Blog Commentary: Week 3

Core77: Cell phone common charger initiative

This is a great move, although I'm wondering what all of the companies involved get out of using a common universal charger.  Actions such as these, much like design, are more about to catering to an audience and effectively simplifying the experience.

LG cell phone: A clear advantage, or clearly a gimmick?

LD GD900.  Debuted at Spain's Mobile World Congress.  Very interesting design.  Only question remains is as to whether or not it supplies any actual advantage or functionality aside from looking cool.

Transparent yet eye-catching, the LG-GD900 will stand out from the crowd, and so will those who carry it. When opened, its sliding, translucent keypad illuminates a cool glow that reflects the phone’s sleek and polished silver body. But first-rate design was not the only thing in mind when creating the LG-GD900. It also lives up to the highest level of technical features expected in a premium calibre handset, including its dedicated Bluetooth headset. 

The LG-GD900 is scheduled for release during the second quarter of 2009 and the phone’s advanced features will be unveiled at that time. However, visitors at the Mobile World Congress will have an exciting opportunity to get a glimpse of LG-GD900, one of the most sensational new handsets at the LG Electronics booth (Hall 8). 

Blog Commentary: Week 2

Core77: Some books that you can't put down (because you can't lift them in the first place)

The Kansas City Public Library. Very interesting form of not only exterior design but also captivating advertising. The residents of Kansas City were asked to pick books that were most influential and best represented their town, which were subsequently blown up into giant form and put alongside the Library's parking lot. Actually makes me want to start reading again.

Rubik's TouchCube Is The World's First Touchscreen Rubik's Cube

Modern twists to classic games are always interesting. Done by Techno Source. Saves your progress, can solve itself, and teach you step-by-step how to solve it. $150. A little much. But still would be a cool thing to show off.

Web Research: Part Two

I've since chosen to do a website based on hip-hop group Public Enemy.

"Public Enemy, also known as PE, is an influential hip hop group from Long Island, New York, known for its politically charged lyrics, criticism of the media, and active interest in the concerns of the African American community.

In 2004, Rolling Stone Magazine ranked Public Enemy. number forty-four on its list of the Immortals: 100 Greatest Artists of All Time. Acclaimed Music ranks them the 29th most recommended musical act of all time and the highest hip-hop group.  The group was inducted into the Long Island Music Hall of Fame in 2007."

Main reference websites:

• Public Enemy's Official Website
• Chuck D's Terrordome (Blog)
  
• Enemyboard

'Modern' sites to model after:

Creattica

Twitter

Okayplayer.com

Storenvy

GOOD

Blog Commentary: Week 1

Core77: Materials-savvy designer turns senior project into a company

Very interesting design. Originally designed as senior project by Craig Nottage. Built by his company Nottage Design. Glass table, but transparent resin layer on top (clever and functional idea). AU $40,000.

Seth Godin: Solving a different problem

I always believed that if you want to find success in anything you do, there are two options: Either do something better than everybody else, or do something entirely different from everybody else. In order to increase the possibilities of storage space on computers, companies didn't simply make bigger floppy disks, or bigger hard drives, they sought to develop entirely new formats (i.e. Flash Memory) that were formulated completely different from their predecessors, yet took care of much of the same problems.

The one thing the telephone did much better than the telegram was a much better, expedient form of communication. In design, which is centered around specifically solving particular problems, you have to think outside of the box.