user-products: 2007

Tuesday, 18 December 2007

Do goats make great gifts?

Ethical gifts are billed as the perfect antidote to the conspicuous consumerism of the festive season.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7142965.stm

Self-harming since the age of 15

It has been estimated that 10% of young people in Britain have self-harmed. There are no official figures, but hospital records show that nearly 500 adolescents a week are treated for deliberately injuring themselves. Emma Parsons, producer of Born Survivors: Cut Up Kids, reveals why one woman resorted to self-harm.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7142128.stm

Thursday, 13 December 2007

Should we be allowed to try before we buy?

Shoppers who eat and drink items while shopping but fail to pay for them are costing retailers hundreds of millions of pounds each year. Do you try before you buy?

http://newsforums.bbc.co.uk/nol/thread.jspa?forumID=3933&edition=1&ttl=20071213132742

should this be a service?

Bright poor children 'slip back'

Clever children from poor families face being overtaken by less bright children from affluent homes, research suggests.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7141169.stm

christmas cheating

A good service, your other half can enter info onto site so you do not buy the wrong size of whatever. can ruin that surprise but avoids embarrassment. Social issues again chaps.

http://www.made-in-england.org/?p=746

how the colour blind see the world

good visual samples

http://critiquewall.com/2007/12/10/blindness

Wednesday, 12 December 2007

End of term

hey chaps,

I hope that you have had fun this term, yes you had lots of work to do and all that but I think that you learnt allot. This blog will continue, so keep sending your thoughts and use it as a base of research and discussion.

Email me if some of you still need images of the work in progress show. Use the Christmas period for obvious fun but start cracking your portfolio, it will not take long it is the most important tool you own.

Have good fun, either make good eggnog or mind blowing ginger beer!

Enjoy

Poor 'shut out by school clubs'

The children who could benefit most from out of school clubs are least likely to have access to them, according to a report.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7138395.stm

Play and learning children's plan

The Children's Plan, a £1bn 10-year strategy for education, welfare and play, has been set out by ministers.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7136564.stm

Tuesday, 11 December 2007

'Exodus' to virtual worlds predicted

The appeal of online virtual worlds such as Second Life is such that it may trigger an exodus of people seeking to "disappear from reality," an expert on large-scale online games has said.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7138103.stm

Ambulance shake-up 'poses risks'

Ambulance unions and some doctors fear plans for vehicles manned by one person to answer more 999 calls in England could put patients at risk.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7113094.stm

Cycling exibition calling for exhibitors

20 January: MoveMe exhibition
Kathryn KingEmail: kathryn.king@islington.gov.uk
Website: http://www.islington.gov.uk/greentravel

Islington Council needing artwork about walking and cycling. Artwork can be in any medium: photography, painting, drawing, mixed media, sculpture, but must be supplied digitally. Send images as a 762mm high x 508 mm wide 300 dpi jpeg or high quality print pdf. Also send a paragraph describing what you love about walking or cycling. Shortlisted entries will be exhibited at Rainbird Fine Art Gallery in Clerkenwell; the top three images will win a poster space in a major London tube station. The best entries will have their work exhibited at key locations around Islington.

Monday, 10 December 2007

Drug addicts used as organ donors

A serious shortage of organs means transplant surgeons are being forced to use body parts from drug addicts.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7136005.stm

Pregnant at 13, mum at 14, GCSEs at 15

As calls are made for sex education to be compulsory in all schools Kizzy Neal, 15, is one teenager with a lot on her plate - exams, boyfriends and looking after her seven-month-old son. Very good documentry.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/magazine/7136196.stm

Furniture

Sustainable furniture,

http://www.farmdesigns.co.uk/

Sussex design

D:SUS (Design Society at University of Sussex) aims to bring together design students and enthusiasts in weekly social meetings to discuss projects and other design related articles/products in an informal (and most importantly friendly!) atmosphere.

Throughout the year,students will exchange information and skills through organised master classes, which will lead to future participation of professionals from industry. Making full use of the multi-million pound creativity zone, InQbate, D:SUS aims to promote design work taking place at University of Sussex and increase its recognition as a growing centre for Design.

check this out guys, the way to get on is to crack heads together.

Philips design probes

They use them in the real world. have a look guys.

http://www.design.philips.com/probes/index.page

Visual interaction designer

visual interaction designer.

http://www.coleran.com/

Thursday, 6 December 2007

pechakucha

this is an amazing thing you guys should look at it, its a live exhibition where you present an object or piece of work.... check it out!

http://www.pechakucha.de/

Bullying probe over hanged girl

Cherelle Evans was an active member of her school choir Police are investigating claims that a schoolgirl who was found hanged at her home may have been bullied.

