So since including cooking recipes from time to time was cluttering up and didn't exactly coincide well with the other subject matter on this design blog or my other personal blog, I've chosen to shift all those cooking-related posts and subject matters to a new blog completely.
Most of the recipes will probably be Indian dishes, or with an Indian spin, however - I would like to include other dishes from around the world along with improvisations (regardless of whether or not they went well) complete with visual references.
You may go and visit it here to visit and drool over a few mouthgasmic recipes. You're welcome.
So it recently came to my attention that a design website called Yanko Design posted up my design concept, Ascend Enlightenment, which was pretty cool.
Though the fact that I had been unaware of their post on Ascend Enlightenment kind of confused me since no one from Yanko Design had contacted me prior to posting about it on their website.
Unless I am mistaken, I was under the impression that usually it is custom to ask permission before posting or at least inform someone at some point that they would be posting about their work. Apart from this confusion, it certainly was exciting to read the comments, criticisms, and the feedback made since the posting of that concept on Yanko.
Just came across a few of my older doodles from high school - ah the manga and japanime influences do show up rather clearly. A few of these were made using my mom's makeup when I was exploring some *cough cough* alternative mediums. They really are quite awesome to play around with and wonderful to blur. Plus with the iridescent fine grain, they would have this very smooth, shimmery quality. Of course, my mom wasn't exactly very thrilled upon discovering where her makeup was being applied. :)
It's really awesome to see a greater effort being made towards encouraging consumers to be more conscientious about the items they buy and their impact on the environment. Apart from the influx of online stores featuring sustainable 'green' products, channels like HGTV are airing shows which provide a list of stylish green alternatives for the home.
What I really like about these shows is that they are not just advocating for the 'green-ness' of the product, but they are also emphasizing the advantages of some of these products as opposed to other ones on the market.
For example, the chairs made out of Polywood, a material derived from post-consumer waste - specifically recycled plastic milk jugs. These chairs not only have a softer texture compared to chairs which are not, and they also have a greater overall resilience to extreme temperatures.
It is just as important to illustrate the features and benefits of such products, so consumers realize that going green does not mean that they are compromising on the integrity of the product, but infact, are making a better investment which is mutually beneficial for the consumer, company, and environment. Once they see that the product itself will be a better investment (short or long term), they will have a higher chance of gravitating towards it.
Here are the 20 tips mentioned on one of HGTV's shows, 20 Ways Your Home Can Save the Planet: Green Building Ideas & Tips which covered a nice range of products, also listed below. I have included and will continue to include some of my own additions of companies/products.
# 1 - Plug into the hottest appliances... Sleek Items designed to look great, function efficiently, and conserve energy Fisher & Paykel - EZKleen Dishdrawer Years of research and refinement have created an appliance that offers a compelling blend of form and function. Each drawer is independently operated, allowing you to wash small loads as economically as large ones. DishDrawer lets you match the wash program to the contents, so dishes are better cared for.
EarthTech Products - Tulsi Hybrid Solar Oven Tired of lugging dangerous propane cans or finding kindling to cook while you are camping? Lug no more with this solar oven! The Tulsi solar oven is the ultimate in energy efficient cooking. This state-of-the-art solar cooker can be used in solar mode when the sun is high, electrical mode for overcast days or rain, or hybrid mode that switches between the two when the weather is unpredictable. The solar cooker is designed to be energy efficient, shutting off to save energy and electricity when needed. Cook safe, delicious meals that require no gas or flame – your family will be safe and well-fed when you purchase this solar cooker. Solar Oven Cooker is like having four appliances in one: a solar oven, crock-pot, slow cooker and portable outdoors camp oven. Great for RVer's, Boaters, Campers, Tailgater's and Backyard Chefs.
# 2 - Keep your cabinets and countertops green... Purify the air by using sustainable materials that look great and are easy on the planet KlipTech Composites - Paperstone Countertops PaperStone-Certified is certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or FSC, Smartwood and the Rainforest Alliance. It is the only architectural surface on the market today certified by these demanding third parties. Most PaperStone products are made from post-consumer waste, recycled paper and proprietary, petroleum-free, phenolic resins. To the maximum extent technically possible, water is used as the resin solvent. There are two series of recycled paper-based PaperStone products: 1) 'Original', which is made from 50% post-consumer waste, recycled paper and 2) 'Certified', the FSC, Smartwood and Rainforest Alliance-certified product which is made from 100% post-consumer waste paper. And Paperstone made from virgin fiber is also available. PaperStone is the 'greenest' architectural surface on the market today. Depending upon the project, the use of PaperStone may contribute up to five LEED points.
