The Inspirations Collection.
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Welcome to designbivouac’s inspiration collection.
Exploring design and innovation.
Over 30 years of collaboration, designbivouac has uncovered lasting insights. Inspirations is a curated collection of inspirational objects and ideas shaping a continuous journey of creative exploration.
Search Inspiration Entries
Apple's Accordion Fold Interface
This Bivouac Interface Hall of Fame entry from Apple is an outstanding example of reducing perceived complexity and helping pull users through transactions that can otherwise seem overwhelming.
This Bivouac Interface Hall of Fame entry from Apple is an outstanding example of reducing perceived complexity and helping pull users through otherwise overwhelming transactions.
By collapsing most of the information entered in one section of the form into a strata, Apple keeps users grounded but reinforces a sense of progress throughout the checkout process. Along the way, a yellow prompting box appears next to the unfilled required fields, indicating what users must enter to continue. Stratification of information in clear zones serves as landscape "mile markers," allowing users to sense how far along they are in completing the tasks.
From Luke Wroblewski on A List Apart. Thanks to Arjun for passing this one along.
Learnings From In Extremis Negotiators
In today's challenging business climate, negotiations can often be stressful. As today's design and business challenges become more interconnected, the number of stakeholders and the complexity involved in leading toward the right solutions is increasing.
In today's challenging business climate, negotiations can often be stressful. As today's design and business challenges become more interconnected, the number of stakeholders and the complexity involved in leading toward the right solutions is increasing. And the time in which to do so is often short. That said, it is nothing like what U.S. military officers are facing daily in Afghanistan and other regions of conflict across the globe.
A recent Harvard Business Review article entitled "Extreme Negotiations" highlights some essential learnings from the field, outlining five significant learnings that can serve those operating in business contexts just as well as officers. U.S. military officers in Afghanistan often balance making progress and proper decisions while maintaining a stance of strength. Over the past six years or so, HBR has studied how they resolve conflict and influence others in extreme risk and uncertainty situations.
They discovered that the most skilled among them rely on five highly effective strategies...all of which, as it turns out, are grounded in solid design thinking.
1. Understand the big picture.
2. Uncover hidden agendas and collaborate with the other side.
3. Get genuine buy-in.
4. Build relationships based on trust rather than fear.
5. Pay attention to the process as well as desired outcomes.
These strategies, combined, are characteristic of effective extremis negotiators, to adapt a term from Colonel Thomas Kolditz, a professor at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point and the author of In Extremis Leadership.
Photo credit: The Washington Post
NCSU College of Design Commencement Address
Last spring, I had the honor of giving the commencement address at the 2010 College of Design at North Carolina State University. Recently, I revisited the College of Design, now as a member of the College of Design's Leader Council.
Last spring, I had the honor of giving the commencement address at the 2010 College of Design at North Carolina State University. Recently, I revisited the College of Design, now as a member of the College of Design's Leader Council. It was an absolute pleasure to be back walking the halls, meeting with Dean Malecha and other council members, and, most importantly, having an opportunity to view student work.
The student work included digital animations, graphic and textile design, compelling architectural work, and stories of students making a difference in rural settings through real-world projects improving the landscapes in which children learn and grow. All of this served as a potent reminder that design thinking is alive and well at the College of Design.
The commencement address I gave can be viewed in the context of the College of Design's Design Influence publication or below.
2010 College of Design Commencement Address
Danny Stillion, Master of Product Design with a concentration in Visual Design
Class of 1992
“Never waste a crisis.” You may well have heard leaders recently citing this phrase. It is my belief that this group, perhaps more than many others celebrating across campus today, has the power to lead the way through this time of crisis and to better days ahead. Since leaving this special place, I have had the privilege in my professional life of engaging in design thinking with a rich range of clients and colleagues. We have empowered others through collaborating across disciplines and have met some tough challenges together. I believe that by practicing design thinking and by empowering others to do so, that we can overcome the pervasive cynicism and obstructionist tendencies we deal with all to often in today’s society. More importantly, we can learn lessons from how we got here and apply them to reach meaningful solutions and move forward.
