Design Revolution: 100 Products That Empower People

I can't wait to get my hands on this book!

"Featuring more than 100 contemporary design objects and systems--safer baby bottles, a high-tech waterless washing machine, low-cost prosthetics for landmine victims, Braille-based Lego-style building blocks for blind children (...) that are as fascinating as they are revolutionary, this exceptionally smart, friendly and well-designed volume makes the case for design as a tool to solve some of the world’s biggest social problems in beautiful, sustainable and engaging ways (...) Pilloton challenges designers to be changemakers instead of “stuff creators.”
"
Watch a video featuring the author, Emily Pilloton on the Adobe site

There is a Book Launch Party October 1 in San Francisco, and a panel and reception at Cooper-Hewitt in NYC October 3rd
more info >

Human Centered Design Toolkit from IDEO

A free innovation guide for NGOs and Social Enterprises

For years, organizations have used Human-Centered Design (HCD) to arrive at innovative business solutions. In collaboration with the Gates Foundation and non-profit groups IDE, ICRW, and Heifer International, IDEO has specially adapted this process for NGOs and social enterprises that work with impoverished communities around the world. The resulting HCD Toolkit helps organizations understand people’s needs in new ways, find innovative solutions to meet these needs, and deliver solutions with financial sustainability in mind.

Download it here >

Cool Rug

Little Field of Flowers by Tord Boontje (via Moss)

Cool Shop Interface, and the Products are Cool Too!

Shop Composition uses a cool horizontal sliding interface that's really fun to navigate and shows off the products in context with other content. Plus, this watch was cool. Also, I want all the laptop bags, but I don't have enough laptops to justify getting them.
check it out >

Interesting Lighting Materials!

I have not found any reviews yet (glowing or otherwise! hahaha) but this site looks like a good source for interesting lighting materials-- especially phosphorescents and electro-luminescents!

http://www.phosphortech.com/services.html

Another Snot-Related Product

Baby Nasal Aspirator (AKA Nosefrida)

Of course, invented by Swedes. The snot doesn't actually reach your mouth, there's a stopper in the end.

But still, EW!

http://nosefrida.com/

More Crazy / Cool Wine Containers

It's a drinking glass this time, from the sculptor who brought us the cool decanters, Etienne Meneau! (see previous post)

**************
more info from Etienne Meneau:
Blog The Strange Carafes : http://the-strange-decanter.blogspot.com/
Album photo Little Heart : http://verren1.blogspot.com/
Information & orders : etiennemeneau@free.fr

S'not very cleansing!

found on http://marcandvic.com/2008/08/31/snot-funny/

iceOrb: Make Your Ice Cubes do More For You!

Can you have a "crush" on a product? I think I do!

With this brilliant invention, the ice cubes you make double as a cooler for wine, dips, or whatever you want to put in the container.

Check out the video and more info >

IDEO "Thoughtless Acts" Flickr group

Great photo group about things being used for an unintended purpose-- and accidentally uncovering a clever solution to a problem.

These photos are great:



join this group at http://flickr.com/groups/thoughtlessacts/

Cool wine decanter

A cool decanter from Etienne Meneau. There is something vaguely disturbing about it...maybe the vein-like shape? or something slightly medical about the glass tubes?



check it out >

via designmilk

Funky Toaster!

via designboom

Tengu

Tengu is a super-cute device that responds to sound. His mouth will move in response to all sounds in the room. There are also several different versions of his face, which can be changed by blowing on a microphone located on the bottom of Tengu.

Powered via USB connection (MAC and PC).

check out this YouTube video:

It's made of plastic and LEDs, designed by Crispin Jones.

you can buy Tengu at moss online

MOSS IS HAVING A SALE

more christmas present ideas...some cool products on sale on moss.com this week: a ring, a radio, and...an ice-stopper glass!


check them out >

cool photo hanger

need a Christmas present idea?

This cute photo hanger designed by +d's Juuta Kan is really versatile. Use more than one to hang large prints!

check out the site: http://www.plus-d.com/photo_hanger/

from Core77 via mocoloco

Build 3D models out of virtual LEGOs!

