More on Tape

In an article in the NY Times, "The Fix: A Sticky Little Lizard Inspires a New Adhesive Tape" the author, Arianne Cohen, details the numerous tapes that are on the market. From the traditional duct tape, to gaffer tape, there are a crazy amount of different tapes. There is even one that only sticks to itself. It's called Silicon X-Treme Tape and was originally designed for the military. The new tape that is being described in the article is based on a Gecko's adhesive abilities, and allowed the inventor, Kellar Autumn, to stick his 80 pound daughter to a window. And it's reusable.

Getting Rid of People

Seth Godin recently had a post titled "more, More, MORE." He talks about those clients that are never satisfied and always want more - and advises you to fire those customers. This in turn enables you to focus on those that deserve the attention.
This is true of everyday life too. When someone is asking too much or is never satisfied with what you are able to give, get rid of them. It leaves you time to focus on those that don't try to make your life more difficult. In the communities we are building, it is important to recognize this feature as well. When members become too demanding and do not contribute to the overall effort, it it time to let them go. Don't allow them to suck out all the energy and bring down the rest of the community.

Tim Burton

The exhibit at the MOMA is now all about Tim Burton - and it will continue until April 26, 2010. I went to see it on Friday, and it was pretty spectacular. They had everything from notebooks from childhood to costumes and drawings from his most current films. I never quite realized just how big of an influence he has been on films from Charlie and the Chocolate Factory to Batman Beyond. He has such a distinctive style and a very interesting sense of humor.

One of the best parts of the exhibit, in my opinion, simply because I am a Johnny Depp fan, was the evidence to their creative relationship. One letter, addressed to Johnny, asked about the possibility of when entering the factory and greeting the children, he could say something like everything in this room is eatable - even I'm eatable! But that is called 'cannibalism' and that's frowned upon in most societies. This part in the creative process struck me and I was so happy to get a glimpse into this relationship.

Anyway, I highly recommend the exhibit - go and see it while you can!

Locking Mailboxes

Check out Architectural Mailboxes, featured in this NY Times article, a company that creates innovative design and quality mailboxes for their customers. They even have mailboxes that lock and protect packages and mail items. Even though it's against the law to steal mail, with the overall concern of Americans regarding safety, this is the perfect item to create and sell.
It reminds me of my own hometown where hardly anyone locks their door. A friend and his family went away on vacation and they left their house unlocked for a week - and nothing happened. When at home, I don't lock my car because it's not really necessary.
But when I came to Long Island, it was impressed upon me to always lock everything up because people will take anything you leave out. It makes everything more fearful and does not contribute to a sense of community and trust in your fellow neighbors.
The pictures below show how the mail is put in the slot and taken out through the back.

Craft Camp

This course is focusing on the idea of community and the creation of one. A camp in New Hampshire, called Beam Camp, brings together a group of kids that work together to problem solve and build things. It sounds really cool - and helps kids develop their imagination and realize that many ideas can in fact come to life.

Small Spaces

Zach Motl has an apartment that is only 178 square feet, according to the NY Times. Barely enough to live in. But he has been able to make the most of his space and created an apartment that is purely him.
This is just like my friend, Kendall, who's apartment is about the same size. Just enough for a bed, small couch...and that's it. But it's all in how you put it together. Space isn't everything.

NYC Condom Contest

The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene is putting on a contest for a condom design to promote safer sex in NY. It announced the top finalists and have opened the vote online. You can vote on the web here. This will be the fourth NYC condom - the first being introduced for Valentines Day in 2007. Voting closes February 28th.

Design and Safety

Toyota has recalled many of its vehicles because of problems with the accelerators sticking - and are now having problems with the brakes on some of their Prius models. The New York Times article details the history of the problem and what they are going through to fix it.
Over the weekend, I had a problem with my accelerator sticking, and it was quite scary. This is not simply a problem of design, but also of safety. The design of something is extremely important - and it can mean life or death to people. It's good that Toyota is recalling and fixing these problems, but they shouldn't be an issue in the first place.

Perception

48m² / Beckmans at Stockholm Furniture Fair 2010 from Beckmans College of Design on Vimeo.

Check out this video from 48m2. Their theme is "Same but Different." It really blew my mind the first time I watched it. Very well done - and perfect with the theme.

Videos

Found videos for my community: "the internet changes the recording of history."

History of Everything

Mr. Bean at the Library

Libraries of the Future

What is the Future of the Library?

The World Digital Library

Scotch Tape Sculptures

A core77 post informed me that Scotch Tape is now holding an annual "Off the Roll Tape Sculpture Constest," where contestants design their own sculptures made out of, yes, tape. The grand prize winner gets $5,000 and a case of tape. Some sample entries are above.

They even provide instructions and tips for helping you create that original sculpture. 10% of the judging comes from online polling, and the rest will be judged by their own "experts." The contest goes until February 28.

It reminds me of duct tape and the many prom dresses that have been created, as the one below. Who would have thought tape would be such an artistic medium?

Air Cruising

From a post on dvice.com, a new concept called "Aircruise" is basically a giant floating hotel. It's a blimp that would run on hydrogen and fuel cells. It moves at 90mph (meaning it would take 37 hours to go from New York City to London. In other words, very slow.

But travel isn't really what this is designed for - it's more like a cruise ship that flies through the air. Complete with bars and lounges, imagine the sights you would see!

Future Predictions

Pantoticon posts about the World Future Society (WFS) and their predictions for 2010 to 2050.I didn't even know this society existed - but now that I do, their list is pretty cool. My favorite? Definitely the 3-D tv. I love 3-D movies and go to ALL of them. Although - if I had a 3-D tv you might not get me off the couch!
Here are the predictions:

• The Race for Genetic Enhancements Will Be What the Space Race Was in the 20th Century
• Water Becomes the New Oil
• WiMAX Networks Will Soon Create Country-Wide Wireless Internet Access
• By 2025, the Worldwide Average Life-Span Will Be Extended by One year Per Year
• Bioviolence Becomes a Greater Threat
• Invention Becomes Automated
• Japan Dominates the Race for Personal Robots
• Holographic 3-D TV
• The Holy Grail of Computers Becomes a Reality
• Electric Cars Become Fully Practical by 2020
• Religion Growing in China while Secularism Grows in the Middle East
• New Oil from Old Wells
• Green Gold: Algae’s Huge Potential as Biofuel
• Nanotechnology May Alter the Value of Diamonds and Other Precious Commodities
• The Millennial Generation Will Have Major Impacts on Society
• Quantum Computers Revolutionalize Information Around 2021
• Breakthrough DOUBLES Solar Energy Output
• Consumers Will Take Active Roles in Inventing New Products and Services
• Virtual Education to Enter the Mainstream by 2015
• Genetic Research May Soon Conquer Most Inherited Diseases

Your Own Airplane

In a post on patopicon entitled "personal aviation vehicles," various kinds of airplanes are discussed. From a Transformer-like device that becomes a plane from a car, to one that more closely resembles Buzz Lightyear, it got me thinking about my own visions for a personal airplane. I googled personal aviation vehicles and came up with a few models, as shown above.
I think the ability to transform from a car to a plane is an excellent design plan that would make it very marketable. The only question is, how do you stop everyone from flying into each other? Air traffic control is going to have their hands full.