The Designer and Technology

I recently picked up an interesting historical snapshop - Computer Animation edited by John Halas and published in 1974. In the foreward I found the following:

“Before considering the technical possibilities, there is a fundamental psychological handicap to be dealt with which most individuals have to overcome in the animation industry. It is a fact that the artistically inclined dislike the use of machines; art and design students are usually conditioned during their formative years at the majority of colleges, to an attitude which leaves a sense of distrust towards anything mechanical. Artists and designers must come to terms with the computer as they must with other gadgets operated by electricity, and if they seriously want to utilize the values and facilities, they obviously must learn to use the computer in much the same way as they are using pencils, pens and brushes.”

Being at an art and design college, I can tell that this attitude has largely changed... but a vestige of the old assumption often lies just below the surface.

Beta Desktop Factory printer installed at Art Center

Originally uploaded by amberman

It's here and it's building. The first one seen outside of Desktop Factory's lab. More reports as we get more experience with it, but so far it's working well.

iPhone: Direct from China to You

I ordered an iPhone last Friday at Apple's online store, and today I received an email saying that it has shipped, and including a tracking number, which of course I clicked on. Yes, FedEx picked up the package in... Shenzhen China. Should be here by Friday. I know practically everything we consume comes from China, but to see it ship direct is a new experience for me.

Happy 4th of July!

NMC to host "Symposium on Creativity in Second Life"

What a great idea - it's about creativity in Second Life, and it takes place within second life. It's going to be held in mid-August. Lots of interactive workshops on topics like machinima, sculpting, designing buildings, fashion and jewelry, scripting, avatar design, etc. The Call for Proposals for breakout sessions just came out. I'm looking forward to it! http://www.nmc.org/symposium-on-creativity.

Make your own CNC Machine

In detail, how to make your own 3-axis CNC machine for about $600. Caught this on Bruce Sterling's blog, Beyond the Beyond. More evidence of the increasing interest in low-cost, accessible fabbing machines.

The iPhone Threat to Adobe, Microsoft, Sun, Real, BREW, Symbian

A really interesting take on how the iPhone may impact web software development, and who loses because of it - in particular, Adobe.

The iPhone Threat to Adobe, Microsoft, Sun, Real, BREW, Symbian