2Modern Design Talk - Modern Furniture & Design Blog

Bathtub IV

I've just spent 4 days in NYC to get a little relaxation and inspiration time... and it worked! I was introduced to the AMAZING  and SUPER inspirational work of Keith Loutit.

Keith is a Sydney based photographer that creates short films using stop-motion and time-lapse footage. The coolest part about the imagery is that he uses a tilt-shift lens that makes everything seem like its a miniature model...but it's not! These images are of life size thing at real places with real people. Such an amazing idea and executed so well.. I can't stop watching his videos!

Bathtub IV from Keith Loutit on Vimeo.

Make sure to check out the HD version of this here.

Learn more about Keith and see his other videos here.
Also, thanks to JVH from WhichDateWorks on showing me this and for facilitating my NYC inspiration search!

--sdotg--

The Long Haul

New promotional video from the awesome Sylvain Dumais. I've watched it a few times and there is A LOT going on in this stop-motion clip but its made so seamlessly that you don't realize it. Great job by all on this!

The Long Haul
Print and motion commit to a long life together in a movie made from 4000 great pictures and...

3 x pimped out stills cameras
2000 square feet of studio
11 x Obama lovers
2 x Producers with whips
450 kg of props
360 degrees of dolly track
15 hours of makeup
1 x clip on rat tail
2 x actors standing still for 22 hrs
1 x grown woman wearing a child sized dragon outfit
1 x 72 hr work work day
1 x "Bapapa" song

While on set a great idea was formed. Dumais Studio and Full Serve Productions were to come together to work on a creative.

Sylvain had the great idea of trying to show the elements of a production come together in a stop motion piece. But we needed a story. Several meetings and hundred of emails later, The Long Haul was hatched.

The concept was to show the stages of an evolving relationship and the passing of trends, focusing on sending a message that,in the end, a good relationship lasts. The pivotal point was to communicate our interest in developing long standing relationships with our clients and that weʼre not just a flash in the pan.

via

--sdotg--

Does your baby need to be sedated?

Then you gotta check out Rockabye Baby ! A cool little shop that takes the likes of the Ramones, ACDC, Bob Marley, Beatles, Metalica, Coldplay and more and turns them into lullaby's. Although we all like the old school lullaby's,  hearring the the music of Joey Ramone in a soothing cradle song pulls at my heart strings.

Staffed by music lovers from all corners of the world. Headquartered in the Los Angeles neighborhood of Silver Lake, the label was born of the need to make children's music cool--not only for babies but for their parents too. Turning to their record collections for inspiration: punk, metal, classic rock, the resulting albums are revolutionary yet reverential. In other words, the perfect gift for a newborn, new parents, or yourself.
 

 

 

stereo cabinet-shaped music box.

While searching for something fascinating to share, I discovered this music box. I was captivated by the attention to detail the craftsman paid to this little stereo cabinet music box -- which plays "On the Street Where You Live" from My Fair Lady. It has book shelves, complete with book facades! And, just as you think it couldn't possibly get any cooler, the top of the cabinet opens to reveal a set of mini records. So sweet!

Grammy Worthy Typography

This years Grammy's campaign is "Celebrate the Music That Made Us." The artwork supporting this years show features images of nominated artists madeup of song titles that have influenced them over the years. These posters are well designed and interesting to read through to see what our favorite artist's influences are.

Check out the more of the artwork here.

--sdotg--

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

I wanted to wish everyone a Happy New Year!

2009 will certainly go down as a very memorable one, to say the least. I think there will be a lot of reflection on what exactly transpired over this past year. There is no need to rehash it all, the Media does a great job at keeping us up to date with every detail possible.

I guess the one thing that I can decipher from all of this is this...if you are in a position of power, and your decisions impact several people, then make sure that you are acting with other people's best interest in mind. Make sure that your integrity is in check and that you are as concerned with other people's well-being as your own.

CEO's, Politicians, Hedge Fund Managers (Ponzi Scheme Operators), Teachers, Parents, etc...we all inherently know right from wrong. We all know when we are looking to 'just get ours', regardless of the end result of our actions on others.

I am sure I am preaching to the choir...as most of the people that are the root cause of some of these current global concerns will likely never read this, let alone have it sink in. Maybe if we start giving more attention to the people that are doing good things for people, doing the right or selfless thing when no one is even watching, then things will start to change in a positive direction. I hope that good behavior is rewarded and bad behavior isn't in 2009. That is my wish.

I sincerely hope that all of you out there have a very Happy, Healthy (and Conscious) New Year!

Greg

From Vinyl to iPod

While the ion-audio LP dock might not be the coolest looking piece of technology in your home it certainly does an extremely smart thing. Plug your iPod into the docking station and the USB turntable allows you to upload any old vinyl records you might have in your collection to the iPod, or iTunes on your computer.
Now you can happily play your old LPs or scour the second-hand record shops for copies of that obscure 70s album you always wanted.
The LP dock features Gracenote® MusicID technology, automatically retrieving album, artist and song information. It's almost as simple as downloading an mp3. and retails for $249.00 or less.

zeichenpress.

Nothing says "Wake up, you lazy bean" like a good, good mixed CD. Preferably packaged in this good, good mixed CD sleeve.

Preferably containing some good, good Bon Iver, but that's an entirely different post.
[Originally posted on Design for Mankind].

NORMANN Copenhagen

Souk al Bahar (the new souk open at The Palace Hotel in Downtown Burj, Dubai, where we live) has opened some great little places since it's grand opening a few months ago - shopping, cafes, restaurants, furniture...and as in most of the souks in the city, some great one-of-a-kind boutiques. We are lucky enough to have 50 degrees (check out Kitsch22 for more on their brands, links, etc.) - a kitschy, groovy hipster boutique selling things for your home, music, journals and all things cool - lighting (think Tord Boontje), music (think Ennio Morricone remixes) and all things NORMANN Copenhagen.
Founded in 1999, this is what their catalog has to say about them:
"...honored with numerous international design awards, the brand continues to challenge convention, and reinvent the everyday to make even the ordinary extraordinary through great design."
From silicone vases and pen/toothbrush holders to brushed steel and rubber money clips and card holders, NORMANN Copenhagen I am certain can provide you something to use, showcase or just admire...
Some of my faves are below, as well as a list of upcoming fairs you are invited to, to see a presentation of their collection:

ICFF
New York - 17th to the 20th of May 2008 - stand # 904
www.icff.com

Pulse
London - 1st to the 3th of June 2008 - stand # M1
www.pulse-london.com

Decorate Life
Frankfurt- 4th to the 8th of July 2008 - stand Nordic Design, hal 4.1

Smart Little Music Player

Believe or not, but this little gadget is a Digital Music Player.  Designed by Yong-Seong Kim, it is a portable music player that will spin CDs and support USB flash drives to play MP3s.  What this tells us is that things can be as basic as this little palm sized remote, a nice evolutionary design from the boxy electronics of the 90s.   If it doesn't already, my prediction is that next generation of this product will play Blueray DVDs, burn CDs and/or be a full MP3 player.

via SmashingMagazine