Top Cultured » DESIGN

Awesome Forkless Bike

Julie Bort — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 15:21:43 +0000

If you had to guess which bike part you could live without, would the fork even make it on the list? The fork connects the handlebars to the front tire and that’s how, since the invention of the bike, you steer the thing.

But here’s an amazing forkless bike design by Olli Erkkila that comes by way of Toxel.com. It was created as a graduation project for the Institute of Design in Lahti, Finland.

Forkless bike

Though I’m not eager to take a bike like this on the mountain biking trails of my home base, Colorado (that’s an instant injury for sure), I love the way it reminds me to rethink how I look at the world. Whatever I think can’t be changed, altered, or redesigned simply needs to be looked at in a new way.

So the question is… how the heck do you steer that thing? I’ve posted the demonstration below.

10 Everyday Products That Bring Out Your Inner Ninja

Ryan Deal — Thu, 30 Jul 2009 09:19:34 +0000

Ninjas are stealthy, quick, and most of the time (when they are killing you) invisible to the naked eye. In fact, although you may not see them, ninjas are everywhere, they may just be using one of the following gadgets to blend in.

1. Ninja Throwing Star Refrigerator Magnets (via)

2. Ninja Throwing Star Coat Hooks (via)

3. Ninja Business Cards (via 1, 2, 3)

4. Asics Ninja Space Sneakers (via)

5. Ninja Hoodies (via)

6. Ninja USB Drives (SOLD OUT, but you can find more awesome USB drives by Mimobot)

7. Samurai Sword Handle Umbrella (via)

8. The “WTF Is Behind Me?” Ninja Sensor (via)

9. Ninja Thumb Tacks/Push Pins (via)

10. Ninja Throwing Star Ice Cube Trays (via)

Help us identify ninjas by linking to your favorite ninja gadgets/apparel or sharing your secrets in the comments below.

Recycled Recyclable Recycle Bin (or trash container)

Ryan Deal — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 14:13:40 +0000

What’s more enviro-friendly than a recycle bin made from recycled paper that you can recycle? Not much. Designers Riccardo Nannini, Domenico Orefice and Emanuele Pizzolorusso have created this one-time use waste paper basket that looks an awful lot like a muffin cup. Either way, it’s thoughtful and unique and, I want one.

Information about the project and the designers may be found here.

Clever and Creative Business Card Design

Ryan Deal — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 18:30:42 +0000

Business cards can be about as boring as a long distance drive with no music, or, they can be creative and reinforce the brand in ways that make you remember exactly who handed you the card, and call on them when you need their services. Here’s one for a massage therapist that does just that.

Wish There Was A Notebook Like This When I Was A Kid

Ryan Deal — Fri, 03 Jul 2009 05:20:16 +0000

I think we’ve all tried sinking a balled-up piece of notebook paper into a trashcan at some point in our lives. It just would have been cooler if you did it with the paper from this notebook. A finalist at the European Design Awards, this awesome pad was done by Trapped in Suburbia to encourage clients to have fun at work.

Just How Hungry Are You?

Dutch Mechanic — Wed, 24 Jun 2009 20:48:29 +0000

Ever offer to plate some food for a friend and ask them how hungry they are only to get a mixed response or not know exactly how much “very hungry” translates to in hamburger helper? Me neither. But if I did, I can see how this bowl would be uber-helpful.

Bowls are by Topoware.

The Ultimate Mustache Accessory

Ryan Deal — Fri, 29 May 2009 13:38:04 +0000

American designer Andrew Reeves, with Shane Blomberg and John Healy have developed a clip that, when attached to a soda bottle, gives the drinker the appearance of a mustachioed genius. Kind of like this pencil, these napkins, and the mustache stamp. Let’s just say that if you have one of these, you’ll probably get laid… a lot!