Could be a fun MAKE project…“Cuckoo IP is a voice messaging system. The clock’s answer phone can be dialled from mobile or landline. Leave a voice message, select a time for the delivery of it. At that time, the cuckoo will emerge from the clock and broadcast your message. The device uses networking protocols to communicate with a server. Every minute, the clock asks the server if there’s any message for that time-slot and request the sound file.” Link.
What will the home of the future look like in 2020? The Electrolux design lab jury selected 12 designers who participated in a design workshop in Stockolm, Sweden. “1st prize: The form of Air Wash is inspired by the waterfall, nature’s negative ion generator and regenerator. Its button-less interface is intriguing yet intuitively simple, humanizing the often mechanical experience when handling household appliances.” Check out the rest for some Maker project inspiration – and build the future now! Link.
Obeyken writes “Electronic / kinetic bug art. I build these small, insect-like sculptures with simple motion-detecting “antennae” that respond to various stimulus such as movement, vibration, or air currents. When picked up, handled, or otherwise stimulated, the bug comes to life as its LED eyes blink rhythmically. I have one sitting on my monitor right now that blinks as I type. They’re constructed from LEDs, bits of wire, guitar strings, and coin-cell batteries (the PCB battery holder is the bug’s “body”). My original plan was to deploy them throughout San Francisco as a sort of “electronic graffiti” but thus far they haven’t survived too long in the wild…” Link. You could also make your own, the design is the how-to.
McWhizzleteeth has a follow up how-to on making two-tone text for wall posters made from the text of books – “The “Origin of the Species – wall hanging” project makes a nice use of opacity masks in Illustrator, embedding an image in a field of text by changing the opacity throughout. But pulling this off can be difficult to figure out. This guide will run you through the steps to embed an image in a field of text merely by changing the opacity of the text itself.” Link.
It wouldn’t be too hard to make your own pong clock (software app / Macromedia Flash) and put that on a LCD picture frame… “The dutch design company Buro Vormkrijgers has designed a clock which uses the popular videogame Pong to show the time. A random game of Pong is played, and when it’s time to change minutes or hours, one of the two sides will score, thus changing the score and the time. This has got to be one of the most inventive ways of using Pong ever!” There is video in download archives, showing how the clock works in real time. [via] Link.
Star writes “Upcycle Art is a place you will find fun projects that you can make from those things you’ve been tossing into garvages bins or recycle bins. Follow the step by step instractions and enjoy making cool items by yourself.” Link.
Sensory Impact “Joost van Bleiswick has designed jigsaw-esque furniture called “No Glue No Screw” that slots together without the need of glue or screws. His sideboard no1 and dresser no1 have a sculptured quality and beautify minimal lines and symmetry.” [