# 10

So i'm starting my top 10 list of best designed superheroes with the low key Marvel character T'challa, better known as Black Panther.

Debuting in 1966 (Fantastic Four 52), he's really gone through the last 5 decades relatively untouched, Sure he's had the odd stint with a cape and the occasional 'bling-bling' to doll the simplicity up abit. But all in all he's stuck with the basic black motif the entire time and looks as fresh as he did back in the day.


Although Marvel has fiddled with a large number of their designs over the years to accomidate the current trend at the time, they've really done a fine job letting this one work on it's own.

Hot Granny

A new textile line called Hot Granny is slated for a January release.

Here's a sneak peak.

Stay tuned for more !

Hear This !

This is another piece from designer Mixko at New Designers Online that just had to be posted.

Enlarged earphone speakers produced to look and sound great hung from the ceiling or placed on the floor.

Keep an eye out at Land+Living for further info on the NDO.

UK design

New Designers Online is a great site of up and coming design talents in the UK.

It's a pretty wide open array of disciplines and contains some great pieces like the Unite Light by a designer named Mixko.

Acrylic flower elements that interlock creating a cube-like structure. The design is simple in structure and allows the user to assemble it by them self and transport it in a compact form.

Edith does ID

Edith mailbox was just published in the new December issue of I.D. Magazines 'News and Notables - 2005' issue.

Hot Sushi

Berlin designer, Murat Top, just opened up this great looking sushi bar called Six Forward. The entire environment is awash with white, but the space has the option at a flick of a switch to transform into a number of different hues like pink, orange and blue.

The Fall

Next musical review will be The Fall : Fall Heads Roll.

Fiona Apple : Extraordinatry Machine

Don't be fooled by the sweetness of the opening title track to Fiona Apple's third release 'Extraordinary Machine'. This is a brutally confident, strong woman behind the 'aw shucks' feel in this gem of a lead off.

Not straying to far (thankfully) from 1999's 'When the pawn breaks...', Fiona shows us just why she may very well be one of the most underated female acts out there today. Her smokey vocals and lyrical assertiveness carry well from track to track. Numbers like the layed back feel of 'O'Sailor' and the sweet 'Parting Gift' makes you sit back and take in Apple's mature vocals. As with her previous efforts, this is a piano driven album that Tori Amos only wishes she can still muster. Not much 'twinkling' of the keys here as Fiona beats the ivory with authority. Again the confidence comes through here.

The album is quite simple and has a very clean production, but that doesn't mean you'll get it on the first listen. This one will take time to gain your trust and expose itself for what it is.....amazing.

4 / 5

Cover to Cover

Just announced from McFarlane Toys is the 'Pop Culture Masterworks' series. Classic Rock'n'Roll album covers and iconic movie posters are transformed from two-dimensional pictures into modern three-dimensional sculptures.

First installment slated for spring 2006 will be the all time great, Led Zeppelin 1.

Miam-Miam

I came accross these gems at Core77 the other day.

These slick mugs are by ultra-cool California based design group, Miam-Miam. Accorging to Core....

the mugs have been shaped with ergonomics in mind. Each mug is equipped with a giant handle and a contoured body to accommodate the nature of a curved hand

Miam-Miam's website is also worth a look. Just a fantastic layout and brilliant colors throughout their pieces.

Nice tights buddy !

My previous posting on Ironman got me thinking.....who are the best designed superheros ? Colors, visual impact, longevity, etc. would all come into play.

Many have come and gone just like furniture design. But a few have stood the test of time and became a classic in their own right.

Over the next few weeks i'll count down my top 10 best designed characters.

Should be a hoot.

Iron Man

I haven't collected comics for years now and when I did my interest in Ironman was zero. But something about the costume and colors made me appreciate the look of the character.

Marvel has just released Series 11: THE LEGENDARY RIDERS SERIES which includes the 'Hulk Buster Ironman' version. It's not as eye catching as the normal Ironman get-up, but worth checking out nonetheless.

From Russia with Love

I had recently been asked to contribute a piece to a Russian lifestyle magazine called 'Shtab-kvartira'. This is the cover they had just sent me for that upcoming issue.

Just a calm image and a great logo to boot.

Alfredo Haberli

I never really knew much about Alfredo Haberli until I read I.D. Magazines recent cover story on him. A very humble and family orientated individual whose designs seem to follow a simple low key approach. The pieces don't demand your attention right off the bat, but it does make you want to visit them from time to time.

Fiona

Next music review will be Fiona Apples latest, Extraordinary Machine.

still watching

Damn those fine folks at Charles and Marie for tossing this beauty in my face.

So i'm officially narrowed down to 3 possible candidates for a decent watch purchase with this piece by Karim Rashid for Alessi. Available at retromodern for $85 US.

Tokyo Plastic

If you ever get a chance, check out the award winning site from designer toy gods, Tokyo Plastic.

See you on the Pitch !

The folks down at Wallpaper recently enticed Japanese designer, Yohji Yamamoto, into designing a new soccer kit for their office squad, Dynamo Wallpaper. The design was produced as part of Yamamoto's Y-3 line for Adidas.

Editors : The Back Room

One can easily dismiss this act as yet another band imitating Interpol imitating Joy Division. But the thing that stands out with these lads from Birmingham is the soul and dare I say, optimism ? Even with the urgency of tracks like 'Lights', it tends to leave you to believe that there's a light at the end of this dreary tunnel. Which there is by the way.

The debut UK single 'Bullets' easily dismisses the Joy Division / Interpol formula. It's the accomidating guitar line that for a brief moment fools you into thinking your listening to a b-side from U2's BOY release. Again a sign that there's soul in this goth heart. But in the end 'Munich' will be the one to seep it's way into your head with it's repetitive chorus and Edge-esque rift that just will not go away. Thankfully.

Editors are clearly a band on the rise and have created such a stir in the UK as well as landing an opening slot in Franz Ferdinands current European tour. All this without having The Back Room released in North America yet, but worth the effort and cash for an import.

4.5 / 5

3 sheets

I was told recently by someone in the design media that the craft aspect of design seems to be the latest trend. The quality and personal feel of a handmade object has become appealing to more and more people.

Take Cincinnati designer Jenny Sauer (three sheets to the wind) who creates amazing hand-printed wall art and pillows.

Available through elsewheres.

Busted Tees

I know this isn't ground breaking design, but you gotta admit it's pretty funny.

Brought to you by the fine people at Busted Tees.

What to watch ?

I'm notorious for buying cheap-o disposable watches and am finally looking into something of an upgrade to my normal buying practice. So far i'm torn between these two gems from Starck.

I've given myself till X-mas which is cool because it justifies a future posting !....always thinking ahead.