‘Queen’s Gambit’ Vinyl Art Is Filled With Optical Illusions That Win The Mind

Video screenshot via Netflix

In 2018, Netflix revealed it was partnering with The Roald Dahl Story Company to create original animated series based on the famed author’s books.

Now, after a three year wait, the golden ticket’s finally here—for a hefty sum of US$1 billion.

The streaming giant finally announced the long-awaited deal, which could be one of the largest-ever investments in children’s programming, as per The Hollywood Reporter.

Previously, Netflix had hinted that upcoming titles could include adaptations of Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, The Enormous Crocodile, and The BFG, to name a few.

Just how much the brand has spent on securing the rights to Dahl’s worked as not gone unnoticed, especially with a nine-figure price tag. It’s believed that Netflix has acquired 16 of the author’s works in total, and will make “premium animated event series and specials” based on those stories.

The Hollywood Reporter speculated that while no plans have been revealed just yet, the production budget for such a high-profile series is likely to be above US$500 million.

“Netflix is known for innovative and high-quality storytelling. There is no other place in the world that can deliver animated entertainment for the whole family at such quality and scale,” said Gideon Simeloff, Strategy Director for The Roald Dahl Story Co.

[via The Hollywood Reporter, cover image via Netflix] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415880/Netflix-Confirms-Originals-For-Over-A-Dozen-Roald-Dahl-Favorites-After-1B-Deal/

EU Pushes Ahead With Universal Charger Law So We Won’t Have To Replace Cables

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Shutterstock

A law by the European Commission to regulate device charging cables has been in the works for more than a decade now, but it appears that this may come to be a reality soon.

It has been reported by Reuters that there are plans to introduce a legislative proposal to ensure that all devices in the EU will be able to utilize a common charger. And this could come as soon as, well, today: September 23.

Lawmakers feel that having a standard charger would be not only more convenient for its users, but also better for the environment as there’s less need to discard or buy new ones.

Apple has famously argued against this, claiming that putting a restriction on the type of charger devices use will hinder innovation. It also says that it will actually create more waste since users will have to scramble to change their existing chargers if they don’t already have alternatives.

The Commission has also expressed interest in separating the sale of chargers and related hardware from devices.

Although it hasn’t been confirmed that the type of charging port will be the “harmonized” one the EU chooses to implement, it’s looking likely to be USB-C as it’s more common across multiple brands of devices.

Reuters also reports that half the chargers sold with mobile phones in 2018 came with a USB micro-B connector. 29% had a USB-C connector, and 21% had Apple’s proprietary Lightning connector.

As of latest designs, some Apple products also have the USB-C port, so the switchover isn’t impossible.

[via AppleInsider, image via Shutterstock] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415879/EU-Pushes-Ahead-With-Universal-Charger-Law-So-We-Won-t-Have-To-Replace-Cables/

Wes Anderson Directs Gorgeous Animated Music Video For ‘The French Dispatch’

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Video screenshot via The French Dispatch

The global release of Wes Anderson’s The French Dispatch has been a long time coming, and fans have been left high and dry over a year after its expected premiere date. The long wait, it turns out, has been a blessing in disguise.

Although the upcoming film will be in a live-action format, the past year has seen Anderson dabble in various art styles to promote The French Dispatch.

Recently, audiences were introduced to the movie’s star-studded cast through elaborate photo collages, but the latest promotional campaign returns to the New Yorker magazine cover-style art displayed in early posters from last year—and introduces animation to the mix.

The beautiful animated music video for Aline, illustrated by Javi Aznarez and directed by Anderson himself, whisks viewers into the fictional French city of Ennui-sur-Blasé and shares a sliver of the storyline.

Singer Jarvis Cocker covers the 1965 Christophe classic in the music video, which also serves as a teaser for Cocker’s companion album entitled Chansons d-Ennui Tip-Top.

The retro illustration style is telling of the plot’s timeline and focus. Said to have taken “loose” inspiration from life inside The New Yorker office, The French Dispatch is about French foreign bureau members in a 20th-century Kansas editorial office scurrying to complete its final issue.

The much-anticipated film will arrive in select theaters on October 22, before reaching everywhere on November 5.

[via ScreenCrush and No Film School, video and cover image via Searchlight Pictures] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415878/Wes-Anderson-Directs-Gorgeous-Animated-Music-Video-For-The-French-Dispatch/

Amazon To Build High-Tech Fitting Rooms In Its New Physical Department Stores

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Eric Broder Van Dyke / Shutterstock.com

Following the introduction of its Just Walk Out technology a couple of years ago, Amazon’s planning on revamping the in-store shopping experience even more.

Apart from just scanning your palms to check out, like in Whole Foods locations, the retail giant is also hoping to introduce high-tech dressing rooms in its new department stores.

Shoppers will be able to simply scan a QR code for items they wish to try on, and a salesperson will instantly be notified to bring those items to a fitting room.

