Insight Out

Trend: Collaborative tv shows and movies

2007-03-06T06:00:00.000-05:00

Collaborations already happen in business, in music, and I think it's soon to be a part of TV shows and movies. I'm not talking about guest appearances on shows, but rather integrating part of the plot into different shows or movies.

I guess MTV has done this a bit with certain segments taking place on both Road Rules and The Real World, and you get a slightly different point of view depending on which show you are watching. I wouldn't be surprised if it has started happening elsewhere and I'm just not aware, but I don't watch a ton of movies or TV.

People have become so addicted to shows like 24, or Lost, I think it's possible to capture the audience even more if they knew they could uncover a bit more of the story, or someone else's point of view if they watched the following/previous show.

5 Things You Don't Know About Me

2006-12-25T16:20:00.000-05:00

Jack Cheng was kind enough to tag me with the '5 Things You Don't Know About Me' project, so here we go:

1. I stayed back in kindergarten, luckily I did great the second time around.

2. When I was about 10 I built a bmx track in my parents' backyard. In order to get the sand to create the jumps, I brushed sand out of the streets and filled up wheel barrel after wheel barrel. The sand in the street was left-over from the winter and the sanding trucks that would go out during a snow storm.

3. I haven't been professionally diagnosed, but I'm pretty sure I've got Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. Here are a few examples:

When I was young I used to clean my bikes obsessively. I even used a toothbrush to clean the chain because I thought the oil looked messy.

I generally don't feel 'right' if my sneakers don't match my shirts.

I've always liked design and sketching ideas. When I was young I would throw out the paper if I didn't like how the first line looked. A few years ago I spent about 24 hours straight making tweaks to the Gatorade type that only I could distinguish between. I now realize that wasn't a 'smart use of time'.

4. The first time I had any alcohol was towards the end of my Junior year in high school. I've been trying to catch up for lost time ever since.

5. One time I emptied my bank account and gave all the money to my parents so they could take a much needed vacation. The bad news is that I was about 12 and only had $250.

Now, I will tag:

Piers at psfk
Jeff at psfk
Concha Libre
Seth Godin
Design Sponge

New York Times: A Terrible Thing to Waste

2006-12-12T07:02:00.000-05:00

Below is a picture of the New York Times from the past weekend. The image in the middle represents a quick project I worked on with Johnny at Anomaly.

Here's Johnny's explanation of the idea:

We were featured in Sunday's New York Times for a mock PSA we did around the environment. There's even a quote from me.

The article unfortunately didn't do a fantastic job of explaining the concept - but the simple version of it was this.

If the government wanted to bring about change in people's behavior with regards saving fuel what would we do in the form of a PSA.

Our answer was essentially to state that a PSA (public service announcement) was too passive in this day and age of fragmented media and what was needed was Public Service Action.

We would therefore seek to lower the speed limit by 1 mph, to 54 mph. Yep - the actual speed limit. Not an ad - an actual change in legislation.

Why 1 mph?

It demands attention because while '1' is such a seemingly small change it is at the same time unmissable because of what it relates to - the speed limit. Something so familar and pervasive, something so unavoidable and important to every road user, that when changed it will demand questioning and trigger a wider debate on the environment in general.

And it does something else - in some small way it actually helps. Driving slower, at between 50 and 55 is better for fuel consumption then going beyond 55 and if 1mph can remind us of that, then that's a good thing.

Ultimately positive environmental change is more likely to be achieved if a lot of people start by doing some small, simple things and become more aware that even their smallest actions have consequences. 1mph is great place to start and will undoubtedly have more impact than any new catch-phrase or slogan.

Well - that's what we think :)

Here's a link to Johnny's great Flickr Photostream.

Great, Innovative Stuff for Nike Golf

2006-11-12T09:56:00.000-05:00

Nike worked with a company called Altitude to re-think golf tees, to better work with their new clubs. Altitude came up with 33 interesting concepts, below are a few, and their descriptions.

GENIE
This design's upper torso is comprised of a recycled cellulose powder that disintegrates upon impact. The bottom half of the tee is made with a compressed time-release fertilizer that remains in the ground to nourish the course.

SPLINE
This design cradles the ball and moves it away from the stem, reducing club interference. A hole through the top reduces ball friction. Scored lines denote heights for different clubs or golfer preference.

MOJO
The bright orange "power core" of this design suggests performance and increases visibility. The unique hourglass shape produces an oversized hole for friction management and easy removal from the course.

MOJO INTERIOR
Since this design is intended for "magic seekers," we suggested that the liquid center be brewed from Tiger Woods' sweat, turf from Old Scotland, sand from Pebble Beach, and tears from the Nike Goddess.

CARD
This flat design enable easy storage, provides an area for advertising, and allows for play on all course environments. Fit the holes over the bumps, as you would the strap of a baseball cap, to adjust the height.

Nice Flickr App

2006-11-12T09:19:00.000-05:00

Here's a nice app that pulls from Flickr. Seems like a pretty efficient way gather reference or just search images.

This shows an initial search. There are also related tags around the perimeter that you can click to update your search.

This is what happens when you click a specific image. You can also go to the Flickr page from here.

Via brand new.

Carnival of Modern Man: Some Final Questions

2006-11-07T06:17:00.000-05:00

We've been asked by the guys at psfk to answer some final questions for the Carnival of Modern Man project. So here we go,

Q. Who influences your daily face care regimen? How much effort do men spend on their daily face care regime ie. routine/time/products/spending? (Maybe just describe your typical routine)

A. As far as who influences my face care, I would say my girlfriend. She suggests a lot, and I do a little. In the morning, I usually just splash water on my face, mainly just to wake up, then dry it with a towel. About every 3rd day or so I will shave with a trimmer, it doesn't shave to the skin, it leaves a bit of stubble, that doesn't irritate my skin like shaving to the skin. I use a Remington because it has a built in 'vacuum' that does a decent job of collecting the hair. Sometimes after shaving I put on Kiehl's Blue Astringent. When I shower I usually use a face scrub, or just wash my face with the regular body soap. It would be nice if that soap was intended for the face as well, maybe it is, I'm not sure. After I shower I usually put on a moisturizer with SPF built-in. At night I usually do the same thing I do first thing in the morning, just rinse my face with water and wipe it with a towel.

