John Austin: Prank University

by Evan Orensten

John Austin is a 27 year old toy designer and self-proclaimed master in the tradition of the college prank. So much so that he's written a book called Prank University: The Ultimate Guide to College's Greatest Tradition to share his favorite tricks.

The site and book are well designed and feature great illustrations of the pranks, which are ranked by difficulty and have step-by-step instructions for optimal results.

Hey Ami, have fun in London at the Design Festival. We're not bitter that you drew the lucky straw. Really. We'll take good care of your desk while you're gone...

Prank University is available at the book's site and from Amazon.

via Core77

What’s Going On?, Part II: Swedish Soul Food

by Ami Kealoha

For most, Swedish music is one glorious name that comes to mind, ABBA. And if your music knowledge extends beyond wedding band classics, you might come up with something esoteric, like Roxette or Ace of Base. And if you are truly sophisticated, The Hives, The Cardigans, or neo-electro-rockers The Knife. Good stuff for sure. But funky? Soulful? F.R.E.S.H.?

I discovered these folks in their natural habitat during semi-frequent trips to Scandinavia. But thanks to MySpace (the most infuriatingly slow and lo-tech website you now can’t live without), you don’t have to brave the mean streets of Stockholm to get a taste of the new wave of Northern soul. Here’s a primer on the new Swedish chefs.

Linn (pictured center) sings like Erykah Badu with songwriting chops to boot. Check out her sultry shuffle-house remake of the Cherrelle classic “Saturday Love”, a duet with her brother Stefan Segolson.

Girl is Dilla meets Funkadelic, with catchy hooks. Listen all the way through to “Spank the Drum” for one of the illest beats you have heard in a while, guaranteed.

Lykke Li (pictured right) is a melancholy and intimate singer-songwriter with a beautiful lilting voice, and heartfelt lyrics. Listen to “Born Blue”. She’s just getting started, but look for her to come out swinging in the coming year.

Hearin’ Aid emcees Damon Frost and Aaron Phiri are originally from Hawaii and Zambia, respectively, and they actually have an amazing boundary-stretching hip-hop album out. But have you heard of them? Probably not.

And last but definitely not least, my hands-down favorite new artist right now, Salem Al Fakir (pictured left), fuses Lionel Richie’s cheesily-good 80’s ballad mastery, Robert Smith’s hair, and Stevie Wonder-esque (and I do not evoke him lightly) deep musicality. Fakir’s “Dream Girl” is an unlikely hit steadily climbing the charts in Sweden.

Also notable (and more likely to be available in stores soon) are two hip-hop/soul artists with great albums set to drop in October. Up Hygh (on Tru Thoughts) and Freddie Cruger (on Ubiquity). Expect to hear more about these cats from me soon. Now, eat your meatballs!

by DJ Scribe

Also on Cool Hunting: What's Going On?, Part I: Pop Gets Its Groove Back

Eco-Chic at the London Design Festival

by Leonora Oppenheim

Fast becoming a refreshing fixture among the flashy mega-designs (and matching mega-egos) that tend to dominate design fests, exhibits that feature "friendly" design for society and the environment are often not only the most down-to-earth designs, but also the most inspiring.

The [re]design show Good+Gorgeous is an impressively large exhibit highlighting the need for responsible design. Ryan Frank’s Inkuku chair (pictured above left) is a great example of stylish recycling inspired by crafts from his native South African—at first glance you wouldn’t realize that the orange seat was made from plastic shopping bags. Another chair that got a lot of attention was Guy Arzi's cinema chair. William Warren's "Shelves for Life (below) were a clever conceptual take on recycling.

Victory Motorcycle Custom Order Program

by Ami Kealoha

Taking online customization to a new level, Victory Motorcycles of Spirit Lake, Iowa has recently extended the option to trick-out any of four models—but only for a limited time. Until 31 October 2006, visit Victory's site and let legendary bike builders Arlen and Cory Ness walk you through the slick interface to help you to design a one-of-a-kind motorcycle starting at around $16,000 (though the online system can help save money on a custom bike). From paint color to chrome accessories and graphics to touring packages, Victory's custom program offers options to bikers who want an easy way to get a bike tailored to their personal style. Of note is the limited “blacked-out option” where wheels and other features can be blackened, for those who prefer making a more sinister-looking statement.

by Todd Thomas

Cool Feet

by Ami Kealoha

From the designers whose Cableyoyo device helped make unruly cables a little more manageable, Cool Feet are a compact set of four peg-legs that help make laptops less hot, more ergonomic, and less prone to damage furniture. Attaching via a suction cup (non-iBooks require the included glossy, clear adhesive dots), the silver feet can be easily removed for transport or re-configuration. Three different set-ups—using all four at each corner or only tall or short feet at the rear corners—effortlessly adapt to a variety of situations, including laps. $13 for a set from Cool Feet.