Another interesting project from the guys of PROJECTiONE , myLight is a DIY lamp shade available for sale, I think this is a great example of how creative people can create their own business models and sell their own products skipping all intermediaries in the process an at the same time create more compelling products for customers .

My light is based in the Lightforms project. The profile curve of the shade is first generated in Rhinoceros and can be customized to any shape. A Grasshopper script interprets this curve, determines the number of components needed, and lays out each simple component with its necessary intersections. The “Teardrop” is their first model  available for sale but they have announced more will come in the future.

myLight from PROJECTiONE on Vimeo.

Project Description (from site)

myLight is a “Do It Yourself” luminaire intended to provide a user with a memorable experience and appreciation for design and fabrication. Made from durable mylar, myLight is hand assembled by the user following a video as a guide. The object becomes more than simply a store-bought lamp as the user is involved in its production and takes pride in its assembly. PROJECTiONE is focused on process in conjunction with final results. myLight shares this experience directly with users. The visual complexity of the laser cut system adds to its beauty while the simple method and repetition of assembly makes it easy and fun to build. We hope the process can be a shared experience for multiple users gathered around a single myLight.

It´s nice to be able to contribute to this project here´s my little interview with some others I´ve found very interesting .To watch more visit the the Interviews section of Opensimsim

RODRIGO MEDINA GARCIA: OPEN SOURCE DESIGN from opensimsim.net on Vimeo.

BJARKE INGELS: OPEN SOURCE DESIGN from opensimsim.net on Vimeo.

TATIANA BILBAO: OPEN SOURCE DESIGN from opensimsim.net on Vimeo.

AU Studio: open source design network from opensimsim.net on Vimeo.

IÑAKI ECHEVERRIA: OPEN SOURCE DESIGN from opensimsim.net on Vimeo.

Sketch Chair is probably the most complete application I´ve  seen so far compared with some other similar tools featured here, created by Greg Saul an industrial design graduate  Sketch Chair is a very complete interface that allow users quickly design furniture by simply drawing some lines, one of the most remarkable things I see is the implementation of a physics library normally used for video games, to test the stability of the pieces and also make some basic ergonomic studies.

If you want to try out the application and see more content and images please visit Greg Saul’s website.
Description (from the site)

“Sketch Chair” is a exploration in using computation and rapid manufacturing techniques to allow users to design and build their own products or in this case their own chairs.

The Sketch Chair software allows a novice users to take part in the entire process of designing and building their own chairs. Chairs are designed using a simple 2D sketch-based interface and design validation tools. Thereafter chairs are fabricated from sheet materials cut by a laser cutter, CNC milling machine or papercutters.

A collaboration with JST ERATO Design UI Project in Tokyo.

tools used:
- Processing (Eclipse)
- jBullet Physics

SketchChair from Greg Saul on Vimeo.

Another interesting project for your consideration to support, SOFTlab is producing an installation at the bridgegallery in the lower east side of Manhattan. For a month, starting August 26th,CHROMAtex.me will fill a small part of the world with one of our favorite things: COLOR! , please visit their kickstarter project they have a very cool reward system.

CHROMAtex.me from SOFTlab on Vimeo.

Starting NOW, a team at SOFTlab is preparing the documents to get the project going. Here are a few facts that make this installation worth the attention and involvement:
1. It will be made of around 5,000 panels.
2. Each panel will have a unique color that when assembled will combine to make an amazing gradient.
3. The whole structure will be held together using binder clips!

In order to make this project happen, they need to complete the final design, print color on + or – 3,960’ of super high gloss photo paper, laser cut the paper into their specific geometry, clip the pieces together, and install the final piece. There’s a lot to do and a short amount of time to do it!

If you can help them offset some of the costs they will reward you with pieces from the original installation! Every cent you give will go towards materials such as paper, ink, fasteners, lights, etc.

Along with their Kickstarter campaign and the production of the installation, these guys will track where the  support is coming from. After you donate,you must leave a message containing your name, where you are located, and a picture to be uploaded on a Google Map found here www.chromatex.me

You can also see how many panels have been given names at www.chromatex.me! Pass the word along and help this guys tag the entire installation with supporters!

Another great project by the  london based talented visual artist  Quayola . In this occasion bringing one his projects of 2009 an audiovisual installation commissioned by Evento and Lumin for the Bordeaux Art & Architecture Biennale.

About the Project

The term Strata defines a geological formation made of multiple layers of rock. Each one of these layers has its own individual characteristics and history, which combined produce beautiful and unique formations…
The Strata project consist in a series of films, prints and installations investigating improbable relationships between contemporary digital aesthetics and icons of classical art and architecture. Like in geological processes, layers belonging to different ages interact with one another producing new intriguing formations.

An special image based triangulation software with 3D mesh output was made for this audiovisual by Mauritius Seeger. By finding and extracting interest points in photographic stills this tool generates an optimal delauney triangle mesh. Further by averaging the colour in each triangle this software can generate a pixelated image where the smallest unit of representation is a triangle. Software developed using processing.

Strata #3 – Excerpt from Quayola on Vimeo.

