpet warehouse on the Williamsburg waterfront 15-17 December 2011. Broudo partnered with Ken Farmer, creative director of Nuit Blanche New York, to bring their Brooklyn audience a few evenings of beer, music, artists' wares and skateboarding with the holiday season in full swing.

We caught up with one of the bazaar's featured artists, Brooklyn-based Canyon Castator, whose work spans oil on canvas to ...

Annett Bourquin and Kerstin Greve founded the Lisbon-based label ANVE as a small but carefully curated collection of accessories, bags and home goods. According to the pair, the goal is simple: "We aim to make objects that stay with their owners and become more beautiful with life."

Aside from the inspiration behind the neighborhoods and landscape of their adopted city, Bourquin and Greve gather ideas from the many places they've lived and visited in the past, from Berlin, Basel and Vienna to Cape Town and Tokyo. While the ...

Insight, a line of women's and men's clothing born from the Northern Beaches of Sydney, Australia, has introduced their latest addition, Insight Collectibles. As a way to turn their collection of graphic tees, vintage-inspired maxi dresses, and apr]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/784583/insight-candles.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/784294/link-about-it-this-weeks-picks-35.php http://workflowfreelance.com/784294/link-about-it-this-weeks-picks-35.php#comments Sun, 04 Dec 2011 13:43:08 +0000 CH Contributor http://workflowfreelance.com/?guid=d928e7bf6661dd653380b2e9a3d7f1df Colette for The Impossible Project, Egypt's election logos, airless tires and more in our look at the web this week 1. Printstagr.amLeave a record of your Instagram addiction with these miniature printouts from Prinstagr.am, an online service that assembles posters,…]]> Colette for The Impossible Project, Egypt's election logos, airless tires and more in our look at the web this week 1. Printstagr.am

Leave a record of your Instagram addiction with these miniature printouts from Prinstagr.am, an online service that assembles posters, prints, minibooks, tinybooks and stickers of your favorite phone-cam stills. With some seriously affordable prices, this is a definite win for documenting your mobile adventures.

Bridgestone reinvents the wheel with their new airless tire, which provides the same amount of shock absorption as standard tires by working off an intricate resin spoke ...

by Miranda Ward

Launched last month, Fail+Canoe jewelry brings together two Austin-based designers, Christine Fail of Fail Jewelry and Natalie Davis of Canoe. Fail earned a BFA in studio art and starting creating her own handmade jewelry after spending more than five years with two major designers, while Davis—who works with butcher Ben Runkle to produce goods "crafted with a sartorial eye and workhorse materials to last a lifetime" for her Canoe line—is also a print designer and typography teacher.

The collection of hammered brass ...

by Maj Hartov

Graphic design heavyweight Paula Scher's new book Maps covers her cartographic artwork since the late 1990s. She calls her large-scale paintings "distortions of reality," as they comment on our world of information overload in a deeply personal way. When she was a child, Scher's father—who wrote an introductory essay for the book—invented a device called Stereo Templates that helps correct the naturally occurring deviations in aerial photos used for creating maps. As a result, the artist grew up understanding that all ...

By Miranda Ward

Recently-launched brand Stolen Sunday makes youthful scarfs for men and women inspired by the enchantment of California dreams, proclaiming their desire to "remind you that life is pretty damn magical sometimes" in their cheery manifesto. Their handcrafted headpieces are cut in Los Angeles and sewn in San Francisco using organic cotton.

For Winter 2011 Stolen Sunday has released their latest innovation in layering comfort with the "scoodie," a hybrid scarf and hooded sweatshirt that wraps around your head and neck. The creative accessory's lack of sleeves prevents ...

by Miranda Ward

Founded by Zach Frechette, Cofounder and Editor of Good magazine, Quarterly Co. is a new subscription service delivering a batch of gifts handpicked by a cast of creative contributors. Like the four-year-old "object based publication" The Thing Quarterly, the upstart means to delight in an era of constant communication but physical detachment.

"Quarterly wants to recapture the romance and impact of a well-crafted package," explains Frechette in a blog post, but its goal is also to "tie it into ...

by Matt Spangler

You know the feeling of finding the perfect suit? Any outfit that makes you more confident in everything you do—your steps a little crisper, your handshake a little firmer—is the kind of "feels good, looks good and you know it" experience I had riding the Moto Guzzi V7 Racer over the course of a late-September L.A. weekend.

The V7 Racer is a ode to the original red-frame V7 Sport Telaio Rosso, housing its legendary 90-degree V-twin engine inside the frame, a creation of famed ...

by Miranda Ward

Stocking designer tea towels like Australia's Third Drawer Down and Unity Peg labels, the couple behind the U.K. purveyor To Dry For bring a little bit of art to everyday objects. Noticing a number of designers creating bright, unconventional tea towels as part of a range of other products, Dave and Sally Emery decided to peddle these alongside their own collection of specially commissioned towels. The textiles serve as affordable and functional art, offering artists "another print medium," explains Dave.

The Oxford-based ...

by Bryn Chernoff

Starting at Tokyo's Mori Art Museum in 2006, Cameroon-born artist Bili Bidjocka and Lausanne-born curator Simon Njami have been traversing the world inviting creatives of varied professional backgrounds to write on the blank pages of eight enormous books “as if it were their the last opportunity to hand write something.” Their project, called Ecriture Infinie, emphasizes the gestures of writing and the flow of pen on paper rather than actual content.

The project is a celebration of handwriting, and a call to ...

by Adele Chan

Presented in Asia two years ago, the first-ever Saporiti Design Award Exhibition showcased the works of nine promising Singaporean designers who were tasked with creatively conceiving luxury towers that would hold, store or display opulent objects.

The Italian furniture brand awarded the prestigious trophy to Ministry Of Design, a studio whose illustrious works include the the recently opened Club Hotel in Singapore and the branding, landscape and interiors of an emerging boutique hotel in Penang called The Macalister Mansion.

MOD's Director of Design, Colin Seah was ...

by Adele Chan

Where most go for increasingly hi-def effects, experimental Japanese designer Kunihiko Morinaga took a deliberately different direction with his label Anrealage, designing the Fall/Winter 2011 line around the concept of low-resolution graphics. Titled "Low" in reference to the throwback patterns, the collection includes skirt suits, coats, dresses, tights and court shoes printed with colorful square blocks, meant to resemble pixelated florals and paisleys. The resulting mosaic-like imagery attracts the eye, giving the illusion that moving further away or squinting might pull the designs into focus. The heels ...

by Shawn Thomson

Known for its unfiltered take on contemporary art in recent years, Germany's capital city has increasingly become an international stomping ground for artists, dealers, collectors and enthusiasts alike, all there to relish in an atmosphere without the financial constraints of art hubs like New York and London. One show really capturing Berlin's artistically autonomous spirit is Berliner Liste, a three-day fair located in a former power plant that showcases over 100 galleries from Germany and beyond.

