The Awesome Design Thread

[firestarter]

I thought it would be great to have a thread showcasing awesome design.

We're mostly here (I'd guess) because we've at some point bought gadgets or computers that cost us a bit more, but gave us a superior experience through better design. I'm sure our great taste extends to other things (not necessarily technology) that we've bought and we use on a daily basis.

So - here's an opportunity to share those fantastically designed objects, and tell us why they're so great!



My (first) choice is my Dualit toaster.

Dualit have been making toasters for years, and this classic design is at least 50 years old. Handbuilt in England, it's entirely mechanical - the three controls are a timer (0 to 4 minutes, it just cuts the power when it's done), a switch for 1 or 2 slices and a lever to push the toast up for retrieval (no springs to wear out).

The slots are wide enough to take a 'cage' - which lets you butter and toast up something like a grilled-cheese-sandwich. Any melted cheese or crumbs falls right down into a removable collection tray.

In an age of plastic disposable hi-tech toasters that try to compute grilling time (and mostly fail) it's a joy to be able to just select a time and have done with it (crumpets 3 minutes, brown bread 2, white bread 1.5). The toasters cost around 6x more than a regular one - but everything can be replaced and fixed if it wears out, and the grill elements (which are covered with a sort of plastic layer to stop melted cheese and butter from sticking to them) are compatible with any model in the last 50 years.

A fantastic item!

[Blue]

Oooh, those are neat toasters, spendy though.


I really love the iPod shuffle's design. Very simple and effective. The battery lasts for ages too. I particularly like the second generation shuffle.

[robbieduncan]

As I mentioned in the purchases thread I bought these pedals as much for the design as the function:



The are simply stunning. A truly innovative design allowing clipping in from any of the 4 sides, no tension adjustments required, user serviceable and upgradable and in this steel alloy form (the titanium ones are lighter but the spindles are not recommended for people > 85kg) they only weigh 133g each.

[andy]

+1 on the Dualit thing. I've got a Combi 2+1 - two slices and a sandwich cage slot

[Jaffa]

We got a Dualit toaster as a wedding present – albeit not the design firestarter posted, and very splendid it is too.

We blew some of our wedding present cash on a matching chrome digital radio, too.

[Queso]

Sadly I can't find an image of either on the web, but we have fabulous matching tea and coffee pots from Bodum. They have a cylindrical metal casing that surrounds the glass. Wonderful to look at as well as use. Sadly it's not one they make anymore hence can't find the image.

[MasterDev]

It would be great if computers could make toast. That would win an awesome design contest in my book.

I'm so doing this on Saturday.

[robbieduncan]

It would be great if computers could make toast. That would win an awesome design contest in my book.

I'm so doing this on Saturday.

Why stop at toast? When Acorn computers still existed as a computer manufacturer rather than a CPU licensor (they invented ARM CPUs) they had a wonderful machine called the Risc PC. It had a very innovative case that could be expanded by adding "slices". As you can see here someone at Acorn took it to extremes:



This Risc PC has a working pizza oven and sink. Beat that! (a few more pics/details here)

[MasterDev]

FUCKING BAD ASS!

Mine will make toast, cookies and even bake a cake. I'll make it even more simple to the point where all you need to do is pour in the cake batter.

FUCK YEAH.

[mscriv]

I really love the iPod shuffle's design. Very simple and effective. The battery lasts for ages too. I particularly like the second generation shuffle.

I completely agree about the 2nd Gen shuffle. I think it's way better than the current model that is dependent upon headphone controls. As far as great design goes, hmm... I'll have to think of what things have really impressed me and get back to you all.