Archive for May, 2011
Reader Ideas Assemble!
I’m going to try to work through a backlog of submitted reader ideas over the next few weeks. Sorry for taking so long to get around to these! I often get so caught up with my ideas that these get pushed to the back burner.
So to start off with, we have a Pokeball pet leash sent in from Jeanne H. She is a huge Pokemon fan and proud pet owner, and would like to appear as a Trainer with her Pocket Monster when taking her dog for a walk. Makes sense! I designed it so the leash rope would coil back into the Pokeball at the touch of a button:
Next up we have a Trekkie named Allan S. from New York City. He wants to see a desktop coffee mug warmer that is in the shape of the transporter pad. Apparently he likes to make coffee disappear. Okay okay bad joke. I think it’s a great idea! Maybe a few LED lights in the base and perhaps a glass mug to go with? I recommended one that looked like a food replicator instead (my nerd cred +1), but Allan counter-argued the replicator is nowhere near as iconic (my nerd cred -1). Here is a lame mockup (s0rry Allan):
And lastly a young contributor named Sandra noticed a hole in the Spongebob Squarepants merchandise line. She wants to see a lamp based on an incident that happened in the ‘Jellyfish Jam’ episode where a bunch of jellyfish plugged Spongebob onto a ceiling light and made him spin around, turning him into a disco ball/light of sorts:
I think that’s actually very clever. Hopefully the lamp would feature that stunned expression on his face!
Three great ideas, all geared towards large merchandising empires (Pokemon, Star Trek, Spongebob Squarepants), And I think they would all do very well as products. One day I might do a 3D mockup of these.
Add comment May 4, 2011
The Last Starfighter Bluetooth Headset
This item crosses a bunch of things off my to-do list of ideas, namely:
1) A gadget based on The Last Starfighter - particularily the device Alex uses to call Centauri (pictured below inset), 2) A bluetooth headset gadget, which is long overdue here on this blog, 3) An earbud design that folds into an enclosure.
I remember flip phones being a hot item several years ago, now they are pretty much extinct. This gadget uses that flip design because I wanted to have an earbud that can be encased in some form for hygienic reasons. Also the flip design is retro, much like the film it embodies.
Admittedly, it won’t look nice and sleek when in use, but it will be nice and compact when folded up so you can easily throw it in your pocket.
I also think this Starfighter device would make for a cool key fob or remote of some kind, perhaps a mini cellphone. I could never really nail down an appropriate use for it. This will do for now!
On second thought I should have put the hinge on the top, so when you wear it the display doesn’t appear upside down. Ah well.
Add comment May 3, 2011
Dr. Claw Chair Cover
I’m in a real cartoon frame of mind these days, so you’ve been warned! Forecast calls for lots of immaturity and nostalgia.
Originally I thought of a Dr. Claw (villain from Inspector Gadget) executive chair for my IKEA series this past winter, but I put it on the backburner and forgot about it. Returning to the idea, I now see it as overkill just for the purpose of having that famous MAD logo embroidered on the back.
Now I think it would be best if you could turn any chair into the property of a diabolical villain with a seat cover of some sort. Something that could cover the entire seat (like a car seat cover) or just a simple towel-like thing you could drape over the top of the chair.
I am biased, but I have to say this kind of simplicity works. It’s very geeky and makes for a great sight gag, as Dr. Claw was essentially glued to his computer - now you’ll look the part when surfing the web. Just remember to pound your desk and exclaim “I’ll get you next time Gadget! NEXT TIME!”
Hopefully a T-Shirt company on the interweb is interested and produces this item. The Mad logo printed on a small polyester or canvas flag would do the trick. Anyone know of a T-Shirt company that accepts submissions?
Add comment May 3, 2011
DuckTales Piggy Bank
The title pretty much explains it all. DuckTales Piggy Bank. For those who are fans of the show, you’ll recognize this piggy bank as Scrooge McDuck’s coin vault, or coin swimming pool* - depending on who you ask.
This one feels like such a huge no-brainer - it has to exist. If anyone could alert me to it’s existence, that would be much appreciated. But as far as I can tell, it doesn’t. And that’s a little surprising - I don’t often feature Disney stuff here, as they cover all the bases.
I don’t mean to be so merchandise-centric in this blog, but creating these items is a lot of fun and certainly holds my attention. Also I don’t mind venturing into kid-friendly fare, even if it’s a more nostalgic venture like this DuckTales item.
Now about the water tower from Animaniacs…
*Seriously, how did Scrooge not get seriously injured diving 50 feet into a large pile of coins? He should have suffered Wile E. Coyote-like injuries.
Add comment May 2, 2011
Sneakers Blu-Ray Case
Sneakers is one of my all-time favorite films, simply for the fact that it’s just a fun film through and through. It’s too bad it hasn’t become a franchise, but then again I’ve seen the Ocean’s Eleven sequels and maybe it’s for the best.
Sneakers isn’t as high profile as the many other films I’ve featured in this blog, but still it’s a personal favorite and the film is just so geeky. I don’t mind tackling designs for smaller or obscure properties, as long as the design makes sense.
If you’ve seen the film, this Blu-Ray case is pretty self-explanatory. If you haven’t, then I highly suggest you seek it out - excellent popcorn movie. Looks like it hasn’t been released on Blu-Ray yet (oddly enough it was released on the now-dead HD-DVD format), so you may have to endure a basic DVD transfer to enjoy the film.
This case is almost to scale with the prop from the film, though it could be compressed into a standard jewel case, similar to a steelbook or a collector’s tin.
If you are a fan of this film, then you should check out this great write-up over at CHUD, which pretty much sums up my view towards this film.
2 comments May 1, 2011
Katee Sackhoff Promotes A Replica BSG Viper
Katee Sackhoff, the actress who proved everybody wrong with her portrayal of Starbuck in the updated BSG, talks about the show and her time on set in a Viper.
The interview is mostly a backdrop to promoting this replica Viper, which is on sale for $1500. And it doesn’t take long to see why. Check out the video:
WANT. Want so so badly. Oh yeah, I wouldn’t mind getting my hands on the replica Viper either!
When Katee was recalling how hot she was in the Viper (“I was sooo hot”), all I can say, yes. Yes you are. And then she starts talking about her ass and my brain derails right there. The really scary thing is I don’t think she is wearing an ounce of make-up. Just. Look. At. Her.*
Now wouldn’t it be awesome if actors always talked up the collectibles based on their roles? Imagine Harrison Ford pimping that ginormous Millennium Falcon that came out a few years back. It’s just really cool to see, especially if they were genuinely enthusiastic as Katee was here. It really validates the product when you see the actor in approval like this. Yes she is being paid to endorse this, but seeing her react to all the detail like you or I would upon inspection is just cool to behold.
A couple of things: looks like this thing has functional landing gear too, but they didn’t mention anything - so it might not. Also the guy talking to Katee about the Viper sounds a lot like Admiral Adama (Edward James Olmos). EDIT: Holy smokes it is the Admiral himself. This collectible is from his company, Edward James Olmos Productions.
The detachable cockpit window is a tad disappointing. I would I have created an internal rail to attach it to, or use a magnet-based system to keep it locked in place. But at $1500 this is purely for display - not for play - so it’s not a deal-breaker. The remote is a very nice touch.
Alas, too rich for me. But if a company like Diamond Select can issue a BTTF Delorean with lots of bells and whistles for about $50, a comparable BSG Viper could be had for the everyman. EDIT: but if Edward orders you to buy this, start applying for credit cards. So say we all.
*When have I ever objectified a woman on this blog? I am allowed to just this one time!
Add comment May 1, 2011
