IDasia.org | Industrial Design Asia » Design News http://www.idasia.org Showcasing Design and Designers from Asia and Beyond Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:22:00 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.2 en hourly 1 A Review: Volkswagen Golf Sport Mark6 http://www.idasia.org/a-review-volkswagen-golf-sport-mark6/ http://www.idasia.org/a-review-volkswagen-golf-sport-mark6/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 09:22:00 +0000 Dotty http://www.idasia.org/a-review-volkswagen-golf-sport-mark6/
One day, a friend from the Lancer EX forum called when I was have a meal @ Bakerzine with my wife. He said “Bro, wanna change car or not?”

I booked a Scirocco like a day or 2 later and traded my 2years old Lancer EX for it. Being a selfish sports car with 2 doors and negative things happened (not to be discussed here), and 2 weeks later I asked to change it to a Golf.

It has a 160bhp TSI engine, twin-charged (super and turbo charged)and 240Nm of torque from 2,000 rpm. I bought the car not knowing what it had or what it meant.
Then I learn while waiting from early April 2010 to middle of July 2010 for it to be factory-fitted with a Bi-xenon headlight that does not come with a 1.4L and shipped to Singapore.

Let me tell you, driving the car stock (without any modification), it was already thrilling… you will feel like finding a reason just to drive it. Stepping on the accelerator, and the supercharger kicks in and you are flying, you will feel like what the specs says ” from zero to 80kph in 5.8seconds and zero to 100kph in 8 seconds flat” and what’s more… it’s soooo quiet especially since it is using sport performance tyres and were really noisy when used on my previous Lancer EX (which felt like a tin can after test driving the Golf)

What makes a continental car a quality car? It is in the details. The robust build, illuminated leg area and illuminated vanity mirrors in sun visor, “Climatronic” air-conditioning system with 2-zone temperature control, built-in touch screen which are integrated with all the controls including a park distance control display, quality tyres, the silence. 

And another thing, when you tune a Japanese car, you don’t really get much out of it, in fact you will void your car warranty. For European cars, you are welcomed to tune as warranty is covered by their authorised workshop and partners… and what you will get is astronomical, my golf now is about 200bhp with about 300Nm of torque after getting it tuned with mTm.

Upgrade the steel rims to 18″ BBS CF with Michelin PS3 tyres filled with nitrogen makes the car lighter and even better to cruise with.

Extract from VW SG

Sponsored By: Design Sojourn | Strategic Industrial Design Blog

]]> http://www.idasia.org/a-review-volkswagen-golf-sport-mark6/feed/ 0 iPhone 4.0 http://www.idasia.org/iphone-4-0/ http://www.idasia.org/iphone-4-0/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 08:27:29 +0000 Dotty http://www.idasia.org/iphone-4-0/
I had disappeared… almost a year… choose reason…
a) i was too busy with a new life
b) i lost my password
c) my image library is full
d) it takes too much effort

Seriously? I can’t remember but I felt like blogging what i found to be an amazing product by Apple (iPod Touch iOS4) just now and so I logged in. Looking below my post, and you will see that i left off almost a year ago with a HTC phone and an Apple mouse. Today I want to write about the HTC Hero I have now and the iPhone 4 that I want to get…

I am still using the HTC Hero… it was great and it was lousy… it gave me instant view of the my stock portfolio and my hotmail and a full facebook site with a direct photo upload link and a good camera… it has 1 day battery life and it drop calls or even missed it. That’s bad since a phone’s basic function is to make calls.

So, I traded in my Nokia E71 for it’s new brother, the E72 since that what it’s good for, making calls and lasting for days and its got free Ovi map!

 I was contemplating on getting the N8 but Nokia is just taking so too long to launch for its own good. But the Symbian on the E72 made me think twice of waiting for the N8 although it is going to be a major upgrade and it has a 12 mega pixel camera! Symbian is too slow! I can’t even surf properly, but not to condemn it because it’s not really a phone for surfing.