Columbia Forest Products - Paperstone Countertops Europly is more than attractive. It's strong and resilient, and its nearly void-free construction provides excellent machinability. With a tighter thickness tolerance than standard veneer core panels, it also processes more efficiently, making it ideal for highvolume production. Also, with its Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) ecolabel&mdashwhich verifies the wood in this product comes from well-managed forests, independently certified by SmartWood in accordance with the rules of the Forest Sterwardship Council&mdashcustomers are assured that their panel is beautiful, strong and good for the environment. Its multi-layer, 4' x 8' construction of 60% imported Polish birch and 40% alder creates an attractive solution for those wanting an exposed edge finish. And since it's available in any combination of hardwood grade and species, Europly gives customers something else that's hard to find in hardwood plywood: choice.
Silestone Quartz - Countertops made from Environmentally-Friendly Quartz Cosentino is committed to respect, prevent, and control our environment in all of our production processes from the extraction and transformation to the distribution of our products; to accomplish this, Cosentino is investing in the best technology to preserve our most direct surroundings to favor the environment. In order to achieve this, Cosentino has invested a significant percentage of its annual income in the installment and operations of various environmental systems within the stone industry. All of this make it possible for Cosentino to be one of the stone industries' most green conscience companies with respect to the environment. Silestone MURO is an innovative collection of tiles that gives homeowners a creative palette of colors for adding Silestone as a backsplash. Each tile is 4" x 4" x 1/4" thick, and they are sold individually for accenting or available as a single, nine-tile unit that is held together with mesh backing. The grid-based system makes installation easy as homeowners choose their own designs to reflect their style.
# 3 - Look for eco-friendly dishes and cookware... Prepare meals and serve them in chemical-free dishes Greenfeet- Bowls, Pots, Pans, & Other Accessories for a Greener Home Everything from kitchen cookware to serving platters, from houseware accessories to travel accessories, Greenfeet features a wide range of green products.
E3 Living - Smart Products/Thoughtful Green Alternatives E3 understands the importance of supporting sustainable commerce of products that promote an eco-friendly lifestyle through their website by providing energy and resource saving goods that save money and help to protect the environment. Their current and future offerings include energy efficient compact fluorescent lighting, water conservation goods, solar lighting and, electricity saving products, goods for recycling, reel lawn mowers, rechargeable batteries, environmentally safe household supplies and pest controls, and organic free-trade foods and dry goods. These products significantly reduce the cost and requirement of resources and energies for both homes and businesses, by saving money, using less energy, requiring less from our limited natural resources, conclusively leaving a smaller footprint on the world of our children and our children’s children.
Frontgate - Palm Leaf Tray This striking Palm Leaf Tray is shaped from capiz and mother-of-pearl shells. As a final step, this outdoor tray is cast into leaf-shaped molds. Pearlized and textured by hand. Translucent green-hued serving tray. Artisanal process ensures that no two trays are the same. For decorative use only, not foodsafe.
# 4 - Think energy-saving when you think windows... Better insulation means less energy spent to moderate a comfortable temperature Pella Windows & Doors - Windows & Doors Pella® Architect Series windows and doors beautifully reflect unique style by perfectly enhancing lifestyle and maximize the view of the world. If someone can dream it, Pella's Architect Series collection offers the creative feedom to bring it to life. Their distinctive, fine-furniture detailing makes Architect Series windows and doors right at home with the classic style of yesterday or today's contemporary design. Yet another reason to choose them is Pella's patented Integral Light Technology® grilles that combine the look of true divided light with superior energy efficiency. Whatever a home is envisioned to be, Pella makes it possible with exquisite Architect Series windows and doors.
# 5 - Recycle with style... Instead of buying new furniture and accessories, take a peek vintage furniture, or those made from recycled materials. Consider alternatives on how to recycle within the home, such as creating rich compost from food waste. NatureMill Composting - A lean, green, composting machine! This San Francisco-based company aims towards a greener planet by providing products to simplify the composting process, because unlike other forms of recycling, composting uses no chemicals, fossil fuels, or other environmentally harmful materials. Their current compost machine sets the industry standard for composting by being a fully automatic, completely sealed unit. The continuous air flow and powerful carbon filter removes odors making it an odor-free product. They can be used both indoors and outdoors, even in cold weather, rain, or snow. Users can pop in up to 120 lbs of food waste at any time, any day, which are processed continuously mixing every 4 hours until they are completely ground down to small particles. Compost is ready every 2 weeks with a red light to indicate when the machine should be emptied out.
