An Idea So Good It Had To Be Bad

I love the idea of new ideas. New, fresh ideas that no one has thought about before.

The only problem is that sometimes the new, fresh ideas haven't been thought about before because they are simply unworkable (but great ideas).

Ben (from Noisy Decent Graphics) explains why their firm does NOT use an ice cream truck for presentations of their work. I'll admit my fascination with ice cream trucks that extends beyond just ice cream and the Smashing Pumpkins' Today video.

Heartschallenger
I & I Sound Systems

Thanks to Springwise for some of these ideas! Karaoke Ice photo on flickr.

experience design - an interview

here's a great interview with weatherhead experience design group, the folks who made many of the original interactives in EMP (experience music project).

i really like their emphasis on participatory learning and multiple intelligences. it almost makes me miss museum work. but for right now, i'm still excited about online experiences.

Talking to the Folks at UVA

Who make beautiful installations such as "Volume." Most of their work changes and reflects the movements of people within a physical space. PingMag has a wonderful interview with the folks from UVA.

I also happen to love the glow of LEDs.

Demor Creates a Multisensory Game

I feel that many ideas for interactives for people who are deaf or blind don't think about ways to open up the level of interactivity to a larger group, rather than zeroing in on how to make a game exclusively for a deaf audience or blind audience.

The Demor project has launched a game that would be fun for a sighted person or a blind person (although might be very difficult for someone who is hard of hearing). The game allows players to use their hearing to locate the enemy and navigate through 3D space. Review here.

Interactive Jailbreak Game

It uses RFID technology to personalize the challenges. I'd be curious to find out how it's working (what users think and if it's making any money).

Story-Driven Virtual Worlds

No secret. I like Disney. They do cool stuff.

So I like the title of Eric Freeman's presentation at Etech (see title to this post). And I like the secret photos taken of the presentation. And I like that they're making fairies. Making fairies? Cool.

An Interactive So Easy...

...a dog could use it. Really. Watch.

Jonathan Harris Video

He talks about his new project, Universe.

I liked We Feel Fine better. Less heady.

Don't Bother with the Dressing Room

IconNicholson & Nanette Lepore launch an interactive mirror where customers can "try on" clothes. And talk to friends, family or store clerks for honest opinions.

Since Lainie and I haven't been shopping since I left Detroit, maybe we'll have to try this.

Beautiful Environments from Nothing:Something

I love their aesthetic. It seems that since I'm really close to some of their projects in Williamsburg, I'll have to check them out.

A&G Merch
11 N. 6th Street
Williamsburg

Cafe 1980 / St. Helens Cafe (They seem to have an identity crisis)
150 Wythe St
Williamsburg

I Have to Confess

I am not Catholic. But this mobile confessional seems interesting. It's well designed if nothing else.

RFID Toy

I won't get this. But after working on a project last year that needed RFID, I'm excited to see that it will become more useful and more widespread.

Too bad the project died. Our RFID key would have been amazing.

MySpace for Kids

I may join Club Penguin just to get one of these adorable puffles. Seriously though...social networking for kids is important. I remember Prodigy from back in the day. I would have really liked these.

Other sites:
Whyville
Habbo
imbee (looks more preteen or teenish)
Webkinz (plus you can buy real stuffed animals to enhance the experience)
Nicktropolis (more like Second Life)

Update: Wired has a great article about the ins & outs of Club Penguiners.

Ad Placement on Twitter?

David Armano hypothesizes. I'm not too worried. I read enough silly twitters, what are a few more?

Robt Would LOVE This.

The Exploratorium makes a beautiful kinetic sculpture. Watch the video.

Brain Is Full.

So the conference was really great. Inspiring. Funny.

Piers from psfk did a great job of pulling folks out of the woodwork to talk about diverse topics. I can't wait for the next one. I'll give details tomorrow when my brain empties out.

Psyop is cool!

Psyop is right around the corner from my current apartment (moving in one week though). Their work is great. This interview is great.

Favorite quote: "Magic happens daily! Around 3pm we feed our unicorns."

RFID Particles

Tiny, tiny RFID chips will be unleashed in a few short years. Go Hitachi!

Anachronistic Interaction

The Museum of Lost Interactions celebrates the weird and the wonderful (two of my favorite things). Working at Henry Ford Museum gave me an appreciation for all lost technologies but this takes it a step beyond just collection and curating.

My favorite is The Social Communicator.

The photo is of the typewriter collection at Henry Ford Museum.

Color, Space & Physicality

Rodney LaTourelle's installation at PROGRAM reacts to installation visitors. Working through the labyrinth of colors and optical illusions, people can stop and rest in little rooms, bathed in the different colors. (Which correspond to the different chakras, cool!)