Thursday, October 9, 2008

Yanko Design - Latest Posts

Yanko Design - Latest Posts

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When a Building’s Skin Ripples

Posted: 09 Oct 2008 06:43 AM CDT

FLARE is a pneumatic building facade system. The FLARE system consists of a number of tiltable metal flake bodies. An infinite array of flakes can be mounted on any building or wall surface. Each metal flake reflects the light. When the flake is tilted downwards by a computer controlled pneumatic piston, its face is shaded from the light and this way appears as a dark pixel. By reflecting ambient or direct sunlight the individual flakes act like pixels formed by natural light.

The system is controlled by a computer to form any kind of surface animation. Sensors inside and outside communicate the building’s activity directly to the system which acts as the building’s lateral line. FLARE turns the building facade into a penetrable membrane, breaking all conventions of static surfaces.

I love how it looks in motion but there’s something creepy about inanimate objects moving. I can’t quite put my finger on it.

Designer: Christopher Bauder and Christian Perstl

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Protecting your iPhone, invisibleSHIELD Review

Posted: 09 Oct 2008 06:13 AM CDT

If you’re one of the 10 million people with an iPhone then you understand there’s a huge market for protective covers and cases for it. Even the tiniest scratch somehow totally ruins Apple’s minimal aesthetic. Most people opt for cases for full protection but that defeats the purpose since the iPhone was meant to be seen. There are protective films but each manufacturer’s quality is questionable. So who’s to trust? I tried out the ZAGG invisibleSHIELD and came away impressed but not without some marring issues.

The invisibleShield kit comes with 4 precision cut film pieces, a spray, and a squeegee. The instructions are simple. Spray your hands to prevent fingerprints, carefully peel off a section of the film and spray it down. Carefully place it on the iPhone and squeegee the air bubbles out. Simple right? Not exactly.

If you haven’t noticed, the iPhone has curved edges. The film piece that goes over the screen was a cinch but everything else required dexterity, patience, and most important finesse. Tho ZAGG has a tutorial video on their site to help first time Shield installers, it goes without saying the person in the video has done it before. Thankfully spraying down the film pieces before installing gives you some breathing room to make mistakes. Quickly correct and squeegee, squeegee, squeegee. I found for the tough corners a hair dryer set on the lowest and coolest setting really helps force the film to bend to your will.

Once the installation was finished, I was pleasantly surprised. My iPhone didn’t look like it had anything on it, not unless I looked really close but then again I don’t go around with my vision permanently fixed on macro. The film is totally clear, like glass. It’s also somewhat resistant to fingerprints but the best part is it seems immune to scratches. WIN!

 

What we liked:

  • Clear, glass-like film.
  • Precision cut pieces perfectly fit iPhone and iPhone 3G.
  • Super durable. Haven’t been able to scratch it yet.
  • Affordable alternative to cases and covers.

 

What could be improved:

  • The installation is a little difficult.
  • Tiny gaps can appear if installation isn’t perfect resulting in dust particle build-up.
  • Does not protect iPhone from drops. You need a case for that.

 

If you’re looking for a protective film in lieu of cases and covers, go for the invisibleSHIELD. The company uses the same technology and makes protective films for iPods and laptops too. I’ve had mine on for almost 3 weeks and it gets its share of challenges being tossed in and out of a bag. So far so good. My iPhone still looks pristine. 

[ Buy It Here ]

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If You’re Really Into Butterflies. . .

Posted: 09 Oct 2008 04:33 AM CDT

Then you’ll love this Nissan Teana concept circa 2023. Everything from the exterior sheet metal to the heavily overworked interior is supposed to invoke one of nature’s most beautiful insects. The sensibility isn’t for everyone but there’s something original about all the detailing. It’s ornate but in a modern way. Get past the design quirks and you’ll find a car full of tech wizardry like a heads up HUD display and auto-driver mode. So how about it, would you drive one?

Designer: Chen-Wei Chang & Hsuan-Ju Chia

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Divining Rod Technology Rediscovered in Clock Form

Posted: 09 Oct 2008 03:36 AM CDT

I tell time and weather with the stars, of course, but soon I will be able to tell these things just as easily with a hunk of wood. That’s right! Inovaxion has created a wooden bit of clock and weather station that no sensible person with an excellent collection of design oriented fun and helpful object would be able to turn down!

Designers at Inovaxion present the Woodstation: “[In a collaboration between] human-sized French company, INOVAXION, and a high-quality Chinese factory, AEROTIME, [this product was born.] When you get close to the WoodStation®, a movement sensor will detect you and will automatically [display] the product’s screen through the wood to give you information. … [The product's main characteristics are] based on coloured luminous icons given through the wood screen and activated by a simple motion of the hand. In lighted mode, this powerful device will track fluctuations of barometric pressure, indoor relative temperature and indoor relative hygrometry data to provide you the weather forecast 12 to 24 hours in advance. The product also manages Hour, Calendar and Alarm clock functions. Big colored icons show sunny - partly cloudy - cloudy - rainy / snowy and stormy. Hour, Calendar, and Alarm clock are shown in red. This practical and useful product is suitable for both A/C Adaptor and batteries, which gives you the option to show it everywhere.”

SĂ©bastien Wallet, a designer at Inovaxion, tells us that this awesome hunk of wood will be available at big shops on the French market in as little as 1 month! Lucky French and their awesome economy… wait nevermind. Buy this clock and stimulate your country’s economy!

Designer: Sebastien Wallet [ Via: Trends Now ]

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That’s a lot of Black Rubber

Posted: 08 Oct 2008 10:52 PM CDT

A building clad in black rubber may sound ominous but in this instance, it’s a testament to modern design. The Soundhouse by Jefferson Sheard Architects and Carey Jones Architects was designed as the University of Sheffield’s state of the art music practice and studio facility. The striking quilted rubber envelope is a first and a technique never seen before in the UK or anywhere else for that matter.

Covering 450sq m and 3 storeys in height, the building’s unique black cube structure is set to become a landmark on the university campus, the bold and simple design reflecting the existing inventiveness of the Portobello area.

Tom Rhys Jones, Managing Director of Jefferson Sheard Architects, says;

“From the outset this project was always going to be technically challenging as it was highly innovative in terms of both the cladding and internal fit out. The building required intricate detailing at every stage; internally to meet the demanding acoustic requirements following through externally to the unique envelope of the Soundhouse.”

Designer: Jefferson Sheard Architects

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Walls In Motion

Posted: 08 Oct 2008 08:05 PM CDT

I have always dreamed of having my own secret hideout inside my home, a place where I could go and just have some me time minus all of the distractions in the world. With Lotty Lindeman’s design, Door, I might possibly be able to make my dream come true. Door is a design that is full of functionality with a unique twist on hidden passageways of olden times. As the Wall begins to move, we notice the bright red design come to life as it twists the wall/door opening revealing a once hidden secret space.

Designer: Lotty Lindeman [ Via: Apartment Therapy ]

1 comment:

smithsan said...

It’s one of a great design blog that showcases cutting edge design ranging from concepts, products, gadgets, interior spaces, industrial design, branding, tools, toys, everyday items, and more. it’s very advertisement heavy, but still very much worth a visit.
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