Category:Materials

I might have left New York City, but it doesn't mean I can't still enjoy it from the left coast.

From the Bureau of Common Goods in Brooklyn comes Made By Hand (via arainert):

A project from the Bureau of Common Goods, Made by Hand was created out of the belief that the things we collect, consume, use, and share are part of who we are as individuals. For example, the food that we eat says something about each of us, as do the tools we use and the chairs we rest on. Objects that surround the space we dwell in tell stories, and not just about us. Where did they come from? Who made them? How were they made?

Each film aims to promote that which is made locally, sustainably, and with a love for craft. Based in Brooklyn, the project takes its influence from the handmade movement here and elsewhere. We hope you find the spirit of it inspiring.

I just watched their film on writer turned knife maker, Joel Bukiewicz. Pretty awesome - both the film and the knives Joel makes by hand (obviously).

I'm seeing more and more examples of a return to the analogue in our digital, multi-touch world. It's the resurgence in letterpress printing in the last 10 years. It's the Edison light bulbs I see in boutiques and restaurants and homes. It's services providing locally produced and chemical-free foods. I see it in everything on Etsy. I see it on Kickstarter. I see in the the wooden iPhone and iPad cases made by Karvt.

People are craving all things hand made more than ever.

The Internet continues both reinvent and dismantled entire industries, but there's one thing it can't do - make things by hand.

via Technabob

Exciting stuff.

Just received an email from Nicholas Felton giving word his 2010-11 Biennial Report is being pressed and printed.

Here's a photo of a die strike via his Flickr feed:

Samsung announces a speaker dock with vacuum tubes.

So awesome and going right to my gadgets board on Pinterest (No, Pinterest is not just for moms).

From Ars Technica:

As part of iFixit's ritualistic dismemberment of the third-generation iPad, the team discovered that, like its predecessor, the device is not only made up almost entirely of its battery: it's also difficult to repair and to recycle. Though Apple's engineering and design teams have created a thin and seamless device, their reliance on glue and difficult-to-separate components belies Apple's goal of creating "green" products.

Apple is the big dog now. This can be hard for people to understand who have used Apple products for more than 5 years. I know it is for me. They walk the straight line of a paradox as both David and Goliath in my brain.

But now that they are #1, they're going to be under the microscope. Every move they make will continue to be scrutinized, be it greenness of their products, or the conditions of the factories where their products are built.

It's easy to point fingers at all their competitors and how much less they might doing to to be green or observe workers' rights, but it's more important to focus on holding Apple accountable for their decisions.

If they've shown us anything in the last 10+ years, it's that they can achieve anything they set out to do. especially in the face of naysayers.

PayPal just announced Here, it's answer to Square's device that let's you accept credit card payments from your iPhone.

The little triangle piece dangling down in front is driving me fucking nuts.

I'm never above being proven wrong, and I would love to know what Yves Behar's thinking was on that. Yves designed it with his team at fuseproject.

Update: OK, I think the limp triangle is explained over at Co.Design:

Additionally, the device had to tell you that you could swipe a credit-card through it, which Behar's team accomplished by layering light and dark plastics atop each other, so you can tell that there's a surface for sliding.

I still think there was a better way to convey the *swipeability*.

Pretty awesome 3-D dataviz posters by Pattern Matters (via Colossal)

Joao Paulo Lammoglia created a concept design for an electronics charger which converts your breath into electricity:

The one he has pictured I can only assume is the Storm Trooper edition. I want to know when the black, *Vader* edition comes out.

via PSFK

Before I graduated college and became a web designer, I was honing my skills as a print designer.

And the accident scene depicted on this cover of Print magazine is something I experienced on more than one occasion:

via Still Life

Hinoki Wooden iPhone and iPad accessories (via The Verge)