Goldenoak Studio: September 2011

Some interesting inspirations to think outside the box:

iBamboo Speaker by Triangle Tree, Inc.

I think this is brilliant because: It's so simple. It's just a piece of bamboo, but reportedly it both amplifies and clarifies sound from the iPhone speaker, rendering it much richer than what comes straight out of the phone. It's made from a rapidly renewable resource, uses no electricity, and is easily portable.

Eco-Bathroom by Michael Passos

I think this is brilliant because: The water used for hand washing is stored in a tank to be re-used later for flushing the toilet. Shouldn't this be a no-brainer?

Solar Spark Lighter by Solar Sphere:

I think this is brilliant because: It uses a parabolic mirror of stainless steel to focus the sun's rays on the point between its two prongs. This can ignite wood, bark, paper, incense, and evidently marshmallows. It's a chemical-free firestarter that is built to last forever and won't run out like matches or a lighter. Simple, elegant, beautiful.

"Light Wind" by Demakersvan

I think this is brilliant because: The wind-turbine propeller picks up energy which is stored in a central battery and used to power a light when photosensors detect that it's dark out. Demakersvan's website describes it like this: "With every breeze it stores energy, enough to enjoy every summer evening until forever."

Stix & Stones reconfigurable magnetic necklace designed by Brandon Perhacs

I think this is brilliant because: One necklace kit, infinite possibility. It encourages the necklace's owner to interact with the piece and get creative. It actually reminds me a lot of a magnetic toy set I had as a kid, which may be part of why I love it. Inner child, creativity, design, all in one nifty little package.

ChairKIT - a Flat-ship wooden chair designed by Dan Civico

I think this is brilliant because: It's designed to be sustainable, affordable, and durable enough to last a long time. The user's interaction with the chair to assemble it from its flat-ship format is hoped to encourage an attachment to the chair, making it less likely to be considered a 'disposable' item. The promotional material for the chair doesn't show it finished with anything but the raw birch plywood, but I think finding different ways to finish the chair would add an additional layer of personal interest, don't you?

The Packaging Lamp, designed by David Gardener.

I think this is brilliant because: The recycled cardboard pulp packaging becomes the lamp. Not only is that clever, and environmentally responsible, I also aesthetically like the way the bulb illuminates the paper packaging. (Maybe there's an aesthetic home for CFL bulbs yet.)

TwistTogether LED lamp modules by Glide-Inc:

I think this is brilliant because: "The TwistTogether Lamp is a revolunationary new lighting platform that encourages you to design your own lamp. Individual blocks connect together and illuminate with a simple twist. Many creations are possible from a single set of 4 blocks, and when you connect multiple sets together (all on one power supply) your possibilities are almost endless." This appeals to the same part of me that likes the reconfigurable magnetic necklace. Can you tell that I liked tinker toys, lincoln logs, erector sets, wooden blocks, and those magnet-building toys as a kid?

Now available: shelves. Which can also be used on any plane as connectors to the lights. Check it out. I mean really take a minute to look at this picture: