Geeky Digital Cameras Part 1: The View-Master
Cameras are one of those electronic segments that follow the thinner sleeker sexier mantra of design. Well what if you want something clunky, bulky, and straight-up geeky? I give you this simple concept: a digital camera with a View-Master theme. This design is timely, as 3D digital photography is growing in popularity.
I designed the SD card slot to be on top of the device, just like the photo disk slot of the View-Master, though it can be placed elsewhere. The lever on the side would be used to take pictures, though an alternate button could be placed on top (I forgot to include one). That lever could also be used to cycle through stored pictures - how cool would that be?
Ideally it would feature a 3D LCD screen (like the 3DS) for capturing and viewing images. But if you prefer to see 3D the old-fashioned way, then the polarized goggle lenses are available.
This camera screams toy, and could easily be targeted towards kids. However I’d like to argue it carries more appeal with adults - nostalgic geeks especially. Only adults can appreciate the cool factor of this design, and would have no issue carrying one around for taking pictures. It would definitely illicit a positive response from other people.
Share this:
Outdoor Street Hockey Courts
An outdoor street hockey court would be comprised of a pavement surface featuring painted lines (like a basketball court), and would have permanent goal fixtures (like a soccer field) and a chain-link fence to encircle the court (like a tennis court). People can play street hockey or roller hockey here.
These courts probably exist - but where? Everywhere I go I see basketball and tennis courts. Soccer and baseball fields also litter the landscape. Even the “scourge” of society - skateboarders - get skate parks filled with ramps and rails to shred up. But what about facilities aimed at street hockey players?
Currently street hockey players enlist basketball courts to play, bringing their own nets. However shooting wide will likely result in chasing the ball some ways, as not every basketball court has an encircling fence like tennis courts do. Tennis courts are too small to use for hockey, and usually have permanent nets installed.
I keep referring to basketball and tennis courts because they set an established precedent. They are permanent facilities where you just have to show up with your own equipment. Why these hockey courts aren’t more commonplace - especially here in Canada - I haven’t the foggiest idea.
There may be more safety concerns compared to basketball and tennis, but having played a lot of street hockey I’ve never seen any incidents. Everyone plays a very composed, restrained game.
The only ones who would oppose these hockey courts are the people who truly own and operate Canada - hockey arena operators, or “gatekeepers” as they are more commonly referred to. Ain’t no one playing hockey for free! No way no how.
I believe the odd basketball court can be modified to become a hockey court. Even all-new facilities wouldn’t cost much more than a tennis court - we’re just talking pavement and chain-link fence here. If you build it they will come.
Also I’m curious: do you have outdoor hockey courts in your area? Are they comparable to the description above? Let me know.
Share this:
Geeky Media Centers Part 1: Theater Marquee
As I much as I enjoy designing Blu-Ray cases, the reality is physical media is on its last legs. Soon everyone will have a Media Center beside (or within) their TVs that will contain all their movies, TV shows, books, and music.
Currently PVRs, TiVos, and Web Media Centers (like Boxee and Apple TV) are becoming more and more commonplace. And while these are all well and good, I believe a new trend will succeed them in the not-too-distant future: Designer Media Centers.
These Designer models would be available in a wide range of styles to reflect many different personal tastes, and packed to the brim with bells and whistles. They will become the centerpiece of the entertainment center, possibly the entire household. In many ways, this will be like placing a jukebox in every living room - a showy piece of hardware that contains all of your media.
I base this prediction on this: currently people surround themselves with physical media, usually arranged in a proud display. Books, music, video games, and films help define our individuality. We like to see our personal tastes and lifestyle manifest in all this media. It says who we are and what we love - both past and present. Simply put - we like to show-off our physical media.
So with physical media on the decline, it will eventually fall on the Media Center to make a personal statement about who we are and what we like. And because we like so many different things, these Designer Media Centers will be grandiose in their appearance and operation. Make no mistake, they will be expensive - a carefully measured investment for many - but they will cost nowhere near as much as assembling large libraries of physical media as we do now. Somewhere along the lines of buying two game consoles, methinks.
