Reinventing the Wheel
Often people advise that there is no point in reinventing the wheel. However recently there have been two cases where this has been ignored with great success. The wheel has been reinvented. Twice.
Subliminal Messages In Design
We've spoken about how good design communicates to us, but believe it or not some of this communication is purposefully disguised. Hidden messages in logos, advertising campaigns and videos (to name just a few) are all around us. Most go unnoticed, however, when pointed out they can be quite amazing.
Planned Obsolescence - A Tool For Sustainable Design
‘The creation of product durability, a long lasting solution to our throwaway culture, emerges as an absolutely vital element in the pursuit of sustainability.’ (Jackson, T. 2010 p xvii)
Planned Obsolescence is often overlooked within the topic of sustainable design. Many view the term negatively, since its first use as a marketing tool to drive sales, however designers can use planned obsolescence as a tool to create better products with lessened impact on the environment.
Watches to watch
For some time now there has been speculation whether or not Apple will be bringing out their smart watch, the iWatch. Samsung have already announced they are working on their own version of a smart watch, and only a couple of days ago it was confirmed that Google will be joining them in the war of the watches. The patent for the Google watch has been revealed and at first glance it looks similar to a normal everyday watch. However, it features a flip up second screen that can display private messages, provide a tactile user interface and a small on-board camera. It is rumoured to be able to do things like give directions, retrieve product information, and display e-mail notifications– acting as an extension to a user's mobile phone, rather like Google Glass.
Easter Eggs
As it’s Friday and getting to be about that time of the year, we thought we would share with you a little fun fact about Easter eggs. I’m sure many of you will have experienced easter eggs before, and no, I’m not talking about the chocolatey variety! Easter eggs are intentional hidden messages, inside jokes, or features in a work such as a computer programs, movies, books, or crosswords. Google and older versions of Microsoft Office are renowned for their hidden easter eggs.
Supercapacitors
One of the most exciting breakthroughs in the technology world in a long time was announced a few days ago, but has largely flown under the radar. Researchers at the UCLA have successfully created high-energy-density graphene micro-supercapacitors utilising an impressively low cost fabrication tool. But what does that really mean, and what impact will it have on us?
Skeuomorphism
As I write this, I'm doing so in Apple's notes App. It is designed purposely to resemble an Yellow Legal Notepad, with its lined yellow paper, handwriting font used for text and even the top bar which features the ripped remnants from previous notes, discarded previously. Why does it look like this? Skeuomorphism.
Google Glass - The Next Interface?
$1,500 for a pair of glasses I hear you say? This week Google released the price for their “Smart” glasses, aka Google Glass, which are set to go on sale later this year. $1,500 may sound like a lot of money for a pair of glasses, but when you consider all of the capabilities and features these smart glasses could offer in comparison to an everyday laptop for example, a mere $1,500 sounds (almost) reasonable.
An Introduction to 3d Printing
The idea of pressing print and having a physical object in your hands at the end may seem a little absurd at first, but this is however becoming more and more common - and not just in the design world.
