Pan Am is back as a Bag Brand

This is true for most of these Lazarus brands. The emotional connection consumers have for them has transcended time. There is something of meaning and value in the brand which, when re-introduced through the right category and product that can reflect that meaning and value, immediately has new leverage and cache. And this is the lesson for new brands out there. Creating something that is timeless and grounded in its compelling truths is critical to building equity and longevity. If a brand has meaning and value to your core constituents, and if you live up to those truths, you can build preference.

Amazing brand equity here.

MUJI AWARD 03 Gold Prize goes to a Straw

Except that it is made of wheat straw. A nice juxtaposition and a nostalgic nod back to the past. Assuming we used wheat straws to drink from. Regardless, the sustainability impact here is clear and immediate.

Designer Chair with Guns for Legs

Check out this designer chair with guns for legs!  That chair has really cool legs!  Yeah right...

Please indulge me, just this once?

Ok...I thought you might like to know that Maggie Q will star in the remake of Le Femme Nikita. 

Hmm...nice legs, I mean guns! ;)  

Eating off your iPad with iDish

Things people do with their iPad. Quite crazy.

iPhone 4 as a CAD drawing

Ahh...such designer geekery.

Umbrella and Stand for FiftyThree by Outofstock

Outofstock was recently commissioned by Singapore chef Michael Han to design a set of umbrellas and umbrella stand for his restaurant, FiftyThree. The items are designed with the restaurant’s philosophy in mind – understated and an intimacy with natural materials.

The umbrella’s solid beech wood shaft and carbon fibre ribs reflect the elegant austerity of the restaurant interiors, softened by the warmth of a carefully sculpted handle. The handle’s cross-sectional shape facilitates a comfortable grip, while the gentle indentation is a defining detail which provides security and solace for one’s thumb.

Propped by offcuts of guava tree branches, the umbrellas rest on an umbrella stand of made of a bent corian sheet over a maple wood base. The curved ledge channels remaining rain water from the umbrellas into a small, concealed container within the base.

Check out this cool umbrella and stand installation by Outofstock, an outfit set up by one of my former students. Nicely done.

1930's Art Deco Henderson Motocycle

It looks difficult to ride!

Eight Finalists for the Electrolux Design Lab Announced!

Electrolux Design Lab 2010 finalists from Asia

The finalists (in no particular order) are Daniel Dobrogorsky (Australia)- designer of “The Kitchen Hideaway”, Peter Alwin (India)- designer of “The Snail”, Matthew Gilbride (USA)- designer of “Elements Modular Kitchen”, Ahi Andy Mohsen (Iran)- designer of the “Eco Cleaner”, Yuriy Dmitriev (Russia)- designer of the “Bio Robot Refrigerator”, Michael Edenius (Sweden)- designer of the “Clean Closet”, Guo Lichen (China)- designer of the “Dismount Washer” and Nicolas Hubert (France)- designer of the “External Refrigerator”.


Electrolux Design Lab 2010 finalists submissions. For larger images, please visit Electrolux’s Flickr page.

I like competitions like this that has a global spread of competitors, and more importantly view points of design from around the world. Check out the work of the 3 designers from Asia-Pacific! Good proof points on the strength of Asian design.

iida Lotta Mobile Phone

         

It does a "lotta" stuff in a sleek minimal form. I love the subtle narrowing top and chamfered back that allows the phone to sit perfectly in your hand.

I bet it does not have reception issues! Sadly only available in Japan.