The UberReview » Design

Map-Holes Turn Manhole Covers Into a Street Level Navigation System

C. S. Magor — Sat, 14 Nov 2009 00:55:28 +0000

Here’s a cool concept, turning manhole covers into a street-level navigation system that can direct visitors around a new city.

I must admit, when I first saw the shots of the Map Hole concept I thought it was a cute idea but one that would probably never happen. The issue is one of convenience and cost, man holes come in a uniform shape and size for a very good reason, it makes them easy to place and if need be, replace.

However, when advertising is incorporated into the plan, which it has been, it becomes possible to not only make the manhole covers pay for themselves, but also turn a profit. Nice, as long as your manholes aren’t out in the middle of the street.

[Yanko Design]

School Buses Cannibalized For Bus Shelters

C. S. Magor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 03:23:55 +0000

This unique bus shelter is the work of Christopher Fennell. The sculptor and designer turned bits and pieces of school buses from ‘62, ‘72 and ‘77, and their city line seats, into a most intriguing bus shelter. The bus shelters were designed with the aim of reducing waste and encouraging people to recycle and adopt greener lifestyles.

Click here to view the embedded video.

[Design Blog via BB]

Recyclable Paper Laptop, A Cleaner Concept

C. S. Magor — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 02:17:35 +0000

Considering the relatively short period that most people keep their computers for, it makes sense to make them as recyclable as possible – which is what designer Je Sung Park has done with this concept.

It is built from pulp and reprocessed materials and can be broken down prior to disposal. [DVICE]

Space-inspired Quilts Good For Space Geeks With a Lazy Couple of Gs

C. S. Magor — Thu, 22 Oct 2009 00:26:48 +0000

These space-inspired quilts from artist Jimmy McBride are are designed for kids, but definitely have mass appeal. Unfortunately, while fairly priced for the work and design savvy that went into them, they are too expensive for most people to afford. So they are for everybody and they aren’t.

[Jimmy McBride] via [Crave]

Zero Gravity Spice Rack Cleans Up Your Kitchen With Magnets

C. S. Magor — Wed, 14 Oct 2009 21:32:35 +0000

The Zero Gravity spice holders, one rack and one stand, look a pretty good way to keep your most frequently used spices within reach but out of the way. Each of them hold twelve, the rack puts them in an over-and-under configuration (make shore you put the caps on properly) while the stand holds all of the canisters horizontally.

There are tons of well-designed spice holders/racks on the market, but I really like the idea of having magnets.

Price: The Spice Rack and Spice Stand are priced at $44 and $49, respectively.