mmmm. meatwater.
Brooklyn based designer/photographer Till Krautkramer has invented the most delicious and refreshing beverage ever: MeatWater.
MeatWater comes in all of your favorite flavors, including Beef Stroganof, Beef Jerky, Texas BBQ, and my favorite - Dirty Hot Dog. The same juice that powers the most awesome NYC hot dog carts. Mmmm. Get some. Pure parody fun. Found on Gothamist.
Labels: package design, parody, productdesign, typography, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:19 AM
0 comments
the elevator is lying to you.
This is an interesting factoid, about human behavior, and product design. You've probably seen the clip that's made its way around the internets, featuring the guy stuck in the elevator for 41 hours. Yech.
This leads to a fun fact about elevator design. It turns out that the handy "close door" button doesn't work. In ANY elevator manufactured since the early 90's. It's only there to make you feel like you have a sense of control.
When I read this, it made me angry. Why can't we be honest?
There's a new Quiznos spot running, featuring a yummy looking chicken thing. And in the new spot, it features the sandwich as "naughty." I laughed, because I saw that as honest. I'm not going to eat a mega-calorie gut buster because I think it's the healthy thing to do. I'm going to eat it because I deserve it. Or because I feel like being naughty. (In the eating, kind of naughty way.)
So, bring on the honesty. Let's stop deception. Let's get naughty.
Labels: ads, branding, productdesign, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:32 AM
2 comments
blow energy drink. cheap shot at a quick buck.
The latest ridiculous energy product aimed at capturing tween dollars is Blow, a product made to look exactly like cocaine. The white caffeine powder comes in resealable white vials, so that kids can put "blow" into their drinks.
The cheap promotional site features strippers and poorly designed gear sure to turn the average 14 year old onto the product. They can even by it in bulk, and become neighborhood dealers of...blow.
Sure to get loads of free publicity on the local news, featuring protesting parents. I'd love to know what they paid for the rights to use the Cult's song WildFlower on their site. Or if they paid. I know some pretty large brands who don't have that kind of licensing budget. ;)
Thanks Suzy!
Labels: branding, productdesign, youthmarketing
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:30 AM
3 comments
make your own tea
This is a sweet idea. Twist the cap and shake to make instant yummylicious green tea. Awesome packaging concept.
Labels: package design, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:29 AM
0 comments
in march, you can wear your banana hammock swimsuit in nyc
Design Miami is coming to New York. So, we can only assume that everything else "Miami-style" will be acceptable for the month of March.
Design Miami has become the most awesome display of stuff you can't afford. And stuff that would look ridiculous in your apartment. And stuff that's completely inspirational. And now it's coming to New York.
Labels: design, interior design, newyork, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:09 AM
0 comments
a beautiful place for your stinky underwear
LG has teamed up with fabric designers from the Designer's Guild to create the most wonderous dirt removal machines that you have ever laid eyes on.
Until your friends come over and say, "oh, you're still rockin' with the Design Guild machine? That's so ollllld. I'm washing with the new Nike version." What? It could happen.
Labels: design, interior design, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:54 AM
1 comments
microsoft discovers people are using the internet
The New York Times reports that the latest Microsoft development teams are actually incorporating mashups into their new software development. Web 2.0 style. Like they're actually paying attention to the way the rest of the world uses the interweb. Wow. If they could just make it so that Word doesn't take 34 minutes to open up on my machine, we'd be all set.
Illustration by James Yang, via the New York Times.
Labels: mashup, productdesign, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:15 AM
1 comments
mannequins have copyrights
They are original creations, after all. And it turns out they're protected by copyright. You can't copy a mannequin's design, pose, paint, facial expression or other details.
I think it's also time that we have a Bill of Rights for mannequins. And hazard pay, for those poor plastic souls that have to work the Old Navy window.
Labels: design, fashion, productdesign, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:11 AM
0 comments
stanley tools creates best product name ever
Stanley just created a new tool. A demolition tool. Something that can rip things apart. Destroy them. Pull things to pieces. The ultimate tear it apart-destroying-pull-things-to-pieces tool.
And then, it needed a name. Fubar. In case you're not familiar, here's some background on the word Fubar.
And that's the most perfect name for this tool. In most product organizations, this would have been road-blocked by senior management. Squashed by legal. A hundred people in suits would typically stand in the way and second guess and suggest safer names like "demo bar" instead.
Hooooray for Stanley. For letting creativity win. For producing creative that speaks to your audience - not your attorneys. Nice job.
Watch the spot here.
Thanks Justus!
Labels: branding, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:20 AM
2 comments
the wonder of branding
A cute slide show of oddly branded items. Awesomely illustrates the power and value of brands in our heads. Not that there's anything wrong with a Hermes mud flap. (My wife is totally going to dig that tape measure, for xmas.)
