Archive for April, 2011
Watch This! Part 5: Watchmen
I know what you’re thinking - this one is pretty darn obvious. A watch based on the Watchmen! And you would be correct.
But I wanted to address what should’ve been a no-brainer product for the feature film. By all arguments, a wristwatch should have been the signature tie-in item for the film (after the comic). A watch was released, but it was just a smiley face logo on the clock face in a simple Casio-looking product. Rather uninspired, in my opinion.
(EDIT: Turns out that watch was issued in 1986! Appears no watch was released for the 2009 film)
And the official watch, like lots of other merch from the film, revolved around that iconic smiley face - which is both good and bad. Good that it’s recognizable, but bad in that it’s just a worn out logo. Even by the time Wal-Mart was using it heavily in the mid 2000′s, smiley face was dated. That may be a reason why I still see Watchmen stuff collecting dust on shelves everywhere.
But I digress! For my ‘signature’ version of the watch, the smiley face is used, but as a replica of the button the comedian wore. Gives it a bit more personality than a flat logo.
It serves as the cover for the watch face, a copy of the ‘Doomsday Clock’ featured in the comic and film:
To give it some added character, I then lined the strap with bullets, looking similar to an ammunition belt. I had to use smaller bullets, not the big shells the Comedian liked to wear (in the film).
For a few alternative looks, I made a bullet-less version for Nite Owl, and a clear blue plastic Dr. Manhattan version. Yes I realize Manhattan would be the last person ever to wear a watch.
I probably could have done a few others, like a Rorschach-style strap, maybe a black and yellow leather strap for Silk Spectre, but I think you get the idea.
Hard to believe after all the speculation and hype leading up to the film, it’s already been two years since it’s release. I think an item like this doesn’t have to be tied to the film, it can be a one-off product, as the Watchmen are about as timeless (no pun intended) as Superman.
That concludes the Watch This series for now.
Add comment April 30, 2011
Superman Phantom Zone Picture Frame
"You WILL BOW before me JOR-EL!"
The Phantom Zone is a prison created by Superman’s father Jor-El. The prison is a sort of limbo dimension that criminals forever reside in. The Phantom Zone has appeared in numerous forms throughout the Superman mythos, but this gadget pays tribute to the version that has appeared in the first two Superman films, and to a smaller extent on Smallville.
This version appears as a crystal that floats aimlessly through space, depicting it’s prisoner in a flat 2D manner, much like a photograph. Exactly why this would make for an AWESOME picture frame.
However the problem lies in who you want to be depicted as ‘imprisoned’ in this frame. I’d wager this would be suitable for an Ex, an In-Law, or the Boss. For me I’d put my credit card in it.
The crystal prison ideally would spin like it’s film counterpart, so it needs a stand that would raise the crystal to give it the appearance of floating. It would then spin with the aid of a motor.
I designed three flavors - the one with a celestial and illuminated backdrop (top), which conceals the stand itself somewhat. The next one has no backdrop, just a few prongs to raise the frame (above), and the last one features a frame sits on the stand and rotates in the Y-axis (below).
For the picture you would need to print two copies, with one of the images mirrored. You would then cut out the person(s) in both pics, and glue/tape them back-to-back. The picture is then sandwiched within the frame.
I think this would make a great trinket on the desk. Maybe some clever DIYers can figure out a way for people to make one themselves?
If you like this or any other idea I have posted, please bug Thinkgeek on my behalf HERE. Just email them a link to this post, and tell them you want one! Your endorsement is much appreciated.
2 comments April 29, 2011
Watch This! Part 4: Jurassic Park
Just when you thought I couldn’t go one month without posting something Jurassic Park related, I go and do this. But in my defense, Jurassic Park has so many iconic things in it - even those night vision goggles which had about 20 seconds of screen time.
I admit it looks intended for kids, and not of the luxury flavor that the Watch This series has been about so far. However I think the active/outdoor enthusiast crowd will be interested in the sporty and rugged design.
It's light-weight, so lawyers will permit you to wear it.
Painting that wrist strap is not one of my proudest moments as an artist, but it matches the helmet perfectly. I suppose a plain green strap would have worked as well.
Apologies for making this the second watch based on night vision goggles - I promise it won’t be a trend! I actually thought of this one before the Splinter Cell watch, but held off because it wasn’t ‘bling’ enough.
There have been a few Jurassic Park watches released over the years. One was even included in the ‘DNA Case’ VHS Special Edition, though it looks like a simple red Casio watch. Ones that do look somewhat impressive, I am surprised to admit, are ones released by Burger King (!) of all places. You can check out one of the models here.
It’s too bad Telltale delayed their Jurassic Park game that was slated for this month, I was really looking forward to it. I think they did they right thing in compensating/refunding people who pre-ordered, something I wish more companies would do. I’ll just have to make do with their Back to the Future episodic game in the meantime.
Add comment April 29, 2011
Watch This! Part 3: Final Fantasy VII
Accurate size comparison of Cloud's sword to the city of Midgar
So for the third entry in the Watch This series, my attention turns to Final Fantasy. Specifically the most iconic chapter (in my opinion) - Final Fantasy VII (1997).
There are so many elements of FFVII that lend themselves to a watch layout. The roman numerals the series uses is at home on a clock face. The city of Midgar has a great circular clock shape. The oversized weapons of Cloud and Sephiroth make for excellent clock hands too.
I made Aerith’s staff the seconds hand, which is a perfect fit compared to the other weapons. It’s also fitting as she is a pivotal character.
Even more obscure, I utilized those Materia capsules from the menu screen for the wrist band. That way if you’d like a more lively watch, you could add a bunch of colorful Materia orbs:
My personal preference would be the white gold version or the galvanized black one. Regardless of which style, Final Fantasy makes for a classy looking watch that screams luxury.