Massive issue, tragedy, can design help, how????

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/wales/south_east/7129655.stm

UK interest rates trimmed to 5.5%

The Bank of England has cut UK interest rates to 5.5% from 5.75% amid signs that the economy is slowing.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/business/7130443.stm

Pledge to do more for dyslexics

Children with dyslexia are to receive extra help in some schools in England under a £3m pilot scheme.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7128679.stm

Tuesday, 4 December 2007

free design news

Register, on design week. you get free updates on whats happening in the design world

http://www.designweek.co.uk/Home/Default.aspx

economic christmas tree

http://www.atypyk-e-shop.com/boutique_us/fiche_produit.cfm?type=6&ref=AT2471&code_lg=lg_us&pag=1&num=0

Monday, 3 December 2007

Inside a one-stop breast clinic

If you came to see me because you were worried about a lump or some other change in your breast, the chances are I'd refer you to our local 'one-stop' breast clinic.
I know you can be seen within two weeks and thoroughly assessed by a specialist team - a service the NHS aims to offer everyone, no matter where they live. But I've never been entirely sure what patients should expect during their visit, so I went to my local breast clinic to find out.

more info

http://www.bbc.co.uk/health/surgerynotes/geaston/breast_clinic.shtml

Work in progress show

Last week we had our User centred design work in progress show. There were groups of students running design workshops during the afternoon then pasting things on the wall for a quick show and drinks in the evening.

It was a great success, a work in progress show is just that, things are not finished but the ideas/concepts are there. They also provide a sense of fear that is great to get over, it gives students a rough working place in which making mistakes is OK. It teaches how to be organised!

would just like to congratulate all the students that took part, it was allot of fun!!! those that didn't take part, you missed out on some fun and a good lesson. Take responsibility for your learning and experimentation, on the whole a big hearty congratulations!!!!!

groups, I will bring Cd's of images to our lecture on Thursday.

Can fat teens hunt?

Ten dangerously overweight teenagers embark on a journey that could save their health in this six-part series. In an attempt to turn their backs on potentially fatal eating habits, they spend one month with the Iban tribe, former headhunters, living deep in the harsh and remote jungles of Borneo, South East Asia.

The teens become hunter-gatherers - living the life of their hosts, abiding by the Iban’s strict social rules and customs, and existing on a natural and unprocessed diet. If they want to eat, they must pick, dig, trap, kill and cook their food. Can Fat Teens Hunt? offers a chance for our group of youngsters to change their lives - to understand and conquer their life-threatening relationship with food.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/programmes/fat_teens/

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Rape trial change to help victims

Juries in rape trials are to be given information about the way an attack can affect a victim's behaviour - in an attempt to increase conviction rates.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7116336.stm

3rd world facility

a good project area

http://www.humanidesign.org/contesttoilets1.html

Tuesday, 27 November 2007

Science adviser urges GM rethink

The UK government's chief scientific adviser, Sir David King, is to call for a rethink on GM crops in his farewell speech before leaving his post.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7113199.stm

Monday, 26 November 2007

Dirty ambulances infection fear

Ambulances may be spreading infections because they are not being cleaned properly, union leaders warn.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7109769.stm

old forms of id

Good Idea? Bad Idea, intereasting to look back?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/leastwanted/sets/72157594183452904/detail/

Bright Blind Gives Windows to the Windowless

Windows are great, you can see things out of them, they shed light and they bring the cool breeze to you. Makoto Hirhara's Bright Blind tries to bring some of these comforts to barren, windowless walls. The Bright Blind hangs on your wall and is constructed from electroluminescent sheets. The light dispersed gives the impression sunlight is creeping in, much like a real blind covered window would do.

Intereasting, would it help particular conditions? Good find Nick, keep them comming

http://uk.gizmodo.com/2007/11/25/bright_blind_gives_windows_to.html

intereasting umbrella

curious

http://www.coolhunting.com/archives/2007/11/umbrella_roundu.php

Sunday, 25 November 2007

tube benders

These guys are the bomb when it comes to tube bending and construction. I must warn you that they are not cheap, there pricing is very competative but the results I have had have been perfect! they know their stuff.

http://www.pipecraft.co.uk/

Sex infections continue to rise

The sexual health of young UK adults worsened in 2006 despite a concerted public health effort to turn it around, figures show.

