Random Stuff from a Designer, Marketer, Technologist, and Entreprenuer
I can’t say i know much about Le Mans racing, but Audi’s R18 TDI sure is an impressive mix of design and engineering. The R18 uses a TDI turbocharged diesel engine so it’s as environmentally friendly as a track car can be, and still its rumoured to put out approximately 550bhp. Aesthetically speaking, the Audi R18 is simply magnificent in form.
The Porsche design is so completely iconic, it’s quite possibly the most distinct sports car ever made. While its changed over the years, it’s always retained its lines. Singer recently released its first production 911, a nod to the classic detail of the Porsche design.
I deliberately avoided posting anything more than this nameplate detail photo, which itself is pretty amazing, so you’ll have to head over to AutoBlog.com to see the full set of photos.
Volkswagen rethinks the classic Type 2 Microbus, originally created in 1959 as its second model following its predecessor the Type 1 Beetle. This time around, it runs on electricity and comes with four doors and an iPad dock. It’s called the Bulli, which is what the Germans called the Microbus back in the 50s.
More after the jump.
As everything becomes digital and overcomplicated, with QR Codes, Augmented Reality, and whatever the next overhyped technology is, it’s so awesome to see this kind of clever and creative thinking in design. Simplicity, yet so damn useful, from BBDO Gitam, Tel Aviv.
I came across the The Flag Halyard Chair recently in an Inform emailer, and I can definitely say this is one of my favourite pieces of furniture. Manufactured in Denmark by PP Mobler, Hans J. Wagner’s design is both beautiful and strange all at once. With a mix of steel tubing, leather, and longhaired sheepskin, it looks like it could be very difficult to get up from. And for about $11,000 retail, I’d get as much sitting time in with this chair as possible.
Mercedes-Benz is releasing this special edition C63 AMG Affalterbach exclusive to the Canadian market at a very limited quantity of 30. The Affalterbach name comes from the headquarters of Mercedes performance vehicles division in Germany. This special edition C63 comes with a heap of stock performance features, and its a pretty damn nice looking machine.
So, one question… why Canada? Doesn’t seem like simply a test market strategy.
The Otto Table by Italian designer Paolo Cappello for Miniforms is intriguingly beautiful and odd all at once. It’s balanced, yet illusional, while remaining visually solid as a table should.
As posted on The Contemporist, Paolo says: This table reinterpretates the way of using tables, no more square or circle surfaces. The organic shape of the tempered glass top creates an object that can be both used as dining table or office desk: a wide surface to work/design/dine or cook on. The improbable air of instability of the wooden axis-symmetric base combined with the organic top creates a table that nearly seems like a live creature to interact with.
See the top view over on The Contemporist.
Bruce Mau Design, maker of the Massive Change exhibit and part of the MDC Partners Network, pens the Incomplete Manifesto For Growth.
As Mr. Mau puts it, “Written in 1998, the Incomplete Manifesto is an articulation of statements exemplifying Bruce Mau’s beliefs, strategies and motivations. Collectively, they are how we approach every project.”
Many are obvious, but a few definitely stand out…
#6. Capture Accidents
The wrong answer is the right answer in search of a different question. Collect wrong answers as part of the process. Ask different questions.
#14. Don’t Be Cool
Cool is conservative fear dressed in black. Free yourself from limits of this sort.
#16. Collaborate
The space between people working together is filled with conflict, friction, strife, exhilaration, delight, and vast creative potential.
#18. Stay Up Late
Strange things happen when you’ve gone too far, been up too long, worked too hard, and you’re separated from the rest of the world.
#20. Be careful To Take Risks
Time is genetic. Today is the child of yesterday and the parent of tomorrow. The work you produce today will create your future.
#23. Stand on Someone’s Shoulders
You can travel farther carried on the accomplishments of those who came before you. And the view is so much better.
#24. Avoid Software
The problem with software is that everyone has it.
#27. Read Only Left-Hand Pages
Marshall McLuhan did this. By decreasing the amount of information, we leave room for what he called our “noodle.”
#39. Coffee Breaks, Cab Rides, Green Rooms
Real growth often happens outside of where we intend it to, in the interstitial spaces – what Dr. Seuss calls “the waiting place.”
And the very last one on the list…
#43. Power to the People
Play can only happen when people feel they have control over their lives. We can’t be free agents if we’re not free.
As seen on the BBC’s Top Gear, the Ariel Atom is a high performance sports car made by the Ariel Motor Company in Somerset, England, and licensed for production in the US by TMI AutoTech.
What makes the car unique, and fast, is its exoskeletal chassis and lack of a roof, windshield, and windows. Its supercharged Honda Civic Type-R K20 or supercharged 2.0 litre, 300 hp (220 kW) Honda iVTEC engine take the Ariel Atom from 0-60 mph in a ridiculously short 2.7 seconds – blink and you’ll miss it – and a top speed of 140 mph (225 km/h) or 155 mph (249 km/h) supercharged.
Yum Yum, an animation, illustration and design group in London is doing some amazing things with character design. This animated short is just a peek at what they’re up to.
Check them out at www.yumyumlondon.com. More after the jump.
This is the blog of Stephen Beck, a Creative Technologist, Marketing Strategist, and Entrepreneur, with over a decade of experience in the digital space. As founding partner of Engine Digital, Stephen has spearheaded strategy and design assignments for a global client list, positioning Engine Digital as one of Business in Vancouver's "Fastest Growing Companies in BC" for four consecutive years. He is a past board member of the Advertising Agency Association of BC and New Media BC, and one of Marketing Magazine's 2009 'Ones to Watch'.
All writings on this blog are copyright © 2010 Stephen Beck. All rights reserved. The opinions posted here are mine alone.
Contact me by email or by post at 404 - 21 Water Street, Vancouver BC Canada V6B1A1 or visit my agency site: Engine Digital
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