Design Debate

Product designer Sebastian Scherer   captured my imagination today, especially his bubble-like iridescent pendant lamps - so beautiful. Having studied product design in Germany and worked as an interior designer in Berlin, he set up his own studio. His website describes what Scherer does as decoding forms, functions and materials of postmodern design, and assembling them to create new and unique objects. The orbs within orbs are mesmerising, entitled Iris, I want to reach out and touch, holding the world in my hand. I like how the colours is subtle and how they capture, distort and reflect the view around them. Scherer favours aluminium, his tables and chairs cut striking forms, folded, angular. I love another lamp 'shade' (a rather limp word, perhaps hood would be better) of his, known simply as Diamond. The powder coated aluminium shape bounces light in varying hues. Diamond either mirrors its surroundings or, if painted, the different faces harne...

Pure Sci-Fi! I grew up with two science fiction fans as brothers. With them the concept was always key, anything to make them think. be that a movie like Bladerunner, or books like Hitch Hiker's Guide to the Galaxy or anything by H.G. Wells. So when I heard of a new piece of tech which is pretty much the babelfish I had to share! So what am I talking about? Pilot is a new prototype that fits in the wearer's ear and translates languages in real time. At the moment this new technology requires internet access as well as the other person speaking to have an ear piece too. The languages available are English, Spanish, French, Italian and Portuguese, but more hopefully would be added as the technology progresses. The ear pieces require an app which can actual learn and improve with time. Science fiction becomes science fact, read more at Dezeen .