save 20% of ink and toner

:: the prints we make for our 'daily use' not only use paper, but also ink. according to 'spranq creative communications' (nl) your ink cartridges (or ink toner) could last longer. they have therefore developed a new font: the 'ecofont'.
"After dutch holey cheese, there now is a dutch font with holes as well."
appealing ideas are often simple: how much of a letter can be removed while maintaining readability? after extensive testing with all kinds of shapes, the best results were achieved using small circles. after lots of late hours (and coffee) this resulted in a font that uses up to 20% less ink. free to download, free to use. ::

ecofont ... simply idea, huge environmental and financial impact (especially since printer ink is more expensive than 'champagner')
... for windows, linux, and mac os ...

nice idea to recycle soda cans...

...not that we actually have any soda cans in the house...


:: recycling a soda can has never been so much fun! with the 'tin can robot' kit kids can transform recycled soda cans into robots. a soda can, one aa battery, and a screw driver is all that's needed. ::

nice case for electronic gadgets (handmade felt)

i think that's pretty cool!!!!!!!!


looks quite sleek - just right for such cool electronic gadgets...
i need one for my macbook pro :-)

100 percent wool felt, handmade in germany + also available in leather
by:: 'red maloo' (germany)
designer:: katja hettler & jula tullman

:: redmaloo's concept is to be minimal, traditional and modern all at the same time, taking natural materials and re-introducing them into modern life. redmaloo looks for an idea behind each product, be it functional or emotional. redmaloo wants to introduce a human touch and warmth to the functional world of electronic devices. ::

green disposal of X-mas tree

we returned our real X-mas tree to the garbage collection... they will use them to generate 'green' energy, ... and we got a energy-efficient light bulb as a reward...

what a nice idea to save energy even when it will be generated the 'green' way.

another nice e-car

remember my post about the tesla roadster by tesla motors (ca) about a year ago?

here is a very stylish european answer to the californian e-car design::

mindset six50 - a four-seater hybrid car with roof-top solar panels

:: ... the driver can choose between two modes of driving. in the electro-mode – which is emissions-free – the built-in electric motor is used, with a fully- charged battery guaranteeing a range of over 100 kilometers. in the hybrid mode an optional, compact combustion engine is activated additionally, which, at a constant optimal engine speed, functions as an electricity generator for the battery charge, boosting the cruising range to over 800 kilometers.
according to mindset the 95hp motor should enable speeds of up to 140km/h and acceleration from 0-100km/h in under six seconds. the company, which is based in switzerland plans to roll out 10,000 of the cars by late 2009, at an estimated asking price of 50,000 euros. ::

company:: mindset ag (spirt avert ag, switzerland),
design (and ceo):: mürat günek , previously car designer at mercedes-benz and vw

wooden radio

the 'magno radio' - a nice mix of retro style and modern design

hand-crafted in indonesia and made from sustainably harvested wood instead of non-biodegradable plastic... they only use trees from plantation and care for the re-plantation in their hometown

design:: singgih kartono (magno, indonesia)
award winning

'yoyo' lamp

'yoyo' - this stylish lamp made of translucent plastic comes with its own red extension cord (~17.5 yard). you can 'roll' (∅ ~18 inches) it wherever light is needed, indoor + outdoor. this cool art object comes with 'loft flair'.

design:: catarina von matérn + lisa lindström
by:: 'elmar flötotto' (germany)

improving bike safety ... by using a responsive jacket

one of the little concrete*monsters will get a new bike this friday... i found this nice idea to add more safety (visibility) to the biking fun::

design student michael chen (uk) came up with a concept for a (safety) jacket he calls reactiv.
:: i cycled round london for hours in the dark wearing my first prototype - a £10 waterproof jacket with LEDs stuck on by gaffer tape, :: he said. :: for the first time, i noticed that cars passed me more slowly, gave me more room, and that the drivers and passengers were even making eye contact. ::

the design has won a 'james dyson award' in 2008 from the dyson foundation that's dedicated to inspirating design innovation. (you know, the company that makes the stylish vacuum cleaners!)

:: michael was inspired by the 'nintendo wii' to come up with reactiv - a responsive cycling jacket.
the jacket uses an accelerometer that senses movement to change the colour of the LEDs in the back from green (accelerating) to red (braking). it has amber LEDs in the arms which are activated by a tilt switch behind the elbow. these light up when the arm is lifed, indicating the cyclist is about to turn.
reactiv allows the cyclist to communicate their intentions to other travellers and thus it will hopefully reduce the 20,000 incidents involving cyclists on london's roads every year.
british judges were impressed by the simplicity and effectiveness of michael's design. ::

design:: michael chen (uk)

'lumibaer' (a glowing bear) lamp

if you like gummibears this would be the perfect light source for you! i like the white upright one, about 23 inches tall. they are already 10 years old, but still very cool like at the day they were 'born'!

they started as lamps for kids room, but ended as cult design items.
in five different colors (white, blue, yellow-orange, red, green)
design:: heinz klein + georg leidig (germany)
by:: 'elmar flötotto' (germany)

vacuum in style...

a treat for me ... the cool handheld vacuum by 'dyson'. we used our air miles to get one for home + car.
you could have one, too. check mod*mom's giveaway :: 1 'dyson' vacuum + meet mr. dyson in nyc

retro tunes ...

50's ...

60's ...
by 'roadstar' (alba plc.)

yeah ... it's here ... daddy's new toy

::early christmas for the apple*enthusiast::
it arrived - my big boy's new toy:: the new iMac with wireless mouse and keyboard

iMac
design:: apple (ca, 2007)

he admires it for everything that's inside - and i love it for it's look
... simple lines, brushed aluminum, very compact, cute little keyboard
... i'm allowed to play with it, too ;-)

the design seems to be around for years ... talk about 'retro' ... check out the loudspeaker from the 60s::

le1 loudspeaker
design:: dieter rams (germany, 1960)
production:: braun (germany)