November 16, 2009
Product Design, Product Innovation, Upcoming Inventions

This is a clever design. A tea cup with a mixing ball that you swirl to stir. And with a protruding, curved base, the ball does not fall out as you tilt back to drink. Clever, to say the least.
November 6, 2009
General Design, Innovators & Creators, Product Innovation, Uncategorized, Upcoming Inventions
Small spaces can engender the best of designs. So many designs have been centered around tight quarters, but not like this. A company called Spiral Cellars has found a niche market servicing the wealthy wine aficionado.
Using a cut-out hole in the floor beneath common areas in the home, these guys create spiral staircases that lead to small depths; so small in fact, that you can do no more than grab a bottle of wine. A cool factor, indeed, to have such a cool hidden cellar, but at what cost? Plenty, I am sure.

November 4, 2009
Product Design, Product Innovation, Upcoming Inventions

Having seen many induction stovetops, I was excited to see the Caso portable induction plate. This version, priced right and portable, makes induction cooking possible for anyone. Though this hot plate can reach temperatures of up to 428 degrees Fahrenheit, don’t be intimidated. Its built-in safety features include the ability to sense pans on its glass top surface. It also has a 180-minute timer and 10 precise power levels. Well designed and beautifully functional.
November 3, 2009
Design Tools, Product Innovation

Here is a not-so-short, short history of why there are so many variations of the outlet plug around the world. A little history, a little geography and whole a lot of humor. Enjoy.

October 30, 2009
Product Design, Product Innovation
This cube radio is a button-less radio that takes instruction by motion. The gravity switch enables an interface that increases and decreases volume and changes stations with a simple tilt, spin or roll.

October 21, 2009
Innovators & Creators, Product Design, Product Innovation, Prototyping, Upcoming Inventions

Geometric package designs for snacks are coming from all directions. Doritos has had a conceptual design overhaul, making a play on its famous triangular snack shape.

Impact extrusion is used to create this new Coke can redesign. Looks cool, I just hope it feels cool and can match the structural integrity of the current can.
October 20, 2009
Product Design, Product Innovation

Harnessing energy through the action of a rocking chair is a clever way to illuminate a reading light. The Murakami Chair does just that, and even has an OLED lamp that knows when it is needed and when to store energy for later use.
October 15, 2009
General Design, Product Design, Product Innovation
Combination gadgets never get old, and here are some new ones to make kitchen tasks a little easier.

Designed to cut through pizza and then flip sideways to dish it up with a flick of the wrist, this pizza cutter and spatula looks like it could even work its way through a dessert or two.

Grilled cheese and soup never look so good as when they are sharing the same plate. This combo bowl and plate set is the perfect size for any soup & sandwich.

Combining a strainer and measuring cup, this fat separator helps to keep the flavor of gravy, soups and stock without the fat. Non-slip grip and see-through design are always useful when working in the kitchen.

Grater, herb scoop, peeler, zester and knife all in one — this combo knife set does it all. Saving drawer space is smart design, and by using this tool, you can ditch those four other tools and save some valuable space.

This 5-in-1 utensil set combines a scraper, strainer, spreader, spoon and server made from reclaimed nylon. It even locks together for storing flat and has a 450-degree melting point.
October 13, 2009
Product Design, Product Innovation, Uncategorized

Wow. These interactive portal shirts are really cool. Each shirt has a pinhole camera and a high resolution LCD TFT display screen with 2190mAh Lithium-Ion battery belt to power it. The pinhole camera sends the image wirelessly to the blue shirt for displaying and vice versa. Great for… well, I don’t know what. You can display these state of the art shirts yourself for a hefty $100 each. Removable parts make it washable and composite video inputs make it compatible with video games, too. I’m sure you could find a good use for one.
October 7, 2009
Industrial Design, Product Design, Product Innovation

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.