Amazon wouldn’t be the first to try and bring technology into fitting rooms. As per Forbes, Ralph Lauren had installed RFID technology to track shoppers’ items back in 2015. It included smart mirrors which allowed customers to try on clothing in different sizes and colors, too.

American Eagle also had a similar experiment when it placed iPads in some of the stores. The tablets let shoppers search for different sizes, styles, or request for items without having to leave the dressing room. Other brands that’ve engaged high-tech devices include UNIQLO, Neiman Marcus, and Topshop.

According to a report by The Wall Street Journal, Amazon may also be looking to introduce a similar service that’ll let shoppers ask for more items using a touchscreen tablet, or browse recommendations based on their specific shopping history.

One incentive for brands to adopt smart changing rooms is that it reduces the number of returns after purchase. Walmart, another giant in the space, also announced it was buying virtual dressing rooms from Zeekit, a startup from Israel. It said such measures could reduce returns by as much as 36%.

“Virtual try-on is a game-changer and solves what has historically been one of the most difficult things to replicate online: understanding fit and how an item will actually look on you,” explained Denise Incandela, EVP of Apparel and Private Brands for Walmart US.

As a market leader, it’s certainly exciting to see how Amazon plans on pushing boundaries in its new stores. If it’s half as innovative as its Just Walk Out technology, it’s likely to be a hit with shoppers.

[via Forbes, cover image via Eric Broder Van Dyke / Shutterstock.com] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415877/Amazon-To-Build-High-Tech-Fitting-Rooms-In-Its-New-Physical-Department-Stores/

MIT Develops Toolkit To Let Anyone Design Their Own Wearable Devices

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via MIT CSAIL

Wearable devices that help track user’s movements have been steadily growing in popularity, especially when it comes to fitness. But because bodies are so different, it might be difficult to design a “fits all” device, and users may struggle to find one that suits them perfectly.

MIT has devised a new toolkit to solve this problem, and it’s accessible to everyone. The university’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) utilized electrical impedance tomography (EIT) to develop a new technology that can be implemented into wearable devices however the user sees fit.

“Existing devices can also only sense motion, limiting users to understanding only how they change positions over time,” the team explains of their research. “But EIT-kit can sense actual muscle activity.”

EIT is a non-invasive imaging method of measuring whether muscles are tensed or relaxed. It’s usually used to measure lung function or detecting cancer.

But in this scenario, it was used to create a select range of devices that were capable of sensing different muscle movements. For example, one was a wearable hand gesture recognizer; and another, a bracelet to help detect distracted driving.

Perhaps the latter would be a better idea than Amazon’s notorious cameras.

Image via MIT CSAIL

Like the team at MIT, users are able to take advantage of open-source EIT image libraries in order to design and make their own devices. As explained in the university’s news release, the EIT-kit 3D editor “puts the user in the driver’s seat for full design direction.” Unlike others on the market, this one will be totally customizable.

As soon as the sensing electrodes are placed on the device within the editor, this can be exported and 3D-printed. After assembly, the item is put in place on the area of the body the user wishes to measure before being connected to the kit’s motherboard.

Finally, a microcontroller library will automate the measuring process. The values will then be available for the user to view, even if just on an easily accessible smartphone.

Image via MIT CSAIL

This is demonstrated in a device consisting of two bands. Although its appearance is simple, it’s able to sense thigh muscle strain and tension with the aim for injury recovery.

Monitoring activity like this could not only aid healing, but prevent future injuries by analyzing how the muscle works. In healthcare, the possibilities for these devices are endless.

Image via MIT CSAIL

In collaboration with the Massachusetts General Hospital, the team hopes to enhance rehabilitation methods while refining the technology behind these devices. According to study lead author Junyi Zhu, their ultimate goal is to develop “health-sensing devices with rapid function prototyping techniques and novel sensing technologies.”

There are also plans in place for the project to be showcased at this year’s ACM Symposium on User Interface Software and Technology (UIST), taking place next month.

Toolkit lets anyone design their own muscle-sensing wearables: https://t.co/1TIHnMGTuT pic.twitter.com/taW8SQ8ALc

— MIT CSAIL (@MIT_CSAIL) September 22, 2021

[via Engadget, images via MIT CSAIL] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415876/MIT-Develops-Toolkit-To-Let-Anyone-Design-Their-Own-Wearable-Devices/

Microsoft Clicks With Eco Lovers With Wireless Mouse Upcycled From Ocean Plastic

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Microsoft

At its recent fall event, Microsoft announced a whole new range of Surface devices, but one of the gadgets that stood out was much smaller: a mouse.

Turns out, the company has managed to make surfing the web more sustainable with the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse.

Image via Microsoft

According to Engadget, 20% of the mouse’s shell is created with recycled ocean plastic, which comes from waste materials found in waterways. The waste is then formed into resin pellets, which are added to other materials to make the product.