“The College of Design prepared me well for carrying out design thinking long before the term was coined. And, as is indicated in the work of many of you, it is clear that design thinking continues to be actively explored at the College of Design today. Valuing open collaboration, interdisciplinary points of view and a deep sense of empathy are powerful things I gained from my time here. Each continues to bolster my work on a daily basis and undoubtedly will also serve you well as you move forward from this place.”
Your accomplishments clearly indicate that you have the skills and passion to create. But it is my sincere hope that the path you shape for yourselves moving forward leads you to fertile places where creation is celebrated. I also hope that design thinking will help ensure that you are creating the kinds of meaningful systems, creative expressions, objects, experiences, and spaces that the world truly needs. To that end, I invite you to couple your creative energy with the spirit and approach of design thinking, so that you continually find yourselves in those fertile and meaningful places of creation.
Creations of Meaning
You may have noticed that I referred to you as “creators” rather than “creatives,” as is often the term used in fields such as advertising. For creativity exists in many domains…ranging from astronomy to zoology. Indeed, as we now perhaps are all too aware, within the fields of finance and politics, creativity also is alive and well. But as we have seen in recent times with things like mortgage-backed derivatives and divisive political strategies, being creative does not necessarily ensure that you will be creating something positive or meaningful. In order to bring more meaningful creations into the world, I encourage you to think about the opportunities before you through the powerful lens of design thinking. Design thinking encourages us to take a balanced view on problems and opportunity spaces by considering business viability, technical feasibility as well as human desirability.
The scope and scale of today’s challenges are such that channeling your creative endeavors through active design thinking may well be the best way to help shape our politics, our environment and the ways in which we live, stay connected, and inspire one another.Never before has the need for those who actually create positive things and systems been so great. In today’s world where the gulf between those who have unprecedented wealth and those who have nothing is ever widening, and the politics of fear make almost everything seem impossible in the eyes of the powerful, poor and pundits alike. You represent as a collection of designers and artists something the world sorely needs. You, in short, are creators.
You inspire others with your imagination and vision. And through practicing design thinking, you can help others with your creations. With the skills, perspectives and experiences gained here at the College of Design, you now have a valuable offering with which to go out into the world. It is one that couples both thinking and doing, allowing you to transform concepts into powerful, tangible creations.
The principles of design thinking are perhaps more clearly articulated today than they have even been. Many may be familiar to you. But I urge you to take them forward with you. I know I have benefitted from a wealth of connections, insights and experiences that have resulted from keeping the following five points in mind when I create with others.
1. Discover by listening
A colleague of mine, Diego Rodriguez, is keeping a list of innovation principles handy. The first of these is: “Experience the world instead of talking about experiencing the world.” In order to stay human-centered in our creative endeavors, we must spend time with those we are creating with and really hear their voices and needs. Notice I said with—not creating for—as it is often through true collaboration that the most appropriate and compelling innovations come to life.
2. Prototype and quickly make things
This is a powerfully liberating notion and one that may come easy to many in an academic context, but I urge you to hold on to this spirit of prototyping as you move onward in your creative endeavors. David Kelley, one of IDEO’s founders, speaks about the power of failing early to succeed sooner. If you keep this in mind, it will free you to try new things, to reinvent and liberate you from what Steve Jobs refers to as “the dogma of the past.” Seek to love what you do but embrace the value of prototyping and guard against things becoming too precious…especially early in the creative process. Embrace feedback and the ideas of others and your work will move to a new level of meaning. You will undoubtedly have setbacks in your projects and perhaps even in your careers, but my hope is that keeping this notion of prototyping with a purpose in mind will help guide you to the next level in your creative process. Regardless of what challenges arise, having a deep value for prototyping will ensure that you always maintain an attitude that allows you to learn from failure. This will serve you well throughout your careers.