So why do I wanna get an iPhone, I am not even an iPhone fan. I bought an iPod touch 2nd Generation and I seldom used it. Well, sadly, the Android in HTC Hero made me got so used to entertainment and information on the go… and there isn’t really anything to look forward to in the Android world now even after upgarding my Hero’s OS from 1.5 to 2.1…

The iPhone had said “In so many ways, it’s a first”.
It’s the first with a good surfing OS, the first with the Wifi made so easy it’s idiot proofed, the first with a glass panel so hard it can crush a real apple without damaging the phone, the first to make a walkie talkie glamorous with its facetime software, the first to have a badly designed antenna and still lived to tell the good news to it’s shareholders, the first to sell online for SGD888 and people can still buy from you for SGD1300… how cool is that?

I bought one for my wife… and I am going to get one for myself next month when the HTC Hero’s contract is up.

Extract from Apple SG, Nokia SG

Sponsored By: >Think>Draw>Make>

]]> http://www.idasia.org/iphone-4-0/feed/ 0 Apple iPod Touch with iOS4 http://www.idasia.org/apple-ipod-touch-with-ios4/ http://www.idasia.org/apple-ipod-touch-with-ios4/#comments Thu, 02 Sep 2010 07:33:49 +0000 Dotty http://www.idasia.org/apple-ipod-touch-with-ios4/
I never ever think that Apple is/was innovative… the things that they introduce, you get them in other gadgets ages ago, the only difference is they have the fans to recognise them as good things to have.
Today I say Apple is good. I see the new iPod Touch as a next generation walkie talkie… What am I talking about?

“Video calling is in full effect on iPod touch. Now your friends can see what you’re up to, when you’re up to it. With the tap of a button, you can wave “hi” while standing in a foreign country, get a second opinion on a pair of boots, or have your friends bear witness to the everyday pranks, bets and dares they otherwise might have missed — new iPod touch to new iPod touch or iPhone 4 over Wi-Fi. And come face to face with even more fun.”

Good stuff!

Sponsored By: WiiGolf.net | Real Golfing on the Nintendo Wii

]]> http://www.idasia.org/apple-ipod-touch-with-ios4/feed/ 0 Pan Am is back as a Bag Brand http://www.idasia.org/pan-am-is-back-as-a-bag-brand/ http://www.idasia.org/pan-am-is-back-as-a-bag-brand/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:09:02 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/pan-am-is-back-as-a-bag-brand/

This is true for most of these Lazarus brands. The emotional connection consumers have for them has transcended time. There is something of meaning and value in the brand which, when re-introduced through the right category and product that can reflect that meaning and value, immediately has new leverage and cache. And this is the lesson for new brands out there. Creating something that is timeless and grounded in its compelling truths is critical to building equity and longevity. If a brand has meaning and value to your core constituents, and if you live up to those truths, you can build preference.

via fastcodesign.com

Amazing brand equity here.

Sponsored By: WiiGolf.net | Real Golfing on the Nintendo Wii

]]> http://www.idasia.org/pan-am-is-back-as-a-bag-brand/feed/ 0 MUJI AWARD 03 Gold Prize goes to a Straw http://www.idasia.org/muji-award-03-gold-prize-goes-to-a-straw/ http://www.idasia.org/muji-award-03-gold-prize-goes-to-a-straw/#comments Tue, 31 Aug 2010 08:08:40 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/muji-award-03-gold-prize-goes-to-a-straw/
via muji.net

Except that it is made of wheat straw. A nice juxtaposition and a nostalgic nod back to the past. Assuming we used wheat straws to drink from. Regardless, the sustainability impact here is clear and immediate.

]]> http://www.idasia.org/muji-award-03-gold-prize-goes-to-a-straw/feed/ 0 Designer Chair with Guns for Legs http://www.idasia.org/designer-chair-with-guns-for-legs/ http://www.idasia.org/designer-chair-with-guns-for-legs/#comments Tue, 17 Aug 2010 09:55:16 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/designer-chair-with-guns-for-legs/ Check out this designer chair with guns as legs!  That chair has really cool legs!  Yeah right…
Please indulge me, just this once?

