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

Here are a few ways to store and pour things from the kitchen including brown sugar, milk and tea. Some unique, some clever, some functional; but all double walled in design.

bottle inside of a glass blow molded utter milk decanter, wine glass in a bottle double walled coffee mug tornado in a glass brown sugar castor double walled cruets double walled tea press champagne flutes stackable double walled glasses

At first glance, this appears to be an illusion, perhaps an invisible table with a clear table cloth. At second look you can see it is an actual table, supported by legs created from the draping of the ‘fabric.’ A fantastic idea, cleverly executed with precision.

A shower in your pocket? A pontoon on your back? A fold away grill? Camping is a little more compact these days. These three designs make packing up your gear a little easier, and smaller, to boot.

Going back to school means a lot of people buying a whole lot of new things. Teachers, students, parents; we are all consumers. With so many designs keeping the environment in mind during planning and manufacture, it would be nice to see a few students sporting green with their back to school gear. Here are a few products to get you started.

Newton running shoes are more than just green. The shoes laces, webbing, insole top and outer sole rubber are made of recycled materials. And there is more; the package is made of the same post-consumer paper waste as egg cartons. And to get greener than green, the shoe is stuffed with a pair of new socks and a reusable bag to avoid useless tissue paper that would normally get tossed after opening.

Every new school year sees last year’s trends moved aside for the hottest new items. Well, try going green with this 100% recycled material backpack. The cost of the backpack even includes a donation to American Rainforests, so chances are you will be helping to add a tree or two for your money well spent.

Radiohead, noted to be one of the greenest bands out there has extended its line of apparel to raincoats. The nice thing about their designer coat (other than it is made for Radiohead) is that it took 15 recycled PETG bottles to create it. Look cool, feel cool and be cool with this post-consumer jacket this fall.

And speaking of rainy fall weather, if campus life has you traveling by foot from class to class, be sure to pack an umbrella. This umbrella has a canopy made of 100% recycled PETG bottles with a frame made of 70% recycled steel, aluminum and ABS plastics. 

Pack up your pencils, pens and markers into this recycled supply pouch and feel good knowing that the world has one less tire in its landfills. And while you’re at it, stuff in the ruler made of, “read it together class: three plastic cups.”

Who goes to school without a notebook. If you are going to have to take notes, you might as well write onto something worth writing on. This recycled material notebook will have you daydreaming and doodling in no time, thanks to recycled juice cartons and plastic boxes.

Highlighters are a must for most note-takers and young scholars. Why not go green when you go yellow by using these Zebra-Eco highlighters made from 74% post-consumer waste. Go ahead, stuff it in that pouch you just read about.

Packing your lunch is a must for some students, by choice or necessity. Do it in style with this second-life juice pouch bag. This ECOutlet bag is made from materials once known as trash, but now known as green.

I would have to say the biggest complaint about going green, is all the green you spend in doing so. Although it can be costly to buy environmentally responsible products, sometimes I think it is worth it to do so, as with this computer. With an 80% smaller size, using 70% less energy and 75% less printed paperwork to go with it, this Dell desktop computer is definitely getting greener. You can even recycle 95% of the product after it becomes obsolete.

Did you change out old bulbs with CLF’s or go digital with your photos? Making a camera planter or light bulb pot is a great way to find a second life for some old objects around the house.

What about those old books, ruined books, or doubles you may have stored around the house, in the garage or attic?

And those old vinyl records you can’t listen to anymore?

And, of course, there is always the option of trying to reuse the old phone booth lying around!

Travel friendly design has been extended to man’s best friend, thanks to the Travel-tainer. Conveniently compact and smart for travel, this container has pop-off water and food dishes with an air-tight container for dry pet food. I guess it could work with cereal and milk too, if you prefer.

Good design reaches the masses and is relevant to most people. By that standard, this would be an example of good design. The icon design of these keys makes it easy to grab the correct key because the shape implies the lockset it matches. No more reaching for the front door key and getting your grandma’s garage door key in the wrong keyhole!

I came across one of these ceramic coffee cups over the weekend while shopping with my family, and was completely tricked into believing it was a throw-away cup. Once opened, it even reveals a silicone sleeve, just like the cardboard ones that all of the fancy coffee shops wrap around your paper cup. The double-walled cup maintains the temperature of your beverage longer than any throw-away cup, however, and it doesn’t attract the awe of onlookers like other reusable cups and mugs that scream, “Hey, I am trying to save the world here, one cup at a time!”

You are probably gazing at your screen thinking this is the next Apple product. You think this is a pre-pre-release image, leaked out to verify the latest rumor. Well, this just happens to be a TV tuner plug-in for your iPod Touch or PC. The Seg Clip, from Japan, for Japan, is due to come out later this month, in Japan. I hope this makes its way across the pond because it seems to be a cool idea for a low price of $70.

I think it is so cool when people find ways to transform everyday objects. The inventor of this folding bicycle has found a way to condense the size of the bicycle into something that can travel indoors with you after you arrive at your destination. Way cool design!