Image via Microsoft

Aside from the recycled shell, the mouse’s packaging is also eco-friendly. The device comes in a wood and sugarcane-fiber box, which is 100% recyclable and made without plastic. Even better, customers can ship their old mouse back to Microsoft for free to recycle that, too.

Plus, the mouse comes with a special theme pack, allowing you to add picturesque images of the ocean to your desktop. It’s fully wireless, with three customizable buttons, and Bluetooth 4.0 support up to 33 feet.

To get your hands on the Microsoft Ocean Plastic Mouse, head here. Pre-orders for US and Canada have opened, and the mouse will be released to wider markets for purchase on October 10.

Each mouse retails for US$24.99.

Image via Microsoft

[via Engadget, images via Microsoft] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415875/Microsoft-Clicks-With-Eco-Lovers-With-Wireless-Mouse-Upcycled-From-Ocean-Plastic/

Hermès Showcases Vibrant Homeware Collection In A Playfully-Patterned ‘Village’

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Hermès

Five brightly-colored, geometrically-patterned houses stand atop individual beds of sand at La Pelota, Milan. A peek inside will reveal a capsule world created by Hermès exhibiting a collection of its homewares.

Furniture, textiles, and objects flank the interiors of the little houses. To showcase the items, the luxury goods company has collaborated with interior designer Charlotte Macaux Perelman to cover the houses’ walls with eye-catching patterns and shapes.

This, of course, is the perfect association with Hermès. The brand can be recognized by its bright colors, signature patterns, and bold designs. These separate it from other brands within the luxury fashion market, which tend to stick to subtle looks.

Image via Hermès

The “scenography” finds its roots in the “traditional architecture of houses from all traditional cultures.” These are often “covered with earth, lime or plaster and painted by hand completed by artisans from La Scala in Milan,” the brand explains to Dezeen.

“Colors and graphism are essential at Hermès, specifically in our textile, porcelain, and objects collections,” it continues. It was also stated that it was important for visitors to be able to “feel” the objects’ materiality just by entering the space, without necessarily touching them.

Image via Hermès

“Now that our lives are seemingly more and more abstract, more remote, the new collection of decorative objects for the home explores the language of materials,” the brand declares. “It brings a sense of physicality and texture and lifts the curtain on an even more vast, invisible world.”

On the brand’s website, this collection of homewares is described as “objects of connection,” designed to act as links between the object and its material.

A highlight is the armchair designed by Studio Mumbai: a wooden frame “encased in an unprecedented blend made from cellulose microfibres.” The piece is hand-painted and finished, and is representative of modern materials meeting “age-old know-how.”

Image via Hermès

Of course, with more time spent at home, there’s a rising sense of importance for objects within our spaces to feel truly like our own. Even more so, it’s important that they’re expressive of ourselves and our lifestyles.

Hermès’ installation was displayed from September 5 to 10 this year at La Pelota as part of Milan Design Week 2021. More details and the story behind the homewares collection can be found in the brand’s story.

Image via Hermès

[via Dezeen, images via Hermès] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415874/Herm-s-Showcases-Vibrant-Homeware-Collection-In-A-Playfully-Patterned-Village/

HP Rolls Out WFH-Optimized PCs With ‘World-First’ Rotatable, Detachable Cameras

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via HP

Although offices are beginning to reopen as workers trickle back in after more than a year of lockdowns, the introduction of “hybrid working” entails that working from home isn’t going totally away just yet.

To help aid this transition, brands like Logitech have begun to roll out devices aimed to make the WFH experience a little more conducive and convenient. And now, HP is joining in with a new trio of devices.

Image via HP

One of these is the HP 11-inch Tablet PC that boasts a rotatable camera in its sleek new design. Its nifty swivel features allow users to enjoy its 13 MP capabilities at any angle, taking the lens from selfie mode to desktop view when it’s needed during a video call, or a crisp view of the world when out on the go.

Alongside this camera, which the company touts as the “world’s first,” the Tablet PC leverages the Windows 11 Snap layouts in both landscape and portrait mode.

This will allow users to view content easily while multitasking. For example, content can be edited side-by-side or shared in a video call without having to swipe through multiple open apps at once.

There’s also the option to include a small detachable magnetic keyboard that works both in portrait and landscape to get work done while on the go.

Besides the small but powerful Tablet PC, the company has also unveiled a new 16-inch 2-in-1 Laptop PC, the HP Spectre x360, and the HP ENVY 34 inch All-in-One Desktop PC.

Image via HP

The Spectre x360 encourages easeful creativity and productivity on the go, with features to enhance video calls “part of the new normal.” This includes HP GlamCam, which comes with Beauty Mode to lightly touch up facial features such as eyes and teeth, and Lighting Correction to ensure that you can actually be seen on call even in unfavorable environments.

