Our favorite crayon carver and artist, Diem Chau, about whose unusual art I have blogged before here and here, just had a super cool assignment from ad agency Wieden + Kennedy.
She was commissioned by them to carve 66 crayons for this year's Nike World Cup press kits. "This project was a welcomed challenge" says Chau, "I definitely pushed my physical limits. I had 18 days to make around 70 crayons! There was a week I slept 3 hours a night."
Using metallic crayons and white for the first time, Chau immortalized six footballers in Crayola for 11 Nike press kits. Here are the results.
The design team at Wieden Kennedy made the box, base and contents, while Diem Chau made the crayons for the press kits from Nike for World Cup 2010. W+K also chose the colors, a metallic/stone theme. Diem had never worked with metallics or white before and now is a big fan of the silver and white crayons.
The Nike Press Kit
The press kit contains each of the six carved figures, a wooden box that also serves as a display stand, a colored brochure and all are in a clamshell presentation box.
The 6 figures that are in each kit.
In the final version Robinho (far left in Silver) sticks his tongue out slightly and Rooney (Grey) has his arm folded instead of raised above his head. Diem says she wishes she could have captured Rooney's signature pose, but it was impossible considering the form of a crayon.
Fabio Cannavaro in Antique Brass from Crayola. This color was introduced in 1998 in the 120 box set:
Didier Drogba in Copper from Crayola. This color was introduced in 1957 and is Charles Schulz's favorite color from Crayola:
Franck Ribery in Gold from Crayola. The color was introduced in 1949 in the 48 box set:
Robinho in Silver from Crayola. This color was introduced with Gold in 1949 in the 48 box set:
Cristiano Ronaldo in White from Crayola. Introduced in the Studio & School 12 box in 1903:
Wanye Rooney in Timberwolf from Crayola. Introduced in 1993 in the Big Box of 96: Press kit photos courtesy of Wieden + Kennedy, individual crayon carvings courtesy of Diem Chau.
Now, if you haven't seen the Nike Ballman for the 2010 World Cup, learn about him here.
Evolution? Revolution? Future surfing solution? The Meyerhoffer is possibly the most radical design innovation in longboarding for a generation.
Maverick designer, Thomas Meyerhoffer, is renowned for his innovative product designs including the ground breaking eMate. His quest was to merge industrial design processes with his passion for surfing.
Using the natural world as an inspiration, “the resulting shape is organic and fluid which seems to fit the wave better. Instead of surfing the wave, the wave surfs you. The board integrates with the wave seamlessly. You become one with the wave.”
above: World Champion surfer Jen Smith on the Meyerhoffer board
above: the radical board design has an hourglass shape
The purpose? “The three main sequences of longboarding – turn, glide and nose riding – are pushed to a higher level. The shape with its different sections has been designed to give you something unique. The total experience is a board that is faster, turns better and delivers a higher level of surf experience”
All boards are constructed in SLX to ensure maximum responsiveness. We have glassed all boards with white tinted epoxy resin. They have 2 x 6oz on deck and 1 x 4oz bottom with a 6oz patch on the fin area. We give the boards the gloss polish finish and they come standard 6” or 8” Centre fin and FCS side fins.
Thomas describing his design:
Designer Cynthia Rowley collaborated with Meyerhoffer for these limited edition versions of the Meyerhoffer board.
The actual press release (with images added by me): The Meyerhoffer Rides Away with The Australian International Design Award 2010 June 7th
The most radical design innovation in longboarding for a generation - the Meyerhoffer Surfboard last night won a very prestigious Australian International Design Award!
The Australian International Design Awards, a division of Standards Australia, is recognised by the Commonwealth Government and the International Council of Societies of Industrial Design [ICSID] as Australia's peak design assessment and promotion body, and for its important role in fostering a culture of design and innovation in Australia. The judges said the board was a ''major design innovation'' that would create ''global shockwaves''.
above: surfer Belinda Baker rides the Meyerhoffer
Manufactured by Global Surf Industries (GSI), this ultra-modern take on the traditional Longboard by world renowned industrial designer Thomas Meyerhoffer brought design excellence into the realm of the everyday surfer last year, increasing the ultimate experience. The groundbreaking design propelled surfing into mainstream consciousness around the world.