“David Kelley, one of IDEO’s founders, speaks about the power of failing early to succeed sooner. If you keep this in mind, it will free you to try new things, to reinvent and liberate you from what Steve Jobs refers to as “the dogma of the past.” Seek to love what you do but embrace the value of prototyping and guard against things becoming too precious…”
3. Building in addition to ideation
Design thinking at IDEO certainly involves building in addition to ideation. You are now in a great position to leverage your technical skills to bring your ideas to fruition. Such a balanced approach of thinking and doing insures that the right things are built in the right way. As a complement to the value of early prototyping, we must also find the commitment as creators to see things through, thus bringing meaningful products, services or experiences into the world.
4. Craft stories, not just concepts
Storytelling is one of the most important tools we have to invite others to take part in the power of design thinking. Take time to tell stories. I used to value the notion that creative work could stand on its own. But to be inclusive and allow others to experience powerful creative journeys, it is often important to tell the stories that inspire your creative endeavors. By doing so, it may well help others grasp the power of empathy or the beauty of aesthetics in ways they never thought possible. If nothing else, it can help demystify the creative process for colleagues from other disciplines. The more we share our stories of creativity—what inspires us and how we maintain a human-centered design approach—the more our colleagues will come to respect what we do. And rather than working your way out of a job by empowering others to learn a bit more about how you do what you do, I think you will find more often than not, that they become better collaborators, bringing higher level challenges to you.
5. Nurturing a culture that is both inspired and inspirational
Somewhat tied to the first principle of discover by listening, this final point emphasizes the need to always be looking at the world around you for inspiration, and, when occasions present themselves, giving back by inspiring others. This means inspiring creators and non-creators alike. For in the world today, we cannot do all that is needed alone. We must inspire creating within others so that we can, through collaboration, reach higher goals together.
So, in closing, in addition to these thoughts regarding the value that design thinking might serve in your lives moving forward, I would like to just share a few additional thoughts. Find what you love to do. I am sure that your time here at the College of Design has served many of you well in that regard. Yet with many fields of creation being so diverse, embrace that spirit of prototyping to find your path. And stick to things long enough to bring meaningful things into the world along the way. Work hard at what you love. Seek out and surround yourself with good people—people open to collaboration and to the power of design thinking and doing.
Thank you, and best wishes.
The Warmth of Great Ideas
While perhaps not entirely ideal in that BioLite still draws on burning wood as a source of fuel, it is nonetheless a revolutionary stove that makes cooking on wood as clean, safe, and easy as modern fuels while generating electricity to provide illumination and cell phone connectivity to those that are off-grid.
While perhaps not entirely ideal in that BioLite still uses burning wood as a source of fuel, it is nonetheless a revolutionary stove that makes cooking on wood as clean, safe, and easy as using modern fuels while generating electricity to provide illumination and cell phone connectivity to those who are off-grid.
Like other carefully designed stoves using fans to blow air into the fire, BioLite dramatically improves combustion. However, other stoves require small amounts of electricity to power their fans. BioLite stoves solve this problem by converting a fraction of the fire’s thermal energy into electricity to power our combustion improvement system. Excess electricity is available to users to charge small electronic devices such as cell phones and LED lights. A bright idea indeed.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, Designbivouac may benefit/earn from qualifying purchases.
The New Face of BMW Motorrad
A recent study indicates that people love cars with angry faces. Automotive designers have long recognized this finding.
A recent study indicates that people love cars with angry faces. Automotive designers have long recognized this finding. Shaping the faces of vehicles to make a statement has been an essential aspect of the design process for many car companies over the years. With the release of the K1600GT and K1600GTL, BMW is migrating some of the most recognizable "facial" elements from its automobile division to its motorcycle group.
Here's hoping this new face of Motorrad propagates throughout BMW's motorcycle lineup. Not only is it distinctive and instantly associated with the power the brand has had on offer for decades, but it also brings welcomed innovation to the motorcycle industry in the form of the world's first adaptive headlamp for motorcycles. Critics might feel this new look is a bit too aggressive, but when you are moving down a dark and rainy Pacific coast highway, one is hard-pressed to think of a better way to ward off any potential threats lurking in the darkness.
