Here’s the latest from NOTCOT’s London-based editor and resident zoologist, Justine Aw.

This year’s highlights from 3D Print Show in London’s Old Billingsgate include printing with plants, printing food and more. It has been fascinating to see how 3D printing technology and its creative and consumer communities have developed the recent years! Take a look at the ones that inspired us on the next page…

--> to more images

So it all began with the adorable Mexican Loteria espresso/shot enamelware set our friends gave us… combined with the NOTFZJ80 progress and camp gear shopping… which lead to Shawn admitting his nostalgic side wanted some old school enamelware… which lead me down an internet rabbit hole of all things enamelware… so since i fell all the way down there ~ what i found was everything from gaudy to adorable, hipster to classic, and even the Polish manufacturer that seems to be behind many of the recent ones popping up now! Is enamelware the new mason jar? Take a peek at some of the best ones i found on the next page… they come in all shapes and sizes, with printing around the exterior, interior, handle, and even base!

--> to more images

More inspiration of the visual sort from NOTCOT.org and of the delectable sort from Tasteologie! Click the pics to find out more about any of them…

Here’s the latest from NOTCOT’s London-based editor and resident zoologist, Justine Aw as she visits the London graduate showcases. This post is from Central Saint Martins Degree Shows, including work from both Degree Show One and Degree Show Two.

--> to more images

Here’s the latest from NOTCOT’s London-based editor and resident zoologist, Justine Aw as she visits the London graduate showcases. This post is from Show RCA 2014.

The RCA Architecture school’s Hack Circus by Andre Kong was hard to ignore. The display was more like a desk you’d find on Steve Zissou’s ship. The wooden octopus stool, aquatic illustrations, and electronic fish in a bowl caught my eye.

What it actually is… “A theatre for the post-tragic condition of subverted capitalist technologies”. In Kong’s own words: “Here the first crowd-funded Hackfest (the annual hackathon event) is hosted in its germinal amphitheatre and from it THE CIRCUS IS BORN. As the alienated community grows and floats down the Thames, ties with power structures, ideology and the obsolete value system of the city are gradually severed until it sets itself free, beyond territorial waters and, in an act of ‘sousveillance,’ taps into a submarine Internet cable in the North Sea.”. A fascinating, beautiful, interactive project. Take a peek at the details on the next page!

--> to more images

Here’s the latest from London-based editor and resident zoologist, Justine Aw as she explores Clerkenwell Design Week.

One of our favorite displays from Clerkenwell Design Week 2014 was that of Buster + Punch, a studio founded in an East London garage and keen makers of everything from light fittings to motorcycles. They showcased some great products, including a new heavy metal range. See more photos including of their Battersea workshop on the next page.

--> to more images

Here’s the latest from London-based editor and resident zoologist, Justine Aw!

The sun always seems to shine on Clerkenwell Design Week and this year was no exception for us as we explored some our favorite temporary London venues. There were many familiar faces and products as well as some newcomers and new activities (I even tried my hand at making a coin!). More photos from our exploration of Clerkenwell on the next page.

--> to more images

I know it’s been a while since we’ve done some NOTCOT.org roundups ~ but i’m thinking about bringing them back… here’s a grid of 25 of my recent favorite inspirations! Click the pics to find out more!

When first approached about Kylie Minogue’s Sexercize, I was skeptical at best… as I learned about the special music video by Roman Coppola, Chandelier Creative, and Maserati… my curiosity got piqued. At first glance, this bizarre retro car porn of a film is just that… until you see the original it’s an homage to - the ‘65 piece ‘Kustom Kar Kommandos’ by Kenneth Anger… and to peel back the layers even further, Chandelier Creative and Maserati further indulged my curiosity with a loaner Maserati Ghibli S Q4 and a behind the scenes peek at how much they transformed the Ghibli for the video - and wow! What a process!

