Cool Hunting
| 26 July 2009 - 01 August 2009 week before | next week | view all from this month |
Portable Film Festival Film the Future Winner: Apoptosis
To celebrate the 2009 launch of the State of Design Festival in Melbourne, Australia our friends at the Portable created a short film competition they call "Film the Future" (in keeping with the fest's theme, "Sampling the Future"). After hundreds of entries and hours of debate they finally selected Takafumi Tsuchiya's music video "Apoptosis" as the winner. Check it out above. A mental journey,...
To celebrate the 2009 launch of the State of Design Festival in Melbourne, Australia our friends at the Portable created a short film competition they call "Film the Future" (in keeping with the fest's theme, "Sampling the Future"). After hundreds of entries and hours of debate they finally selected Takafumi Tsuchiya's music video "Apoptosis" as the winner. Check it out above. A mental journey,...
Ace Hotel New York Uniforms
Beyond offering affordable comfort and style, Ace Hotels distinguish themselves by integrating into the culture of their home city. Our recent visit to the Ace NYC proved no different—the property embraces a deep history of art, music and design that speaks to New York originality. The Ace perspective on NYC style even shows up in their staff uniforms, compiled from iconic New York staples...
Beyond offering affordable comfort and style, Ace Hotels distinguish themselves by integrating into the culture of their home city. Our recent visit to the Ace NYC proved no different—the property embraces a deep history of art, music and design that speaks to New York originality. The Ace perspective on NYC style even shows up in their staff uniforms, compiled from iconic New York staples...
Timber Timbre
Toronto-based Timber Timbre's third self-titled studio release keeps a soft and moody vibe with eight simply structured songs that seem meant for listening to in the dark. Taylor Kirk, the man behind the project, has a singing voice that’s both folksy and restrained. He calls on other artists to fill in strings, banjo and accompanying vocals, while his percussive backdrops anchor the low-key tunes.Pick...
Toronto-based Timber Timbre's third self-titled studio release keeps a soft and moody vibe with eight simply structured songs that seem meant for listening to in the dark. Taylor Kirk, the man behind the project, has a singing voice that’s both folksy and restrained. He calls on other artists to fill in strings, banjo and accompanying vocals, while his percussive backdrops anchor the low-key tunes.Pick...
Square iPhone Payment System
A project codenamed "Square" is the brand new iPhone-based payment processing system that's currently being alpha tested at the also brand new Self Edge NYC. In addition to keeping the process paperless, Square makes check-out clean and easy. The innovation is in a small, plastic card reader that fits in to the headphone jack of an iPhone (or iPod Touch) and transfers the credit...
A project codenamed "Square" is the brand new iPhone-based payment processing system that's currently being alpha tested at the also brand new Self Edge NYC. In addition to keeping the process paperless, Square makes check-out clean and easy. The innovation is in a small, plastic card reader that fits in to the headphone jack of an iPhone (or iPod Touch) and transfers the credit...
Native Design
According to David Brown, graphic designer and former president of the Art Center College of Design, "good design is a form of respect on the part of the producer for the person who will eventually spend hard-earned cash on the product, use the product [and] own the product." If so, Native, the latest offering from renowned Melbourne industrial designer Dhiren Bhagwandas, represents truly good...
According to David Brown, graphic designer and former president of the Art Center College of Design, "good design is a form of respect on the part of the producer for the person who will eventually spend hard-earned cash on the product, use the product [and] own the product." If so, Native, the latest offering from renowned Melbourne industrial designer Dhiren Bhagwandas, represents truly good...
