SEGWAY P.U.M.A.

I'm all about new modes of moving humans around efficiently, producing small (carbon) footprints, here and there.
I doubt if Oneone is going to be around soon but this Segway P.U.M.A. might just be zipping into your parking spot (a fraction of it) in the closer future. Looking like a cross between a wheelchair and a horse-drawn carriage (without a laboring beast), at least this evolution of the Segway doesn't have one towering above other pedestrians, looking like a busker on stilts/wheels.
My one concern though is safety, especially on the mean streets of Los Angeles, where douchebags run amok in their gas guzzling SUVs, flouting the 'no cellphone' rule. The original (tall) segways might enable higher visibility but when the design starts to involve seats and windshields, you start to become 'more like' the other car drivers and motorists. And without ABS brakes or a protective shell, I'd probably only drive this around the farm! Meh.


from Dapper Scout:

"As a technology collaboration between Segway and General Motors, the Segway P.U.M.A. Prototype represents the next step in the evolution of the personal urban transportation vehicle and as of now, it’s the only one of its kind.  The Segway P.U.M.A. is currently configured for two people and features a proprietary dynamic stabilization system that uses angular rate sensors and accelerometers to identify orientation and send power to the motors, as necessary, to ensure proper acceleration and balance.  The P.U.M.A. has a top speed between 25 – 35 mph and an approximate travel range of 25 – 35 miles.  An intuitive steering console allows users to accelerate and brake by simply pushing away or pulling in the steering console as appropriate.  And with a Lithium Ion battery and regenerative braking capabilities, the Segway P.U.M.A. is both cost efficient and environmentally friendly, requiring only about $0.60 worth of electricity for a full charge."

+  read more about this HERE
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SIETCH NEVADA

Architects: Matsys Design

Year: 2009
Location: 37°46′20.10″N, 117°31′57.38″W
Exhibition: Out of Water | innovative technologies in arid climates at the University of Toronto
Description: In Frank Herbert’s famous1965 novel Dune, he describes a planet that has undergone nearly complete desertification. Dune has been called the “first planetary ecology novel” and forecasts a dystopian world without water. The few remaining inhabitants have secluded themselves from their harsh environment in what could be called subterranean oasises. Far from idyllic, these havens, known as sietch, are essentially underground water storage banks. Water is wealth in this alternate reality. It is preciously conserved, rationed with strict authority, and secretly hidden and protected.

TOWN LOGOS

Japanese town logos - official symbols designed to communicate the identity of each municipality — come in a vast array of shapes and colors. Many of these municipal symbols incorporate typographical elements (particularly kanji, hiragana, katakana, and Roman letters) into their designs. In most cases, the stylized characters are straightforward and easy to spot (even if you don’t read Japanese), but sometimes you have to bend your eyes to see them. The more complex logos encode the name of the town into a puzzle-like symbol that begs to be deciphered. Here are a few typographic town logos that make clever use of hiragana and katakana characters.

The design although modern could well be inspired by the family crests or Mon used in the Tokugawa Shogunate era, still widely used today. The next time you enter a Japanese restaurant with the short curtains draping the entrance, look for the symbols on each panel. If it's a reputable (traditional) establishment, they should be able to tell you what those symbols stand for.

(original article from PinkTentacle)
+  be more inspired with 39 Visions.

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JAN VERBURG

Photographer Jan Verburg shoots skinny fashion girls with Russian circus freaks a la 1995 MTV Europe VMAs. Well almost. Spread found in Buffalo Magazine.

+  more moody photography with Jeremy Cowart

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READ ME

An amazing designer and a good friend of mine, Frances Schifrin is also an ardent reader (sigh I wish I could have her patience). Here are 3 books she recommends:

+   The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo by Stieg Larsson










Fantastic book! Has all the elements and more that make it a incredible crime novel. The first 25 or so pages are tough to read. But keep going! It gets so good that you can't put it down. A complex novel, with elements surrounding modern day computer technology, stock markets, and magazine journalism is juxtaposed by finding out about a crime that occurred in 1966. You fall in love with the characters as you battle their journey to unveil the truth.
Frances rates this 3.5 out of 5. (Own it for $16.47).



