Nature of Material by Ran Amitai

Standing out in the ever growing field of flat pack furniture is the Nature of Material series by Israeli designer Ran Amitai. Nature of Material was his final project at the Bezalel Academy of Art and Design in what must be one of the most refined and well executed student works to emerge from the EU (where Ponoko is now available via it’s German hub). Most impressive is that despite the designs being laser cut and folded, they still maintain a softened form, with organic curves not usually seen in the flat pack aesthetic. The Nature of Material series includes a Sttol, Chair and Table. Images of his design process are well documented on his site.
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CAD jockey or Artiste?

A recent post by Amanda E. Stark on the crafthaus entitled Computerized Craft Arts? takes a look at whether 3D modeling of metal (or other materials), without ‘hands on’ craftsmanship, can still be defined as craft or should it then be defined as design?

I now look at all the schools who are adding CAD to their curriculum and I am starting to wonder what is going to happen to the future of the craft arts? I wonder this because of the concern that a friend brought to me when shemet recently graduated students who received their BFA in Jewelry and Metalsmithing but who had never touched metal. I am not necessarily against CAD but I am a little worried about whether or not we are losing the idea of the handcrafted and I am curious about how other craft artists feel about CAD being brought into the field of Fine Art Craft. Does it belong or not? Should it be left in the design department? Do we need to see it as an additional new tool for us to use? If it is a new tool how do we incorporate it as just another tool and not something that we become dependent on?

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The Roll Bike Concept By Nicolas Belly

Winning second prize from the L’Argus Design Competition for his Roll Bike Concept design, Nicolas Belly has taken the children’s balance bike to another level. Sure the chain and tyres are not made of plywood, but the design does fulfill the competition of “Less is more: travelling in the era of simplicity”.


I think I saw the scooter in ‘back to the future’ though?

via trendhunter

Cosmetic Customization

Minimal inc. has has started manufacturing totally customizable graphics on iPhone, iPod and Blackberry cases. Uncommon allows you to upload your own graphic (which you can also make cash from if other users use your design) or choose from a case in their existing lines. Their is quite an extensive library of community designs, as well as basics and an artist series to choose from if you want to be a little more common.

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“We believe the time is right for 3D printing to become mainstream,” said Stratasys Chairman and CEO Scott Crump.

“We also believe that HP’s unmatched sales and distribution capabilities and Stratasys FDM technology is the right combination to achieve broader 3D printer usage worldwide. HP has made a similar move in this market before, capturing a dominant position in large-format 2D printers.”

Now we have a couple of heavyweights joining forces to bring 3D printing into the mainstream but we do not yet have the initial price point of the 3D printer. We are faced with the price gouging that may well follow if HP uses it’s current business model of making their money out of consumables more than the product itself.

The example of the cost of ink compared to other liquids in the graph above (slightly outdated from a 2006 gizmodo post, and maybe of interest to vampires in that it compares ink with the cost of blood, which is weird in itself, imagine if HP sold blood, but back to the story at hand)

Even though the cost of consumables may rise with a HP branded polymer cartridge at least it is a major leap forwards getting 3D printing onto the broader public’s radar. How many schools and businesses may be more comfortable buying a 3D printer from a ‘reputable, known brand’ rather than something like RepRap or MakerBot. What greater way to open up mass customization, consumer innovation, product hacks and mutilations than access to the tools used by the professional designers.

Examines the creative and commercial value of musical sampling, including the related debates over artistic expression, copyright law, and (of course) money.

Copyright Criminals traces the rise of hip-hop from the urban streets of New York to its current status as a multibillion-dollar industry. For more than thirty years, innovative hip-hop performers and producers have been re-using portions of previously recorded music in new, otherwise original compositions. When lawyers and record companies got involved, what was once referred to as a “borrowed melody” became a “copyright infringement.”The film showcases many of hip-hop music’s founding figures like Public Enemy, De La Soul, and Digital Underground—while also featuring emerging hip-hop artists from record labels Definitive Jux, Rhymesayers, Ninja Tune, and more.

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Flat Pack Rocker and Chair Components as Wall Art

CNC Adjustable Rocking Chair by Hongtao Zhou is an unusual looking rocking chair with a broad variation of customization. His Decoration of sitting draws inspiration from Native American Turkey Feather Art as the individual components hang together on a wall peg, then assembled for seating.
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3 Steps to DIY Printed Fabrics Starting at $20 Per Yard

With Karma Kraft you can upload and print your own designs on: Cotton, Linen, Silk, Polyester, Rayon, Suede, Ramie, Hemp or Wool. But if there is a specific fabric you need that they do not have listed here we can get it for you and print on your new fabric base. They can quote you the total printing cost per square yard using your chosen fabric before you order. If you choose a special “non-stocked” fabric for your order they do require a 20 yard minimum order.

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From Sketch to Reality in 80 Dollars

Similar to a few other online stores mentioned on the Ponoko blog such as Stuffyourdoodle and Make My Own Monster (but much cheaper) Shidonni is a website that allows children to easily create custom stuffed plush toy from their own drawings. There is a point of difference where with Shidonni there is a level of online interaction and play with the characters they create. Shidonni is an Israeli based startup, developing the next generation of creative ‘virtual’ worlds for kids. Shidonni is based on unique proprietary patented algorithms and uses Microsoft Silverlight.

It is interesting to see yet another mass customization portal aimed at kids. Maybe they will be the early adopters to drive up the curve?

Via PSFK

Fast Company post on the Essential Elements that make up the Mass Customization business paradigm.

A recent post by Dave Gardner outlines what he believes are critical aspects to define a business as a mass customizer. Following are a list of those that matter most:
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