Found on Urban Outfitters. Blog.
Labels: art, branding, pop culture, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:32 AM
0 comments
what you see on the tv could be real
It's fascinating to watch television and film's usage of computers, internet and technology. I'm stoked when I see shows like CSI use Twitter, and pissed when I see tv shows do stuff that's just ridiculously stupid.
And then there's the inspirational moments captured on film that make you say "I want that." These moments are created by awesome designers like Mark Coleran - a visual designer that specializes in the design of fictional interfaces.
Adverlab points to some other cool writings on the subject. It's interesting to note how designers like Mark can impact our desires - and ultimately, product that's brought to the marketplace.
I'm still waiting for that invisible screen in the air above my desk to be installed. In the meantime, I'll just pretend.
Labels: design, film, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:50 AM
0 comments
concept cars suck
I hate concept cars. Just a big tease of something we'll never see.
And now, Chevy takes it to a whole new level. No longer just a tease at the car show, or car magazine, they're actually advertising a car that you can't buy.
Ben over at Thought Gadgets points out how the campaign is a loser, for all of it's assumed intended audiences. I agree.
Labels: ads, automotive, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:14 PM
0 comments
everyone wants to be an ipod
Check out these two advertising images. The one on the left is from iPod. The one on the right is from Sony. Hmmmm.
Labels: apple, photography, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:50 PM
0 comments
what product designers can learn from the kindle
We now have extremely high expectations for electronic hand-held devices. (Thank you, Apple.) And people are really not digging the new Amazon Kindle. Some have renamed the device the Amazon Swindle. Robert Scoble's review is just totally awesome. A must watch for anyone remotely involved in any sort of product design.
Labels: design, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 6:52 PM
0 comments
sexy package design idea for pharma
Here's a product made for birth control pills - but this would be a cool idea for any pharma packaging. Pill bottles with alarms built into them.
Even better - Target should offer this as an add on, to any prescription they sell. $1 more, and get the alarm bottle. $2 more, and we'll set the alarm for you. (Cuz old people can't set digital clocks, you know.) Packaging that provides a user benefit rocks.
Labels: healthcare, package design, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:21 AM
0 comments
how ikea thinks of silly names for their products
I've been looking all over the interweb for a link to the new Ikea summer sale spot - and found something even more important. The secret to how Ikea gets the funny names for all of their products.
It's not a tank full of monkeys dancing on keyboards. Turns out there's a thought process behind it. Hmm. People should start naming their kids with names like Heimdal.
Labels: branding, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:14 AM
0 comments
light up everything by magic
Lunabrite offers a new product that apparently doesn't use electricity or batteries (works on magic?) for architectural, product or promotional lighting. While their site doesn't go into details, by the looks of it, this product offers some awesome possibilities. (Note to Lunabrite: Put more info on your site. Call us. We can help.) From Core 77
Labels: architecture, productdesign, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:37 AM
2 comments
can't wait to see this on extreme makeover
I'm a fan of MINI. And all of their branding. But this is a bit much. A MINI fridge. I guess for the guy who keeps a fridge in the garage, or for the person who likes to decorate their apartment just like their car. Thanks Devon!
Labels: automotive, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:44 AM
0 comments
microsoft announces surface computing
Microsoft announced Surface Computing last night. I posted about this last week, when the clip was apparently leaked, not knowing that it was a Microsoft product.
This is stunning. The transfer of a photo from a camera to a cell phone, about 3/4 of the way through the video clip above seems like magic. Their initial market appears to be retailers and entertainment venues. Welcome to the future.
Labels: productdesign, retail, technology, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:21 AM
0 comments
fridge for designers
Oh, man. This fridge is a reason to consider remodeling the Plaid kitchen. Wonderful. Some say it's the next SubZero. Oh, btw...SMEG: It's time for a website redesign. Really. Call us.
Labels: productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:41 AM
0 comments
run your life on google time
I sooo want one of these, on my desk, now. The AmbientClock syncs with your Google Calendar, and displays visually what's next in your day. The face changes color a few minutes prior to your next appointment, to gently nudge you away from your desk. For now it's in beta - but you can add it to your personal Google page. Awesome. We need more devices in meatspace that integrate with what's happening on line. Bring it. Thanks Giuli!
Labels: google, productdesign, technology
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:20 AM
0 comments
behold the beautious vodka
Another reason to go buy some vodka on the company credit card. Reyka Vodka releases wonderful package design that includes gorgeous foil wraps. So awesome that you'll want to collect them all. Or buy them all and drink them, and then blame your problem on beautiful package design.
Labels: beverage, package design, productdesign, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:27 AM
0 comments
young hipsters like simplicity
A research firm asked 100 "most forward trendsetter panelists" in New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco and Miami, which companies they most respected, and why. Then, they compiled a list. So here's the top 15 brands that urban hipsters aged 21 - 27 love:
Apple
Trader Joe's
Jet Blue
In-N-Out Burger
Ben & Jerry's
Whole Foods
Adidas
American Apparel
Target
H & M clothing stores
Levi's
Volkswagen
Converse
Vitamin Water
Red Stripe Jamaican beer
Analyst Holly Brickley says the winning brands "are known for keeping things as stripped-down and unadorned as possible - not just in terms of the product's visual appearance but also in the way they organize their offerings." Yep. And I have to admit, that Red Stripe is looking mighty tasty.
Labels: beverage, branding, design, marketing, package design, productdesign, trends, youthmarketing, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:36 AM
3 comments
uniqlo limited edition retail
My favorite store in the world, Uniqlo, is testing a new retail concept in their Harajuku store. They're selling limited edition t-shirts, packaged in plastic tubes.
The shirts are stocked through a system that apparently resembles vending machines. I love that you can buy a t-shirt at a worldwide clothing chain, and still not have to worry about running into some dork at Burger King with the same shirt. Not that I spend much time at Burger King, or anything. I'm just saying. It could happen.
And the promotional site is completely expected Uniqlo cool.
Labels: fashion, package design, productdesign, retail
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:27 AM
0 comments
designers suck
Bruce Nussbaum spoke last week at the Parsons Design School. He's turned his speech into an outstanding essay in Business Week. It takes some balls to get in front of a crowd of designers, and proclaim "designers suck."
While Bruce's speech may upset a few Al Gore fans and animal rights leaders (read the article, you'll see), it's a must read for anyone in design. Or branding. Or manufacturing. Or business.
Everything's changed in our industry - and Bruce accurately describes the climate.
Alternately, if you're one of those creative people who 'don't like things with lots of words in them,' check out David Armano's brilliant synopsis of Bruce's speech - along with signature David Armano illustrations (like the one above). Wonderful.
Labels: creativeinspiration, design, fashion, productdesign, social media, trends
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:38 AM
0 comments
g pure energy rocks in full orange effect
Hooters could learn a thing or two from the folks over at G Pure Energy. Yes, the energy drink aisle is overflowing with guarana drinks. Yes, you've got to compete with the Coke and Pepsi products. So....why not do something different?
G Pure Energy appears to have done exactly that. Three things that make this product remarkable:
1. Unique package design. Actually, beautiful package design. Although I'm pretty sure that the silver shiny box was reserved for press only. Oversized screw tops are awesome.
2. A memorable logo. A really, really, cool logo. Start buttons are awesome.
3. Unique flavor. I'm pretty sure there aren't other energy drinks that come in the flavor of orange. In fact, with the exception of my fave, Tab (which comes in the flavor of pink), most of the energy drinks are slight variations of each other.
Now, I'll need to find some and actually taste it. And it looks like it goes well with Vodka. Mmmmm. I'll have a V & G.
Labels: branding, package design, productdesign, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:54 AM
2 comments
aluminum dream machine
Of course, we'll never likely see something so cool actually make it to production, but it's always fun to dream. Ford teams with Airstream, to produce a shiny cool car. From Rebel Base.
Labels: automotive, creativeinspiration, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:12 AM
0 comments
cocolico showcases green design
Cocolico is a site that celebrates design. And green. Each day they focus on a new, smart, green design. Product, architecture, automobile, whatever. And it's fun to say their name out loud. Cocolico. I like to say it with an accent. Try it. From UnBeige
Labels: design, green, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:02 AM
0 comments
mmmmm. pop tarts.
Kellogg's and Hasbro have teamed up to produce PopTarts that you can play with. They have actual Trivial Pursuit questions (and answers) printed on them.
I love printed food. And now that chocolate PopTarts might actually make me smarter, I think I can stop eating regular food altogether.
Labels: productdesign, yummyfood
posted by darryl ohrt @ 8:19 AM
1 comments
the year in concept cars
BusinessWeek has a collection of photos of concept cars from 2006, as a kickoff to the The North American International Auto Show that starts this week. Cute, but for me, it's lacking inspiration and design excellence of the concept cars from yesteryear.
Labels: automotive, productdesign
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:28 AM
0 comments
vista is NOT a copy of osx
The New York Times reviews Microsoft's Vista - and proves that it IS NOT just a rip off of Mac's OSx. The video looks like it was shot from a cell phone, with lint on the lens, on a foggy day - but other than that, pretty cool. Thanks Dave!
Labels: apple, productdesign, technology, video
posted by darryl ohrt @ 7:39 AM
1 comments
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