+   My Sister's Keeper by Jodi Picoult
Great great book. Jodi Picoult is an unbelievable contemporary writer dealing with tough issues of today. She raises a lot of questions. And each paragraph ends with a profound physiological intensity. The ending without revealing is...
Frances rates this 4 out of 5. (Own it for $19.40)















+   Little Bee : A Novel by Chris Cleave
I was so surprised by this book I had no idea what it was about when I bought it. A story about a little Nigerian girl and her journey of survival. Warning: This is a gut wrenching book filled with sadness and beauty.
Frances gives this book 4 out of 5 too. (Own it for $16.32)














Thanks Caca for your helpful reviews.
+  if you missed Wallander on PBS, read the books - brilliant sleuthing!

DYNA MOE

Ladies and gentlemen, may I present THE designer of all that Mad Men 50's illustrations you love...Ms. Dyna Moe ! Yes here she is in all her glory. (Thank you Frances Schifrin for the contrib). If you're like me, you'll want to click every thumbnail and savor every frame (and desktop wallpaper) that Ms. Moe has created and posted on every social network, from her flickr page to her site. Enjoy!


(BTW it's Emmy night, Congratulations Mad Men!)
+  in case you missed Mad Men-ing yourself the first time around, here's Dyna Moe's spiffy online tool again. We love you Ms. Moe!

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MONSTER FACE

Joey Ellis
created these 'scary' monsters, to teach his son the alphabet. Joey is a graphic designer and illustrator for Hawse Design in Charlotte, NC and loves Walt Disney.

"My son James is beginning to study letter forms. He's a visual kid (as most kids are) and really likes monsters. So, I designed some Letter Monsters to help him in his studies. I'd like to share these Letter Monsters with others who may be learning their letters."

+ you can view the entire typeface on Joey's Flickr 
+  check out some old skool artwork HERE

:PH

THE LEDGE

The Sears Tower in Chicago opened its new set of glass balconies for public viewing. “The Ledge,” as they’re collectively called, hangs 1,353 ft in the air. With transparent walls and ceilings, visitors say its like floating in the sky, and the view is, of course, spectacular. Apparently the glass floor can withstand five tons, but just to be safe, jumping up and down is probably not advised.

NOW ARRIVING

Campaign created for Disney MGM's Star Wars Weekend. We like.



+  more Star Wars HERE and HERE

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KOSAI SEKINE

MUSIC VIDEO : Maledict Car by Jemapur
DIR : Kosai Sekine

Yes we've all seen the kaleidoscope/reflection technique used extensively in film and television. In Jemapur's trippy music video, Kosai Sekine employs this effect creating new dimensions, new worlds and perspectives of everyday life, people and places. Fantastical yet simple.


+ evoking a similar feeling - Röyksopp's Happy Up Here.

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LAST CALL

5 short videos reveal a Tokyo neighborhood in transition. Monzen-Nakacho lies low, laced by canals that flow into Tokyo Bay. A refuge from bustling Tokyo life yet now experiencing a change which includes fewer children, dying businesses and a lack of faith.

{ LINK HERE }

CHARLEY HARPER

I discovered Charley Harper years ago, while thumbing through a copy of Dwell. I was drawn in.

Mr. Harper's clean and simple representation of animals, objects, and environments coupled with a subdued palette, take on more than just an iconic or typographic appearance. They capture a movement or gesture of an animal, bringing his illustrations to life. Whether it's a crocodile sitting quietly in the water, waiting for its prey or even the provoked behavior of a finch, as it battles with its reflection, Charley Harper conveyed these moments of nature, exquisitely.
 

