Rolu is a minimal design created by Osaka-based designer Chiaki Murata of hers for Metaphys. Murata has created some of Japan’s most iconic designs, and, along with his profession as an industrial designer, is a professor at the University of Arts and Design in Kyoto as well. He is a strong advocate of social responsibility and sustainability, and is constantly pushing the envelope for his designs to adhere to these ethics.
Rolu functions as an on-the-go memo holder with a single brass bar holding down the paper. There are perforated edges along the length of the paper in increments of 10cm each, perfect for taking down directions, to-do lists, or grocery lists. The design is influenced by Metaphys’ popular Corda pen, and uses the same material and production process. The design comes in white, black, and orange.
I’m the type of person who still likes to use pen and paper for taking notes and checking off to-do lists. Rolu is an efficient and elegant solution to scribble down ideas and musings. Functionality aside, the design is beautifully minimal, yet uniquely sophisticated and mysterious. At first glance, it takes a second to figure out how Rolu functions, and then it all makes perfect sense.
As the economy of Indonesia is increasing at a rapid pace, new methods and techniques are being devised so that it can help in the betterment of the society. With time, as eco friendly measures are taken into use all across the world, Indonesia is also not lacking behind in any way. The Indonesian government is taking into use campaigns and other sources to increase the awareness of going green and the benefits, which can be derived. In the green design campaign that is being promoted in Indonesia, some of the renowned designers are also participating so that they can show the world their eco friendly designs and fabric, which is Batik.
About the campaign
Recently an event was hosted in Indonesia to highlight the batik designs. The main aim of this function was to attract the US investors who are already investing good fortune in Indonesian companies. The campaign that was organized at an international level clearly stated that message that, Indonesia is expanding in various ways and they are taking the green methods of development. Even the experts stated about this campaign were that, it is a good gesture, which is being taken into use so that US investors are able to know about the growth opportunities, which Indonesia is offering. The campaign was aimed at providing first hand information to the investors about how Indonesia is pacing ahead in terms of promotion.
Presidents view about the campaign
Some of the renowned celebrities and important political figures were there at the event. Even the president of Indonesia, Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono was there at the event. The president stated about the recent economic changes, which is occurring in Indonesia and even stated about the growth opportunities and investment options US investors are having. The president also stated that, the portfolio of Indonesian government is being handled by efficient ministers who are working tediously to generate more opportunities of growth and investment options.
Positive aspects of the fashion show during the campaign
During the campaign, some of the renowned designers including Denny Wirawan and Tuty Choild introduced their new range of batik designs. Traditional dresses were transformed and displayed in the show. New range of woman clothing were also the main highlight during the campaign. The experts stated on the fashion show that, it was something, which attracted the US investors largely. Even the Indonesian president praised the wonderful collection of both the fashion designers as they had presented some of the best eco friendly collection for the world.
Sick of your produce going south before you get a chance to eat? Fenugreen FreshPaper--the brain child of Kavita Shukla, who patented the idea while still in high school--is an herb-infused sheet of paper that naturally keeps us from wasting food.
We’ve all done it: We come home from the grocery store with armfuls of fresh fruits and veggies, only to sadly throw out whatever’s wilting in the crisper a week later. Or we excitedly collect our produce box from the local CSA, then suffer a massive anxiety attack while trying to eat everything before it goes bad. In countries where refrigeration is scarce, the problem of how to keep the available produce fresh from farm to fork is obviously much, much worse. All in all, spoilage contributes to about a third of the global food supply going to waste each year, stuffing landfills while leaving hungry mouths empty.
Kavita Shukla didn’t set out to solve this problem. In fact, she was in middle school when she had the brainstorm that led to the invention of Fenugreen FreshPaper, small squares of spice-infused paper that can extend the shelf life of produce up to four times longer than usual. Like so many innovations, this one has a great origin story: Shukla, who immigrated to the U.S. with her parents as a toddler, had gone back to India to visit her grandmother, and accidentally drank some tap water while brushing her teeth. “I really started to freak out that I would get sick,” she says. “My grandma went in the kitchen, and she mixed up this solution of different herbs and spices, and she said, ‘Just drink this and you’ll be fine.’ I was really skeptical, but I drank it. And I didn’t get sick. And then I got really curious about how it worked.” Shukla spent high school “meticulously” rotting fruits and vegetables (“which obviously made me really popular,” she laughs), and eventually came up with the idea of fusing the preventative mixture into paper. She patented the concept of FreshPaper her senior year.
traditionally, the strategy to save space is by forms of stacking or folding. conceived by south korean designer kim myung hyun, her piece titled ‘A / B’ approaches storage by putting another leg into a transparent leg, which provides visual satisfaction and effective utilization of space. A & B consists of a black stand, a tea table or a stool, a desk, and a book-box.
the components can be added to each other and can also be independent, which creates approximately 20 combinations with various functions. the variety is based on the simple system of sharing the legs. the pieces of furniture are adapted to the users, based on a systematic concept that provides possibilities for a variety of configurations and arrangements.