Q. Describe what your ideal shaving routine what would it be?

A. I would like an electric shaver that was capable of shaving to the skin but also could be adjusted to leave a small amount of hair. Obviously, it would be great if shaving to the skin wasn't irritating, I've never found that, but maybe it's possible. It would have some sort of hair gathering system so that it doesn't make a mess. It would be great if it worked well enough that I didn't have to stand in front of a mirror when using it. It would be very easy to clean and rechargable. It would be comfortable to hold but not too big that it's a hassle to travel with. There should be some sort of display that let's you know how long the trimmer will operate at 100% power. I hate it when you are trying to shave when the charge is dying and the blades are barely cutting anything.

Q. If you are using razors to shave, what's the single most annoying thing about it?

A. I don't usually use razors to shave, but I have, and the worst thing about it is that I always end up with a million little cuts. I also hate trying to clean the hair out of the blades every second. I also think it's a pain and expensive to keep replacing the blades.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Temporary 'Office' Space

2006-10-25T05:42:00.000-04:00

The November issue of Fast Company has an article called, Home Away From Home. It's about temporary workspaces you can use while traveling.

They highlight three different companies that are currently running spaces for this use. They all all charge, either by hour, day, or month. The spaces appear quite nice, especially the New York spaces run by Techspace, and come with perks like gyms, spas, cafeterias, videoconferencing, Starbucks, kitchens...

I think this is a good idea, but think it could be spun a bit differently as well as the current set-up. It would be interesting if you could treat it more like a collaborative, communal office space. I think the really exciting things that are happening these days are when different people or companies, get together to create something. It's great to have a place to go work in isolation if you want, but it would also be great to work in Manhattan, and decide for two days you are going to work in one of these 'collaborative offices' to get inspiration, have some discussions, and generate some new ideas by meeting different people but with a similar goal.

For it to work, it would have to be very accessible, and they would probably need to figure out another way to make money, rather than charging the 'guests'.

Piers from PSFK seems to be doing this with likemind. Check it out here.

Great Idea. Clock and Google Calendar Mash-up.

2006-10-24T07:47:00.000-04:00

This is great. Check it out. More thoughts later.

Piece of Work

2006-10-11T07:03:00.000-04:00

This is great. Move your mouse around the page to create your own, virtual, Jackson Pollock piece of art. The slower you move your mouse the thicker the line, and click the mouse to change colors. Check it out.

http://www.jacksonpollock.org/

I apologize but I can't remember which site I saw this on originally.

Sleepover Sweet?

2006-10-11T06:32:00.000-04:00

Kids' birthday parties have always been an opportunity to be a bit excessive and over-the-top, at least for people with the means, but shows like My Sweet Sixteen on MTV have taken it to another level. Alton Towers in the UK have picked up on this trend and have created a Sleepover Suite. It costs about GBP 350 per night.

They've created quite a smart suite. Here's a section from the Springwise post that describes the room:

With more and more parents keen to outsource the noise and mess, Alton Towers has stepped up to the plate to fill a gap in the market. The latest suite to be added to the Alton Towers Hotel is the Sleepover Suite. A themed room designed to hold the ultimate girls' night-in, where up to six friends can share an evening of deluxe, unadulterated and uninterrupted fun. Picture a sound-proofed, bright pink room, enabling a night of blaring pop-music and girly shrieking. The suite is divided in two Â an area for partying and a section for sleeping. The party section features a state-of-the-art home entertainment system with a plasma TV, a Sony PlayStation, a mini-dance floor, a karaoke machine, a pink fridge brimming with ice cream and chocolate and a library of chick flicks for an all night movie marathon.

The sleeping section includes six Chill-out beds by SilentNight which can clip together to make one. The bathroom area is girl-party friendly with wall-to-wall mirrors, dressing tables and lots of complimentary pampering products from UK health and beauty outlet Superdrug. The opportunities for cross promotion with other brands is limitless.

Via Springwise.

Finally, A Smart Fridge Magnet

2006-10-05T06:40:00.000-04:00

Finally, something other than clutter for the fridge, something that actually has a function, a bottle opening magnet. You can buy it at Charles & Marie for $27 and a pick of 4 colors.

Via uncrate.

Tools for Blogger

2006-10-05T06:34:00.000-04:00

Here is a link to a list of useful tools for people using Blogger.

Via Quick Online Tips.

Carnival of Modern Man: The New Disposable?

2006-10-02T07:30:00.000-04:00

This new Hitachi razor was announced last week. I haven't been able to find a price for it, but if it's around $50 I bet a lot of people will give it a shot. Gizmodo has a comments question about blades or electric. It's so funny how many people respond with strong opinions about one over the other. Personally, I've tried both a bunch of different times and haven't found anything that works well and doesn't cause a lot of discomfort. For that reason, I barely ever shave to my skin. Two or three times a week I use a beard or hair clipper and call it a wrap. Although, if this Hitachi is around $50 I will probably give it a try. My main problem with the traditional blade is that you have to be standing in front of the mirror. I'd rather multitask and use an electric while I'm doing something else.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Please make...

2006-10-02T06:38:00.000-04:00

As more and more people use their phone as their alarm clock, it seems logical that you could add some fuctionality by utilizing the number pad. Currently, if you hit any button when your alarm goes off, it usually sets the snooze for a pre-determined time. That's fine, because half the time you barely realize what you are doing and just hit anything. But there are mornings when you only have an extra 5 minutes, or decide to skip the gym and want an extra 50 minutes. Rather than having to set the alarm again, it seems like you should be able to hit a number, say '5' and then '0' and that would correspond to 50 minutes. Or '0' then '5' and that would be an extra 5 minutes. Anyway, just a thought.

