Random spontaneous research of the morning - staring out the window at the finches that keep hopping along the sill and pecking at the window right in front of me, i started day dreaming about bird feeder designs, and as a result started hunting down unique bird feeders on NOTCOT.org - which naturally lead me to scouring the ends of the internet to see what else was out there. Here are 14 of the coolest things i found that don’t meet your standard/gawdy options… also i’m kind of wondering whether a bird feeder could be a fun next project for NOTConcept?

p.s. like all roundups, click the images to find out more!

Level Vodka invited Hussein Chalayan to design The Level Tunnel… and it is now here! With a blog that even chronicles everything from the design and renders - to the building of - and the launch! Also incredible are the specially design blindfold/goggles for the experience, and the gorgeous press release complete with Bach in sheet music form!

“It all started back in 2006. Level Vodka invited star designer Hussein Chalayan to create a pioneering work of art with a focus on taste. He was given completely free rein. The result was The Level Tunnel - a 15 meter long, 5 meter high, traveling installation that captures the essence of Level Vodka. After a mind-blowing journey, the project is now nearing the finish line. The 6th of May 2008, the tunnel will have its world premiere in Mexico City. ” See images of the process, press kit, and final product on the next page!

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Naef makes the most incredible wooden toys that transcend age… with vibrant colors and unlimited possibilities, they are good from childhood through adulthood - being both toys, desk sculptures, and perfect for coffee tables/waiting rooms! I’ve obsessed on them before, and Dan has even purchased a few… but i recently rediscovered the Rainbow, which was designed by Heiko Hillig.

Rainbow is not only a wooden stacking toy - that opens up the possibilities with its bright colors and playful curves… but add the mallet to it, and each piece becomes its own tuning fork! It has received numerous design awards including the Bundespreis for product design in 1998, Germany and the German Design Award Wooden Toys in 1997. And although its pricey at $175 - i can see this being a great gift for parents of new borns… or any designer regardless of age…

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The perfect saber for roasting marshmallows while simultaneously skewering your arch nemesis? Too funny - add this one to the pile of random fencing posts here on NOTCOT. BBQ Sword found at TrendsNow.

Yes, the near $9,000 Sears Craftsman tool set with 1470 pieces is in heavy circulation around the tech sites today (i first saw it over at Dvice) - but what truly amazed me is the catalog photography… someone clearly took a LOT of time perfectly laying out these thousands of tools… for not just the 1470 piece set, but also the 300, 198, 189, 204, 106, 130, and so forth piece sets… and they are awesome pictures! Check out a few more of my favorites on the next page…

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Ok, so you’ve now seen the pictures and heard Justine’s adventures at the Banksy Cans Festival this week… and for those unable to be there - to stand in line to pay 3 pounds for an awesome official Cans Festival Program/Zine… she took the time to scan in each and every page for our viewing pleasure! (Thanks, Jus, you’re the best sister to vicariously live through!) So check it all out on the next page, click each page to view it high res and read the manifestos and gawk at the gorgeous stenciling.

p.s. don’t forget to take the Consumer Survey in there…

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NOTCOT Note: Yes, Justine (aka RUGenius) was really there. And i’m envious. Although i did get to go to the incredible painted elephant LA Banksy-fest… this one looked like quite the mob scene in a london tunnel! About 30,000 people showed up over the 3 day period, and over 600 artist took part in covering the walls! Apologies for taking so long to sort through her hundreds of photos… SO, without further ado take a look at her MANY awesome pictures on the next page as well as in the Gallery, and here is Justine’s account of the festivities:

Over 28 thousand people turned up to Leake Street, effectively an underpass within sight of the London Eye and moments away from Waterloo. And yes, I was among them. We all know I can’t resist a good stencil. So how could I possibly miss a stencil only event, just a train hop away? Not to mention, the Cans Festival was the kind of event that brought in the A-list of street artists like Bsas Stencil, Run Don’t Walk, James Dodd (dlux), Tom Civil (civilian), Vexta, Prism, Daniel Melim, Altocontraste, Bandit, Roadsworth, 3D Del Naja, Artiste-Ouvrier. Blek, Sten, Sadhu, C215, Lucamaleonte, Lex, Orticancvoodles, Kaagman, Dolk, Pobel, M-City, Vhils, Btoy, Coolture, Schhh, Borbo, Sam3, Faile, Eine, John Grider, Logan Hicks, Pure Evil, Dot masters, Dan, Eelus and Banksy.

Starting with the art… The space within the tunnel was itself a hodgepodge of mock classical sculptures, trashed and stenciled cars, vans, even a playground. There were rugs, couches, and even a piano, all of course adorned with the patina only a tunnel could bestow. The combinations pushed the boundaries of the bizarre and the contrasting styles of the artists clashed as often as they complimented, yet somehow it all worked. It was as if everyone just suspended belief for a moment to soak it all in and it was particularly surreal as the sun was setting.

So, are you ready? See my highlights from the Cans Festival on the next page… and even MORE in the Gallery (there were so many, i couldn’t fit them all here).

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Baxter of California - i’ve been intrigued by their skincare line for men for some time now… and to be honest, the packaging probably had a lot to do with it ~ that vibrant blue and black combo is so enticing? Anyhow, we picked some up the other day, and i suddenly made the connection that the packaging is covered with ASCII ART! The images online of the packaging tend to be so small, i had never really noticed this detail earlier. So took a few close up shots to show you what’s going on. And we’re still testing things out, but so far dan seems to be a fan of the Daily Face Wash and Under Eye Complex. Also unexpected was how soft and smooshy the blue part of the bottle is, with that nice subtly grippy feel - and the gryphon logo on the black cap! This is a packaging post ~ so go see the rest of the pics on the next page!