The broad spectrum of both established and emerging artists sets ...

After shooting an aquatic competition in Shanghai from various angles, photographer Ezra Shaw found inspiration in the bizarre faces made by divers—no two alike and all extremely entertaining—as they plummet into the water.

Sungevity, a home solar energy service based in Oakland, CA, is hitting the streets of the East Coast this summer, giving out free ice pops and quotes on how to install and finance your own solar system now ...

When the weather complies, a picnic represents near ultimate sensory satisfaction. Snacking and sipping, mingling with the beauty of the great outdoors, and basking in the warm seasonal glow—the tradition has all the romance of camping without forgoing a shower. For an update to wicker hampers or all-in-one sets (both destined to rot in your closet), we came up with a few urban-friendly solutions for today's picnicker.

Bringing all the goods along efficiently and easily calls for a carry-all. For snack overflow or to stash a frisbee, a cute and colorful Baggu ...

Panties get strummed and nipples are turntables in this NSFW animated short and accompanying website from the French organization AIDES, putting a comically risqu]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/729228/link-about-it-this-weeks-picks-16.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/726370/the-99-conference-2012-tickets.php http://workflowfreelance.com/726370/the-99-conference-2012-tickets.php#comments Tue, 19 Jul 2011 12:45:00 +0000 CH Contributor http://workflowfreelance.com/?guid=1b15cde6f9dec3ab1e19241d34d09071 The first step toward making your ideas happen Tickets for the 2012 99% Conference (held in New York City 3-4 May 2012) go on sale today, 19 July 2011. The conference, organized by our friends at Behance, is inspired by…]]> The first step toward making your ideas happen

Tickets for the 2012 99% Conference (held in New York City 3-4 May 2012) go on sale today, 19 July 2011.

The conference, organized by our friends at Behance, is inspired by the famous Thomas Edison quotation "Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration." Unique in the conference circuit, it features speakers and workshops dedicated to making your ideas happen.

Tickets for the 2011 conference sold out over five months in advance, and with such an intimate size—just 400 attendees— tickets for the 2012 conference are sure to go quickly ...

"Drink your shots, pick up your beer and come watch us perform," Django Stewart commanded the crowd at Mercury Lounge last week. "We're Nightmare and the Cat," punctuated his brother and fellow frontman Sam Stewart, kicking off the show to launch their debut EP. Eight songs later, sweating and dazed, the packed house saw the band off the stage with rapturous applause. The music that came between varied from lofty, thoughtful rock to soulful, layered folk. Dramatic, story-driven, catchy and with swoon-inspiring potency that envelops the band ...

If you've ever ended up stranded in the city with a flat tire, you'll find the new Bike Fixtation kiosks helpful. The self-service stations are open extended hours for bicyclists in the Minneapolis and St. Paul metropolitan areas.

LockCircle's solid aluminum cap keeps Canon image sensors protected with machined good looks.

With the official launch of the BMW Guggenheim Lab website this week, the world now has an up-to-date source for Lab-related ...

Through August 14th, the Asia Society Museum in NYC will be home to Ai Weiwei’s solo show “New York Photographs 1983 to 1993." On view for the first time outside China, the exhibition includes 227 photos of the 10,000 he took while living in the East Village and LES.

A floating hotel and theater built in the Neutrino tradition, Constance Hockaday's Boggsville Boatel is inspired by ...

Nearly 500 modern designs from Alvar Aalto to Sori Yanagi will go up for sale at Wright's final spring auction in Chicago on 9 July 2011. With no set reserves, you might just get lucky.

The design team at Worldstudio recently took on the task of modifying the widespread symbol of gay solidarity, updating the rainbow stripes in an attempt to redefine the image for today and to make it specific to ...

by Ryan McManus

Now in its third year, the Jaguar R Performance Academy is a one-day driving school designed to train owners of Jaguar's "R" vehicles how to get the most from their powerful cars. We were invited to attend the inaugural launch of the Academy at the Monticello Motor Club> in Monticello N.Y. to experience the program and the supercharged cars firsthand.

Our first exercise was piloting the XFR, Jaguar's handsome supercharged sedan, around a small oval at relatively low speeds. With a 510hp V8 capable of pushing ...

Start-up camera company Lytro is about to make missing the perfect shot more impossible. Their new technology allows photographers to edit the focus of an image—after shooting—using special computer software.

This elegant leather billfold keeps bills organized without bulking up pockets.

Artist Daniel Kornrumpf showcases amazing embroidery skills with his series of portraits, all done by hand on linen.

Andy Spade gives a video tour of the ...

by Jack Shaw

While the idea of elevating industrial materials to the level of high design isn't new, recent creative experiments with polyurethane foam have yielded work that feels undeniably fresh. Widely used in the furniture production process, polyurethane foam rarely constitutes a visible part of the final product. The material's amorphous nature and near instantaneous conversion from a liquid to a solid not only lend to its commercial application as insulation and interior support, but have also made it a favorite plaything for conceptual designers. These projects have ...

by Meghan Killeen

Among the dystopian visions of a Matrix-style digital future, interaction designer John Kestner comes as a welcome voice, "enhancing the successful physical interfaces between humans and objects." The graduate and research affiliate of M.I.T. Media Lab, along with fellow grad David Carr, runs Supermechanical, a studio devoted to relating old-world craftsmanship with modern technology, in essence, giving electronics some soul. "When each object has an API—a vocabulary—we can get them to listen and respond to other objects," Kestner explains. "The goal of all this ...

A collection of photographs shot by designer Hedi Slimane, this new book (available 31 July 2011) includes images created "before, during and after his tenures at Yves Saint Laurent and Christian Dior.”

One of the first and most over-the-top publications to radically redefine the industry, Visionaire's upcoming leather-bound edition takes up the heady topic of religion. The Fetish King, Givenchy designer Riccardo Tisci, curated the 228-page album, which ...

by Meghan Killeen

Digital design prodigy Mike Matas combines the ease of navigating the physical world to create lifelike interfaces that feel so unobtrusive you hardly notice you're using complex technology. Motivated by the desire to do things on a computer more like in reality, Matas set out to create virtual interfaces driven by touch. "If you want to do something [on a computer] you should just be able to reach out your hand and do it, no buttons, and no user interface required," concludes Matas.

Near the end ...

Japanese watchmakers create beautiful custom watches , combining traditional and modern design, while onlookers observe the process in their newly-opened New York Lower East Side store.

The World's Best Ever recently found the leather Kavatza pouch for "discerning stoners." The case houses a slot for storing papers and a stuffing prong, as well as a curved wooden base for rolling and a rubberband to secure the paper from breezes.