Carnival of Modern Man: The Art of Shaving

2006-09-29T07:02:00.000-04:00

Business 2.0 did an article on The Art of Shaving, the article was titled:

The Art of Shaving's strategy: A cut above

By combining nostalgia and know-how, this luxury retailer is capitalizing on the men's grooming boom.

They seem to be doing a smart thing by combining a great experience with great products (well, at least they claim to be) and education. Here's a little bit about the experience from the article:

Part barbershop and part pampering spa, the Art of Shaving is pouncing on the fast-growing men's grooming trend by appealing to consumer nostalgia. Its 10 retail outlets - five of which have onsite barbers - are dedicated to making men better shavers by getting them to trade in their Barbasol.

They plan to open 40 more retail stores in the US over the next two years. They think they can capture the 'mainstream' audience. If by 'mainstream' they are talking about men in Manhattan, then maybe. But I don't think they will capture a mainstream audience in the broadest terms. I think they are doing a lot of smart things, especially with there focus on education, and their retro vibe which makes all this 'man pampering' feel a bit more manly and acceptable, but when a 1.7 Fl Oz bottle of Ingrown Night Cream costs $40, I think it will be a tough sell to a massive audience.

You can read the whole article here.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Online Image Cropping

2006-09-26T06:55:00.000-04:00

As I've been working on this blog for a couple of months, I've realized that sometimes I want an easy way to crop/re-size images without opening Photoshop, which tends to slow down my computer. There are also times when I'm using someone else's computer without a program like Photoshop, so it would be ideal to have an online version to use. I came across a useful list at etc. Here they are:

Original Resizr
ResizR
Image Squash
pxn8
blibs
SnipShot

Carnival of Modern Man: Hospitality

2006-09-23T13:12:00.000-04:00

Here are some highlights from an article in the September issue of Fast Company. It was an interview with Danny Meyer, a restaurateur who currently runs 4 restaurants in the Zagat's "most popular" for New York. What I think is most interesting, and indicative of today's modern man, is that his success in the restaurant business is not because they have the best food, but because they have the best service. His opinions can, and should be applied to all areas of business and life. Here is the entire article, but below are some highlights.

Meyer says it's not the food that keeps guests coming back. It's because the staff at his restaurants are so, well, nice. "The power of hospitality," he says, "has been the single greatest contributor to whatever success my restaurants and business have had."

The trick, Meyer says, is to hire "hospitalitarians."

"Virtually nothing else is as important as how one is made to feel in any transaction," he says. "Hospitality exists when you believe the other person is on your side."

FAST COMPANY: What emotional qualities are you looking for?
MEYER: The first is a natural warmth and optimism. The second is intelligence and curiosity. The third is work ethic. The fourth is empathy. And the fifth is a combination of integrity and self-awareness.

FAST COMPANY: Do banks really need hospitalitarians? I'd be grateful just to get a real, human customer-service rep to pick up the phone.
MEYER: I think we're at the dawn of the hospitality economy, and the companies that prevail are the ones that realize it's the quality of the emotional experience that sets them apart.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

BasicKnives

2006-09-21T06:42:00.000-04:00

I love this product from Caroline Noordijk. Here's her description:

Our world is over technologized and we tend to stop enjoying the simple things in life. Evidence can be found in our kitchen, where blenders and food processors clutter our working space. BasicKnives reinterprets one of our most basic kitchen tools, the knife. The set of knives makes other kitchen tool redundant by incorporating different (cutting)-actions within the un-used surfaces of the blades.

Via Core77

Moo.com

2006-09-20T06:43:00.000-04:00

Johnny V pointed me to this great site called, moo.com. They allow you to choose flickr photos and have them printed on mini cards with contact info on the other side. I can think of tons of fun and functional uses for these. Pro flickr users can get a free pack of 10 cards, or anyone can get 100 cards for only $19.99.

Carnival of Modern Man: DIY

2006-09-18T05:56:00.000-04:00

An article in this month's Men's Health called, 'Do-it-yourself addiction' talks about today's modern man and how they can't let things out of their control when it comes to projects around the home.

Here are a couple of highlights from the article:

My name is Mark, and I have a home-improvement problem. It's not that I can't start that to-do list hanging on the refrigerator. It's that I can't stop.

I take solace in knowing that I'm not alone in my obsession. According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, Americans plunk down more than $139 billion for home improvements annually.

From the beginning, home has meant more to men than just a roof over our heads.

This is definitely a problem for me, I have a huge list of projects that I want to do, and my apartment is only 700 square feet. I can't imagine what I will be like when I have a full house with a yard, maybe I should just avoid that. For me, I like to do these projects so that everything feels a bit more unique. I have a lot of IKEA furniture, but most of it has been modified so that it's not the exact same thing you see in the catalog, and everyone else's apartment.

One company that I admire and has done a great job of capitulizing, or maybe helped create the modern DIY culture, is FLOR. They allow you to create custom floors with ease. They actually made the process even easier with a very insightful sticker called FLORDot, that helps you line-up and install your FLOR. Below is a picture of one from their catalog.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Carnival of Modern Man: Apple

2006-09-14T06:38:00.000-04:00

We all know that Apple is one of the staple brands for the modern man. I think we are drawn to Apple because their products are smart, intuitive, simple, aesthetically pleasing, and always improving.

Their latest announcement of new products and features happened on Tuesday. Here are some of the features that I think are particularly interesting and insightful, as related to the modern man.

First is a feature called 'gapless playback'. This means that iTunes can now recognize when two or more tracks are meant to flow together seamlessly and will not force a gap/silence in between. This is important because a lot of music that is consumed are concerts and mixes that are all meant to flow together.

The second great feature is the ability to search for music on your iPod. This is nice because our music libraries are becoming huge, and they are changing daily, so this will be a big help.

The iPod now will show you what letter you are scrolling through, as you navigate through your music rapidly. This way you don't have to keep stopping to check where you are.