To be completely honest, the more i played with the Maserati Ghibli S Q4 all week, the more curious i got as to how they turned the car i was in into the stunner in the video! From the exterior, the front is reminiscent of the Maserati curves i love, and the rear is less recognizable without their iconic triton. As for what’s under the hood - it’s a cute “efficient 3 litre Twin Turbo V6 that delivers a peak of 410 horsepower.” Ultimately the Ghibli feels like your gateway Maserati which gives you a taste of the brand, while leaving you lusting for the roar of the Maserati Granturismo MC Stradale and its 4.7L V8. When you watch the Sexercize video, you can’t help but get pulled in by the mesmerizing wheels, the metallic paint job, dayglo lighting, and the muscle car styled blower coming through the hood… Take a peek on the next page to see the Maserati Ghibli S Q4 in real life and how it was transformed into the Sexercize muscle car!

--> to more images

Epic. If you’re in the LA area, definitely check out Jeremy Fish’s Hunting Trophy show at the Mark Moore Gallery that just opened tonight. All the details and the feeling of walking into his “hunting lodge” like room ~ complete with mini woodland creatures painted into the faux log cabin walls are not to be missed. In classic Jeremy Fish style, the creatures take on surreal forms ~ sometimes unzipping like nested russian dolls, evolving into vehicles, or an interpretation of a bear skin rug, or some of his amazing creature/vehicles! So many tiny amazing details! The fish scales are little fish! Go peek inside the hunting lodge on the next page!

--> to more images

Inside Wieden + Kennedy Portland - Since featuring it in ‘06, finally visited the pushpin Fail Harder piece, and roamed their 600 person HQ to share the creative energy + inspiration throughout! Too much to summarize, go see the pics.

Inside the Wieden + Kennedy Portland Garage isn’t what you’d expect. From large Faile pieces to a studio hidden in the storage closet…

On amazing surprises ~ Shawn just gave me this beautiful set of wooden Faunascapes, Let’s Get Lost - You & Me by What We Do Copenhagen! Take a peek at the lovely details up close!

Here’s the latest from NOTCOT’s London-based editor and resident zoologist, Justine Aw.

This morning, I made my way to Top Drawer at London Olympia. The show features a wide range of suppliers and was filled with fun products and design inspiration. Here are a few of our highlights featuring designers from Britain as well as around the world, including Australia, Sweden and more! Can’t wait to see more of these products in stores soon! Check it all out on the next page.

--> to more images

Wow. Here is the unboxing of the first edition of CONTAINER from ARTOMATIC. “A new publication about the nature and culture of objects — a magazine that takes the idea of varying content from different contributors beyond the standard format of a printed book.” This first issue , #1: Hot&Cold is a fascinatingly fun theme, and all the artists/contributors took varying twists on the theme in a variety of mediums! The result has been my desk covered in fascinating objects that i seem to notice new details in every time i poke at them further… and all encased in… a CONTAINER, in this case, a styrofoam mini ice chest of goodies (how appropriate?)

This first edition of CONTAINER is limited to 200, and each is individually numbered and signed by each contributor. While i’ve been fascinated by this collection for some time now, the hardest part about writing this post is how much there is in here! Truly this new publication has held my interest (and helped inspire me) far longer than most print mags which i often read through in a few minutes. And beyond what is in the box itself, the digital side is equally fascinating - there is a whole CONTAINER development tumblr, which is an AMAZING look at the random thoughts, design details, and prototypes that lead to the objects in the box now, as well as the CONTAINER blog, with even more stories! The truth is, seeing, feeling, playing with the objects is only the tip of the iceberg to these though provoking pieces. This one contains objects from Accept & Proceed, James Bridle, Daniel Eatock, Malcolm Garrett, David Hieatt, Leila Johnston, Mother, Rebecca and Mike, Nic Roope & Violetta Boxill, John V Willshire, and each piece is manufactured in the UK exclusively for this edition of CONTAINER. The unboxing definitely had that magical Christmas morning feeling, of endless wonders to unwrap, so go take a peek at the unboxing on the next page, with the assistance of the (not so small) puppy!

--> to more images