A.C. Moore - DARICE Sea Glass For Decorative Purposes DARICE-Sea Glass Decorative Accent Glass in a 1 pound mesh bag. The perfect vase filler that will add color and beauty to floral designs. Use in candle holders and decorative bowls or can be scented and used as potpourri. Makes a great home decor or gift embellishment! They can be used for plant or aquariums with a beta fish. The quality glass pieces have been tumbled for 18 hours giving them a maximum smoothness making them ideal for stepping stone and mosaic projects. Available in a variety of colors.
# 6 - Consider planet-friendly floors... Shopping for all-natural materials like cork, bamboo, and tile. Chic and sustainable! InterfaceFLOR - Tiled floor tiles made from recycled post-consumer waste Based in Elmhurst, Illinois, FLOR launched in Spring 2003 as a part of the Interface family of companies. FLOR, a residential line of high-style, modular floor covering. Composed of changeable 19.7 square-inch tiles, FLOR comes in a modular format for people who like to play with design.“We see 'DIY' as both ‘do-it-yourself’ and ‘design-it-yourself,’” said FLOR President Greg Colando. “Commercial interior designers have used modular flooring for years. Now, this fun and functional design product puts people in the role of designer.” FLOR allows people to create their own unique floor coverings and change their minds, and their floors, as often as they like. Available in a diverse array of fashion-forward color palettes, patterns and unique textures, FLOR empowers consumers to have creative control over the largest canvas in their homes — their floors. From checkerboards to stripes to bordered rugs, FLOR’s multiple patterns can change the look of a room to fit any style, season or mood. FLOR offers pre-packaged complementary patterns and colors that can be used to create endless area rug and wall-to-wall designs. Included in the colorful, friendly package for FLOR are easy-to-read installation instructions and suggestions for pattern arrangements. Whether the desired look is modern and cutting edge or warm and inviting, FLOR brings fashion to the floor.
Gaiam - Eco-Friendly Reversible All-Weather Rug Gaiam, a Green Lifestyle-oriented company which provides a range of product features floor rugs that gives back to the environment and makes any room, whether indoors or out, that much more inviting. These beautiful recycled plastic rugs are handcrafted by Thai artisans who receive a fair wage for their craft. Made entirely from spent soda bottles, the durable multicolored polypropylene strands stand up to foot traffic in mudrooms, kitchens, or anywhere else there are plenty of comings and goings.
Earth Weave Carpet Mills, Inc. - Bio Floor Carpet This is a carpet unlike any other produced in North America. First of all it is COMPLETELY biodegradable. Obviously, this is achieved through the use of only 100% natural raw materials. The Bio-Floor line is made with a face fiber of 100% natural wool. There are no moth proofing or stain protections applied. In conjunction with this we use only naturally pigmented wool fibers for coloration as opposed to any of the harsh dyes and chemical bonding agents other carpet manufacturers use. To further differentiate this carpet we use a natural primary of hemp and cotton. This is used instead of the traditional synthetic polypropylene primary. The primary is the material that the tufting machine places the wool yarn into and acts to hold it in place. The next process is the application of adhesive and secondary backing material. This further helps to lock the stitches in place and prevents slippage of the yarn. This is another area where they apply our unique techniques. The adhesive that Earth Weave uses is 100% natural and bio-degradable. It is made of natural rubber from the rubber tree. The secondary (back of carpet) is made from jute, a hardy earth friendly fiber producing plant. All of these elements add up to make a product that is beautiful to look at yet sacrifices nothing in the way of their commitment to indoor air quality and the environment.
Forbo - Marmoleum Flooring & Other Surface Solutions for Better Environments Marmoleum has been a mainstay floor covering for over 100 years because it is one of the few products made from primarily natural raw materials. It is made up of linseed oil, rosins, and wood flour, calendered onto a natural jute backing (backing for tile is polyester). It is a tough yet visually striking floor covering, highly resistant to heavy rolling loads and foot traffic. Because Marmoleum is a natural organic product, its performance is enhanced by time, as exposure to air serves to harden and increase its durability. Although Marmoleum continues to harden over time, the floor remains quiet and comfortable under foot. Marmoleum is made from natural raw materials and many of its most desirable performance attributes (durability, anti-microbial properties) are the result of the continued oxidation of the linseed oil over its life. During the manufacturing process this oxidation may result in a yellowish cast, known as ambering, visible on the product when it is initially taken out of its package. This visual yellowing is only TEMPORARY. When exposed to light, the ambering disappears. The process may take only a few hours in bright sunlight but longer with artificial light. Applying a finish over the ambering makes NO difference - it will still dissipate with exposure to light. Many of our colors will be affected only slightly by this phenomenom. Other colors such as light blues, greens, and soft ivory tones will display a more pronounced color variation. Follow this simple procedure to discover the true color of your marmoleum: 1. Take a piece of Marmoleum and cover one half with heavy paper, cardboard or another piece of Marmoleum. 2. Put it in direct sunlight for approx. 1 hour. 3. Remove the covering and experience the visual difference! This natural phenomenom is unique to Marmoleum and is the process through which the product benefits are derived. Durability - product continues to harden and become more durable over time. Anti-Static - dust will not cling to the floor making it easier to clean. Great for those with allergies and asthma concerns. Hygienic - bactericidal properties prevent micro-organisms including Salmonella Typhimurium and Staphlococcus Aureus from multiplying themselves.