Possibly the coolest product design yet, is the redesigned iPod shuffle. This thing is sick, and at $79 for a 1gb, I'm sure they are going to sell a ton of these things. What is particulary smart about this redesign, was their starting point for inspiration, which was 'wearability'. They have created a built in clip which allows you to basically wear/attach the shuffle anywhere. This is particularly useful for the gym, and for guys going anywhere. Personally, my pockets are usually full with my phone, digital camera, wallet, a pen, and my iPod. Now I can take the iPod out and just clip the shuffle somewhere else.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Carnival of Modern Man: NASCAR

2006-09-13T06:04:00.000-04:00

So maybe not all modern, American men have converted into NASCAR fans, yet... especially here in the tri-state area, but it is huge, and has all the makings of what a modern American man should love,

800 horse power cars that are ear bleeding loud, lots of new and innovative technology for the drivers and for the fans, crazy crashes, feels like a video game with all the in-car cameras, tons of flowing beer at the races, and a great relationship with the fans.

The September issue of Fast Company profiles NASCAR, as they are included as one of the winners of this years, Customers First Awards. Here are some of the highlights related to this topic:

This device, the Nextel FanView, is a perfect representation of what NASCAR's all about. The sport's fans, 75 million strong and growing, treasure their access to the drivers--and NASCAR execs have been consistently inventive in making those connections happen. The connections drive loyalty; loyalty fuels revenues.

In this case, technology lets fans ride shotgun with their favorite driver. As the cars roar past, I'm flipping between live video feeds from inside six of the cockpits, listening in on the radio chatter between drivers and pit crews, and looking up racers' real-time stats and personal details. I don't really need to know that Kevin Harvick's wife is DeLana, but knowing it makes me feel more connected somehow.

All of the technology and merchandising would mean nothing if drivers didn't deliver in person. Before races, many of these fans cluster outside the garage area, and when drivers pass by, they happily stop, chat, and sign, just as they do at dozens of off-track appearances during the year.

One of those fans, Ron Chabot, remarks on the sport's unique accessibility. "You're rarely able to go on a field right before a football game and get an autograph," he says.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Carnival of Modern Man: SIGG Camping Multitool

2006-09-07T07:21:00.000-04:00

Below is the SIGG Camping Multitool. Here's a description:

Practical and Space Saving. The SIGG Camping Multitool incorporates a knife, fork, spoon, and can opener. Each of the tools is detachable for utmost convenience. This high-grade stainless steel tool comes with a sturdy nylon carry bag with a belt loop.

I'm sure this would be great for camping, (as it's intended) but I'm thinking about getting rid of all my silverware at my apartment and replacing it with about 4 or 5 of these.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Carnival of Modern Man: Entrepreneur

2006-09-07T05:44:00.000-04:00

Now more than ever the Modern American Man is more creative and is always looking to pursue a personal endeavor rather than being just another employee.

The September 2006 issue of Business 2.0 Mag has a great article about launching your own company, product, idea...

The article is called:

5 secrets to a successful launch

Trying to come up with the next big thing? Forget flashy tricks - start with a simple insight and shape it into something unique.

Here are some highlights from the article:

Referring to Google: It gave people dramatically better results while shrouding its true sophistication in a simple and elegant package.

They focus on developing compelling solutions to common problems. Simple innovators don't seek to be the first to create something, but rather to be the first to perfect it so it will thrive in the real world.

And here are their 5 secrets:

Instead of wild brainstorming, start by getting a handle on what's really happening in the world. Go shopping. Watch how customers interact with products in everyday settings like their homes, cars, or offices.

2. Aim for excitement
Simple innovations aren't understated. They have to be tangibly more effective than anything already on the market. Otherwise they're just line extensions. You want them to say "Wow!" or "Finally!" or to ask if they can take it home. If you see signs of real excitement, you may have a simple innovation on your hands.

Instead of rushing to identify a breakthrough, simple innovators treat product development as an iterative process that's very different from the rigid "spec, freeze, and implement" approach used by most companies. Patience is essential: When a feature or concept resonates with the people you're talking to, dig deeper to understand why. Then apply that insight to other parts of the experience.

4. Get real
Memos and presentation slides aren't fertile ground for shaping product ideas, yet that's where managers spend most of their time during the specification and development process. Instead, whenever possible, just start building.

To avoid creating a gizmo, ask yourself, "Would this be a natural fit in the Sky Mall catalog?" If the answer is yes, you're probably creating something with limited innovative value.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Carnival of Modern Man: Secrets Of The Male Shopper

2006-09-05T05:13:00.000-04:00

Secrets Of The Male Shopper was the cover story to the September 4th edition of Business Week Mag. The article talks about how marketers have been missing the majority of the male population because they have been targeting only two types of males, when in fact there are many other types of modern men.

Below are some of the types of male shoppers they have identified, from left to right:

The Metrosexual: Despite widespread reports of his demise, this affluent urban sophisticate aged 20 to 50 absolutely shops on. To him, its more than mere commerce. Hes not just buying the things he needs, he imbues his consumerism with a deeper meaning, quality, and beauty.

The Maturiteen: This guy is more savvy, responsible, mature, and pragmatic than previous cohorts. Culture watchers attribute his poise to baby boomer parents who treated their kids as equals. Hes a technology master, so hes adept at online research and often acts as an inhouse shopping consultant.

The Modern Man: Neither retro nor metro, hes something in the middle. A sophisticated consumer in his 20s and 30s, hes a bigger shopper than his dad was but just as much a Seahawks fan.

The Dad: Is any species of guy more ignored? Once men get married and have a few kids, they drop off the radar screen. When they do appear at all, chances are its as the goofy father looking for advice from his kid on how to be cool. Yet these men tend to be in their peak earning years.

The Retrosexual: If the metrosexual champions the female ethos with a Go girl! the retrosexual is screaming Stop! This traditionalist has lived through the same cultural turmoil and consumerism as the modern man and the metro, but rejects feminism and happily wallows in traditional male behavior.