Pro ...

by Meghan Killeen

A young blonde woman holds up her hands against the frantic flapping of grey pigeons encircling her. Another female character, this one in a red skirt, floats listlessly in a dark pool of blue water, her discarded pair of yellow heels resting nearby. Invoking intrigue and suspense with her luridly-colored dramas, photographer ing]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/714969/alex-prager.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/714521/ivy-ross.php http://workflowfreelance.com/714521/ivy-ross.php#comments Fri, 03 Jun 2011 00:25:48 +0000 CH Contributor A designer, artist, marketer and cultural catalyst finds inspiration in sound and pattern by Meghan Killeen In a corporate world of sales and strategies, marketing maverick Ivy Ross opts instead to chart success with an approach that has pioneered paradigm…]]> A designer, artist, marketer and cultural catalyst finds inspiration in sound and pattern

by Meghan Killeen

In a corporate world of sales and strategies, marketing maverick Ivy Ross opts instead to chart success with an approach that has pioneered paradigm shifts in advertising. From spearheading covert creative operations for Mattel to stirring up merchandising mojo for Gap's iconic 'Black Magic, Black Pants' ad campaign, Ross fuels concepts through 'mental grazing'; a term coined by Ross to describe a creative diet of inspiration and rumination. "I believe that, just like a computer doesn't give us output without input, we as creative people need to take new information in before we can generate something unique."

To innovate change in marketing methodology, Ross turned to her own experience as a jeweler. Influenced by her father—an industrial designer who worked for the famed Raymond Loewy—Ross began to notice geometric patterns in lighting fixtures; an acute awareness, which later translated into many of her custom, crafted pieces. "[My father] taught me to how look at things and see them for beyond what they appear to be."

Initially attracted to fashion, Ross attended the Fashion Institute of Technology where she majored in Art and minored in Psychology. "I loved studying where society and fashion was going and figuring out the materials and the details that would be right for the times," reflects Ross. Drawn to the versatility of accessories, Ross created eclectic jewelry designs that explored new ideas in jewelry-making, such as using interwoven threads of iridescent Tantalum to create a fabric-like effect. Ross' designs quickly garnished attention, including that of a Bergdorf Goodman jewelry buyer who presented Ross with a $60,000 purchase order on the spot for one of her designs, financing her burgeoning jewelry business and leading to the eventual placement of her work as a part of the permanent collections of 12 international museums, including London's Victoria and Albert Museum and the Cooper Hewitt Museum in New York City.

Ross' early entrepreneurial spirit and design savvy laid the foundation for her transition into the mass-market retail world as a brand development innovator spurning a fast-track career that included such formidable titles as Vice President of Design for Bausch & Lomb and President of Calvin Klein's Men's Accessories division. Channeling such diversified interests as sound vibration and quantum physics along with her own artistic leanings, Ross began to infuse her corporate roles with a creative sensibility and vision indicating that "often in companies we spend all of our time 'anniversary-ing' the realities versus thinking about the possibilities."

In 2001, Ross began to create a new toy as Senior VP of Product Design and Development for the Girls Division of Mattel. For the toy to be compelling, the creative team behind it had to be equally dynamic. Inspired by the clandestine Skunkworks project of Lockheed Martin fame, Ross created a new species of guerrilla ideation called 'Project Platypus'; a befitting moniker based on a creature that is described as "an uncommon mix of different species." Ross assembled a 12 member team with varying skill sets from different departments and brought in outside speakers such as an improv comedian and a Jungian analyst. The team met during off hours in a separate studio space. Ross also experimented with sound vibrations, by playing music that vibrated at a custom frequency to induce heightened states of creativity during the meetings. "I find that if we can all be on the same wavelength, you can spiral to new ideas together a lot quicker," states Ross.

Ross continues to turn corporate culture on its head as the current Creative Catalyst at Gap, Inc. following her position as the EVP of Marking for the Gap brand.

Ross will be speaking at Brand ManageCamp Conference in Las Vegas October 4-5.

The Audi Icons series, inspired by the all-new Audi A7, showcases 16 leading figures united by their dedication to innovation and design.

In an attempt to introduce a little calm into the urban landscape, the Guggenheim is tasking architects, designers, artists, etc. with creating " stillspots" in the five boroughs of NYC. The first such happening "Sanatorium" consists of Mexican artist Pedro Reyes' experimental (and experiential) therapy sessions this coming June.

Paper mag recently profiled the agency started by former Arrested Development costars Will Arnett and Jason Bateman in 2010. The cleverly uncomplicated design of the operation delivers comedic branded content as a digital-age answer to the traditional advertising model.

Mountain Research's limited-edition Mountain Men Figures, a collection of detailed figurines representing four global revolutionaries, will blow your friends' Star Wars collection out of the water with little versions of Marx, Mao, Lenin and Thoreau—all dressed to the nines in rugged hiking gear.

Bike guru Chris King custom-crafted this professional-grade espresso tamper for Rapha, the perfect accessory to prep for those early morning rides. The Rapha edition is limited to just 50 and available only from their roving Cycle Club truck in Europe or the San Francisco and Tokyo outposts, but java-heads will find plenty to roll with from King's classic collection of tampers.

Google launched Google Wallet this week, a near-field-communication-based payment system similar to those used in "tap pay" credit and debit cards. The system will let users swipe mobile phones to make payments at a variety of vendors.

Like an extended pop-up shop, Adidas recently opened a multi-brand store in NYC's Hell's Kitchen with plans to stay for one year. Lit with bright neon lights, the store will house items from SLVR and Y-3, as well as the adidas Originals Blue and Consortium collections.

The Ostrich system is designed to enhance the workplace/rest relationship. The sack-like contraption offers a plush "micro-environment", so you can stuff your face and arms inside and curl up for an isolated power nap anywhere

Held at Milan's science and technology museum, Apartamento Magazine's Arquitectura event for the UovoKids celebration allowed children to act as an architect for the day, building a kid-size village from cardboard.

by Ryan McManus

Few brands are more overtly "American" than Dodge. Even when their parent group was owned by Germans (now Italians), Dodge somehow remained the embodiment of a certain Yankee style—big, loud, powerful, arrogant and completely unapologetic. A part of the U.S.A. brand as much as America is part of Dodge's identity, the bravado that attracted us to the "Mighty Dodge" as kids continues to turn our heads as adults.

We recently had the opportunity to test drive the new 2011 Charger R/T and from the moment we stepped into the Charger, it became apparent that the designers and engineers have done their homework, elevating these new cars over the outgoing models. The Charger has always been a blast to drive, and as we pulled out of Manhattan traffic and cruised up the West Side Highway it was clear that this year's model is no different. Dodge continues to mine its rich heritage for design cues, and it's nice to see classic Mopar (Chrysler parts) muscle-car looks appear on newer models. While the Challenger may be the purest expression of that design language, the Charger benefits from some trickle-down style.

Our model was an all-black version at the top end of an exasperatingly divided model range (topped next year by the insane Charger SRT8). The R/Ts feature a brawny 5.7-liter V8 Hemi putting out 370 horsepower. This makes for spirited merges, and as we cruised along the Saw Mill Parkway, it was almost impossible not to gun the throttle and feel the big V8 push us back into our seats. (Be warned: the Charger tends to attract the attention of local law enforcement.) Around town the steering can feel a little sluggish, which speaks to the Charger's "go fast in a straight line" heritage that a tightened feeling could easily overcome.

