Origin of Cool » creativity

1991 Photos Create Epic Stop Motion Video

David Lowe — Tue, 07 May 2013 17:02:04 +0000

This high school senior spent the past two months taking 1991 photos of 140 his high school peers and teachers to create this intense 4 minute stop motion vid. It’s been trending quite well on the net and it’s picked up attention from celebrities such as OK GO, Humans of New York, Chris Hayes, and Lin-Manuel Miranda.

Music: Cheers Elephant - ‘Leaves’

Durex Fundawear Lets You Touch Your Partner Over The Internet

David Lowe — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 19:59:37 +0000

Durex Australia have just released this video for a product they have entitled “Fundawear”. Tipped as being a way that couples can touch each other over the internet, the cleverly designed underwear react to an app that when played with sends pulses to the bra/underpants your partner is wearing. Confused? Check out the video:

Tired of having your pink bits tickled? Go see Pink-artist

LSTN Headphones Helps Restore Hearing To Deaf Children

David Lowe — Fri, 29 Mar 2013 23:20:16 +0000

LSTN Headphones caught my attention recently when of our Cool Connoisseurs Yasmine Alsairafi dropped me an email. It wasn’t that the headphones looked awesome but that there was an underlying mission: for every pair of headphones LSTN sell, they help to restore hearing to a child in a deaf school. Great idea I thought!

I was sent a pair to try out and boy was I not let down. I studied sound recording a few years back and have always had a keen ear when it comes to music. Having used Apple’s earphones on my iPhone (they always fall out and the sound is tinny) and gone cheap with a pair from The Sharper Image (lasted a while but you need a battery to boost the bass and the wire comes loose from the headphones), I was desperate for a reliable pair that enhanced my tunes.

On arriving, I liked the LSTN packaging and then realized that these phones were definitely Origin of Cool material. You can fold them up into a little carry pouch that they included and even unplug the wiring from each headphone. Unlike most headphones that have a rubbery wire that often wears down, the wiring is covered in an eloquent woven material that looks as if it will last a while. The headband is padded and adjustable. The acid test was to see how long it would take for them to hurt my ears. I would say if you keep them on continuously, it might be an hour or so but they feel great and I would recommend them as DJ phones as they are very versatile and can be rotated and held to your ear if they are around your neck. The pair I got are made from an ebony wood which gives it a sleek finish. I love these things and they haven’t been off my head in the few days since I got them!
More info here: http://www.lstnheadphones.com/

Meet The Rolls-Royce Of Strollers

Rachael Edwards — Wed, 20 Feb 2013 20:00:53 +0000

I am not a mom, I don’t want a baby any time soon but I have to have this stroller. Power folding, LCD Dashboard, built-in generator, four cup holders, USB charging cable accessory, sunroof, daytime running lights, pathway lights, four-wheel suspension, and those are just a few of the amenities the 4moms Origami stroller offers.

4moms is a small start-up company based out of Pittsburgh. The idea for the company originated after holding a focus group between four real-life moms. The mom’s offered insights into what it is like to be a full-time mother the smallest tasks turn into the most difficult. If only someone could make a more functional version of all the necessary day-to-day items like the stroller. These four well spoken and opinionated women combined with tech and retail geniuses created the company 4moms is today. Thus the reason they choose 4Moms as their company name. The team members behind 4moms are dedicated to finding the newest, easiest, most innovative solutions to make parenting tasks easier, and more importantly enjoyable for families everywhere.

Uberpong on EXTRA TV!

Rachael Edwards — Tue, 19 Feb 2013 20:10:56 +0000

Congratulations to our sister-site Uberpong for getting on EXTRA TV! CEO of Origin of Cool, David Lowe, is also the mastermind behind the hip new trend of custom designed ping pong paddles. Dave had the vision to bring more color into the world of table tennis and allow people the alternative to traditional red and black ping pong paddles. Uberpong has its own design community made up of graphic designers around the world who have created one a kind artwork seen on Uberpong paddles.

