Don your favorite bath robe, cream that coffee and get comfortable with this weekend’s SolidSmack Weekend Reader.
This week we saw everything from an update on what 3D printing mastermind Joshua Harker has been up to, how IDEO is leveraging a 91-year old product designer on their team, a peek behind the scenes of an old-school ski manufacturing process and more…
So lay back, relax and take a load off while reading the top ten stories on SolidSmack this past week.
Oh and uh…don’t forget to shed some much-needed sunlight on your face, too.
Optimizing the Design Process: When to Design Fast and Loose Versus by the Book
“We live in a world full of amazing design software and hi-tech automated machines. These “tools” are designed to reduce design cycle times and leverage productivity. Companies spend a lot of money on these tools and expect a productivity pay off from their designers. Some of the new expectations are realistic and some are not…”
Seungji Mun’s Plywood Economical Chair Leaves Behind Zero Waste Material
“Having featured his designs at over 16 international design exhibitions since he started studying product design nearly five years ago, young South Korean industrial designer Seungji Mun has shown no signs of slowing down his hustle. The designer, who attended the Kaywon School of Art and Design in South Korea and graduated in 2012, has focused a large amount of his efforts on creating furniture designs that oftentimes carry two functions – such as an extensive focus on hybrid human/pet furniture as well as flat-pack designs for shipping efficiency…”
Watching These Skis Get Made by Hand Will Make You Wish Winter Wasn’t Over
“Okay, perhaps we’re all glad that winter is over (at least in the Northeast US) – but that doesn’t mean we can’t start preparing next winter’s adventures…particularly if it means having a full-year to consider riding a pair of handmade skis on the slopes next season…”
The 100 Day Project. It’s All About the Process.
“Remember when you use to make things? Potholders, paintings, LEGO creatures, messes? You need to get back to that, and The 100 Day Project may just be the kick in the ass you need. It’s the brain child of Elle Luna & The Great Discontent, a quarterly print pub and online magazine. The project kicks off on April 6, 2015, but don’t worry, you can start it anytime you like, from day one, or jumping in on day 99. The whole ideas is to get you to start making…”
A Closer Look at the Material Science and Weapon Designs from Game of Thrones
“No matter how you watch it – from your iPhone while on the subway or from the cozy confines of a plush leather couch with a bowl of cheddar popcorn – there’s no denying that HBO’s Game of Thrones is one of the best television shows ever made. It’s so good in fact, that HBO has released their new standalone $14.99/month HBO NOW subscription service just in time for the fifth-season of the show to start this coming Sunday, April 12th – which just may break all streaming audience records thanks to their free 30-day trial membership for new users which is effective starting today…”
Once a Designer Always a Designer…Even at 91-Years Old
“In an industry dominated by the young, 91yr old Barbara Beskind is breaking the glass age-ceiling, and now works as a designer for IDEO, where according to the Wall Street Journal, Beskind walks with her custom modified ski poles from the train station to the Palo Alto-based IDEO offices. There, she shares her wealth of knowledge and experience with other designers, with some being 60 to 70-years younger…”
KeyShot Launches New Product Design Workflow Tutorial Series
“Ever since they hit the block with their Pixologic partnership in late January earlier this year, Luxion has showed no signs of slowing down the KeyShot awesome train for 2015. The KeyShot for ZBrush + Bridge was – and still is – one of the company’s biggest announcements to date and effectively opened up their 3D model rendering platform for a new generation of world-class 3D artists including Liz Kirby, Richie Jon Mason and Nick Hiatt, among many others…”
SolidSmack Catches up with 3D Printing Visionary Joshua Harker (Video Interview)
“Ever since he exploded onto the additive manufacturing scene in October of 2011 – thanks in no small part to the success of his Crania Anatomica Filigre Kickstarter campaign – 3D designer Joshua Harker has been keeping himself busy with projects that explore the outer limits of 3D modeling and additive manufacturing…”
