Dedicated to inspiring designers, inventors & the creative spirit in all of us.

With cold weather all around us, many people who use touch interface devices are going to find that they will have to shed a layer to check email, answer a phone call or navigate their MP3 players. Instead of taking off your gloves, try creating a conductive pad on your finger tips.

These gloves can be purchased, but what is the fun in that? Try making your own gloves with a few simple items. Using your ordinary gloves, you can create an extraordinary interface to communicate between your fingertips and your electronic touch surface device. 

You can order a sample bobbin of conductive thread for a small amount of money compared to the cost of a large spindle. Instructables even has an article about creating conductive glue if you choose to go that route. The idea is to create your own active conductive surface with a little creativity and know-how. The possibilities are limitless.

This holiday season has consumers searching for a variety of gifts, including kitchen gadgets. Take a look at some of these red and green gadgets, all designed to be the perfect holiday gift.

Truly a wish list, these products are examples of a few desirable gadgets and gifts this year. A solar powered wallet radio, a drum kit, carbon fiber wallet, waterproof digital camera, turbine ear buds, Blackberry watch phone, leather recliner and moleskin folio. What more could you wish for?

These dorm room speakers say they will pack a punch, using a pop out accordion design to expel superior sound. A nice addition to an MP3 player or laptop computer. Any electronic device that clicks, slides, pops out or transforms grabs my attention.

With so many electronic devices showing a progress bar as a visual indicator, why not extend that courtesy to stop lights?

The Eko stoplight, in theory, offers a visual queue to drivers wanting to let off on the gas in advance, or in some cases, punch it at the last second. Regardless, this light is an advancement in traffic signaling, if you ask me. Of course, if you want a real countdown, there is always this option:

After watching “Objectified” and listening to the reasoning behind the design of today’s cameras, based on the old cameras that actually held a roll of film and clicked as a function not a sound effect, I found this camera design to be refreshing. The Nova Concept DSLR is designed to emulate the ergonomics of a video game controller. The switchblade handle design and button array offer a fresh approach to how electronics are conceived. The only problem is that this camera is only a concept. Some day perhaps, some day.

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.

This set of coffee cups makes fetching coffee a breeze. No need for everyone to make a second trip back to the coffee machine when you can just link your cups together. The ceramic mugs have male and female ports and plugs to join together as you scoot around the office passing out a fresh pick-me-up.

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.

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.