And the ENVY PC focuses on an immersive experience for creators who need the “greatest level of productivity” that only a desktop, instead of a laptop, can bring. The wide 34-inch, height-adjustable display promises the ability to “fit more of what you love into your creative process.”

It comes with a cool camera, too. Its 16 MP camera is detachable, allowing it to function in a similar way to the Tablet PC’s. It can be positioned pretty much anywhere on the desktop, including a bird’s eye view of the desk it sits atop.

All the devices appear to focus on heightened productivity while retaining enjoyment in creation. This is taken even further with the introduction of HP Palette, a digital workspace including four apps—PhotoMatch, QuickDrop, Duet, and Concepts—to allow the devices to be used to their fullest potentials.

“The last 18 months has forever changed how we work, learn, and play,” states Josephine Tan, Global Head and General Manager of Consumer PCs at HP, in the press release. “Now more than ever, consumers need devices with the latest technologies to keep up with their lifestyle.”

These new devices are priced at US$1,639 for the Spectre x360, US$1,999 for the ENVY, and US$599 for the Tablet PC. Shipping is scheduled from next month.

[via Gizmodo, images via HP] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415873/HP-Rolls-Out-WFH-Optimized-PCs-With-World-First-Rotatable-Detachable-Cameras/

Supreme Unveils Branded King-Size Bed That’s Among The Best In The Market

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Supreme

If you’re somewhat of a hypebeast, chances are, you probably have a couple of household items from Supreme.

After all, the streetwear brand is known for its eclectic offerings, including a US$259 Burner Phone and a US$129 Zippo Lighter.

Now, the brand wants to get hold of your bedroom, too. In partnership with Swedish mattress maker Hästens, Supreme is introducing a king-size continental bed set, with its red and white plaid design.

However, a night’s sleep on this bed’s going to cost you. According to Input, the set’s rumored to be going for US$23,990 — even more expensive than its US$8,239 suitcase collaboration with Rimowa.

Notably, in a strange design choice, it isn’t the sheets—but the bed itself—that’s covered in Supreme branding. Meaning, if you were to put on sheets, you wouldn’t be able to tell it’s one of streetwear’s most hyped beds at all. Unless the brand decides to release its own line of bed spreads, of course.

Despite all that, the mattress itself is actually top of the line. Hästens has been making beds for over 150 years, using 27 layers of natural materials—like Hästens horsetail hair, cotton, wool, and flax—and hand-stitching them for the most comfortable sleep ever.

According to a review by GoodBed, the company was the first to introduce the bed frame, invent pocket coils, and include a top mattress.

Typically, customers would get to customize both sides of the bed at Hästens, though it’s unclear if the Supreme version will be the same. The mattress included in the set is the Maranga, one of the maker’s most affordable models, despite it ranging from US$10,000 to US$20,000.

If you’re doing the math, that means Supreme’s adding an extra of US$4,000 for its signature branding as well as the bragging rights.

Interested? Fastest fingers first when the limited set launches September 23. Click here for more details.

A post shared by Supreme (@supremenewyork)

[via Input, cover image via Supreme] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415872/Supreme-Unveils-Branded-King-Size-Bed-That-s-Among-The-Best-In-The-Market/

Amazon Introduces Kindle Paperwhite For Kids, And It’s Ready For Messy Accidents

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Amazon

With how reliant people have become with their devices indoors, Amazon is hoping to swap some of the screen time for reading time. On Tuesday, it announced the Kindle Paperwhite Kids, a paper-like tablet with “zero distractions”—sans games, advertisements, internet access, or video.

Despite being tailored for children ages seven and up, the Paperwhite Kids sports the same 6.8-inch dimensions as the all-new fifth-gen Paperwhite. What sets it apart is its “child-proof” design; it’s got an IPx8 rating, ensuring it survives “accidental drops in the bath, hot tub, pool, and sea.”

Image via Amazon

In addition, a protective cover prevents the display from being splashed on or scratched.

Image via Amazon

If the tablet does fall prey to the occasional spill, though, Amazon has got another plan in place. The Kindle Paperwhite Kids comes with a two-year worry-free guarantee, entitling you to a replacement for when the device gets faulty.

To accommodate young, curious minds, the device will arrive with a free year’s subscription to Amazon Kids+, offering access to a trove of over 1,000 e-books so readers can explore new worlds being tucked in indoors. Popular titles include Artemis Fowl; Bridge to Terabithia; and Diary of a Wimpy Kid; and Forbes notes that the Harry Potter franchise is part of the selection too.

After the first year, the e-book subscription automatically renews at US$2.99 per month for Prime users and US$4.99 for non-members.

Image via Amazon

In terms of accessibility, the Paperwhite Kids includes the OpenDyslexic typeface for extra legibility especially for readers with reading disabilities.

Just for the kids, this edition brings two more colorways than the standard Kindle Paperwhite. Apart from the usual black version, vibrant ‘Emerald Forest’ and ‘Robot Dreams’ designs are also available.