Interview with Photographer Liz Wolfe
by Alison Zavos for Feature Shoot Born in the Canadian prairies, Liz Wolfe studied photography at Ryerson University's School of Image Arts in Toronto. In 2009, she exhibited her work at the Architecture + Design Museum (Los Angeles), the Gladstone Hotel (Toronto) and Project Basho Gallery (Philadelphia). Liz currently lives in Toronto. You must get some really fun commissions considering the nature of your work....
by Alison Zavos for Feature Shoot Born in the Canadian prairies, Liz Wolfe studied photography at Ryerson University's School of Image Arts in Toronto. In 2009, she exhibited her work at the Architecture + Design Museum (Los Angeles), the Gladstone Hotel (Toronto) and Project Basho Gallery (Philadelphia). Liz currently lives in Toronto. You must get some really fun commissions considering the nature of your work....
Tappening Tap Water Campaign
Once considered an indulgence, bottled water's popularity and resulting unnecessary stress on the planet has spawned growing ire in the eco-conscious community. Tappening is a faction of the movement aiming to challenge bottled water usage by highlighting environmental impacts and spreading white lies about bottled water, much in the same way the companies do. The lies include a multitude of tactics from the funny,...
Once considered an indulgence, bottled water's popularity and resulting unnecessary stress on the planet has spawned growing ire in the eco-conscious community. Tappening is a faction of the movement aiming to challenge bottled water usage by highlighting environmental impacts and spreading white lies about bottled water, much in the same way the companies do. The lies include a multitude of tactics from the funny,...
La Rinascente Design Supermarket
by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab The Design Supermarket, a new floor entirely devoted to design in its multiple expressions, debuted recently as part of Milanese shopping icon La Rinascente's ongoing renovation. Over the past four years, international architects and designers such as Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, Cibic & Partners, Dordoni Architetti, Vincent Van Duysen and Future Systems, have been transforming the seven-floor department store...
by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab The Design Supermarket, a new floor entirely devoted to design in its multiple expressions, debuted recently as part of Milanese shopping icon La Rinascente's ongoing renovation. Over the past four years, international architects and designers such as Lifschutz Davidson Sandilands, Cibic & Partners, Dordoni Architetti, Vincent Van Duysen and Future Systems, have been transforming the seven-floor department store...
Quiksilver x The Standard Boardshorts
A counterpoint to the Dogtown generation of surfers and skateboarders in '70s L.A., Echo Beach surfers in the 1980s sported a loud, colorful style that inspired lifestyle apparel and board companies like Quiksilver, who—in homage to those decadent years—is reissuing a retro-looking set of swimwear in partnership with the Standard hotel. The limited-edition line debuts for sale today through the Standard's website, with high-tech...
A counterpoint to the Dogtown generation of surfers and skateboarders in '70s L.A., Echo Beach surfers in the 1980s sported a loud, colorful style that inspired lifestyle apparel and board companies like Quiksilver, who—in homage to those decadent years—is reissuing a retro-looking set of swimwear in partnership with the Standard hotel. The limited-edition line debuts for sale today through the Standard's website, with high-tech...
Beat Poet Menswear Fall/Winter 2010
Beat Poet Menswear delivers another thoughtfully minimalist line with their upcoming Fog collection. The line works in tandem with their spring/summer line, Desert, a conceptual approach taken by the Sydney-based designers to produce a full year-round collection. Desert and Fog take their inspiration from the immense power of the sun and the threat of its demise. Their wide range of influences—ranging from Luc Besson...
Beat Poet Menswear delivers another thoughtfully minimalist line with their upcoming Fog collection. The line works in tandem with their spring/summer line, Desert, a conceptual approach taken by the Sydney-based designers to produce a full year-round collection. Desert and Fog take their inspiration from the immense power of the sun and the threat of its demise. Their wide range of influences—ranging from Luc Besson...
Blofield Inflatable Chesterfield Furniture
by Laura Neilson Blofield's inflatable chairs one up other blow-up options, introducing the concept of permanent air-filled furniture with classic styling. After two years of working on research and development, Dutch designer Jeroen van de Kant, created one-, two- and three-seat inflatable chairs, modeled after Chesterfield-style seats and sofas. These handsome, puffy seats, which debuted at various international design fairs last year, feature vinyl bottoms...
by Laura Neilson Blofield's inflatable chairs one up other blow-up options, introducing the concept of permanent air-filled furniture with classic styling. After two years of working on research and development, Dutch designer Jeroen van de Kant, created one-, two- and three-seat inflatable chairs, modeled after Chesterfield-style seats and sofas. These handsome, puffy seats, which debuted at various international design fairs last year, feature vinyl bottoms...
