Blue Iceland - Hyper-Real photography by Andy Lee

Infrared and Iceland, a match made in heaven.

Via Andy Lee

Winter & Company + Heidelberg - 'Discover the Possibilities'

Winter & Company have teamed up with lithographic print experts Heidelberg for an experimental exploration of offset printing onto a range of Winter & Company substrates.

The Discover Event held at the Heidelberg Showroom, London on Wednesday 26th March 2014 was a great opportunity for us to experience first hand the visually vivid and stimulating haptic results - and to speak direct to the experts in both material and print.

  

Innovative Sustainable Materials - Artichoke Thistle

The cardoon, also called the artichoke thistle, is an edible plant native to the western and central Mediterranean region, where it was domesticated in ancient times. It is adapted to dry climates and is among the most abundant natural resources to be found in Greece. Recent studies have shown that cardoon crops are able to enhance the Greek economy through the biofuel industry.

Taking advantage of unseen potential within this emerging industry, designer Spyros Kizis has developed a new, 100% biodegradable eco-material, and explored possible applications for it within product design.

Via Transmaterial

'HYPER-CRAFTED' MODERN PIONEERS: No.5 Iris van Herpen

HYPER-CRAFTED is a studio study that looks at the rise of the modern day crafts-pioneer.

Computer technology, modern machinery and old production techniques become intertwined with a revival of past passions in making and creating beautiful objects.

HYPER-CRAFTED is about breaking new boundaries, bringing to life limitless visions of a modern day pioneer. Ultra purists that focus on combining ideals with skills in creating objects of desire, objects lovingly nurtured for the preserved long term.

Normal rules don’t apply.

Iris van Herpen stands for a reciprocity between craftsmanship and innovation in technique and materials. She creates a modern view on Haute Couture that combines fine handwork techniques with digital technology. Van Herpen forces fashion to the extreme contradiction between beauty and regeneration. It is her unique way to reevaluate reality and so to express and underline individuality.

See Iris van Herpen

Super Hydrophobic ...a lesson from nature

Scientists at MIT have created what they call the most waterproof material ever, based on lessons from nature. The surface consists of tiny ridges on top of a silicon surface, which makes water droplets bounce off the material, keeping it dry. The material is ‘super hydrophobic’.

Via Materia

'HYPER-CRAFTED' MODERN PIONEERS: No.4 'Action' by GMUND

HYPER-CRAFTED is a studio study that looks at the rise of the modern day crafts-pioneer.

Computer technology, modern machinery and old production techniques become intertwined with a revival of past passions in making and creating beautiful objects.

HYPER-CRAFTED is about breaking new boundaries, bringing to life limitless visions of a modern day pioneer. Ultra purists that focus on combining ideals with skills in creating objects of desire, objects lovingly nurtured for the preserved long term.

GMUND have created 'Action' a new range of super vibrant papers with an unrivalled colour depth. Launched earlier this year at the GMUND Brand Convention in Munich, Germany. 'Action' captures a dedicated love for paper craft whilst pushing the boundaries of what's possible.

See GMUND 

'HYPER-CRAFTED' MODERN PIONEERS: No.3 Free Flyknit by NIKE

HYPER-CRAFTED is a studio study that looks at the rise of the modern day crafts-pioneer.

Computer technology, modern machinery and old production techniques become intertwined with a revival of past passions in making and creating beautiful objects.

HYPER-CRAFTED is about breaking new boundaries, bringing to life limitless visions of a modern day pioneer. Ultra purists that focus on combining ideals with skills in creating objects of desire, objects lovingly nurtured for the preserved long term.

The inspiration for Nike Flyknit was born from the common runner feedback, craving a shoe with the qualities of a sock: a snug fit that goes virtually unnoticed to the wearer. 

NIKE embarked on a four-year mission of micro-engineering static properties into pliable materials. It required teams of programmers, engineers and designers to create the proprietary technology needed to create the knit upper.

NIKE has engineered a knit for performance to create running footwear that features only the essentials. The Nike Flyknit, yarns and fabric variations are precisely engineered only where they are needed for a featherweight, formfitting and virtually seamless upper. While reducing shoe weight is one aspect of helping runners, the Nike Flyknit upper is also engineered for a precision fit, creating a feeling of a second skin.

Additionally Nike Flyknit reduces waste because the one-piece upper does not use the multiple materials and material cuts used in traditional sports footwear manufacture. Nike Flyknit is truly a minimalist design with maximum return.

See NIKE Flyknit