Category / Design

Collect Sounds Like Fireflies in the ‘Re: Sound Bottle,’ a Device that Creates Your Own Personal Soundtrack

Collect Sounds Like Fireflies in the Re: Sound Bottle, a Device that Creates Your Own Personal Soundtrack sound interactive device

The Re: Sound Bottle is the audio equivalent of running around in a field in the summer collecting fireflies in a jar. Designed by Jun Fujiwara from Tama Art University, the bottle is simple in its usage but absurdly complex in its design which relies heavily on software to handle the recording, storing, and playback of audio tracks. To use it you simply uncork the device and if sound is present it immediately snaps into recording mode. As you record more individual sounds, an audio database is formed and tracks are automatically selected to create rhythmic tracks, essentially like a miniature robot DJ in a jar. To listen, you again uncork the top and wait for your personal soundtrack to play. Jun says he hopes the Re: Sound Bottle (still just a concept) will help people interact more directly with music by recording the audio from their daily life. The bottle won a special judge’s prize at the 2012 Mitsubishi Chemical Junior Designer Awards earlier this year. (via jason sondhi)

An Underwater Bonsai Tree by Makoto Azuma

An Underwater Bonsai Tree by Makoto Azuma trees plants

In his continued forays into experimental botany that blur the lines between art and science, artist Makoto Azuma (previously) has reimagined the bonsai tree, one of the oldest Japanese artforms. This latest work titled Water and Bonsai, began with a dead branch from a juniper tree which was carefully attached to java moss meant to simulate the form of leaves. The entire piece was then submerged into a modified hydroponic environment similar to some of his earlier aquatic plantscapes replete with LEDs, a filtration system, and C0₂ emissions that encourage photosynthesis. See more over on Spoon & Tamago.

By Christopher on December 27, 2012 • plants trees

A Glow-in-the-Dark Full Moon Cabinet

A Glow in the Dark Full Moon Cabinet moon light furniture

Designed by Sotirios Papadopoulos the Full Moon is a beautifully designed credenza with an overlaid photo-realistic treatment of the moon that glows in the dark, an effect achieved by an eco-friendly luminous surface developed by Papadopoulos (the image above appears to be a rendering and may not be the actual piece). The furniture is available online through Generate LE. (via laughing squid)

By Christopher on December 22, 2012 • furniture light moon

Firewall: An Interactive Fabric Surface by Aaron Sherwood

Firewall is a new interactive artwork by New York media artist Aaron Sherwood created in collaboration with Michael Allison. The presentation is relatively straightforward but still visually stunning: different ‘modes’ of light are projected onto a taut membrane of spandex which then reacts kinetically in response to touch. Firewall was made using Processing, Max/MSP, Arduino and a Kinect that work in tandem to create the experience and will be used in an upcoming performance art piece involving dancer Kiori Kawai who will interact with the piece on stage. Learn more over on Sherwood’s blog. (via designboom)

By Christopher on December 20, 2012 • digital interactive light performance art

Origami Mosaics by Kota Hiratsuka

Origami Mosaics by Kota Hiratsuka paper origami mosaics

Japanese paper engineer Kota Hiratsuka has been creating beautifully complex origami mosaics that rely on cut and folded geometric patterns. He plans to sell the various templates as downloadable PDFs through his website …though not just yet, so stay tuned. See many more of his works here and on Flickr. If you liked this also check out the work of Matthew Shlian.

By Christopher on December 19, 2012 • mosaics origami paper

The Happiness Machine: Exquisitely Detailed Architectural Drawings by Mark Lascelles Thornton

The Happiness Machine: Exquisitely Detailed Architectural Drawings by Mark Lascelles Thornton New York London drawing Chicago architecture

Using a rotring pen on white paper, Cornwall-based artist Mark Lascelles Thornton has embarked on a massive architectural drawing project called the The Happiness Machine. Each panel represents a stylized red and grayscale representation of architectural highlights from eight locations, so far including Chicago, New York, London and what appears to be a mix of Asian skyscrapers (Taipei, Kuala Lumpur, etc.). In addition to the meticulous detail of the buildings and clouds, the piece is all the more incredible considering its scale: the final piece will include eight panels spanning 8 ft. by 5 ft. (2.4 m. x 1.5 m.). The images here are great but you can see everything in much more detail over on his Tumblr. (via devid sketchbook)

By Christopher on December 11, 2012 • architecture Chicago drawing London New York

Carving the Moon: A New Woodcut Print by Tugboat Printshop

Carving the Moon: A New Woodcut Print by Tugboat Printshop wood prints wood posters and prints moon illustration

Since 2006 Pittsburgh-based husband and wife Paul Roden and Valerie Lueth have run the Tugboat Printshop, a traditional printmaking studio where everything is made by hand, starting with the giant slabs of wood into which each of their images are carved. The Moon is their largest hand-carved relief print ever coming in at 36″ x 32″ (91 x 82 cm) and will printed using two colors. If you’re interested they documented the process of carving the beautiful illustration which is now available for pre-order, and I also recommend checking out their other prints. (via cloud junky)

By Christopher on December 10, 2012 • illustration moon posters and prints wood wood prints

Chandelier Made from 3,000 Gummy Bears by Kevin Champeny

Chandelier Made from 3,000 Gummy Bears by Kevin Champeny multiples lighting candy bears

Artist Kevin Champeny (previously) recently designed this crazy chandelier made of 3,000 hand-cast acrylic gummy bears called the Candelier for home furnishings company Jellio. The light comes in two sizes, the largest of which actually uses 5,000 bears, is 31″ in diameter, and weighs in at about 50 lbs. (via laughing squid)