Ikea: Come Into The Closet
Inviting everyone to "come into the closet," Ikea's playful ad campaign uses an interactive flash-based dance scene, controlled by sound, to highlight their creativity when it comes to closet organizing systems. The clever promotion revolves around various characters who dance robotically to music in four different rooms, each pulling accessories from the different storage solutions. A five song selection dictates the characters' dance moves,...
Inviting everyone to "come into the closet," Ikea's playful ad campaign uses an interactive flash-based dance scene, controlled by sound, to highlight their creativity when it comes to closet organizing systems. The clever promotion revolves around various characters who dance robotically to music in four different rooms, each pulling accessories from the different storage solutions. A five song selection dictates the characters' dance moves,...
Another Bloody Water
Aussie-based water bottling operation Another Bloody Water brings some serious sass to the table. Their disregard for overly pretentious competitors shows in everything from their irreverent name to their simplistic design (consisting of a dazzling palette of white, gray and black) and the oft-acerbic commentary on their blog. Down with the flowery language. Down with the Caribbean vistas. It's just bloody water. Thankfully their...
Aussie-based water bottling operation Another Bloody Water brings some serious sass to the table. Their disregard for overly pretentious competitors shows in everything from their irreverent name to their simplistic design (consisting of a dazzling palette of white, gray and black) and the oft-acerbic commentary on their blog. Down with the flowery language. Down with the Caribbean vistas. It's just bloody water. Thankfully their...
This is Art
by Alex PolierWhile artists go to great pains to express themselves through paint, clay, light and sound, many often forget the power of the written word. In the endless to search to answer the question, "What is art?" artist Susan Jennings taps fellow creators with her book, "This is Art," to find out what's on the minds of today’s artists, giving them free reign...
by Alex PolierWhile artists go to great pains to express themselves through paint, clay, light and sound, many often forget the power of the written word. In the endless to search to answer the question, "What is art?" artist Susan Jennings taps fellow creators with her book, "This is Art," to find out what's on the minds of today’s artists, giving them free reign...
Eco-Pocke-My-Hashi Portable Chopsticks
An eco-friendly and vibrant solution to the rampant waste of disposable chopsticks (250 billion are trashed yearly), Yuento's travel-friendly alternative comes with a portable poly-carbonate case and silicon cap that doubles as a rest between bites. The designers make the chopsticks themselves—dubbed Eco-Pocke-My-Hashi—out of durable and sustainable bamboo in 12 vivid colors. Buy a set of Eco-Pocke-My-Hashi for ¥1,135 (just under $12) through Idea....
An eco-friendly and vibrant solution to the rampant waste of disposable chopsticks (250 billion are trashed yearly), Yuento's travel-friendly alternative comes with a portable poly-carbonate case and silicon cap that doubles as a rest between bites. The designers make the chopsticks themselves—dubbed Eco-Pocke-My-Hashi—out of durable and sustainable bamboo in 12 vivid colors. Buy a set of Eco-Pocke-My-Hashi for ¥1,135 (just under $12) through Idea....
Project No. 8b
Brian Janusiak and Elizabeth Beer, the duo behind Various Projects, recently opened their second retail establishment, Project No. 8b, in lower Manhattan. A sibling to the couple's acclaimed women's wear boutique just blocks away, Project No. 8b's equally minimal interior houses a tightly edited selection of men's apparel and accessories, many of which hail from Europe. Foregoing expensive or elaborate interior details, Brian and...
