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The Connections -  publication of which I am editor, designer & writer.
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Mechanical Wonderland

Possible design and creation by Henri Maillardet, in 1820. Similar to a live caterpillar, this jewel studded pre-electronic metal creature can crawl from one point to another on a flat surface. Take a look at the video:

The Caterpillar and Alice looked at each other for some time in silence: at last the Caterpillar took the hookah out of its mouth, and addressed her in a languid, sleepy voice.

`Who are YOU?' said the Caterpillar.

This was not an encouraging opening for a conversation. Alice replied, rather shyly, 

`I--I hardly know, sir, just at present... at least I know who I WAS when I got up this morning, but I think I must have been changed several times since then.'

Alice in Wonderland - Lewis Carroll

Via: DesignTaxi

Add Me

Recently, I've been busy with updating the interface and content of my website. 

For those of you who have visited before . . . there's more!
For new visitors — take a look here: Alison Day Designs

And, that's not all . . . there's more to come — I'm still busy . . . Happy viewing!

Tricycle House

Made from plastic and looking like an accordion - Tricycle House is a new temporary housing idea for people living in China, and who are unable to afford their own house of piece of land, on which to build a house.

the units are not only expandable but can be added to other houses. and there are a variety of options on how to furnish the interiors: stove, sink, bathtub, water tank, as well as a bed which can be transformed into a dining table.

Accompanying accessory Tricycle Garden, is the perfect compliment, providing a mobile front lawn with trees, or a vegetable patch.

Via: DesignTaxi 

         & Tuvie

Living in a Box

There are times when we all feel as though we are 'Living in a box.' ...

If you were given the choice to, would you pay luxury rates to stay in a hotel that is housed in shipping containers? 

It seems that the Chinese architectural firm: Tonghe Shanzhi Landscape Design have created a 5-star luxury hotel, the construction of which was also eco-friendly.

Via DesignTaxi

Stylish Suds

"What soap is to the body, laughter is to the soul"- Yiddish proverb

This afternoon, a particularly blustery and grey Sunday, I took off on my Vespa and joined 15 other people curious to learn the art of soap making. Held at the Connect International office, by Stephanie Fermor from Toastie Studio, & Thomas Poortman

During the three hour workshop, we learnt the techniques necessary to create four different kinds of soap. Apart from using different shaped molds, we also 'flavoured' them from a selection of delicious scented oils, such as: chocolate, vanilla, orange, cappuccino, passion fruit and banana, to mention a few. 

The bars of soap could either be clear (like glass), or we could stir in water-based colourings along with curls of soap (created with the use of a cheese slice), brightly coloured plastic fish, or in the case of the exfoliating soap - oatmeal. For each soap we had to work quickly, because once the melted soap mixture left the bain marie, it immediately started to solidify. At the end of the workshop, our four different soap bar designs included: a clear bar with aforementioned brightly coloured plastic fish swimming around inside, a realistic looking ice lolly on wooden stick, a funky cup cake and a square oatmeal bar. And once the soap had finally cooled enough to be removed from their prospective molds, each was individually wrapped - perfectly packaged for Christmas presents.

Interested in making your own soap? Supplies can be ordered from: Soap Queen & You Wish. (Links courtesy of Stephanie)

For a peek at my creations made during the workshop...

© Alison Day

Website: Alison Day Designs

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Chocca Choo

Ever the love of chocolate - what about this? ... The longest chocolate train ever, created by Maltese chocolate artist, Andrew Farrugia? 

Setting a new Guinness World Record, it measures 34.05 metres and weighs 1,250 kg and took 700 hours to complete. 

It is magnificently detailed and includes tiny details such as a bar and a restaurant within some wagons.

Via: DesignTaxi 

Come Dance With Me

Enormous replicas of high-heeled shoes made from shiny pots and pans by Paris-born, Lisborn-based artist: Joana Vasconcelos.

These stunning pieces of footwear are part of an installation called 'Shoes', which have traveled the world. 

Beautiful in their conception, they are also a comment on the persisting traditional double role that womankind continues to lead, in a modern day world.

Via: DesignTaxi

Inside Outside

For the decoration of the outside of buildings, Italian wallpaper company Wall & Decò creates large mural-like wall coverings, which are used the world over. 

Applying photographic images and graphic decorations are simply achieved by the use of a 3-part system : adhesive, technical fabric and finishing treatment.

Via Cool Hunter

Cool Cat

Quite possibly the coolest watermelon ever. 
Kin Community

House of Music

Piano-shaped house in the newly developed area of Huainan, China. Built to encourage tourism, but also used by the music students from the nearby college.
Via: DesignTaxi

Gardens to Delight

Via: Gardens to Delight

Magical Design of Life

Tin Head

Re-cycle, Re-use, Re-invent...tin head by artist, Subodh Gupta
Via Street Retards

Eat Me

When it comes to re-defining our wasteful throw-away culture, in the ongoing battle to save the environment, this bright idea turns us into the re-cycling implements. David Edwards (Harvard University Professor and biomedical engineer), who brought us breathable food in the form of ‘Le Whaf’ has just brought out  the new idea of edible containers. This means that after we have consumed our food and drink, instead of throwing the wrapping it comes in away, we will be able to consume that too!

Apparently, the packaging is made out of something called ‘WikiCells’,  which are natural food membranes held together by electrostatic forces and are said to be thin delicious membranes. For the future, a  ‘WikiCell Machine’ is also on the agenda, so that we can create our own packaging ourselves. 

I like the idea that the choice of what to package and how much, is finally reaching the hands of the consumer, but how much of this delicious stuff would one actually want to consume? Waste reduction aside, I would imagine it could also change the face of packaging design, when it comes to shape, colour and maybe even smell.

Design Taxi

Bed Head

Incredible what some people can do with a bit of imagination, sand, and a little water.   

Source: here

Child's Play

Robert Bradford a trained visual artist (& psychotherapist on the side), experiments with children's forgotten toys and plastic bric-a-brac. He up-cycles them into life-sized people or animals. Each piece can contain up to 3000 pieces.   Via: The Cool Hunter

Sharp Tongued

This elegant and modern solid stainless steel design knife (Degalon) is a set of 4 in one. Sharp design (s'use the pun)  with clever use of materials.


Found pinned on Pinterest courtesy of the aptly named: This is Why I'm Broke.  And they can be yours for only -  $744.58 !

Leaf Carving

Veins of a leaf add detail to the subject matter of the carving.

The art of carving an image on to a tree leaf, specifically the leaf of the Chinar tree. 

The tree is native to India, Pakistan and China - similar to a maple tree leaf in appearance.

With a 60% failure rate, it takes special tools to remove the leaf surface without cutting or removing the veins. According to leaf carver Victor Liu, owner of Longal Crafts.

Emperor Derrière

Although I really love the idea of this computer-workstation chair, the Emperor 200 (Made by Modern Work Environment Lab )  I do feel (as I've said before) that the human race is heading towards a sedentary lifestyle, with potential physical disastrous effects, as described in The Machine Stops by E. M. Forster. 

Already a button-pushing, screen-addicted bunch of lounging lizards surely we don't need to be encouraged to remain seated for longer periods of time? But that said, this is the ultimate sitting experience of the moment. It offers added extras of a THX surround system, seat adjustment, air ventilation and light therapy, which gives the sitter their daily dose of vitamin D, without ever having to venture outside again! All this plus a touch screen control centre with three 24-inch LED screens dangling right in front of your face, from the end of the scorpion-like tail. What more could you want?

Costing an arm and a leg (in more ways that one), this innovative creation has a price tag of  a mere $44,750 (US).

Via Designtaxi