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String Ring: A Creative Way to Manually Create Physical Images with String
As our lives become increasingly digital, more and more people are seeking to create tangible things with their hands. It's no wonder that LEGO, gardening and tool purchases are all on the rise.
We'll probably start to see more objects like this String Ring, a creative way to turn digital images into handcrafted art.
It was invented by an Atlanta-based group of creatives called Heartistry. "Our journey started when we first discovered this art form and spent a full day building a makeshift loom with wood and nails. It was beautiful, but also stressful, time-consuming, and expensive. We knew there had to be a better way to let people enjoy the creativity of stringing without the hassle of building their own ring.
"After dozens of prototypes, we developed unique pin shapes that let your mind flow through the loom twice as quickly as with nails."
The way it works is, you upload a photo to their website. Their software then generates a string-by-number sequence, which it announces (audibly) through your phone; you can dial in the pace at which the sequence is announced.
Then it's a matter of connecting the dots, so to speak.
The process, they say, is meditative and soothing.
The $54 String Ring kits have been successfully Kickstarted, with 28 days left to pledge at press time. Units are slated to ship this December.
Clothing With Extreme Pockets Trend Continues
"On average, we touch around 600 objects a day," Karim Rashid told us ID students, decades ago, at Pratt. (He still cites the stat in interviews.)
What's strange is that today, we seem to be carrying many of those objects around with us. Last year we looked at Storm Labs' Storm Jacket, which had an absurd 18 pockets:
The approach had precedent: A year earlier, a company called Minimal Organised Wear (MOW) released this Isola jacket. It has 20 pockets and was Kickstarted to the tune of $330,919.
Now MOW is back with the Nomade 58, a waterproof zip-up hoodie with 58 different "features."
The $117 Nomade 58 has also been successfully Kickstarted, with 24 days left to pledge at press time.
Given our current product landscape, we expect this trend—where people walk around carrying more gear than a paratrooper preparing for a mission—to continue.
It's kind of weird, if you think about it. Cargo pants came from the military. Now the civilian sector is creating clothing with way more pockets than what guys who jumped into Normandy had.
The Surprising Way Airplanes Attach Advertising Banners After Takeoff
Aerial advertising banners are a kitschy, eye-catching way for companies to get their message out.
I always thought they were an American thing, but I was wrong.
Anyways: Did you ever wonder how they attach the banners? The airplanes can't take off with them; dragging the banner down the runway would foul or destroy the banners, as well as provide unwelcome drag.
Chance Mitchell, a/k/a Chance the Pilot, demonstrates how it's done. The plane takes off without the banner, which is on the ground, attached to a rope that's slung between two poles. The pilot makes a dive run towards the banner, throws a freaking grappling hook, then pulls up:
This might be a tough watch for desk-bound office workers. This is Chance's daily view at work:
And you thought "industrial designer" was an unusual job to explain to strangers.
Core77 Weekly Roundup (9-29-25 to 10-3-25)
Here's what we looked at this week:
Frank the Dogtopus is a smart design for a dog toy: It's low-tech, durable, eco-friendly and time-consuming. With this $400 ultrasonic chef's knife, 40,000 vibrations a second do the cutting for you. (Alternatively, you could learn to sharpen the knife you already have.)Succuc's handsome 3D printed vessels.
The Soundcore Nebula X1 Pro is an impressive portable outdoor theater with a 16.7' inflatable screen and surround sound.
Flos Design Space, featuring lighting design classics alongside contemporary models, opens in Chicago.
Industrial design case study (from a mechanical engineer): This beautiful, tiny Featherforged bike pump.
Charlotte, by Crest Robotics and Earthbuilt Technology, is a 3D printer that walks and lays walls.
Titaner's innovative take on the fractal vise.
Industrial designer Friedrich Gerlach's elegant Lecrase Stool is made of leather offcuts.
From Sweden, the Nomad Collection: Sleek, cast-aluminum power strips with plug-in lamps.
Fidlock's nifty variety of magnetic buckles.
Artist Sven Sauer's dazzling kinetic light installation brings a message of hope.
Nikon's compact indoor binoculars, designed for concert halls and museums.
The Stockman Trekka 01 is an Australian off-road camper trailer designed specifically for e-bikers.
An Australian Off-Road Camper Trailer Designed Specifically for E-Bikers
This Trekka 01, by Australian pod trailer manufacturer Stockman, is an off-road camper trailer designed specifically for e-bikers.
Rather than having an exterior rack for the bikes, the Trekka has a two-bike garage in the nose, keeping them out of the elements. Loading is made easier via a retractable ramp.
In the garage, the bikes can be charged while you're on the move.
Stockman offers an option for rooftop solar.
When it's time to set up camp, the trailer automatically levels itself.
The interior is well-appointed. The roof pops up to provide headspace and light, and there's a queen-sized bed in the back.
A bench seat and table by the entry provide space to dine or work.
The tabletop stows away when not needed (I have no idea where it goes, they don't mention it) and there's a small kitchen opposite the bench.
Fore of the kitchen there's a wet room containing a shower and toilet. This being a pop-up camper, the walls don't go all the way to the ceiling, but at least there's visual privacy.
Incredibly, this camper has two kitchens. The second one is an outside kitchen.
Other nice touches include a backup camera, an electrically-deployed entry step and a pull-out awning.
These are Australian-market only, and run about AUD $130,000 (USD $85,000).