SomeRightsReserved

by Evan Orensten

SomeRightsReserved is the awesome online store of the London-based KithKin design collective. The shop, billed as "a download revolution" features both digital products (such as music and fonts) and directions/instructions for building physical items.

There are too many great things to call out here but a few favorites include the origami Graphic Grenade by PostlerFerguson; The Rubbish typefaces by Clare Acheson, and the RepRap by Adrian Bowyer.

The RepRap, short for Replicating Rapid-prototyper, is an incredible DIY prototyping machine. True, any number of good machines are available for tens of thousands of dollars, but the plans for the RepRap are free and the parts needed to build it around $1,000, prompting one reviewer to proclaim "Think of RepRap as a China on your desktop." Once you've made one it can—literally—replicate itself.

We love the idea of an ideas marketplace. Best of all, many downloads are free, most under £5, and the most expensive £10.

Outside Of Sorts

by Ami Kealoha

Opening today at Character in Manhattan, the group exhibition Outside Of Sorts inaugurates The American Design Club, a new NYC-based organization spearheaded by the young, local designer Kiel Mead. The show takes on the idea of the outdoors and includes everything from pillow covered in remnant "Sunbrella" fabric with interior nipples to eyeglasses that simulate freckles.

We're so excited about their goal of bringing more attention to American design that we're sharing a few images from the show here. You can also view a gallery at the ADC site.

Outside Of Sorts
Opening reception: 25 September 2008, 6-9pm
25-30 September 2008
Character
19 Prince Street
New York, NY 10012 map

Left: Paddle Mirror
Right: Cold Comfort Cushion Cluster, Richard Saja

Left: Freck Specs, Kiel Mead
Right: South by Southwest ½, Alex Spain-Strombom

Left: Treepod, Xárene Eskandar
Right: The New Organic, Stanley Ruiz

Matthew Plummer Fernandez: Sound/Chair

by Evan Orensten

Rather than take design cues from nature, architecture or any number of other more traditional aesthetic inspirations, the angular contours of London-based designer Matthew Plummer Fernandez' Sound/Chair is the result of mapping sound waves.

Plummer Fernandez tried 719 different sounds (the mathematically-complex process involves volume, time and frequency) before settling on the one he put into production. The upshot is a water jet-cut polyethylene foam chair, "a product with dual existence as both a sound and chair, and a new approach to designing products."

The conceptual furnishing was available for purchase at Selfridge's pop-up shop as part of London's recent design week for £3950 but the shop closed earlier this week. The good news is that you can contact Plummer Fernandez by emailing him (matthew [at] plummerfernandez [dot] com) to purchase it directly.

Helmut Lang: Alles Gleich Schwer

by Tim Yu

With support from the "In An Absolut World Campaign," Helmut Lang's second solo exhibition of artistic works explores the world of technology and art by creating an interactive online gallery of "Alles Gleich Schwer," first exhibited in late August in Hannover. The series of installations and objects attempts to address the intersection of the public and private experience. a concept that will be creatively interpreted through an online platform where physical space and geographic restraints are non-existent.

The first to showcase a clothing collection in an internet fashion show back in '98, Lang, in more ways than one, has always been on the cutting edge. Turning away from creations for the psychical body and focusing his efforts on creating two and three-dimensional works, clearly the fashion visionary is still interested in the interplay between art and the internet. Lang comments that it offers viewers the unique experience of viewing art in an isolated manner which has its interesting side, "it allows you to contradict the laws of nature at your own risk." The online version "Alles Gleich Schwer" will be presented exclusively at absolut.com/helmutlang from 30 September-31 December 2008.

Check out the video (above) for a peek at the install of the piece and preview of what to expect.

Images from the installation in Hannover after the jump.

Also on Cool Hunting: Absolut Machines: Absolut Quartet.