Technabob » art

PressurePen Stylus Adds Pressure Sensitivity to iPad, Android Tablets

Technabob — Thu, 24 May 2012 22:00:25 +0000

I’ve longed for a stylus that was actually good for drawing on my iPad, but after many purchases, I’m still not satisfied. What I really want is something that has a fairly fine tip, but can also produce pressure data. What I really want is to be able to use my iPad as a Wacom tablet – with a screen. The PressurePen may not be the most elegant looking stylus out there, but it does offer the pressure sensitivity part, so my curiosity is piqued for sure.

Created by web developer/hardware tinkerer Charles Mangin, the PressurePen uses an audio signal to communicate how hard you’re pressing on the stylus while you draw. Rather than use an audible signal though, it sends data through the iPad’s audio jack to let it know the pressure level, passing at least 1000 levels of pressure information to the tablet. This means that it’s the first tethered stylus I’ve seen. Now that isn’t necessarily a bad thing – you’ll never lose your pen, so long as it’s plugged in.

The chunky looking PressurePen looks more like a fat marker than a skinny technical pen, but I actually think that’s a good idea, since drawing with pens which are too skinny doesn’t feel right either. Trust me, I’ve tried with the iPen – a horribly disappointing device. While the Jaja and Jot Touch pens also promise pressure sensitivity, the Jaja could have issues with audio interference because of the way it works. On the other hand, the Jot Touch uses Bluetooth, so expect it to burn battery for both stylus and iPad. I also HATE the goofy see through plastic tip on both of them. On the other hand, the more simple design of the PressurePen should get the job done, without the battery or interference issues, and it has a chiseled stylus tip that looks pretty usable.

Charles plans on making the PressurePen compatible with Android tablets as well, and will be making both the software and hardware Open Source, so you’ll be able to create your own, or make improvements.

The PressurePen is selling for just $60 (USD) fully assembled, and $30 in kit form (though you have to print your own 3D shell.) If you’re interested in one, head on over to PressurePen’s Kickstarter page and pledge in the next few days. They’re nearing their $10,000 fundraising goal, but need some more orders to push it across the finish line by May 31st.

Need Help Identifying That Thing? There Are Plant Tags for Urban Objects Now

Hazel Chua — Wed, 23 May 2012 16:00:41 +0000

Okay, so these plant tags aren’t really for identifying what these common urban objects are, but they sure add a lot to the flavor of the town or neighborhood.

At least, that’s what the folks from Carmichael Collective are doing in Minneapolis. The tags they’ve placed beside objects you can pretty much find in every other lawn are slightly larger than the ones you’ll see beside plants in pots, but they pretty much contain the same elements: the common name of the object, its “scientific” name, care instructions, and the object’s placement.

As you can see, there’s one for hydrants, one for mailboxes, as well as No Parking and STOP signs. Be sure to check out the full collection over at the Carmichael Collective.

[via Laughing Squid via Neatorama]

NYPD Arrests Designer for “Planting False Bombs,” But He Was Just Putting Up Art

Hazel Chua — Tue, 22 May 2012 14:30:58 +0000

The name Takeshi Miyakawa might be familiar to you if you’re into contemporary art. Miyakawa is a huge name in the art scene with his unusual installations and thought-provoking works of art.

Unfortunately, some people from New York and the NYPD don’t agree. Miyakawa was arrested last Saturday (May 19th) for putting up some new illuminated sculptures in the city.

So here’s what happened: Miyakawa was putting up his art installations (which were inspired by the “I Love NY” plastic shopping bags from the NY Design Week 2012) when a resident complained about how he was going to get the lights down from his tree. The call got redirected from 311 to 911, and the police eventually came and arrested Miyakawa for “planting false bombs.”

Do these look like bombs to you?

A lot of people were outraged that this happened to Miyakawa. He’s currently being held at Rikers Island without bail, and a judge has recommended that he be held for mental evaluation.

A Facebook group has since been started to show support for the artist. Its wall is flooded with words of support and encouragement for Miyakawa during his detainment.

[via Spoon Tamago]

Nintendo Characters as Ukiyo Woodblock Prints: Very Creepy Turtles

Jack Kieffer — Mon, 21 May 2012 17:00:18 +0000

Nintendo Characters are awesome, and Japanese representations of things are awesome, so why not combine the two? “Nintendo Characters are Japanese.” Not like this – a guy named Jed has decided to make Ukiyo Woodblock Prints showing all of his favorite Nintendo characters as they appeared back in the age of dragons and those round hats with the carts that were pulled in the streets. This just in: ethnocentrism is not a rampant issue in today’s society, we are educated about other countries and their cultures. Germany: Audi. Japan: Nintendo. Italy: pasta. Lots and lots of pasta.