# 7 - Make a new bed, organically... From mattress to sheets to blankets, here are some products which are comfy, stylish, and planet-friendly, too. Looolo Textiles - Soft Products (Blankets, Cushions, Scarves) Since the textile industry is one of the largest known environmental polluters, Looolo addresses this in order to affect global change by bringing consumers a line of stylish biodegradable home furnishings in a full range of colors.
DreamSack- Soft Products (Bedding, Clothing) Lots of soft exquisite environmentally-friendly products derived from Bamboo.
GreenSleep - Vimala Sleep System A truly customized choice for a natural rubber mattress. Three interchangeable plates of natural rubber can be chosen to select the desired firmness. The mattress has two distinct sleeping zones which allow sleeping partners to select their own individual firmness. Surrounding these plates is an organic cotton velour cover quilted with wool and silk producing the finest natural mattress.
# 8 - Paint it safe... Be environmentally responsibly by shopping for products that tout low volatile organic compounds (VOCs) YOLO Colorhouse - Interior & Exterior Paints Environmentally Responsible Paint: YOLO Colorhouse has created premium interior paints with zero volatile organic compounds (no stinky off-gassing), and a durable, washable finish to reflect the purity of the earth's color palette. The Earth's Color Collection is available in 40 colors designed specifically for interiors. Green Seal Certified. EDIT: Apparently they have a nice range of exterior paints as well!
# 9 - Switch your bulbs... Replace incandescents with compact fluorescents. They may cost more now, but they'll save money in the long run. Koncept Technologies, Inc. - ID Z Bar Lamp The Z-Bar Lamp, a super sleek lamp about as wide as your finger, longer than your arm, and ultra-adjustable. 66 super-bright LEDs provide a strip of bright white light with low heat, minimal electricity, no bulky head, and a super long lifespan. Use the weighted stand to place it anywhere on your desk, or use the desk clamp and take up almost no desk space at all.
Real Goods - Recycled Metal Nelson Lamp Classic styling meets eco-sensibility with this recycled brass table lamp. Its historic silhouette, brushed antique nickel finish and ecru cloth lampshade illustrate the time-honored values of artisan craftsmanship. 6'3" cord with inline switch. Laminated shade interior. 60W. 5"W x 21"H; 7 lb.
# 10 - Make your family room family- and earth- friendly... Toss out the old carpet and install flooring made from natural raw materials instead. Consider organizers made from sustainable materials like bamboo or recycled post-consumer waste. Uncommon Goods - Wine Barrel Chair from Vintages This barrel stave folding chair is handmade from salvaged 70-gallon oak wine barrels. It folds almost completely flat, so you can store it anywhere, and looks as great indoors as it does in the yard. Each is finished with linseed oil and branded with the name of the winery of origin under the seat. Care instructions included. Handmade in Northern California.
Clean Air Gardening - Eucalyptus Chaise Lounge The Eucalyptus Chaise Lounge is stained to protect it against weathering, and the color may vary slightly, due to the grain. It's made with Eucalyptus, which is especially good for exterior use. Eucalyptus is a tropical hardwood, which means that it has evolved to resist insects and other wood boring animals. It also ages nicely, taking on a Teak like appearance. Excessive logging in India, Burma, and Thailand has reduced the number of wild Teak trees, and this is a great alternative that helps promote responsible forestry. The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an organization that works with businesses in Europe, South America and North America to promote sustainable forestry. Outdoor furniture with the FSC seal assures that you are buying a quality wood product, while helping to preserve the world's forests.
