[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]
For those who can accept a bit of ironic kitsch in the mix, here is a cute (and functional) solution for city dwellers sick of their only scenery being a brick wall across the alleyway, to the soundtrack of a loud window-unit air conditioner.
Babilawn, currently crowdfunding on Kickstarter, goes beyond aesthetics as well, however, helping to dim the din of noisy air conditioning and potentially keep birds off your window unit as well (or encouraging them, depending on what you add to your custom scene). Accessories include everything from grass and flowers to miniature white picket fences and tiny garden gnomes, but also pint-sized graffiti walls for a bit of urban color.
The magnetic grass mat slots onto the top of your air conditioner, covering up the ugly top and letting you set up something a bit more visually appealing from both inside and outside your home. It uses super-strong, rare-earth magnets to remain attached in extreme weather conditions. The composite units are also modular so they can fit various sizes of air conditioners. Its creators are still testing the theory, too, that it might make air conditioners more efficient by providing shade for the units as well.
So how far are they into the design and distribution process? The process so far, quoted from their fundraising page: “It all started with a simple sketch which led to creating and testing the initial concept. From this proof of concept we were able to design and develop an Alpha prototype using 3D CAD and SLS 3D printing. We tested the alpha prototype and noted some areas for improvement.
“We made the adjustments to the cad model and now, as it was featured in the video above, we have a fully functioning production-ready beta prototype that is patent pending. We conducted preliminary market analysis which includes evaluating demand, retail pricing, and competitive research. We sourced domestic and international manufacturing and fulfillment companies.”
[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]
During the week we posted a simple exercise here on dPS to practice working with Natural Light (from a window) when taking portraits.
Today we thought it might be fun to make the exercise this weeks photographic challenge as it’s both simple to do and something that has the potential to teach you a lot (and all you really need to do it is a camera and a window (or even a door would do).
Read the exercise here and then get to taking some window lit portraits!
Once you’ve taken your ‘Window Light Portrait’ image and have upload it to your favourite photo sharing site either share a link to it or – embed it in the comments using the our new tool to do so.
If you tag your photos on Flickr, Instagram, Twitter or other sites with Tagging tag them as #DPSWINDOW to help others find them. Linking back to this page might also help others know what you’re doing so that they can share in the fun.
Also – don’t forget to check out some of the images posted in our last challenge – Sunlight challenge where there were some great images submitted.
Post originally from: Digital Photography Tips.
Check out our more Photography Tips at Photography Tips for Beginners, Portrait Photography Tips and Wedding Photography Tips.
Ever wish your Instagram feed were more tangible? Like, hanging-from-your-window-tangible?
Well, you’ve come to the right place.
This DIY turns your windows into giant, photo-filled lightboxes that showcase your Instagram masterpieces.
Make colorful stained glass inspired windows to brighten up any space.
Gather up those digital files, or pull out that old box of 35mm slides from your grandparent’s attic.
Finally, a digital-analog way to drape your windows with Kodak moments!
Turn Your Windows into Giant Lightboxes
p.s. Attention Android party people – we’re ready for ya! You can *Enroll in Phoneography 101* – our guide to taking primo pics on your phone.
Why it’s cool:
Shiny colorful reflections that change throughout the day? Yes, please.
This funky slide curtain adds interest to any room.
Channel harsh sunlight through all the Kodachrome colors and Instagram filters, and even keep passers-by at bay.
Although, you may actually find a crowd hovering outside your door to look at your photographic treasures.
But hey, can you blame them? They are pretty awesome.
Oh, did we mention these are completely removable and damage-free? Sweet!
Ingredients:
For a digital option: Instagrams printed onto transparencies
For an analog option: 35mm slides, lots of them. See step one for amount.
Archival Slide Sleeves
Scissors
Super Glue
Scotch Tape
Small, removable plastic hooks. We used these 3M Hooks
STEP 1: Measure:
First, measure the space you want to cover with your curtain. For both the digital and analog version of this project, you’ll be working with 8.5″x11″ transparency pages or sleeves.
Each sheet, whether digital or analog, will hold 20 2″x2″ images.
To figure out how many slides/images we were going to need, we did a little math. You can also physically layout the sheets to visualize what this will look like.
The door we covered was 22″ wide, and 62″ high.
We measured that 2 sheets wide would cover the width. It needed 7 sheets down to cover the length. That made 14 sleeves we would need to fill with images. Since each sleeve holds 20 images, our final count was 280 images.
We’re starting with the digital version. If you are working with slides, skip to step 5.
Step 2: Digital Layout:
Use an editing software like Photoshop or Gimp to create a digital layout for your images.
Size your images to 2″ by 2″.
Copy and paste your photos into a new document that is 8.5 x 11″.
Space them out to create a grid that fits 4 images across by 5 images down.
Here’s a video that will help you figure out how to make a grid.
Repeat this step until you have the desired number of pages to cover your window.
Step 3: Digital Prints:
Once your grids are finished, print them out on transparency pages.
You can pick these up at any office supply or art store. Just make sure they are compatible with your printer.
You could also take your files to a local copy shop and have them print on transparency for you.
Either way is fine, just print those bad boys out!
Step 4: Digital Trim:
Sometimes the transparency will have a larger edge on the top and bottom.