Brian Janusiak and Elizabeth Beer, the duo behind Various Projects, recently opened their second retail establishment, Project No. 8b, in lower Manhattan. A sibling to the couple's acclaimed women's wear boutique just blocks away, Project No. 8b's equally minimal interior houses a tightly edited selection of men's apparel and accessories, many of which hail from Europe. Foregoing expensive or elaborate interior details, Brian and...
Original Penguin x K2 Snowboarding
Putting a retro spin on a new board, K2 teamed up with Original Penguin to create a classic look for their all terrain, high performance Slayblade snowboard. Once gracing golf legends such as Bob Hope and Arnold Palmer, Penguin's high style is now infused into the freestyle board. The interlocking pattern adorning both sides of the Slayblade is a mix of Penguin's signature plaids...
Putting a retro spin on a new board, K2 teamed up with Original Penguin to create a classic look for their all terrain, high performance Slayblade snowboard. Once gracing golf legends such as Bob Hope and Arnold Palmer, Penguin's high style is now infused into the freestyle board. The interlocking pattern adorning both sides of the Slayblade is a mix of Penguin's signature plaids...
Re-Imagining Chinatown: An Interactive Planning Process
Urban visionary James Rojas captures the energy of L.A.'s transient Chinatown environment in his exhibit Re-imagining Chinatown: An Interactive Planning Process. Nationally acclaimed for his insight into U.S. Latino urban built culture and co-founder of the Latino Urban Forum, Rojas brings his intimacy with community to the exhibition aiming to create an installation that "mimics the dynamic and collective nature of urban life." The...
Urban visionary James Rojas captures the energy of L.A.'s transient Chinatown environment in his exhibit Re-imagining Chinatown: An Interactive Planning Process. Nationally acclaimed for his insight into U.S. Latino urban built culture and co-founder of the Latino Urban Forum, Rojas brings his intimacy with community to the exhibition aiming to create an installation that "mimics the dynamic and collective nature of urban life." The...
Surf Montréal
A city usually associated with frosty beer and weather, Montréal shows off their summer side with a surf spot on the St. Lawrence River. Hidden behind the prestigious Habitat 67—a Moshe Safdie apartment building infamous for its Expo 67 debut and infinite occupancy waiting list—the location may sound tame. One look at the wetsuit-clad surfers navigating the surf proves that the river's current can...
A city usually associated with frosty beer and weather, Montréal shows off their summer side with a surf spot on the St. Lawrence River. Hidden behind the prestigious Habitat 67—a Moshe Safdie apartment building infamous for its Expo 67 debut and infinite occupancy waiting list—the location may sound tame. One look at the wetsuit-clad surfers navigating the surf proves that the river's current can...
Searching For True: Cutler Anderson Architects
We love nature and we love innovative architecture. Cutler Anderson Architects showcase their amazing ability to combine the two in "Searching For True," an upcoming compilation of 22 of their most impressive projects. These projects range from chic, expansive forested villas to an inconspicuous yet undeniably moving Armed Forces Memorial. No matter what the task at hand, Cutler insists that "each material has its...
We love nature and we love innovative architecture. Cutler Anderson Architects showcase their amazing ability to combine the two in "Searching For True," an upcoming compilation of 22 of their most impressive projects. These projects range from chic, expansive forested villas to an inconspicuous yet undeniably moving Armed Forces Memorial. No matter what the task at hand, Cutler insists that "each material has its...
Pijama Cases
by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Pijama, a small company embodying the luxury trademark phrase "Made in Italy"—represents good design, deep research, fine materials and a handmade process. This time, rather than designating shoes or clothing with the highly-regarded label, instead it applies to a fashionable and sturdy case for electronic devices. The project began in 2006 when Monica Battistella (fashion and web...
by Paolo Ferrarini of Future Concept Lab Pijama, a small company embodying the luxury trademark phrase "Made in Italy"—represents good design, deep research, fine materials and a handmade process. This time, rather than designating shoes or clothing with the highly-regarded label, instead it applies to a fashionable and sturdy case for electronic devices. The project began in 2006 when Monica Battistella (fashion and web...
