martyn_evans: 20 predictions for the next 25 years: gu.com/p/2m52g/tw (via @guardian)

martyn_evans: 20 predictions for the next 25 years: gu.com/p/2m52g/tw (via @guardian): "martyn_evans: 20 predictions for the next 25 years: gu.com/p/2m52g/tw (via @guardian)"

Instrument designed for kids with special needs

Instrument designed for kids with special needs: "

The benefits of music as a therapeutic tool are widely acknowledged, but actually creating music has traditionally required more dexterity and skill than many handicapped people have at their command. Not so the Skoog, a brand-new musical instrument that can be played by anyone.

Designed specifically to empower those unable to play traditional instruments, the Skoog is a soft, squeezable object that plugs into a computer's USB port. Once that's done, users can simply touch, press, squash, twist or tap the Skoog to play a wide range of instruments intuitively. With five colour-coded, touch-sensitive sides, the Skoog offers access to the full dynamic characteristics of a real flute or xylophone, for example, without requiring mastery on the part of the player. Any part of the body can be used to play the Skoog in a variety of ways, such as squeezing it for flute sounds or tapping it to strike a xylophone. And because the Skoog uses physical modelling synthesis — not just sampling, midi or wavetable synthesis — it responds directly to the player's movements, so that variations in touch directly affect the sound produced. Twelve brass, woodwind, percussion and string instruments can be played using the Skoog, which can also be customized through sensitivity and skill settings. Pricing is GBP 625 for a Skoog Personal Edition, or GBP 500 in educational settings.

Currently sold by Scottish Skoogmusic — a spinoff from the University of Edinburgh, where it was developed — the Skoog is already in use in schools across the UK and beyond.

Website: www.skoogmusic.com

Contact: info@skoogmusic.com

Spotted by: Jane Strachan

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DIY bricks pressed from ordinary mud

DIY bricks pressed from ordinary mud: "

It's hard to beat an innovation that turns cow dung into something useful — namely, bricks for use in construction — but a new French effort presents a strong contender. Specifically, Toulouse startup Meco'concept has created a building system that can be used to create construction-worthy bricks out of ordinary mud.

Available both for rent and for sale, Meco'concept's hydraulic press can be used by anyone to create up to 120 Lego-shaped bricks per hour. Ordinary mud from the construction site is first mixed with an optional aggregate binder such as cement or lime — the company also offers a mixer for that purpose. In three steps requiring just 30 seconds, the Meco'press can then create a durable, anti-seismic, ecologically friendly brick suitable for construction of buildings as tall as two storeys.

Though originally designed with NGOs in mind, the functionall Meco'press can be used to make bricks virtually anywhere in the world. Eco-minded builders around the globe: one to try out, or otherwise get involved in? (Related: Eco-drywall made of recycled materials — Eco houses snap together using Lego-style blocks.)

Website: www.mecoconcept.com

Contact: contact@mecoconcept.com

Spotted by Vinh Ly

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Spiral Foundatin's Wastepaper Baskets made from waste

Spiral Foundatin's Wastepaper Baskets made from waste: "

Go to any developing country--and heck, most of the developed ones--and at some point you see discarded plastic bags flying around as free-floating garbage. That's why I love these so much: These Wastepaper Baskets are made from cast-off plastic wrappers (and presumably plastic bags) by artisans in Nepal.

The $36 bags are manufactured under the SPIRAL Foundation Workshop, a nonprofit that renders asisstance to developing countries, and proceeds help keep a health clinic in Nepal up and running.

(more...)

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I give this package design a Bee Plus

I give this package design a Bee Plus: "

Looks like a rendering, but gosh I hope this is real: Polish design firm Ah&Oh's package design for Babees Pure Organic Honey is both cute and eye-catching. And its mission, like honey, is wholesome: 'Through this project,' the firm explains, 'we tried to encourage kids to reach for honey instead of refined sugar.'

via the dieline

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"Sustainable Refrainables" Poster Design Competition: Vote for the Winners!

"Sustainable Refrainables" Poster Design Competition: Vote for the Winners!: "

We just wrapped up the 'Sustainable Refrainables' Poster Design Competition and we're asking for your help to choose 5 winners who will each receive a copy of Adobe's CS5 Master Collection. The most popular entry and the Jury choice will each receive an additional $500 cash. The winning posters will be exhibited at Compostmodern later this month and displayed in bus shelters during San Francisco's Design Week, June 13-19, 2011.

Remember, you need to be logged-in to vote!

Pictured above: There is no plan(et) B by studio23, and Start Acting by smilemm. Pictured below: Good design is good will by Belonax, Think We, not me by LEAP, Less is More by monopod. reuse this poster by Iam_arty, Waste has Worth by jhp1696, and Buy. Bye. by Fabio Furlanis, Ivo Arzenton, and Francesca Lorenzon.

View all entries

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overtreders w: the roof that goes up in smoke

overtreders w: the roof that goes up in smoke: "
consisting of two large picnic tables, the mobile outdoor pavilion features an inflatable canopy structure which is filled with the hot air created from a wood stove.
read more"