If so, trim your pages to have even borders, around a half an inch wide.
Lay them out in the order you want them to be hung.
Now, skip down to step 8.
Step 5: Analog Layout:
Now, layout your sheets on a table.
Make sure the opening where you’ll place your slides in each sheet are either at the top or side of the curtain. If they’re at the bottom, your slides could fall out.
Line them up so that they are all facing the same direction. This will help you keep track of how to glue them together in later steps.
Step 6: Analog Trim:
In this step, you’re going to remove the white label and three hole punch from all of the sheets except the top row.
Take your scissors, and carefully trim as close to the white label as possible.
After you’ve cut one sheet, put it back in its place in the layout and move on to the next one.
TIP: You want to remove the label and holes from each sheet, but leave enough plastic to glue the sheets together.
Step 7: Analog Align:
Again, double check that you are putting your sheets back together in a consistent manner.
You want all the openings to be facing the same direction.
Also make sure the openings are all on the same side of each sheet.
Step 8: Glue:
Start gluing the sheets of one column together.
Take the very top piece, the one with the holes and white label still attached, and place a thin line of glue along the bottom edge.
Carefully line up the sides of the next piece, and glue them together.
Press and hold for 30 seconds.
Repeat this step for the rest of the sheets.
Let the glue fully dry for 10 minutes.
TIP: We found it easiest to glue on column at a time. Start with the left side, and work top to bottom. Then do the same with the right side.
Step 9: Join:
Once the glue has dried, it’s time to join the columns.
Line them up next to each other.
Place a line of glue on the edge of one column, and press the other column in place.
Let it dry for another 10 minutes.
TIP: It may help to temporarily tape them together to make sure they stay aligned while you’re gluing.
Step 10: Fill:
Now the fun part!
Fill up your curtain with all of your amazing slides.
You can make patterns of color, place images chronologically, or make any funky design you want.
You digital creators won’t need this step. Go ahead and skip this step.
Step 11: Place Hooks:
Because we wanted to cover a metal door, we used these clear, removable 3M hooks on the glass.
But you can use any hanging system you wish.
Depending on your space, a curtain rod with rings might work well, or you might decide to tack it in place.
Either way, measure where to place your hooks, and affix them to your wall or window.
Step 12: Hang:
Now you see why we left the holes on the top row, eh?
Place the holes of the top row over your hooks.
Ta-da! Time to kick back and enjoy!
Take it further
Make a small cluster of framed slides for smaller spaces.
These vertical blinds add colored light and move with the breeze.
Make a slide light for a colorful display day or night.
Thanks to Design Sponge for the inspiration!
Related posts:
How To Make Instagrams, Hand-made Exposures on Instant Film! Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2, 3 Did you know…
Turn Your Photos into Beautiful Glass Etchings! Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2, 3 Before printers spewed…
Glass Jar Frames Extra photos for bloggers: 1, 2 ~Have a cool photo…
[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]
City condos often lack room for a full garden, or even a small backyard. There are box and kit solutions, sure, but these creative alternatives preserve your views and limited sill space while providing green growth and unique outdoor connections.
Magnetic Two-Piece Window Pot
Starting with the simplest: consider pair of two half-pots designed by Kyung-Eun Oh and joined by an invisible magnetic connection – one for the inside of windows and one for the outside, one colored white (typical plastic for indoors) and one a reddish brown (typical ceramic for outdoors).
Modular Rope-and-Pulley Herb Garden
Shooting for something that adds more than decor? Rows upon rows of herbs can be planted in this more intensive option by Barreau & Charbonnet, able to be raised or lowered to optimize around rain and sun.
Rotating Two-Faced Planter Sill
While the previous example might pose challenges during extreme weather (storms and so forth), this system by Junkyung Kim & Yonggu Do allows you to keep a solid window in place but choose which side you want your plants to be on.
Next Page: Urban Green 8 Ingenious Small Space Window Garden Ideas
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[ By WebUrbanist in Design & Fixtures & Interiors. ]
Save time browsing Google results by opening websites in a new tab or window, keeping the search results visible.
As mentioned in a previous MalekTip, if you open Google results in a new browser tab or window, you can more easily return to your search results without having to use the “Back” button or re-enter your search query. However, this requires you remembering to manually do so every time. If you wish, you can have Google automatically perform this task for you:
(Note this tip was updated on 7/29/2012, and Google’s interface is subject to change.)…
Shiny colorful reflections that change throughout the day? Yes, please. 
First, measure the space you want to cover with your curtain. For both the digital and analog version of this project, you’ll be working with 8.5″x11″ transparency pages or sleeves. 
Use an editing software like Photoshop or Gimp to create a digital layout for your images.
Once your grids are finished, print them out on transparency pages. 
Sometimes the transparency will have a larger edge on the top and bottom. 
Now, layout your sheets on a table. 
In this step, you’re going to remove the white label and three hole punch from all of the sheets except the top row.
Again, double check that you are putting your sheets back together in a consistent manner. 
Start gluing the sheets of one column together.
Once the glue has dried, it’s time to join the columns.
Now the fun part!
Because we wanted to cover a metal door, we used these clear, removable 3M hooks on the glass. 
Now you see why we left the holes on the top row, eh?
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