BMW 6 Cylinder Now On Motorcycles
It's on the way...and ready for the touring motorcycle of the future.
It's on the way, and it's ready for the touring motorcycle of the future. I'm anxious to see what they wrap around what seems to be an impressive bit of engineering.
The BMW six-cylinder engine on the K1600GT is a remarkable piece of engineering, demonstrating BMW's commitment to delivering both luxury and performance in the world of touring motorcycles. Its exceptional power, seamless refinement, and advanced features make it a standout choice for riders seeking power, comfort, and long-distance touring capabilities in one impressive package.
The BMW six-cylinder motorcycle engine that powers the K1600GT is a masterpiece of engineering. It offers a unique blend of power, performance, and smoothness, earning it a special place among touring motorcycle enthusiasts. Introduced in 2011, this engine has set a new standard for inline-six motorcycle powerplants and has become a signature feature of BMW's K1600 series.
1. **Power and Performance**: The heart of the K1600GT is its 1,649cc inline-six engine. This powerhouse produces impressive power, delivering around 160 horsepower and a hefty amount of torque. This robust engine allows the K1600GT to accelerate with authority and provide a satisfying surge of power on demand, making it ideal for long-distance touring and overtaking on highways.
2. **Silky Smooth**: The inline-six configuration sets the BMW engine apart from the typical inline-four or V-twin layouts commonly found in motorcycles. This design offers exceptional smoothness and refinement, reducing vibrations to nearly imperceptible levels, even at higher speeds. This smoothness enhances rider comfort on long journeys and minimizes rider fatigue.
3. **Touring Excellence**: The K1600GT is a touring motorcycle designed to cover substantial distances in comfort and style. The six-cylinder engine perfectly complements this purpose, providing ample low-end torque for relaxed cruising while still offering a thrilling top-end rush for spirited riding.
4. **Advanced Technology**: BMW has equipped the K1600GT's engine with advanced technology, such as ride-by-wire throttle control, multiple riding modes, and an adaptive headlight system that adjusts the beam angle based on the bike's lean angle, improving night-time visibility.
5. **Soundtrack**: The engine's exhaust note is an auditory delight, producing a harmonious growl that complements the bike's performance capabilities. It adds to the overall sensory experience of riding the K1600GT.
6. **Maintenance and Reliability**: The BMW inline-six engine is known for its durability and reliability. Routine maintenance is straightforward, making it a practical choice for long-distance riders who want minimal downtime and maximum enjoyment.
AI-enhanced post
Defining the Designer of 2015
What skills and competencies will designers need to help bring about a positive impact in the world moving forward?
What skills and competencies will designers need to help bring about a positive impact in the world moving forward? Take a look at the Designer for 2015 project and the helpful list of competencies put together by the Visionary Design Council in conjunction with the AIGA.
Below is the quick list, but you can learn more here: AIGA Designer of 2015 Overview.
1. Ability to create and develop visual responses to communication problems, including an understanding of hierarchy, typography, aesthetics, composition, and construction of meaningful images
2. Ability to solve communication problems, including identifying the problem, researching, analyzing, solution generating, prototyping, user testing, and outcome evaluation
3. Broad understanding of issues related to the cognitive, social, cultural, technological, and economic contexts for design
4. Ability to respond to audience contexts, recognizing physical, cognitive, cultural, and social human factors that shape design decisions
5. Understanding of and ability to utilize tools and technology
6. Ability to be flexible, nimble, and dynamic in practice
7. Management and communication skills necessary to function productively in large interdisciplinary teams and “flat” organizational structures
8. Understanding of how systems behave and aspects that contribute to sustainable products, strategies, and practices
9. Ability to construct verbal arguments for solutions that address diverse users/audiences, lifespan issues; and business/organizational operations
10. Ability to work in a global environment with an understanding of cultural preservation
11. Ability to collaborate productively in large interdisciplinary teams
12. Understanding of ethics in practice
13. Understanding of nested items, including cause and effect; ability to develop project evaluation criteria that account for audience and context
Chris Downey: A New Perspective on Design
Christopher Downey, RA, is an architect, planner, and consultant in San Francisco, California. In 2008, he lost his sight after surgery to remove a brain tumor. Today, he is dedicated to creating more helpful and enriching environments for the blind and visually impaired.