Here are a couple of do's from the article on how to talk to a man:

Stop Boring Him
Get Him Talking (word of mouth)
Keep It Basic
Don't Fake It (Especially among the younger set, failing at this level is lethal.)

Some of the brands they say are successfully speaking to today's man, are:

Bugaboo, Miller Lite, Dyson, Axe, and Philips Norelco Bodygroom.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Epistola Letter Opener and Scale

2006-09-01T07:32:00.000-04:00

This is great, I love the simplicity and multiple functionality. It also looks really nice.

From their site:

Letter knife & letter balance Epistola, Latin for letter, offers a double helping hand for the busy writing desk: incoming mail is opened with the knife and outgoing letters are weighed using the holes and a pencil. A time saving principle that could put your correspondence to the famous 30,000 letters of Napoleon I.

Via Core77.

Carnival of Modern Man: Asking for Directions

2006-09-01T05:48:00.000-04:00

I think it is still true, that guys don't like to ask for directions, unless those directions are requested from a gadget, then it's okay. Not having a car, I haven't spent much time looking at the different navigation devices until recently, but the thing I'm liking much better than the last time I saw them, is the way the maps are being treated. I like that the display/map is done in a way that gives a slighty more realistic driving perspective. The bird's eye view that most navigation systems used before, make it a bit difficult to relate to while you are driving.

Below is the Garmin nuvi 660.

I think the next step would be similar to Google Maps when you overlay the map on the satellite image, except it would be from the driver's point of view. So the streets, buildings, and entire environment as you see it, would appear on screen and have your directions overlayed.

I hope the navigation devices/software move more towards the mobile phone and eliminates the need for another device, although most phone screens would be too small to use while driving a car. Maybe there would be an attachment in the car which would act as a docking station for the phone and would have a larger screen to display the map.

Photo recognition would also be a great feature. Snap a pic of your surroundings with your phone cam and instantly get info on points of interest and how to get there, of course all based on your previous inquiries and shared interests.

Garmin nuvi 660 images via GpsPassion.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Carnival of Modern Man: Designed to Change

2006-08-30T06:45:00.000-04:00

Here's an attractive and smart storage solution from Happy Finish Design. It's called Cubrick (seen on Yanko Design), and has been designed to be stackable as well as easy to move with a retractable handle.

Below is another project from Happy Finnish Design, called the Dagwood table. In their words: A side table which opens up to become a single person table/seat/storage unit. It is collapsible to be flat packed, for the ever changing lifestyles of modern living.

I believe there is something about guys today and wanting/needing the ability to move themselves, and their belongings quickly. Some of my friends have always given me a hard time, saying that I'm able to pack up and move within 5 minutes. Whether that was at college, away on vacation, or from the apartment I live in now.

You can also see this this mentality when you fly. Guys always seem to try and bring all their luggage as carry-on. Sure, it saves a bit of time, but there is also something comforting about having it with you at all times. My girlfriend never lets me get away with this, but when we go away, I try to fit everything in one messenger bag, at the most I will bring a second carry on, and no matter where I am staying, I try to keep everything in my bag, still packed and ready to go at the drop of a dime.

Almost all aspects of modern life require change. Think about how many jobs you have had, or how many apartments/houses you have lived in, and how many times you have re-arranged your furniture. Look at how frequently technology and gadgets change, and how quickly you change cars because of leasing, or how there is a different tv series starting practically every night. The list could go on and on.

Related to the topic of change, here is a quote from Seth Godin about the necessity for companies to change:

The ability to change fast is the single best asset in a world that's changing fast.

Anyway, Happy Finish Design has some other really smart projects on their site. Check out the Hotbed table, the Cable Mate, and the Mushroom lamp.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Carnival of Modern Man

2006-08-29T21:42:00.000-04:00

Over the next couple of weeks I will be helping PSFK with a project called, Carnival of Modern Man. It's about insights, comments, and observations about the modern American man, so you will be seeing a lot of posts related to this topic for the next two weeks or so.

This post has been written as part of the Carnival of Modern Man.

Excerpts From small is the new big

2006-08-28T05:52:00.000-04:00

I'm a big fan of Seth Godin's books, I just finished reading his newest one called, small is the new big. It has a lot of interesting thoughts and comments, so I figured I would list some of my favorite parts. There are quite a few so I will spread them over a few days and a few different posts.

If you want to be big, act small.

Authentic stories spread and last.

The ability to change fast is the single best asset in a world that's changing fast.

Indulge short attention spans.

Why bother reading something if you already know what it says? The best stories change over time.

If your target audience isn't listening, it's not their fault, it's yours. If one story isn't working, change what you do, not how loudly you yell (or whine).

We're working for the people who pay us (with attention).

Hard work is about risk. It begins when you deal with the things that you'd rather not deal with: fear of failure, fear of standing out, fear of rejection. Hard work is about training yourself to leap over this barrier, tunnel under that barrier, drive through the other barrier and, after you've done that, to do it again the next day.

If you don't risk screwing up, you would certainly fail.

Big opportunities bring change, and change is painful. As long as "opportunity" means change, and as long as "change" means pain, we will continue to miss our chances.

The Urban Forest Project

2006-08-22T09:49:00.000-04:00

I was fortunate enough to be invited to participate in a great initiative called The Urban Forest Project. Below is a description of the project.

Design Times Square: The Urban Forest Project brings 185 banners created by the worlds most celebrated designers, artists, photographers and illustrators to New Yorks Times Square. Each banner uses the form of the tree, or a metaphor for the tree, to make a powerful visual statement. Together they create a forest of thought-provoking images at one of the worlds busiest, most energetic, and emphatically urban intersections. Following their display, (September 1st October 31st, 2006) the banners will be recycled into tote bags and sold at auction, with proceeds going to scholarship and mentoring programs that benefit students of the visual arts. Some banners embody visceral responses to pressing environmental, political and social issues. Others use the evocative power of nature to develop rich patterns and abstract forms that delight the viewer. All contain passion, thought, and energyqualities that only emerge when the worlds finest creative minds apply themselves to a brief they truly believe in.