This is one of the first Ukiyo pieces that Jed created, and it depicts our favorite wore-green-every-day-until-he-was-seventeen hero: Link. I particularly like how the Master Sword was redone – still recognizable, but not the same. Overall, a good mashup of ancient Japan and the Legend of Zelda in this wooden print.

I like the Samus ukiyo print more than the Link one simply because there’s an explosion and more women. The dragon was definitely a smart way to pull off the fact that Samus shoots electric balls of death all of the time. To see all of the prints, go to the newly-created Ukiyo-Nintendo Facebook page.

Above is the newly released ukiyo sketch of Mario Kart, which is just a draft that was just posted on the Facebook page – he’ll add color, among other things. I wanted to share it though, because the Koopa and the squid were too good not to put into the post. Creepy turtles!

If these prints are right up your alley, then check out the Zelda Fireplace Art and the Bathroom Filled With Nintendo Art!

[via Geekologie]

Jack Kieffer owns Cool Gizmo Toys, a blog that tailors to geeks

Ewok Cake Has Cute and Fuzzy Body, Eyes That Look Like Abysses of Despair

Jack Kieffer — Sun, 13 May 2012 14:00:44 +0000

At first glance, the Ewok Cake looks adorable! It’s wearing its adorable hood, and its body is covered in adorable fur-like frosting. Then, you take a longer look and realize that this is in fact only the top half of an Ewok. But, cakes are usually just portions of a character, so this isn’t extremely out of place. Finally, your eyes move to its face, and you see eyes that just suck the light out of the room. That’s when you call for a change of undies and go visit a different booth at the cake fair.

While I may personally find the eyes disturbing, many others have found them to be adorable. I’m fine with whichever decision you choose to make, just know that when it comes time to ~~eating people because we ran out of chocolate bars~~ voting people off of the island, you’re my first pick. “Where are you going to vote me to, you moron? We’re stuck on an island. This isn’t Survivor.” I see your point… we’ll have to feed you to the large gorillas that I saw roaming the cliffside, then.

Though we might be able to agree that the Ewok Cake is slightly disturbing, nobody can argue with its accuracy and detail. Bake a couple hundred of these and we can make a new Star Wars movie based off of the social class struggles of the Ewoks. It’ll be the next Scarlet Letter, the next Uncle Tom’s Cabin. This is going to be huge! Even if it’s horrible, just saying that it’s a commentary on society makes it very sophisticated and famous. Everything I just said: summary of what I learned in all of my english classes. Also, Shakespeare is more risque than you might think.

If you love this Ewok Cake, then you’ll want to look at some other Star Wars baked goods. Check out the Star Wars Flat Cakes and the AT-AT Cake if your in the mood for food.

[via Bit Rebels]

Jack Kieffer owns Cool Gizmo Toys, a site that tailors to geeks.

R2-D2 Rain Barrel Collects Water Without Swimming through the Dagobah Swamp

Shane McGlaun — Fri, 11 May 2012 18:00:30 +0000

I live in an area where being green and recycling isn’t really a big thing. In fact, I lived here for 10 years before I knew we even had a recycling center. In some communities, though, the push to be green is much more substantial. Case in point – in Knoxville, Tennessee, each year they hold a contest for The Water Quality Forum where geeks and artists get to create rain barrels for the collection of rainwater.

The purpose of the rain barrel is to capture rainwater runoff to be used for outdoor irrigation instead of turning on the hose. That would probably be a very good thing to do in Texas, if we didn’t go months without getting any rain. What may be the coolest rain barrel in the history of rain barrels was created specifically for this contest… The R2-D2 rain barrel.

The rain barrel was primed and painted in full and accurate R2-D2 likeness by artist Curtis Glover. Better yet, the R2 barrel is up for auction with proceeds going to charity. While it can’t project holograms or hack into the Death Star’s security system, I think the R2-D2 barrel will still bring a pretty penny.

[via boingboing]

Game of Thrones Beer: Liquor is Coming

Conner Flynn — Mon, 07 May 2012 20:00:41 +0000

If you have read A Song of Ice and Fire or watched Game of Thrones, you know that those in the 7 kingdoms love their beer. Or mead. Check out this series of beer labels done in the style of real beer companies, but with some of the house and character names from Game of Thrones.

These are all the work of artist Satan’s Brand and they are all awesome. I wish they were real beers. There’s Lannister Gold, a brew so good it will make you want to sleep with your sister. Winterfell Beer, which no doubt makes you strong as a Direwolf and many more.

