When you finally finish fighting off those woolly mammoths from your pillow fort with your four-pronged spear, be sure to listen in to an all new episode of Cool Tools of Doom n’ Stuff! By the way, we love our SolidSmack readers! Have something cool you’ve come across and want to share it on SolidSmack? Don’t hide it in your neck skin! Send it on in to
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The SolidSmack Cool Tools of Doom n’ Stuff is GO. This short video features some of the coolest finds we’ve discovered on the web this week.
This week we look at:
DESIGN
IBM Smarter Cities – The recently-launched Smarter Cities campaign by agency Ogilvy & Mather for IBM remakes the traditional billboard with ‘ads with a purpose’. Yes these ‘smart’ billboards are designed to double as benches, rain shelters, and ramps for stairs. If only all ads could be this functional….keep an eye out for them soon in your city.
Playtime Furniture – Playtime is our favorite origami-inspired collection of chairs and tables this week. Designed by Berlin-based Ying Zhang and Ida Thonsgaard, the furniture is made out of thin layer of tesselated wood triangles and folds completely flat when in transport. When ready for assembly, magnets help guide the tesselated triangles into the intended 3D form. Very cool—-check out the collection at ZhangThonsgaard.com
APPS
Slooh Space Camera – Do you ever feel the need to take a photo of space but realize that you’ve misplaced your $10 million telescope…again? Happens all the time. With the Slooh Space Camera app you can take all the high-res photos of space you want from the convenience of your iPad. For $2/photo you can command space telescopes all over the globe and walk away with a high-resolution photo of your galaxy search. Available on iTunes for free… Android on the way!
Eater – Eater is the popular foodie blog that is the go-to hub for all things restaurant. Do they have any recommendations for a good Duck and Prune Pizza? Launched last week, the new Eater app is the mobile solution for when you want to find the best new spot to try those deep-fried octopus legs and yes Smoth—maybe even a duck and prune pizza. Get it on iTunes today for free.
DIY
Nature Office Organizer – Is your desk covered in too much technology and in need of a little greenery? YES!!! Then this Nature Office Organizer is the DIY project of the week for you. NO!!! Yes, with little more than a piece of salvaged wood, a few spare mason jars, and whatever bits of nature you can find from outside, you’ll never again feel far removed from nature while hammering through your inbox. Check it out at DesignSponge.com
Four-Pronged Spear – With this four-pronged spear Instructable by Gumbas Jackknob all you need is a stick, a pocket knife, and a short piece of paracord to create a weapon that will ensure no wooly-tusk mammoth messes with you the next time you take a stroll through the park. Check it out at Instructables.com.
ROCK AWESOMENESS
The Lego Experience – The Lego House by architects Bjarke Ingles Group is the new Ultimate Lego Experience. Scheduled for construction in 2014, the ultra-modern Lego House in Lego’s capital of Billund, Denmark is an ‘Experience Center’ designed to resemble giant Lego Bricks with an interior featuring Lego exhibits, a Lego Cafe, and a Lego Store. Keep an eye out for giant Lego blocks next time you’re in Billund, Denmark.
A:Log Notebook – And finally, A:LOG is the ‘Notebook Designed for Architects’ and is our favorite Kickstarter project of the week. Yes this innovative take on sketchbook design features an incorporated illustrated reference guide for architects both professionals and amateurs-alike. Featuring everything from general design information to building element dimensions and technical guidelines to living scenarios, be sure to check it out at Kickstarter.com.
What’s on cadjunkie?
We’ll be releasing our 101 series here so keep an eye out for that. Be sure to get that free membership now at cadjunkie.com.
What’s on Engineer vs Designer?
What’s on EngineerVsDesigner? This week we were at PTC Live Global where we talked with Brian Thompson, VP of Project Management, CAD Segment about the current state of PTC these days. Listen
Ask SolidSmack
And there you have it! Send your cool tool finds to smoth@www.solidsmack.com, sign up for our newsletter there in the sidebar or ask us a question in the comments or via email about diy, design, tech or anything else. Smoth would love to help.