But, nowhere is this new ride more successful than in its the new rear end. The integrated, body-spanning tail light, ringed with 164 bright red LEDs, stunningly upgrades the previous model.

The results are less successful on the front end. In a bid to make an already aggressive face even more bad ass, the grill of the Charger bulges forward snout-like from the squinting headlights. That, coupled with some overt new sheet-metal creases near the front wheels give the Charger a slightly over-muscled look. Put it this way, if the 2010 was Vin Diesel, the 2011 is a pissed-off Rock.

Inside, the Charger is decidedly more subdued (unless of course you opt for the red leather), and a welcome upgrade from the plastic-parts-bin feel of older models. Every surface you touch is supple. The dash is built around an eight-inch touchscreen display that acts as control for the stereo, climate and Bluetooth interface with the option for GPS navigation. Amenities like heated seats, dual-zone climate control and heated or chilled cup holders make for a more comfortable ride overall.

In a class led by cars like the Nissan Maxima and Ford Taurus, the Dodge Charger remains a refreshing reminder that a large sedan can still be a fun drive, and more importantly, that a big car doesn't have to be boring. While other cars might offer better value or better quality, the Charger continues to be a potent alternative to the mainstream.

Designer Vivian Chiu created this fascinating chair within a chair within a chair. The conceptual seating is so enchanting I almost can't remember whose dream I'm in.

Showing up in NYC for ICFF, the first-ever female foosball player finally puts the ladies in power on the table.

Fashion-forward shoe designer United Nude teamed up with Spanish performance artist Alicia Framis for a carbon-fiber flat-pack shoe you build yourself, based on the belief "that humans will one day live in outer-space."

Between all the devices and accessories the modern human has to lug around, carrying (and not loosing) keys can be a pain. Enter Lockitron, a new mobile app that lets users lock and unlock doors from their phones.

For all our digital prowess, there's still nothing like a photo album for a leisurely stroll down memory lane. Enter Social Memories, Deutsche Post DHL's infographic-heavy book based on data and photos gleaned from your Facebook page.

Curated by Tim Nye and Jacqueline Miro, Venice in Venice bring Italy's most famous films to California, such as Federico Fellini’s Il Casanova and more.

The blank canvases that are Vans sneakers have inspired many a masterpiece but none quite blend high and low fashion as ingeniously as this unofficial collaboration that customizes a pair with Hermes scarves.

In a win for urban revivification and low-key restaurant development, several of Brooklyn's finest restaurants—among them Roberta's, Caracas and Blue Bottle—are banding together to open up shop this summer nearby the popular Rockaway Taco.

Full of insights like "I'm just interested in how to cut the clothing," the trailer for the forthcoming documentary on world-renowned designer Yohji Yamamoto promises a must-see film when it comes out this fall.

Fashion designer Richard Chai created an elegant set of limited-edition driving gloves for Acura, inspired by the new film Thor made using the automaker's leather and based on the curves of the vehicle's interior.

On the heels of an upswing, Foot Locker is launching Sneakerpedia on 17 May 2011. The encyclopedic sight will offer info on when the shoe hit the market, materials, style and pretty much anything else a sneaker freaker would want.

The final element has fallen into place to make reading on the iPad a classy experience for any debonair gent with the release of Playboy for iPad. Hef and company have finally gone totally digital, offering ever issue since the magazines inception (1953) for mobile viewing.

by Ryan McManus

The 1960 Aston Martin DB4GT Zagato was something of an automotive legend. A lightened DB4, designed by the famed Italian Design house Zagato, only 20 of them were ever produced.

The carmaker, never shy about revisiting their storied history, are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the original with the new Vantage V12 Zagato, announced today. Where the original Zagato Astons were dictated heavily by the Italian design group, this new Zagato version is more of a design collaboration with Aston's noted in-house design team.

The results are striking. Zagato has elevated Aston's measured (some could say conservative) supercar design language and added some Italian attitude, resulting in a more aggressive, more sculptural interpretation of the brand and of the collaboration. But the beauty of the V12 Zagato is deeper than its hand-formed aluminum skin. Underneath its all Vantage, including the snarling six-liter V12 putting out 510bhp. This is exceedingly good news—our road test of the Vantage S left us big fans of the platform.

The V12 Zagato will make it's official debut tomorrow at the Villa D'Este Concours, and a race-going version will be debuted at the VLN race at N]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/708205/aston-martin-vantage-v12-zagato.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/706934/marcelo-coelho.php http://workflowfreelance.com/706934/marcelo-coelho.php#comments Thu, 19 May 2011 18:01:05 +0000 CH Contributor Stunning explorations in physical interface design from an MIT Media Lab student by Meghan Killeen Boasting a list of innovations of sci-fi proportions, designer and researcher Marcelo Coelho paints a future that is both accessible and immediate. Referencing daily materials…]]> Stunning explorations in physical interface design from an MIT Media Lab student

by Meghan Killeen

Boasting a list of innovations of sci-fi proportions, designer and researcher Marcelo Coelho paints a future that is both accessible and immediate. Referencing daily materials and human behavior, Coelho creates objects that feel technologically tailored and socially integrated. After completing his BFA in Computation Arts at Montreal's Concordia University, Coelho relocated to Cambridge, MA, where he is currently a PhD candidate at the MIT Media Lab as a member of Fluid Interfaces Group. Focused on enhancing the human-computer relationship, Fluid designs interfaces that are as informational as they are experiential by seamlessly integrating digital content with the physical world.

Projects include luminary technology like Coelho's magnetic lighting installation, "Six-Forty by Four-Eighty," created in collaboration with studio partner (and co-creator behind the Rube Goldberg music video for OK Go) Jamie Zigelbaum for the 2010 Design Miami/Basel forum. The 220 pixel-tiles that comprise the installation are modified in color, wall placement and lighting speed, with the human touch serving as an inter-connective conduit between each tile. By bringing the pixels off the screen and on the wall, the focus is on "the materiality of computation itself"—an innovative concentration that earned Zigelbaum + Coelho the 2010 W Hotels Designer of the Future Award.

Merging the fundamentals of technology with edible essentials, Coelho (in collaboration with Amit Zoran) have pioneered the culinary futurism of "digital gastronomy" with a conceptual design called Cornucopia. Featuring four prototypes, the project examines the fusion of ingredients in harmony with new cooking modalities. "Cornucopia emerged from a desire to imagine what it would be like to cook with the aid of computer-controlled machines, which could not only help with the food manipulation process but also bring in massive amounts of information," explains Coelho. Ranging from a customizing candy maker (The Digital Chocolatier) to a 3D food printer (The Digital Fabricator), each prototype encourages experimentation with food.

Coelho proves that the discerning palate isn't just relegated to cooking with his Art-O-Meter prototype, a device that evaluates the artistic taste of an attending audience at an art exhibition. Using a sensor, the Art-O-Meter records the amount of time that the viewer stands in front of the artwork, which is measured against the total length of time for the exhibition. Despite the ingenuity of the product, Coelho indicates that the response was divided into two camps—"the people who loved it because now they could finally tell the good art from the bad art, and people who hated it because they believed that now science was able to measure the quality of an artwork in a quantitative way."

Again mixing organic materials with scientific application, Coelho creates computers out of a substrate of paper and circuit boards using a method dubbed "pulp-based computing" Coelho says this project "shows how we can create artifacts that behave in computational ways but still carry with them the physical and cultural qualities that we normally associate with paper." He envisions this method as manifesting in the potential forms of self-updating boarding passes or digital newspapers that mimic the texture and behavior of the printed format.

Coelho continues to explore human interaction with technology through kinetic clothing designs created in conjunction with electronic textile studio, XS Labs. "Developing a new kind of kinetic fabric was a way to create a textile display that looked and felt like fabric, rather than an LED screen," states Coelho. The designs display anthropomorphic functions like body heat activated coloration and a floral accent that blooms every 15 seconds.

Looking towards the future, Coelho observes, "Technology plays an incredible role at reconfiguring how we experience the world and the really exciting part is that the human-computer chapter has barely started."

Coelho's luminescent installation project, "Six-Forty by Four-Eighty" will be on display at the W Hotels St. Petersburg Premiere Event and then at the Corcoran Gallery in Washington, D.C. in June 2011.

The Audi Icons series, inspired by the all-new Audi A7, showcases 16 leading figures united by their dedication to innovation and design.

by Alexandra Polier

As ICFF kicks into high gear this week in NYC, so do a number of satellite design fairs showcasing the work of hundreds of talented international designers. Alternatives to the ICFF provide a venue for the many independents who find the big tradeshow prohibitively expensive, but not all the offshoots are necessarily created equal. Some, like Model Citizens, have a few years of experience that positions themselves as a serious outlet for independent design. Other less-established exhibitions as well as more critically-minded formats make for showcases with more edge then standard fare.

Since starting three years ago, Model Citizens has grown to include 100 designers from Holland to DUMBO. Founder Mika Braakman hopes to track the trajectory of these strong individuals, who will no doubt be trend-leaders a decade from now.

Brooklyn-based John D'Aponte playfully weaves history into his designs, upcycling vintage textiles into bags and luggage.

Boston-based artist Debra Folz designs and manufactures contemporary furniture and tabletop accessories. Her Whole Story Photo Albums are a hybrid of traditional bookbinding and contemporary engineering that allow them to stand independently but also to expand.

Industrial designer Emily Rothschild, whose work has been displayed at Cooper Hewitt National Design Museum, brings whimsy to jewelry with "pinky wings" and flip-book necklaces that create a low-tech animation when spun.

Brooklyn-based designer Niels Cosman's handcrafted CMYK Cabinet features highly-decorative doors composed of hundreds glass hexagons. The RISD Glass Department adjunct and alum took inspiration from Shaker furniture and traditional farm-style furniture that used chicken wire in place of glass.

Most inspiring at Model Citizen were Mike Seto and David Kim of Click Boom Pow, whose holistic design approach focuses on user experience and cultural impact. Their NRM Project (New Role Models) are benches that have been painted by a select group of artists including Milton Glaser and installed throughout Brooklyn and Manhattan. The idea is to give New Yorkers a place to sit and reflect this summer, while inspiring others to donate good design.

Snug-it, a modular furniture system, uses three joiners to configure wood or glass planks into a variety of pieces—from beds to shelves—that can then evolve with your needs.

Shown as part of Duran Vanderpoort’s “How it’s made, and why it’s so f*cking expensive,” this “Ready-Made” ($11,410) by Dutch designer Borre Akkersdijk is the result of his use of mattress-production machines to create prefab pattern pieces that he then sews into garments.

Just a few blocks down from ICFF is another new independent, Wanted Design. Sprawled out over most of the first floor of the Terminal Building, this hardly looks like an independent design fair and more like a well-styled showroom, complete with a coffee bar from Le Colombe.

Founders Claire Pijoulat and Odile Hainaut brought their French sensibility and 29 established designers together to create a stunning event. From lighting designers like Les Heritiers, Francois Brument and Triode to furniture-makers Tabisso and Olivier Dolle ("Biblioth]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/703735/design-week-icff-alternatives.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/698149/rafael-de-cardenas.php http://workflowfreelance.com/698149/rafael-de-cardenas.php#comments Tue, 10 May 2011 22:01:11 +0000 CH Contributor A renaissance man with an intrinsic sense for color and shape boldly redefines modern interiors by Meghan Killeen Rafael de C…]]> A renaissance man with an intrinsic sense for color and shape boldly redefines modern interiors

by Meghan Killeen

Rafael de C]]> http://workflowfreelance.com/698149/rafael-de-cardenas.php/feed 0 http://workflowfreelance.com/696016/link-about-it-this-weeks-picks-6.php http://workflowfreelance.com/696016/link-about-it-this-weeks-picks-6.php#comments Sun, 08 May 2011 16:09:57 +0000 CH Contributor Nose navigation for iPhones, urban futures, pretzel keyrings and more in our weekly web survey 1. Finger Nose Stylus For those of you who always wanted a convenient way to navigate touch-screens without dorky traditional styluses, Dominic Wilcox crafted a…]]> Nose navigation for iPhones, urban futures, pretzel keyrings and more in our weekly web survey 1. Finger Nose Stylus

For those of you who always wanted a convenient way to navigate touch-screens without dorky traditional styluses, Dominic Wilcox crafted a solution. His stylus conveniently straps to your face, allowing for complete hands-free navigation.

Land Rover's recent print ad for their iconic Defender cleverly captures the vehicle's singular ability to take you places beyond the local Whole Foods.

Designed by Ototo, this functional key-holder has a carabiner-style clip for that "lesbian who loves pretzels" look. It's $15 from Animi Causa.

The third in a series exploring music's influence on art, MoMA takes up the the '80s and '90s with over 70 works by artists including Kathleen Hanna, Keith Haring, Run DMC, Christian Marclay and Cey Adams (graphic designer for the Beastie Boys, among other hip hop luminaries).

The media has been buzzing about the K-9 compatriots who helped in the killing of Osama Bin Laden, and the more we learn the tougher these pups looks. According to The Daily the Navy Seal dogs are equipped with head top cameras to send feedback to Seals on the ground, earpieces to receive orders wirelessly, body armor and titanium cover teeth to provide extra damage.

The conclusion of the heated competition to win the bid for the design of NYC's future taxi fleet has come to a close. After beating out the Turkish firm Karsan and several others, Nissan takes home the golden egg with their winning design for the taxi of tomorrow.

