Index - The OCD Dream Project

Imagine arranging everything you own into neat little groups like Karim Charlebois-Zariffa has done here. Some of you may think it's nuts, but those of us who share a love of symmetry and order can see just how satisfying it would be. via Design Milk

Google Earth Images Remixed as Carpets

 German designer, David Hanauer is responsible for this intriguing project that uses slightly altered Google Earth images as a starting point for these carpets. You can feel free to debate how successful you think they are as decoration, but you have to admit, the idea is pretty cool.

 Via Dornob

Mirror Made from Wood

Over 800 wooden tiles connected to as many motors, all being fed visual information through a tiny camera and a processor make up this incredible "mirror". The tiles tilt backward and forward, taking advantage of the spotlights aimed at the piece from a steep angle to create the pixelated images that appear. How cool is that?

Suitcase Table

From the Mrs. Adventure website comes this sweet upcycled suitcase table. There's even a step by step if you head over to the site. Nice work. Classy with a capital K.

via Recyclart

Saul Bass Biography

Seriously, this should have happened years ago and it should be twenty-seven volumes long, but I'll take what I can get. This is numero uno on the Christmas list. Nice! This from the site:

"Saul Bass: A Life in Film & Design is the first book to be published on one of the greatest American designers of the 20th century, who was as famous for his work in film as for his corporate identity and graphic work. Saul created some of the most compelling images of American postwar visual culture. Having extended the remit of graphic design to include film titles, he went on to transform the genre. His best-known works include a series of unforgettable posters and title sequences for films such as Alfred Hitchcock’s Vertigo and Otto Preminger’s The Man with the Golden Arm and Anatomy of a Murder. He also created some of the most famous logos and corporate identity campaigns of the century, including those for major companies such as AT&T, Quaker Oats, United Airlines and Minolta."

via GrainEdit

Bicycle Wheel Animations

These bike wheel animations by Katy Beveridge are blowing my mind this morning. This from the site:

By assembling paper cutouts into the wheels of bicycles, London-based graphic designer Katy Beveridge creates a zoetrope-- the spinning devices that typically produce the illusion of a moving animation from a series of static pictures. Interestingly, this zoetrope effect can only captured on film; to the naked eye, the movement of the wheels occurs too quickly and is perceived as a blur. captured frame by frame, however, Beveridge's snowflake-like designs produce captivating animated visual effects that mimic bobbling gears, growing plumes, and other abstract forms.

via DesignBoom

Birdhouse Made from Old Bird Books

+1 for the creative folks behind this book based birdhouse. I'm liking it. via Unconsumption

Ball Point Pen Paintings

Seriously digging on these ball point pen paintings by artist, Shane McAdams. I can see a few of these adorning the walls of the DudePad. via NotCot

Beagle Portrait from 221,184 Sprinkles

There is a level of detail to which I am unwilling to rise. This is way beyond that. Eight months and 221,184 nonpareil sprinkles, all placed by hand? Not me. But I'm glad hat students like, Joel Brochu are willing to go the distance. Amazing job! via IIHIH

images by Joel Brochu

Guiness World Record for 3D Street Art

Photos © Joe 3D and Max There's no shortage of amazing 3D street art out there, but this attempt at a Guiness World Record by 3D Joe and Max is especially impressive. Via Illusion

DIY Igloo

TRANSA | Iglu Bauanleitung from Sooli Entertainment on Vimeo.

I'm one of those people that would be perfectly happy to watch people make cool stuff all day. It's even better when it's presented in a language I don't understand. This particular project looks both cold and difficult, so while I'm perfectly happy to watch twenty-something, Swiss hipsters build an igloo, I'll not be running out to buy an ice saw anytime soon. via Fubiz

Crashed Ferrari Table

Can't afford a super car? Sure you can! That is, if it's in the shape of this crashed Ferrari coffee table by Charly Molinelli. Looks like a 308 GTS to me, eh? via Recyclart

Secret Passageway Switch

How ingenious is this secret passageway switch from BLight Design? Makes the mundane task of turning on a lamp way more fun, and all without damaging whatever book you choose to use. Neat.

via SwissMiss

Incredible Custom Sneaker Soles Video

When I think about music videos from the 80s (yep, I was right there), with their bloated and mostly poorly-acted storylines, as compared to some of the amazing stuff we have coming out now (like this video by the Audio Bullies)...it makes me glad to be where we are. via Illusion

Boat Paddle Headboard

Here's one I haven't seen before and it's head-slappingly obvious. Those paddles look great, don't they? As soon as someone gives me a beach house, I'm totally making this.

via Recyclart

Nobody puts Baby...

