RSS http://fuseproject.com/blog/rss.php RSS <![CDATA[GE ♥ EV...AND WE DO TOO...]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=92

Imagine this: You never have to go to the gas station again...and instead you’re charging your electric car at work, at home, or at the park while the kids are playing.  This is exactly what GE+fuseproject are presenting today - an electric vehicle charging station called the GE WattStation.

The WattStation integrates in to the urban landscape more like greenery than a machine: lower profile, smooth and rounded in form with a welcoming interface angled-up towards the user, it is resistant to the tough weather and streets, while still looking and feeling friendly.  

Did we mention it charges your EV in 4-8 hours versus the usual 12-18?  And with an LED light-ring indicating its availability from afar, parking has never been this friendly.  more...

]]> <![CDATA[TECHNOCRAFT: THE ROAD TO MASS-INDIVIDUALIZATION]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=91 Bored with mass-production? Scared of cultural globalization? Emotionally disconnected from your consumption?  Designers around the world are using technology to fight back and create a new economy based on craft, individualization and your participation in the process of creation.

After 12 months of work, our first curatorial project opens today at the Yerba Buena Center for the Arts till October 3rd.  We are showing more than 800 pieces by over 40 artists: selected works span the spectrum from intentionally collaborative (such as “platforms” and “crowd-sourcing” where individuals collaborate and customize), to outsider “hacks” where manufactured products are adapted or modified by you.   Do come experience how the boundaries between the role of the designer and the consumer are disappearing...we’ll be there ready to play and make together!

]]> <![CDATA[IT'S LIKE WINNING THE WORLD CUP]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=90 We have never blogged about awards, but this time it’s big, as one of the fusers said: "it’s like winning the World Cup of design!”.  With 15 awards from the IDSA and Fast Company, fuseproject finds itself in the #1 spot of global design firms.

Ok...we hear the music starting, but a shout out to our talented and hardworking designers, the fuse team, our visionary clients, to Mom, Dad, IDSA, Fast Company and the Academy!

 http://www.fastcodesign.com/1661794/announcing-the-winners-of-the-2010-idea-awards

]]> <![CDATA[CRADLE TO CRADLE FOR ALL!]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=89 Today is the historical launch of the Green Products Innovation Institute, a non-profit organization founded on the Cradle to Cradle principles and certification program defined by architect William McDonough and chemist Dr. Michael Braungart.  We are eager to participate in this ground-breaking institution backed by Governor of California Arnold Schwarzenegger, and bring our experience and passion to GPII.  “Cradle to Cradle reconciles the notion of business growth WITH the health of the world and it’s people. It is simply THE future opportunity for change on a scale never achieved by the design profession, and the only reason big business, governments and consumers will be moved to a new way of making and consuming.” Yves Behar, founding member of GPII.

The Green Products Innovation Institute, based in California, focuses on transforming the making and consumption of things into a regenerative force for the planet. Rather than focusing on how industry can become “less bad,” the Institute is set up to be a resource for those who aspire to achieve new levels of environmental and human health and safety for all products sold in California. The Institute will engage key stakeholders worldwide, resulting in a transparent, independently verified framework that can be trusted and looked to for innovation and guidance as we move toward a Cradle to Cradle economy.

To find out more information, and how you can get involved, visit the Green Products Innovation Institute at http://gpinnovation.org/

P.S. We designed the GPII identity...

]]> <![CDATA[SEE BETTER TO LEARN BETTER]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=88 "See Better to Learn Better" is a free eyeglasses program in partnership with the Mexican government, and our latest design effort in both education and design for good.

11% of kids in Mexico don't learn because they can't see, and the problem is compounded by the stigma of glasses as a handicap.

To solve both problems, the design of the frames provides kids with numerous colors and shape configurations.  5 different frame options in 7 different colors, that means a lot of unique new smiling faces!

The frames are made from an advanced plastic, Grilamid, that is almost unbreakable, and the two-part design allows for lenses to be easily inserted in the field when new prescriptions are filled.

This new program plans to give away 300,000 glasses every year. More...

]]> <![CDATA[PACT GETS A NOBEL]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=87 Our latest PACT collaboration is with architect David Adjaye and the Green Belt Movement, just in time for Earth Day. The print is created for Nobel prize winner Wangari Maathai's foundation, Green Belt Movement, which fights deforestation, soil erosion and water scarcity in Kenya and empowers women in the process.

100% of the purchase price goes to the Green Belt Movement.  Which means if you buy one pair, we will plant 20 trees, buy 10 pairs and that's 200 trees!  Outfit your whole family, and that's a forest!

So do good, plant wood....get started now at www.wearpact.com

]]> <![CDATA[SUSTAINABLE CRYSTAL: AMPLIFY]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=86 For our 4th collaboration with Swarovski Crystal Palace in Milan, we wanted to try something a bit different…sustainable crystal.  Traditional chandeliers are made of numerous lights and crystals, we wanted to change this equation: 1 crystal + 1 low energy LED light + a faceted paper shade = AMPLIFY.  Resulting in multiple beautiful reflections and rainbow color bursts…Just what is expected from crystal, but this time the effect is amplified to get the most out of just one crystal.

6 different shapes, each one carefully crafted to maximize refractions on the inner surfaces, can be grouped or shown individually. This effect can be seen on the faceted shade material, thus emulating the cut and reflective nature of the crystal inside. Each chandelier becomes its' own large glowing crystal.

AMPLIFY is a beautiful crystal light, made low-cost, energy efficient and accessible to all.  More...

]]> <![CDATA[BYE BYE SHOEBOX, HELLO CLEVER LITTLE BAG]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=84 For the last 21 months we have been thinking about shoeboxes: how to fold them, how to ship them and how to reduce them. In the end, we decided to get rid of them altogether because along the way we discovered a new design solution….a “clever little bag”.

Why so clever? By providing structure to a cardboard sheet, the bag uses 65% less cardboard than the standard shoe box, has no laminated printing, no tissue paper, takes up less space and weighs less in shipping, and replaces the plastic retail bag. Now happy Puma customers will take home the clever little one instead.  Oh, and that little bag is non-woven which means less work and waste (it is stitched with heat), and after accompanying you in your suitcase wherever you may go, our little friend is even recyclable. 

With our "clever little bag", Puma kicks-off the next pivotal phase of its' sustainability program.  The tens of millions of shoes shipped in our bag will reduce water, energy and diesel consumption on the manufacturing level alone by more than 60% per year. In other words: approximately 8,500 tons less paper consumed, 20 million Megajoules of electricity saved, 1 million liters less fuel oil used and 1 million liters of water conserved. During transport 500,000 liters of diesel is saved and lastly, by replacing traditional shopping bags the difference in weight will save almost 275 tons of plastic.

That such a little bag can have such a big impact...you can see why we called it clever. More...

Video Courtesy of PUMA AG, created by Droga5 & Labour.

 

]]> <![CDATA[A VUE OF THE FUTURE WITH ISSEY MIYAKE]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=83 The mindset of VUE, our new watch with Issey Miyake, is to experience the mystery of time hour by hour: VUE is a way to feel time’s appearance and disappearance in our lives.  By seeing only the current hour, while the last hour representing the past and the next one representing the future subtly fade in and out, we can live a new view (VUE) of time.

]]> <![CDATA[IT'S TIME TO GET YOUR ICON ON.]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=82 The fifth generation Jawbone is an ICON.  Launching today after an intense year of design and development, the new Jawbone ICON is smaller, packed with more technology than its predecessors and is easier to wear. ICON also introduces an unprecedented suite of choices that reflect your personal style and self-expression.
 
A core design principle of Jawbone is to celebrate materials, textures, color and surfaces; this philosophy is especially apparent with ICON’s six designs being more like a cast of characters in a movie than a line of products. Each is a breakthrough in producing a rich and distinct jewelry-like material...it begs to be seen and touched in person to fully appreciate the whole story.  