Ok…I thought you might like to know that Maggie Q will star in the remake of Le Femme Nikita.  Hmm…nice legs, I mean guns! ;)  

]]> http://www.idasia.org/designer-chair-with-guns-for-legs/feed/ 0 Eating off your iPad with iDish http://www.idasia.org/eating-off-your-ipad-with-idish/ http://www.idasia.org/eating-off-your-ipad-with-idish/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 09:01:20 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/eating-off-your-ipad-with-idish/
via d.hatena.ne.jp

Things people do with their iPad. Quite crazy.

]]> http://www.idasia.org/eating-off-your-ipad-with-idish/feed/ 0 iPhone 4 as a CAD drawing http://www.idasia.org/iphone-4-as-a-cad-drawing/ http://www.idasia.org/iphone-4-as-a-cad-drawing/#comments Thu, 12 Aug 2010 08:05:16 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/iphone-4-as-a-cad-drawing/
via core77.com

Ahh…such designer geekery.

Sponsored By: Design Sojourn | Strategic Industrial Design Blog

]]> http://www.idasia.org/iphone-4-as-a-cad-drawing/feed/ 0 Umbrella and Stand for FiftyThree by Outofstock http://www.idasia.org/umbrella-and-stand-for-fiftythree-by-outofstock/ http://www.idasia.org/umbrella-and-stand-for-fiftythree-by-outofstock/#comments Fri, 30 Jul 2010 01:38:04 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/umbrella-and-stand-for-fiftythree-by-outofstock-2/

Outofstock was recently commissioned by Singapore chef Michael Han to design a set of umbrellas and umbrella stand for his restaurant, FiftyThree. The items are designed with the restaurant’s philosophy in mind – understated and an intimacy with natural materials.

The umbrella’s solid beech wood shaft and carbon fibre ribs reflect the elegant austerity of the restaurant interiors, softened by the warmth of a carefully sculpted handle. The handle’s cross-sectional shape facilitates a comfortable grip, while the gentle indentation is a defining detail which provides security and solace for one’s thumb.

Propped by offcuts of guava tree branches, the umbrellas rest on an umbrella stand of made of a bent corian sheet over a maple wood base. The curved ledge channels remaining rain water from the umbrellas into a small, concealed container within the base.

via outofstockdesign.comCheck out this cool umbrella and stand installation by Outofstock, an outfit set up by one of my former students. Nicely done.

Sponsored By: >Think>Draw>Make>

]]> http://www.idasia.org/umbrella-and-stand-for-fiftythree-by-outofstock/feed/ 0 How to swim like a Dolphin? http://www.idasia.org/how-to-swim-like-a-dolphin/ http://www.idasia.org/how-to-swim-like-a-dolphin/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 17:02:25 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/how-to-swim-like-a-dolphin/
via uc.edu

Students from the University of Cincinnati Interior Design (Huh, Interior Design???) program designed this Mechanical Dolphin Tails or flipper fins called Lunocets. Biomimicry at its best.

]]> http://www.idasia.org/how-to-swim-like-a-dolphin/feed/ 0 1930’s Art Deco Henderson Motocycle http://www.idasia.org/1930s-art-deco-henderson-motocycle/ http://www.idasia.org/1930s-art-deco-henderson-motocycle/#comments Wed, 28 Jul 2010 14:02:32 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/1930s-art-deco-henderson-motocycle/
via knucklebusterinc.com

It looks difficult to ride!

