Wanted: VPs of Design

More designers are reaching the executive ranks. But where are they getting the general business knowhow they need?

Paul B. MacCready, 81, inventor, dies

Paul B. MacCready, an awesomely accomplished inventor who studied circling hawks and vultures to figure out how to realize the loftiest dream of Leonardo da Vinci--inventing a human-powered flying machine--died Tuesday in Pasadena, Calif. He was 81.

The Future of Governors Island

Five architectural teams take on the challenge to create a New York destination.

The Buzz Around "Design Thinking"

The phrase "design thinking" is certainly in vogue these days. In design circles, it's been part of the lexicon for several years. Stanford's d. school, to cite just one example, even uses the term on its home page. But now...

The Ultimate Design Brief

Your design can only be as good as the brief you worked from. The best projects are borne from briefs that are open enough to inspire ideas, while being specific enough to feel workable. Shaun Crowley shows how you can elicit these kinds of briefs by providing clients with briefing templates.

In the Future, All Buildings Will Rotate

Sick of working in a boring old office block that just sits there and doesn't go anywhere? Tired of that same old view? So am I, and so is Dynamic Architecture, an Italian company that has designed an awe-inspiring new kind of tower. Each floor slowly rotates 360 degrees on its own axis, powered by -- wait for it -- wind turbines between the floors. Yes, you read that right: it's cool and green. (And for those commiting suicide, it finally answers the age-old question of whether you die before you hit the ground: those turbines will slice you in two before you get to the next floor).

Dynamic Architecture's first project, an apartment building in the oil-rich, novelty-happy country of Dubai, will produce an energy surplus to the tune of $7 million, according to the company. Just four of its 44 vast inter-floor turbines will be needed to power the 200 apartments in the building, meaning the company can sell the rest back to the state. With the resulting profits, perhaps the company should buy vertigo medication for its tenants.

This is your brain on video games, ads

Developing a first-person shooter video game that can rival the genre's top-selling hits like Call of Duty is always a long shot.

So game maker THQ tried an unusual research method last year to evaluate people's early emotional response to its in-development shooter game Frontlines.

CIMA Ladder

The ladder is made in a single piece using the monocoque technique, similar to that used in bicycle frames. The material used is a carbon fiber composite. Continuous shapes and the closed frame spread the forces in all directions.

Bike Dispenser

Springtime's Bike Dispenser allows you to rent a RFID-equipped bike from one vending machine, ride it to your destination, drop it off at another vending machine, and walk away. The Dutch company won an award at the 2007 Spark Design & Architecture Awards for their idea, which is perfectly suited for an urban environment.

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China Olympics: Beautiful Venues

Emerging from the landscape, and shaped by nature, the designs of the upcoming 2008 Olympics in China, will create a simple symbolic link - a bridge - between old and new, between people and country and China with the world.

Galactic Suite Space Hotel

It may sound a little Dr. Evil, or just plain far-fetched, but as of now, the Galactic Suite space hotel is a go for 2012. Barcelona-based architect Xavier Claramunt is promising a three-night stay 300 miles in orbit to anyone with 3 million euros ($4.15 million). The package includes shuttle trips to and fro plus an 18-week training program on a Caribbean island. Details surrounding certain creature comforts and necessities are still being ironed out.

Check out the Galactic Suite official website.

Logo design

Logos are graphical shorthand that can represent a company or product, and communicate certain characteristics.

2007 Geneva Auto Show

To mark its 95th anniversary, Bertone is bringing a 2-seat roadster to the Geneva Motor Show. Based on the Fiat Panda 100HP mechanicals, the diminutive barchetta is expected to offer stellar performance from the 1.4-liter 4-cylinder engine, which makes 100 bhp and 96 lb.- ft. of torque. Bertone estimates 0-100 km/h (0-62 mph) times of 9.5 seconds.

The concept sports a cut-down windshield and innovative clear door panels that add to the open-to-the-air feel of the cabin. The sleek body sweeps rearward into large rear wheel arches that give the car a muscular look. See other cars here.

Apple's new metallic keyboards: in wired and Bluetooth flavors

The rumored pictures seemed plausible enough, and now Apple has confirmed the hopes / fears of typists the world over: there's a new desktop keyboard (er, two actually) in town. The new keyboards (one larger wired USB 2.0 edition with two USB 2.0 ports, one smaller Bluetooth 2.0 flavor) are crafted from anodized aluminum, and include dedicated keys for screen dimmer / brighter, expose, media controls, volume controls, and eject for optical drive.



Go to the Apple Store.

CORDhog

Wire management for your home, office, briefcase, or backpack. Small in scale but high in capacity. The CORDhog can hold up to 12 feet of cord. A simple design that locks the cord length, letting you take up the slack wherever needed. You can wind multiple cords onto the CORDhog, or multiple CORDhogs onto 1 cord. CORDhogs come in sets of 6. Untangle.

Designer: Jason Begin & Shawn Melton
Made in USA

Website

Design Management Review

Design thinking is a crucial business asset, one that can, indeed, move a company forward and improve the bottom line.

Online Shopping: Now it's personal

Customized fashions can mean perfect design, perfect fit everytime.

Eye on Design

Consumers say they don't want to be encumbered by the complexity of the products they buy. Designers are responding with seamless blends of software, hardware, and aesthetics.