I especially like the Nights Watch versions. Those guys need all the beer they can get. It is lonely and cold on the Wall, after all. Check out the rest of the designs over on RedBubble, where you can order them on t-shirts, hoodies or stickers too.

[via Geekologie]

Punch-Out Collages are a Real Knockout

Technabob — Sat, 05 May 2012 18:31:53 +0000

Remember the classic Nintendo boxing game Punch-Out!? I still think it’s one of the most entertaining fighters of all time, especially with its over-the-top combatants. Well if you remember Punch-Out! as fondly as I do, then you’ll enjoy these collages by artist Chris Lange.

The latest in a series of gaming inspired works by Lange, he’s perfectly captured such classic characters as Glass Joe, Don Flamenco, Bald Bull, Piston Honda, Great Tiger, Macho Man, King Hippo, Soda Popinski, Mac and Trainer with these collages.

Each one is made entirely from old issues of Nintendo Power magazine, so you’re assured each one is 100% recycled Nintendo.

While the originals aren’t for sale, you can get your hands on a set of nine (5″x5″) prints over on Etsy for $49 (USD). If you’re a Nintendo fan, you’ll want to order up a set for your gameroom for sure.

Majora’s Mask Shoes Unfortunately Do Not Include the Evil Moon

Jack Kieffer — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 16:00:02 +0000

Majora’s Mask was one of my favorite Zelda games from back in the day – not quite topping The Ocarina of Time, but still a solid storyline with some excellent gameplay. While I had plenty of fun running around in this game, the moon that would get closer and closer to the town as night went on would always give me terrible nightmares. So, these shoes are more of my style. Remember the good things about the game, and forget the parts that made me cry in a corner. *Looks through the telescope at the freaky moon thing*

These Majora’s Mask Shoes are custom-painted canvas kicks, and are great for any and all geeks who are fans of the Legend of Zelda. In addition to the Majora Mask, which makes the unforgettable shaking bead sounds, the Triforce Symbol and fairies are also shown on the shoe. Observant geeks will appreciate the extra detail, and you will gain some rep on your block. ”Come again?” I said ‘rep on your block.’ ”I’m having a hard time understanding your lingo.”

These shoes are a result of the hard work of timber123, an Etsy user who obviously spent a ton of time creating the Majora’s Mask Shoes. You can pick them up on his product page for $110 (USD), and I think they’d at least be worth a closer look. If you’re digging the custom painted sneaker deal, then you’ll want to check out the Custom Painted Sonic Sneakers and the Custom Fallout Sneakers. ”What’s with all of this fancy jargon you’re using?” I just discovered Urban Dictionary, and I am using it to the fullest! YOLO!

[via Fashionably Geek]

Jack Kieffer owns Cool Gizmo Toys, a site that loves all things geeky

Star Wars Gets Dead

Technabob — Sat, 28 Apr 2012 22:11:39 +0000

While Darth Vader and a few Stormtroopers might be dead already, and Boba Fett (nearly) perished in the Sarlacc pit, many of the other Star Wars characters have lived on. But if you’re to believe these images by artist Jeff Hulligan, several key characters are now among the dead (or the undead, if they’re Star Wars zombies.)

In addition to posthumous images of Vader and one of his Stormtrooper guard, we’ve got dead versions of one of the Rebel X-Wing pilots, Boba Fett, and sadly, R2-D2 and C-3P0, or as I like to call them – The Walking Droid. You may now proceed to slap me. These prints make me wonder what dead Luke, Leia, Han and Chewie might look like. Of course that could be Red 5′s skull above, but I’m going with Red Leader Garven Dreis.

Each 8.5″ x 8.75″ print is limited to just 50 pieces, and is signed by the artist. You can grab these Dead Star Wars prints over at Jeff’s Etsy shop for $10 each or for $50 for the full set of six.

Legend of Zelda Ocarina of Time 16-bit Map: A Link to the SNES

Lambert Varias — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 17:00:24 +0000

Hey listen Zelda fans! Cover your monitor, wall or body with this gorgeous 2D world map of Ocarina of Time. All non-dungeon locations are here, from Lon Lon Ranch to Gerudo Fortress.

The map was made by ~~an evil being~~ MaJoRa, a forum moderator at Zelda Fan Game Central. Instead of making a mask, he instead made this 6,702 x 5,922 map. Here’s a look a closer look at the map:

Summon Epona and ride to Mediafire to download the complete map.

[via Zelda Fan Game Central via Destructoid]

Alien Electric Guitar: In Space No One Can Hear You Rock

Conner Flynn — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 21:00:51 +0000

This is one awesome Alien themed guitar. If Ripley ever put together a band, this is what the guitarist would play. It was created by Gig Goldstein and this carved guitar matches H.R. Giger’s original design very nicely.

