Elastic visualization

A cluster within my delicious' tags visualized with 6pli

I discovered 6pli, a beautiful and useful tool for delicious tag visualization and navigation. The 6pli system connects to your delicious database and uses the bundles to bridge between very different content. I find this tool amazing; it is finally an answer to my struggle in navigating among my delicious catalog.
You can contact the creator of the tool, Santiago Ortiz, to create your own account.
More about his work.

Santiago --What is nice about order is that is very difficult to keep (because of the god entropy), so there is always eccentric posts, as the image shows:

Never too pink

Pink Prank Project found on itfashion

Web Trend Map 2007 Version 2.0

Clic for details on the map

We have done it before: The 200 most successful websites on the web, ordered by category, proximity, success, popularity and perspective. We have done it again – and better. Upon popular demand – here is iA’s next Web Trend Map

Map created by information architects Japan. Also I just discovered a clicable online version via DesignNotes

Robot competition

Unique in its genre ... and just a step away from a tangible street fighter!

Mylight lamp by lars spuybroek

"we can now ‘print’ an object directly from digital information – molds will just disappear. people have no idea yet what an incredible change in technology that is. and what that means for design. all design will become meta-design: objects can now be a range-of-objects like in a family or a species. not one is the same, but they are similar enough to be recognised. they can be big on top, big in the middle, or big below. they can have many holes or just a few. but they will always be private, each lamp you buy is different from the other, it’s unique.” – lars spuybroek

more information

This commercial work reminds me the impressive and comprehensive research of my previous professor at the Graduate School of Design, Dr Kostas Terzidis, whose "research work focuses on creative experimentation within the threshold between arts, architecture, and computer science. As a professional computer programmer he is the author of many computer applications on form-making, morphing, virtual reality, and self-organization. (...) His latest book, Algorithmic Architecture, provides an ontological investigation into the terms, concepts, and processes of algorithmic architecture and provides a theoretical framework for design implementations. -GSD"

My past projects for his course on Kinetic Architecture
My first assignment for his course on Advanced Studies in Architectural Computing.

Excerpt 1 and Excerpt 2 from his works.

Gesture recognition to control home appliances

Interaction design through gesture recognition can be a bit tricky when it means interacting with a full set of home appliances. Distinguishing between intentional and unintentional gestures is probably the challenge as well as creating an artificial-gestural language strong enough to rely on.
I read a lot on the fact that using gesture is for "TV potatoes" while actually I find using gestures more "sporty". Indeed, one moves the entire hand and arm to control devices whereas a remote only works by pressing a button. The wii is a good example of semi-sport action while playing video games!

Now, seven simple hand gestures to switch your TV on

(...) The controller's built-in camera can recognize seven simple hand gestures and work with up to eight different gadgets around the home, reports The Daily Mail.

The all-seeing wave controller is the brainchild of Australian engineers Dr Prashan Premaratne and Quang Nguyen, who predict its availability on the market within three years.(...)

Its software recognises simple, deliberate hand gestures and then sends the appropriate signal to a universal remote control, designed to work with most makes of television, video recorder, DVD player, hi-fi and digital set-top box.
(...)

A clenched fist means "start", an outstretched hand with closed fingers means "power on", a thumbs-up sign means "up" and a sideways victory sign means "channel".

Crucially for anyone with small children, pets or gesticulating family members, the software can distinguish between real commands and unintentional gestures.

Excerpt of article by International reporter, July 2007.


Image from the Daily Mail

Apple Form Factor Evolution 1976-2007

Clic on the picture for details

Thank you Chompchomp!

What the heck is Electronic Mail?

"Electronic Mail is a term that's been bandied about data processing circles for years. Simply put, it means high-speed information transportation. One of the most advanced methods is terminals talking to one another. Your mailbox is the terminal on your desk. Punch a key and today's correspondence and messages are displayed instantly (...) Electronic Mail is document distribution that's more timely, accurate and flexible than traditional methods. There's no mountain of paperwork (...) Tomorrow's automated office will clearly include Electronic Mail. - Honeywell Office Automation Systems"
Ad found on Abdul Taiyeb's blog

Vital monitoring system concept

Dan Bishop has designed the Vital Monitoring System concept that enables medical staff to take and record a patient's vital signs effortlessly. The baseline vitals must be taken manually initially for future readings to be based upon it, but subsequent readings are made much easier. All the patient needs to do is swipe the temperature sensor across their forehead, where the device will then get to work by activating its blood pressure/pulse sensor on the inside of the monitor. The patient is alerted to do so via a light vibration (although a slight electric shock on April Fools' day would have been funny). When will we see hospitals feature the Vital Monitoring System? Not anytime soon.

Via ubergizmo

Felt rocks

Just because I find them beautiful ... Felt rocks by Molo.

In their raw form, a felt rock is technically a lump of felt formed when small bits of wool fluff gather while making polishing wheels for optical lenses, spun around in a drum with them. With steam and pressure, each stray piece of wool begins to entangle itself with others roughly creating a completely unique rock-like shape without the help of any bonding agents. Each felt rock is then carefully selected by molo and then finished through their own process. Felt rocks are solid all the way through, made out of 100% pure wool felt, and carefully dyed. they come in hand selected sets of 5 ( 2 natural and 3 grey, or 2 moss green and 3 grey ) and are packaged in a natural grey wool felt bag.