above: surfer Michael Wallace rides the Meyerhoffer
Designer of this radical surfboard, Thomas Meyerhoffer, was "over the moon" about receiving the prestigious award. "To be recognised in a country where surf culture rules and is part of everyday life for so many people, is truly special", said Mr. Meyerhoffer.
above: Surfer Mark Kelly with the board, courtesy of Sydney's Daily Telegraph
"I owe many thanks to Mark Kelly of GSI for his vision and surfing skills. Almost two years ago now Mark tried a Meyerhoffer prototype and was convinced that he was surfing better than ever! Now because of Mark, the board is surfed and enjoyed by many surfers worldwide. I'm a proud winner of an Australian International Design Award, but I ultimately hope that the endorsement from the award will make more people to try the board - open up their minds and get a fuller experience on their next wave."
above: Surfer Grant Price on the Meyerhoffer board
Each section of the board is optimised for maximum performance, the design evolving into an incredibly complex shape with three different bottom contours that transitions smoothly into one other with its own purified purpose in an organic and seamlessly effective shape. Just like nature itself. The evolution of the Meyerhoffer has been a process of taking away more than adding to traditional forms, enabling Thomas a greater opportunity to shape the board.
From the wide tail through a minimal waist and into a more classic nose, the design brings short board elements into a longer board to maximize speed and turning, provides paddling ease and high performance nose riding. Every element of the board provides the ability for a smooth transition from front to back.
above: surfer Mike Tabling rides the Meyerhoffer board
GSI'S Managing Director, Mark Kelly, was also in high spirits about being named the winner of the Australian International Design Award. "I am absolutely stoked that we have won this award", he said. "Surfboard design for years has been via fine tuning processes, some so small they can hardly be noticed. Thomas Meyerhoffer helped take surfboard design a giant leap forward".
Evolution or revolution? "I think a bit of both. I am very proud to be part of this design and its launch into the marketplace around the world. The feedback has been great and this award tops it off.
"Global Surf Industries is a company for recreational surfers, and I cannot wait to give every surfer out there the opportunity to ride this innovative piece of modern design," concluded Mr. Kelly.
The Meyerhoffer surfboard is also one of 10 winners and finalists that will be part of a special exhibition at the Powerhouse Museum from July 3rd 2010.
Here is the new stop motion video for When I Am King by Dutch indie rocker Tim Knol. The video was painstakingly put together by Sverre Fredriksen who spent 2 months soldering tons of timber to create the images, and stop motion to animate them – averaging five hours of work per second shown.
the making of the video:
more stills for you:
Credits (music video): Director: Sverre Fredriksen DOP: Per Sveinung Larsen Gaffer: Joost Meeuwig Assistent director: Mireille de Koning Production co.: Yellow Submarine Producer: Ellen Hoffmann Production manager: Olivia van Leeuwen Production assistent: Marah Haan Technical assistent: Tom van der Heiden Make-up: Mirjam Venema Manager Tim Knol: Matthijs van Duivenbode
Credits ("Making Of"): Director: Geert van de Wetering Production: SubmarineChannel
I've written about some super high-tech multimedia beds (the Hi-Can,the Somnus-Neu, Karim Rashid's beds for Hollandia) but this one is almost the opposite. The COL-LETTO bed, which received this year's Elle Decor International Design award, designed by Nuša Jelenec and produced by Lago of Italy is womb-like in its appearance.
The cozy bed has a turtleneck-like frame made of soft foam available in various colors that can be rolled up or down and can fasten in place with velcro. Matching side tables for the bed are also available from Lago.
It's the kind of bed that people just want to plop into. images courtesy of Lago and Elle Decor
The CHALK ping-pong table, designed by aruliden for PUMA redefines the ping-pong table for that after hours athlete. Made by hand, the chalk table incorporates ash wood legs and a ceramic chalk surface.
A steel chain-link net introduces steel elements to a sport often played in basements or a neighbor's garage. (standard net also included.)
Materials and design considerations such as angled black ash wood legs and storage compartments for objects or beverages, along with the overall graphic nature of the table serve to enhance a game that is often overlooked.
Indoor Only. Not for outdoor use. Limited quantity available. Delivery is drop off only. Assembly of table requires 6 people.
Dimensions: W108 x D60 x H29 in Price: $3,900.00 (Exc delivery) Exclusive to The Conran Shop. Buy it here
