Tower skins

February 9, 2010 at 3:25 pm
Filed under Architecture, Futures

“Architectural company LAVA believes ugly buildings should have a shot at happiness, with these tower skins acting like a “transparent cocoon” made from mesh textile, capable of being lit up in the evening for maximum attention. They’d supposedly generate energy with the addition of photovoltaic cells, collect rain water and improve ventilation for the buildings.

I’m sure the tower skins will stay firmly in ‘concept land,’ but the designs are on display in Sydney until the 28th of March for anyone wanting a gander.” — A.M.

Do what?

February 6, 2010 at 10:59 am
Filed under Futures

“With the hammer provided and your own resources you shape the metal box into whatever you choose it to be. After a few minutes or hours of hard work you become the co-designer of Do hit.” — A.M.

Magazines of the near future?

December 18, 2009 at 10:04 am
Filed under Futures

There are many gloomy predictions, and much debate, about the death of print publishing—particularly during a year when hundreds of print magazines went under. Depending on the source, print is either already dead or breathing its last gasp. So publishers are scurrying to develop user-friendly Internet-based applications. Some magazine publishers these days are hanging their hopes on iPhone apps.

But wait a minute. It’s also clear that many readers still prefer the tactile nature of reading a print piece. The very act of holding a book or magazine in your hand, and the visceral engagement it brings, is a big part of the experience. And we like the  ”packaged” nature of a print piece  vs. the endless, chaotic stream of information from RSS feeds or other web-based sources. Going back to the principles of storytelling, we still like a beginning, a middle, and an end (both figuratively and literally).

So new web-based applications that combine the best of both worlds—such as a new tablet device by London-based BERG—seem more promising than other solutions we’ve seen so far. BERG is working for Swedish publisher Bonnier on a new digital magazine prototype because Bonnier believes that within two years, readers will be using such devices.

The concept combines the connectivity and richness of web content with the magazine-like experience of physicality and curated content. The slim, magazine-sized tablet encases a touchscreen that allows readers to interact with text and pictures, bookmark or search for content, and generally browse the electronic publication in the same way they would a print magazine. The user interface is simple and eschews the fake page-turning gimmick adopted by so many current e-magazine applications, using a more intuitive scrolling approach.

Bonnier, which is inviting dialogue about new magazine formats, says the tablet “…has been designed for a world in which interactivity, abundant information and unlimited options could be perceived as intrusive and overwhelming.” (Hear, hear!). Bottom line? Formats may be changing, but we still want someone to tell us a story. — P.M.K.

Mag+ from Bonnier on Vimeo.