At US$159.99, the Paperwhite Kids is a tad pricier than the original (US$139.99), but its resilience against accidents might save you from forking out much more further down the line. You can preorder it here.

Image via Amazon

[via Forbes and Engadget, images via Amazon] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415871/Amazon-Introduces-Kindle-Paperwhite-For-Kids-And-It-s-Ready-For-Messy-Accidents/

‘Fur-tual Boutique’ Lets You Try Halloween Outfits On Pets Without The Struggle

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Chewy

Sometimes dressing a pet up for Halloween can be more fun than dressing yourself up for Halloween, and pet supply company Chewy gets that.

But pets don’t necessarily want to subject themselves to a try-on session of costumes less to their amusement than their owners’.

And sometimes, the dissatisfaction is so great, the costume won’t stay on long enough to take a picture of the disgruntled fur baby in pumpkin-shaped garb.

Hence the ‘Fur-tual Boutique’, an initiative by Chewy to allow pets to “try on” their new costumes through harnessing augmented reality (AR). This fitting room allows pet parents to see the furry bundle of joy in up to seven of the company’s bestselling costumes before deciding which one to buy.

All you need to try this out is a smartphone or equivalent device to visit the “boutique” with. Just one front-facing shot of the star of the show is needed, making sure to include their full body in the image.

Image via Chewy

The image will then be used to “try on” the costumes, with the ability to adjust the clothing to fit your pet just right.

Some of the costumes available include a frightening bipedal werewolf sure to spook the poor mailman, or an endearing teddy bear to bring out the cuddliest nature of the most angelic pets.

And when the costume does arrive at your doorstep, there’s still no need to spend an entire pack of treats to try and get the pet to sit still long enough for a good photo. After the virtual try-on, you’ll receive a photo and a GIF of the styling session for the “aww”-worthy social media post.

The innovative boutique can be visited here; just scan the QR code for entry.

NOW LIVE! Pop into our Fur-tual Boutique experience to virtually dress up your bestie in our top Halloween costumes available #OnlyAtChewy. Show us your creations for a chance to win a spooky surprise. 👇 https://t.co/oVLKhQSFiC

Terms & Conditions apply. pic.twitter.com/polIczKxnG

— Chewy (@Chewy) September 15, 2021

@Chewy the fur-tual boutique is so cute!!! maybe Sébastien SHOULD be a cowboy this year!!! pic.twitter.com/C6Qk45tpHE

— Sunshine Emma™️☀️ (@kawaiittrash) September 15, 2021

[via Apartment Therapy, image via Chewy] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415870/Fur-tual-Boutique-Lets-You-Try-Halloween-Outfits-On-Pets-Without-The-Struggle/

This Winged Microchip Is The World’s Smallest Ever Flying ‘Structure’

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Northwestern University

In 2021, microchips are everywhere. They’re found in all of our gadgets, smart home components, and are even used to identify lost pets.

A group of engineers from Northwestern University have an even grander version for the mini chip—where one day it could float through the air collecting data, and then instantly dissolve when it hits the ground.

Named “microfliers,” these tiny microchips, which come with “wings,” were inspired by what the team saw in nature.

Image via Northwestern University

Even more impressively, the microfliers are said to be “the smallest-ever human-made flying structures.” They’re about the same size as a grain of sand, and can “travel” in the air by wind.

“Our goal was to add winged flight to small-scale electronic systems, with the idea that these capabilities would allow us to distribute highly functional, miniaturized electronic devices to sense the environment for contamination monitoring, population surveillance, or disease tracking,” explained John Rogers, co-author of the study.

While terms like “population surveillance” or “disease tracking” might sound a little dystopian, the microfliers actually look rather adorable. Shaped similarly to mini propellers, the chips are able to float for longer in the wind, giving them more time to collect data.

Image via Northwestern University

These chips could be tasked to collect all sorts of data, with the option to attach sensors, antennas, or even data storage solutions onto the tiny microfliers.

According to CNET, the design was first inspired by wind-dispersed seeds in nature, with the team eventually settling on the star-shaped seeds of the tristellateia plant as its guide.

“We think that we beat nature. At least in the narrow sense that we have been able to build structures that fall with more stable trajectories and at slower terminal velocities than equivalent seeds that you would see from plants or trees,” said Rogers.

Image via Northwestern University

Going forward, the team will be working on making the microfliers out of water-soluble materials, which would remove the need for these chips to be collected or swept away once a reading has been completed.

Check out the world’s smallest flying structures in the video below, which depicts just how tiny the microfliers really are.

[via CNET, images via Northwestern University] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415869/This-Winged-Microchip-Is-The-World-s-Smallest-Ever-Flying-Structure/

London Design Week Has A Virtual Museum Café Reigniting The Coffee Experience

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Giles Miller Studio

Virtual reality (VR) spaces are becoming more common now, having exploded in popularity as an alternative to going out to spaces like events and art galleries thanks to COVID-19 lockdowns across the globe.

