Nature At Work

Nature At Work, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

When Mother Nature decides to have a go at designing stuff it usually turns out pretty efficient. Like reshaping this Saab for reduced drag, for example.

Multisensory Package

Multisensory Package, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Feeling well fed after a merry and relaxing Christmas. Time to start doing something. Just want to mention the cool Kaffa Espresso v 3.3 Roast Lisa gave me. The plastic bag contained some actual beans, so the smell when opening it was quite excellent. Really made me want to fire up the Krups right away, but I guess I should brew off the old Lavazza I've already got opened firts, so this fine coffee won't get too aired before proper use.

Nice Details

Nice Details, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Stencil spotted in a highway underpass.

Ikea Self Service Payment -I'm Impressed

Ikea Self Service Payment -I'm Impressed, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Went to Ikea to check out some stuff, and ended up buying a few drinking glasses to replace broken ones. The self service payment counter was a pleasant surprise. Clear touch screen UI with very simple graphics, clear instructions and no unexpected situations. I think the extremely simple and clear vector-style graphics are an important part of the experience here. There's nothing fancy about them, nor any unnecessary bling. So they really give the user a slight sense of superiority over the system by not trying to make your attention shift to anything irrelevant. Felt safe, and well within my comfort zone throughout the payment event, so a big hat tip to the designers of this one!

Lupin's Stealing Blogs

Lupin's Stealing Blogs, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Master thief from the comic world is out and about stealing blogs. Got to keep a tight watch on Mobile Observation so it doesn't disappear some dark night.

Interesting way to link pages.

Camera Fever

Camera Fever, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Since I did some trend sniffing in Japan last summer, and missed some good shots due to my camera gear not being up to the task, I've had an eye open for an upgrade. Been juggling ideas back and forth trying to keep in mind the kind of use I'd ideally like to do with the future camera (quite a few actually, so has to be a compromise in some ways). The strongest option now seems to be a Nikon D300s with a 16-85 zoom. It's not cheap, but nice gear rarely is. A little peace of mind about work would help the decision a long way. For now it's a waiting game.

Winter Came Knockin'

Winter Came Knockin', originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Kind of snuck up on us this year, but -13C plus windchill plus snow leaves little doubt. I don't mind. Got the big down jacket out.

Make, Re-Make

Make, Re-Make, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Functions

Functions, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

An emergency phone with a dedicated "Not in use" indicator (Helsinki Metro M200 series). Of course it's nice to know info, but not really something you like to think happens with a device like this.

Essence of Rock?

Essence of Rock?, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Spotted this Absolut Vodka "Rock Edition" bottle, and couldn't help thinking they've tried to bite a bit more than they can chew here. I think their Disco Edition worked great, capturing the essence of a style, but with something as broad as "Rock" there's just too much variation. You could go from U2 to Queen to Iron Maiden to Rammstein and still be rock in someones eyes, just as you could take black leather and studs as "Rock, "Punk" or "Minority sexual orientation". I personally would be sort of scared of a brief for a "Rock" bottle.

Big Red

Big Red, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Ok, it's an even more blurry pic than usual, but I had to crop it quite heavily in order to remove any project-sensitive parts. The main thing is the current work involves positioning my favorite UI item ever: The Big Red Panic Button!

...Has Left the Building

...Has Left the Building, originally uploaded by Rollofunk.

Project at Design factory done, the designer heads for new adventures; leaving only digital traces and a dirty coffee cup to prove he was there. On towards great new adventures on the stormy high seas of consulting.