Incorporated into a stunning 3D map of the city, the five architecture firms behind “Audi Urban Future: Project New York” beautifully reinterpreted the winning concepts originally selected for an Audi Urban Future Award at the 2010 Venice Biennale. The map is part of the New Museum's "Festival of Ideas for the New City," an effort that aims to generate urban innovation by tapping the city's many creative minds.

The Replenish Reusable Bottle takes a crack at wasteful cleaning habits. Instead of refilling with huge jugs of Windex or, even worse, throwing the empties away when finished, Replenish uses an attachable cartridge to refuel their spray bottle. Just add water, insert the canister, clean and reuse.

by Matt Spangler

A few weeks after Coachella some bands have loaded their gear into buses and are back on the road, while others head to studios to try and capture the energy of the festival for next year's hit songs. I myself have been replaying performances to packed audiences by the likes of Crystal Castles, Cut Copy, Chromeo and Afrojack (with Beatles legend Paul McCartney getting into the fun on the side of the stage) in my head.

Thinking about what acts might take the stage at Coachella 2012, we based the following predictions on the festival's history of sticking to what they know—successfully blending electronic, dance and indie rock, with a sprinkling of eclectic stadium-selling artists for the masses.

Opening for Coachella faves Cut Copy and on the powerhouse label DFA, look for Holy Ghost to easily bag a Gobi tent spot. If the guys in the band are anywhere near as charismatic as their dads, who appear in their latest video for "Wait & See," they're a lock.

Diplo's label Mad Decent has been putting out some crunky dance music lately with artists like Major Lazer and Rusko, and newcomer Dillon Francis follows suit releasing his EP “Masta Blasta” on the label. His sick remixes and dubstep sound are the perfect fit to satisfy the drum-and-bass crazed fans in the Sahara tent.

Considering the prominence of Montreal-bred music this past year at Coachella, including Chromeo, A-Trak and Duck Sauce (though they're all from the same family), it seems logical that next year will produce a representative from just across the border. On their third album Young Galaxy (pictured above right) had the help of Dan Lissvik to produce their best record yet, and a dance-inflected pop sound that's pitch-perfect for the Coachella crowd.

Record label Modular Recordings is no stranger to Coachella bands and it's likely that next year the Sydney dance duo, Bag Raiders (Chris Stacey and Jack Glass, pictured above) will represent the imprint in the Mojave tent. Their remix prowess has given them additional exposure to the dance crowd, and they're in Europe now honing their live sound. Now it's just a matter if anyone can tell the difference between them and their Melbourne brethren and label-mates, Cut Copy.

Like Two Door Cinema Club this year, Morning Parade (not pictured) is a popular dance-driven rock band with a sound that appeals to the tents. Hailing from Essex, the boys should get a push from EMI this year leading up to the fest and a tour that could build enough stateside buzz to book them an appearance.

With catchy hooks filling in around pretty vocal melodies, New Zealand quintet The Naked and Famous (above) make this an easy call. Signed with Fiction Records—alongside Elbow, one of the more talked about acts from this past year—The Naked and Famous are ones to start loving now.

After an old-fashioned bidding war for their major label debut and an inspired run of small shows in NYC last winter, it's likely that you'll see the foursome behind Mona (not pictured) appear on a Coachella stage in 2012. While their rockabilly look and southern religious roots make it tough to escape Kings of Leon comparisons, Mona's sound borders more on Jack's Mannequin than that of the Followill brothers. They're scheduled to play bigger and more diverse festivals in the U.K. this year, but they'll need more buzz stateside by early next year to get a booking.

Like Beach House before them, Dom has a chance for an early day tent slot. Grungy electro sound, check. Dance-y synthesized beats and hooks, check. Female lead singer, check…wait..no, that's actually a guy singing those parts. Color us surprised as well. All signs point to this trio from Massachusetts taking the stage with the help of their booking agency Ground Control Booking, who has a history of booking acts at Coachella, including four bands from this past year.

Insanely catchy dance music beats, tripped out video animations and a collaboration with Robert Smith from the Cure seems like the perfect pieces to add up to a Coachella appearance. With a new label deal on Virgin as well as a well-crafted and talked about live show experience, we predict The Japanese Popstars will be getting a prized night-time slot in the tents in 2012.

If its one thing that Coachella loves it's its lead singer spin-offs. Two years ago it was Thom Yorke's Atom's of Peace collaboration with Flea and this past year it was Brandon Flowers. After Luke Steele gave Empire of the Sun a triumphant tour of the US in 2010, he'll take his solo project, The Sleepy Jackson out on the road in 2011…likely ending with an outdoor stage appearance at Coachella 2012.

The perennial Coachella favorite haven't hit the Festival in two years, nor had a new album in nearly the same amount of time. With their new record already garnering solid reviews since dropping yesterday and a tour sure to follow, they're a likely sure thing for either the main stage or a headlining slot at the outdoor stage.

With her Wounded Rhymes just starting to get some buzz and a summer tour around the U.S., it's likely that Lykke Li (not pictured) will make a return to Coachella since her last appearance in 2009.

Justin Vernon was the only guest star of note that Kanye West trotted out during his Coachella performance…perhaps a calculated nod to the audience. With his latest release For Emma slated for a 21 June 2011 release, it's likely that a year from now Bon Iver will be making a victory lap with significant billing at the 2012 Coachella lineup

Nothing the Coachella crowds like better then dance driven electro-rock bands led by charismatic female singers. With their new album likely out in early 2012, you can bet on Metric (not pictured) being on next year's bill.

Based on his recent surprise opening for Emmylou Harris in Los Angeles, Ryan Adams has a slate of new songs and could be ready to release them this year. He is a near-perennial at Coachella, having been one of the acts purported to play who canceled when he broke up with The Cardinals.

If there is a band that currently defines the Coachella audience, then Justice might be it. With their crossover appeal and club kid cred, there is little doubt the French duo would draw some of the biggest crowds at the Festival. Their new album is slated to drop in late 2011, with its single "Civilization" recently featured in the Adidas brand campaign directed by Justice collaborator Romain Gavras, so they should be primed and ready for a headliner appearance. We're calling it for Saturday night.

File this under automatic. With Hot Sauce Committee Vol. 2 out soon, and their viral celeb-studded films "Making Some Noise" to promote their new album blowing up the Internet, there's no doubt that the boys from Brooklyn will be ready to commandeer the Sunday night headliner spot next year.

Thumbnail image by Jason Lester Photography

by Meghan Killeen

Engaged in the timeless debate of form over function, Brooklyn-based furniture designer Paul Loebach seamlessly reconciles the two pillars of design through his distinct approach to craftsmanship. "The forms of our material environment carry a collective meaning, just like a spoken language," explains Loebach, continuing that his goal is to "communicate through my designs with as much impact as possible. Form and function are inseparable, so functionality is an imperative element of any good design." With a hand in the past and a nod to the future, Loebach's designs call upon the ingenuity of Americana and the curvy couture of neoclassicism, backed by progressive manufacturing tools and techniques.