However, there aren’t many VR spaces that are centered around an experience that many miss: going to a café. Specifically, sitting down at a museum café after wandering the exhibitions.

As part of London Design Week 2021, architecture and design firm Giles Miller Studio has collaborated with cult favorite coffee brand Grind to create a virtual coffee experience in a virtual gallery. Besides this café, there are also galleries with Giles Miller’s work on display for visitors’ perusal.

Image via Giles Miller Studio

The studio explains to Wallpaper that the coffee bar isn’t supposed to recreate the conventional “warm and crowded space to meet, work and relax” experience of going to a café. Instead, it aims to offer visitors from around the globe the experience most of us already know but now in a new, digital format.

There isn’t the option to virtually buy a coffee then have it materialize in your hands, but the space itself is designed not unlike an art piece. The project utilizes “eco tiles” which are made from the byproducts of processing coffee.

Image via Giles Miller Studio

It also includes Grind’s own coffee machine, entirely digital, available to prod and find out more about. And for coffee lovers, there’s also a competition to enter that could win you a machine of your own—in real life.

Image via Giles Miller Studio

Due to the pandemic, the coffee brand hasn’t been able to operate as normal and has lost a lot of business as a result. “We were faced with the challenge of bringing Grind to life in a way that was completely new to us,” it states, and recalls that it spent most of its time during lockdown “helping people make better, more sustainable coffee at home.”

Sustainability has taken a firm stance in this gallery, too, with one of the walls dedicated to displaying facts about the environmental detriments of single-use coffee pods.

Image via Giles Miller Studio

“We couldn’t wait to reopen and are so grateful to be welcoming people back into our cafés again now,” Grind continues. “We’re excited to find new ways to meet people—and bring them together for coffee—moving forward.”

The V-Gallery by Giles Miller Studio can be explored on its website, linked here.

A post shared by Giles Miller Studio (@gilesmiller)

A post shared by Giles Miller Studio (@gilesmiller)

A post shared by Giles Miller Studio (@gilesmiller)

[via Wallpaper, images via Giles Miller Studio] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415868/London-Design-Week-Has-A-Virtual-Museum-Caf-Reigniting-The-Coffee-Experience/

British Rail Logo’s Green Makeover Has Original Designer Seeing Red: ‘Bollocks’

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Rail Delivery Group

The British Rail logo has been around since its launch at an exhibition in January 1965, and its familiar red arrows have become synonymous with trains, stations, and rail travel as a whole.

Although it has remained largely unchanged for the last five decades, there are now talks of redesign from the country’s transport secretary, Grant Shapps.

Alongside the launch of the new Great British Railways next year, a new logo is needed, he states, promising a “familiar brand” but with a “bold new vision for passengers.” One that includes “punctual services, simpler tickets and a modern and green railway that meets the needs of the nation.”

To find out more about what the railway’s doing now and planning for the future, have a read of our new #WeMeanGreen pagehttps://t.co/AMdrtzFu8B pic.twitter.com/bqYzxIyPqk

— Rail Delivery Group (@RailDeliveryGrp) September 22, 2021

There’s also a separate campaign, launched by the Rail Delivery Group (RDG), which features the logo recolored in differing shades of green. This was meant to represent the environmental benefits of traveling via train as opposed to driving.

But to the original designer of the logo, it’s all “a load of old bollocks.”

Having designed the simple, yet effective, logo as a 24-year-old lettering artist, Gerry Barney is definitely not behind this rework of his timeless piece. Now 82, he has wholeheartedly rejected the RDG’s request to have him endorse the green logo.

When the proposal was read to him, his answer was a definite “no way.”

“I could understand it if they had just swapped red for green. But why on earth have they got that many colors?” was his reaction to The Guardian when the revamp was shown to him. “It’s a load of old bollocks. It’s just a mess.”

The original British Rail logo. Image via Gerry Barney for the British Rail

He points out that its recoloring is strange as the group has been using the original red logo in a television advertisement that has been airing since this April. “It’s nice that they are using again and using it properly, so why would they want to change it?”

When he designed it as a young artist all those years ago, the initial sketch was done on the back of an envelope during a commute on the tube to his office. “The only thought I had was railway lines coming and going,” he says. But that “only thought” proved to be the icon of a nation.

Despite the logo having survived the privatization of the rail network in 1996, the transport minister of the time was accused by the opposing Labour party of keeping the logo in order to conceal the shortcomings of the network as a result, reports The Guardian. And now, he’s worried about the same taking place again.

“I think the railways should be fully renationalized,” he declares. “Having disparate companies and regions is a load of nonsense.”

