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Don’t Duck Around This Player

Quack Quack! Ok I won’t kid around this time, but I think Mac Funamizu has matured pretty much in his design sensibilities. The CD player is called Quackie, but the concept looks decent enough for the tweens who endorse stuff like the Mickey Mouse MP3 players. Quackie is thus: There’s a round body that rolls and a black speaker. The speaker is attached to the body at the axis and it rolls around the body. Simple functions of play/stop/next/back and volume up/down are included.

Designer: Mac Funamizu

Balance Mein Freunde

What do you do with an unused hanger, early in the morning? This right here is the worlds newest reinvention of the clothing hanger. In a very basic swift move of the hand, our super friend Mac has created the possibility for installation art in every home in the modern world. It’d make Alexander Calder proud to see and experience what Mac calls the “Mobile Hanger.” Not for playing with, kitty!

Designer: Mac Funamizu

The Pitch of The Pitcher

The Pitch♪er. Can you see that little musical note? I hope you can, because that’s what’s up here. Music. See the pitcher (or the glass, or the tin,) or anything else that contains liquid and works in this way: flick the container with your finger. It makes a sound. Drink some of the liquid, and flick it again. It makes a different sound. How does this work into a plan for another unique “Mactastic” invention? Look ahead!

Designer: Mac Funamizu

Holograms Can Be Fun

Hologram technology may still be in a full bloom, but that doesn’t stop some designers from conceiving fun ideas to play around with. Like a kid in a candy store, the 3D Desktop Concept is perfect for computer-freaks like me. Natural hand movements across the black curtain to crumple and discard documents, or type out a virtual page akin to a typewriter; this concept has virtual holographic goodies by the dozens! If the idea is too overbearing then switch off the embedded tiny projectors and use this as a desk lamp!

Designer: Mac Funamizu

Black, White Or Combo

Veteran at YD, designer Mac Funamizu has given us many techie ideas to dwell on in the past. This time around he’s come up with a non-techie solution for those who are fussy about the kinda pepper they use. There is a difference in the Black and White peppercorns, which is why this Black & White Peppermill. Color-coded as the namesake, just load the peppercorns into their respective compartments and use one hand to grind the seasoning over your food.

Designer: Mac Funamizu

Best of June 2009

Every month we take a look around and select some of the most interesting designs that was showcased here. Below you’ll find the most popular designs we’ve tracked over the last 30 days – an overview of designs you shouldn’t have missed in June 2009.

No Tangible Screen For this Mobile Phone

Are you over the iPhone 3G S and Palm Pre? Good, coz I got to get you prepared for the future. In ten years from now, there probably will be no war amongst manufacturers with regards to display; coz there simply will be NONE! Holograms will replace the screens! Trou Hologram Mobile Phone relies totally on 3D holograms being projected in the vacant display area. Tiny projectors line the inner surface of the hollow and bring to life the many aspects of the technology. Imagine seeing 3D maps of a particular area or your girlfriend’s hologram when she calls!

Designer: Mac Funamizu

Emotional LEDs

It’s a sorry situation that we need to resort to gimmicks to help resolve our inner emotions. ILLUMIO here is an abstract model of how we currently feel and are reacting towards relationships and the environment. Honestly I’d rather arrange my face to be a grumpy frown if I’m upset. Going by Robert Plutchik’s psychoevolutionary theory of emotion there are basically eight primary emotions: anger, fear, sadness, disgust, surprise, curiosity, acceptance and joy. Arrangements and colors of the LEDs on the ILLUMIO reflect these effectively.

Designer: Mac Funamizu

10 Unconventional Umbrella Designs

For the sake of all the Gays and female population, I hope the day comes when it rains HOT Hunky MEN. This is one deluge that my single friends wouldn’t mind; and if the lord floods the streets with Adonis kinda guys, then I’m joining the party too! Wild fantasies aside, my point of focus here is actually UMBRELLAS! Yes, those sorry basic so-called shields can be spectacular as well! Don’t believe me? Take a look at the 10 compilations here; they vary from structural indulgences to conceptual capabilities.

Designers: Various

Projectors Galore

Projectors, projectors, here and there, projectors, projectors, projecting on everywhere. According to Gareth Marples, the first conceptual drawing of a projector was done in 1420 by Johannes de Fontana: a drawing of a monk with a lamp projecting a vision of a devil holding a lance. Truly a lovely first ideation it was. In this post we use two brand new concept projectors, top prize winners at a recent Philips design competition, to open the door to Yanko’s full collection of projector concepts.

Designer: Various

Let’s Spill Some Pics And Splash Some Music

Every time I have to do a Mac post I get butterflies in my stomach, coz you guys laud him too much or pan him badly! Either ways, I’m a big fan of concepts, hence here we go again. On the platter is the iAcqua iPhone Dock with a transparent touch screen, speakers and a projector. Place your phone on the top slot and tilt it slowly to either side (like a faucet) to access your photos, songs or movies. Amazingly all the icon images cascade down randomly like the flow of water. Touch a particular icon (before it disappears) to access it.

Designer: Mac Funamizu

Asp-Adder Take A Hike, Slythrin Is Here

For some reason I have a very soft corner for designer Mac Funamizu. I know sometimes his designs can get outlandish, but like I always say, you need to dream BIG to achieve something in life. His latest concept is a portable projector device that wraps around your hand like a bracelet. This modern bridge between the physical and digital world comes with a camera, a projector and WiFi. Interestingly he compares & names it after the beautiful white snake, SnowCorn.

Designer: Mac Funamizu

Let The Hands Do The Talking

Your hands are gesturing but I do not understand! Is it me or are your hands telling me something? Comprehending sign language is not an easy task, but should that be a hindrance for communication between you and a vocally challenged person? I guessed not, hence this Sign Language Translator will be the apt solution for you to transcend borders of gesture-based communication.

Designer: Mac Funamizu