Wheelchairs Helping Africa

I think a major part to life is giving to others. Some major charity's are helping get wheelchairs to developing nations so that disabled people can actually get mobile. Check out Whirlwind International Wheelchair Charity! The latest design is from Nottingham University in the UK. These wheelchairs are make almost completely from spare bike parts, and even some old pieces of wood. The chair is designed to try and conquer the two main hurdles for mobility in Africa and other developing nations; rough terrain and cost. The tricycle type design, with it's main wheels at the front looks extremely capable at tackling rough terrain. These new designs look very durable. Check them out!

 

Touch Screen Desktop

Author  Dan Saffer, of Designing Gestural Interfaces sounds off on touchscreen desktop possibilities. "With the launch of HP's TouchSmart and TX2 computers, I'm occasionally asked what a purely touchscreen system would be like for a desktop. With the publication of my book last week, I thought I would discuss what some desktop concepts could be like." I think a touchscreen desktop would be awesome! The possibilities would be endless and when it comes to using  programs like photoshop or illustrator, it would make them that much more fun. I also feel everything and anything someone would want to do using a computer, time would be cut in half. 

Check out Saffer's thoughts here!

Smart Athlete Alert!

Brooklyn-based designer and avid cyclist Vanessa Marie addresses the dilemma of being safe while cycling. In maintaining a level of street cred Vanessa designed the 'Night Day Backpack'. This totally inventive backpack was designed to create a chic look with versatility. The flaps have magnets inside them with 3M Scotchlite material on the underside. During the day the flaps are held in place and at night flip them up to become super visible. This bag is awesome! 

Photo Contest!

While search through Core 77's blog I came across a photography contest. This photo contest challenges you to shot your inspiration. You could possibly win a trip to Germany! Here are some of the most inspiring images to date. First Mia Ferrera Wiesenthal, United States - Big Sur. Second is by John Moss, Canada - Corner Post and Last but not least is by Balazs Szabo, Hungry - Oo.

Design Inspiration!

A lot of people think that when designing something it needs to be based off and original idea. While this is true in some cases, for many its not. Looking at old designs is how many designers come up with their own and innovative design. Seeing where design was will help determin where it is going. Apple's "five-color" strategy for instance is based off of the industrial design legend Walter Dorwin Teague. "In 1926, Dorwin Teague updated Kodak's popular Vanity Kodak camera by releasing in the five different colors, and each camera even came in its own box that matched the specific color."

Teague-Apple.

Homeless Help

Homelessness is a huge problem across both America and the world. These students created a 25-poster exhibition called Humman Rights: Student Voices. It makes it debut in the U.S. in the Great Hall at the Pasadena Central Library. It was designed to mark the 60th anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted in Paris in 1948. 

Students Making a Difference. 

Customer Satisfaction NOT Guaranteed

A major determinate of a companies success or failure is customer satisfaction. If a consumer buys your product and are in fact unsatisfied with that product what are you as the supplier willing to do about it? After reading Seth's misfortune with his tea kettle I really contemplated on  how customer satisfaction can really effect that reputation of the company. First of all, why a company would sell a tea kettle that would melt is beyond my comprehension. But the fact the company provided poor service after there product failed would be the end of business with that consumer. Providing good customer service is showing how much your company really cares about the consumer. If a faulty product some how reaches the hands of a customer the company has to do something to fix their bad product. It could be a refund, sending them another product or at the very LEAST picking up the phone! 

Answer the phone!