Design Green

November 19, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

From Studio 1am, one of my favorite Chicago-based design studios, the MeasureMe Stick is as simple as the name implies, but as useful as any kid could imagine. The wall-mounted oversized board transforms the traditional ruler into a playful object useful for SO much more than measuring your child's height every month. Teach math, have them measure and add the height of their playthings, guess how tall daddy is, and more. Each piece is made from bamboo and non-toxic finishes, and is available in three vibrant colors from Studio 1am.

November 17, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

New from Branch, these colorful and graphic tea towels might almost be too pretty to soil. Made from organic cotton grown and manufactured in India, the "Apple" and "Kitchen" tea towels bring a little sunshine to any sinkside spot, and at  27.5" long x 19.7" wide, are large enough to masquerade as a cheerful table spread. They even come in a cardboard envelope, ready to be given to your favorite chef. ...Read More

November 16, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (1)

Even in your child's most mundane moments, like turning on the play room light, make sure they're aware of their energy use. Designer Tim Holley designed the clever and cute Tio ghost as a way to inform kids, in a fun way, of how much electricity they use. The Tio shines green when he is happy (when lights have only been on for an hour or less), and slowly turns to yellow when he's "medium," and red when he's angry (when the lights have been on for over eight hours). It's a fun take on a serious subject, but probably incredibly effective at bringing energy conservation "to light" for the younger generation.

...Read More

November 13, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

I am a huge fan of Artecnica's line of accessories and designed objects, particularly their socially responsible Design With Conscience products. Apparently so was TBWA Advertising Agency, who requested Artecnica to recycle their large format billboards into something special. The result: Artecnica's newest release, Stretch Bags, useful totes that emerge from a single, strategically sliced piece of fabric. Made from 100% recycled advertising campaign billboards, the die-cut, glueless, stitchless fabric is inspired by symmetry found in nature. The two-dimensional form stretches...Read More

November 10, 2009 | Link This | Email this | Comments (0)

The form for the Brave New World Lamp came as a direct inspiration from scaffolding techniques in East Asia, where bamboo is notched together to produce one of the strongest (and most inexpensive) makeshift building structures. The lamp, designed by UK-based Freshwest, was developed in a similar "scrap-together" manner, without a design or plan in place. Each piece of wood is carefully notched to the next, forming a beautifully sturdy and intricate mechanical structure. Distributed by Moooi.