LEGO has a tool called Digital Designer that lets you create 3D models that look really amazing. you can move them around in space and take screenshots of them, upload them and save them on the web if you have a LEGO account.

You can even order them and have the real product shipped to you!

check it out >

Metropolis Magazine Call for Entries!

Metropolis just sent out their call for entries for their 2008 Next Generation Design Contest.

This year's theme is WATER. Here's what they say on their site:

"The 2008 Next Generation® Design Competition focuses on WATER. In a world of killer floods and rising tides, potable water is a finite resource.

Water is everywhere—in nature, industry, home, our bodies, products, interiors, buildings, landscapes, systems (just to name a few).

With up to one third of the global population living without reliable access to clean water, we need better design solutions that account for potable water, gray water, black water—its uses, re-uses, controls, management, efficiency, and conservation.

We call on your innovative design solutions at all scales and sizes—products, interiors, buildings, landscapes, communication systems, or anything else you’ve dreamed up—for handling this most precious and most threatened natural resource. The time for new thinking on water is now.

WHAT’S YOUR SOLUTION?"

Check out the contest entry details >

Lucifer Matches

This container lets matches out one by one, and as you pull the match out, it strikes against the opening -- a self-lighting match container!

This is a great idea and despite people's concerns about safety, it's nice to see an old idea revisited like this.

I saw the post here


They are made by "feel addicted", who also make that doggie sex toy thing (don't make me explain)

Make Furniture for Kids Who Really Need it!!

The Adaptive Design Association /ADA makes adaptive equipment and
furniture for children with disabilities out of readily available
materials, like cardboard.

They're having a volunteer night, this Monday, April 23rd, from 6-8:30
p.m. in New York City.

Marianne says:

Volunteer nights are a lot of fun. We'll have a cardboard
fabrication and edging station (if you want to build some chairs out
of cardboard), a priming station (if you feel like painting but are
too tired to think) and a painting section if you feel like making
the furniture look beautiful.

ADA is located at 313 West 36th Street (between 8th and 9th avenues,
north side of the street)
phone 212.904.1200

If you're interested in coming, please contact Marianne (click the link below)
She needs to keep a headcount.

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http://www.mariannepetit.com ... it's all there ...
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Panel on Social Responsibility

This sounds so cool, wish i could go:

Product Development and Management Association Presents A Panel Discussion on Social Entrepreneurship

New York, NY (March 30, 2007)—The New York / New Jersey chapter of the Product Development and Management Association (PDMA) invite you to attend the next event in our ongoing Product Management Experience Series. The topic of this thought-provoking panel discussion is “Social Responsibility Doesn’t Mean Not for Profit: Doing Good and Making Money”. The event will be held on May 9, 2007.

An increasing number of companies are being founded on the belief that a social mission is not incompatible with a for-profit business model. These companies look for ways to “do well by doing good”. Our panel will include market leaders from a variety of mission-driven companies, including:

* Josh Dorfman, Founder and CEO, Vivavi
* Shayne McQuade, CEO/Founder, Voltaic Systems
* David Satterwaite, President and CEO Prisma Microfinance

The panel discussion will center on the particularities of running a social enterprise and developing socially advantageous products. We will cover topics such as:

* What are advantages or disadvantages do socially responsible ventures have?
* How do success metrics differ from those used in conventional enterprises?
* What factors are involved with product development in a social venture?
* How does the relationship with investors differ?
* What marketing strategies are most successful in promoting such ventures and products?

Event Logistics

Date : Wednesday, May 9th, 2007

Time : 6:30 - 9:30PM

Location: Group 1066

443 Park Ave. South

New York, NY 10016

Dinner : Deli Buffet

Format: Networking / Presentation / Networking

Cost : $30 - PDMA, $40 - Non-Member, $15 - Student

Early-Bird (until May 2nd): $25 - PDMA, $35 - Non-Member, $10 Student

More info: www.productinnovators.com/nynj/

The First Computer Mouse!

from the first computer mouse patent! wow.

see more on this Stanford site about the history of Human Computer Interaction

The picture credits are from SRI International. http://www.sri.com/

thanks to Andres Jimenez for the link