Milan Design Week 09 Preview: Prickly Chairs by Valentina Gonzalez Wohlers at Designersblock

Article link: Milan Design Week 09 Preview: Prickly Chairs by Valentina Gonzalez Wohlers at Designersblock

This article is about "prickly pair chairs" which were designed by Valentina Gonzalez Wohlers. The article had this to say about the chairs:

The chairs juxtapose Mexican and European aesthetic values, incorporating the formal design elements and quirks of both to create a cultural blend. They are frivolous and humorous yet simultaneously encourage reflection and acceptance.

I think they look fabulous! It's a really great concept, and they have a great pop-ish feel to them, with the green and pink so bright and colorful. The only thing I'm iffy about is the "hair" on the chairs. Eek!

Imminent

Article link: Imminent

This article is asks and answers the question "what signals indicate that your success is imminent?" Seth writes that, "The brilliant venture capitalists are the guys who invest their money months or years before everyone else realizes how imminent the success is. They have better radar than the rest of us."

I wonder how venture capitalists get that skill and if they can somehow teach others, because it seems really useful in the professional world.

Milan Design Week 09 Preview: Erik Griffioen at Designersblock and the Troom

Article link: Milan Design Week 09 Preview: Erik Griffioen at Designersblock and the Troom

This article is about works by Erik Griffioen, a Dutch designer.

The chairs the article displays are really fantastic looking. I especially like the middle one in the picture I provided, because it looks like something that belongs in The Nightmare Before Christmas or something equally as crazy.

Cardboard "Tweenbots" depend on the kindness of strangers

Article link: Cardboard "Tweenbots" depend on the kindness of strangers

This article and video are about a robot whose only function is to go forward. On top of it's head is a flag that reads "Help me!" and it's goal: To get from the Northeast to the Southwest Corner of Washington Square Park. It relies on the kindness of strangers to get to its final destination.

I think this was a really heartwarming and cute story! The video was a little boring because it was just the robot and a couple people helping it out, but the story itself was really interesting.

The hierarchy of presentations

Article link: The hierarchy of presentations

This article is about presentations and advice on what kind of presentations are the best. I figured that since we do a lot of presentations in class, this would be a good, relevant article to read. The article has a list of Seth's "heirarchy" of presentations:

1. The best presentation is no presentation at all. If you can get by with a memo, send a memo. I can read it faster than you can present it and we'll both enjoy it more.
2. The second best presentation is one on one. No slides, no microphone. You look me in the eye and change my mind.
3. Third best? Live and fully interactive.
4. Powerpoint or Keynote, but with no bullets, just emotional pictures and stories.
5. And last best... well, if you really think you can change my mind by using tons of bullets and a droning presentation, I'm skeptical.

Harvey Nichols’ Pun-tastic Postcards

Article link: Harvey Nichols’ Pun-tastic Postcards

This article is about a bunch of postcards done for Harvey Nichols, by Ruan Milborrow and Mark Nightingale of agency Mr. H, which can only be described as "witty [...] celebrity postcards."

I love a good pun, even if they're extremely corny and lame, so these postcards made me laugh. I especially liked "Wayne Pruney" because it was just too cute!

JBL's Control design speaks to us

Article link: JBL's Control design speaks to us

This article is about a speaker design by Ashcraft Design. The article reads, that the entire speaker unit has a "a variety of configurations through its simple shape."

I think it looks amazing, and that it really lets the customer configure the speakers look to his or her preference, which everyone loves to do, because it makes you feel like an individual.