Something Useless (in time for Halloween)

Sometimes the apps on here are incredibly useful. Other times...eh... not-so-much.
So here's "iStache." Totally useless, yet strangely therapeutic. Enjoy sensibly.

 

iStache

DESIGN DISCIPLINE: ARCHITECTURE

Design is basically problem-solving. The sphere within which problems are solved is the variable to the constants shared among the various design disciplines.

Like many others who have been educated as designers, I have a fascination with design as a general overarching discipline. I don't claim any kind of expertise in any of the other design sub-disciplines, (other than my own) but I love experiencing good design: products, interiors, clothing, gastronomics, transportation, and the foundation (pardon the pun) of good design--architecture.

While reading the regular array of magazines (print as well as online), I absolutely became enchanted with two architectural designs. They each embody what I identify with as the discipline of design.

The SKY RANCH
in Seattle (Miller/Hull) takes advantage of otherwise unused space to create an economical and efficient living space with amazing advantages (and in the case of Sky Ranch, stunning views).  With literally millions of unused square feet of space above warehouse and production facilities, the elegant solution looks  to the natural symbiosis. A simple rethinking of the traditional setting for a home: retain the  desireable traits, while using the item in surplus (unused space) as the staring point for solving the problem. See more about the Sky Ranch here.

The ROLLING HUTS (Olson Kundig) are equally as clever. A solutionequally as beautiful and elegant as the Sky Ranch, yet with its genesis more evolved from commercial pragmatism, the huts were created to make rentable vacation cabins in the Methow Valley of Washington.  The 200 plus square feet glassed cabins (nicknamed the herd) feel incredibly more spacious with the open planned layout. The wheels on the huts and small footprint, while being incredibly smart, were actually a solution to land zoned only for  trailers. Check out more about the HUTS at this link.

SIMPLE IDEA...SIMPLY AWESOME....

found while culling the net one night...
simple idea, with awesome application

I KEEP FORGETTING...

Who couldn't improve their memory? A lot of research shows that people are more forgetful than ever... and there isn't a week that goes by where I don't overhear a student complaining about having to remember things.
There was a slower-paced time (before cell phones and wikipedia), where gratification came slowly. Back when we used to have to walk 5 miles to school (in the snow, uphill--both ways;-), we had to remember a lot of miscellaneous stuff! Phone numbers, addresses, and directions that used to swim in our heads have all gone into computers, PDA devices, and cell phones. With the convenience of technology crossing roads with the responsibility and expectations (of ourselves and externally of those around us) to remember ever more.
There is a neat blog that has proposed the premise is as much structural as it is individual. The way you learn to remember, as well as issues like sleep, nutrition, and stress all play a part. Check out this neat site for  10 ways to "Hack" your memory.

lifehacker:hack your memory

Ridiculously cool timewaster...mac only

I debated sharing this one, but if you own later-model macbook laptops, these are just way too slick to not check out. Those that are programming savvy may wish to look at them from a development standpoint as well.

They take advantage of the motion-sensors (accelerometers) built into the macs and ipods/iphones. They let you do semi-useful things like check for level using your computer, and play the old standby pong (youngsters...believe it or not, we use to waste hours playing pong back in the day and while waiting at airports), and many other newer games based on the accelerometer.

pong
bubblegym
bubble level

Photos here...get your red hot photos...

Students working on projects are constantly looking for photographic sources for classroom project work. Typically, students having grown up on the internet will casually right-click a photo they wish to use while browsing on the internet and "steal" it.

While temptingly easy to do (and oft-practiced)...this should be discouraged by all instructors, and approached askance by student peers. Many will mistakenly cite "fair use" copyright law and others will vehemently cling onto arguments of "public access" and/or "public domain." These are both 100% incorrect conclusions of existing law---and despite the odds against it, you CAN be sued. This doesn't even include concerns about the quality (resolution, compression, and format of said images).Instead, using licensed sources is best practice.

But what of students or institutions with limited budgets? There are several sources (many low cost or free). The tradeoff here is that the user needs to be familiar with the rights usage on the free files (most are free only for non-profit activity, or with permissions requested). But the collection listed in the blog below will give you an excellent start for image creation.

free-stock-photos-online