Who says food can’t be cute. Creator Shawn Smith at Shawnimals offers these delightful plush porks along with other cute creations.via coolhunting
shawnimals
myplasticheart

Stefano Giovannoni brings us a beautiful gem like vacuum. It’s about time someone made one that I don’t hide in the closet!!! The pricetag is a bit scary but it’s ooo sooo pretty! Very much the ipod of hand vacs.MOMA Store

I’ve noticed a growth in mainstream “Create-It-Yourself” products. Usually I’d only see these options in a hobby store, but it’s nice to see some hitting the mainstream with style. It’s a definite question of “mass customization”, success or a mess. Are consumers willing to pay more for a blank canvas and a sense of individualism? Do they want to do more?(Betty Crocker Egg Cake Case)

Puma Mongolian Grill (Desgin your own shoe)
Bytrico Chalkboard Shirt
Adicolor Shoes, via SneakerFreaker
Timbuk2 Artist Canvas Bags
Sketch On Munny Vinyl, Kidrobot

Did it fool you? It fooled me! It’s amazing how the smallest details trigger your perceptions. These cute pincushions by Alesina Design appear to be inflated by air, but are in fact filled with polyester fibers. Can simple elements within a design, such as these air valves, entirely change your perception of an object? For sure! I’d love to see more examples of visual triggers like this one. As far as I know, these colorful soft objects might be hard painted pieces of concrete, but who knows.Alesina Design

update: seems you can buy these through this company, kikkerland.

I love it when design integrates opposites together. Molodesign brings to us “felt rocks”, the soft and pliable rocks that are irresistibly playful. It’s great how kids today are hugging ugly dolls, talking sponges, and now theses soft rocks! I’d buy a truck load of theses felt rocks to throw around my office for brainstorms!via notcot
molodesign

You think Google Earth is cool? Well, get ready to be blown away by Spore, a PC game by Will Wright, creator of The Sims and Sim City.
I’m not sure what kind of cpu power this game will require, but you pretty much create and affect every single element within a galaxy and let time happen through “procedural” content development.
The magnitude of this game is ridiculous and you feel like a god of a god! Check out the video of Will presenting Spore at the 2005 Game Developer’s Conference!Google Video of Spore
GameSpy Article

Fashion designer Alexander McQueen has a collaborative partnership with PUMA to bring out a refreshing line of men and womens shoes. The line-up includes a series of shoes inspired by the human DNA. Go to ‘hotspot’ in Pumas website to get the full story on the design methodology. The series will be available at select retailers Spring 2006.

AlexanderMcqueen.Puma Site
eLuxury

If your seeking a physical materials collection of the coolest and most innovative mechanisms, electronics, and materials to get your hands onto, then check out Inventables! Their wonderful quarterly sample kits are filled with several inspirational objects that will likely wow you.
Inventables

If you need inspiration, get these books!!! All of them have a rich variety of material descriptions, applications, and photos along with information to get your hands on some remarkable materials.

Transmaterial
Books by Chris Lefteri (6+)
Materials Connexion

update: Transmaterial 2 is out!

Sandscapes is addictive simulated tangible interface designed to help users understand landscapes through a projected surface of sand. Simulations range from height, slopes, contours, shadows, drainage, and also has the ability to interact with physical models such as buildings cars or whatever else you program into it.

I’ve played around with Sandscapes and its pure joy. Swing by the MIT MediaLab when you have the chance to check out their other great projects!

MIT MediaLab(Tangible Media Group)
SandScapes

Who says cats don’t appreciate great designs. Cat Interiors is a company in Germany with a wonderful assortment of cat pads, my particular favorite is their wall mounted homes.via DesignSponge
Cat Interiors

Lovable and cute!

uglydolls