The latest Lee Valley "early spring catalog" came in the mail yesterday. While flipping through it on the busride to work this morning, I kept thinking "Great idea!", "Neat!".
Great design can be an inspiring thing, when someone has come up with something that may only involve a quarter twist on something familiar, but bespeaks great insight into a task, a problem, a physical challenge, or a problematic consequence. I recall stumbling onto a terrific measuring cup, while watching a TVO show on design. The one I bought is made by OXO, but I imagine other companies make one as well. It's a measuring cup you can read from the top or from the side, whichever is more convenient. Genius, yet so simple. All it took was the inclusion of a sloped shelf and measurement of fluids instantly becomes easier.
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I'm fond of repeating that useful technology is something that makes a greying fart like me declare "Finally!", where ephemeral technology is something that makes a 20 year-old say "Cooooool!". But that doesn't mean older folks are the only valid judges of great design. So what items, or processes, have you come across that, for you, provide examples of great design? Something that you feel tackles a problem or task brilliantly. It doesn't necessarily have to "do" something. It's exemplary design properties might be because of what it doesn't do (that preceding objects have always done, and irritatingly or even dangerously so). It could be something in the world of music or cooking implements, but doesn't have to be. It could be something current or recent, but doesn't have to be. All it has to do impress you, by either making your life or someone else's easier, or just being smart, smart, smart.
Great design can be an inspiring thing, when someone has come up with something that may only involve a quarter twist on something familiar, but bespeaks great insight into a task, a problem, a physical challenge, or a problematic consequence. I recall stumbling onto a terrific measuring cup, while watching a TVO show on design. The one I bought is made by OXO, but I imagine other companies make one as well. It's a measuring cup you can read from the top or from the side, whichever is more convenient. Genius, yet so simple. All it took was the inclusion of a sloped shelf and measurement of fluids instantly becomes easier.
I'm fond of repeating that useful technology is something that makes a greying fart like me declare "Finally!", where ephemeral technology is something that makes a 20 year-old say "Cooooool!". But that doesn't mean older folks are the only valid judges of great design. So what items, or processes, have you come across that, for you, provide examples of great design? Something that you feel tackles a problem or task brilliantly. It doesn't necessarily have to "do" something. It's exemplary design properties might be because of what it doesn't do (that preceding objects have always done, and irritatingly or even dangerously so). It could be something in the world of music or cooking implements, but doesn't have to be. It could be something current or recent, but doesn't have to be. All it has to do impress you, by either making your life or someone else's easier, or just being smart, smart, smart.