British Rail paid £50,000 for someone to spend 5 minutes max on MS Paint. pic.twitter.com/rQUcTxPMYe

— No Context Brits (@NoContextBrits) September 22, 2021

Instead of reworking the logo—which he feels “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it”—Barney thinks his very first conception of it could be used as a less jarring update if the officials want a change. The first time he sketched it, he said, the entire train was covered with the logo “from roof to rails.”

“It looked bloody great,” he recalls. “But they wouldn’t do it. They were too apologetic about it.”

The logo isn’t just a logo anymore, all things considered. Barney feels that his opinion won’t be considered in the rebranding because the rail officials “probably don’t know [he’s] still alive.”

He also believes he knows why the logo has become such an integral part of rail travel and somewhat an important piece of the British identity. “Because each [tube] line has its own identity, you’re totally confused. The only reassuring thing is the logo to show you’re at the station.

[via The Guardian, image via the Rail Delivery Group and Gerry Barney for the British Rail] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415866/British-Rail-Logo-s-Green-Makeover-Has-Original-Designer-Seeing-Red-Bollocks/

Vespa’s Parent Automaker Announces Mini Robot That’ll Help Carry Groceries

Posted on September 23, 2021 by admin

Image via Piaggio Fast Forward

Piaggio, the automaker behind the famed Vespa, is debuting another gadget for the road—but this time, it’ll move alongside you on the pavement.

The company’s Fast Forward arm released the first version of its cargo robot, the ‘Gita’, back in 2019. Now, it’s introducing a smaller, more compact version of the pedestrian device—aptly named the ‘Gitamini’—in October.

Previously, the Gita’s large size of nearly 2,000 cubic inches allowed it to ferry around items of up to 40 pounds. However, due to its large size, it became somewhat of a hazard on sidewalks, not being able to weave out of the way should another person need to pass.

The new Gitamini is a lot more compact at 990 cubic square inches, and weighs a total of 28 pounds. While it can only carry up to half the weight of the original Gita, it’s a lot more portable and less likely to take up an entire walkway.

Image via Piaggio Fast Forward

The brand’s latest model also comes with an external handle, allowing users to carry the Gitamini up the stairs or over obstructions. For reference, Piaggio says the Gitamini is about the size of a Border Collie.

As for battery life, it’s expected to last up to 21 miles or six hours of use per charge, with a full charge taking around two hours. This is a significant improvement from the original Gita, which could only last for 12 miles at once.

More importantly, instead of the previous model’s belt-based tracker, the robot is now fitted out with “advanced optics and machine vision,” as per Engadget. It’ll automatically know to spot its user through visual and radar cues, all without needing GPS or an internet connection.

To prevent the Gitamini from becoming a road hazard, the company has also added “pedestrian etiquette software” to improve the robot’s reactions to others around them.

Image via Piaggio Fast Forward

The robot’s wheels, which are independently powered, are able to make swift turns, and an additional third motor helps to maintain its balance even while on the move.

“We asked ourselves, ‘how do we bring this innovation to a new segment of consumers?’ Gitamini is the answer — an updated lightweight robot that’s more maneuvrable indoors and outdoors. It packs the next generation of robotics into a more compact and fashionable shell,” said Greg Lynn, CEO of Piaggio Fast Forward.

Interested in having a robot buddy fetch all of your gear? Head over here for more information.

Image via Piaggio Fast Forward

[via Engadget, images via Piaggio Fast Forward] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415867/Vespa-s-Parent-Automaker-Announces-Mini-Robot-That-ll-Help-Carry-Groceries/

‘Doodle Ipsum’ Replaces Lorem Ipsum With Eye-Catching Free Illustrations

Posted on September 22, 2021 by admin

Image via Doodle Ipsum

If you’re looking for some placeholder images, there’s now exactly a site for that. ‘Doodle Ipsum’ randomly loads filler illustrations on your website—all you have to do is paste a line of code.

Created by Blush Design Inc, which believes in making illustrations accessible to all, the tool draws from the classic lorem ipsum but replaces it with artwork. Like the placeholder text, it’s as easy and copying and pasting; there’s no need to source for images because Doodle Ipsum does it for you.

Designer Pablo Stanley launched the site after working with more than enough developers who struggled to find placeholder illustrations. “Existing libraries were time-consuming, and most just focused on photos,” he said.

If you have to, the only work you need to do is select an art style (like hand-drawn, flat, and abstract), enter the dimensions that your website allows for the images, and then grab a code.

Video via Doodle Ipsum

All illustrations belong to Blush’s open-source license, which allows you to use the images for both personal and commercial use (but don’t sell them) for free without credit or permission.

To get started, head here.

Image via Doodle Ipsum

[via Doodle Ipsum] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415865/Doodle-Ipsum-Replaces-Lorem-Ipsum-With-Eye-Catching-Free-Illustrations/

Sexy ‘Bernie Sanders’ Costume May Make It Easier To ‘Feel The Burn’ On Halloween

Posted on September 22, 2021 by admin

Image via Dolls Kill

A masked Bernie Sanders kicked off 2021 with a meme-worthy image of him seated at President Joe Biden’s inauguration, arms crossed and recycled-sweater mittens on show.

