Whatever happened to the old school? The days of noise-heavy cassettes booming out from over-sized ghetto blasters have been replaced by the times of the barely audible blare originating from small white headphones. This must change!

God help us should we ever be subjected to music on magnetic tape again, but a lightweight MP3 player housing with built-in speakers, that’s been designed to mimic a classic boombox, would be just about perfect! So get those fingers a-folding and bring back the ’80s (plus some added digital enhancement) with a cardboard iPod boombox!

Features

# Flatpack cardboard housing for iPods (and similar-sized MP3 players)
# Built-in amplified working speakers
# Retro ’80s boombox design (Designs may vary)
# On/Off switch & 3-level volume control/li>
# Works with any player with a 3.5mm headphone socket
# Lightweight design
# Constructed in seconds with included instructions

Battery Requirements

# 4 x AA batteries (included)

Dimensions

# Measures approximately 23.5cm (W) x 15cm (H) x 6.5cm (D) when assembled
# Built-in compartment fits MP3 players upto approximately 6cm (W) x 1.5cm (D)

An applied book with noble cloth binding an copper imprinting on its back. You don’t need a hammer for this edition - just slide on the lid. And like grandpa’s booksafe it hides in your book shelf.

http://www.joerg-gaetjens.com/

For those who haven’t a suitable calendar yet berlin based designstudio Codeluxe developed a sophisticated A1 size poster schedule.

DataLog is a bilateral calendar printed on translucent paper whereas both sides are interdependent, in form and in content. While a calendar for 2009 is printed on the front, the backside shows statistical data of the Codeluxe studio from the past year.

Format: 841×574mm
Paper: ANTALIS Translucents, 180g/qm
Colors: Pantone Black & Pantone 805
Price: € 15,00

http://codeluxe.com/datalog/#order

Given that it’s still the Christmas season, the last thing I’d want to do is dampen the mood and seem anyway morbid, however, this Louis Vuitton bullet is definitely the epitome of ‘Fresh to Death’.

Designed by Australian design firm 21.19, the shell features the same Louis Vuitton pattern which features on most of our favourite accessories and travel luggage on the casing.

In todays crime-rampant society, it would be irresponsible of us to glamourise anything crime related, however, if one was to find themselves on the receiving end of a bullet at least these beauties will ensure you went in out style… on the flipside, if there were such a thing as fashion police, would they had their pistols be loaded with these?

Apparently, this was part of the communications campaign kit by design firm 21:19 for Bita Haidarian’s autobiographical film, “Finding Bibi”.

http://www.21-19.com/

Jaebeom Jeong has designed the Grid Chair which at the first glance looks minimalist and chic to me. The design consists of welded steel frame which is infused with something elegant like black-walnut seat. Jeong is set to launch the ‘Grid Series Project’ which apparently aims to explore the intricate relationship between computer generated and classical designs.

The grid Chair is exhibited at Seoul at a gallery called the Prugio and will be on display till the 3rd of January. I would say this chair resembles an artistic impression of how metal and cushion can complement and contrast each other. Grid layouts and designs almost always have a modernist element in them which is lacking in contemporary designs.

Perhaps the computer generated forms can co-exist with those that are classical and modern. The seat may not be commercially produced as it may not have a market appeal. However, the chair is definitely great looking, interesting and minimalist. I doubt it would be comfortable to sit on the Grid Chair and suspect that it may leave marks on the back.

http://www.messenger-light.com/

A few weeks back, Vuzix teased us with an image of their upcoming Wrap 920AV virtual reality sunglasses, and today they have followed up the details. So what is “see-thru” quantum optics anyway?

The stylish Wrap 920AV functions with any media playing device with a video output and projects a virtual 60-inch screen, as viewed from 9-feet. The state-of-the-art lens technology also allows users for the first time to view 3D video content while seeing and interacting with the real world. This incredible blend of reality and computer generated content will transform the world of portable video while opening up the consumer to previously impossible “location aware” applications. An optional 6-Degree of Freedom tracking sensor and/or Stereo Camera Pair will enable users to upgrade their Wrap 920AV to experience virtual, augmented and mixed reality environments.
If the glasses work as advertised, interacting with 3D digital content within a real world landscape might be a big step towards decent, workable virtual reality. Plus, the battery life has been bumped up to around six hours (not to mention a significant reduction in the Geordi factor of the design). The glasses are slated for release in Spring of 2009 at an undisclosed price.

“The Wrap 920AV will not just change the portable video industry, but how consumers view and interact with information,” said Vuzix CEO Paul Travers. “From watching a Civil War video reproduction battle reenactment on the actual battleground to walking through the streets of New York City with an animated virtual tour guide, the possibilities are endless,” added Travers.
“As listed in 2008 at the Gartner Emerging Trends and Technologies Roadshow, Augmented Reality promises a paradigm shift in how consumers interact with news, entertainment and information,” said Vuzix Consumer Division Product Manager Ron Haidenger. “The Wrap 920AV is the first product at a consumer price point to deliver this game changing technology to the masses,” added Haidenger.
Additionally, Vuzix will be offering low cost optional prescription lens inserts to provide the perfect solution for consumers wearing prescription eyeglasses. A patent pending electronic Inter-Pupillary Distance system enables eye separation adjustment, ensuring that all users will have an optimal viewing experience. Amazingly, the entire system weighs less than 3 ounces.

The Wrap 920AV’s features include:

• Virtual 60-inch screen viewed from 9-feet
• 2D and 3D video formats
• Quantum Optics Technology
• Twin high-resolution AMLCD displays
• Ultra low power electronics
• High-quality noise-isolating and removable comfort fit earphones
• Up to 6 hours of battery life on two AA batteries
• On screen display settings control
• For use with or without eyeglasses
• Optional prescription lens inserts
• Optional Bluetooth 6-Degree of Freedom head tracking system
• Optional USB-powered Stereo Camera Pair

Compatible devices include:

• All iPod/iPhone models with video output
• Portable media players
• Video cameras
• Cellular phones with video output
• Console video game systems
• Digital cameras
• DVD players
• PCs & laptops with S-Video

The Wrap 920AV will be available on Vuzix.com and through various other distribution channels in Spring 2009.

www.vuzix.com

Being resourceful is definitely a virtue these days, and sharing your craftiness with others is perhaps the best way to sprinkle the seeds of good design. But an eco chic accessory that is crafted from 100% recycled materials while also promoting fair trade employment? Well, this is a brilliant scenario for advancing sustainable style while also reducing needless waste and litter.

There are a variety of cool recycled pull-tab accessory projects circulating the web these days, but Escama purses are unique in their impeccably crocheted fabrication and slinky, chic feel. The word “Escama” means fish scales in Portuguese, and these artfully designed soft chain-mail purses are as eye-catching as they are durable. The recycled aluminum pull-tabs from soda cans are individually crocheted and stitched by local artists who make the bags in two craft cooperatives in ’satellite cities’ of Brasília, Brazil. The cooperatives offer women a means to earn money through handicrafts and business training. Prices of goods are set by the artisan cooperatives and trained artists are paid competitively for their one-of-a-kind craftwork.

There were originally only 12 artisans producing bags for Escama in 2004, and currently there are over 100. Escama abides by fair trade principles as a member of the Fair Trade Federation (FTF) and offers a fair living wage for their products. In addition, over the past four years they have assisted the artist groups to establish bank accounts and have generously donated computers, furniture, educational training and a percentage of sales. Each Escama bag is handcrafted by an individual artist and comes with a personal note from the woman who made it, connecting consumer and producer through a shared exchange.

$240.00

http://www.escamastudio.com/