]]> http://www.idasia.org/1930s-art-deco-henderson-motocycle/feed/ 0 Eight Finalists for the Electrolux Design Lab Announced! http://www.idasia.org/eight-finalists-for-the-electrolux-design-lab-announced/ http://www.idasia.org/eight-finalists-for-the-electrolux-design-lab-announced/#comments Tue, 27 Jul 2010 02:43:15 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/eight-finalists-for-the-electrolux-design-lab-announced/

Electrolux Design Lab 2010 finalists from Asia

The finalists (in no particular order) are Daniel Dobrogorsky (Australia)- designer of “The Kitchen Hideaway”, Peter Alwin (India)- designer of “The Snail”, Matthew Gilbride (USA)- designer of “Elements Modular Kitchen”, Ahi Andy Mohsen (Iran)- designer of the “Eco Cleaner”, Yuriy Dmitriev (Russia)- designer of the “Bio Robot Refrigerator”, Michael Edenius (Sweden)- designer of the “Clean Closet”, Guo Lichen (China)- designer of the “Dismount Washer” and Nicolas Hubert (France)- designer of the “External Refrigerator”.


Electrolux Design Lab 2010 finalists submissions. For larger images, please visit Electrolux’s Flickr page.

via newsroom.electrolux.com

I like competitions like this that has a global spread of competitors, and more importantly view points of design from around the world. Check out the work of the 3 designers from Asia-Pacific! Good proof points on the strength of Asian design.

Sponsored By: Design Sojourn | Strategic Industrial Design Blog

]]> http://www.idasia.org/eight-finalists-for-the-electrolux-design-lab-announced/feed/ 0 iida Lotta Mobile Phone http://www.idasia.org/iida-lotta-mobile-phone/ http://www.idasia.org/iida-lotta-mobile-phone/#comments Wed, 14 Jul 2010 05:42:16 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/iida-lotta-mobile-phone/ Think>Draw>Make> ]]>

It does a “lotta” stuff in a sleek minimal form. I love the subtle narrowing top and chamfered back that allows the phone to sit perfectly in your hand.

I bet it does not have reception issues! Sadly only available in Japan.

Sponsored By: >Think>Draw>Make>

]]> http://www.idasia.org/iida-lotta-mobile-phone/feed/ 0 Cupmen 2 helps you cook your instant noodles http://www.idasia.org/cupmen-2-helps-you-cook-your-instant-noodles/ http://www.idasia.org/cupmen-2-helps-you-cook-your-instant-noodles/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:35:13 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/?p=15752

Japanese product design label h concept just announced the release of a sequel to their popular “waiting” figurine. Made from silicone, the figurine holds the lid down on your instant noodles, while reacting to the heat and changing color to let you know when your 3 minutes are up. The new model, Cupmen 2, carries all those same properties. The only difference is that it has taken a more laid-back approach to its work, as opposed to the diligent original. The product goes on sale June 10th for 840 yen.

via Spoon & Tamago.

Sponsored By: WiiGolf.net | Real Golfing on the Nintendo Wii

]]> http://www.idasia.org/cupmen-2-helps-you-cook-your-instant-noodles/feed/ 0 iPhone Wallpaper: “Life is like a box of …” http://www.idasia.org/iphone-wallpaper-%e2%80%9clife-is-like-a-box-of-%e2%80%a6%e2%80%9d/ http://www.idasia.org/iphone-wallpaper-%e2%80%9clife-is-like-a-box-of-%e2%80%a6%e2%80%9d/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:20:52 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/?p=15749

Is it only me who is reminded of square chocolates in a box when looking at the colorful icons on the iPhone screen? No? Then here are iPhone wallpapers that make you think so.

via petitinvention.

]]> http://www.idasia.org/iphone-wallpaper-%e2%80%9clife-is-like-a-box-of-%e2%80%a6%e2%80%9d/feed/ 0 Holga Digtal Camera Concept by Saikat Biswas http://www.idasia.org/holga-digtal-camera-concept-by-saikat-biswas/ http://www.idasia.org/holga-digtal-camera-concept-by-saikat-biswas/#comments Mon, 12 Jul 2010 07:07:48 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/?p=15743

Holga D is a digital camera inspired from the extremely popular cult of Holga and other toy cameras of its kind.

Even though it’s a digital camera, it retains the qualities and simplicity of the original Holga camera and brings back the joy and delayed gratification associated with good old analog photography.

For those who are not aware of Holga,
it is an inexpensive, medium format 120 film toy camera, known for its whimsical and surreal images.