# 11 - Furnish naturally... Consider wood products that are formaldehyde-free and accessories made of materials like hemp, or other furnishing accessories made from recycled materials such as chairs made from recycled plastic milk jugs. Clean Air Gardening - Polywood Rocking Chair Comfortable Poly-Wood Trade Wind rocking chair from Clean Air Gardening's Nautical Collection is a great way to enjoy the summer. It is a great care-free outdoor furniture for patios. Poly-Wood makes wonderful outdoor furniture because it is resistant to rain, snow, sun, sleet, and wind. This furniture is so tough that users don't even have to store it during the winter. Simply clean up the furniture periodically with a little soap and water. Poly-Wood is also heavy and durable, and the colors won't fade. All of our Poly-Wood products are proudly made in the USA and have a 5 year manufacturer's warranty. Poly-Wood is a durable material made from recycled plastic milk jugs. Poly-Wood is made from recycled high density polyethylene (HDPE), which is resistant to many different solvents, and salt water. It does not absorb water and therefore it cannot warp or crack. HDPE has a high tensile strength and can handle higher temperatures than many similar kinds of materials. Poly-Wood has the look and feel of wood, and you can even use woodworking tools with it. It will also hold up to the effects of saltwater, chlorine and mildew, making it ideal for the poolside or the beach. The assembly is stainless steel hardware that has a protective Xylan coating.
GREENCulture, Inc. - Lisbon Dining Collection The Lisbon Dining Collection express practicality of form and contemporary sophistication. Open expanses of clear glass balanced in rounded wooden scaffolds lend a cosmopolitan style to the urbane Lisbon Dining Collection.
Dirt Candles - Fountain of Youth Candles Dirt Candles are made from organically grown American soybeans, essential oils and packaged in recycled glass and paper. Irresistible herbal blends of fresh basil, oregano and cardamom, leading to a floral middle of rose-geranium and cyclamen fowers, lavender, musk and wood notes to restore vitality and youth
# 12 - Keep your garage gear green... Look for things like nontoxic pegboards to hold your tools and manual-reel lawnmowers to cut the grass. DPI - Pegboards Organize your garage without the formaldehyde with these pegboards.
# 13 - Go with the low flow... Select low-flow water fixtures such as showerheads, faucets, and toilets to reduce consumption and cost. Bricor -Elite Series Super-low flow and higher aeration showerhead. It feels like a normal shower but uses much less water.
Sterling - Karsten Toilet # Dual Force technology allows the choice of .8 gallon flush for liquid or light waste. The 1.6 gallon flush is for bulk or solid waste # Dual Force technology can save the average family of 4 up to 6,000 gallons of water per year with the .8 gallon option # Two-button actuator provides easy-to-use flushing options # Crafted of Grade A vitreous china to provide a durable, non-porous product with a hard, glossy finish # A sanitary guard helps prevent liquid from getting under the tank # Round-front bowl requires less space # Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) compliant # CSA certified # Limited 5-year warranty # Meets strict flushing performance guildelines established by the EPA (Environmental Protection Agency) WaterSense program # WaterSense labeled toilets use at least 20% less water than standard 1.6-gallon toilets # This product can help a building earn Water Efficiency points in the LEED Green Building Rating System(TM). See specification sheet for water use data.
Kohler - Archer Lavatory Faucet The transitional aesthetic of the Archer faucet is achieved by combining design elements found in craftsman furniture and the intricate facets of jewelry. The combination of beveled edges and curved bases delivers a versatile and timeless appeal.
# 14 - Renew your bathroom with reclaimed style... There's no shortage of stylish but eco-friendly products like tile, countertops, and fixtures.
# 15 - Go natural... Considering chemical-free alternatives for the bathroom with everything from organic hand soap to bamboo hand towels. Branch - Millennium Towel Bamboo is a grass that grows incredibly fast with strong fibers. It has a unique quality in that it can be made to be very soft to the hand and makes for a great fabric that feels very nice next to your skin. These towels are a great alternative to those made of conventionally grown cotton, a crop whose production takes an enormous toll on the air, water, and soil, not to mention the health of people living and working in cotton country. (For example, nearly 2/3 of all pesticides used worldwide are applied to cotton crops). Made with nothing but wood fiber, Millennium towels feel like cashmere, and they have a natural luster that does not wash out. They are highly absorbent and wick moisture away from the skin. Their light weight aids in quick drying in air and in the dryer; as such, they require less energy than thicker terry towels.
Radius - Source Toothbrush When the bristles wear down, just replace the head instead of throwing the whole thing away. Wood Fiber blended with PLA, a plastic derived entirely from Nebraska maize. The resulting material is 100% renewal resource. Flax with post consumer polypropylene. Replaceable Heads consume 1/5 the material of standard toothbrushes.. Replaceable heads - reduces environmental impact.. Radial bristling - first toothbrush in the world to have it. Makes brushing easier and more effective. 3,080 Tynex nylon bristles - available in soft or medium. Reversible for right or left hand.