1/2 combination
detailed view – coffee table or chair
simple system – sharing legs
1/2/3/4 arrangement
1/2/4 arrangement
1/2/3/4 arrangement variation
designboom has received this project from our ‘DIY submissions‘ feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.
japanese car maker honda has unveiled a second generation prototype version of their electric ‘micro commuter’ from the 2011 tokyo motor show, which we originally covered here. planned for release in 2013, the slightly less futuristic vehicle will be powered by a 15kW electric motor and it will take its energy from a lithium-ion battery acheiving a top speed of 80km/h (50mph) and an approximate range of 60 km (40mph), making it ideal for urban travel.
the production concept will adopt a ‘variable design platform’, which will position components such as the battery, motor and control unit under the floor and in the rear space to concentrate the vehicle driving functions into a compact space. using a formula one styled center cockpit, the interior will comfortably sit either two children or one adult in the rear.
the ‘micro commuter’ dashboard will incorporate the use of a user-owned tablet device for the application of functions such as meter display, navigation, audio and back-up camera display, and the ability to charge the battery of the tablet using solar cells mounted on the vehicle roof.
by: Environmental Leader, 2012-11-15 15:10:43 UTC Despite the embattled state of the global economy and resulting lack of political enthusiasm for tackling environmental and climate change issues, the $866 billion global environmental market managed four percent growth in 2011, according to research by Environmental Business Journal. This growth puts it fractionally ahead of global GDP growth of 3.9 percent and up [...]
by: Reuters: Green Business News, 2012-11-13 12:50:50 UTC
FRANKFURT (Reuters) - Global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions in 2011 rose 2.5 percent to 34 billion metric tons (37.48 billion tons) , a new record, Germany's renewable energy institute said on Tuesday.
It looks like a hazmat suit, but the Age Man is meant to give young people empathy for the aging process.
It’s hard growing older. Your body, once a machine of unlimited potential, develops pains that don’t go away. It must be maintained through daily activity or things just stop working, and even then, it’s necessary to get things checked constantly. Because ultimately, your machine is deteriorating--but explaining this idea to someone young and invincible is nearly impossible.
That’s why the Age Man Suit (also called the Age Explorer) was developed by the Meyer-Hentschel Institut in conjunction with Berlin’s Evangelical Geriatrics Centre. It’s a somewhat silly outfit that’s meant to selectively limit sensory perception and prowess to simulate the feelings of growing old.
Inside the boiler suit, ear mufflers distort sound and a yellowed visor blurs eyesight and murks colors. A 22-pound vest weighs you down while padded joints make it hard to bend limbs. Huge gloves finish the ensemble, meaning you can forget about fine motor controls like playing video games or removing tiny pills from blister packs. Participants have described the experience as claustrophobic, and it makes you realize, that’s exactly how a senior might feel who’s sharp in the mind but physically trapped by a failing body.
But the purpose of the suit isn’t just an interesting photo op (though boy does it look silly). Instead, it’s to create hands-on empathy for medical students who will one day serve senior populations. The Age Man Suit is also a useful tool for developing and testing household appliances and food products. Anything a senior might see or touch, really, is perfect fodder for usability testing in the suit.
I do wonder, however, if there’s another application. Exoskeleton technologies developed by groups like NASA to augment human motor movements are intended to aid the senior population as much as anyone. Rather than simply using seniors as guinea pigs, could you develop and test such a system from the start by using Age Man suits to improve simulations? Because it’s one thing to say “these legs can support 60 pounds of weight!”--it would be nice to know if such systems will place exorbitant demands on sight or balance that a human tester at its prime might not even notice.
by: Triple Pundit: People, Planet, Profit, 2012-11-14 10:16:52 UTC
Unilever UK & Ireland is launching a consumer-centric project, entitled the Sustain Ability Challenge. The project enlisted 12 UK families “to test practical ways to adapt their daily routines in order to reduce their impact on the environment and cut household bills.” The goal is to reduce household waste by 25 percent, while cutting their monthly food bill by 15 percent.
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-30 08:01:59 UTC
What do these consumers have in common?
90% of Americans have purchased a green product, but haven’t continued to do so.
Half of Americans said they ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-29 15:09:51 UTC
Fair Wear Foundation (FWF) is an independent, non-profit organisation that works with companies and factories to improve labour conditions for garment ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-28 07:38:37 UTC
AirRenew™ Gypsum Board is for use in interior walls and ceilings and is specially designed to offer a healthier living and working environment by improving ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-27 17:49:01 UTC
Herewith the conclusion of 2 days of Sustainable Innovation workshops in October 2012; What are the trends at this moment?
# Great transformation ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-26 16:23:36 UTC
The Green Chemical Alternatives Purchasing Wizard is intended as a tool to reduce the hazardous waste profile in research labs, an effort that ultimately ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-23 18:16:46 UTC
With Mosstile you can make a maintenance free vertical garden in your home. No need to water, give fertilizer, pruning. They don't even need natural ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-22 17:14:30 UTC
Waacs is not promoting itself as a "green" design agency but is alway looking with customers what options are. In this case the goal was to create ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-21 08:54:44 UTC
On D4S there is much focus on physical product design but Product Service Systems can have a hugh impact on peoples live as this case of Nokia shows. ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-19 08:19:06 UTC
Gioia Mondo is truly unique using playing children as a starting point for design. The brand knows exactly how to combine this with fashion and quality. ...
by: Design 4 Sustainability, 2012-11-18 08:32:54 UTC
Bagasse is a byproduct form sugarcane production and besides being used for energy production it can also be used as a material for making paper or ...
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