Posts | | Page 15

Latest Posts

Tattoo You Temporary Tattoos

Published by designy things

Unapplied tattoos including a sample from the new line of gold accessory tattoos by designer Myra Oh. © Rita Catinella Orrell

I’ve always wanted a tattoo. Not some grand statement across my back or sitting on my shoulder like a guardian angel, but a subtle design hidden under my wrist that wouldn’t be too obvious. But tattoos are permanent. Tattoos hurt. Tattoos are fashion statements that you can’t throw out with the season. So for these reasons and more (my husband doesn’t like them, I don’t want to give my daughters an excuse to get one at 15, etc.), I’ve never gone down that road. And probably just as importantly, I’ve never found any design that was so amazing that I wanted to have it permanently drawn on my body. That’s where temporary tattoos come in — and I’m not talking about the ones that come in a Cracker Jack box or those little plastic eggs at the grocery store.

I’ve written about temporary tattoos before — and probably will again — because they are truly in the middle of a design revolution at the moment. Joining brands such as Tattyoo and Tattly is the Calgary-based company Tattoo You, which recently sent me a few pieces to sample, including their new line of gold accessory tattoos by designer Myra Ohs (right, above, and below). Launched early last year, Tattoo You works with established tattoo artists from across the globe to create a more authentic look for their designs. The tattoos are available in medium and large sizes, with price points starting at $5 for a small design.

Putting on the gold tattoo was like applying gold leaf. Feels pretty fancy. © Rita Catinella Orrell

I gave several tattoos a test run recently, including a gold rose, a bright butterfly design, and a Day of the Dead inspired lady with a crow for hair. They were simple to apply and looked incredibly vibrant, although I found that they started to fade about 3 to 4 days after application. The butterfly design was a bit too vibrant to be believable, but the darker tattoo fooled several people. The most unusual though was the gold tattoo, which was akin to applying gold leaf to my body. It sort of reminded me of henna, a temporary but beautiful decoration for special occasions. The point of these pieces isn’t to fool people anyway, but to try out something for a little while and then wash it off when you are done.

Free shipping in North America. $2 International.

FullSizeRender (1) My butterfly and crow-haired lady tattoos. © Rita Catinella Orrell

Petite Loop “Phone Leash”

Published by designy things

It’s a rare thing when you find a product that is equal parts simple and useful. The Petite Loop “phone leash” is an incredibly handy, lightweight accessory that sticks to the back of your phone under your case. First you peel back the adhesive backing on the ribbon of your choice and attach it to the back of your phone. You then pull the .5 millimeter thick ribbon through the charging hole on the bottom and snap your case back on (it is claimed to be compatible with all phones ). You now have a handy way to be hands-free with your phone if you are without pockets, want to hang it on the back of the bathroom door so it doesn’t fall in the toilet, or want to keep it from getting snatched as the subway doors close (happened to my friend). At only .8 grams, the ribbon adds no noticable weight to the phone.

Petite Loop in packaging. © Rita Catinella Orrell

But how strong is it really? You know those wall hanging tabs from 3M that only come off if you pull them horizontally from the product but will not budge if you tug vertically? It’s that strong. In fact, the manufacturer says it can hold up to at least 33 lbs. of weight (that means you literally can carry a 3 year old from it if you needed to). I moved my ribbon about two weeks ago to test if it would still be as strong afterwards … and it was. I also gave it a good two minute twirl on my finger with the fear my phone would go flying into the wall, but it stayed put. A really useful, original product that makes life better. That’s good design. Petite Loop comes in solids, patterns, and animal print designs. From $6.30 CAD.

Special Coupon Code for Designy Things Readers:

Use the coupon code DESIGNY20 to get 20% off any order. Offer expires January 31, 2015. http://petiteloop.com/

All images courtesy of Petite Loop except where noted.

Nanuknano Rugged Case by Plasticase

Published by designy things

For 30 years, Plasticase has designed, manufactured, and sold millions of plastic cases worldwide. The company currently works mainly on a B2B (business-to-business) basis, tailoring its products to the specialized needs of fields such as medical equipment, electronics, tools, military, and law enforcement.

In late 2012, Plasticase hired Météore Design to create an all-new consumer-oriented outdoor line of small handheld cases called Nanuknano. The impact- and water-resistant cases protect personal belongings like smartphones, wallets, and cameras, on hikes, boat rides, and anywhere else you need extra protection.

The cases, which come in eight colors and three sizes, feature shock-resistant polycarbonate resin shells, a patented PowerClaw latch, a valve for pressure control, and an elastomer over-molding that provides both internal protection and exterior shock absorption. You can carry the case using an adjustable wrist strap or by attaching it securely to a boat, belt, or knapsack. The cases are available worldwide via Plasticase.com. $19.99 U.S. (small); $24.99 U.S. (medium); $29.99 U.S. (large).

‘

Images courtesy of Plasticase Inc.

Portguese Cork Surfboard for the MBoard Project

Published by designy things

Commercial Manager of Amorim Cork Composites, Alberto Batista, Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara, and Mercedes-Benz Portugal CEO, Joerg Heinermann pose with the new cork surfboard.

Mercedes-Benz Portugal has produced a new surfboard in collaboration with Corticeira Amorim for Hawaiian surfer Garrett McNamara made almost entirely of Portuguese cork. The new board was recently presented toMcNamara by Mercedes-Benz Portugal CEO, Joerg Heinermann and Commercial Manager of Amorim Cork Composites, Alberto Batista.