Christopher Downey, RA, is an architect, planner, and consultant in San Francisco, California. In 2008, he lost his sight after surgery to remove a brain tumor. Today, he is dedicated to creating more helpful and enriching environments for the blind and visually impaired. Chris earned a bachelor of environmental design in architecture from North Carolina State University and a master of architecture from the University of California, Berkeley. He works at a rehabilitation center for blind veterans in Palo Alto, California.
Check out his interview with the Wall Street Journal or learn more about Chris's work via his website: http://www.arch4blind.com/
The Magic of Iteration
A few months back, I received an Apple Magic Mouse as a birthday gift. Since then, it has served as a powerful reminder of the power of offering a thoughtfully designed ecosystem to users and of the need to pay attention to even the smallest parts of that environment.
I received an Apple Magic Mouse as a birthday gift. Since then, it has proven the power of offering users a thoughtfully designed ecosystem and the need to pay attention to even the smallest parts of that ecosystem.
Companies offering extensive ecosystems are empowered to shape hardware and software touchpoints in powerfully integrated ways. Volumes have been written about how Apple has thoughtfully enhanced its user experience for years. But something else inspiring here has to do with focus and iteration.
Sometimes, the folks in Cupertino manage to release things that are not accompanied by a special press event, which nonetheless has a deep impact on our day-to-day user experiences. The "magic" of the Magic Mouse is one of those thoughtful additions that slipped into the ecosystem. While I don't use all the features offered by the Magic Mouse, I continue to find that just having the ability to scroll through deep web pages with the flick of the index finger is magic enough.
This kind of seamless hardware and software integration builds loyalty. Powerfully "sticky" parts of the user experience sometimes come in small packages. Many result from numerous iterations and refinements in the marketplace. In a world where new-to-market offerings are so highly valued, it serves us well to click "pause", to double-click if you will, to pause, and recognize when outstanding incremental innovations do come along.
Here's to paying attention to the little things. Indeed, there is magic in the details at Apple.
BMW R1200 RT: A New Perspective
Sometimes, the essence of an object is best revealed from angles seldom seen. Take the redesigned 2010 R1200RT, for example.
Sometimes, the essence of an object is best revealed from angles seldom seen. Take the redesigned 2010 R1200RT, for example. Seen from the side, the bike appears familiar—a refined design iteration of the venerable long-distance tourer. However, the true genius and dynamics of the design are best revealed from an eagle's-eye view.
From above, affordances for generous wind protection and ways to obtain mile comfort stand out. This type of "form follows function" creativity is undoubtedly stirred up during long hours spent shaping the design in a wind tunnel. Regardless of how it came into being, the bivouac is once again blown away by the refinements in Motorrad land. Perhaps you, too, are thinking about your designs from all angles.
Painting a Richer Brand Image
Focus on function is a critical factor in bringing compelling products to market. But when products deliver on both functional and emotional levels, doors open to more powerful experiences.
Focus on function is a critical factor in bringing compelling products to market. But when products deliver on both functional and emotional levels, doors open to more powerful experiences. Take the "Expression of Joy" theme for the launch of the 2009 BMW Z4. The company is tapping into its rich history of merging art and vehicle design. Moving beyond the “Art Cars” of the past, clever engineering allows drivers to use a Z4 to paint broad strokes as they drive on a warehouse-sized canvas, all while demonstrating the vehicle’s performance. With the new Z4 iPhone app, users can virtually paint their rich picture of the offering.
