Product Does

What a big weekend. Labor Day is Monday here in the US. College football season kicks off. And It's the official end of summer. That means lots of BBQ and lots of beer. Which makes this full size keg cooler the altar for sunburned drunks across our amazing country. Have a great three day weekend, PD. See you back here on Tuesday.

Designed by Alexander Lervik, this lamp is a replica of the designer's brain taken from an MRI. When your brain isn't firing on all cylinders, turn this light on to share the brightness of another's mind. |via Gearfuse|

This tea light from Carl Mertens is reminiscent of the model view of an atom, with the nucleus being orbited by protons and electrons. If the science doesn't excite you then you probably failed physics. No two ways about it. |via CribCandy|

Good posture is something I need to work on, being a lifelong sloucher. I slouch at work, I slouch when driving, I even sort of slouch when standing (I lean on anything and everything when standing). This device senses when the body slouches and vibrates to remind the wearer to straighten up. Much better than having your mom follow you everywhere and twisting your ear. |via Trendhunter|

Bring the beauty of a forest into your home with these lamps. The shades are silk imprinted with a birch wood pattern and come in different sizes to create the effect of trees. |via Design Milk|

The (DE)light is a conceptual project by Cristina Ferraz Rigo that explores the idea of light as liquid. There's something very alchemical about such a notion. That we can contain light and transfer it from one container to another by decanting it. From the designer: "Light remains unattached to an object and able to be placed in any imagined context. I have used the quotidian gesture of pouring as a way to attach, or detach, light to its archetypes." |via Yanko|

These are similar to the yoga sandals. Whereas those were for the yogi within, these are for the nudist within. "Naked shoes for naked people." How come it's always the people you don't want to see naked are the ones who get naked? |via MySimon|

Oh, this is fun. It's always a wonder to me that as children something as simple as a seesaw could give me so much joy. The true brilliance of the seesaw is that it required a cooperative playmate. You can reclaim those innocent pleasures with this double rocker concept from Brian Lee. Read a paper, snuggle, or just lay back and rock gently with a playmate. And now that you're adults maybe she'll give you permission to sneak a peek. |via Cribcandy|

The pizza part of the PizzaKobra moniker is because when it won the Red Dot Design Award for 2008, it was delivered in a pizza box. The kobra part is because when the lamp is lit it rises up like a cobra rousing from a mid-afternoon doze. Its flexible hinges allow it to be formed into a variety of shapes. Light is provided by six LEDs. |via Trendhunter|

I totally need this. I bring a peach or nectarine with my brown bag lunch and invariably the things are mashed lumps by the time lunchtime rolls around. This container protects your fruit from being bruised in one handy container with your delicious turkey on wheat. |via SwissMiss|

Finally, I can enjoy the pleasures of surfing without the danger of drowning. I was kicked out of a surfing class a couple of years ago when the instructors realized I couldn't swim. I suppose wearing a life vest to the first day of class was a dead giveaway. Not even my pleading that there was no danger of me drowning because I wasn't planning to fall off was convincing enough for them. With the SoulArc I can capture the feeling of carving a wave on the safety of my street. Designed by Mitch Mulder as part of a class project, the board will come to market in the next few months. "The performance spring absorbs and transfers energy in a manner similar to carving a wave. Extensive adjustments to size, shape and material selection have produced this latest generation of the SoulArc performance spring. The smoothness and feel of this ride is unmatched, as each directional movement interacts with the spring to provide a corresponding and complementary reaction." |via Core77|

As information becomes more widespread and accessible, there is more "conversation" between consumers and manufacturers. Corporate sites often feature blogs where consumers can interact with designers, engineers, customer service representatives, etc. And of course there is an entire subculture of DIY modders who make of the products they buy something else entirely that the manufacturer never intended. To tap into this phenomenon of consumers being a part of the production process, this pen allows you to assemble it. The kit comes with a flat piece of iron you can fold using a key. It's not exactly custom ordering a car but it's a step in the direction of allowing non-technical consumers to be able to construct their goods. Slowly we're closing the distance between being just drone-like consumer to being involved in the production itself.

Finally, a use for solar power that I can get excited about. This creature lies still until it consumes enough of the sun's energy to awaken, then watch out. It thrashes about, seeking mortals to transform into its alien army. We're not much longer as a species, people. Submit. |via BoingBoing|

Sleek and gorgeous, the Savannah Chair from Jolyon Yates exemplifies the wondrous qualities of wood to be both organic, warm, and modern at the same time. And even so sensuous it doesn't need to be shaped like a bent over backside (see Bend Over Table). |via Design Milk|

I used to have a screensaver on my first Apple computer called "drops" that would have me riveted. I lost precious moments during the middle of cramming for an exam just staring at the screen. This modular bookcase has the same effect on me. Made of solid American Walnut or Ebonized Wood and black nickel finished steel rings, this would have me spending days shelving my books because I'd be standing and staring, drool dripping from my lower lip. |via FurnitureSeen|

Though I would never have this in my home, I would love to visit someone who does because anyone who would have such a piece probably will provide you with more entertainment than just about anything this side of an Xbox. You just have to accept going in that latex gloves are de rigeur at the dining table. Visit Spiegel Online to view other erotic furniture. |via Core77|

This reminds me of the GREATEST MOVIE OF ALL TIME, "Enter the Dragon", where Mr. Han has an assortment of prosthetics he can attach to his wrist depending on who he's about to eviscerate. It's an obvious precursor of the Freddy Krueger finger claws, and maybe even the Wolverine tines (gotta check my chronology), but I'd imagine evil Mr. Han had attachments similar to these utensil thimbles for repasts. How do you not put an eye out with these? I guess I happen to scratch during eating more than most (gotta be the allergies). |via Design Milk|

For the troglodytes in your retinue of acquaintances, these napkins will ensure in a pinch that they fit the dress code. Impromptu hijacking of you for sudden dinner with the girlfriend's parents? Have a stack of these handy in the car and the old man will be so impressed with your professionalism he'll hand you the keys to the Mercedes for dessert. These could be the MacGyver of your existence, saving your relationships and career.

Finally, a calendar I won't forget to mark the days off of. Brilliantly utilizing the addictiveness of popping bubbles to offset the dreariness of the quotidian, designer Stephen Turbeck has created a line of calendars that make each day a pop of pleasure. The only risk is that you won't be able to stop at poking just the current day and end up pushing future dates. Then you'll be left with only the dead bubbles and deep disappointment of the wasted potential of your lfe. Sorry to burst your bubble. |via Coolhunting|

I am all too familiar with this sleeper sofa. A friend has one of these and I've spent many hazy nights and mornings on it, recovering from my frequent bouts with cases of beer. It's great because you can start on it and as the evening wears on and everyone is slowly disappearing you never have to move. Just slide out the cushions and you're already in bed. No wobbly walks to the guest bedroom. |via Apartment Therapy|