Modern Carbon

I saw this at the MOMA today. I have a love/hate with carbon fiber: you can do beautiful things with it, but it's not entirely environmentally friendly. But aside from that, these early forays into the use of carbon and furniture, I feel, have been weak. Such as this piece. Yes it is very beautiful, and it looks really cool. But to me, its a big wicker chair. Just as in the bike industry, there are some cost and experimental learning curves. Nowadays, we have large grasp on the potential of what carbon can do (just look at the Boeing 787). I also just watched a youtube on making carbon cellos. They said it had better sound quality than wood!
Although this a nice piece, I think I could do better. I think designers looking at using carbon need to study what other industry's have done with it, and use that knowledge to go further. If 8 lb bikes can be made, how about a 2lb folding chair?

Designing a better stick

I'm posting these because, first ,I saw them both today, and second, why are people always trying to make better chop-sticks? THEY'RE A PAIR OF STICKS! Anyways, this first one is cool looking, but I hold mine towards the far end, so I'm not sure how these would work holding the metal part.

The "choplery" seen here is another attempt at solving for the American lack in understanding how to use a simple device. But like on the site where I found these, it would be better if they started as chopsticks, THEN converted to traditional utencils. So once you realized you could do no more than shovel food off the edge into your mouth, you cold save grace and eat properly

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modern camo

Desiree Palmen is a photag who creates these images with people dressed and placed to be super camouflaged. She is concerned over the increased use of identity based electronic info systems along with surveillence cameras (ie Big Brother). Check out the text here.

Bridging materials

Inspired by a bridge of the same name on a Scottish golf course, the Swilken Bench is a perfect blend of form and contrasting materials. The top is made from reclaimed hardwoods, the base/legs are concrete.

New threads

This is actually part of a larger line of "knit" furniture. But when I saw this piece in peticular I was like "wow, that is cool". Most screens and dividers are of the Asian type, with 3 folding panels. I love the endlessness, infinite curvature, and small openings of light this offers. Also the feeling of flow, placed right, it could direct a space very nicely. The designer, Emiliano Godoy, actually got his Masters in ID at Pratt, so I should be inspired, which I think I am. But the designer within me is more like why didn't I think of that?

If I was an injured WWII vet...

I'd be wearing one of these:

Molded plywood leg splints for injured soldiers from 1943, created by Charles and Ray Eames. Currently on display at the Krannert Art Museum at the University of Illinois Urbana Champaign

Loads of fun

This is one of my favorite sites.

I love metal

Wallets made of stainless steel fabric typically used for industrial purposes. I love stainless steel...I mean who doesn't? It may just have to replace my carbon fiber wallet.