obsolescence is annoying

I have an iPod Touch and I love it.  And I agree, it is the funnest iPod ever.  However... since they launched the 2nd generation version - which is definitely cooler than my lame 1st generation - I have become very annoyed with how obsolete my $200 + ipod has become.  Exhibit A: the 2nd generation has built in speakers, so you don't have to earbud it all the time. Exhibit B: the 2nd generation is compatible with that Nike software that tracks your work outs.  (This, I believe, is the reason that I am not working out as much as I should.  I blame the ipod.)  And finally, and most annoyingly, I cannot buy a good protector case for it.  I ebayed a silicon one and it was sub-standard, so I went to Best Buy and tried to get one of those awesome hard plastic ones that I have admired on many an iPhone.  I even asked the capable-looking salesperson if the plastic case would fit my 1st generation and he, in typical techno-nerd fashion rolled his eyes and assured me that yes... "they are all the same."  Ok, so I purchased said hard plastic case and scampered to my car to begin the accessorization only to find that no, my stupid 1st generation is too fat for the super-slim case made for 2nd generation iPod Touches.  What's an early adopter to do?

Embody

I am biased toward Herman Miller because they pay for my rent and shoes and things. Granted. Also because they took a chance on my very close friends Rohde, Nelson, Eames, Eames, and Noguchi.  But truly, I love Herman Miller because I am a fan of chairs.  All chairs really, but good, comfortable, interesting chairs especially.  

Herman Miller's newest chair-baby is called Embody. Designed by the late Bill Stumpf and Jeff Weber, the unsung hero of the Aeron and designer of the Intersect Portfolio of very useful furniture, the Embody chair is, according to Uncle Hermy, the first chair designed for your body and your mind.  Unlike the Aeron, the Embody chair makes you sit in an ergonomically correct way.  It doesn't allow you to make the mistakes that most people make in an Aeron chair, like sitting on the front of your seat pan or constantly sitting in the ejector seat position like I do.  Nope, Embody asks you to sit back, relax, and breathe!  In fact, the design of the Embody chair allows you to open up your chest cavity while seated and therefore breathe easier and therefore think easier and therefore work easier.  It's H-shaped supports on the back of the chair mimic the spine in appearance and in action conform to your back allowing you to adjust the entire chair to meet your comfort level - we're not just adjusting lumbar anymore. 

And just when you think you've made it as comfortable as it can get, just try to move.  You'll find that you can move more freely and more comfortably in this chair than you can in any ergonomic task chair I've ever sat in.  The back of the chair has a much thinner profile than you're used to, so you can do things, amazing things, like reach behind you and to the side while still maintaining a supportive posture.  I've even heard rumors that the seated position and openness of the chair actually engages your core muscles more than other chairs.  Designed specifically for our generation of knowledge workers who sit for hours and hours in front of a computer screen, Embody creates a new paradigm for workplace design.  We're not just talking basic ergonomics here, this chair is actually good for you.  It truly is a design wonder and is certainly worth a trip to your local Herman Miller NDC (tell 'em Michelle sent you) for a sit, a recline, and a deep breath.  

Happy Election Day!

Voting day is a super-exciting day. I can't wait to go home and watch all of the states report and just feel that surge of pride when we get closer and closer to an announcement. This election has been a designapalooza and I personally have loved navigating through barackobama.com and watching the Obama O from a branding standpoint. Sure, there is a wonderful history of campaign buttons, unforgettable slogans (I Like Ike, anyone?) and images, but I am hard-pressed to name a more succinct, direct, and visually stunning campaign. The design differences between the Obama and McCain campaigns are striking and really demonstrate the candidates' ideal demographics and voting blocks. I mean, even McCain's font selection and choice of blue is more traditional! And who can deny the importance of fashion during this election - from the rainbow of Hillary pantsuits to Sarah Palin's $150,000 wardrobe.

It has been really fun to watch all of the design decisions made by both parties this election. And while I did vote based on issues, it doesn't hurt to know that my candidate is also the more design-savvy candidate. One can only imagine, nay, dream, of the aesthetic glory that will come of an Obama presidency. The branding! The fashion! The clear messages made even clearer by a visually cohesive plan! Perhaps my favorite little ephemeral nothing from election day is my Georgia Voter sticker. How cute!