Creative Closeup » gadgets

15 Incredible Conceptual Designs You Wish Existed

Enrique — Tue, 17 Feb 2009 16:34:05 +0000

Imagine the first person that ate a shrimp. That ugly little creature from the sea ended up to taste so damn good. On the other side, consider the poor guy who first tried some stunningly good looking, bright red, little fruits hanging from bushes only to find out that they were deadly poisonous.
It clear that both shrimps and poisonous red berries didn´t have a product test before being exposed to the humans, just like we have today with consumer products.
This article gathers a group of 15 useful and enticing conceptual designs that for several reasons may never reach the production stage, but may set a trend and definitely make us wish they really existed.

Nike Hindsight by Billy May

From the designer’s site: The design of the glasses drew on athletically inspired designs and focused on providing wide protective coverage. This goal also conveniently aided in allowing the lens to fully cover augment the eye’s field of view. The Hindsight concept uses Fresnel lenses integrated into the sides of simple eyewear to enhance a bicyclists field of view. In this example, the rapidly approaching taxi is seen sooner in the Hindsight lens than without. Read full description…

ONE folding bicycle by Thomas J. Owen

From the designer’s site: ‘One’ provides a real solution to the problems involved with urban transport. With congestion rapidly clogging up the roads the need for products that can free individuals from their car are in real demand. When open, ‘One’ is a comfortable stylish bicycle that not only offers all the benefits of cycling (like cheap travel and exercise) but with its revolutionary power assist system the user can cruise around with ease. When folded, ‘One’ turns into a smooth, light and compact case free of all dirty and protruding parts. ‘One’ can be easily carried, stowed and stored. ‘One’ is truly a bike for eco and money minded individuals alike. Its stylish design strips it from the folding bike stigma and makes it a bike for the 21st century. Read full description…

Juke Brick by Yon-U Cho

From Yanko Design: Instant Portable Concert: When more than two Jukebricks are gathered together, every Jukebrick becomes a separate performer. We can listen to the sound from each instrument or vocal. Exact sound sources [can be determined] from ordinary music using Music 2.0 technology.
Instant Portable Theater: Just attach more than 2 Jukebricks side by side and the screen is extended double and more. Also, as speakers are added, we can enjoy 3-way or 4-way channel surround speakers outside with friends. Read full description…

Torillo rotating stool by Diego Moreno

From Yanko Design: It’s a rotating stool. That’s all to be quite frank but design isn’t just about function but also how it communicates to us; be it a futuristic envisage or a nostalgic herald. I think the Torillo stool falls into the latter. The top part of this stool rotates 360º. Just grab a hold of the horns and give it a whirl. Read full description…

Paint or die but love me by John Nouanesing

From Core77 blog: No it’s not real but you’ve got to give French designer John Nouanesing props for his collection of concepts including this table which while needing some structural help is pretty fun. Read full description…

VIRTUO by Yana Klimava

From the designer’s site: VIRTUO is a digital art toolset that helps art novices develop their artistic side. Extensive research and testing resulted in the products form and function. VIRTUO uses sensors and light to mix digital color and apply it to a screen. Read .full description…

An electronic musical instrument by Petr Hampl

From the designer’s site: A set of a recorder, a glove with sound sensors and a pair headphones helps musicians create and record their own sounds and rhythms. The point is in friction between surfaces and sensors. Different types of surfaces enable to make sounds and to create a rhythm by tapping. The recorder attached to the glove runs a software which records sounds in preset modes and plays them via wireless headphones in real time. Such record is an input for further editing and electronic music creation. Read full description…

IC3 High tech cutlery by Alex Schulz

From Yanko Design Blog: The IC3 concept consists of a computerized shaft with 3 interchangeable eating apparatuses; fork, spoon, and knife. The fork analyzes composition such as fat, protein, sugars. The spoon measures weight, and the knife takes temperature readings. Together this info creates a detailed report on what you’re eating, helpful to those with diabetes and nutritional sufficiency. Gone are the days of lying to your doctor, “yes I ate my 5 servings of veggies.” The IC3 concept is currently on display at the Designparcours Munich 2008 exhibition. Read full description…

