Caught in the Loop

In a world full of overcrowded cities with busy commuters, trying to get from A to B as quickly as possible has been the main aim for the clock watching workaholic. Three Bosnian product design students have tried to put a stop to this by creating a bridge in Sarajevo that encourages people to stop, sit down and take in the beautiful scenery.

Most transport links have been designed to be direct as possible, but not this bridge. It provides the pedestrian with a different experience which is less direct. A single curling form made from steel and aluminium incorporates a wooden bench to provide a contemplative haven for pedestrians and visitors to admire this picturesque city. Its unique form ( for a bridge ) looks just as eye catching at night illuminated with bright white LEDs.

Named Festina Lente, the bridge means 'to make haste slowly'. It’s a brave piece of modern architecture and engineering that sits elegantly alongside Sarajevo's historical buildings.

Architecture and Engineering

www.sovibrant.co.uk

 

iPhone 5

Like many hundreds of thousands in the world, I am desperately awaiting the launch of the new iPhone5 (which will supposedly just be known as “iPhone”).  My iPhone 3GS was due for an upgrade months ago and I have been tempted by an iPhone 4S, but, I am holding out for the must have iPhone 5.

Unfortunately (or fortunately, whichever way you look at it) there isn’t anything definitive that shows us what this new model will look like or when it’ll be coming to our high street stores.  This morning I stumbled across an article (Mail online) which mentioned the release of the “Mini iPad” on 12^th September, with the release of the iPhone following on 9 days later.... but still nothing set in stone.

The new iPhone is due for its first radical refresh since it launched in 2007, and it is expected to be bigger than ever - at least in terms of the screen-size.  There are many rumours that suggest what the potential changes to its looks and its enhanced features might be. These are some of the most talked about.

-       A new 4” screen (16:9)

-       A metallic plate that covers the back of the iPhone from antenna break to antenna break, leaving only the top and bottom clear, glass, and presumably radio-friendly.

-       The Home button, Sleep/Wake button, and volume controls all look the same, though the front mounted FaceTime camera has presumably  been centred.

Take a look at the images below and see what you think.  If the new model is anything like the above description and images, I’ll be glad I’ve waitied!

Images courtesy of Google Images, IMore, Mail Online

Iphone 5

www.sovibrant.co.uk

 

2012 Olympic Torch wins design award

Congratulations to UK design studio, Barber Osgerby, who have won the Design Museum's prestigious Design of the Year 2012 award for their Olympic Torch.

The torch is set to commence its UK tour on May the 19th and is perforated with 8000 holes to represent the number of torch bearers involved (rather than a comment on the locations it will be visiting!).

 

I think it's an elegant design that combines a modern aesthetic with a traditional form,  but critics have (I think harshly) compared it to a cheese grater, a waste paper bin and a cigarette holder.

The gorgeous Olympic Velodrome, designed by Hopkins Architects, picked up the Architecture award and is also hotly tipped for the industry's top award, The Stirling Prize:

Design at SoVibrant www.SoVibrant.co.uk

Images courtesy of Sky Sports and Google

3 Pronged Plug Re-designed

Royal College of Art student Min Kyu Choi has re-designed the standard 3 pronged plug and updated it to fall more in line with the aesthetics of todays modern gadgetry. Its hard to believe that such an abundantly utilised product has remained unchanged for so long.  I particularly like the space saving multi plug chords and fold flat design. Hopefully wont be too long before we start to see this great design in production.