The Modern Materialist : concepts

Realistic Fruit Juice Packages

Alex Zalben — Fri, 10 Apr 2009 20:03:00 GMT

I love this concept idea. Love it. I'm just going to show you a couple more ideas, and hope someone actually starts making these soon:

[Via The Dieline]

Coffee Makers of The Future

Alex Zalben — Mon, 16 Mar 2009 16:29:00 GMT

Earlier today, Steph told you how to get the perfect cup of coffee. The natural follow-up question is, how to make it?

I may not have the answer to that, but I do have a line-up of fantastic looking coffee maker... Concepts, I guess? Anyway, one is above, the even crazier looking rest are below:

[Via Room69]

Lather, Rinse, Reload

Laureen Mahler — Mon, 12 Jan 2009 21:40:00 GMT

Can I admit something here? I hate decorative soaps. I have a gallon-sized plastic Ziplock bag in my bathroom cabinet that serves as a decorative soaps graveyard, where those waxy, over-scented bars go to die. What exactly do you do with decorative soaps? You can't shower with them (I learned this the hard way after running out of normal soap and desperately breaking into a package of French soaps shaped like those men in bowler hats from Magritte's paintings). You can't put them in a soap dish next to the sink (thus tricking your unsuspecting house guests into a fate similar to the afore-mentiond showering experience). So what exactly is their purpose?

Well, German designer Andreas Kraeftner might have finally changed my mind with his Ghetto Basics decorative soap:

[Kraeftner]

Sadly, it looks like the gun soap is only a concept. But on the up side, I think I might patent a holster soap dish and bathrobe with spurs. You know, just in case.

[via Baller House]

Concept: Save My Spot, Please?

Steph Auteri — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 21:19:00 GMT

This concept design sheds some much-needed light on the losing-your-place issue:

[Fulguro]

[Via Gizmodo]

Apple Introduces The iCondom

Alex Zalben — Thu, 08 Jan 2009 18:25:00 GMT

OMG you guys... Steve Jobs totally went on stage at the new Mac event, whipped out his wang, and demoed the new iCondom!!! Check it out:

I think this should be the last "iProduct" joke anyone ever makes, don't you?

[Via Gizmodo]

Concept: Dropping Five Pounds Instantly

Steph Auteri — Wed, 07 Jan 2009 21:09:00 GMT

Want to drop five pounds instantly?

I suggest a high-fiber diet. If only this toilet scale would make it past the concept stage, we'd be able to see the pounds drop away. Literally.

[Via Gizmodo]

This Year Is a Mess

Alex Zalben — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 23:00:00 GMT

Six days in, and this year is already a total mess we're going to have to clean up on a daily basis. Good thing there's this:

The concept design has a different napkin for every day of the year. Personally, I have no use for this, as I just lick my fingers like a caveman, but I thought you guys might like it.

[Via Yanko Design]

Farewelll To The Flesh Remote

Alex Zalben — Fri, 02 Jan 2009 16:01:00 GMT

Is this the grossest concept for a gadget we've ever seen? Answer: Yes, probably, and here's why:

Panasonic's Gel Remote concept is constructed of a soft, flesh-like gel. The remote appears cold when off. Once turned on, however, it seems to come to life. A soft light emanates somewhere from within as the center of the device begins to slowly rise and fall, mimicking the tranquil motions of breath. Left undisturbed, the remote will slumber peacefully. But should a human hand approach, sensors inside alert it to the imminent touch. It stops breathing, grows rigid – the light from within is extinguished.

Yup, that's what we need... More electronics that breathe, and appear to die when you try to use them. Horrifying, and gross.

[Via Electro Plankton]

There Is No Spoon

Alex Zalben — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 22:16:00 GMT

Actually, there are two spoons:

This concept has a tiny little spoon in side of a spoon, so you can feed a baby with less mess... Somehow... I'm actually far more concerned by the fact that this baby is being fed a large mug full of honey.

