iPad, looking past the hype...

I've always been a big fan of Apple products because they have a strong foundation in industrial design, the iPad is no exception. As with all first generation products I suggest waiting until at least rev 2.0 before buying but so far the reviews have been positive from an industrial design perspective but come on you can only run one app at a time? The only time I'm running one app is when I just powered up and have yet to launch the 2nd app. Seems silly to me.

Gizmodo has a great review of the iPad, see for yourself: http://gizmodo.com/5508895/understanding-the-ipads-industrial-design

Art vs. Design: call for submissions

An international Open Call for Unique Talent Details: http://www.artistswanted.org Images are power. In this dynamic era compelling design can move millions and transcendent art can inspire a generation. From cave paintings of early man to today's industrial designers, art & design has uniquely shaped the world around us, each in its own distinct way. This contest is designed to answer the age old question: What shapes our world more, art or design?

Join thousands of creative people in this visual dialogue.

Mark Mothersbaugh, acclaimed artist and lead singer of art-rock band DEVO leads a panel of judges including Jarrett Gregory (curator at NYC's New Museum) and Donwan Harrell (founder and creative director of Akademiks clothing) in selecting the top artist or designer to be featured at a gala reception at the New Museum in June. The public also plays judge - determing the most powerful medium of the moment - in an online face-off that pits art submissions against design submissions.

Opportunities will be created for everyone who participates and we are awarding over $11,000 in prizes. Grand Prize & Student winner will be awarded with: A gala reception the New Museum in New York City. $2009 cash grant International Publicity, including a feature in Filter Magazine and work shown through Gawker Artists exposing the winners art or design to hundreds of thousands of visitors across 190+ website galleries. $500 in gear from Akademiks Plus the Red Bull Prize: Offering a choice of: A vintage Vespa OR a trip to London to visit the Tate Museum and the Design Museum OR a fully loaded Mac Book Pro.

Every participant gets: An online portfolio and international exposure. A $70 "Thank You" package with gear and discounts to help further your work.

Registration is open now and continues through Midnight May 31st. Details: http://www.artistswanted.org/

Art VS Design was put together by a handful of Brooklyn based artists and designers who have experienced first-hand the difficulties of achieving national attention. We believe both Art & Design hold a powerful place in our society and it is our intention to break-out new talent through a process that is dynamic and open-ended.

ARCADE 26.4 Now and Next: Furniture and Product Horizons

Join us as we celebrate the release of ARCADE 26.4 Now and Next: Furniture and Product Horizons 26.4 Now and Next: Furniture and Product Horizons at Inform Interiors on Thursday, June 5, from 5:30 – 7:30. The feature, edited by Kelly Walker with Bill Fritts, explores the various roles industrial design plays, and will continue to play, in our evolving world.

Please come and enjoy some good furniture, good company and one darn good magazine!

All designphiles welcome—feel free to invite others!

Inform Interiors: 1220 Western Ave Seattle, WA 98101

IDSA Jr. Banquet

Come celebrate the achievements of students representing their NW Industrial Design programs. Family, friends and design professionals are all invited to see works from University of Washington and Western Washington University students. One outstanding junior from each program was selected by an IDSA jury to present their body of work. We also welcome a local industrial design professional, Tom White who will be our guest speaker.

Click here to learn more about the IDSA.

Focus Green 2008: Call for Entries

This government award is given to manufacturers and designers for forward-looking, professional and excellent design work. The “Focus in Gold” and “Focus in Silver” design awards are highly sought after as guarantees of the highest design quality. With the "Focus” topic changing each year, the competition presents a special challenge for entrants. The competition shows who has the best-designed solutions for current trends and for the topics that are of particular interest for experts and the general public. This renowned competition can look back on a long tradition and enjoys an excellent reputation both in Germany and abroad.

Focus Green – the topic
Today, sustainable development, climate protection and the conservation of our natural resources are being discussed more and more in public debate, and are playing a crucial role in political and economic decisions. In addition, environmentally friendly ways of life are finding more and more advocates, and national and international markets are reacting to meet this demand. Moreover, as raw materials become scarcer and more expensive worldwide, energy and resource-saving measures are pivotal to companies’ economic success. This is why there is a need for design and development that illustrate and implement creative solutions and innovations for more environmentally friendly products.

For more information:
www.design-center.de

Deadline: March, 20, 2008

ReMade @ Western Washington University

Keagan McCurdy just clued us in on ReMade, a sustainable entrepreneurial project by junior-year Industrial Design students at Western Washington University. ReMade's objective is to transform industrial refuse into product designs that are marketed and sold through a retail venue.

This year, 12 students individually thought up an innovative and sustainable product and produced 20 of each for sale. The collection includes light switch covers made from old street signs by Jesse Hanson (top left), sushi rollers made from bicycle spokes by Keagan McCurdy (top right), X-acto blade handles made from old toothbrushes by Jason Harrow (bottom left), and fully biodegradable plant pots by Erica Brissenden (bottom right).

This year, Goods for the Planet and the Seattle Art Museum will host these products beginning November 2nd through December 25th, 2007.

Meet the designers @ Goods for the Planet
November 10, 2007 from 5 - 7 PM
525 Dexter Avenue North
Seattle, Washington