I have a question for you – how many custom 3D printed pieces does it take to build an architectural wall? Don’t sweat too much, the answer is 222, in fact I gave you a hint in advance! Big Bad Wolf will need a little bit more than a huff-and-puff to bring down this custom…

Its automatic, its retractable and it deploys like the real thing – crazy X-Men fan Colin Furze has given us a taste of the first ever fully automatic wolverine claws and I am green with envy! So green, that I could literally rip out the contraption and slap it on my arms and go scaring…

On any given day I’d much rather sit in my birthday suit, but small-minded people force me to cover up. And if I were to be with NASA as an astronaut, flying the mile-high club, more ridiculous looking suits would make their way to me. Ah, yes these suits are essential for flight and to…

With summer coming up just around the corner (June 21st to be exact), it’s going to be time to dust off that bicycle, pump some air in those tires, and prepare for another summer of epic rides. If you’ve been stashing your bike in a random corner during the winter months and don’t have any…

NYCxDesign has proven to be a success yet again this year with events ranging from the NE IDSA conference focusing on ‘Design It. Build It. Fund It.’ to the ‘Meet the Makers’ series held at Brooklyn’s Industry City. Of all the events that have been taking place this month, the WantedDesign NYC exhibition is perhaps…

The maxim of ‘wake up and smell the coffee’ has taken on a literal meaning with the new Nescafé Alarm Cap. The concept revolves around us waking up to subtle cues of chirping birds and heading over to a jar of Nescafé, twisting the cap open to switch off the alarm and then proceeding to…

Bet you had those moments where you debated between a real Casio and a fake Rolex that looks so damn real. Now add to the list of confusion, this surreal Rolex Smartwatch Concept. Honestly, it was about time! The industry has to understand that watches is an über luxury accessory – probably the only indulgence…

Already the creator of one of the most successfully funded projects ever on Kickstarter—the Elevation Dock—Portland, Oregon-based industrial designer Casey Hopkins is pushing to create an even more seamless workspace environment with his new Elevation Stand Kickstarter campaign. With 38 days left in his campaign, the Elevation Stand has already more than tripled it’s $25,000…

The evolution of the water kettle has seen it grow from the unassuming thermos flasks to the present day electric versions. While flasks are more portable, they don’t keep the contents warm for a long period and conversely, electric kettles consume more power, can’t be used on the go but do the job more effectively.…

It happens to the best of us—that inevitable coffee drip or splash from ‘dinky’ coffee lids. Few things can spoil a morning faster than a sticky mess on your hand, a drip stain on your newly-pressed white shirt, or even a few drops on your co-worker’s meeting brief. It’s surprising that with as many coffee…

We forgive you for drawing parallels between the Vitruvio Speaker and Leonardo da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man drawing, but still, bow your head in shame. Just kidding. It’s a common mistake. The intention was to take the basic form, be inspired by Da Vinci’s Man and, in one burst of artistic energy, create the Vitruvio Speaker.…

I know the SolidSmack readership is filled with software-cranking, Oboe-loving instrument aficionados. And, on such a sunny/cloudy/wintery/summery afternoon as this, there’s nothing that you all like more than to see an intricate making-of video that take seemingly simple parts and shows just how complex a process making them can be. This one, in particular, is…

We are not here to debate the legality surrounding the possession of guns, but to merely ponder on how things can get out of hand when you don’t take the time to learn about laws in your country and to recognize how 3D printing is making manufacturing possible. First, if ownership of guns is illegal…

When it comes to the iPhone, we have seen some crazy things happen in the past. Right from technology blog Gizmodo daring to toe the line with the mighty Steve Jobs, to the latest rumors on the iPhone 6. Predictably, the industry is abuzz with speculations and as reliable sources from MacRumor and MacFan spill…

Come May 21st and you should be queuing up the High Museum of Art in Atlanta for a trip down fantasy lane. The fast and furious will get treated a lineup of seventeen select cars that are catch-phrased “Dream Cars”. Sarah Schleuning, the High’s Curator of Decorative Arts and Design are proud to showcase concept…

Once in a while, there comes a Kickstarter project that becomes your ‘a-ha moment’ and inspires you. The HMM RULE/ONE is one such project that is so obvious and yet so distinct. The perfect marriage of everyday stationery implements that are essential! Targeted mainly at the design fraternity and folks that still rely on the…

While using a stylus and a tablet for sketching is still a cumbersome experience for a lot of designers (particularly in the fine-point tip department), it is still very doable with enough practice…and in some cases, with some spare paper nearby. We’ve seen two-in-one hybrids that pair a stylus tip with a pen in the…