Another innovation is myTALK where features and apps for ICON can be downloaded.  Like the ICON design, myTALK is also a vehicle for self-expression: Choose one of six voice personas to deliver status information, caller ID info and more. The personas range from a sexy bombshell to a mysterious rogue.  

The packaging is also the greenest yet for Jawbone, and maybe in the industry. Not only did we eliminate over 2/3 of the plastic content, but the rest is made of paper, the result is a 100% recyclable packaging.

So be who you want to be. Get your ICON on!

]]> <![CDATA[SO FRESH AND SO CLEAN...]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=81 Finally a friend who will help you mop your house. The Mint, a new wet/dry cleaning machine, will clean your floors (not turn them blue!) without you having to do a thing...check out the video above...

]]> <![CDATA[HAPPY NEW DECADE FROM FUSEPROJECT]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=80 2009 was a challenging year for all, but what we took away is the ability to step back and rely on those around us.  Above is a video for the Charter for Compassion, a project we worked on with TED and one that captures the true spirit of compassion...for 2010 and beyond.

]]> <![CDATA[ONE LAPTOP PER CHILD, GENERATION 3!]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=79 Two years ago, around this time of year the One Laptop Per Child XO laptop was launched with Nicholas Negroponte.  Now more than one million laptops have been distributed to children around the world to help further the mission of providing education and access to information for all... like in Uruguay where every public school child between 6 and 12 years old has one.

While the distribution of OLPC XO continues, today Forbes <http://Forbes.com/olpc> is presenting the XO-3. Our new design features an all plastic tablet screen which is semi-flexible and extremely durable (compared to current glass screens which crack upon impact), and just like the original XO, the display can be optimized in both transmissive and reflective modes for indoor and outdoor lighting conditions.  The XO-3 supports many use scenarios to fulfill kids’ learning needs: from horizontal book mode to portrait reading mode, to multi-touch, so many hands can play and learn together on the same screen, to a full-touch keyboard and a back facing camera.  More OLPC’s, more smiles...

 

]]> <![CDATA[SHOPPING IN YOUR UNDIES...]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=78 With PACT, our partners in everything underwear, we have launched 3 brand new prints for the holidays. As always, these prints are inspired by their charitable cause: this batch includes two new prints for Oceana and a new print by Sage Vaughn for Global Green.  10% of the purchase price goes to their respective charities, while 100% of the pair goes to you…no matter if you have been naughty or nice…

]]> <![CDATA[THIS YEAR SPRINKLE YOUR HOLIDAYS WITH A LITTLE BIT OF COLOR...WE DID.]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=75 For the Art Institute of Chicago, we took a different design approach to the normally traditional evergreen wreaths. Our version of the wreaths is composed of bright multi-colored aluminum leaves, a fusion of traditional holiday cheer and a sense of modernism, echoing the addition of the Modern Wing to the Art Institute of Chicago. The wreaths were installed on Friday, November 27th and the leaves will be disassembled and distributed in mid December to Chicagoland children to use at home for their own holiday decorations. So, add a little more than red and green to your decorations this year...

]]> <![CDATA[OLLIE, KICKFLIP, LIVING ROOM?]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=74 Ever wanted to skateboard in your living room? Practice where no one can see you plant?

Today, we are launching the Tony Hawk RIDE skateboard game with Activision (makers of Guitar Hero and DJ Hero). RIDE features a brand new skateboard-shaped wireless video game controller that players stand on to interact with the game environment.

No more complicated button commands to control your game avatar, you can just hop on the deck and RIDE.

]]> <![CDATA[CHARTER FOR COMPASSION GLOBAL LAUNCH]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=73 The Charter for Compassion Plaques, launched yesterday worldwide, the result of TED prize winner Karen Armstrong's wish. They will be hung in significant religious and secular locations around the world.

We designed these to focus on the power and meaning of the Charter's words: the plaque's isometric perspective reminds us of a book, and expresses the depth of the Charter's ideas and encompassing points of view. The plaque consists of sustainable maple with laser-engraved lettering giving impact and durability to the messaging of Karen Armstrong.