[Via Yanko Design]

Kiss of the Octopus

Alex Zalben — Tue, 30 Dec 2008 15:23:00 GMT

I'll be honest with you: I don't even remotely get this device, though it's very, very intriguing, for no reason I can pinpoint. It's very cute looking though, and here's what it does:

The Kissing Octopus is a small capacity USB Flash Drive, that also works as a magnet for notes, and if you have two, you can put them together so it looks like they're kissing. But, and here's the confusing part, if you do that, they're essentially unusable.

Form over function, anyone?

[Via Engadget]

We're Obsessed With Spills

Alex Zalben — Tue, 23 Dec 2008 15:26:00 GMT

My only guess is that we're always sloppy drunk here, and need excuses to plaster our apartment with items that make it look how we do. Regardless, these stools and chairs by Dutch designer Anna Ter Haar are kind of gross, and beautiful at the same time. My favorite one is above, but the rest are well worth checking out:

[Anna Ter Haar]

[Via DesignBoom]

Meanest Concept Design EVER

Alex Zalben — Fri, 12 Dec 2008 19:02:00 GMT

This fork with pink tips may seem like a way to color up your cutlery, but it's actually the meanest concept design ever, no joke. Explanation, from the mean, mean designer:

"This is a set of cutlery with the tips painted with a bright pink. The bright pink is not a colour associated with food, but associated with toxic chemicals. The OCD sufferers will think the tips are contaminated or poisoned, and this will trigger their OCD."

Ew.

[Via CribCandy]

Concept: Tea Bag Coffin

Steph Auteri — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 16:10:00 GMT

Designer Jonas Trampedach asks of us: "Where do teabags go to die?"

Well, mine usually goes straight into the trash or, when I'm out, it attempts to balance on the edge of my saucer, inevitably leaking all over the damn place.

Which is why I sorta like Trampedach's design-y solution:

[via Yanko Design]

Urban Seat

Alex Zalben — Fri, 21 Nov 2008 14:33:00 GMT

Juan Pablo Sammartino is the designer of this lovely "Urban Seat" concept, which would incorporate plants directly into park benches. This would be great for the new public walking area in Midtown, no? More pictures follow:

[Juan Pablo Sammartino]

[Via The Urban Garden]

Equations: Vacuum Mouse

Alex Zalben — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 17:34:00 GMT

[Via Everything USB]

Every Coat Hook Will Be Illuminated

Alex Zalben — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 20:01:00 GMT

Not necessarily the most efficient use of energy, but this concept is a super cool way to get lighting in yoru front hallway (assuming, of course, that you have a front hallway):

[Palluco]

[Via Apartment Therapy]

What Is She Hiding?

Alex Zalben — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 18:29:00 GMT

I think this lady is hiding something, I just can't tell what it is. Oh, here we go:

Turns out, that clothespin was a USB drive. Neat!

[Via Yanko Design]

How Flat Stanley Gets His Light

Alex Zalben — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 18:37:00 GMT

You may be familiar with Flat Stanley, the guy who travels around the world teaching kids about how big our globe is. Well, ever wonder how he gets his light? Easy:

The Flat Bulb concept uses less materials, expends less energy, and looks cooler than a regular light bulb. Make it into a halogen, and we have ourselves a deal.

[Via Design Boom]

Quick Tip of the Day: Make This Pasta Box Concept a Reality

Steph Auteri — Mon, 03 Nov 2008 13:27:00 GMT

Not that I have anything against leftovers, but I find it frustrating that boxes of pasta are always sized out for 10 people rather than two.

And whenever I do up a pasta-related recipe, I don't bother measuring out the proper amount of noodles; I just dump the whole box into the boiling pot of water. I mean, where am I going to store an already-opened, partially-used box of pasta?

When are packaging companies going to get smart?

Joel Chiasson has designed exactly what we need...a pasta box with three openings for different family sizes, making it easy to measure out the correct amount of pasta, and then store away the leftovers. Someone give this guy a production contract,

Do Robots Mow With Electric Sheep?

Alex Zalben — Thu, 30 Oct 2008 14:04:00 GMT

It's a lawn mower shaped like a sheep, that runs itself, and sings. Don't believe me? Here's the proof:

[Via Gearlog]

Another Bright Idea

Steph Auteri — Fri, 24 Oct 2008 18:04:00 GMT

Earlier this week, I posted about a pretty bright idea, done up by a pretty bright designer. Bright ideas abound and, two days later, Alex introduced us to the equally fabulous work of Samulnoli. The design he didn't mention?

I obviously have a thing for lightbulbs that aren't lightbulbs, because I'm wild about these X-Ray Lights.

Guess What This Kitchen Product Is...

Alex Zalben — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 16:33:00 GMT

I gave you a big hint by telling you it's a kitchen product. Now, can you figure out what it is?

Did you get it? It's a Triple Toaster concept by Craig Strangward, which can toast three pieces of bread to different settings. What do you think, Materialistas: cool, or unnecessary?

[Via The Design Blog]

Defense Against the Dark Tables

Alex Zalben — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 15:00:00 GMT

One day, the tables will rise up against us, their mobile masters. When they do, we'll be ready:

I like this concept for home protection much better than the alternative. You know, guns?

[James McAdam]

[Via Hello Bauldoff]

This Teacup Has a Secret

Alex Zalben — Thu, 23 Oct 2008 13:35:00 GMT

This teacup has a secret. Can you guess what it is? And no, it's not that it's smaller than a CD:

It plays CDs! You place the CD in the base, turn the cup to adjust the volume, and can have pleasing music coming out of your coffee or tea.

[Via Yanko Design]

Related: Time For a Teaparty

The iBangle

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 21:32:00 GMT

No, you didn't miss the latest release from Apple. This concept is designer Gopinath Prasana's vision of a future iPod. Check out more pictures after the jump for an up-close look at how it would work:

[Yanko Design]

A Button For Your Bottom

Diana Vilibert — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:33:00 GMT

Cute buttons, right? Actually, they're not buttons at all:

They're stools, and they're called "buttom stools," which is adorable if you ask me. The button design is cute--I just wished the looked a little more comfortable for the bottom.

[Macalula]

Book Hangers

Alex Zalben — Wed, 22 Oct 2008 20:03:00 GMT

While this is a nice concept idea, there's one essential problem:

If the idea is to effectively store books, clearing space on your bookshelves, it doesn't take into account that closet space is also at a premium. Anyway, what do you guys think: faboo, or just boo?

[Samulnoli]

[Via CribCandy]

Related: Concepts We Wish Had Succeeded

Equation: A Bright Idea?

Steph Auteri — Mon, 20 Oct 2008 19:50:00 GMT

The Pocket Light is about the size of a credit card and powered by a small cell. It's still in the design stage, but I'm thinking it's a pretty bright idea...perhaps even bright enough to make it to production?

[Via Charles & Marie]

This Lamp Will Die For You

Alex Zalben — Thu, 16 Oct 2008 17:27:00 GMT

We don't ask a lot from our lamps... Merely that they provide light, and go well with the rest of our decor. But this lamp... This lamp is a martyr:

Designed by The Play Coalition, the Martyr Lamp retails for... Well, I don't know, there's not a lot of info on the designers page. But it sure is a cute night light, huh?

[The Play Coalition]

[Via Coated]

Related: Sexiest Lamp Ever

RGB Glasses

Alex Zalben — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 14:28:00 GMT

This is a totally awesome, totally terrible concept for eyeglasses that I want very badly. Can you guess what their secret is?

They're empty containers that you fill with brightly colored ink, so you can change their color at will. Two problems, the way I see it:

1. Ink will stain the insides, and be very hard to clean.

2. You're going to break these all over your face. No question about it.

Anyway, a rad idea, if it can be made indestructible and stainless.

[Via Yanko Design]

Related: Help Me Pick a Pair of Glasses