At the recent Milan Design Week, the very innovative company IVANKA constructed a temporary installation that showcased their creative genius of turning rainwater into high-quality, pure drinking water. The rainwater was filtered through a distinctive bio-concrete system, making it one of the smartest and efficient way of purifying rain. What makes this project important is…

Still the most iconic of all video game systems, the original NES (Nintendo Entertainment System) is arguably still just as relevant today as it was when it released in North America in 1985. With its expansive game library and lo-fi simplicity, it’s a breath of fresh air for not only retro gamers but also those…

With over 10 years of experience in leather design, Hungarian designer Sara Gulyas wanted to create a versatile product that minimized the amount of material needed to create a shoe…whilst allowing buyers to participate in the shoe-making process. The Pikkpack takes cues from both centuries-old traditional design and IKEA’s DIY mentality to bring the simple…

Artist, Designer and Inventor Joshua Harker (yes, he of Crania Anatomica Filigre fame) is at it again with an all-new Kickstarter campaign. After having raised over $75,000 for his 3D printed skull–which is still the most-funded sculpture project ever on Kickstarter–Harker is exploring new territory with the goal to help raise funds towards developing next-generation…

Printoo gives you the luxury of creating paper-thin, flexible, Arduino-compatible units that sync with your creative streak. The technology used here is simple and the process to make successful DIY projects is easy. All it requires from your end is a little bit of resourcefulness. Then, powered-up anything from Balloon Blimps to 3D printed objects…

The tagline is appropriate: BLOW – light up, be bright! What takes the cake is the question, “Have you ever blown up a lamp?” Of course not! Unless that is your kink, here is your chance to give an ultra-light lamp a good ‘blow.’ Fifty Shade of Lust aside, this innovate lamp design is crafted…

You need to be a true coffee addict to appreciate the lengths that Paulig, a small Finnish coffee roaster, and TBWA – Helsinki, the Finnish counterpart of the international advertising agency are doing. The Paulig Muki is an innovative coffee cup that displays quirky selfies, favorite quotes and more on its e-ink display.

Those who thought wearable technology will be limited to watches and glasses are in for a big surprise. Promising to make you the next Harry Potter of our generation, the Nod is a ring that touted as the most advanced gesture control ring. The technology behind it is to promote an interactive experience with your…

Always one to be ahead of the times, the MoMA (Museum of Modern Art) Design Store will be selling a collection of curated Kickstarter projects as part of the upcoming NYC x Design event collective starting this month. If you’ve had a hard time finding a successfully Kickstarted project post-launch and will be in the…

Cap chewers raise your hands! Does your BIC pen cap look like the aftermath of a five year shrapnel-testing frenzy after one day of use? The plastic… IT TASTES SO GOOD. Well, you can toss the whole pen for a fresh cap or flick that gnarled mess into your coworkers salad and slap on a…

It almost seems as if mobile device screens will crack under any circumstances, from the lightest tap to accidentally stepping on the device. This notion is inherently true for iPhone users who, according to Square Trade, spend roughly $1-billion a year to fix cracked screens as well as other ailments such as water damage. Companies…

If you’re ok with dropping the “cool factor” that goes along with smoke rising from around your face, sounding like a 200 year old truck-driver on a respirator and smelling of burnt carcinogens, then the Ploom modelTwo may be just the right nicotine absorption alternative for you. Ploom recently won the coveted Red Dot Design…

Chopping wood is one of those things that people love or they hate. There’s a reason why professional lumberjacks are nearly as ripped as professional bodybuilders…throwing a heavy object over and over again is one heck-of-a-workout. Regardless if you’re a professional lumberjack or a ‘casual woodsplitter’, the Vipukirves (Finnish for LeverAxe) is without a doubt…

Sure, at the right angle it looks like the backend was cleaned off by a semi trailer truck barreling down the road, but the reinvigorated Morgan 3 Wheeler is the three-wheeled car that three-wheeled, leather-wearing man-dreams are made of. Don’t doubt yourself if the Morgan 3 Wheeler rings a bell. The company has been kicking…

Talk to any espresso connoisseur worth their weight in Stumptown Hairbender grounds and you’ll likely get into an argument about the ‘best way’ of pulling a proper espresso shot. Truth be told…it is an exact science that is hard to replicate outside of traditional espresso-craft tools. Despite this, the market for on-demand coffee is still…

Gone are the days where a simple bag attached to a pre-existing road or single-speed bike is the norm for urban bicycling. These days, the niche market for urban bicycles has never been stronger nor demanded as much attention. With projects like the Oregon Manifest gaining more attention (and a sponsorship from the Levis Commuter…