It’s low-cost construction and simple meniscus plastic lens often crates vignetting, blur, light leaks, and other ‘qualities’ that’s unacceptable in the mainstream photography. But the quality problems have obtained a major cult following among some photographers, and has become really popular in recent years.

via Saikat Biswas.

]]> http://www.idasia.org/holga-digtal-camera-concept-by-saikat-biswas/feed/ 0 Creative Food http://www.idasia.org/creative-food/ http://www.idasia.org/creative-food/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:20:37 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/creative-food/
via flickr.com

Needs a bigger screen! ;)

]]> http://www.idasia.org/creative-food/feed/ 0 Turn your iPhone4 into a DSLR http://www.idasia.org/turn-your-iphone4-into-a-dslr/ http://www.idasia.org/turn-your-iphone4-into-a-dslr/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:18:57 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/turn-your-iphone4-into-a-dslr/
via 9gag.com

Sponsored By: Design Sojourn | Strategic Industrial Design Blog

]]> http://www.idasia.org/turn-your-iphone4-into-a-dslr/feed/ 0 Matrix Ping Pong http://www.idasia.org/matrix-ping-pong/ http://www.idasia.org/matrix-ping-pong/#comments Wed, 07 Jul 2010 09:16:24 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/matrix-ping-pong/ Think>Draw>Make> ]]>
via 9gag.com

This is a classic!

Sponsored By: >Think>Draw>Make>

]]> http://www.idasia.org/matrix-ping-pong/feed/ 0 The Slurp digital eyedropper allows you to physically move intangible digital media http://www.idasia.org/the-slurp-digital-eyedropper-allows-you-to-physically-move-intangible-digital-media/ http://www.idasia.org/the-slurp-digital-eyedropper-allows-you-to-physically-move-intangible-digital-media/#comments Tue, 06 Jul 2010 06:17:12 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/the-slurp-digital-eyedropper-allows-you-to-physically-move-intangible-digital-media/

In this video I demonstrate how slurp can be used to move digital files between machines over the network. Rather than plug a usb drive into the port that corresponds with a specific file seen on a screen, just suck the file directly off the screen itself. Slurp is used like an eyedropper, it vibrates and displays light to indicate it’s state to the user.

Slurp is tangible interface for manipulating abstract digital information as if it were water. Taking the form of an eyedropper, Slurp can extract (slurp up) and inject (squirt out) pointers to digital objects. We have created Slurp to explore the use of physical metaphor, feedback, and affordances in tangible interface design when working with abstract digital media types. Our goal is to privilege spatial relationships between devices and people while providing new physical manipulation techniques for ubiquitous computing environments.

via gemssty.com

Cool working concept prototype that allows people to managing intangible digital media tangibly.

Sponsored By: WiiGolf.net | Real Golfing on the Nintendo Wii

]]> http://www.idasia.org/the-slurp-digital-eyedropper-allows-you-to-physically-move-intangible-digital-media/feed/ 0 Fun iPhone 4 Parodies http://www.idasia.org/fun-iphone-4-parodies/ http://www.idasia.org/fun-iphone-4-parodies/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 09:53:24 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/fun-iphone-4-parodies/
via soupsoup.tumblr.com

 

Patent pending. NEW iPhone 4 antenna booster! Just $29.99. Really works!* * As tested compared to licking your hands and squeezing really hard in a weird way that most people are unlikely to do accidentally at the same time that their hands are wet and they’re transferring a lot of data. Results not guaranteed. I should clarify: this post is satire. I don’t actually use my phone with tape on it — I just put it on there for this photo. It’s a joke. Even though I always hold my phone like this, I haven’t been able to reproduce the supposed problem. Hell, Gizmodo broke theirs trying to squeeze it in just the right way. I really don’t think this is a significant issue. A LOT of people have mistakenly thought that I was actually using my phone this way and suggesting this as a real solution. Actually, it probably would work. But I don’t need it, and you probably don’t, either.

Patent pending.

