Brooklyn Bounce

I'm hanging up my mouse for a couple of days. In the meantime, here are a couple of related blogs to tickle your mind: COLOURlovers, Springwise, Computerlove, Visual Complexity, The FWA

Pattern Game

I was looking for some Flash examples last night when I came across this Pattern Game. It is mesmerizing to play with and a nice example of some mathlete style Action Scripting.

Sharad Haksar

I was fabulously entertained by the portfolio of photographer Sharad Haksar. It is a witty collection of photography and advertising, including this Sorti ad. (Found through Computerlove).

Nike ID

Nike ID is probably the best thing to happen to running shoes since Velcro. It is a website that allows you to create and order your own set of custom Nikes. You choose a shoe style and then you have creative control over all the colors (base, laces, swoosh, sole, etc), plus you can add your own graphic or text to the side, and if you have wonky feet you can even order the left and right shoe in different sizes. Love it! Ordering my first pair tonight.

Also check out the Puma equivalent - The Puma Mongolian Shoe BBQ

Earth as Art

I came across the site Earth as Art today. It's from a couple of years ago, but I found it really inspiring. It celebrates the beauty of the Earth by featuring a collection of stunning high res satellite images of our planet. Above is a photos of China's Himalayas.

Grocery Bag Trash Can

So, I know that a garbage can that fits a plastic bag is not that innovative, but I think there is something ingenious about this Grocery Bag Trash Can by The Container Store. People use grocery bags for garbage all the time, so why not make a garbage can that is specifically designed to hold plastic bags? Simple but great idea. Oh, and did I mention, $5. (Found through Outblush)

Idea Generator

They say there is no wrong way to inspire ideas. If you need some brainstorming assistance today, why not try out this Idea Generator from The Director's Bureau Special Projects. Just push the button and voila! (Found through DesignNotes)

What's Bubbling Up?

I've been playing around today with What's Bubbling Up. It's a promotional site for Unicel, created by the brilliant minds at Kelliher Samets Volk. The site focuses on the idea of making connections by allowing users to create and post messages. I always enjoy sites based on user content, especially when they invite people to share something they might not normally. I also really enjoy the thought of unspoken conversations being these lingering speech bubbles - it's a cool visual. This site reminds me of one of my favorites, the Hope Garden. (Thanks Jackie!)

Endeavour Launch

In my opinion, there are few things more magnificent to watch than a space shuttle launch. The space shuttle Endeavour took off last night on its 22nd flight into space. Video of the launch is available on NASA'a shuttle website.

Rasterbator

Do you have a blank wall that needs filling? Then you need to do some Rasterbation... pronto. Rasterbator is an online or downloadable program that rasterizes any image into large scale posters (up to 20m) divided into neat little 8.5 x 11 pieces perfect for your home printer. What is your excuse for that blank wall now?

The Chemical Brothers The Salmon Dance Video

I think I had a dream like this once.

Color Changing Lid

This color changing lid, created by Smart Lid Systems, changes color when hot. Intended for use with coffee, tea or other warm beverages, this lid works as a visual warning indicator that the cup contains hot liquids. Although I'd like to see even more color change in this product (the original state still seems very red), this is much more effective than just typing 'Caution: May contain hot liquids' on the lid. This is a good warning indicator because your brain can process the message without much thought, effort or attention. Watch this video to see the color transformation in progress. Found through (COLOURlovers)

Splinter Chair

I like this Splinter Chair because it successfully combines two chairs into a bench, or divides a bench into two chairs - depending how you look at it. The chairs are very interesting pieces on their own, but even when they are separated, you can't help but put them together in your mind. The Splinter Chair was design by Matthew Kroeker for Jane Hamley Wells. The concept for the chair was meant to evoke 'the fragility of relationships, the constant flux between breaking apart and coming together'.

Anymails

Anymails is a fun and informative visualizer for your email inbox. It represents email using the natural metaphor of microbes. Different species of microbes represent email from different groups of people (i.e. Family, Job, Spam). The size and color of the microbes show the age of the email and the hairiness indicates the email's unread, read, or responded to status. Anymails was developed as the thesis project of Carolin Horn with coding by Florian Jenett. Great use of Flash and Processing ladies! (Found through Josh Spear).

Greenpeace Bulb Ad

The text on this Greenpeace ad reads 'Ordinary bulbs are killing the environment. Just one simple act on your part can stop the climate crisis: switch to Compact Fluorescent Lamps'. The light bulb/noose visual double entendre is impressive for such a simple graphic. Very effective.

Safe-Vent Syringe

Designed by the Formation Design Group, this Safe-Vent Integral Syringe has the potential to revolutionize the way we deal with blood samples. The purpose of the Safe-Vent syringe is to capture the needle and allow for gas bubbles to be vented without exposing the medical technicians to the blood. The Safe-Vent also reduces the blood's exposure to the air, reducing potential exposure to possible blood-borne pathogens and increasing the accuracy of the diagnosis. The Safe-Vent is also unique in that it allows this whole process to be done with one hand. This product recently won and IDEA design award.

Bubble Scrubber

Any product that makes work fun gets a thumbs up from me. Available through Poopsies. (Found though the always wonderful swissmiss)

OXO Corn Stripper

Personally, I'm a big fan of eating corn straight off the cob, but for some reason if you aren't (because you have dentures, you are trying to freeze it, or you are simply no fun), then this product is for you. It's a corn stripper designed by TODA for OXO. If, like I said before, you are someone who takes corn off it's cob, this is a pretty ingenious product. It strips the corn safely and stores it in a compartment for easy, no mess, transport and pouring. (Thanks Brett!)