"When I look at a wildlife or nature subject, I don’t see the feathers in the wings, I just count the wings. I see exciting shapes, color combinations, patterns, textures, fascinating behavior and endless possibilities for making interesting pictures. I regard the picture as an ecosystem in which all the elements are interrelated, interdependent, perfectly balanced, without trimming or unutilized parts; and herein lies the lure of painting; in a world of chaos, the picture is one small rectangle in which the artist can create an ordered universe."

Mr. Harper passed on in 2007. He was 84. His legacy lives on in a book by Todd Oldham "CHARLEY HARPER AN ILLUSTRATED LIFE" (get this book and other publications by Mr. Parker at My Amazon Store for $32.97). Here too is a short movie that showcases the artist and his work.


A true genius.


+  savor more delightful work from Aardman with Creature Discomforts.

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MANUEL ROMERO

Thought I'd share some typo-candy, from Manuel Romero. Poster design for a project called Minusa. Looks like they're very much inspired by the design of currency, which I hope to get to do one day. Who doesn't like designing money?! I could not find any information about this designer or more of his work. If you find stuff about Manuel, feel free to share it with me and I'll post it. Enjoy.

+  more candy, this time from Jessica Hische and Amy Martin.

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QUIZZICAL

Hello Friday.
Here are 2 mindless quizzes to see you through the final working hours until the weekend is here.


Camembert or Clarendon? Cheese or Font? (that sounds French already) Name of cheese or just a fancy named typeface, you decide in this quiz created by Tony Gambone. Delicious! 

{QUIZ}

Arial or Helvetica? A short test to gauge your type-dentifying skills. Good luck!

{QUIZ}

More Helvetica vs. Arial combat HERE.
+  do check out some Sneaky typography

GEORGIA & VERDANA 2.0

Type Geeks rejoice (or not). Web-happy typefaces Georgia & Verdana will finally get the enhancements they need, via an extended family and a 'cosmetic makeover' in 2010. (What about Arial?)

CÉSAR PESQUERA

3 spots from a very talented César Pesquera, who is a creative director and co-founder at Actop in Spain.

+  Renault "Family/Kiss"

"Funny and effective"

+  Durex "The Trip"

"Cheeky."

+  Canal+ "Trampoline

"Circue Du Sol-80's. Shooting from the crow's nest is awesome"

+   more uniqueness for your visual appetite, see Bang-Yao Liu
+   bloody viral video campaign from HBO

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ONEONE

Sometimes, I find looking at the future to be somewhat depressing. 

When you click on 'Concept Vehicles' on some automaker's site, you can't help but wonder when these Philip K Dick envisioned modes of transport will finally drive off the assembly and into your garage, or more importantly, why 'next year's model' still doesn't quite resemble the 'Artist's Impression' at the Auto Show you attended last year.

I guess we've made a leap here and there. 10 years ago, the Prius was probably one of them 'Artist's Impressions' we "Oo'd" and "Aa'd" at. So there's hope yet. And the future is still bright, and brimming with ideas like this one...

Nissan OneOne "combines personal mobility with the family-robot concept. Powered by a skating-like propulsion and guided by a GPS system, it is capable of transporting passengers without the driver. OneOne (pronounced “won-won,” an endearing Japanese description of a barking dog) is the ultimate pet; a friendly, helpful member of the family of the future, tending to a family’s busy lives from retrieving dry cleaning and groceries, to tending to the children." We like that.

Using synthetic muscles in its “legs,” it propels itself along by skating, much like you would on a pair of rollerblades. From performance car to city shuttler, it "lies down for speed or stands up for better visibility, allowing for more nimble navigation and easier parking." How exciting! I can't wait to see it in action

My prediction: it'll probably be featured in a Spielberg movie in the brighter future. Sit OneOne Sit!

+  see how some of us are making a change for the future, one card at a time.

SOLVED

IMPOSSIBLE recently created a teaser promo for Investigation Discovery's Solved. Telecine and design are spot on! + MOVIE HERE.



+ more Broadcast Design