Loebach's historical homage shows in the simplicity of his American Shaker-inspired nesting tables, a trio of interlocking wooden step-stools painted in varying pop colors of green, blue and charcoal (available through Areaware). Loebach's Great Camp Collection (available exclusively through Matter) is a throwback to the handcrafted, country chic of Adirondack furniture popularized in the mid-to-late 1800s. Using a four-axis CNC router, Loebach creates an organic-looking furniture set comprised of a dresser, credenza, chair and coat rack, engraved with the hand-hewn appearance of cross-hatching reminiscent of forest branches. CMYK color accents make the collection's rustic re-interpretation contemporary.

Loebach also explores historical motifs with his foray into textiles, introducing a wool quilt (in collaboration with Jessie Henson) stitched together from laser cut felt and bearing the proverb, "Gather up the fragments, let nothing be lost"—an adage adopted by American quilters from the Civil War era and a philosophy that permeates many of Loebach's own creations. Frequenting museums and flea markets, Loebach draws much of his inspiration from "the notion of 'the unknown craftsman' and the evolution of objects over time." He further pays tribute to the pioneering spirit of Americana with his rococo wallpaper print, playfully dubbed "Yee-Ha!" (available through Studio Printworks) for its Texan imagery of gun-touting cowboys and industrial oil rigs set in a damask interlace.

With designs bridging themes of the past with current innovation, it's no surprise that Loebach grew up "with a 'hyper-awareness' of manufactured objects," descending from a family lineage of German woodworkers and industrial designers. Loebach's grandfather built airplanes for the U.S. military and his father is a manufacturing engineer. Born against the industrial backdrop of Cincinnati, OH, Loebach studied Industrial Design at RISD before moving to NYC, where he apprenticed under fellow RISD alum and furniture designer John Davies. Loebach's talent quickly earned him a roster of private clients as well as the attention of Williams Sonoma and Martha Stewart, leading him to set up his own "design laboratory" in a converted knitting factory in Brooklyn—an area that Loebach describes as the "hotbed of artistic and cultural creativity in the U.S."

Loebach's authentic approach to design continues to evolve, blending artistry with technology. Armed with a toolkit that is equal parts power tools and digital software, Loebach begins the process of design through a series of "impromptu investigations." Loebach's latest design, The Watson Table (which premiered at Milan Design Week 2011, pictured above) is an examination of how design and function inform each other. Referencing DNA scientist James Watson, the tables showcases his twin skills of deft tool mastery and artistic intuition with its helical shaped legs made from wood and carbon fiber, laminated over a 6-part plywood mold. Loebach's says, "The most important skill I posses as a designer is my capacity to shift seamlessly between multiple, seemingly disparate modes of operation and thought."

Paul Loebach's new collection called "Glacier" will premiere at Matter Gallery during NYC's upcoming design week, 14-17 May 2011, when he will also debut "Halo," an LED chandelier designed for Roll and Hill at the International Contemporary Furniture Fair.

Inspired by the all-new Audi A7, Cool Hunting is highlighting a group of notable individuals that share a similar spirit of creativity in their approach to their craft. From architecture to paper art, the people we've chosen to profile all bring something unique to their work that positions them as future leaders in their respective fields and beyond.

Over the course of the next two months we'll debut profiles of 16 leading figures, united by their dedication to innovation and design. Each week, we'll profile two Icons, their work, and explore what drives them to create.

Like any media-obsessed normal person, we've been riveted to the coverage surrounding the killing of Osama bin Laden in Pakistan, and especially interested in the descriptions of whereabouts that overnight went from "cave" to "McMansion." Curious about what exactly goes into sheltering an international terrorist for six years, we focused on what architectural details have surfaced so far. In other words, what kind of a fortified compound does a million bucks get you in the "affluent suburb" of Abbottabad, Pakistan?

Built in 2005 and described by local residents as the "Waziristan Mansion," the three-story house looms eight times larger than neighboring buildings and was one the first shocking clues indicating that the place was significant to the mission.

Concrete retaining walls topped with barbed wire surround the building, reach 18 feet on the southeastern side of the compound, and range 10-12 feet high on remaining sides. Anyone trying to get past the towering walls would also face reported armed guards and numerous security cameras.

Located at the end of a narrow pathway, opaque windows obstruct the view inside from onlookers and a seven-foot-tall privacy wall hides anyone up to, oh about 6'4".

The courier that led the U.S. to the location was the sole way Osama communicated with the outside world; the compound had no telephone or Internet connections.

Describing it as "surprisingly permanent and surpassingly Urban," LA Times architecture critic Christopher Hawthorne ranks Osama's crib up there with Saddam's as one of the "most notorious examples of hideout architecture in recent memory."

via the New York Times and DailyMail

Images from top to bottom: European Pressphoto Agency (EPA), Diagram by NYT, EPA, EPA, AFP/Getty Images, T.Mughal/EPA

Edited by Graham Hiemstra, Ami Kealoha and Tim Yu

Even audiophiles will tell you that sourcing the ultimate headphones is a hunt for the Holiest of Grails. Rather than look for an all-purpose solution, we surveyed the latest models to come up with the following favorite pairs tailored for different uses. Matched with some recent tracks that have been on heavy rotation in the CH offices recently, consider this your guide to total listening pleasure.

Ideal for workaholics, the wireless Sennheiser RS170 means you'll never miss a beat of your favorite song—whether typing at your desk or grabbing the twentieth coffee of the day. Features include bass and surround-sound on/off options, incredible acoustics, 260-feet of free range mobility and impeccable comfort. Absolutely worth the $280 price tag, pick up a pair from Adorama.

Listen: "House of Balloons - Glass Table Girls" by The Weeknd

Sony brings pristine audio and clear tones to the table with their MDR-ZX700s. An extremely lightweight design fits over the entire ear, relieves the typical ear pressure and isolates the outstanding acoustics. Long the brand of choice for video and audio production both in the field and studio, these will stand up to hours of recording and editing. At $120 (available from Sony), there's good value for the dough here too.

Listen: "Rolling in the Deep" by Adele

Urbanears' Plattan, a full-sized, not-too-bulky headphone, is ideal for hitting the road. With a fabric cord at just about waist-length, the mobile-friendly design helps avoid tangles on the go. And with their "zound plug," your new best friend sitting next to you can plug directly into your 'phones to share the sweet tunes. Available in tons of on-trend colors and running $60 a pop (from Urbanears), they're a good one for parents to gift to college-age kids.