So many things have happened since then: the NFT craze, the COVID-19 variant, commercial spaceflights, and so on. But online punk rock fashion retailer Dolls Kill is going straight to the origin and paying homage to the Vermont senator.

As first spotted by The Cut, the website is retailing a ‘Once Again Asking’ Halloween costume set recreating the Bernie Sanders meme; chair not included.

Unlike most “sexy” outfits out there, this one seems to be optimized for comfort—there’s a gray coat-dress and cozy mittens. A blue mask resembling Sanders’ is also thrown in, making your full US$85 worth.

To err on the side of caution, the outfit is simply described as a “political chairman costume,” but the reference—or bern—is obvious.

A post shared by Dolls Kill (@dollskill)

[via The Cut, images via Dolls Kill] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415864/Sexy-Bernie-Sanders-Costume-May-Make-It-Easier-To-Feel-The-Burn-On-Halloween/

Disneyland Plans To Desexualize Jessica Rabbit, Fans Wonder If It’s Gone Too Far

Posted on September 22, 2021 by admin

Image via IMDb

The next time you meet the sultry Jessica Rabbit in Disneyland, she’ll likely no longer be sporting her figure-hugging red dress. Instead, her shoulders will be covered, as will the rest of her outfit.

Oh, and you’ll find the former nightclub singer at her new job as a detective.

Since the opening of Disneyland’s Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin attraction at Mickey’s Toontown in 1994, riders would pass by a car and find the glamorous character to be tied up in its trunk. However, she’s now been removed, and in her place are barrels of acid.

Jessica Rabbit Removed from first scene in Roger Rabbit’s Car Toon Spin #disneyland pic.twitter.com/4vrvEwNkvZ

— 🔥 FIVE FIRES 🔥 (@thecalibae) September 15, 2021

Walt Disney Imagineering is apparently retooling the character to be more empowered. According to the Orange County Register, Disneyland is in the midst of giving Jessica Rabbit a “more relevant” update and putting her at the forefront of an all-new plot that rejects her damsel-in-distress persona.

To be clear, the revamp is just for the Disney theme park. The upcoming Who Framed Roger Rabbit 2 film, set for release in 2022, will follow Roger Rabbit as he “saves Jessica and their parents” and potentially see Jessica Rabbit as her usual self.

At Disneyland, though, Jessica Rabbit will wear a trench coat, given that she’s now a private investigator. A new sign by the ride’s waiting area will read, “Jessica Rabbit to become the newest private eye in Mickey’s Toontown.”

Here's some more information about the new Roger Rabbit's Car Toon Spin backstory at Disneyland. This poster will be displayed in the queue.

Some background: https://t.co/ddPkhxX9ZB pic.twitter.com/bzNrM3Cb5c

— Scott Gustin (@ScottGustin) September 15, 2021

“Citing the recent return of the Toon Patrol Weasels as the main driver behind the recent sharp rise in crime statistics throughout Mickey’s Toontown, Jessica Rabbit has determined it is past time for her to throw her fedora into the ring by starting her own private investigations service… Jessica shows that she certainly means business,” elaborates the poster, which is designed like a newspaper page. It adds that the character is “using her celebrity to speak out.”

Predictably, the move has received mixed reactions. Some are praising Jessica Rabbit for stepping out of a sexist business and reaffirming her stance as a strong role model, while others have argued that women can be sexy and smart at the same time.

“[It’s a] nice way to honor [actor] Bob Hoskins, who died in 2014,” says Rebellion PAC executive director Brianna Wu. “We’re taking the most trivial steps to represent women better in media, and men are stressing their kink for a children’s cartoon.”

“This is a GOOD change,” responds vlogger Offhand Disney. “Honestly, good for Jessica. Does anyone else find this a bit… prudish though? I may be opening up a can of worms here, but I always thought in the case of Jessica, women could be strong and sexy? Like, she beats up a weasel at the end of the ride.”

On the flip side, some fans think Disney is taking things too far with its politically-correct makeovers. After all, audiences know Jessica Rabbit to be an intelligent woman and an “intentional subversion of the femme fatale trope.”

Disney does not understand the concept of Jessica Rabbit… pic.twitter.com/shD7aO6zge

— TrueUnderDawg (@TrueUnderDawg1) September 17, 2021

“They are risking spoiling a good thing,” a user on the Mouse House fan website claims, as quoted by The Times.

[via Yahoo Entertainment, cover image via IMDb] http://www.designtaxi.com/news/415863/Disneyland-Plans-To-Desexualize-Jessica-Rabbit-Fans-Wonder-If-It-s-Gone-Too-Far/

Leaked Apple Training Videos Reveal Its Persuasion Tactics For Repairs

Posted on September 22, 2021 by admin