@MarioLopez tweeted this photo of him playing with his customized Uberpong paddle:

Here is a closer look at the paddle Mario used :

Want your face on a paddle? Maybe your company name or favorite piece of artwork- Uberpong is the place to go.

Tree Library Lets You Read Books On The Street

David Lowe — Mon, 21 Jan 2013 22:34:31 +0000

When I saw the image of the tree library I was blown away. Keeping my finger on the pulse of cool, I have seen a lot of remarkable things. This was no exception! I mean how awesome is this? You are walking down the street and you left your book at home because it was too bulky to fit in your bag. You don’t want to buy a book because you haven’t got a spare $20. You don’t want to go to a library because it’s too quiet and old-fashioned. So you stop by the tree library, pick a book you want to read and then return it to one of the square sections when you’re done. A genius idea that I would love to see in all cities and towns in the world.

- What do you think of the tree library?
- Could you imagine this in your town/city?
- How could the idea be improved?

submitted by Diana Lowe

Slinkachu Releases Global Model Village Book

David Lowe — Tue, 13 Nov 2012 18:00:23 +0000

On the back of his Global Model Village shows in New York and London, Slinkachu releases a book of the same name. Global Model Village highlights the international street art of the London based artist. The collection of photography blends humor with tragedy. The shots in London remind me that despite the gray skies and people, there is hidden beauty in London. His miniature Starbucks windmill on the side of an Amsterdam canal is social comment combined with cheeky wit. Easily the best coffee table book I’ve had in a long time, if you want to see obscure, cool and imaginative street art at its best, you should definitely give this book a closer look.

The World’s Coolest Offices 2012

David Lowe — Wed, 17 Oct 2012 15:59:17 +0000

What is it like to work in one of the best designed offices in the world? According to Inc., many of the world’s coolest offices belong to tech start-up companies that are not afraid of an innovative approach to office space planning and workplace design.

Ping-Pong tables and bright plastic furniture are so last year. Check just a few examples of the top offices 2012.

Skype in Stockholm, Sweden
The web connections created among Skype users are represented by stylish white woven-backed metal chairs, while multi-colour seating spaces and rugs are the symbol of Skype’s worldwide presence.

Square in San Francisco, U.S.A.
Square’s office features “tertiary spaces” created with plywood and felt. The office’s clean design is something the company’s founder is very proud of. In fact, Jack Dorsey used to encourage employees to clear their desks of clutter at the end of the working day.

Red Bull, London, U.K.
The Red Bull office features a floating staircase and a huge slide running through the centre of the building. Isn’t it a great place to release stress, have fun and get creative?

Jun von Matt, Hamburg, Germany
The ad agency’s office features massive built-in tables and benches that seem to be a single fluid piece of furniture, which creates an impression of one unified space. Higher bench backs make the wall of the main office while lower bench backs overlook a cosy kitchen.

Nothing, Amsterdam, Netherlands
The ad agency’s office is one-of-a-kind. Designers used over 1,600 feet of cardboard and glue to make bookshelves and desks as well as create separate working spaces. The interior elements are cut to resemble iron bars with support beams.

Google, New York City, U.S.A.
Recently described as “100% nerd heaven”, the office housing many of Google’s engineers features drums, electric guitars, built-in OR code signs on the walls and so on.

AOL Ventures, New York City, U.S.A.
The office is located in the neighbourhood considered the southern sector of Silicon Alley. Its unique image is created by vintage billiard tables, worn Oriental rugs, arched windows, exposed brick doorways and cave-like meeting rooms.

Whether you are into playground aesthetic, library-like or ultra-sleek futuristic designs, creating unforgettable offices is easier than you think, with office fit-out and refurbishment services available.

Jan von Holleben Launches Ideas Factory

David Lowe — Thu, 11 Oct 2012 21:11:13 +0000

You may remember Jan von Holleben‘s wonderful photography that we featured on Origin of Cool a while back. Well he’s back and this time has a new studio which made us think of Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory.

Talking about the studio as an idea factory, Jan says, “May it be a garbage-transform-into-super-cookie-machine or a body-weightless-like-a-feather-for-flying-to-neverland-apparatus or simply a household-hyper-cleaning-everything-device?”