# 16 - Stock up on earth-friendly office supplies... Prevent stuff from hitting the landfill by utilizing items like recycled computer disks and earth friendly inks. Wrapables Staple-less Stapler - Staples are history! You'll never have to run out of them again. The Staple Free Stapler cuts out tiny strips of paper and uses the strips to stitch up to 5 pieces of paper together. Environmentally friendly. Safe for kids. Available in different colors.
Wausau Paper - Exact Eco 100 92 GE brightness rating. 20-lb., white, acid-free paper designed for everyday use in copiers and printers. 8-1/2 x 11. Recycled, 100% post-consumer content. 500 sheets per ream.
GreenDisk - CDRWs As CDs become more popular we recycle more of them. This gives us a lot of high quality plastic. To bring you our premium CD-RW we start by making the jewel case from recycled plastic. Next, we make our packaging using recycled paper and then we insert a brand new disc. Presto....you get GreenDisk CD-RWs. Made from the best stuff everyone else already made. You can save your CDs while you help save the planet. All in all a pretty good deal. Multispeed Media - writes 1x, 2x and 4x. Premium Grade - meets all industry Orange Book III standards. 100% Guaranteed - full lifetime warranty. Competitively Priced - so you can save money while you help save the planet
Office Sight - Knoll Don Chadwick Office Chair The Chadwick chair by Knoll is made of recycled (and recyclable) materials, and adhesives that are free of CFC and VOC. The chair is designed for durability and ease of disassembly so that parts can be removed and replaced effortlessly.
Ergo Depot - HAG Capisco Office Chair Movement and variation of the body are vital while working, but it's all too easy to forget to move, particularly when you are deep in concentration. That is why you need a chair that inspires movement without you having to think about it. You can adjust a HAG Capisco chair from a low-seated position to a half-standing position. No other work chair on the market is as well suited to varying postures and height-adjustable surfaces as the HAG Capisco. The chair encourages creative, alternate sitting positions. Forwards, backwards or sideways. You can feel the dynamics when you sit down and understand how the HAG Capisco chair is inviting you to variation and movement. The Capisco chair is available in three different configurations: just the seat (stool version); the seat and back; or with seat, back and headrest.
# 17 - Be green when you clean... Introducing cleaning products which have little to no harmful impact on the environment. Method Home - 'Green' Cleaning Products Method Home products help users detox with a sense of style. Apart from their stylish packaging, they provide a range of cleaning products to clean more than just homes - they provide personal care products, too!
# 18 - Choose good wood... Try to find wood for your home projects which has been farmed, clear-cut, and/or stained with natural products.
# 19 - Plant for the planet... Be economical as well as ecological by searching for gardening supplies or plants which require little watering and maintenance. Gaiam - Copper Solar Cascade Fountain Bring the peaceful movement and soothing sounds of flowing water to your yard and garden with the power of the sun. It costs nothing to operate, runs automatically whenever direct sun shines on the solar cell and will weather to a beautiful, earthy-green patina over the years. Place the 1.5W solar panel (included) up to 10 ft. away and hide the 1 gpm pump under rocks or flowers. And because copper is a natural algaecide and bactericide, the water is always clear. Some assembly required. 13"" diameter base bowl.
Smith & Hawken - Radke Copper Watering Can A long spout and curved handle enable easy one-handed watering of houseplants and windowboxes. Modeled after a 1950s vintage watering can, this version is made of pure copper. Large holds 1 1/2 quarts and measures 16" long, 7 1/2" high, 6 1/2" diameter; Extra-large holds 1 gallon and measures 20 1/2" long, 11 1/2" high, 7 3/4" diameter.
Brill - Luxus 33 Small Manual Reel Mower Mowing lawns with a Brill Luxus mower is better for the air, better for the grass , and better for you. The Brill Luxus 33 is identical to the Luxus 38, except that it is smaller. It is 33 cm wide instead of 38 cm. It is a good choice if you're looking for a mower to handle just a small area. The German made Brill weighs just 15 pounds, which is less than half the weight of many competing reel mowers. It also features a "silent cut" design in which the blade narrowly misses the bedknife by less than a millimeter, reducing friction and increasing blade life significantly.
# 20 - Keep nature natural... Seek out items crafted out of recycled materials like wicker furniture or corn-husk planters. Green Garden Store - Eco Forms Gardening Products EcoForms products are a smart and sustainable choice for gardeners. Available in a wide range of simple and elegant forms. Made from renewable grain husks. A long lasting alternative to plastic. Suitable for inside or outside use. Durable and lightweight.
---End List of HGTV Green Tips ---
Here's an additional list of other online stores dedicated to marketing stylish sustainable lifestyles... many products are listed at great affordable prices, not to mention, they're great places to visit for some ideas on home-decorating, too!