Here are a few of my favorite banners, as well as the one I did. You can see all the banners in Times Square and on their website.

Rob Alexander
In this tree are the national birds of every country currently at war or in an ongoing conflict. Each bird is illustrated in the colors of its national flag.

Alan Dye
When starting this project, I couldn't help but think about the air that we breathe, everyday, here in New York City. It takes only a short trip out of the city (perhaps even up to the Adirondack Mountains, my recommendation for optimal effect) and a few deep breaths, to understand just how nice it is to have a few more trees around.

Ryan Vanderbilt
The interesting thing to me was learning about the history of Times Square. So, I decided to use age rings as a starting point for the graphics. I think the style also reflects the movement and energy of Times Square.

TED (Technology, Entertainment, Design)

2006-08-22T09:21:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Johnny V for pointing me to some videos from the TED Conference. The Conference brings together more than 1000 of the world's top thinkers and innovators. I haven't watched all the videos yet, but I would definitely recommend checking out Jeff Han, and Ross Lovegrove.

writely

2006-08-22T08:39:00.000-04:00

This is a Google owned, word processing web application called writely. Some of the benefits are listed below:

Share documents instantly & collaborate real-time.
Pick exactly who can access your documents.
Edit your documents from anywhere.
Nothing to download -- your browser is all you need.
Store your documents securely online.
Offsite storage plus data backup every 10 seconds.
Easy to use.
Clean, uncluttered screens with a familiar, desktop feel.

I think this is the way we will interact with all applications and video games in the future. We will no longer need to buy programs/games and install them on our computers. We will subscribe to the programs, and have the ability to access them from any computer.

Via lifehacker.

Tesla Roadster Sells Out

2006-08-16T07:06:00.000-04:00

Tesla Motors has sold out their first 100, all-electric cars for $100,000 a piece. I think they have done a good job of thinking about the consumer, not necessarily your average car consumer, but they have created something appealing to people with that kind of money. I think the problem up to this point with so many of the electric cars were that they looked ridiculous and completely under-performed compared to traditional cars. The styling and performance are obviously a main focus for the Tesla. I think the hardest change to get used to will be the 'hum' of the engine, rather than the 'screaming' of traditional sport cars.

100% electric
0-60 mph in about 4 seconds
135 mph equivalent
250 miles per charge
About $0.01 per mile

Via Gizmodo.

Gorillapod

2006-08-16T06:42:00.000-04:00

The JOBY gorillapod firmly secures your camera to just about anything - anywhere and everywhere! Unlike traditional tripods, the gorillapod doesn't require an elevated surface for you to take the perfect shot.

Via Popgadget.

Belkin Surge Protectors

2006-08-15T06:34:00.000-04:00

Belkin makes some smart improvements on surge protectors.

The Clamp-On Surge Protector can clamp onto any surface, making it more portable, easier to access, and gets all those wires off the floor.

The Concealed Surge Protector allows you to neatly, and safely hide all your wires.

The Compact Surge Protector is designed to be the most inconspicuous and aesthetically pleasing.

I think there is room to continue improving the aesthetic and functionality of these products, but this is a good step and just shows how simple it can be to create a product by simply improving something that is usually overlooked.

Via Gizmodo.

Innovation Flowchart

2006-08-15T05:57:00.000-04:00

Here's an innovation flowchart that was referenced in a Fast Company article. It does a good job of simplifying the process and gets you to ask some very basic, but vital questions. If you want to read the article this chart came from, click here.

Driinn Mobile Phone Holder

2006-08-15T05:45:00.000-04:00

Simple, useful device that holds your cell phone during charging and also manages the excess wire from the charger. Check it out here.

Via Gizmodo.

Stealing some juice

2006-08-14T06:09:00.000-04:00

This smart product from OHOM allows you to pull power from one cell phone and give it to another phone. It's a really good idea in theory, but I don't know how many different types of phones it is capable of sharing power with. If it works with a variety of phones, it could be a great idea, especially for traveling.

Via Gizmodo.

Never lose any contacts again

2006-08-13T21:58:00.000-04:00

Most people have probably dealt with getting a new cell phone and needing to re-enter all their contacts. Zyb is a service that solves this problem.

Via Gizmodo.

FlickrStorm

2006-08-13T17:11:00.000-04:00

Saw this at Lifehacker. Pretty useful tool called FlickrStorm for searching photos on Flickr. It automatically adds relevant words to your search, it also has a very useful tray which allows you to select a bunch of photos and then download them all at once.

Some smart products from Jeremy Walton

2006-08-13T16:50:00.000-04:00

Some nice, basic products with smart little details and secondary uses. You can check them out here.

Lexar jumpdrive with unique feature

2006-08-13T16:26:00.000-04:00

Saw this on Popgadget. This is a traditional jumpdrive in that it can be used to store and transfer files, but it also has a unique feature called PowerToGo.

Here's how Lexar describes it:
Includes PowerToGo Virtual Applications Platform. If speed and capacity weren't enough, JumpDrive Lightning also includes PowerToGo software, a portable working environment that lets you install and run most standard Windows applications from your JumpDrive, so you can carry personalized settings and bookmarks with you wherever you go.

Hopefully they will create a version that works with Mac applications, it would be great to be able to take the Adobe Creative Suite with you.

In-Lock

2006-08-08T21:47:00.000-04:00

Here is a smart concept I saw over at the cool hunter. It's a very simple solution for securing a bike or motorcycle in an outdoors area. The device screws into the ground and then you can attach any type of chain or lock to it. Physics ensure that the device can't be pulled out of the ground.

I suppose if you were really determined to steal it, you could dig around the device and pull the whole thing out, but then you would have to run off carrying the bike, as you still couldn't ride it.

Jaiku

2006-08-07T07:01:00.000-04:00

Really interesting phone application spotted by Piers over at PSFK.

