Archive for February 21st, 2006
A distinctive musical sound found originally in hip-hop, “scratching” is now found in music as diverse as jazz and classical. To create it a DJ manipulates a vinyl LP playing on a turntable by placing the needle down in various grooves and rotating the record back and forth rapidly. The DJammer is a musical instrument that allows a similar manipulation of digital music files through hand movements. Previously stuck behind a console, the DJammer’s wireless technology allows DJs to perform without being tied to a set of turntables. Thus the DJ scratches and mixes MP3 files while in the audience or onstage. The HP DJammer concept demonstrations have resulted in broad positive press and increased customer interest in HP digital music.
February 21st, 2006
Snap is a wrist-worn MP3 player controlled by simple hand gestures and audio feedback. The consumer may control the device even in situations where conventional user interfaces would be difficult to operate. By examining the movement of tendons in the user’s wrist, the device “reads” the hand gestures that control its playback, and reports status through wireless earbuds. The player and earbuds communicate using the user’s skin as a transmission medium, with no wires required, and no radio interference. Songs are loaded and managed wirelessly with standard wi-fi. Although composed of high-technology parts, the complexity of Snap’s brain is completely hidden.
Bronze 2005 Design Explorations
February 21st, 2006
Microsoft’s chief visionary moving further away from day-to-day corporate work. For the first time did not offer a strategy outlook at this year’s financial analyst meeting. Instead, prefers to dive into innovative projects, foster collaboration among Microsoft’s many divisions. Microsoft aims to be omnipotent, selling software for PCs, servers, cell phones, television set-top boxes, gaming consoles, the Web. Fifteen product launches slated for the next year and a half, including new version of Windows, called Vista, and gaming console Xbox 360.
At the ripe (tech sector) age of 30, Gates’ company impressively beats rivals in profit margins, market capitalization and R&D budget, but its sales growth is slowing to a (recently) single-digit percentage pace. Like elder statesman of computing, IBM, has been investing heavily in its own stock ($8 billion worth so far). Diversifies methodically, selling 20 million shares every quarter, reinvesting through Cascade Investment. Big stakes in Canadian National Railway, Republic Services, Berkshire Hathaway. Philanthropy, via $29 billion Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed at fighting infectious disease (hepatitis B, AIDS, malaria) and improving high schools.
Net Worth: $51.0 billion
February 21st, 2006
The on-the-go concept mobile PC is a new, ultra-mobile notebook PC that would allow consumers in the future to enjoy digital entertainment away from, in and around the home. Intel envisions that software would allow consumers to access ( “outside-in” ) and/or synchronize ( “sync-n-go” ) content from a digital home PC or network to use with the concept mobile PC.
Small enough to fit in the user’s hands, its touch screen doubles as a flat surface speaker, eliminating the need for a keyboard. The unit is designed to aid easy communications for on-the-go consumers. It comes equipped with a wired or wireless keyboard, detachable DVD player, GPS navigation system, a built-in camera and array microphones. It also offers a sneak peek at future computing and communication capabilities, including WLAN connectivity, advanced PC system features and performance benefits.
February 21st, 2006
The Origami DVD Player is a portable DVD player concept that could be manufactured with a new e-paper (a full-color flexible display technology) being developed by Mag-Ink in Israel. As a product, it would target the business traveler who wants a convenient way to watch DVD movies. For this user, portability is a key requirement, but they are not interested in sacrificing their viewing experience and are willing to invest extra money for a higher quality product.
February 21st, 2006
While the LF-A concept makes a major statement about how the Toyota brand would define exotic sports car performance, it was conceived to express the company’s new styling philosophy, “L-finesse,” which is based on concepts of dynamism and inherent contrast between simplicity and elegance. Simplicity, in form and function, reflects styling that is uncluttered and void of extraneous elements. Elegance, inside and out, avoids exaggeration by prioritizing understated luxury that is intriguing, subtle and seamless—and slightly surprising. The key to the formula is how the visual contrast and synergy between simplicity and elegance creates a look that is dynamic, forceful and vigorous. As a pure sports car, LF-A offers strong emotional connection to people.
More details on
February 21st, 2006
Conceived for a Wired magazine feature on device singularity for the year 2014, the Nike eyeD concept is a brilliant idea for how to motivate people to be active. When the credit card-size Nike eyeD is inserted into extended-interface accessories, such as waist and arm carriers, it links wirelessly with HUD glasses, wrist displays, etc. to provide seamless control and information.
For the athlete, it captures your complete athletic experience and coaches you to reach your goals faster. For the spectator, it allows you to experience sport through the eyes of the elite athlete with hi-def streaming video and haptic audio. As a community, it connects to a global competition network around the world so users can locate and compete against others with similar interests, both in real time events or against recorded historical leaderboards. On an interface level, personal data and content is navigated via a hybrid touch-capacitive, voice and tactile interface.
February 21st, 2006
The purpose of the Hurricane project was to design the most maneuverable, most capable, and most powerful 4×4 ever. The exploration resulted in a twin-engine fully-functional concept vehicle with the ability to turn on its own axis. Adding to the vehicle’s maneuverability is its ability to crab steer (all four wheels can turn up to 45 degrees in the same direction, allowing the vehicle to literally move sideways). Hurricane’s raw and honest appearance helps communicate the vehicle’s extreme capability. An exposed carbon frame, brushed and polished aluminum components and HEMI orange engine blocks and interior accents are true to the materials used. Designers succeeded in creating a vehicle that has generated enthusiasm and buzz for the Jeep brand —as seen in the positive media coverage and many awards and accolades.
February 21st, 2006
In this concept designers have reinvented the food experience. Their multi-layered set of plates, cups, bowls and utencils enhance the visual presentation of the meal. The subtle balance between materials (largely porcelain and wood), smooth lines and discreet stacking diagrams highlights rather than obscures the chef’s art form. The main fabrication challenge required the development of molding solutions that allowed for complex negative shapes to be attained.
Gold 2005 Design Explorations
February 21st, 2006
Masamichi Udagawa and Sigi Moeslinger founded Antenna Design with the goal of making people’s engagement with technological objects and environments more exciting. They are achieving this ambitious objective through a combination of commercial and public projects that range from the redesign of the New York City subway cars and ticketing machines and the creation of custom monitors, screen displays, and information kiosks for Bloomberg to a series of interactive installations such as Power Flower, a window display for Bloomingdale’s that is activated by passersby, and their recent winning entry in the Civic Exchange competition, an interactive information installation for visitors and inhabitants of Lower Manhattan.
With backgrounds in industrial design and digital technology, their projects represent a successful merger of elegant product form, informational clarity, and sophisticated interactivity. 
Their work has won numerous awards, including recognition from I.D., Business Week, and Wired magazines. In 2003 they were finalists for the National Design Award in Product Design from the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum.
February 21st, 2006
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