PEBBLES stone grill by Yongju Kwak, Dongbin Shin, Kukil Han & Young-Seong Kim

From Yanko Design Blog: Use the ancient power of water-smoothed rocks with the stone-grill concept “Pebbles.” It will make your healthy fish-devouring ways a cinch! Just unroll the Pebbles grill, locate the knob which switches the grill on, use it once again to turn the temperature to the correct level, wait a bit, just a bit!, and take them fish outta there. Turn the pebbles off and eat them fishes!. Read full description…

Sand+Time watch by Pavel Balykin

According to Designer Pavel Balykin, this watch works in a screensaver mode. The pixelated sand doesn´t count the time, it is just both decorative and ludic. To read the actual time you have to press a button and the time is displayed using conventional (er, sort of) digital numbers. Visit the designer’s site…

Magic Spheres wall speakers by Morteza Faghihi

From the designer’s site: In order to have a more enjoying music, make around space harmonious with your favorite music. The speakers are designed to be installed on the wall and to create commensurate light effects with music. These speakers were designed so that they can also be a decorative element on the wall. The visualizations can be changed based on the arrangement of the speakers on the wall.. Read full description…

Lane Light by Alex Tee and Evan Gant

From Dustbowl Blog: A close brush with a distracted driver is enough to intimidate the most avid bikers from riding at night. The problem isn’t just about visibility, as safety lights are effective at capturing the attention of a driver. However, these lights are typically constrained to the bike frame, which highlights only a fraction of the bike’s envelope. Read full description…

Flying Stick Camera by Tsunho Wang

From Yanko Design Blog: The title should be enough to explain what this is. In case it isn’t, it’s a flying stick with a camera! Rub it between your palms to get some kinetic energy stored up. Then release and the Flying Stick automatically takes pictures at set intervals. You know what they say, everybody looks 5 lb lighter when photographed from above. No mention of specs like camera resolution or memory but hey it’s a concept. If anything, it’s supposed to get your mind thinking, not criticizing. Read full description…

Dual Music mp3/CD Player by Young-Seong Kim

From Yanko Design Blog: You want to enjoy your audio CDs while traveling but you also have a huge MP3 collection at home that you want to take with you. The ideal solution? DMP, a portable music player that supports CD and MP3 files. Use the MP3 player as you normally would, hang it around your neck, clip it on your jeans or place it in your pocket. Otherwise open both sides and insert your favorite CD and you got yourself a CD player my friend. Now that’s music to my ears. Read full description…

Toast Messenger by Sasha Tseng

From Yanko Design Blog: Nothing gets your morning going like a cup of joe and a piece of toast slathered in your favorite spread. Of course, it can also be the time of day when things are hectic to start. Kids running around, people in and out, everyone trying to remind everyone else about the super important soccer meet after school. Next time, put it on toast. This toaster by Sasha Tseng incorporates a little message board where one can read quick notes. The message also gets “toasted” into the toast itself so it gives new meaning to “read while you eat”. Read full description…

20 Irresistible Gadgets You’d Love to Own

Enrique — Wed, 17 Sep 2008 16:52:00 +0000

These gadgets are so cool that they will make you drool in desire. Sadly most of them are prototypes or simply concepts, but sooner or later somebody will put them into production, hopefully.

The big question is how far would you go to buy any of these. None of these gadgets or decor items will ever make it into your shopping list. And that’s what makes them irresistible.

Enough. Go get some of these now, you know you want them!

» Scan Toaster Printer: Description | Prototype

» Muwi, automated mower: Description | Concept

» Tetris Tiles: Description and purchase page

» Compose, automatic music transcriber: Description | Concept

» Optimus Tactus OLED Keyboard: Description | Concept

» Bath Safeguard, temperature measuring device: Description | Prototype

» Alien vs. Predator chess: Description | Buy here

» DYMO DiscPainter: Description | Buy here

» Hulger Pappa*Phone, Skype usb phone: Description and purchase page

» OnLatte, latte decorating machine: Description | Prototype

» iDJ compact mixing console for Apple iPod: Description | Buy here

» TTi USB Turntable with Pitch Control and Universal Dock: Description | Buy here

» Super Mario wall decals: Description and purchase page

» Pea Speaker: Description | Concept.