The MBoard Project, started by Mercedes-Benz in 2013, resulted in the production of four boards designed by BBDO Portugal and developed in partnership with McNamara for the North Canyon Project and the Mercedes-Benz Design Studio. As part of this joint effort dozens of design, research, aerodynamics, and materials development specialists helped manufacture the ideal board to surf big waves in Nazaré, Portugal. Cork seemed the natural next step. According to McNamara, “Since Portugal is the world’s largest cork producer, it makes perfect sense to use this material to make high-performance surfboards for surfing in Nazaré. When we surf big waves, we need a flexible board, although resistant enough not to break.”

McNamara currently holds the record for the biggest wave ever surfed, securing himself a place in the Guinness Book of Records. The athlete used boards designed by Mercedes-Benz in 2013 to surf big waves in Nazaré at 62.4 km/h, a staggering speed whose measurement was only made possible by the use of a telemetry system developed by Mercedes-Benz. In addition to this innovative surfboard, there will be an effort to develop another surfboard made of the foam used to manufacture aircraft wings. Portuguese company Polen Surfboards, which has also joined this 100% Portuguese project, will be responsible for manufacturing the boards.

Grooves in the board were filled with lead balls to make it heavier.

Manufacturing the cork surfboards.

Manufacturing the cork surfboards.

All images courtesy of Mercedes-Benz Portugal.

Dream of Venice

Published by designy things

Dream of Venice is a beautiful new book for Venetophiles and dreamers alike edited by JoAnn Locktov with photography by Charles Christopher, a New York native who currently works in Hollywood as a motion picture and TV still photographer. Printed on luxe Italian Garda Silk paper, the 96-page hardcover includes photographs by Christopher that have been carefully paired by Locktov with the words of writers, actors, poets, singers, and others who have fallen in love with this near-mythical city. I am one of them in fact. My poem Leaving Venice appears in the book alongside a forward by novelist Frances Mayes, and contributions by Woody Allen, opera soprano Sylvia Sass, and Venetian cookbook author Marcella Hazan, among others.

Sample spread from the book, showing Marcella Hazan’s text with a foggy evening shot by Christopher.

I first visited Venice as a undergraduate in the early ’90s with a group of Italian language students attending a three week mini-session during our winter break. It was my first trip out of the country and the longest I had ever been away from my family. It was January, a time when the city belongs to the Venetians rather than tourists.

One misty afternoon I remember walking through a campo (a small Venetian square) and I could only see a few feet in front of my face. It was one of the most incredibly magical moments of my life to this day – I felt completely absorbed by the city itself. Then there was my first acqua alta (high water) where I was yelled at by the hotel owner for holding the door open long enough to shoot a photograph of her husband walking away in ankle deep water.

After three weeks we began to fall into the daily pace of the city — we’d listen each morning outside our hotel window for the sound of our visiting colombi (pigeons) and for the local fruit vendor to whistle a tune as he unloaded his goods from his boat on the canal below us. Needless to say, I was enamored, and whenever I think of the city my heart still hurts a little like it does for a lost love.

This image by Charles Christopher of the Cannereggio was selected to accompany my poem.

This book proves I’m not alone in my infatuation. I recently asked Locktov a few questions about her collaboration on Dream of Venice.

When did you first fall in love with Venice?

JoAnn Locktov: When I stepped foot in the city for the first time in 1996. The revelation was that you could “fall in love” with a place, an emotion that before Venice I thought was reserved for other humans.

How did you ending working with photographer Charles Christopher on the project?

JL: I met Charles on Twitter four years ago. He was posting his photos and I was completely mesmerized. His vision of Venice was intimate, evocative, and real. I asked him if he’d like to do a book together. Our idea was to celebrate a contemporary Venice, a living breathing city.

What is your favorite part of the city?

JL: Peggy Guggenheim’s terrace, at Palazzo Venier dei Leoni, which is now a museum. You are practically on the Grand Canal, right at the water’s edge, you have a view of both the Accademia Bridge and the Dogana. You are joined by Marini’s Angel of the City, the most ecstatic sculpture in Venice. There is nothing to buy, nothing to eat, nothing to drink. Just a home, with a place in history, in the most astonishing city in the world.

Do you have a favorite photograph in the book?

JL: Si, every day I have a different favorite photograph!

——————————————————

A portion of the proceeds from each book will be donated to Save Venice, Inc. to support vital art and architecture restorations in La Serenissima. Dream of Venice retails for $26.00 and is now available at Amazon.com.

Sense Sleep Tracker

Published by designy things

The Sense sleep tracker from Hello, which begins shipping to consumers next month, raised an astounding $2.4 million on Kickstarter in August to become the 6th most funded tech campaign in the crowdfunding site’s history.

Taking a different approach to “wearables” that can only track your sleep patterns when they are on your body, Sense is intended to fade into the background and let you just focus on the task at hand — sleeping. The design of the polycarbonate shell was inspired by architecture, in fact Sense resembles a little egg that would have rolled out of Beijing’s iconic “birds nest” Olympic stadium.

Sense comes with a little device called a Sleep Pill that attaches to your pillow and invisibly tracks your sleep movements at night. In case you were wondering, the manufacturer says that the unit “absolutely does not” track movements related to sex. The unit’s high-precision sensors are so sensitive, however, they are able to identify noise (from snores in your bedroom to car alarms on the street); pick up on light disturbances; monitor temperature and humidity conditions; and even see particulates in the air such as dust and pollen. A compatible app shares this info with you in order to figure out what type of conditions help you sleep better, because science shows that when you are sleeping you can’t take notes.

You can pre-order Sense right now for $129.00 from the Hello site. Only available for shipping to the U.S.