Can design help? can it develop change? intereasting social issues.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7108869.stm

Friday, 23 November 2007

Young warned over social websites

Millions of young people could damage their future careers with the details about themselves they post on social networking websites, a watchdog warns.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/technology/7108627.stm

Illegal abortions still blight UK

Illegal abortions are still taking place in the UK, a BBC undercover investigation has discovered.
Abortion has been legal in Britain for 40 years - under certain conditions a woman can terminate an unwanted pregnancy up to 24 weeks.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7108026.stm

designers selling stuff

check this out! add your own stuff if you can and make some cash.

http://supermarkethq.com/browse/everything

codd bottless

http://141.214.84.74/~jeannie/archives/images/RamuneDirections.jpg

curious, cheers ben

Thursday, 22 November 2007

New age philosophy

Smart technology is being harnessed to improve the quality of life for the elderly and ill.

http://property.timesonline.co.uk/tol/life_and_style/property/interiors/article2875462.ece

Babies 'show social intelligence'

At the age of six months, most babies have barely learnt to sit up, let alone crawl, walk or talk.
But, according to new research, they can already assess someone's intentions towards them, deciding who is a likely friend or enemy.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7103804.stm

Wednesday, 21 November 2007

Dana 2

Smart Games
To book:Call 020 7942 4040 or e-mail tickets@danacentre.org.uk
The Dana Centre and d.café are licensed premises open only to those aged 18 or over. Most events are free. Arrive early to enjoy a wide variety of delicious food and drink in our air-conditioned d.café.

http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2007/12/12/346

Dana centre

In the Game
To book:Call 020 7942 4040 or e-mail tickets@danacentre.org.uk
The Dana Centre and d.café are licensed premises open only to those aged 18 or over. Most events are free. Arrive early to enjoy a wide variety of delicious food and drink in our air-conditioned d.café.
Please pre-book.

http://www.danacentre.org.uk/events/2007/11/21/336

Great

http://steampunkworkshop.com/stamp-kb.shtml

curious

http://www.hulger.com/

Learning how to be a good parent

The government is about to launch a £30m training academy for professionals in England who work with families with problems. Ministers aim to make a parenting course available to anyone who wants one, the hope being this will result in fewer children veering into anti-social behaviour.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7104376.stm

Half of trauma care 'not good'

More than half of trauma patients are not receiving good care, experts say.
The National Confidential Enquiry into Patient Outcome and Death looked at the care given to 795 patients, many with head injuries from falls and crashes.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/health/7104155.stm

Tuesday, 20 November 2007

Art/design projects that are put to tender

simple projects that you apply for! great start!!!

http://www.artquest.org.uk/opportunities/deadlines/deadlines.htm

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

http://www.creativepool.co.uk/?gclid=CNXus8bD2o8CFQp7PAodR1kl9Q

Plastic Parts

good for found, plastic parts

http://www.skiffy.com/docs/menufr.cfm?taal=gb&ID=xyxz1048228A2&pagina=start.cfm

Parkour training

Pretty cool

http://www.parkourgenerations.com/index.php

GO GO GO Eatock pic of the week

http://www.eatock.com/project/picture-of-the-week/

Dumping North Sea fish 'immoral'

Fishing today is a tough business to be in. Strict quotas have been put into place to try to rebuild depleted stocks by limiting the number of fish that vessels can bring back to port.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk/7102041.stm

'Popping' bubbles to treat cancer

Scientists at the University of Oxford are trying to harness the energy released when bubbles collapse as a way of killing off cancer cells.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/sci/tech/7101622.stm

Thursday, 15 November 2007

Murderball film

A fantastic documentary, a really good view on disability, its about a team of lads with plenty of attitude competing in an international sport.

http://www.murderballmovie.com/

Learn software for free eeeeee

photoshop and software tutorials.

http://tutorialblog.org/

Smelly feet

http://www.geekologie.com/2007/11/shoe_dryer_prevents_wet_and_sm.php

British nukes were protected by bike locks

Newsnight has discovered that until the early days of the Blair government the RAF's nuclear bombs were armed by turning a bicycle lock key.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/newsnight/7097101.stm

Wednesday, 14 November 2007

Cars crowding out children's play

Children are being pushed out of public places because of excessive traffic and adults' fear of anti-social behaviour, says a report from a play charity.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/7092978.stm