Electronics
Design:
Client: Umbra
Date: 2009
Following the remix trend, Umbra produces a number of market tests of the repurposed variety (taking found objects and upcycling them into a new use). I am not convinced on the success of this tactic here given that the results are so homely and unappealing, both qualities that consumer goods die from. The connection between the found objects and the function/purpose of the clock seems to have been lost in translation, with the glued on objects adding little to the objects narrative. What story/experience does a cassette tape and stuffed animal join to create? Why, in the world of mass time availability (phones, micowaves, DVD players, etc) do we need another clock? I applaud Umbra for the risk taking and ground breaking though, as good ideas like repurposing are always worth exploring.
August 27th, 2010
Design:
Client: Deanmark Ltd.
Date: 2009
Click to watch the AirMouse demo.
July 23rd, 2010
Designer: John Tyson and team
Manufacturer: Northern Electric Company, Ottawa
Date: 1972
Image via The Fabulous Find.
July 16th, 2010
Design: Mira Yung
Client: Concept
Date: 2010
June 9th, 2010
Design: Todd Falkowsky
Client: Concept
Date: 1999
An early conceptual hit of the green movement, this small device was designed to help people understand how they use the objects around them. Easily stuck to a product, this small pill shaped monitor records and displays (similar to a pedometer) how many times a product has been used. The hope is to increase the bond between the user and the object, while providing a comment on the product life span and durability of the things we use. Consumers will question whether they need to replace one item with a newer version, or whether they really need that item at all.
-Todd Falkowsky
June 6th, 2010
Design: Science & Sons
Manufacture: prototype
Date: 2010
Photo: Science & Sons
This little prototype attracted a lot of attention at IDS10 last week. Obviously inspired by the CBC’s iconic logo, Radio Canada also pays homage to the national broadcaster’s dedicated listening audience. With a tuner hidden on the bottom of the radio, users can preset their local CBC stations. Once programmed, the radio’s oversized toggle switch flips between Radio One and Radio Two – because what else do you need? (Actually, the radio is compatible with your MP3 player too, so it can also play those Radio 3 podcasts you downloaded.) Appropriately, the case itself is constructed from maple and aluminum, which are both local and loaded with national narrative.
Conceived from the ground up to cater to a niche audience, this design is a direct challenge to the prevailing trend of mass-appeal-products. However, it’s hardly alone in this approach as even major manufacturers are creating locally tailored products (Nike, T-Fal, etc.) and targeting small, but fervent markets (think pre-iPod Apple and hybrid cars). In this light, it will be interesting to see if and how this design is translated for production.
-Michael Erdmann
January 27th, 2010
Design:
Client: Nortel
Date: 2009
December 17th, 2009
Design: Andrew Pommier
Client: Zune
Date: 2009
December 3rd, 2009
Design: Suissa Computers
Client:
Date: 2009
Picked as the number one x-mas gift for techies by WIRED magazine, the luxury PC from Suissa is quite the piece. Obviously and sadly aimed only at the Robb Report crowd, the design is actually deeper than that. I like that something typically designed to be replaced and discarded, has been given immense value with a hardwood case, loads of customization and engineered to be upgraded as new hardware emerges. The look is acquired but the impact is real, what a computer!
-Todd Falkowsky
November 26th, 2009
Design: Alan Wiesniewski
Client: U+ Umbra
Date: 2009
The Tie Clock is U+’s (Umbra’s higher-end division) latest repurposing product. Designed to give Goodwill ties a second life fanned out as a clock face, the style becoming the face of green design (reuse and cascade design). Not sure of the end result, it feels “design schoolish” and immature. With this said, I do think that this piece is coming from a good place conceptually and that the style is worth exploring.
-Todd Falkowsky
November 23rd, 2009
Design:
Client: Leslie Feist
Date: 2009
October 22nd, 2009
Design:
Client: Clairtone Sound Corporation, Ltd.
Date: 1969
Beautiful modern stereo, hi-fi cabinet of veneered teak with brass hardware manufactured by the Clairtone Sound Corporation, Ltd., Toronto, CA. This is a great piece of vintage equipment, the tube amp (with EL 84 tubes) and Garrard turntable will bring out the warm, rich analog tones of your vinyl LPs. Audiophiles everywhere know that digital sound reproduction falls just a bit short; it just can’t compare to analog sound!
Tight wood grain throughout, with a rich, dark patina. Hinged top opens to reveal the turntable and main control console which Clairtone designed for expandability; inputs are provided for external speakers, TV, tape deck, etc. Cloth-covered stereo speakers are hidden by sliding panel doors when not in use. The cabinet rests sturdily on the splayed legs.
Dimensions: 62 in. long x 18 in. deep x 27 1/2 in. tall.
-Stew F
September 30th, 2009
Design: HERO Design Lab
Client:
Date: 2008
Designed to get you off your desktop and working on the floor (like a mouse), this rug manages cables and wires.
-Todd Falkowsky
September 3rd, 2009
Design: Contexture Design
Client:
Date: 2009
Contexture Design has taken the sleek and stylish iPod nano and wrapped it in a lovely nostalgic case made from a reclaimed cassette tape. From their website: “45 Nano Cases are made from reclaimed cassette tapes, gutted, routered and rebuilt to fit your 4th generation iPod nano.”
-John Ryan
August 13th, 2009
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