Jaiku's website says: Jaiku is a phone book that displays the real-time presence and location of your contacts.

Google Labs and Firefox

2006-08-07T06:27:00.000-04:00

For anyone using Firefox I found some very useful apps over at Google Labs. Two of them don't appear to be that new, but I've been using Safari until recently, so I have never seen them before.

The first one is called Google Browser Sync, and is very useful if you are using Firefox on multiple computers. It is an extension that continuously synchronizes your browser settings - including bookmarks, history, persistent cookies, and saved passwords - across your computers.

Another smart, and useful app is called Google Send to Phone, which allows you to highlight content within a web page, then click the phone icon and have that info sent to your phone as a text message.

The third app I find interesting is Blogger Web Comments, which allows you to see what bloggers are saying about the web page you're visiting, and add a post to your own blog without leaving the page.

Interesting quotes, comments, thoughts...

2006-08-06T17:21:00.000-04:00

A big idea disrupts. A big idea is about taking the spotlight. It is about ideas that are simply too outrageous, too different, too polarizing to go unnoticed.

Simplicity engenders impulse purchases. Complexity generates contemplation. You lose when your consumer has to contemplate your idea. In the process of all that contemplating, they start looking at other options.

The fact that I didn't know a whole lot about the business enabled me to move away from the traditional and expected.

Recognize opportunity. The greatest opportunities are not what's there but what isn't.

Difference is power. The best ideas come from a very heterogeneous mix of people.

We discovered that when people are close together, they think faster, they work faster, and they focus faster.

Ease-of-use and reduced-use-of-time are huge in their ability to drive human behavior.

Challenge the customer to think a bit, it will elevate your relationship with them.

Managing less is managing better.

Give employees more responsibility, and they will make better decisions. By making your employees more accountable, you make your organization more productive.

Don't look for the next opportunity. The one you have in hand is the opportunity.

If you make your vocation like a vacation, you never have to work a day in your life.

Please make...

2006-08-04T06:06:00.000-04:00

...the freakin' Apple iPhone! Alright, but that's an easy one. How about a type of computer that basically acts like a mirror to another machine. It would essentially look like a laptop, but hopefully be much lighter as it wouldn't need all the 'guts' of a normal laptop. It would have a screen, keyboard, trackpad, and some type of fast wireless connection.

So, say I have an iMac, when I use my iMirror I am basically working off the iMac but remotely. The problem with having a real laptop is that the two devices are never completely in sync. You always end up with different files on each one. The iMirror would eliminate that and would hopefully be much cheaper than buying a full-on laptop. This obviously wouldn't yet be a solution for working long distance from your base computer, unless wireless connections become incredibly fast and common.

OZO Car

2006-08-03T07:00:00.000-04:00

Most people these days probably don't care if they are in a town car or a fancy limo when using a car service. The important things are to be comfortable, to have a driver that knows where they are going, and to stay connected with email, internet, etc. OZOcar seems to get all that plus some.

From their site:

OZOcar offers the ultimate luxury service tailored to your needs. Kick back and relax. Check your email with the Apple i-book and high-speed wireless connection provided in every car. Choose your own satellite radio station. Put your feet up. Switch off. Know that we will get you to your destination efficiently, safely, and on-time.

Please make...

2006-08-03T05:49:00.000-04:00

... a digital camera with the ability to embed the settings for each picture. You should be able to view those settings on the lcd display when you are reviewing pictures on the camera.

Every digital camera I have owned so far has had a hard time with some type of shot, usually the night shots. I've always tried to figure out the best set up by taking a shot, changing some settings, then taking the same shot, and repeating this process a bunch of times. Then I will go back and look for the best pic, the problem is that I can no longer remember the set-up. This shouldn't be any harder than turning the time stamp on and off.

And while you are at it, please try to include bluetooth in more cameras, thanks.

"Sit Different" A proposal for Apple

2006-08-03T05:33:00.000-04:00

Thanks to Johnny V for pointing this out via Gizmodo. Syntes Design from Stockholm has created this conceptual piece that would function as a chair and workstation. Same idea as the Solitaire Chair and the school chairs, maybe they could add some more functionality, like having the tray carry a charge so you don't need the power cord to your laptop.

Netvibes

2006-08-02T05:32:00.000-04:00

A lot of sites allow you to customize the content, and give you some control over the layout of the info, but for some reason Netvibes is the first time I am taking advantage of that. Maybe it's because they make it so simple to add content, and then you can simply drag and drop the content to where you want it. You can even have any flickr feed loaded on your page. Here is a bit more about the site in their own words.

Netvibes.com is a custom made web 2.0 home page solution

This service is free and gives the user the ability :

to create a personalized page with the content they like.
to put together data feeds and services from web 2.0 with a very simple interface
to access your page anytime and from any computer .

It is also possible to :

browse, modify, and import your RSS feeds with our integrated RSS/ATOM feedreader. You can easily import an OPML file as well.
to import, download and listen podcasts without any additional software
to check your mail on one or many gmail account, to stick webnotes, weather and many more to come !

OXO GOOD GRIPS 16 oz. Rip Claw Hammer

2006-08-02T05:02:00.000-04:00

Saw this at productdose.

OXO has continually produced smart, insightful products. Their new hammer is no exception. You can read about some of the features below.

The OXO GOOD GRIPS 16 oz. Rip Claw Hammer features a MarGuard® on the top of the Hammer head which allows it to rotate on a soft bumper when removing nails so no marks are left on the work surface. The Hammer features a reinforced fiberglass core and a soft, comfortable non-slip handle, which help reduce vibration to the hand. The Hammer also has a magnetic slot in the head which aids in quick, single-handed nail starting. The end of the handle flares out to prevent your hand from slipping off the back of the Hammer during use. The gradual curve of the rip claw makes this Hammer ideal for demolition tasks.

Interesting quotes, comments, thoughts...

