Sweet wall stickers to encourage energy reduction in homes! I want some…

Over the last 20 years, mobile phones have changed a great deal - but the audio quality of the calls has remained relatively untouched. Today, network service provider Orange has launched their new HD Voice service in the UK. It aims to provide a higher call quality by dampening any background noise to give a supposedly crystal clear conversation.

To take advantage of the free HD Voice service, Orange customers must have suitable phones that support it, with some Nokia, Sony Ericsson and Samsung phones already working.

d30 is a specially engineered material packed with ‘intelligent molecules’.  It’s based on a unique polymer that is soft/flexible but on shock the molecules lock together and absorb the energy from the impact.

In the last 18 months, the material (as an impact protection solution) has been adapted to a variety of applications including sports equipment and mobile technology.

ASUS Design: WaveFace

A first look at the WaveFace technology from the recent CES. The idea behind the concept is to provide a more intuitive, accessible technology that can be naturally integrated into our lives - tackling potential issues such as information overload and disorganised information.

Close up images of the concept mock-ups from the show, can be found here.

Live Curious

The National Geographic channel have released new advertisements that challenge exploration, pioneering and questioning - all of which capture National Geographic’s spirit. Although this could be looked at from a brand identity point of view, there’s also a humble message behind the advertisement - to “Live Curious” hits close to home. In National Geographic’s words, ”Everything deserves a Why”.

Panasonic: 90 Decades of Design and Innovation

An on-line Design museum showcasing over 90 years worth of Panasonic products. Check out the inspiration behind the designs for an interesting look at how fashion, trends and world events have affected Panasonic through the years.

…a personal favourite is the 1972 ‘Toot-a-Loop Radio’.

Apple Accessories Packaging

Latest Mac and iPod packaging from the in-house team at Apple. A fantastic, simple system - clearly labelled with each product shown actual size. Also, check out the packaging for the new Mac multi-touch mouse. Nice.

Living Climate Change - IDEO

The aim of LivingClimateChange is to expand our thinking of the environment and explore new, future possibilities of what life may like in 20-30yrs time. Or, as IDEO puts it, move the debate “away from what we have to give up and toward what we can create.”

‘Form 2’ Vibrator

Form 2 is a design collaboration between Fuseproject and sex toy designers, Jimmyjane. The device is said to provide what they are calling ”Sensation in Stereo” and is completely water tight due to its entire silicone body. There’s a neat docking station too that gives the device a total of SEVEN HOURS worth of play on single charge. Apart from being a strange object to discuss, I think this is a very cute, impressive piece of design.

The Fun Theory: World’s Deepest Bin

Following on from Mish’s ‘Piano Staircase’, here’s another instalment from the Volkswagen Fun Theory.

IdeaPaint

Paint that can be applied to transform any wall/surface into a doodle pad! The idea behind for the product was born several years ago when a group of college friends found themselves running out of space to brainstorm business ideas on.

Check out the installation video here that shows IdeaPaint in practice.

Folding Plug System

Seeing Mish’s post on socket design got me interested. Recent RCA graduate Min-Kyu Choi has designed an interesting plug concept based on the poor mobility of current UK plugs. Together with the design, there’s also a compact plug adaptor that aims to improve space efficiency both behind the desk and when travelling.

There’s also a video here to explain in detail. Notice how Min-Kyu Choi puts the design into perspective, using Apple to provide a realistic scenario.

The Google Story

A nice animation highlighting the most interesting events in Google’s history.

Il-Gu Cha - Trace of Time

Nearly a month ago now I visited 100% Design in London and one of the designers that really stood out in the ‘Futures’ section was Il-Gu Cha. This design, ‘Trace of Time’, was probably my favourite at the show - a clock that not only tells the time but allows the users to jot down quick notes. The hour hand would then erase the notes as it passed over that point. Simple. Obvious. Love it.

The user can also adapt the speed of the clock to suit days, weeks or even months, depending on their schedule.