The "Expression of Joy" theme and event associated with the 2009 Z4 launch elegantly complement the Freude am Fahren or Sheer Driving Pleasure themes related to BMW. This provides the company with a broader canvas upon which to cast the value of its offering, avoiding tiresome comparisons of performance statistics alone. There are no mundane comparisons of 0-60 mph times here. Cornering capabilities are artfully conveyed in a colorful new way, to be sure.
The BMW Z4 and Audi A4 iPhone applications that accompanied each vehicle's launch differ dramatically due to the creativity of the Z4 “Expression of Joy” launch theme. Both allow users to visualize the vehicles. However, the Audi app explores the "performance angle" in a somewhat predictable way, allowing users to tilt the iPhone to navigate a virtual A4 through a slalom course. Ironically, the task is a bit difficult to master and not necessarily an impression one wants to leave aspiring A4 drivers with.
By contrast, the BMW Z4 iPhone app allows users to instantly experience the joy of being at the controls of a "300 horsepower paintbrush". The joy and free-form nature seen through the warehouse artist driving event translates well through the small device screen. Unencumbered by driving the virtual Z4 on a blank canvas is delightful. The Z4 app represents an excellent instance of design thinking and a unique way to experience and promote a product. The app content and the iPhone’s technical capabilities maximize the emotional impact of the interaction. Rather than forcing users to master the application, it empowers and frees them to be creative. Users can even download their creations. Now, that's an impression worth leaving.
Rather than BMW’s “expression of Joy” launch theme, Audi's tagline for the A4 launch was "The category changing A4. Progress is beautiful." The A4 is a beautiful vehicle. But when you see a company like BMW balancing artful expression and design so well, not to mention creating a football field-sized canvas for expression, BMW categorically changes how they dialog with potential customers. Progress is beautiful indeed.
Erosion of Luxury
The skyscraper "Erosion" designed by Herzog & de Meuron would undoubtedly make a striking addition to the New York skyline.
The skyscraper "Erosion" designed by Herzog & de Meuron would be a striking addition to the New York skyline. The Swiss architects have designed a building that supports individualized floor layouts for occupants, offering more external space for some depending upon tastes and desires. As pointed out in a recent post on Eikongraphia, one of the more notable features is a floor-to-ceiling height of four meters. Many urban dwellers would welcome the modernist aesthetic, panoramic cityscapes, and open plans. But in these tough economic times, could such a design see the light of day, or will the force of current economic winds wear away this vision?
For more discussion of this proposed design, head over to Eikongraphia.
An Open Letter to GM Execs
Dear GM Execs,
Might I suggest, rather than taking a corporate jet to the next congressional hearing in Washington, that you tuck a well-thought-out plan for how to take advantage of this unique time of opportunity within the automobile industry into the glove box of one of the following vehicles and caravan to Washington D.C.
Dear GM Execs,
Might I suggest, rather than taking a corporate jet to the next congressional hearing in Washington, that you tuck a well-thought-out plan for how to take advantage of this unique time of opportunity within the automobile industry into the glove box of Chevy Volt and drive to Washington D.C. This is a golden moment to show some pride in the craft that takes place within some divisions in your company.
It's also a chance to sever your far too long-standing dependency on truck platforms and inefficient V8 technologies. Hold on to your best and brightest, and if they are not already working on suitable projects, get them going on those programs. Indeed, producing and launching a new fleet of vehicles like the Volt promises new jobs for many with new skills.
Such an arrival in Washington will send a message: "We are working towards innovation." This approach can only help your funding request. Once you've made your case, why not take a commercial airline flight back to Detroit, preferably by coach, and get back to work? Leave the Volt behind in D.C. and allow those in Congress to drive it to experience what your company is working on. What better way to stand behind your plan for moving forward than to stand behind your R&D efforts? Not all initiatives will be perfect yet, and that is okay. Undoubtedly, most in Congress would be relieved to see any sincere efforts toward innovation taking place at this point.