One of my favorite frequented websites that inspire a lot of design ideas is Bad Designs - which illustrates and discusses poor human factors within a wide range of products.
For those who may not be familiar with the term - Human Factors - it is essentially a kind of science which observes the physical and cognitive behavior of humans towards both environments and objects (tangible products and intangible service-related products such as software programs or websites). How do people of varying heights interact with a problem? What is their initial knee-jerk reaction? How easy is it to operate? Is the design so non-intuitive that it must require additional signs to prevent accidents?
Perception will usually bring attention to an apparent pattern in how people react. For instance, when someone approaches a door with a handle attached to its surface, they instinctively will try to pull it. However, if the door merely is flat with the absence of any handles, or only has a metal plate, then people instinctively understand that in order to get past this door, they must push through it - as there is no handle to actually pull. In a sense, the object itself deliberately limits options to minimize mistakes.
When designing products, services, environments, or overall experiences for people, it is essential to understand their naturally-occurring behavior ...how they intuitively react to these things when placed before them and apply this knowledge to design more intuitive solutions. Human factors is of course not an exact science because it varies slightly from person to person, of course, such as a small child to a teen to an adult to a senior (ie: A senior or a child may not be able to exert the same pressure as a teen or adult can or be able to comfortably open containers or access certain heights) and even variables such as how technically savvy they are with the latest products, or other cultural/regional differences can have an impact on how they react with the interface of certain objects.
Here were a few winners I've selected to show from Bad Designs. You can click on the titles to visit the example on that website.
- Guessing Games - Which Switch Controls the Projection Screen? How many times have you walked into a classroom or some other conference space where the switches are literally scattered across the walls in the most non-intuitive fashion just beckoning you to guess which switch is the one you're looking for? In the image above, the switch to control the project screen is actually the one furthest away from the screen. How obvious is that?
It's amazing that similar design issues continue to occur this way with little to no improvements - not not even a text or graphic label to accompany the switch.
Raised Labels or Flat Buttons? Another analogous design issue is the one commonly found used in elevators where they have raised/embossed labels right next to the actual button which is oftentimes just flat. People have the natural reflex towards tactile surfaces. In other words, they push the graphic label as opposed to the flat button next to it, especially when it is a quick reaction (ie: a scenario where you see someone trying to make it to the elevator just as its doors are closing and try to push the "Door Open" button, which for whatever reason doesn't work. So instead of figuring out which other button to push, you risk getting your limb clamped on by sticking it out to keep the elevator doors from closing?)
Light or Breeze? Many ceiling fans with lights integrated into them often have two switches. What's interesting is that they tend to be identical in every way - form, size, color, material, location, etc. Even if one tries to differentiate the switches by adding on a tassel or whatever, unless it's highly obvious, even that can be easy to forget. In the image above, a yellow tassel is placed one one of the two switches. But the yellow tassel could represent light or it could not. It still leaves it entirely up to the user to interpret the train of thought. A very obvious fool-proof (at least a better attempt at it) solution can be changing the location of the switches - The light switch can be hooked below the light as the fan switch hangs from above the light.
- Using & Maintaining Liquid-Oriented Products - Coffee On Your Nose & Odor Inside Many well-insulated commuter mugs, especially with hinged lids can collect drops of beverage within them which get transferred onto the nose of the user once they unhinge the lid to drink from it. Another common issue is the height of the edges, which are clearly designed to retain any excess liquid drops to prevent it from spilling over, however, if the edges are too high then it risks being a discomfort for the user's nose (even an average or smaller nose) as there is no place for it to accommodate it.
A semi-asymmetrical recession could probably work wonders, of course, there are other ways to approach this problem, too.
Another common mug related problem is how easy is it to clean and are there areas which can trap contents that result in bad odor. Many times, the underside of the lid has too many ridges (placed for structural integrity) or small areas where beverage contents can get trapped and are not easy to clean out of. Trapped contents will eventually begin to smell pretty bad. Even material and texture can make a difference. Certain types of plastics and rubbers actually can be difficult to clean out completely, and some even retain odor longer than others...which is bad if you are a commuter who frequently uses that cup and cannot accord a detail cleansing check or to leave the washed mug out long enough for the odor to dissipate.
Many of these problems are overlooked by the designers/manufacturers as they are more closely tied into the behavioral/maintenance aspects of the product.
Even something as subtle as where faucets are placed in relation to the sink, how big the sink itself is, and how the water pressure is controlled can make a huge difference in the user's experience with the product(s) and also have an impact on how easy the product is to maintain.