Listen: "County Line" by Cass McCombs

For the record, we never, ever encourage wearing headphones while snowboarding, skating, biking or any other activity requiring a full set of senses. But our homies over at Frends sure do. Enter the Alli, designed by snowboarders for snowboarding. These small, over-ear headphones sound great even if it feels like you're going Mach 10. Hit the smartphone-compatible pause button to chat with buddies, then hit play to drown out the chatty weekend warrior next to you on the lift. Plus, at $35 (from Frends), they're cheap enough to be replaced after a nice biff.

Listen: "Standing at the Station" by Ty Segall

Long flights, missed trains, loud engines and babies crying equals no fun. Add the Phiaton PS 20 NC and enjoy your music without the distractions. The superior noise-canceling technology and comfortable in-ear design allow for amazing acoustics that make any song sound better. No more listening to your fellow subway rider's less tasteful music, keep yours at a comfortable level while blocking out the world. Well worth the retail price of $130, they sell from Ritz Camera.

Listen: "Battery Kinzie" by Fleet Foxes

Small, sleek and solid, Moshi Audio's Vortex stays in tune while you literally run around. Dial in the superb bass to get through your workout and rely on the braided cord to avoid tangles. Amazingly enough to actually stay in your ear during fast-paced activity, $80 gets you great sound and beautiful design—from Moshi's online store.

Listen: "Boom" by jj

Contributions from: Karen Day, Graham Hiemstra, Ami Kealoha, Evan Orensten and Tim Yu

by Jack Shaw

What the Hella?, a set of sustainable hair-removal products by New York design studio The Way We See the World, combines sustainability and aromatherapy in one DIY concept.

The tongue-and-cheek name comes from designer Hella Jongerius' experiments using sustainable chicle latex for The Nature Conservancy's Design for a Living World exhibition. "I really don't know what to do with this material," Jongerius explained in a video related to the project. "It was really nice to have an alien in the house. You know, how often to you find a material which is still a secret?"

Their interest piqued, before long the TWWSTW team had their hands on and industrial-sized block of chicle, donated by Glee Gum. After a good deal of experimentation and a few singed fingers they developed an effective and sustainable home-epilation system.

The award-winning prototype includes a chicle body wax, chicle and copal aromatherapy incense, and a sapodilla fruit-scented soap and oil to moisturize and remove excess wax. Each product is designed with its own porcelain vessel.

English firm Environmental Transport Association invented this fabulous little camper that hooks up to Jazzys or other personal electric scooters. The cozy cabin has room for a nap, proper British tea and even a flatscreen.

Black Design Associates gave a sneak peak at one of their fantasy projects. The concept Leica i9 case would, in a perfect world, let you dock your smart phone directly into the back of a Leica body.

Using missile guidance technology, developer C3 Technologies came up with a new way to create 3-D maps. Unlike Google's mapping tech, C3's method requires very little human involvement and can capture building shapes to a resolution of 15 millimeters or less.

It looks like AT&T has finally done something positive for its customers with the production of their Remote Mobility Zone, a portable cell phone tower for use in disaster situations. The mountable satellite dish-driven unit is designed to bridge the gap in situations where standard towers have been destroyed.

MCA Chicago just put a little more pop in cocktail hour with their cocktail shaker disguised to look like a spray-can. Shake it up and pour yourself a stiff one to ease the angst of not knowing who Banksy is.

Listen to the always-charming Werner Herzog talk about his latest film, an exploration of the famous Chauvet Caves in france, on NPR's Fresh Air.

Encouraging people to sign the Solomon R. Guggenheim Foundation-led petition calling for the release of Ai WeiWei (the artist has not been heard from since being detained at a Beijing airport 3 April 2011), London's Lisson Gallery will show new sculptural and video pieces by Weiwei. The exhibition, planned with the artist earlier this year, will open 13 May 2011 and run through 16 July 2011.

"Ex Limbo," an exhibition of artwork composed of discarded objects originally designed for Prada fashion shows by Dutch architecture firm OMA, gives a unique insight into the amount of energy and materials that go into constructing the glamorous environments. The show runs until the 5 June 2011 in Prada's stunning Milan Fondazione.

Spanish bike accessories brand PeSeta tells the charming story of how their clever bike-powered sewing machine came to be, as well as all the details of the biking hat for the New Museum that they made using it.

An homage to the Golden State of skateboarding, the California Deck is a handcrafted board made of 100% Canadian maple in the shape of the state.

This fantastic video, a sister piece to Radiolab's recent podcast, explores symmetry in a series of split-screen images that just might make you think.

Impressive for its length and accuracy, Tristan Greszko's tilt-shift film is the culmination of Photoshop, After Effects and Final Cut Express skills. Set to Pink Floyd's classic Dark Side song "Time" (the Pretty Lights Remix), "A Tiny Day in the Jackson Hole Backcountry." really captures just how epic skiing a massive mountain can be.

This video documents graphic artist Taras Lesko making the Audi-commissioned model of the A7 (the brand's new "first grown-up car" model) using 285 sheets of paper.

Sherwood Forlee and Mihoko Ouchi, who form the design team The., apply the stylings of a classic airmail envelope to a ringspun tee for an entirely new way to "go postal."

Of all the reasons to check out Deitch's mega-show, the extensive collection of works by Keith Haring (including a car covered in his trademark squiggles) may be the most appealing.

When two app developers stumbled across a secret iPhone log containing its complete location history, they released this free app to let you view and track the data—not that there's any purpose for it...yet.

Instructable user Bbstudio decided to discover the limitations of nature's greatest design, the eggshell. After experimenting with how much shell could be carved away while still retaining the egg's shape, the resulting visually stunning sculptures seem to defy gravity.

With an inner swirl that tells the hour and an outer swirl to tell minutes, Ziiiro watches poetically tell time in either turquoise or fuschia.

Designers Han Chi-hoon, Kim Yeon-soo, Park Byong-gon and Kim Sung-geun collaborated on a new ballpoint ink cartridge in a spiral form, an innovation that holds twice as much ink as a traditional pen.

Like a Kickstarter specific to the artistic community, WeFund, a new web-based program, links creative projects with potential funders in exchange for non-monetary incentives.

With an innovative use of pattern recognition software, Stripe Spotter has the ability to identify animals based on snapshots of their patterns (like the unique identifying marks on a zebra, as pictured). Developed at the Computational Population Biology laboratory at the University of Illinois, and the Equid Research and Conservation laboratory at Princeton, it will be unveiled at the International Conference on Multimedia Retrieval in Italy next week.

Complex attempts to clear up a few questions about the latest young, gifted and black music artist to come up on the Internet with a brand of crossover music. The University of Toronto student Abel Tesfaye, assumed to be 20 years old, is rumored to have worked with Drake, among other Canadian music biz heavies.

New Zealand-based personal brewmasters WilliamsWarn has released a complete miniaturized beer brewing system, which does all the work from fermenting to sterilizing to carbonating, while you sit back, relax and enjoy the brew. The all-in-one system has you covered from adding in the ingredients to a quick turn of the switch that achieves the perfect temperature for a freshly-dispensed artisan homebrew.