Between the ANICE Stool from designer Arthur Schmitt (download file for free from Thingiverse here) and the newly-released Keystone collection from Studio Minale-Maeda, the ability to create one’s own furniture can be done with a consumer-grade 3D printer and a few $1.50 custom cuts from Home Depot. While those who are lucky enough to have…

Most everyone has watched The Jetsons at one point or another. One of the most iconic moments of the show was the opening where George’s space vehicle folds into a briefcase when he gets to work (those 9-hour work weeks were murder). While we don’t yet have flying cars that can fold into luggage, we…

When it comes to mechanical keyboards, users fall into one of two categories- they either love them or hate them, there is no middle ground. Some find the auditory ‘click’ of the keystrokes soothing, while others would rather undergo a root canal than listen to the incessant clacking of the keys. For those that fall…

I’m sure you’ve sat at a business lunch–one that isn’t going so well–with the scene quickly reimagined as you screaming, “Tell Jabba…” and firing a blaster beneath the table to take our your would be assailant. (Yes, Han shot FIRST.) In December, Han Solo’s blaster from Star Wars was auctioned off to an anonymous buyer.…

With an impressive portfolio consisting of objects ranging from furniture and lighting to watches and even ‘laptop luggage’, the team of industrial designers, researchers and engineers over at Benjamin Hubert Ltd. are regularly nominated for design awards both in their native Britain as well as internationally. Working specifically with the goal of creating a sustainable…

Modla is a small 3D printing design studio that creates incredibly ornate, complex and detailed 3d printed art pieces for brands, architects, designers, artists and more. They launched just over a year ago and have already had product launches with Nike, completed an array of 3d printed architecture projects and designed all the signage for…

It’s children covered in cardboard boxes, hitting each other with broom sticks taken to the next level. Unified Weapons Master (UWM) is upping the ante on fight entertainment and betting people want to watch fighters shelled in advanced composite, sensor-laden materials battle each other with real weapons. They’re right, we do. UWM has developed the…

You’ve been scratching at your computer screen waiting for the news to drop. Low and behold, HTC has now revealed their latest smartphone, the HTC One (M8) with all the juicy updates you’re likely to want: a bigger screen, more power, dual cameras, expandable storage (128GB MicroSD baby!) and motion gestures for your nubbins. It…

Between the new Mod Notebooks that include return postage for digitizing your analog sketches as well as other sketch tools such as the new(ish) Wacom Cintiq Companion, designers and engineers looking to get their ideas on ‘paper’ have never had as many options for getting their ideas out there as they do today. Perhaps one…

What would you do without coffee? It made my skin nearly crawl off itself just writing that. It cannot be fathomed. Since we’ve snorted beans straight from a bag, inventors have been scheming better, faster ways to get coffee delivered into the system. I’m convinced we’ll have IV coffee shots, but until then there’s the…

The 2014 Geneva Autoshow is in full swing this week and one of the most hyped announcements is that of Apple integrating their user experience into a variety of cars starting later this year called CarPlay. So far we’ve only seen the UE in pictures, but as part of the announcement for their new XC90…

Your atop a 20 foot extension ladder. The sweat drips from your brow. You lean out. The ceiling fan… it’s almost hung. *Ker-plop* Yeeeeeah, that last screw just plummeted 24 feet into your unfinished, single-serve blueberry yogurt cup. That’s all sorts of frustration you just don’t need. If this were a TV infomercial, Phil Kauffman…

We’ve seen concepts for modular smartphones come and go in the past few years, but a lot of information was left up in the air…such as why would you even need one and how much would it cost? Yesterday Google announced that they will be hosting the first Project Ara Developers’ Conference in April that…

Mini Museum project creator Hans Fex comes off like the kind of guy you might want to talk to at a party: he’s a bit on the eccentric side, knows a thing or two about history, and has spent his teenage and adult years developing a museum that you can carry in your pocket. Well,…

Last time we talked with Daniel Simon, we were at the Autodesk CAVE conference in Las Vegas this past December where he was explaining how he finds inspiration for his futuristic vehicle concept art. Between both his own personal projects and various concept design for films such as Oblivion, Tron, and Captain America, he is…

It sounded like Santa was on his way at SolidWorks World 2014… at all times. Santa wasn’t delivering overly packed innovative tech and software, but the I.D. badges everyone wore rang out that signature sound. The way the lanyard connected to the badge holder was with two loosely fitted stamped sheet metal parts. The result…

Having an obsessive, deeply-rooted, and somewhat inexplicable passion for everyday objects is practically a required character trait in every Industrial Designer. For that reason, the task of renovating, reinventing, refining, and reforming the most common objects is one of the greatest and most enjoyable challenges for aesthetics visionaries. For millennia, domestic housewares, like furniture, have…