» HI-LIGHTER: Description | In production stage

» The Finger Drummer mousepad: Description | Buy here

» Electrolux Flatshare Fridge: Description | Prototype

» Retro Space: Description | Buy here

» VUZIX iWear AV920: Description | Buy here

» Bandai Luminodot: Description and purchase page (Japanese) | Review (English)

Kitchen Gadgets and Appliances for True Geeks

Enrique — Tue, 21 Apr 2009 21:08:39 +0000

Geeky stuff is not only for your cubicle, you must know that by now. Don’t expect be the ultimate geek by using a Shoemoney tee, either. In my previous article, Home decor for absolute geeks, I showed you what it takes to be a true geek.
Now it is time to get specific. This selection of gadgets and appliances for your kitchen is so cool that only a pure blood geek can appreciate the true value of it.
WARNING: The Bubble Scrubber featured at the end of this list is so cool and fun that it can lead to undesired situations, such as the irressistible desire of doing the dishes for a lifetime… Simply stay away from it, or better, give it as a gift to your mate!!

The Brunch Kitchen Appliances Concepts by Ivo Vos

From the designer’s site: The Brunch is a series of consumer products that celebrate the mundane. Bread Slicer facilitates even, uniform, precision – cuts. Toaster brings knowledge, skill and anticipation to the toasting of a slice of bread, set angle and force to exactly hit your plate. Cutlery perfectly aligned on Placemat is rendered invisible, the Holy Grail of table placement. Teapot records the height one is able to pour tea from. Milk and Sugar allow for meticulous taste. Read full description…

Space Invaders Cutting Board

From Think Geek: This cutting board is hand-made in the U.S.A. Each cube of walnut and hard-maple lovingly glued to its brothers, then sanded and polished to a shiny finish. Because they’re made by hand, there’s an extremely limited supply, so make sure you get one before they’re all gone! Read full description…

PacMan HotHeads

From Fred & Friends: He’s a mouth with a new mission. Pac-Man® is back, and he’s ready to gobble up your hot pots and pans! Our newest all-silicone HotHead is happy to hang out in your kitchen and bring back fond memories of your many misspent hours at the game console. Score! Individual display boxes. Read full description…

Video Message Center and Digital Picture Frame for Fridge

From the manufacturer’s site: We have taken the digital picture frame and cranked it up a notch. Or Three… Our video home base houses a tiny camera and microphone to let you leave full color video messages. This messaging center boasts a sharp, bright 7 inch LCD picture frame with memory to hold over 125 high resolution photos! The frame is wrapped in an erasable white board, with a magnetic border for notes and coupons. There is even a slot for a Post it pad. Read full description…

Retro Styled Stoves and Refrigerators

From Elvira Stove Works: Looking for the charm of an elegant 1850’s antique cook stove, or a cool 1950’s styled Northstar retro refrigerator? Elmira Stove Works custom builds vintage-styled kitchen appliances with today’s state-of-the-art feature to your personal specifications. Complement your vintage kitchen or renovation plan with handcrafted reproduction ranges, and matching refrigerators, microwave ovens, dishwashers, wall ovens and range hoods. Features include self-cleaning convection ovens, high-speed radiant elements, Energy Star efficiency, and much more. Read full description…

Lego Kitchen Accessories

So you are a Lego geek. At the Lego web site you can find a good assortment of kitchen accessories such as salt and pepper shakers, cutlery, timers, lollypop moulds and lots of other irresistible geekery. Read full description…

Paper-like Porcelain Cups With Silicone Lids

From the Moma Store: An eco-friendly alternative to disposable cups, this double-walled porcelain version with a pliable silicone lid keeps beverages hot and doesn’t burn your hand. Dishwasher-safe. Cup is microwave-safe. Read full description…

Multitouch Screen Kitchen Concept by Fiona McAndrew
& Conor Fallon

From Yanko Design: The Miele concept is the kitchen of the future, complete with a multi-touch surface. Get the latest recipes and nutritional information as well as instructions and tips on cooking. There’s a built-in scale and the cook top interfaces with your bluetooth enabled phone to set up grocery lists. There’s also an integrated blender and a steamer. Read full description…

Ice Invaders

From Fred & Friends: Did you spend a good portion of your childhood (and your allowance) blasting 2-dimensional aliens to smithereens? Now you can freeze those precious moments in time with Ice Invaders. 100% pure silicone, oven-safe, dishwasher-safe, ray gun-safe! Peggable clear boxes. Read full description…

The Handpresso Coffee Maker

From Handpresso: Discover the products designed to offer you an outstanding espresso wherever you go, whenever you want. Premium quality espresso – anywhere! With Handpresso, coffee breaks are shared and enjoyed together. Actually, Handpresso has invented a new coffee ceremony for you. So, now, your espressos can be prepared with friends, guests or within the family, indoors as well as outdoors. Read full description…

Darth Vader Toaster

From Star Wars Shop: If there’s something every Sith Lord knows how to do it’s make a balanced breakfast! While the Jedi have to live off of Jawa juice and fried nerfsteak, the Dark Lord of the Sith prefers to have a reminder of his fiery Mustafar defeat at his breakfast table. Every morning he burns that moment into a slice of bread with the Darth Vader Toaster. This black, ominous kitchen appliance easily leaves the mark of Vader’s helmet in every yummy piece of toast. Slather some Bantha butter on top, or make two pieces for an extra-Sithy BLT. Force power not required to operate toaster. Read full description…

R2D2 Pepper mill

From Think Geek: Not that you’ve noticed, but all fine restaurants on Tatooine feature R2-D2 pepper grinders. Usually after you order your salad of Dagobah greens a Wookie will come around and offer you some fresh ground pepper from one of these handy droid-based mills. Word to the wise, never refuse a Wookie. Fortunately for you we’ve managed to pilfer a few hundred R2-D2 pepper mills from eateries all over Tatooine for your spice grinding pleasure. Simply twist R2′s head and he deposits pepper onto your food. Hey, it’s not a glamorous job for a droid, but much better than being abducted by Jawas. Read full description…

Index Chopping Board

From Moma Store: These four color-coded polypropylene chopping boards are designed to avoid cross-contamination of various food types: red/raw meat, white/cooked foods, blue/fish, green/vegetables. The boards are stored in an ABS plastic horizontal filing unit with a non-slip rubber bottom. Boards are dishwasher safe. Read full description…

DAB Digital Radio

From Yanko Design: Taking inspiration from the works of Dieter Rams, designer Anton brings us this unique radio for the kitchen. The design takes into account wet-fingers, food smudges and greasy gloves. Going for a minimalist approach, the DAB Digital Radio features decent enough goodies to entice you. Stuff like rubberized weighted base, splash-resistant design, enclosed speakers and battery operation make it more durable given the environment it is intended for. Read full description…

Bubble Scrubber

From Fred & Friends: Why shouldn’t washing the dishes be just as much fun as charades or a torrid game of scrabble? Introducing Bubble Scrubber, the kitchen brush with an anatomically correct bubble wand hidden right inside the bristles. And, as everybody knows: bubble wand + dish soap + water = FUN! Hey, maybe you can even get the kids to do the dishes! Peggable blisters. Read full description…

Exciting Print and Build Retro and Modern Gadgets Papercrafts

Enrique — Tue, 10 Aug 2010 14:07:06 +0000

This selection gathers a group of beautiful vintage and modern gadgets that you can download, print and assemble. Many of these are quite easy to build, but few are quite a challenge. Just take a look to see what you can find. Always try to use the thickest cardboard your pinter can handle. Use an X-acto knife for details and scissors for curved lines.

You can find more papercraft models in Creative Closeup’s Papercraft section.

DIY Papercraft Apple iPhone 4

Apple iPad papercraft

Mac Mini Papercraft

Canon Papercraft Cameras and Lenses

Nintendo 3DS console papercraft

Sega Dreamcast Papercraft

Retro TV set papercraft

Retro Radio Papercraft

Commodore SX-64 papercraft

iPhone dock papercraft

Motorola DynaTAC Papercraft

Samsung Omnia Papercraft