The eight Mako Reactors that encircle the watch would have smoke stacks that illuminate white or green. A number of spotlights, as well as the central city hub, would also illuminate.
Add comment April 28, 2011
Watch This! Part 2: Splinter Cell
It was only a few weeks ago I was lamenting that I could not figure out a decent way to implement Splinter Cell into a gadget. Well I’m happy to report I’ve found a second and more appropriate use of Sam Fisher’s iconic headgear: A fancy watch for the active geeks.
This reminds me of those night-vision goggles that came with the Prestige Edition of Modern Warfare 2. Given the choice, I would prefer a nice wrist watch like this instead of those goggles - I’d get a lot more use of it.
Maybe some food for thought for the next Splinter Cell release, right Ubisoft? I’m guessing the next one is in 2012 - Splinter Cell: Third Echelon Strikes Back.
I designed this to be able to toggle colors between green and red, as they bad guys in Convction copy Sam Fisher’s look with their own red goggles. To save juice, it would only illuminate when prompted.
The only way this watch could be any better is if it came with a built-in Michael Ironside voice changer so you can intimidate friends and co-workers.
1 comment April 28, 2011
Watch This! Part 1: Zelda Ocarina Of Time
I’ve been doing a number of posts on watches recently, but I haven’t had the time to do any in 3D (besides the first BTTF one). I thought I’d revisit one I posted in 2D a few weeks back - the Zelda Ocarina watch.
Pretty straightforward, the time and date are spread over the instrument holes. I added 4 buttons so you can have the watch emit your favorite Ocarina tune from the game.
And as you can read in my fake ad up there, yes we geeks and nerds deserve our own bling! Whether society will permit us to adorn these safely and without scorn is another issue.
Admittedly, using the iconic Ocarina of Time as a watch is cheesy but appropriate. It won’t help you travel through time, but it will help you manage and stay on top of time.
Here is hoping the guys at Seiko, Timex, and Rolex acknowledge the joystick generation and issue watches to compliment our lifestyle.
Add comment April 27, 2011
Back to the Future Alarm Clock Art Updated
Seems a post I did nearly a year ago has surged in popularity. However the art in that post looks TERRIBLE. So being the stereotypical artist, I decided to output some nice new renders.
I designed this BTTF alarm clock based on the Time Coordinates display from the Delorean. I included an iPod cable made of rope light in the original design, but removed it so you can see a standalone clock (above).
Looks much better. I didn’t do any new modeling, though it is tempting to rebuild this gadget.
If you like this item, please email Thinkgeek here and tell them you want this, like, yesterday (time pun intended). Your endorsement is much appreciated.
Add comment April 26, 2011
Portal Turrets Music Speakers
Forget the weighted companion cube! That is so 2007. What I would like on my desk in some form is the charming-yet-extremely-dangerous Turret from the Portal games.
And because these robotic drones have taken on a more, uh, musical role in the recent Portal 2 sequel, why not turn them into a set of music speakers?
They’d be fine as a static set of speakers, but if possible they could include their ‘dancing’ animations from the game. But only if their movements were quiet - the noise of motors whirring on my desk would get old quick.
This is sort of similar, but I saw this video yesterday featuring a real product. A plush toy that ‘lip syncs’ to a music source (like an iPod). However it was employed to act as a speaker phone in this scene from the TV show The Good Wife:
I thought that was hilarious. Though I doubt the toy was that perfectly quiet (I could be wrong). You can read more about these plush toys (available in many different animal types) here.
And if you’d like Thinkgeek to make these Portal Turrets, you can bug them here. Just email them a link to this post, and tell them you want this. Your endorsement is much appreciated.
2 comments April 26, 2011
Predicting The Nintendo Project Cafe Part 3
A lot of the speculation heading into E3 is that Nintendo’s new console (now officially confirmed) will have many styling cues from the Super Nintendo console of the 90′s. I think it’s great Nintendo is embracing it’s design heritage going forward. Let’s face it, each generation of Nintendo has a very unique appearance - hard to believe they are from the same family.
For this design I decided to look at another console to draw styling cues from - the last cartridge console, the Nintendo 64:
Back in the day, I remember the 64 getting a lot of grief. It didn’t use discs. It wasn’t as graphically stunning as the PSone. The good games were few and far between.
However I will always remember the 64 being as revolutionary. The first analog stick control. The first rumble feedback. And a huge leap forward in gaming with titles like GoldenEye 64, Ocarina of Time, and of course Mario 64.
For this design I used the same 4-button layout as the previous design I made. These buttons would be for power, eject, home, and controller sync. I then turned the N64 controller port into a display to indicate the number of controllers in use - seemed appropriate.
Here is one made in the colorful style of the N64, complete with a stand:
I personally liked the colorful style of the N64, though many people would dismiss it’s appearance as toy-like. Probably the last color-laden console we’ll ever see.
There are a few more images after the jump… (more…)
3 comments April 25, 2011
Predicting The Nintendo Project Cafe Part 2
A few days ago I guesstimated what the new Wii 2/Wii HD/Project Cafe might look like. Today I thought I’d attempt a concept of what the controller might look like.
If it looks like an iPhone to you, that’s because all of the rumors describing this controller state that it will have a 6″ touch screen as well as 8 buttons, 2 analog sticks, and a directional pad (EDIT: and a camera! Forgot to include that).
So based on that description I essentially made half of the 3DS clamshell design, and added a second analog stick.
I made the 2 analog sticks in the style of the recently-released 3DS. They certainly make for a slimmer and compact design, which is helpful when you have a large touch screen crammed in there. More after the jump… (more…)
6 comments April 24, 2011