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Invitation design ~ just recieved this invite from our friends at Radar of Tiny Pictures, and they never cease with the tiny jokes… this one really made me feel like an old lady. That is some of the smallest type ever! Adorable that it came with a magnifying glass perfectly aligned on the card. The private (with public sharing allowed) mobile photo site sent this invite for their Might (Tiny) Radar Party! Which will be taking place at the end of the month… so keep an eye out for more info on the public party in SF if you’re an avid Radar user. If you’re not, well maybe you should be. It’s a nice anti-facebook solution for all those pictures you don’t want EVERYONE to see, but just a few super special friends. See more pics on the next page!!!

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Mother’s Day Reminder ~ Since i just remembered, wanted to remind you too - Mother’s Day is Sunday. And you’re running out of mail order time. Tracey at Delight just saved me from my minor Mother’s Day panic, and she gave me a coupon code and some shipping deadlines for you as well. 15% off the purchase of $25.00 or more - code: NOTCOTLove (case sensitive) good through May 31st. Cut off for ground shipping to make it for Mother’s Day is tomorrow (6th), Priority Flat Rate is Weds (7th), and Overnight is Thurs (8th).

Why Delight? Well i’m openly vouching for them because you cant afford to have something go wrong when shipping to your MOM ~ the gift wrap is gorgeous (no chance of gaudiness here) ~ and the selection of products is perfectly fun and gifty, while still useful and gorgeous for any situation. Some of my picks above are the: Grassy SIGG Bottle, Bio-Degradable Indoor Japanese Maple, Bambu Serving Set, Lomo Fisheye Camera, Bamboo Bath Caddy with Wine Glass Holder (i so want this!), Grobal Self Watering Pots, and Blooming Tea Sets.

p.s.
Hey mom, you so never saw this post.

I think this is the most interesting Reusable Bag story yet… Target teams up with Newsweek and Terracycle to create reusable totes out of fused target plastic bags! Finally - a recycled reusable bag that looks like the bags it came from and is replacing! And that’s not all… the Newsweek aspect is fascinating as well - you rip off the cover of the latest “green” issue, and are taught how to tape up the cover into a prepaid envelope that you can put Target plastic bags in, and mail them in for a coupon to get one of the Terracycle $6 ReTotes for free in a Target Store. Basically the bags end up feeling much like those blue/yellow IKEA bags ~ a bit on the crunchy side, and probably waterproof (with the exception of the seam perhaps. See the press release here.

So in usual NOTCOT fashion, we couldn’t help ourselves, and picked up an issue, took a few sneaky shots in Target of the display, and walk you through the whole process in pictures on the next page! I suppose my one biggest question is… these bags made in Vietnam, are they actually out of bags people have recycled? Or did they use new bags to make the first batch of bags to get this whole program rolling?

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Blinged out faux-designer weaponry were all the rage at Gallery 1988’s latest show in LA that opened this weekend - Peter Gronquist’s “The Revolution Will Be Fabulous: A Weapons of Mass Designer Show” - and i must admit i was pretty disappointed. The biggest problem for me, was that in knocking off luxury brands, the key thing is to keep that luxury designer quality feel to it! And up close with these weapons i just wan’t feeling that. Highlights were definitely the Louis Vuitton Electric Chair in the center of the gallery and the Pacman Grenades! Over a dozen more pictures on the next page to give you a feel for what the scene was like, and a few close ups as well.

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With so much tech accessorizing coming in the form of metals and plastics, its refreshing to see this new i/o Desk Organizer from Kaiju Studios that is made of walnut wood and felt. This modular system allows for constant reorganization depending on your needs, with everything from cable wraps, dividers, picture holders, and more. The design uses natural, warm materials that are ecologically responsible. See more detailed shots on the next page…

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Wow. Iron Man. I actually fought going to it, since i’ve been pretty let down as far as superhero movies go lately… but i must admit it exceeded my very low expectations by quite a bit, and i now have a massive case of house/lab envy. Beautiful (fictitious) house in malibu overlooking point dume… tons of windows, insane lab below, beautiful bedroom overlooking the pacific, castiglioni’s arco lamp in the living room… and that LAB, with the adorable (in personality) robots, and gorgeous collection of cars (i groaned when they smashed some)… can the next side project for NOTCOT be starting a crazy research lab here overlooking the beach for fun?

Anyhow, just got back, and i can’t get that house out of my head ~ video on the next page of a walkthrough of the set, but unfortunately, low res, and it could use a few better shots of the house - see the movie to see it properly? Also interesting to note… gwyneth paltrow in stilettos and pencil skirts *running* away from giant robot on grates, seriously? And product placement galore as well - his need for burger king, and constantly flipping those LG phones… OH and i was drooling over those Audi R8s the whole time too (thanks, nick, for the reminder in the comments).

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I came across Wing-Ip Ngan’s Etsy store a while back and fell in love with his prints - so colorful and whimsical…They remind me a bit of the nonsensical phrases on notebooks and cards that I used to come across during my childhood in Thailand - lighthearted and a little bit random. Wing-Ip uses a Gocco primarily to print and I have to give props to his Gocco skills - all of his prints are made of multiple screens and colors (registration is no easy feat, people, at least not with our little B6 machine).

More of Wing-Ip’s prints can be found in his Etsy store. For some of his graphic design work, check out Ink Design.

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