Jan has invited fans to send sketches of machines you believe are needed. If your idea is realized, you will receive a marvelous special edition print of your winning machine! Jan teamed up with the mamapapacola team for ‘the production of super ideas’ thinking it was the best machine to start the venture. If you want to get involved, send your ideas to admiral@janvonholleben.com

Origin of Cool would love their office to look like this and could even imagine our project Uberpong having a crazy ping pong hall created by Holleben.

Ping & Pong: Mauro Gatti Creates Coolest Designer Toys Ever

David Lowe — Mon, 08 Oct 2012 21:09:50 +0000

Mauro Gatti has created arguably the coolest artworks/designer toys out there. They are part of the Kid Robot Dunny 2012 Series. Ping & Pong are two twin brothers that are table tennis masters. And the reason for their bright green color? Mauro explains, “they eat a lot of zucchini, peas and broccoli!”

Check out Mauro’s site here
via Uberpong

Amon Tobin Uses Incredible 3D Visuals To Enhance Show

David Lowe — Thu, 04 Oct 2012 15:17:55 +0000

Amon Tobin played the Austin Music Hall on 25th September 2012. Yes, the venue was awful, the bar staff didn’t take cards and the security were some of the rudest people I have ever met (and that is saying a lot after living in London for ten years!), but Amon played some incredible music from his new ISAM (Invented Sounds Applied to Music) album. The Brazilian electro maestro played inside a state of the stage set built from cubes and had some incredible visuals projected onto it to give the impression that the stage was alive. Check out some of the footage we took from the event:

$9 Cardboard Bike Supports Riders Up To 485lbs

David Lowe — Thu, 20 Sep 2012 18:25:01 +0000

This cardboard bicycle is lightweight but allows a heavyweight load. Israeli designer Izhar Gafni was inspired to create this gem after hearing about a cardboard canoe. His cardboard bike called the Alfa, weighs 20lbs and uses a belt-driven pedal system that means it doesn’t require any maintenance. It is unbelievably low priced ($5 to $12)

Note to entrepreneurs thinking of giving up on their dreams: engineers told Gafni that his idea was impossible. He sure proved them wrong and has secured his place firmly on Origin of Cool.

Cool kudos: Fast Company Design

Shai Dahan Launches Broken Window

David Lowe — Mon, 17 Sep 2012 16:55:02 +0000

Shai Dahan returns with an exhibition in Gothernburg, Sweden. Entitled “Broken Window”, the show is inspired by the broken windows theory - a criminological theory stating that maintaining and monitoring urban environments in a well-ordered condition may stop further vandalism and escalation into more serious crime. Rudy Giuliani, the ex-mayor of New York was a famous case study for this theory with his graffiti sweeping campaign on the New York subway system (read Malcolm Gladwell’s The Tipping Point to learn more about this).

“Broken Window” is at the a gallery from 22nd September until 13th October.

Esotika: Frame The Windows To Your Soul

David Lowe — Thu, 13 Sep 2012 16:55:36 +0000

Following on from the success of Origin of Cool’s Kickstarter campaign and our mission to revolutionize table tennis, we now switch our attention to a project on Indiegogo that aims to revolutionize eyewear. The founder of Esotika, Todd Huschka, thought “What if the lens is cut so I can look forward and see things clearly at a distance. But when I look down, the lens corrects my vision so I can read?” As with Uberpong’s ping pong paddles, their glasses are a nice complement to your personality and your own style and look pretty cool. What do you think? Let us know in the comments below this post.

Check out their Indiegogo project here

Slinkachu: Miniature Artist Builds Global Model Village

David Lowe — Fri, 07 Sep 2012 18:55:26 +0000

Slinkachu received widespread critical acclaim following his . Now, to celebrate the launch of his new book, he is doing two exhibitions in New York and London. Global Model Village opens at the Andipa Gallery in London on 27th September and runs until 27th October. A pop-up show in NYC runs from 2nd-7th October. Here is a taste of the pieces he will be exhibiting at the shows. Let us know what you think about them in the comments below:

Images: Slinkachu