Playtime isn’t neat. In fact it’s quite messy. In the pursuit of fun and experimentation - parts get lost and damaged. Proprietary toy systems become corrupted - combined both intentionally and by accident with others into an unusable plastic matrix. Things can get weird and at times ugly, because once you’ve followed the rules and made what’s on the box, it’s inevitable that you’re going to want to make something new. But you’re stuck within the logic of the set, and between the closed systems of the manufacturers. Largely doomed to tinker without the hope of truly elegant or entirely functional results. Or at least you were.
F.A.T Lab and Sy-Lab have joined forces to create The Free Universal Connection Kit. The kit allows you to combine previously hermetic toy systems like Lego and Fischertechnik and make entirely new, hybrid creations.
Where previously one may have had to use glue, tape, or any other homebrew solution with which to combine blocks, gears and parts - the kit provides a catalogue of downloadable STL files that can be manufactured in consumer 3D printers like the Makerbot - enabling complete interoperability between ten popular construction toys.
It’s such a fantastic concept, and opens up a range of possibilities - not only with using the kit itself, but in the consideration of other systems and devices that can be combined with bespoke parts.
"When you’re enjoined to do something for the greater good, maybe ask yourself the question, ‘What is greater and what is good?’"
Alex Haslam
"Verbalizing design is another act of design."
Designing Design, Kenya Hara.
Bats for Lashes (poster), Shannon Elliott.
I love Shannon Elliott’s ability to switch between styles while maintaining her particular voice. All of her illustrations showcase her technical abilities with an edge of black humour. They’re all meticulous and beautiful, slightly dark and disturbing.
I really like what Lucy McRae (and Bart Hess) are doing with the human body. The work she produces is smart, visceral and extremely dynamic. I can’t wait to see so much more.
1000 reblogs = $10
10000 reblogs = $100 .. and so on
Okay, we know, we know, it’s shameless self promotion. We will be using the increased traffic from our website to fund this donation. We will be sending Red Cross the check for the Japan Earthquake and Pacific Tsunami.
UPDATE: We forgot to add what we’d do if someone were to “like” the post. We will combine the reblogs and likes we got from our last post along with the reblogs and likes we get from this post.
We wish we can donate more, but it’s all we can handle. If you would like to donate directly to the cause, please click here.
We will be donating 1 cent per every reblog, 1 cent for every like and 5 cents per every new follower we get. We’ll be sending the check to American Red Cross.
Email us at what@viaSQUARED.com for any questions regarding this.
(Source: theroyalties, via timfastic)
01 Zentrale, Johannes JDC Guerreiro.
This video is an incredible example of Projection Mapping on a motherboard! What I love about this particular application is that the different elements of the board are clearly described without losing the structural integrity of the physical object. I’ve seen projection mappings on shoes and buildings but never on anything so intricate and small. I’ve never seen anything as informative and typographic as this mapping is. I could see this as an effective tool for teaching.
I would love to have the opportunity to experience this in real life. But, I wonder how effective this would be on an unpainted motherboard. Nevertheless I think that this could turn into a super fun interactive piece that informs the user about motherboards (or anything really). This video really makes me want to grab a projector and start something.
The State of Japan, Josh Libatique.