2006-08-01T06:31:00.000-04:00

For probably the past five or six years I have been collecting interesting quotes, comments, and thoughts. Some are mine, but most are not, and some are current and some are old. I have never really kept track of who said what, so I won't be able to give proper credit for each thought. I actually like not knowing better, because then I don't have any preconceived notions, I can just take them at face value. I will be posting these thoughts sporadically as I have gathered thousands, but here are the first few:

Consumers no longer consume, they want to customize their lives.

Reinvent yourself. Repeat.

The definition of insanity is doing the same thing over and over again, each time expecting a different result.

If you get stuck, draw with a different tool.

Complicated ideas never work. Complicated ideas are a sign of hazy thinking.

Not knowing where to begin is a common form of paralysis. Begin anywhere.

At the height of success, "break" your business.

The point is this: Most businesses fail, so if you're going to succeed, it has to be about more than making money.

Take aim at new customers by making utilitarian products stylish.

Ideally, since 80 percent of your life is spent working, you should start your business around something that is a passion of yours.

Work hard, have high standards, and stick to your values, because somebody's always watching.

If you think you can't, you're right.

Treat your customers like they own you, because they do.

TopGolf

2006-07-29T08:26:00.000-04:00

There's an article in this month's Business 2.0 about TopGolf, (in their words) "By transforming the traditional golf range into a high-tech family entertainment center, England's TopGolf is bringing new customers onto the links."

I think this is a great idea and will greatly expand the appeal of the driving range, and what people think of golf in general. TopGolf really seems to understand the value of the consumers' experience. They have been asked by traditional driving ranges if they could license parts of the technology, but TopGolf is unwilling to compromise. They say: "It's the complete TopGolf experience or nothing." They realize that a watered down version could do more harm than help.

You gotta check out TopGolf and read a bit more about it, it sounds amazing. I wish there was one around NYC.

Simplehuman Bag Capsule

2006-07-27T22:15:00.000-04:00

Description from their site:
The portable bag capsule allows you to make custom length bags on the go. Pull out the plastic tubing inside to make any size bag with the built-in cutter by simply knotting the end. These convenient, multipurpose bags are ideal for pets, diapers, and travel. Two plastic tubing rolls included with each bag capsule, for over 65 feet of bags.

Firefox

2006-07-27T06:56:00.000-04:00

I saw this on Advertising/Design Goodness. It seems like Microsoft had an oversight and didn't purchase the domain www.ie7.com before the release of Internet Explorer 7. Firefox was smart enough to take advantage of that and put their own branding up there.

Rx Bottle Redesign

2006-07-27T06:50:00.000-04:00

This is not a recent redesign, but it is one of the best examples of taking real problems and solving them through design. This is one project that literally saves lives. The design was done by Deborah Adler and first implemented by Target in August 2004. You can read more about this project here.

The Bionic Wrench™

2006-07-27T06:10:00.000-04:00

About the wrench:
The Bionic Wrench™ is a remarkable patented hybrid of an adjustable wrench with the ease of use of a pair of pliers. In addition, the genius of attacking a bolt/nut on all 6 flat sides removes the stress and strain on the corners of the bolt. This coupled with the superior gripping action of the jaws, allows the user to complete their work without the wrench slipping off and damaging the bolt. The design of the Bionic Wrench™ multiplies your hand's gripping force, so you can more easily tighten/loosen bolts. You can develop ratchet-like speed by fully turning the Bionic Wrench™, release the grip while still on the bolt, reposition wrench, tighten grip-repeat until finished.

They also have a great, simple company mission which they seem to be living up to.
Mission: Easier, faster, and more professional results.

Thanks to Dennis P for pointing this one out.

Kant Desk by P. Frey & M. Boge

2006-07-25T06:45:00.000-04:00

No need to say much, simple, smart idea for keeping your desk clean, while keeping your items in reach.

Wallpaper Navigator

2006-07-25T06:23:00.000-04:00

Every month Wallpaper highlights a city with a Navigator which includes a beautifully designed map on the front, and places to see, shop, etc. on the back. Some of the simple, but insightful design features are that the page is perforated so you can easily take it out of the mag, the page is laminated so it could actually survive a trip, and one of the smartest features is how they treat the key. Instead of just using distance as a measurement, they also include walking time. Much more useful for people trying to explore a new city.

Casio Exilim Best Shot Mode

2006-07-24T06:37:00.000-04:00

The Casio Exilim cameras come with a feature called 'Best Shot' Mode. It's basically 30+ preset settings depending on the shooting scenario. You just select the sample scene that resembles the shot you want to take and then all the settings are configured for you. The camera allows you to do manual settings also, but I think this is a smart observation of the way most people take pictures and use their digital cameras. It also allows you to configure your own custom settings and then save that as one of the presets.

smart.space from AvroKO

2006-07-24T06:11:00.000-04:00

These are dream apartments to me. They were developed a while ago and have both been sold, but we can dream that they will create some more. They are clean, modern and they use the small space in the most efficient ways, every detail has been considered.

Solitaire Easy chair by Alfredo Häberli

2006-07-23T13:33:00.000-04:00

The Solitaire chair was designed by Alfredo Häberli for Offecct. It's a great looking chair and I love the added functionality of the armrest that can also function as an integrated tabletop. It's kind of a modern take on school chairs. You can check out the Solitaire chair at http://www.offecct.se/ and school chairs at http://www.schooloutfitters.com/

5 Minute Candles from Zinoo Park

2006-07-22T18:14:00.000-04:00

Love the portability of these and the fact that the pack becomes the candle holder. They can be found at http://zinoopark.com/

Adidas Canvas

2006-07-22T12:34:00.000-04:00

This is a bit old but I just saw it on Advertising/Design Goodness and thought the idea was brilliant. Adidas put up blank canvases with just a small logo, encouraging people to write, draw, or do graffiti on it. After a few days they put a template in the shape of their sneakers over the top and turned the art into a custom sneaker design. Great way to involve consumers and educate people on their adicolor campaign.