Vienna based Architecture Firm SPAN, headed by Matias del Campo and Sandra Manninger, have held a week ago an intensive workshop at Anahuac University, Mexico City.

The workshop Protuberant Cloud dealt with the creation of continuous differentiation by the application of a multiplicity of repetitive components. The basis of the components is a space filling polyhedron. In this case a Bisymmetric Hendecahedron. The resulting protuberant cloud,  produced together with the students, shines in a beautiful chromatic firework.

UDON , Madrid project was recently completed by architects Quim Girbau & Neus Mateu. For the design of the ceiling architects consulted Medio design and LAN for the implementation of parametric design and digital fabrication.

The ceiling elements were cut from Alucobond by CNC, it was an experiment in form and optimization. Rather than extracting the ribs from a free form surface which represented a 30% of material waste , they inspired in the work of Andrew Kudless’ Zero/Fold Screen.,and by constraining the overall geometry and implementing simple trigonometric functions, they were able to reduce material waste to 5% overall as well as dramatically decrease production time by 50%.As a result they obtained a very plastic and expressive form and great results in terms of time, waste and cost optimization.

Project Architect: Quim Girbau & Neus Mateu

Design Consultation and Fabrication: Medio Design

Parametric Design and Geometry Consultation: @LaN_Luis – LaN

Michael Meredith, MOS Architects, @ The Creators Project NYC from Creators Project on Vimeo.

Here´s an interesting Q+A from Michael Meredith,MOS Architects at the creators project event were they designed an impressive architectural installation for the 1st floor of the Creators Project NYC launch event: a set of blocks that looks like it’s in the midst of collapse, bathed in the light of projectors.

I have to say that the more I heard him talking the more I identify with him, there are some points i share like using the technology to lose some control of the final outcome or result of what we are doing.

He also makes an interesting comment “The profession is built on a mythology of control,” he says. “We tend to be more interested in the chaotic over the ordered.”

Another thing he talks about that also called my attention is fact that Institutions are become more and more irrelevant in the fields of architecture and design , apparently I´m not the only one who thinks this .

A new season of awesome events of design & digital culture took  place during this months, always amazing to see how artists and designers push the boundaries of  technology to create new stuff  as an example of this we have the opening titles sequences  of the events  which are always amazing.

OFF 2010 , Paris Opening Titles

This year OFFF´s Opening Titles were in charge of  The Mill NY ,who  took the opportunity to debut their new  integrated design and animation team. The languid journey they take us on through the forty-five titles for this years OFFF conference and also displays the immense animation potential of   this new division of the Mill.

About the piece

Jeff Stevens(Director): The original, over arching concept was strength vs beauty and the affinity that each has for the other. At the same time, I wanted to create something that was abstract yet ‘seemingly’ natural. So, creating an environment that was underwater mixed with air began to take shape. Texture was important to me, so when Kim began illustrating, the contours and rawness of materials started to create a landscape and pattern for all of our characters. The best part was that nothing needed to be real. We could have suggested more reality but I think the blend of species, environment, and biomechanics perfectly summed up that affinity I was looking for.

OFFF Paris 2010 Titles from OFFF on Vimeo.

MAD MXX , Madrid Opening Titles

MAD MXX an event that gathers the  best designers and creative minds,to share their ideas with more than 2000 people.This years edition opening titles were commissioned to Physalia Studio which made use of  a 3d scaning scanning technology for creating the   visual effects of the oppening sequence, which were popularized in Radiohead’s House of Cards video and open source code.

Don´t forget to watch the making of  video at the bottom , It´s always nice to watch the creative process of this kind of works which helps a lot to understand how they were created. If you are interested in creating a similar project I will strongly suggest you to visit Create Digital Motion blog you´ll find more information and resources to make your own 3d scanning scenes.

MAD MMX – Opening Title Sequence from Physalia Studio on Vimeo.

MAD MMX – Opening Title Sequence. Making Of from Physalia Studio on Vimeo.

Chelsea Xpo Pavilion Project is directed by Cyril Shing, Senior Lecturer of BA Interior Spatial Design (ISD) in collaboration with Yiching Liu (Platform 2 Tutor), Daniel Piker (creator of Kangaroo – physics engine for Grasshopper) and Platform 2 final year students. The pavilion marks the achievements of Platform 2’s idea of digital creativity and addresses issues of sustainability through consideration of the use of materials and the development fabrication processes.

The project were set and work with different disciplines including textile designer, materials engineer , programming engineering to explore platform agenda. This collaborative exercise also allows students and researchers to be able to question a number of design issues. E.g. the sustainability concerns, method of production and use of materials.

The pavilion is sponsored by Speedo and is constructed using 200 LZR Racer swimming suits wich due to recent changes in rules for competition couldn´t be used for competition , resulting in a remarkable structure. The project objective was to re-use this product, the LZR racer as an architectural component to think about the sustainability approaches in the design and fabrication process. With the integration of digital technology.

The pavilion is located at the Rootstein Hopkins Parade Ground which is opposite to the Tate Britain on Atterbury Street, SW1. It is part of this year’s Chelsea College undergraduate summer show and London Festival of Architecture 2010.