More info at charterforcompassion.org

]]> <![CDATA[GET BACK TO NATURE!]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=71 Nothing says back to nature like prancing about au naturel with the birds, bees and giant trees. The new vid from PACT, our co-conspirators in changing the world one pair of undies at a time, is quite...well, revealing. Enjoy, and don't blame us if HR comes knocking. Video by Terri Timely Studios.

]]> <![CDATA[PLEASURE TO THE PEOPLE, V1.]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=70 It's time to take a stand...in the bedroom that is. The call has been answered and Pleasure to the People is here. FORM 2 is the first in a series...from a collaboration between Ethan Imboden of Jimmyjane and Yves Behar of fuseproject. It features two ears that are individually powered for dynamic stimulation, delivering "Sensation in Stereo". Form 2 focuses on ergonomics, quality, and design elements to bring healthy, long-lasting, and yes...Pleasure to the People. (By the way, close to 50% of women in the US already own one...www.jimmyjane.com)

]]> <![CDATA[AFTER-PARTY, ANYONE?]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=68 DJ Hero drops today, the newest game by the makers of Guitar Hero, Activision. Deck and graphics by your favorite designer DJ's at fuseproject...Oh also, we designed the Jay-Z and Eminem version, DJ Hero Renegade...

]]> <![CDATA[ELECTRIC WORLD RECORD]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=67 The Mission One electric superbike has claimed the world speed record for an electric motorcycle, achieving 150.059 mph sustained for one mile at the Bonneville Speedway Salt Flats on September 1st, 2009. Leading up to the time trial, our Mission friends even got up to 163 mph...now officially NOT your grandma's superbike.

]]> <![CDATA[CHANGE STARTS WITH YOUR UNDERWEAR...]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=66 Do good. Feel good. Look good. PACT, a new underwear brand combines social responsibility, sustainability and continually updated designs. At www.wearpact.com buy these fresh undies and 10% of your purchase will go to one of the organizations working to change our world: Oceana, ForestEthics or 826 National. PACT uses compostable packaging and 100% sustainable manufacturing, to deliver comfy, guilt-free good looks. PACT is a new fuseproject design-venture, so from now on: we wear PACT or nothing at all...

]]> <![CDATA[ON A MISSION AT THE ISLE OF MAN GRAND PRIX]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=65 We'd like to wish our friends and partners at Mission Motors an electrifying performance at Isle of Man: the world's first zero carbon superbike race, the TTXGP. The team will be racing a Mission One, the world's fastest production electric motorcycle, designed by fuseproject and introduced at the 2009 TED conference in Long Beach earlier this year.

]]> <![CDATA[ANIMA TERRA AT THE NEW ART INSTITUTE OF CHICAGO]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=64 With the opening of the new modern wing at the Chicago Art Institute, we are presenting the commissioned 'Anima Terra', a sculptural landscape internally illuminated by LEDs. This work is a collaboration with Samsung, and the latest in a series of laboratory projects.

]]> <![CDATA[HOT COCOA THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S WAY...]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=63 In Costa Rica, the Bribri women of Talamanca are making organic cacao and chocolate. After visiting their farms with the Nature Conservancy (the largest conservation non-profit in the world), it was clear that they are growing the finest cacao beans used by the best European chocolatiers, while doing it organically as they have for hundred of years. We thought it was time for all of us to experience this great organic drink: From packaging the cacao, to shaving and stirring, while making the entire experience a simple ceremony...

]]> <![CDATA[MORE CANDY ON YOUR EAR...]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=62 Jawbone and fuseproject continue their partnership with the launch of Jawbone Prime and Earcandy today. Jawbone PRIME brings consumers even better audio quality, improved comfort and fresh, fun color choices.

]]> <![CDATA[NIXON BRINGS THE NOISE]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=42 A first of it's kind offering from Nixon, an innovative new entry in the world of personal acoustics. The line consists of 3 models: the Wire, a high fidelity 'ear bud' designed for compact listening, the Nomadic, a foldable on-ear model ideal for the traveler and the Master Blaster, a premium offering with optimal sound quality

]]> <![CDATA["RIDING THE WIND": MISSION MOTORS]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=43 Riding a Mission One motorcycle is a statement. It is a statement about performance. It is a statement about technology. It is a statement about sustainability. And it is a statement about design...

