Behance: Action Method Online

by Tim Yu

With a mission to help organize the creative world, Behance wowed us again with the soon-to-be-released Action Method Online (AMO). What began as a line of paper products designed to help boost productivity, now is a robust and powerful online application that will up your productivity and help "make ideas happen." The new online project management system helps individuals and teams get organized and stay action-oriented throughout the process of managing projects.

In developing AMO the Behance team took a totally new approach to project management. As a result, it stands out from many other project management systems that are based on predictable ways of thinking. Firstly, Behance tosses out the inbox model and is free from any email ties to help manage tasks because they think it's ineffective. Instead, all "action steps" are delegated and accepted through AMO. This also offers a level of transparency that keep people engaged in the project because you have to actively accept tasks.

Another major difference is that instead of sharing projects with team partners, you only share relevant action items within projects so that each person can organize and interpret projects in their own way. This customization functionality acknowledges that people have different learning and organizational styles — something that's been largely neglected in other platforms.

As to be expected from Behance, the online app is designed with a focus on simplicity and much of the functionality is intuitive. (Always a good sign.) Action items can be color coded, specified with a target date and clicked and dragged around according to your preference or priority. Discussions can be started in a separate tab and any relevant documents can be filed under the References section. The Nagging functionality allows you to remind and nudge people about particular tasks. There's even a Backburner section to file action steps that can wait.

The beta version of AMO is currently being used by over 200 individuals and teams in the creative world, including us. Personally, I've found it to be extremely useful for managing long-term projects as well as day-to-day projects. The application is set to launch to the public within a month but people can sign-up to get an advanced look at Action Method.

Eleela Magazine

by Phuong-Cac Nguyen

While the scantily-clad cover girl puts Brazilian magazine Eleela on the same rack as the smut periodicals, we think it merits reconsidering. A closer look inside reveals a refreshingly different take more akin to the Suicide Girls meets Brazilian Playboy, with images and quality editorial content meant for a different audience than other more traditional nudie mags.

Intended for couples to read together (hence "Ele" and "Ela" in the title, or "he" and "she" in Portuguese), Eleela's photography tends towards the more tasteful and erotic over the generic pornographic variety. There are also well-conceived articles featuring spotlights on assorted baile funk dancers, interviews with personalities like a tatted-up cabaret performer and, in the current issue, how Japanese porn differs from the Western world's. Subjects and the editorial team involved in each issue are not confined to the borders of Brazil, lending an International scope.

Have a look at the archive of Eleela covers dating back to 2003 — some of which remind us somewhat of the late Jane, without the clothes of course.

Also on Cool Hunting: Box Magazine.

POC Sports Protective Gear

by Tim Yu

Designed specifically for alpine sports, Swedish outfitters POC Sports makes some of the most advanced and unique protective gear available. By working closely with injury and safety specialists including doctors of all trades, POC utilizes the latest high-tech materials to design helmets, body armor, goggles and other soft goods making it a bit safer to huck those 1080s in the back country.

Optimizing your field of view, the Lobes are POC's newest goggles. A frameless and spherical design creates more peripheral vision than other goggles. Made of a polycarbonate blend, the lens is anti-scratch and anti-fog treated, ensuring a clean view all the time. A special all-black limited version (pictured above right) is also avilable this season.

POC also designed some new body armor that looks like it'd be as well suited on the battle field as it is on the slopes. Inspired by the exoskeleton of a beetle, POC leaves no part of the body unprotected with their line of spine (above center), loin, torso, shin and even knuckle protectors (above right). The Torso Armor Jacket (above left) offers full protection for your back, elbow, shoulders, collarbone and forearms. A durable mesh fabric lend flexibility and breathability keeping you agile and cool. Some parts of the jacket, like the back protector, are detachable allowing a level of customization.

For more info, where to buy and a closer look at POC's protective gear including gloves, helmets and other pieces of body armor not shown here, visit POC. If you prefer biking over skiing, POC will be releasing a new line of protective gear designed specifically for BMX and downhill due out the beginning of 2009. Stay tuned.

Jason Miller for VIPP Charity Auction

by Jacob Resneck

Makers of the original pedal trash bin since 1939, danish design company Vipp teamed up with a select group of celebrities and artists—Bono, Michael Stipe and Todd Oldham to name a few—to design receptacles that will be sold for charity. On display through 17 September at The Conran Shop in Manhattan, we especially like Jason Miller's edition (pictured). He did away with the pedal. Instead, the trash can opens by utilizing a motion sensor. A red LED inside the bin emits a warm glow when open.

Hosted by Helena Christensen and VIPP, the celebrity and artist designed custom bins will be auctioned off to benefit Food Bank for New York City and the Chernobyl Children's Project International. The charity auction will take place at the Winston Wächter Gallery in New York on Thursday, 18 September 2008.