Loving this charm from the Imagination Emporium on Etsy.

On the Cutting Edge with Georgia Russell

I'm in love with the organic shapes that come from Georgia Russell's meticulous scalpel work. Especially the pieces that are reduced to only what is necessary to maintain a recognizable form. Really cool. via Design Boom

Floral Phrenology

Digging these floral and vegetable headpieces by Japanese artist Takaya.

More at Dezeen

Happy 11/11/11!

Those crazy heads from the Koren Ensemble are back and singing about this palindromic day in history. Fun. Be warned though, there is some violence at the end of the video.

Chalk it up to Creative Branding

15 years VIB - Making of covers from Soon on Vimeo.


There is much to complain about in the area of branding. Visual and aural assaults that lack any kind of finesse are common place. When you only have a hammer, everything starts to look like a nail, as they say.

That's why I love it when a studio comes across with something that's particularly beautiful or clever like this chalk based event branding for VIB by Soon Studio. Dig the idea and there's certainly some beautiful execution here.

via illusion

Incredible Paper Dresses by Susan Stockwell

Okay, so we've all seen dresses made of paper by now, but come on! Susan Stockwell's work is just beyond, beyond. Intended to be a study on colonialism and the British Empire, these garments made of maps and money would stand on their own no matter what the message was. Astounding!

via Upon a Fold

Fun on Tap with Digidrench

digidrench from Matt Richardson on Vimeo.

Reader Matt Richardson sent me the link to this fun, interactive video installation that he's recently collaborated on. I can't help thinking that this would be great for a kids museum. Nice job, Matt!

project website

The Eyes Have It

Restored medical charts as accent lighting? Yes, Please.

Via Skinflint Design

The World at His Feet - An Amazing Stop Motion Animation by Constantine Konovalov

I LOOK & MOVE from Constantine Konovalov on Vimeo.

Usually, I eschew the use of the word "whimsy" because of all the cutesy connotations it has come to represent. But this little stop motion film by Constantine Konovalov is whimsical in the best way. Not to mention amazing. Check it out!

via Boooooom

Crazy Electro Acoustic Sculptures

I'm am fully digging the work of Benoit Maubrey this morning. I especially appreciate his "Ballerinas" who wear sensors triggered by their movements and dance to the resulting "song". I don't know if I'd want to watch an hour of this, but as a concept, I appreciate the integration of movement and music with the choreography generating the soundtrack. Neat.

Much more at the artist's website

When Designers Attack

Small rant for a Friday...Okay, so I love motorcycles. And I really love motorcycles that celebrate classic design as they are continually updated, year after year. The Triumph Bonneville and Scrambler would be good examples of this. Well, in Europe, Kawasaki joined the fray awhile back with the retro-looking W800. A neat little bike that is not unlike a Bonneville in it's looks and displacement. Pictured above is the special edition. A little blingy with its gold ecoutrement, but wholly pleasing to look at.

Then, for reasons unknown to man or beast, they handed one over to Phillipe Starck (arguably one of the most famous product designers on earth) to make a one-off, dirt track inspired custom. The result is what you see above. Yes, the man has designed other motorcycles, but he has also designed toilets. This thing looks like a seventeen year-old with some yellow spray paint and access to a metal shop went to town. Steve McQueen, were he alive, would weep at the sight.

I'm continually mystified by companies that hire famous designers to alter their products when they have no real feeling for the product itself. Perhaps we will soon see the Christian Dior Backhoe or the Vera Wang socket set. /rant