Taking a good photo is one thing, taking care of the equipment that creates it is another. Just think about how important your phone case is to protecting that device and you’ll see where I’m coming from. If you’re using a digital or film camera A. It’s probably not cheap and B. You want to treat it like an investment. A good strap gives you security when shooting, a solid bag protects your camera when it’s not in use, and lens bags add a layer of protection when you’re switching between several during a fun day or a shoot.
Parentesit is a collection of modular wall panels that both aid in reducing sound and add a geometric visual element to whatever space they’re in. Choose from three shapes – circle, square, and oval – as well as several colors, or a step further and include the customizable ambient light and speaker to make them even more functional.
1/Jidouhanbaiki is a photo series that explores Japan’s obsession with vending machines 2/Chihiro Ogura creates cookie masterpieces inspired by cultural Japanese motifs 3/Inks, a modernist art app disguised as a pinball puzzler 4/Rippling liquid marble mimics a flowing river in Petit Loire5/Serpentine tattoos by Mirko Sata weave black and white ink together 6/A model painted with glowing makeup lights up beautifully under UV light in Neon Dream7/Paper flowers by Haruka Misawa8/Hair stenciling in the new trend everyone will be trying 9/France has a wine theme park, La Cité du Vin10/The Beach Vault will keep your stuff from getting stolen at the beach
When it comes to technology I’m most definitely drawn to a certain aesthetic, one that overflows into every other realm of my life. Clean lines, modern look, and limited color palette. I always looks forward to what’s next from HP, our longstanding partner, like their recently released PC with incredible craftsmanship and style – the HP Spectre. The resulting technology is a form of reinvented obsession, and delivers a luxurious computing experience that should resonate with all design-minded folks. HP reimagined every element during the design process to ensure the best user experience as well as maximum performance. The end result is a PC that doesn’t compromise on style, function, or performance.
The idea of reinventing obsession is nothing new to me, I do it on a daily basis both here on Design Crush and as a graphic designer. Each day and every project requires me to reevaluate, refocus, and bring my best creative self to the table. It’s not always easy but Spectre is a source of inspiration, in particular its modern color palette. I’ve found myself inexplicably drawn to shades similar to its high contrast matte aluminum body and glossy copper trim over the past few weeks in everything from design projects to my own home.
You may have also noticed that HP has debuted a sleek new logo, a modern take on the two letters consisting of little more than four slashes. When working on my bread and butter, logo and branding work, I tend to think minimally when starting work on a new brand. This redesign reminds me that in design simple is usually best. A rule of thumb that I live by is to take away, then take away some more until nothing is left but the necessities.
HP also collaborated with two world-renowned designers to create exclusive limited edition Spectres that highlight the intersection of art and technology. Dutch-born, London-based designer Tord Boontje created the HP Spectre by Tord Boontje that exhibits delicate, intricate, dreamlike patterns across the laptop. Los Angeles-based jewelry designer Jess Hannah created the HP Spectre by J. Hannah with opulent 18K gold. Both will be auctioned off for charity.
This post sponsored by HP Spectre as they #ReinventObsession. All words and opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush creating fresh content!
Ghostruck // the first app connecting you professional, insured movers by utilizing their empty or partially filled trucks.
Hopper // Track tickets to your set destination for any week of the year, then purchase directly within the app using your airline’s rewards program of choice without ever leaving.
ROW 2
Instasnoop // An app that allows you to check out anyone’s public profile and snoop by disabling likes, tagging, and commenting so you don’t need to be afraid of accidentally double-tapping.
Journal // Combine all the things that inspire you into one place where you can draw, sketch, collage, paint, or color on anything, giving you a sketchbook of boundless possibilities.
Old Sport // Tell us what you have in your home bar, and we’ll tell you what you can make.
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Paper // A faster, better way to capture ideas using text, sketches, and photos.
Pause // Based on the ancient principles of Tai Chi and mindfulness practice, PAUSE brings the act of focused attention to your mobile device.
Timer+ // Set multiple timers at once , time by the second, minute, or hour. Runs in the background so you’re free to use other apps. Comes with 20 alarms.
Activity trackers aren’t exactly a new fad, and to be honest I’ve been known to make fun of those who are evangelists for them in the past. But ever since being diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes a year and a half ago, suddenly all kinds of health issues that weren’t important in the past are a big deal. Carb intake, working out, getting enough sleep – all things that I’m paying way more attention to these days. Also things that Jawbone’s UP2 are helping me track and even improve upon! Hi, Pot. It’s Kettle. Let’s talk.
I stopped wearing a watch years ago because having it bang against my desk and keyboard while designing was enough to drive me crazy. I was happy to find that the band on the UP2 is an adjustable soft rubber bracelet, and I’ve had zero problem wearing it 24/7. After two weeks it’s already become a habit that I’m not eager to break, and keeping track of everything has become like a competition with myself. It even manages to go with my wardrobe when I stack on bracelets – no small feat! And on days when I forget to throw on any accessories it simply looks like a modern bracelet.
My UP2 has been tracking everything from movement to diet to sleep, and yet I feel like I’ve barely scratched the surface of its functionality. I’m looking forward to experimenting with the idle alert which keeps you from staying in one place for too long, and the alarm that gently wakes you up in the morning by vibrating your tracker.
I’m not a person who’s ever been extremely active, so I have my goal set to 8,000 steps a day. The difference now is that I’m eager to check my steps as soon as I’ve done an activity – like run on the treadmill, gone grocery shopping, or walked my dogs! I wasn’t expecting just how addicting it would be.
Being able to keep track of every bite of food I put in my body throughout the day is incredibly important to sticking to my recommended 45 carb per meal limit. It’s a relief to know that there’s a record of the results somewhere other than in my mind, and that I can go back and look at what I ate when I was having an especially energetic or exhausting day.
For the past six months I’ve been struggling with sleeping well, I believe it to be a side effect of a new diabetes drug that I’m taking. I don’t have a tough time falling asleep – it’s the staying asleep that’s difficult. Because I wear my UP2 to bed it actually tells me how many times I woke up during the night, when I was sleeping light, and when I was in a deep sleep. In the morning it gives me a report and mentions tips like doing light let lifts when I can’t get back to sleep and getting up to do something productive if I’m restless. This has been my favorite function so far!
What I initially thought was a fad has become a part of my everyday life, and a tool in treating my diabetes. At this point I can’t imagine not wearing my UP2 when it even manages to seamlessly blend into my day-to-day, from lifestyle to wardrobe.
This post sponsored by Jawbone. All words and opinions are my own, as always. Thank you for supporting the brands that help keep Design Crush producing fresh content!