Pentagram Papers 39: SIGNS
A completely independent publication, Pentagram Papers is the work of the eponymous design studio (a CH favorite and home of Michael Bierut, who spoke at our 99% Conference). Produced regularly since 1975, each issue takes one of their designers and lets them explore "curious, entertaining, stimulating, provocative and occasionally controversial points of view." Incredibly broad, past subjects have included Harlem's Savoy Ballroom, Australian mailboxes,...
A completely independent publication, Pentagram Papers is the work of the eponymous design studio (a CH favorite and home of Michael Bierut, who spoke at our 99% Conference). Produced regularly since 1975, each issue takes one of their designers and lets them explore "curious, entertaining, stimulating, provocative and occasionally controversial points of view." Incredibly broad, past subjects have included Harlem's Savoy Ballroom, Australian mailboxes,...
Naomi Shelton and the Gospel Queens Interview
by Danielle Kosann Born into a family of musicians, 66-year-old Naomi Shelton grew up singing gospel with her sisters at churches throughout Alabama. Eventually, she moved to New York, where she spent most of her life performing soul music in Brooklyn nightclubs. Now, more than forty years since her arrival in New York, Naomi recently released her first full length album, "What Have you Done,...
by Danielle Kosann Born into a family of musicians, 66-year-old Naomi Shelton grew up singing gospel with her sisters at churches throughout Alabama. Eventually, she moved to New York, where she spent most of her life performing soul music in Brooklyn nightclubs. Now, more than forty years since her arrival in New York, Naomi recently released her first full length album, "What Have you Done,...
Le Gramole Olioteca
The salubrious products found within olioteca Le Gramole are sure to please even the choosiest gastronome. Personally selected by owners Francesca and Norma—a duo who met while picking olives next to each other at a mill in Italy—the gourmet shop offers a plethora of refined goods on a street famously occupied by butchers during medieval times. The standout shop includes an array of primarily...
The salubrious products found within olioteca Le Gramole are sure to please even the choosiest gastronome. Personally selected by owners Francesca and Norma—a duo who met while picking olives next to each other at a mill in Italy—the gourmet shop offers a plethora of refined goods on a street famously occupied by butchers during medieval times. The standout shop includes an array of primarily...
Folk Clothing and Shofolk Footwear: Fall Winter 09 and Interview
While perpetual reinvention and daring styles are at the core of the fashion industry, London-based Folk has bucked the trend by consistently produced unpretentious, everyday menswear since its inception in 2001. With the addition of the footwear branch Shofolk in 2004, the company has made its mark as meticulous purveyors of top-quality materials and distinctive designs, always with a subtle playfulness. Folk literally covers...
While perpetual reinvention and daring styles are at the core of the fashion industry, London-based Folk has bucked the trend by consistently produced unpretentious, everyday menswear since its inception in 2001. With the addition of the footwear branch Shofolk in 2004, the company has made its mark as meticulous purveyors of top-quality materials and distinctive designs, always with a subtle playfulness. Folk literally covers...
Extreme Architecture: Building For Challenging Environments
Tough terrain doesn't make construction easy, but Ruth Slavid's upcoming book "Extreme Architecture: Building For Challenging Environments" proves that it's not only feasible, but the outcome is completely worth the effort. A journey through the elements, the book covers the major environmental factors—hot, cold, high, wet and space—categorized into five chapters and led by a brief summary explaining the difficulties of each climate. The...
Tough terrain doesn't make construction easy, but Ruth Slavid's upcoming book "Extreme Architecture: Building For Challenging Environments" proves that it's not only feasible, but the outcome is completely worth the effort. A journey through the elements, the book covers the major environmental factors—hot, cold, high, wet and space—categorized into five chapters and led by a brief summary explaining the difficulties of each climate. The...
| July 26, 2009 - August 1, 2009 week before | next week | view all from this month |
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