dzynwrld iPhone 4 cases

Our first batch of custom-made iPhone 4 cases from Case-Mate have finally made their way into the shop and were featured last month at both trendhunter.com and materialicious.com. This first set consists of four colorful designs, two by yours truly, and one each by accomplished designers Matt W. Moore and Antonia Manda. Pictured above from the left are modulicious 1, takahashi, shapesandsizes 2, and flower power.

The next set of designs are in the works now and we are aiming to have them finished in the next few weeks, just in time for the launch of the iPhone 5.

– jb

I.D. magazine returns... sort of.

If you're a fan of modern design in general, and specifically industrial or product design, you'll be glad to hear that I.D. Magazine has been revived as an online gallery. Behance.net, the world's leading online platform for the creative professional community has teamed with the mag's former publisher F+W Media (also owners of Print and HOW magazines) to reboot the I.D. brand as a curated gallery of some of the latest and greatest industrial and product design from around the world.

I.D. Magazine was America’s premier magazine about contemporary product design and material culture from 1954 through 2009 and it's great to have them back.

– jb

Timing is everything...

Even as most of us now keep our days on schedule by checking the time on our cell-phones, the clock on the wall or on our desk can still go a long way towards adding some definite style and personality to our surroundings.

Thanks to a much-appreciated write-up in the ApartmentTherapy Marketplace last month, we've been getting some nice attention paid to our latest wall and desk clock designs. Our mid-century inspired Haywire, Modulicious, and Flower Power lines are available in both the 14" wall clock or 3 1/2" mini desk clock and will help keep time on your side!

– jb

Little Giants invade dzynwrld store!

We're just loving these little giants of history designed by Alphie Northcote and produced by Jailbreak Collective! The Artists Collection includes avant-garde pop artist Andy Warhol (complete with Campbell's soup can), king of surrealism Salvador Dali, passionate but tortured Vincent van Gogh, and last but not least, the Spanish creative powerhouse Pablo Picasso.

The Revolutionaries Collection includes India's passive-resistance guru Mahatma Ghandi, Argentine Marxist Che Guevara, African-American Muslim activist Malcolm X, and Communist China's authoritarian leader Mao Zedong.

Each of these vinyl figures is approximately 3" tall and has no moving parts. Set of 4 figures comes in a window display box with original artwork and biographical notes for each artist or revolutionary.

Check them out at the dzynwrld store and use that tax refund to shake up your world a little...

– jb

Design Star: George Nelson

I know it's hardly revolutionary to deem George Nelson one of the all-time design greats, but being kind of a clock freak myself makes Nelson a particular favorite of mine. Given all the awesome clocks he designed back in the day, along with his contributions in furniture, lamps, tables, etc. etc., it becomes obvious Nelson had a design career that would make just about anyone feel the need to genuflect.

Little did I know that Nelson got his degree in architecture and was a writer for many years before becoming the Director of Design at the Herman Miller Furniture Company. He then went on to set new standards for the involvement of design in all the activities of the company, and in doing so he pioneered the practice of corporate image management, graphic programs and signage.

In his forty-plus year career Nelson was one of the most articulate and eloquent voices on design and architecture in the U.S. during the 20th century and he helped legitimize and stimulate the field of industrial design by contributing to the creation of Industrial Design magazine in 1953.

A number of the nearly 300 classic wall clocks designed for Howard Miller Clock Company (including the Ball, Kite, Eye, Turbine, Spindle, Petal and Spike clocks, as well as a handful of desk clocks) are currently available from the Vitra online shop.

High on Adler?

Now I wouldn't consider myself a huge fan of Jonathan Adler stuff, but hey, that's just me. Lord knows he's got legions of fans and is making some pretty serious bank, so what do I know anyway? I do have to say I find this particular product kind of interesting though.

As the website explains...

"Scandalously scented with black currant, green apple, wormwood, patchouli and moss. Earthy but couture – it's a tempting taboo to inhale! And when the candle burns out...the porcelain vessel makes the perfect stash box."

Anybody else here getting a serious case of the munchies?

pilotdesign

Keith Moore of pilotdesign, is a Minneapolis-based graphic designer who also produces some very unique and inspired furniture and clock designs with a distinctly modern sensibility and regard for sustainability.

After graduating from Colorado State University with a BFA in Graphic Design, Keith headed for Minneapolis to start his career in that field. In his spare time, he started creating basic furniture pieces in his apartment with found objects, and eventually rented space at a pottery studio since his first design, a lamp, had a ceramic base. He was encouraged by the inclusion of this floor lamp in the international design publication, Graphis. He continued working in ceramics up until he took a course in furniture design at the Minneapolis College of Art and Design (MCAD), and immediately took to woodworking and the problem solving it required.

After working for a number of interactive design firms and agencies (including Duffy, Fallon, and Popular Front), he went out on his own in 2002 to design websites and furniture. Since then he's joined the 4th Street Guild, a woodworking cooperative, where his shop is today, after outgrowing the basement of his house.

Keith continues to work in both interactive and furniture design, often using bamboo and other sustainable materials… you can see some of his products for sale at his etsy shop.

MoMA store

3 quick finds from the MoMA catalog I just received recently...

First is the Unfinished Clock, designed for displaying on the edge of a shelf or mantel so that it looks like only the top half of a clock, but the hands still rotate all the way around. Pretty nice and only $46 to boot... $41 for members. Powder-coated steel with aluminum hands.

Next up we have the Vegetal Chair, definitely the coolest stacking indoor/outdoor chair I think I've ever seen. If it's from Vitra you know it's gotta be good... but then it better be @ $500 plus!

And last but not least is Dozi Hedgehog Paperclip Holder. Love the bright-ass orange! Very clever design... one for the wishlist! Made by Alessi of PMMA plastic & magnetic steel.

Check 'em all out and much more at the MoMA online store.

Zuny Animal Bookends

The stylized characters in this fun and whimsical collection of animal bookends are handcrafted of leather and filled with iron sand to hold up most heavy items. Use them as bookends, paperweights, or even as a doorstopper... in the kids' room, on the night stand, on your desk. Anywhere you'd like them to call home.

The Zuny collection is available in a limited edition of 9999 of each figure. There are four styles available: Boar (Babu), White Lion (Tumo), Dinosaur (Bobo), Sheep (Nell). (via generate design)

See all four styles here

"I'm not a battery!"

Very clever and cool design for the lowly salt and pepper shaker. Great idea and very fun. Just the ticket to spice things up at your dinner table!... (groan!!)

Solio - Portable Solar Powered Charger

This is going straight onto my wish list... a bit on the pricey side but who ever said saving a planet comes cheap anyway? I've been thinking about a solar charger for awhile now but didn't have a clue as to what was a good one.... guess I do now! Use it to charge your phone, ipod, camera and more.