A few examples of Designer Media Centers: a Harryhausen fan will buy a Media Center that is adorned with several sculptures reenacting a scene from Jason and the Argonauts. A Disney fan will grab a Media Center in the shape of the Cinderella castle from Disneyland. A U2 fan will grab a Media Center that looks like one of their tour stages, with the band included (lights and pyrotechnics as well -maybe).
The logistics of these DMC’s could take the form of many scenarios: they could be aligned to a few platforms (Google TV, Windows TV), could have upgradeable/interchangeable hardware, or the external cases could be partitioned from the hardware - meaning you buy the media center and the designer exterior case separately.
I will be designing many geeky/fancy Media Centers going forward. How about I finally talk about the one shown above?
This Media Center is for film buffs, and is a small scale movie theater. As you can see it features a detailed marquee with many LED lights. The sign board is customizable, and there are few poster frames to place your favorite movie posters (you print them out yourself). It could also feature swiveling spot lights for a more authentic look. The light show is entirely on-demand.
This would go nicely with this IKEA entertainment unit I designed. If you like this concept check out this Talisman media center from a while back.
Share this:
Traffic Light Idea
They already use arrow shapes for traffic lights (turn signals) and person/hand shapes for pedestrian crossing lights, so why not assign specific shapes to the standard traffic light? Red would be represented by an octagon shape, already established in its use for stop signs. Amber would be represented by a triangle or a diamond shape, which is often used in symbols of caution or warning. Green would still be circular. I’d like to see the red stop light being larger than the other two, to give the impression there is greater emphasis to stop than the other two. While I would like to see these implemented at every intersection, it may be worthwhile to install these only at intersections that have a high accident rate. Approaching the odd intersection equipped with different-looking lights may increase the attention of drivers. This system would assist colorblind drivers as well.
Share this:
View Askew Collection Blu-Ray Case
Just a basic slip cover design, but with a sign you can peg on top of the box to make it look like the Quick Stop and RST video store from Clerks when fully open (or just the Quick Stop).
The RST video portion would have a small “foot” so it could sit level with the Quick Stop. If I spent more time on this, I would plaster Jay and Silent Bob and the rest of the guys all over the sides of the box too.
This entire cover and sign could made in cardboard, and would be very inexpensive to produce. I might do this as a DIY project one day.
BONUS: Logos for the Quick Stop and RST Video. Internet let me down again. Click to enlarge:
Share this:
Alarm Clock You Can Throw Many Times
There are currently alarm clocks you can throw, many shaped like a novelty sports ball (basketball). Unfortunately all of the electronics are built-in, so you might break it. The real drawback is you can only throw it the one time - normal people need multiple snoozes!
With this design you’ll have multiple objects to throw to satisfy your morning grouchiness, and at no risk to the electronic guts. When the alarm goes off, a ball is released and rolls down to the platform, activating the noise/light to wake the User. Removing the ball from the platform will trigger the snooze function (there is an off button too). You have the option to throw the ball, or place it back in the queue. If you’re like me you’ll awkwardly and eventually push the ball off the platform.
You get to exercise your throwing arm and vent some aggression in the morning. Also you’ll have some handy ammunition at your bedside, should you need to pummel a morning person, or to shut-off incriminating devices - just like Ferris Bueller.
Second version: This would have a single ball to throw, but tethered to the clock. Once you throw, the clock would begin to slowly reel the ball back. So snooze times could be extended if you throw the ball further! However the clock would need a motor, and could be noisy during the reeling process.
I have many other alarm clock designs if you are interested. Check them out here.
Share this:
Merging Fighting Games With Side Scrolling Beat ‘Em Ups
You may recall Arcade games like Double Dragon, TMNT: Turtles in TIme, and The Simpsons Arcade Game. These were known as “side-scrolling beat ’em ups”, where the player(s) can freely roam an area and fight swarms of enemies. You’re able to move in all directions on a plane and jump. Combat was limited to punches, kicks, with a few combos at your disposal (jump-kicks). Survival was the name of the game - defeat your enemies and movie on, with only so many lives and health at your disposal. Read the rest of this entry