]]> <![CDATA[100 REASONS TO GIVE]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=44 For this holiday season, we want to give you 100 reasons to give and share the love. Images are courtesy of the entire world.

]]> <![CDATA[NOT JUST YOUR CHRISTMAS]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=45 We're pleased to announce the Give One, Get One OLPC holiday launch! What's it all about?

]]> <![CDATA[LE CUBE IS ON]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=46 CANAL+ causes serious TV viewers to move to France...and design enthusiasts to buy a TV. French and European television enthusiasts are getting Le Cube. Le Cube does for television what cellular handsets did for home phones - it completely changes the equation.

]]> <![CDATA[SHARK HUNTING, NO CATCH]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=48 26 fuseproject "fishermen" (and about 5 rubberneckers) go hunting for shark in the Bolinas Surf*.

]]> <![CDATA[MAD PRETZEL]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=47 The Swarovski Voyage chandelier can now be found illuminating the lobby of the new Museum of Arts and Design in New York on Columbus Circle.

]]> <![CDATA[BUZZKILL FOR LAPTOP ENTHUSIASTS]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=49 useproject launches the 2010 version of the One Laptop Per Child, sparking a second generation of computer and industry naysayers to say, "no you can't"

]]> <![CDATA[LOCATION, LOCATION, LOCATION]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=50 fuseproject's new address in NY has a a bit of history: "[Claes] Oldenburg's approach to monument-making had initially manifested itself in a group of drawings titled "Proposed Colossal Monuments" in his May 1965 show at the Sidney Janis Gallery in New York.

]]> <![CDATA[BEGINNER'S LUCK]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=51 Few things marry the need for form and function like furniture. So, of course, we were interested in trying our hand at it.

]]> <![CDATA[SCHMOOZEUM]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=52 fuseproject's work accessioned in museum collections around the world, at NYMOMA, Chicago Art Institute, SFMOMA, Pompidou, Cooper Hewitt, schmooze-free!

]]> <![CDATA[PLASTERED IN NEW YORK]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=53 Literally....all over the Meat-Packing district downtown. And in 467,167+ downloads, take a number at click here.

]]> <![CDATA[FOLLOWERS]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=54 Knock-offs of the Herman Miller LEAF lamp and Jawbone bluetooth headset appear around the world, fuseproject and Microsoft take-on China.

]]> <![CDATA[WHO DOES NUMBER 2 WORK WITH?]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=55 Over the past five years fuseproject has won more IDSA awards than any firm except IDEO. We could lament that fact, but on second thought we're pretty pleased about our perpetual challenger status. This year's awards were for: OLPC XO laptop, OLPC Strategy, OLPC Yoyo, NYC Condom and Farallon.

]]> <![CDATA[FUSE GOES POSTAL IN URUGUAY]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=56 Uruguay stamp a first step to stamping out child labor with education and an XO...and distributes 200.000 laptops to kids...

]]> <![CDATA[FOR Y'ALL]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=57 Y Water, the new USDA organically certified beverage for kids, launches at Whole Foods.

]]> <![CDATA[KOREANS IN SPACE]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=58 Our SHOOTING STAR phone for SKY of Korea, the choice of Astro Girls everywhere.

]]> <![CDATA[WHEN IS A WIN A WIN/WIN?]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=59 fuseproject and OLPC were given the INDEX award for "community design" for the XO laptop.

]]> <![CDATA[NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS COME EARLY...]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=60 fuseproject/Yves Behar receives "design of the year" top prize for One Laptop Per Child from the LONDON MUSEUM.

]]> <![CDATA[STAGE FRIGHT]]> http://www.fuseproject.com/blog/post.php?id=61 Josh and Yves got on stage with David Byrne to present the New York City bicycle helmet... but for some reason the major labels still aren't calling.

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