If one didn't know then at quick glance headlight reflectors look like they might be made out of metal, but today, they are made mainly out of plastic.
Cho Dang Sol's beverage menu
I have seen menus with wooden covers before. As far as I know there's no benefit other than aesthetic value. The cover on their food menu was some kind of laminated card board, which looked like they've been in service for a long time. The wooden cover definitely looks to be more durable.
p.s. the food was very good, and they their own tofu.
Bern helmet with fabric visor
The helmets I grew up with we're mainly some kind of plastic over styrofoam but in the last few years helmet that look like big hats have started to come into the market. My classmates explained in class that it hasn't really caught on here in the US because people don't want to look like they are cycling with a large hat. Though, when I studied in Copenhagen, those helmets were quite popular. This Bern helmet looks like something in between. The visor is attached with Velcro.
What is Jewelry?
Ever since seeing Elsa Peretti's Collection at Tiffany & Co I've been wondering about the significance of jewelry as it pertains to my thesis topic. At first I was under the impression that jewelry had to be expensive and be made of rare metals or minerals, which is why after seeing Elsa Peretti's Round Pendant (lacquer over wood) really threw me off. Then I'm reminded of thousands of hand made jewelry on sale on Etsy. Could the definition of jewelry simply be decorative objects for the body?
jew·el·ry [joo-uhl-ree]
noun
1. articles of gold, silver, precious stones, etc., for personal adornment.
2. any ornaments for personal adornment, as necklaces or cufflinks, including those of base metals, glass, plastic, or the like.
- Dictionary.com
so there you have it... Perhaps something more traditional? Gold?
Or Lucite?
A blend of technology and jewelry: Nokia's luxury brand, Vertu
Yes, this one features: White Cold, Full Pavé Diamond Bezel, Baguette Diamond Keys, Black Ceramic Black, Back Leather
The ceramic backing on this phone reminds me of a period after the summer of 2010, white ceramic watches or ones that look like it became high fashion because Secretary of State Hillary Clinton was spotted wearing a white Chanel J12 Watch.
And of course the other trend in watches into use "racing" materials like carbon fiber for the sporty look.
Case Material: Grade 2 natural titanium Strap/Bracelet Material: rubber with plate in titanium Dial: 2 superimposed dials, one black one carbon fiber with black hands and markers Crystal: Sapphire Bezel Material: Ceramic
Of course, all this means this watch should be very light.
Jens Risom
Google Image Search On the advise of Bruce, my thesis advisor, I looked up Jens Risom. According to Wikipedia, he was born in Copenhagen, Dnemark on May 8th 1916. Trained as a designer at the Copenhagen School of Industrial Design (Kunsthåndværkerskolen), where he studied under Ole Wanscher and Kaare Klint. Classmates with Hans Wegner and Borge Mogensen.
In 1939, Risom moved to New York, in 1941 he teamed up with Hans Knoll, and in 1942 they launched the Hans Knoll Furniture Company with 15 of the 20 pieces in the inaugural "600" line designed by Risom. These works included stools, armchairs, and lounges, made from cedar and surplus webbing, works which have since become design classics.
According to Bruce, the "600" line looks the way it does is because Risom and Knoll only had short stock and army surplus to work with... i.e. army green.
Ted Talk: Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi on Flow
From Thesis I, a different take on "material". http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mihaly_Csikszentmihalyi
“When it comes to learning to control the body and its experiences, we are as children compared to the great Eastern civilizations. In many respects, what the West has accomplished in terms of harnessing material energy is matched by what India and the Far East have achieved in terms of direct control of consciousness.” -- Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi
Flow: The Psychology of Optimal Experience (New York: Harper Perennial, 2008), 103. found on Quotenik
Possible Leg Profile
Here's a possible leg profile that could hide cables running within it.
More rough sketches for the desk
These drawings have more jet planes and boats in mind...