Following on from a previous post where we used Kiki Brown Bear’s flatware as an example of how to oven form acrylic. Another Philly based student, Wes Thomas has just posted his Phillyware flatware for sale in the Ponoko Showroom.

It is also great to see Wes sharing his processes, both design and production on his online design journal (read blog), with some great detail pics and thoughts.

Following on from a previous post where we looked at customizable cardboard coffins, the online magazine Good has just published an article on DIY Funerals and the Quest for Authenticity, which in turn analyzed an article in the March issue of Smithsonian explores “The Surprising Satisfactions of a Home Funeral.” (I know).

Breaking it down, I guess this sentence is the crux of the issue is,
“And while green is good, what DIY funerals really offer is personalization, customization, and the embodiment of emotion through an authentic experience.”

The authentic experience is not the one we get from an ‘off the shelf’ package, it is one that we produce ourselves with care and consideration.

via Beyond the Beyond via Good via …

On Tuesday 24 February Artquest presented Ex Machina, a one-day conference that explored the myriad ways in which visual practitioners are embracing and exploiting new technologies in order to produce contemporary work. These could include Rapid Prototyping Technology, CNC milling and 3D digital printing.

Through the presentation of a historical overview and current case studies the conference showed how artists have repeatedly exploited technologies and in fact are often early adopters of new tools, materials and techniques that have historically been developed for other industries.
This Artquest event helped develop critical awareness, knowledge and understanding of the scope and potential of current technologies available, through demonstrating their application by artists, craftspeople and designers.

For those of us who could not make it the audio of the conference is available to stream from their website.

Speakers include:
Martin Watmough, Director, Digital Manufacturing Centre at London at the Bartlett School of Architecture UCL
Evelyn Welch, Professor of Renaissance Studies, Queen Mary College London
Professor Jane Prophet, Department of Computing, Goldsmiths University
Geoffrey Mann, Studio*Mrmann Aberdeen
Dr Jayne Wallace, Research Associate in Fine Art & Culture Laboratory Newcastle University
Dr Katie Bunnell, Leader Autonomatic Research Cluster, University College Falmouth
Simeon Nelson, Professor of Sculpture, School of Art & Design, University of Hertfordshire
Philip Delamore, Research Fellow, London College of Fashion
Matthew Lewis, Centre Manager, Metropolitan Works

via Autonomatic

The word “design” originates from the Latin word “designare” meaning de-sign. On the other hand, “nosign” means no-sign which has no signature on it. Nosigner is somebody who designs invisible thing without explicit signature.

For someone theorizing about the invisible hand of design Nosigner has raised quite a profile for himself in the grey space between art and design. With products, interiors, exhibitions and master classes, Nosigner’s prolific output has a definite signature of contemporary simplicity.

Also check out his Arborism table using tree branch algorithms

and Spring Rain light shade using bean-starch vermicelli, delicious.

Via Trendhunter

Looks like Raven has some competition. Vector Magic is an “online auto tracer” that aims to create the cleanest vector tracing of a bitmap image in the easiest way possible.

To test it out, I took the Ponoko logo from the main site and made it half the size. That’s 100 x 45 pixels at 72 dpi, a pretty blurry image. I uploaded the logo from my desktop and was prompted to select what kind of image it was: a photograph, an anti-aliased logo, or a non anti-aliased logo. The software correctly guesses that mine is an anti-aliased logo, so I confirm and continue.

Next, I was asked about the quality of my image. I selected Low even though it’s just small, not interpolated or degraded.

I thought this next step was pretty cool. (more…)

Part of the Brit Insurance Designs of the Year 2009, 12 February – 14 June at the Design Museum, London include After Hours, which presents the step-by-step procedure for making Rotationalmouldedshoe by Marloes ten Bhömer.

From material developments and experiments to the pouring, moulding and de-moulding process, along with a menagerie of material tests and failures, culminating in the finished pair. The stylized representation of the manufacturing process resembles a factory abandoned in the middle of production, and comments on the aesthetics, value, and economics of the machine-made.

Almost as beautiful as the shoe itself is the rotational moulding device created to create the shoes.

If you would like to make your own DIY Roto-molding machine check out this video.

Marloes ten Bhömer produces shoes that are both provocative and otherworldly. Her work fuses artistic and technological experiment in order to discover shoes anew. Ten Bhömer’s work has been exhibited in museums and galleries internationally and she gives lectures about her work worldwide. She takes on challenging commissions from galleries and private clients. check out more of her wild couture shoes using a wide range of innovative design and production techniques..

Brothers Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec are well-deserving stars of the design world. As new work from the team seems to make the blog rounds every few months, I thought I’d do a little inspirational roundup for Ponoko. Several of their designs start with laser-cutting and are then stamped, folded, or rolled.

Much of the portfolio includes creative modular systems, from the simplicity of a zip-up carpet to the ingenuity of interlocking fabric and foam walls. Whether looking for inspiration in furniture, visual displays, textiles, or product packaging, you’re bound to find something brilliant at the Bouroullec site.

There’s been some decent buzz about the Yudu Screen Printer lately. With last year’s discontinuation of the Japanese print Gocco, the Yudu screen printing system is rising to meet the demand for affordable screen printing capabilities. Priced at $299.99, about the same as a Gocco, this printer made by Provo Craft has a larger printing area, uses an outlet instead of batteries, doesn’t require one-time use flash bulbs, and can be used to print on various materials including cloth, paper, wood, felt, etc.

Above are some examples from the Yudu site of what you can do with their printer. Handmade Detroit has a great video tutorial that gives you a realistc look at how simple it is to use and also what results to expect.

The Yudu Screen Printer could be used to add surface graphics to most of your Ponoko-cut designs. You can get one at Joanne craft stores or Michael’s. But if you want to save your cash and do a little craft, CraftStylish is running the Crafty by Nature competition until 22 April. Entries can be anything—fashion, accessories, home goods, etc—but must be made from natural or recycled materials and incorporate the theme of a natural element: air, earth, fire, or water. Grand prize is a Yudu screen printer! Details here.

above: print by Bold & Noble

The Make Do & Mend ethos is gaining momentum. But in an increasingly aesthetically sensitive and design savvy world, is there a way to make do but still make new?

Yes. Bemz makes slip covers for new and old IKEA sofas, armchairs, and cushions. While not customizable, products are made on-demand and the 90+ patterns and colors do allow for personalization. That way the same piece of furniture can go with you through any decorating phase, with any palette, in any decade. (So when you pass that heirloom Karlstad down to your kids and they complain of the ‘hiddeous neo-mid century’ style, they can cover it up however they want.)

Prices range from $239–$535.

3D printing service Shapeways has announced a few updates at their blog worth mentioning.

•Until 31 March, you can order a Ringpoem printed in either bronze or stainless steel.

•There’s a post that addresses the 3D Printing Debate, comparing the technology to sewing machines in what they call The Singer Problem.

•Photoshaper is a new service that creates a 3D printed relief of a photograph.