Art, Design and Technology for Obama

by Ami Kealoha

Of the many history-making aspects of Obama's run for President, the art and design that's come out of it isn't insignificant. From the identity of the campaign itself to Shepard Fairey's pioneering grassroots poster, the Obama brand has taken on a life of its own. Naturally, the internet is fertile ground for expressing support and Facebook groups, websites for creating custom logos and even an iPhone app have all popped up in recent days. In the interest of bi-partisanship, we looked for similar examples supporting McCain but came up short. Send us tips if you find anything by following the contact link at the bottom of the page.

Martin Schoeller: Barack Obama
The consistently delightful crew over at Hasted Hunt Gallery came up with a way to support their presidential candidate of choice, providing all of us with the opportunity to purchase some great art at a great price. Working in conjunction with photographer Martin Schoeller, the gallery produced an edition of Schoeller's stylistic portrait of Barack Obama. Typical of Schoeller's immediately recognizable style, the image is brightly lit and tightly cropped.

The 11”x14” print is available for only $250 in an edition of 500, with 100% of the proceeds going to the Obama campaign. For more information, contact the gallery by calling +1 212 627 0006 or emailing info [at] hastedhunt [dot] com. — Jonah Samson

Logobama
Facilitating those who want their online identity to be consistent with their politics, Logobama is a website that allows users to easily create their own custom Obama logo by uploading a picture that you can re-size and position within the sun shape. Trick it out by choosing colors from a pre-approved palette and choose from a range of sizes that the program generates.

Obama-tize your Profile Pic for October Facebook Group
There's a glut of Facebook groups both in support and against Obama but we like the simple premise of Obama-tizing your page and some of the pics, like the Grateful Dead and Kiss mash-ups, are genius.

Obama '08 iPhone Application
Finally a presidential candidate that is utilizing progressive technologies as a campaign tool, Obama's iPhone Application "organizes and prioritizes your contacts by key battleground states, making it easy to reach out and make an impact quickly." Available for download at iTunes. Image via Ben Smith's Blog — Tim Yu

Jill Platner: Obama Collection
NYC-based jeweler created a line of jewelry "to show her suport for Obama's message of hope and change." The subtle sterling silver pieces include pins and lariat necklaces all handmade and all engraved with roughly-hewn letters spelling out "Obama" or "Obama Rocks." Platner's Obama accessories start at $95 and are available from her site.

Runway To Change
In an unprecedented move, the Obama campaign recently launched " Runway To Change," a collection of clothing and accessories created by a cadre of big-name fashion designers. From left to right, we like Pharrel's tee that depicts Obama's charisma graphically ($60), Proenza Schoueler's understated leather bracelet ($75), the Wangster-worthy racerback ($45) by Alexander Wang and Marc Jacobs' button totebag ($75). Needless to say, all proceeds support the campaign.

Trollbäck: Buttons for Barack
From the creative studio Trollbäck, these buttons are as clever as they are good-looking. There are four sets with each Trollbäck designer responsible for a button — unfortunately it seems like you probably have to know one of those designers to get your hands on one but you can see larger images on their site.

Obama Baggus
Silkscreened with a greyscale image of Barack that pretty much says it all, the Baggus work for those (like me) who just can't quite see themselves wearing any endorsement across their chest. Plus they have that punk DIY appeal that seems particularly fitting given the spirit of the campaign. They're $10 a pop and available from Baggu.

Five Floor Lamps at the London Design Festival 2008

by Leonora Oppenheim

Ango: Ebony Sky
Angus Hutcheson's Bankok-based studio produces beautifully minimal lighting designs inspired by natural forms. (Pictured at right.) We loved this arching lamp which uses silk cocoons for the shade and stainless steel for the base structure.

Anna McConnell: Non-Standard Lamp
There was quite a bit of anthropomorphic design going on at the festival including these characterful articulated lamps that we adored by recent design graduate Anna McConnell. (Above right.) Designed for her final degree project, they're all one-of-a-kind featuring joints custom-designed for each reclaimed lamp stand.

Sander Bokkinga: Hosepipe Floor Lamp
Surely the boldest stand at the Tent London show was Bok, the design label by Dutchman Sander Bokkinga. (Far left.) His hosepipe furniture turned heads with the eye-catching colors and archetypal — but surprising — forms. Sander says that water can still run through the hose even when it's being used as a lamp. Sounds kinda electrifying!

SKK: Wooden Standing Lamp
This enormous lamp caught our attention on entering Tent London. (At left.) We like its simple wooden form and elastic cords, reminding us of an overgrown child's toy. The lamp was designed by SKK in the 1990s but the light board has now been updated with the latest LED technology to give it a contemporary energy-saving edge.

Tomás Alonso: Mr Light
Possibly our favorite find of the festival was OKAY Studio's show at the Aram Gallery. Nine design graduates from the Royal College of Art share a studio space in London and this, their first group show, was entitled "Under the Same Roof." Tomás Alonso's anthropomorphic lamps, using new LED T8 tube light bulbs, were one of the many highlights in this show.

Named Mr.1, Mr.2 and Mr.3, the lamps take advantage of the reduced number of components that the bulbs require and use it as inspiration, exploring "the formal continuity between the bulb and the fixture while playing with the way the materials come together to produce a series of unexpected characters."

Swims City Slipper: High Heel Galoshes

by Ami Kealoha

Swims, the Norwegian line of sleek galoshes, has already saved many a pair of shoes from inclement weather with their designs geared for urbanites. Now, with the introduction of the City Slipper, heels can benefit from the same cleverly-conceived protection.

The new wrapper adds traction (in the form of a map of either New York, Paris or Tokyo) and shields delicate leather soles and other materials from splashes, sludge and any number of other hazards. We can even see these coming in handy for saving fine footwear from the normal perils of travel so that they're sure to be pristine upon arrival.

Like their flat counterparts, the Slippers are made from flexible silicone making them easy to put on and take off, as well as adaptable to nearly any heel height and thickness. A low-cut style accommodates bows and buckles. The obvious downside is that the design does leave the heel itself exposed so avoiding subway grates is still your job.

Look out for City Slippers on the Swims site soon.

Alife x Lacoste Polo

by Ami Kealoha

by Ariston Anderson

Are there ever days when you want to roll in to work on your skateboard but still have to look somewhat presentable? Well, the latest collaboration between purveyor of all things sneaker, Alife, and French sportswear mogul, Lacoste, is a polo shirt that is the perfect combination of preppy and punk. Featuring the largest alligator ever to grace a (legitimate) Lacoste shirt, and the number "158" across the back, the address of the Lower East Side Alife store, this shirt is sure to fulfill your inner brand whore while still maintaining some street cred.

The shirts sell for $175 and are available at Alife Rivington Club or through their online store.