The Donut Project

Clientcopia is a Web site created for designers/developers/advertisers to vent about the miscommunication and understanding gap between our dorky selves and less knowledgeable clients/coworkers. While some of the gaffes are easily understood, many will leave you shaking your head in disbelief.

Read them at www.clientcopia.com and don’t miss their Top 20 Stupid Client Quotes.

BMW has decided that the outside of a car doesn’t need to be made of metal. The BMW GINA concept vehicle (GINA = Geometry and Functions In ”N” Adaptions) stretches silver translucent fabric over aluminum and carbon pieces to create the shape of the vehicle. This allows the vehicle to literally change its shape based on the pieces under the fabric. The headlights close and open much like a humans’ eye. The spoiler rises up out of the fabric to create a ducktail-like spoiler. The doors simply open without a cutout for hinge. The ‘hood’ opens from a seam in the middle. The translucency of the fabric means the taillights simply shine through the fabric instead of being cut out of the fabric.

Watch the video above to see BMW Design Chief Chris Bangle explain the concept behind the GINA and see the pieces/parts in action. The video reveals the essence of this concept vehicle much better than any images can.

Why should cars have a metal skin? The performance and safety of the vehicle is all based on the underlying frame. The metal skin on modern cars offers no structural benefit and only makes cars heavier. Airplane wings have been made of fabric stretched over a metal frame in the past, so why not cars?

This great concept was created by a BMW design team led by Chris Bangle. Already one of my favorite automotive designers, Bangle’s team has really pushed the envelope here.

Thanks to Gina Moraco for the tip. See more photos after the jump…

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In honor of the 200th anniversary of Lincoln’s birth, and the 100th anniversary of the beloved Lincoln Cent has gotten a little facelift and becomes an ode to Lincoln’s life. Each penny depicts a piece of Lincoln on the “tails” or flip side of the coin. I haven’t seen a single one yet, although they were said to have released Feb. 12, 2009, Lincoln’s 200th anniversary. Has anyone else seen one?

“I don’t think the average consumer will react, maybe people in the advertising business,” Comstedt said.

Wow. Really? Read the full article here.

via swissmiss

Learn Something New Everyday is my new homepage. So interesting all the facts I now learn daily.

via @nopattern

So a few of my high school classmates decided to start a blog about everyone’s favorite shopping destination, Walmart. When I first heard of the site a few weeks ago my first thought was, “How has no one thought of this yet?” The concept is simple. Photograph interesting characters you see at Walmart and submit your pictures to the web site. That’s it. The results are both hilarious and good for a self-esteem boost after a rough day. See for yourself here.

(note: the creators of ‘People of Walmart’ of course know the difference between making note of the fashionably challenged and making fun of the handicapped, and we do too.)

Did you want a Snuggie but were just too bummed about the boring colors? Well today is your lucky day! Designer Snuggies are here to help you look stylish even when you’re cold. Available in Luxurious Leopard, Stunning Zebra or Classic Camel plus the Transformer-book-light-arm-thingy.

As designers, we’re sure to appreciate it when companies make a lame products uglier by slapping tacky patterns on them and call them ‘designer’ – so get yours while they last! I’ll take mine in Classic Camel.

I’ve heard Rick mention the “country-fication” of IKEA that’s happening, and this has pretty much slammed a lid on that theory. Today, TDP friend Mig Reyes tweeted about IKEA’s announcement that they will no longer be using Futura in their branding, but instead have opted to use web-friendly, horribly inappropriate Verdana in its place. Part of what makes IKEA who they are is that typeface—its timeless round characters and sharp, modern angles voice the brand in a clean and chic but also friendly manner. Verdana has its uses, and this isn’t a good one. I don’t know how this will bode well for them, especially if they’re trading in some of their signature furnishings for more Martha-esque pieces. Thoughts? Read the announcement here.

Edit: ‘The Country-fication of IKEA’ will be published later this week. IKEA truly is slipping and it’s terribly sad to see. –Ricky

(Last image via ShortFormBlog)

Illustrator David Brownings does some amazing things with cut paper (like shoes!). I love that paper handwork is becoming recognized as an art and not just a craft. There’s even in article in this month’s Print about paper artists. Check out more of David’s work on his website.

Wow.