NEW iPhone 4 antenna booster! Just $29.99. Really works!*

* As tested compared to licking your hands and squeezing really hard in a weird way that most people are unlikely to do accidentally at the same time that their hands are wet and they’re transferring a lot of data. Results not guaranteed.

via marco.org
via engadget.com
———-
Sorry guys, I could not help it!
]]> http://www.idasia.org/fun-iphone-4-parodies/feed/ 0 Microsoft’s InstaLoad Allows Batteries Inserted in Any Direction! http://www.idasia.org/microsofts-instaload-allows-batteries-inserted-in-any-direction/ http://www.idasia.org/microsofts-instaload-allows-batteries-inserted-in-any-direction/#comments Mon, 05 Jul 2010 03:38:55 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/microsofts-instaload-allows-batteries-inserted-in-any-direction/

InstaLoad is a new battery technology from Microsoft that gives devices power, regardless of how users insert the batteries. It doesn’t matter which side is positive or negative; the device will simply work.

The technology is in the mechanical battery contact design. Each side of the metal contacts in a device have positive and negative points, rather than just a positive or negative point. The technology works with most barrel-type batteries, so your AA, AAA, C and D batteries are all compatible. It also doesn’t matter whether the batteries are rechargeable or not.

via mashable.com

This will be HUGE!

]]> http://www.idasia.org/microsofts-instaload-allows-batteries-inserted-in-any-direction/feed/ 0 Control a your Secret Spy Drone with your iPhone! http://www.idasia.org/control-a-your-secret-spy-drone-with-your-iphone/ http://www.idasia.org/control-a-your-secret-spy-drone-with-your-iphone/#comments Thu, 24 Jun 2010 13:50:35 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/control-a-your-secret-spy-drone-with-your-iphone/

via mashable.com

I really love this! It is about time some one created something like this. It only costs $299!

That being said, look how has the iPhone as a platform has transformed!

]]> http://www.idasia.org/control-a-your-secret-spy-drone-with-your-iphone/feed/ 0 1948 Buick Streamliner by Norman E. Timbs http://www.idasia.org/1948-buick-streamliner-by-norman-e-timbs/ http://www.idasia.org/1948-buick-streamliner-by-norman-e-timbs/#comments Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:31:34 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/1948-buick-streamliner-by-norman-e-timbs/

1948 Buick Streamliner by Norman E. Timbs

Curves like these inspire poetry.  The 1948 Buick Streamliner by Norman E. Timbs is a muse in the world of classic cars, an automobile from a time when curvy was most desirable in the eyes of men.  Looking at a car like this makes one lament the slim, simple direction human attraction has gone, when the cars and cover girls leave plenty to be desired in the most important aesthetic quality– shape.  This classic Buick Streamliner is in pristine condition, restored by Dave Crouse for the 2010 Concours d’Elegance.  Its original construction took over two years, built with an aluminum body around a steel chassis.  Not only is it unlikely you’ll ever see this beauty on the road, it’s likely that you’ll never see it on the auction block.  A car like this is far too rare, too beautiful that any owner could ever want to pass it up– no matter the price.  [via supercars.net]

1948 Buick Streamliner by Norman E. Timbs

1948 Buick Streamliner by Norman E. Timbs

1948 Buick Streamliner by Norman E. Timbs

via thecoolist.com

Gosh, they don’t make cars like this anymore.

]]> http://www.idasia.org/1948-buick-streamliner-by-norman-e-timbs/feed/ 0 Nintendo 3DS, YES 3D! http://www.idasia.org/nintendo-3ds-yes-3d/ http://www.idasia.org/nintendo-3ds-yes-3d/#comments Thu, 17 Jun 2010 07:00:20 +0000 Porro http://www.idasia.org/nintendo-3ds-yes-3d/
via e3.nintendo.com

Nintendo announced this, their next DS incarnation during E3. Check out the stereoscopic dual web cameras on the edge of the closed cover. This will allow you to view your friends or any object in 3D.

]]> http://www.idasia.org/nintendo-3ds-yes-3d/feed/ 0