In the first of the two images above, it shows a very standard looking sink with faucet and knobs located outside of the sink. It may not strike to someone as being a problem, but when someone does go ahead to use the faucet, water will drip and collect around the sink making the counter look dirtier as is shown in the second image above.
This easily overlooked issue is surprisingly common in many, many bathrooms - both private and public. Some suggestions for design solutions included the size of the sink, and choosing a sink with wider lips on which the faucets and knobs can be accommodated. Or a sensor which can self-adjust the flow of the water (motion sensors that automatically turn the faucet on and require no knobs are probably more ideal)
This is just the first iteration and it will be progressed further in the coming days for more variations. I'm probably going to do a few compositions where they are combined together.
Here's the kind of the composition I've got in mind:
I am more than impressed by the huge step BMW has taken away from thinking conventionally with the GINA car concept.
Sure there are probably very real concerns and speculations about this vehicle's limitations. Such as how that mysterious membrane material would withstand getting hit by small projectiles when the vehicle is going at faster speeds, collisions, spills, extreme temperatures, fires, and engine heat and all... but still very very cool.
If that membrane is a recyclable polymer, then this would open many new doors for making vehicles which have components that can not only be melted down to be reused later - ultimately reducing raw material and production costs, but also probably be significantly simpler and thereby, not only cheaper to produce but cheaper to replace. Lightweight framework would allow people to accomplishing faster speeds and more efficient gas mileage.
And need I bring up those headlights? I love how they add the lively animated quality when they literally blinking... as if it's alive. Or how the interior is like a shifting landscape which embraces and conforms to its passengers. Would this mean that finally parents won't need to secure additional units to safely restrain their children? Would this mean that finally those little crevices and cracks that accumulate little bits of dust/junk that vacuums never seem to be able to pick up could finally level away to drop the dirt/grime on the floor and thus, make the whole act of maintaining the vehicle a bit simpler? Whoa...now that would be pretty damn awesome. I wouldn't blame Knight Rider for wanting a few similar upgrades in his own ride.
Needless to say, I can totally see numerous additional applications for a concept of this caliber especially when it comes to those those shared city cars which they are developing to offer alternatives to commuters who prefer to commute themselves.
Considering the restricted spaces which are available within the city, they are trying to make those shared car vehicles stackable and with a considerably smaller foot print. However, if a GINA-like concept were applied where flexible materials and collapsible frames could make it further compact and stackable. Of course, one doesn't need to go too fast within the city so perhaps the membrane's resiliency to impact could get away with being lesser than usual?
Of course, coming back to the real world issues aside from the ones already mentioned, which apply particularly to city environments: Securityseems like it would be a huge issue...gangsters could probably rip their way through that membrane in no time. There's also the issue of how well-protected the car port stations would be because of high chances of vandalism. Unless...of course, they managed to use those city graffiti artists to their own advantage by deliberately leaving the cars out in the open begging to be covered with one-off urban art. How cool would that be?
Those wrinkles which appeared when the car opened brought up another foreseeable occurrence with this concept of flexible fabric like membranes...and that would be the inevitable co-branding between fashion industries design labels with automotive companies to work together and pierce the market in an completely different, more harmonious way.
Imagine Louis Vuitton and Ferrari working together. Or Guess and Lamborghini? Suddenly the car is going to tie in with the other set of pricey designer label accessories that people have accumulated. Another consistent integration into their lifestyle. Could people have the option of changing the skin of their car by replacing the colors, graphics, and texture variations?
So a friend of mine decided to open up his own line of desi/eastern-themed wear such as graphic tees. The term 'Desi' is a slang term used to describe people having originated from the subcontinent of South Asia, specifically Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, Kashmir, and correct me if I'm wrong - Nepal.
He has decided to call it Trickshaw - a clever take on a rikshaw, which is basically like a taxi. The traditional rikshaws are one of the most humble means of transportation used around in the South Asian subcontinent.
After brainstorming a few ideas, we decided that it would be best to go for a simpler graphic look initially which would be low-cost, however, producing short lines of 6-12 designs and seeing which ones sell the fastest. This would also help emphasize a sense of brand identity. Future lines would of course be more colorful and complex.
Here is the progression as follows and the programs I am using currently are Illustrator with the occassional Photoshop:
After having finished the basic illustration for the Violinist, I continued to explore other variations and added a background to complete the composition.
2 of the 30+ variations explored on the tee template:
After finally having updated my design portfolio website (woo hoo!) which in itself had to wait for nearly 2 years before I got around to updating it, I have been wanting to keep a design/art-oriented blog which focused on progressions/updates to various smaller projects, critiquing products/concepts currently present in the market, philosophizing/rambling thoughts about design, discussing other design-related articles, and of course including the occassional cooking recipe.