It’s no wonder his name is Gig since he makes a full time gig out of carving. He has been doing it for about twelve years and as you can see, he does amazing work.

As for this guitar, just look at that amazing detail. I can’t carve a turkey, let alone an awesome Alien guitar. He should be helping to build scary sets for Prometheus. I’d love to see that.

You can check out Goldstein’s other guitars at his YouTube channel.

[Guitar Noize via Walyou via Neatorama]

Wacom Realism Stylus Samples Colors from the Real World – If Only It Were Real

Hazel Chua — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 18:00:39 +0000

I went and bought a stylus a few weeks ago, when I got hooked to OMGPOP’s Draw Something game. The craze has since subsided, but I still use my stylus a lot to doodle and just draw simple sketches on my tablet.

The game set me off on a course to find the perfect, if not the best tablet stylus out there, and I’ve settled with this one from the Wacom Realism project. Sure, it’s not real (yet!) but it’s impressive and packs on features that make it stand out from the rest.

The coolest feature of the Realism stylus is that it comes with a color sensor that can instantly scan colors from real-world objects and then output it on your display the next time you make a stroke. This is similar to Jinsu Park’s Color Picker pen concept, but seems much more useful built into a stylus.

The Wacom Realism project stylus was designed by Majel Korytar, and at this point remains only a concept.

[via Yanko Design]

Polargrams Are Polaroid Instagrams, Not Related to the Polar Region

Jack Kieffer — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 14:00:12 +0000

You consider yourself a hipster, and you love Instagram, but you’re not sure how the two fit together. Instagram is pretty mainstream, but your hair is not mainstream, your clothes are not mainstream, and your attitude is not mainstream. (Seriously – you look like a bird – you need to get a different style.) With the Polargrams, you can reconcile all of your inner differences! Instagram plus Polaroid picutres equals Polargrams!

The Polargrams make great gifts for your family members, but would also be cool to have for your own photo collection. Yes, you could just save the images online, but there’s always something special about image printing. “It’s really expensive?” No, that’s not special – I know plenty of things that I can’t afford, and they don’t give me the special feeling. “You buy things you can’t afford?” It’s called a credit card - have you ever heard of it? Pssshh – moron. “You know you have to pay those, right?”

These retro Polaroid Instagram photos are actually not very expensive: you can print up to 24 pictures for $23.79! Why didn’t they just make it an even 25 pictures and charge you $24? ”25 is an odd number.” Perhaps, but the world may never know. ”No, I know. I’m telling you that 25 is odd.” Maybe you’re right, maybe you’re not. ”I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT 25 IS ODD.” No need to get angry just because you’re wrong.

Polargrams are available at Firebox, who has provided a way to choose your photos by logging into your Instagram account and then purchasing the package. If you’re interested, click on that link, if you’d rather look at some other great articles, then check out the Stickygram Magnetic Instagram Photos and the Snapstagram Service, which is almost as cool as Polargrams.

[via Pocket-Lint]

Jack Kieffer owns Cool Gizmo Toys, a site that loves all things geeky.

Confiscated TSA Scissors Turned into Creepy Spiders

Conner Flynn — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 14:00:57 +0000

I hate spiders almost as much as Indiana Jones hates snakes. Especially spiders like these, with sharp legs as well as fangs. The metal spider you see here was created by mechanical artist Christopher Locke, who created them from scissors that were confiscated at airports by the TSA.

I have never looked at a pair of scissors and thought, “Hey that would make an awesome killer spider”, bit Chris obviously sees things differently. His sharp sculptures are eerie and creepy and we can all thank God that scissor spiders don’t roam around our homes.

Thanks to a contact at the TSA, he gets all of the items like scissors and Swiss Army knives that he could want, allowing him to create monstrosities like these ones. Each is equally handmade, unique and freaky looking. Check out Chris’ Heartless Machine website, where you can buy them for between $150 to $350 (USD).

[via Archie McPhee via Colossal Art + Design]

Custom Painted Sonic the Hedgehog Sneakers for Sidewalk Spin-Dashes

Conner Flynn — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 22:30:08 +0000

These custom Sonic the Hedgehog Vans are pretty awesome, with a ton of nice detail. They were made by Reddit user lumpyheadedbunny and I have to say that they look great. They take a long time to make, but obviously they are well worth it.

If you want a pair, they will cost you about $350(USD). Sure that’s expensive, but you would be the only one on your block rocking these babies. Who knows, they might even give you Sonic’s super speed. Though I doubt it. Also, each pair takes between 45 and 60 hours to complete, so the asking price is a bargain when you think about it.

