James Dyson is most famous for his vacuum cleaner design, but he also hosts a design challenge that yields very interesting inventions, as you can see from the examples below. Glance at the pictures then take a look at the video demonstrations to see how each design works.
Check out the video to see why The William makes more sense than a traditional stove top range. Based on concentrated, precisely heated panels, this cooktop has it all — touch screen operation, flush, flat surface…. well, just take a look.
Lots of time, patience and money went into making this replica Daft Punk helmet. With over 750 steps and 17 months of documenting it, graphic designer Harrison Krix has posted this video to share with viewers. You have got to see it!
Absolutely fantastic! If you want to see more just use this link to find a sliding tool that lets you transform the VW Fox inside out and back again. 
The most expensive balloon experiment, ever! Take a look at this domino-style fan arrangement that passes a single balloon through what seems to be a never ending sequence of Dyson Multiplier fans in an oversized warehouse.
ID Selection has a few designs worth mentioning. The video below is of a sand sculpting tool created by a self-described toy designer. Where were these things 5 months ago when I was at the beach? Simple, yet effective.
Then there are these two kitchen gadgets that are a pleasure to look at and are clever in how they function. First is a lettuce cutter, used to core a head of lettuce. And if it works as I imagine, its plastic edge can be used to press and roll circularly to chop lettuce without browning the edges.
The second, a handled cheese grater, is not only safe but sleek in appearance. Hollowed and with a built-in container in the handle, this grater allows you to shave the surface of a block of cheese (or chocolate) and then pop off the handle to reveal a mound of grated cheese (or chocolate).
Take a look at this revolutionary structural design method of ‘board on frame’, made famous by IKEA. This smart design process has been documented so you can see it all happen in their European manufacturing facility. Enjoy!
This video is from National Geographic’s Ultimate Factories Program.
Not known for its style and design, Microsoft caught my eye with this mini mouse. Using a BlueTrack technology, this Microsoft Explorer Mini Mouse goes where no other mouse will; carpet, granite and rough wood, to name a few. And neatly tucked away on the bottom you will find the mini wireless receiver. Great for any Netbook or laptop you take on the go.
This video is a little dated, but the content is well presented. For those of you who enjoy watching old-school style marker rendering, this should be of interest. It explains why industrial designers render, and the techniques they use to do so.
Designers often deal with materials with a ‘let’s worry about that later’ attitude. We firmly believe that in order to come up with innovative solutions it’s an absolute must to think about materials right from the beginning of projects.
I was recently introduced to the website of Chris Lefteri, known for being one of the best authors concerning new and existing materials. A great resource when considering the materials of your next design, Lefteri has published a number of PDF printable resources as well as books for students and designers.
By using strong imagery accompanied by detailed explanations of materials you may or may not already know, Lefteri makes sense of every material imaginable. He even references some everyday objects to help explain those unpronounceable materials and chemical compounds we read about but that never really sink in. Invest some time to peek into what may be one of the most comprehensive collections of knowledge concerning materials today.
