Behold the Ear Hat. Of course, the bottom part of the ear might still get cold, so I propose adding an Ear Mustache…and maybe an Ear Monocle. By Tove Greitz and Minna Magnusson.
concept
A dude named Patrick has created a plasma ball-inspired watch which uses two tiny electrodes (indicating hours and minutes) rotating slowly around the perimeter of the watch. When you touch the center of the watch face, sparks would shoot between your fingertip and the two electrodes and through a bubble of Argon gas, creating what appear to be lightning bolt clock hands. If you would like to see this become and actual product, head over to the TokyoFlash design blog and cast your vote.
Check out some additional images after the break.
Designer Lulin Ding is taking makeup to a whole new level with a digital eyeshadow concept that uses a system of wires and an LED bulb to bathe the wearer’s eye in light.
“I was interested in the way women wear eyeshadow and how most of the time you can only see the details when their eyes are closed,†writes Ding on her website. “I sought to translate the attributes of eyeshadow into a digital medium. I made the initial decision to use the light to paint the eyelids when you blink and close your eye.â€
I don’t know if this will ever catch on in its current form since it seems a little uncomfortable to wear (and it might give you a blinding headache), but I will say this—when you wink at someone it will be a lot more powerful. Maybe her next project could involve getting our teeth to flash and make that “ting!” sound when we smile.
Check out the demo video after the break.
This full-size Lego Minifig space helmet concept from designer Jonathan Robson is intended to be a learning aid for children. As a child Robson was a Lego Club member and he attributes the comics that came in the monthly club magazine with helping him learn to read. The helmet is his way of giving back.
A life-size LEGO Space Helmet plays downloadable audio tracks for comics. The concept designed by Jonathan Robson is based on a LEGO helmet with a gold space visor. The helmet acts as a headset for listening to the audio for LEGO comics as well as a role-playing toy. Once subscribed to Audio Comic, you’ll receive the LEGO comic through the post with your activation code to download the audio onto a USB brick. Simply slot the brick into the back of the helmet, put it on and enjoy the exciting LEGO Audio comic experience! Two buttons on the side of the helmet allow to skip through pages in the audio tracks.
Again, the helmet is only a concept at this point, but it’s a cute idea. Even the instruction manual for a breadmaker would be thrilling when filtered through this helmet.
Hublot’s La Clé du Temps (The Key of Time) watch is still in the concept phase, but just look at it. Damn thing looks like it runs on nuclear power.
What’s more, the design of the watch calls for the gimmicky ability to speed up and slow down the time on a whim—which I can only assume means that it can actually manipulate time and space or that it is meant as a metaphor about how time seems to fly or crawl depending on the situation.
No word on pricing or a release date has been announced on the La Clé du Temps, but much like a supercar, you can bet that this watch is going to be as expensive as it is impractical.
(via ABTR)
Nien Lam and Sue Ngo, graduate students in NYU’s interactive telecommunications program, took inspiration from the good old Hypercolor t-shirt to create Warning Signs—a shirt that changes color when you are exposed to large amounts of carbon monoxide.
More specifically, the shirts are printed with a heart or a set of lungs with veins that turn a bright blue with exposure. Check out the demo video after the break.
From CubicleBot… Nick and Beau Trincia’s concept Openaire transforms from a laptop case into a modular desk and chair. The carrying case/work surface is placed on the lap, providing a comfortable, ergonomic foundation for the use of a laptop while also promoting correct posture.
Panels are located on either side of the case which can be folded down for additional workspace, and the chair is constructed of individual panels to contour any body shape. When used as a bag, “The computer is stored in a padded compartment within the case. The ergonomically contoured profile of the case provides additional storage space for hardware and accessories as well as fitting the users lap.” Check out some additional photos after the break.
The gorgeous Shift Hybrid Watch from Menghsun Design is a concept inspired by car components like disc brakes, gauges, seat belts, and gear shifts. It would also be built with automotive materials like aluminum and carbon fiber.
It’s a damn-fine looking watch—one that we only hope will become a reality.
(via Yanko)
The benefits of walking and playing certain sports (particularly running) with bare feet is well documented. The argument is that training barefoot gives you better control with your movements and it shifts the weight of impact to ball of the foot rather than the heel. This improves efficiency and reduces impact force—which could help to reduce injury. Of course, there is plenty of danger associated with running round barefoot on rough terrain.
There are shoes out there that mimic bare feet, like Vibram FiveFingers, but if you really want to get as close to the real thing as possible, these Footstickers might be the solution. Unfortunately, it’s only a concept at the moment, but we can definitely see a market for them.