And for that price, the artist guarantees lifetime touch-ups for free, so you are getting a great service that will keep them looking great for longer. How many sellers will do that for you

[via Reddit via Kotaku]

Möbius Shaver is Simple and Complicated at the Same Time

Hazel Chua — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 17:30:17 +0000

Who would imagine that something as basic and ordinary as a razor might get re-imagined and re-designed into something more like a sculpture?

That’s what designer Penghao Shan did with the Möbius Shaver. The design is still ergonomic, although I can’t really tell with all the bends and extra handles here and there. What I can’t deny though, is how much better it looks and how stable it seems to be with its new design.

It’s clear from the name where Shan got the inspiration for the shaver: the Möbius strip, which is defined as “a surface with only one side and only one boundary component.”

It looks like Shan did a good job with sticking to that definition, because there are few sides and boundaries I can tell apart with the shaver.

[via Yanko Design]

Drawing Apparatus Turns Turntables into Spirograph Robot

Technabob — Sat, 24 Mar 2012 15:00:26 +0000

Turntables can certainly be used to make art – but I usually think of them as a tool for auditory creation, not visual so much. Not so in this project, which transformed a couple of ordinary turntables into a drawing machine.

Designer Robert Howsare created the decidedly low-tech Drawing Apparatus using a pair of old record players, whose platters have each been connected to a hinged wooden armature. This arm has a Sharpie on the end of it, which draws geometric patterns as the pen glides along the surface of the paper.

I’m duly impressed by the unique, Spirograph-like shapes this thing ends up drawing as the turntables go round and round. It looks like each turntable is running at a different speed in order to vary the geometry and create unique artworks with every play.

I only wonder if there would be some way to keep the needles on the records so it could play music at the same time. I’m guessing the wooden arms would quickly derail the needle. Still, it’s a pretty cool effect, and the sound it makes as it goes around drawing is kind of mesmerizing on its own.

[via Abitaire via Architizer]

Andrew Myers’ 3D Screw Portraits: No 3D Glasses Needed!

Range — Wed, 21 Mar 2012 23:30:48 +0000

Have you ever thought about making portraits using screws? I never did but that didn’t stop Andrew Myers from using thousands of Phillips head screws to create these incredible three-dimensional portraits.

Each portrait is made up out of about 8,000 to 10,000 individual screws, carefully placed into a sheet of plywood.

Technically speaking, these are mixed-media art pieces, since once he’s done screwing around, he uses oil paint, paper, and other things to finish up his portraits. While the portraits aren’t completely rendered in 3D, they’ve got just enough depth to make them stand out.

Andrew Myers is a sculptor based in Laguna Beach, California, and he is probably one of the only artists using screws in this way.

[via Designyoutrust]

Artist Creates Indoor Clouds Using Humidifiers and Fog Machines

Jack Kieffer — Mon, 19 Mar 2012 13:00:39 +0000

Clouds are those puffy white balls of cotton that hang in the air far above us. Unfortunately, only those select few who grew wings because of radiation exposure can fully enjoy them. Sure, we can all lie on our backs and pretend that these majestic pieces of nature look like everyday objects, but we all know that they all just look like masses of fluff. (And occasionally dinosaurs.) We also all know that ants like to bite masses of flesh that lay still on the grass, and that all kinds of creepy crawlies live on the ground.

If you were as cool as Berndnaut Smilde, you would have created a series of photographs featuring your Frankenstein creation: the indoor cloud. The artist was able to make beauty by using nothing more than a thermostat, a humidifier, and a fog machine.

Berndnaut needed to preserve the clouds in photographs. The guy’s not Gandalf – he can make clouds, but they don’t last forever, just a couple of seconds. That one instant where all of the stars align / a bunch of fog from his fog machine at the right humidity floats where he wants it and then disappears.

Too bad he couldn’t figure out a way to keep them floating there forever and open an exhibit. “That would have been a terrible idea – people can see clouds just by going outside.” It’s different. “Not really.” Besides, I can’t see anything through this terrible smog that comes from the fish stick factory next to my house. Real estate apparently isn’t all about location, location, location, because nobody will buy my house, and you can get tons of free fish sticks right next door.

If you love these geeky photos, you’ll want to check out the Robot Artist and the Tennis Ball Art Installation. These posts are both related to art, and will be appreciated by those who are in the “artsy fartsy” category like I am. *Splatters finger paint everywhere*

[via Architizer]

Jack Kieffer owns Cool Gizmo Toys, a site that loves all things geeky.