If the Volt is not ready for prototyping the experience in the real world, then that's a shame. It's like going to Washington without vision and asking for funding anyway.
Best of luck
A Touch of Class
For a unique, one-night-only event, BMW will host a "Night of the White Gloves" at its museum that will allow visitors to touch the exhibits on display.
For a unique, one-night-only event, BMW hosted a "Night of the White Gloves" at its museum, allowing visitors to touch the exhibits. The event was held in collaboration with the Bavarian Association of the Blind. Those attending were permitted to touch the 120 exhibits while wearing white gloves provided by their hosts. Visitors also felt the insides of the cabins, engines, and luggage compartments—a touch of class, to be sure.
Jürgen Steinle of BMW Design expanded on the hallmarks of the brand's design heritage, while Ralf Vierlein, head of the Historic Vehicle Collection at BMW Classic, spoke about what makes a BMW a classic. BMW also displayed the GINA Concept Car for the first time at the event. "The Night of the White Gloves" will occur on November 21st at the BMW Museum in Munich.
Echochrome: A New Perspective On Gaming
Although somewhat puzzling initially, Echochrome offers Escher-like environments that players navigate by "filling" broken pathways as they change their perspective on the scene.
Although somewhat puzzling initially, Echochrome offers Escher-like environments that players navigate by "filling" broken pathways as they change their perspective on the scene. This title provides a refreshing angle on brain-enhancing gaming.
BMW GINA Visionary Concept Vehicle
GINA (which stands for Geometry and Function in Infinite Adaptation) may be a bit of an acronym stretch, but then again, stretching is appropriate for a concept vehicle with a flexible skin.
GINA (which stands for Geometry and Function in Infinite Adaptation) may be a bit of an acronym stretch, but then again, stretching is appropriate for a concept vehicle with a flexible skin. Take a closer look at how the GINA Visionary Concept Vehicle is set to reshape automobile design thinking.
Getting Smarter
With the Smart Fortwo becoming available in the United States, perhaps more sustainable attitudes towards transport will shift into higher gear.
With the Smart Fortwo becoming available in the United States, perhaps more sustainable attitudes toward transport will shift into higher gear. Who knows, maybe we will see a new generation of innovative modes of moving designs like BMW's C1 coming into the marketplace. It won't be easy to overcome significant challenges, as evidenced by the comparison image of the Smart Fortwo vs. Hummer H2 size. However, with new advances in active and passive safety coming to the market each year, perhaps we can find smarter alternative modes of movement before gasoline hits the $5.00 mark.
Sony Launches Xperia
Sony's Xperia X1 appears poised to compete strongly with the hipster while incorporating a large touch screen like the Apple iPhone.
Sony's Xperia X1 appears poised to compete strongly with the hipster while incorporating a large touch screen like the Apple iPhone. For those who are all thumbs, the X1's Arc slider design and QWERTY keypad may be just what they have been waiting for.
Seiko and Final Fantasy
Seiko has produced a limited edition of watches similar in appearance to the one Dr. Aki Ross wore in the film "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within."
Seiko has produced a limited edition of watches similar in appearance to the one Dr. Aki Ross wore in the film "Final Fantasy: The Spirits Within." While it does not appear to have a holographic interface or the ability to detect and analyze spirits within, kudos to Seiko for pushing the edge on this and getting something unique in the market.
A less exclusive version of the watch based on the film is also available.
Back to the Future
Not sure just what is going on over at Cadillac headquarters these days, but let's hope they keep it up!
It is uncertain what is happening at Cadillac headquarters, but let's hope they keep it up! Ed Welburn and his design team continue to successfully explore the edged aesthetic reminiscent of some of Syd Mead's vehicle designs, which inspired many to think about what the future of vehicle design might hold. The CTS Coupe concept is another successful design exercise in that regard. Thanks to the folks at Cadillac for bringing back that feeling of future thinking once again. Now, if only we could start seeing more vehicles like this on the road, ideally with a hybrid power plant.
