Planning for the uncertain future of work — TechCrunch

As the discussion around the ‘4th Industrial Revolution’ continues, it is interesting to read different views on the the evolution of work and the industries that could shape future skills and capabilities. An interesting read from TechCruch. 

In a recently published, roughly 75-page report, British non-profit organization The Royal Society for the Encouragement of Arts (RSA) outlined several scenarios for how the UK labor market will be impacted by frontier technologies such as automation, AI, AVs and more. The analysis titled “The Four Futures of Work” was conducted in collaboration with design…

via Planning for the uncertain future of work — TechCrunch

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Bumblebees bearing high-tech backpacks act as a living data collection platform — TechCrunch

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I had to repost this – such an interesting case from a research perspective…

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There’s lots of research going into tiny drones, but one of the many hard parts is keeping them in the air for any real amount of time. Why not hitch a ride on something that already flies all day? That’s the idea behind this project that equips bumblebees with sensor-filled backpacks that charge wirelessly and…

via Bumblebees bearing high-tech backpacks act as a living data collection platform — TechCrunch

Industrial design — Barry Comer’s Blog

There is something magical for me in other peoples illustrations and drawings. A way of seeing the world through their eyes. I recently discovered this blog and it reminded me why I’m such a fan of monochrome renderings – VIkki 

 

While waiting to eat lunch with my friend Kathy and family; I started sketching. Near, was an industrial coffee grinder that looked cast out of the hardest metals. The shapes were formed, banged and screwed. Of course I had to start a drawing. However, everyone came and I couldn’t finalize what I saw. Late today, […]

via Industrial design — Barry Comer’s Blog

Smart bikes, moving into the future.

Superpedestrian, a Cambridge, Ma.-based company, has been known until now for its electric Copenhagen wheel, which a user attaches to his or her bikes and operates through an app. It’s essentially a circular unit that houses a motor, a battery and sensors and is placed in the middle of the rear wheel, measuring how fast and…

via This company wants to put “brains” in electric scooters and bikes to keep riders safer — TechCrunch

How high-tech breast pumps help new mothers reclaim their time — via TechCrunch

An interesting read, when considered in the context of single parent spaces, working mom time constraints etc. The possibilities of well designed technology to address everyday challenges, make me so excited!

HUUUURRRRRRK hurk HUUUURRRRRRK hurk HUUUURRRRRRK hurk HUUUURRRRRRK hurk HUUUURRRRRRK hurk HUUUURRRRRRK hurk HUUUURRRRRRK hurk HUUUURRRRRRK hurk… When you are pregnant, everyone tells you that nothing can ever prepare you for parenthood. What they should also tell you, however, is that nothing can ever prepare you for the distinctive sound of an electric breast pump. Read…

via How high-tech breast pumps help new mothers reclaim their time — TechCrunch

Co-production, co-design and co-creation: what is the difference?

A great article on the concept of co-production – where it came from, how it works, how it differs from co-design or experience-led design (UX design). I particularly respect the section where the author recognizes the challenges (and sometimes failures) when using these approaches.

Source: Co-production, co-design and co-creation: what is the difference?

City design for wellbeing

The world’s cities aren’t very mentally healthy. People who reside in cities are more likely to develop depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia than those living in the countryside. No matter where you live, at least one in four people will have a mental illness in their lifetime, and everyone suffers from mental-health problems such as low…

via Mental-health issues can’t be solved by psychologists alone—city design can help, too — Quartz

Technology to help save a shoreline…

-From C.Juma

Nigerian and Chadian officials are seeking $50 billion for a major water diversion project to replenish Lake Chad. This is nearly twice the annual GDP of Uganda. But it’s understandable, the lake has shrunk by nearly 90% between 1963 and today. The plan involves diverting water from the Oubangi River in Central Africa to replenish…

via As Africa’s largest lakes shrink rapidly, space technology and drones are needed to fight drought — Quartz

Too Abstract?

I absolutely loved this description of creativity in design by Anne Quinto for Quartz “A designer’s creativity is always directed—the quest is to materialize elegant ideas to beautiful forms.” An interesting read.

There’s drama behind every designed object. Design is the animating force behind brands, buildings and interfaces, and so an engrossing series that explains to a general audience what actually goes on behind the scenes was long overdue. Many designers hoped that Netflix’s Abstract: The Art of Design (released Feb. 10) would do for design what…

via Netflix’s new design series spreads the wrong idea about design — Quartz

City Bus: A Delight to See

City Bus on Vancouver Street (about mid-1950s) Distinctive industrial design reveals itself in many ways and, when done well, can be a genuine pleasure to take in. While the specialness of such design is often difficult to see in our contemporary surroundings, its otherwise subtle impact jumps out when looking back at vintage images. A […]

via Vintage / Mod Design: The City Bus — O’ Canada