Galaxy Family Travelers
The kids love when we do doughnuts.
Tilt Beam / Rechargable Wood Light
Tilt Beam is a solid block of white oak turned into a solar rechargeable light. A sunny day charges a super capacitor that never needs to be replaced…at least, probably not in your lifetime. Tilting the block over turns an LED light on. Tilt it back up to turn it off. A charge provides around 30 minutes of light.
Personalized Laser Etched Cheese Boards
Toothpaste BEAM Pummer
I used the cap of a toothpaste bottle on the bottom of my pummer as a stand. This pummer has two LEDs that charge during the day and pulse into the night. The circuit uses a 2.5 volt 10 Farad super capacitor for power, which should have a longer lifespan than a battery. My old pummers continue to tirelessly operate after almost a decade.
Here's a link to a PDF we worked with Make magazine on if you're interested in learning more or building one: Pummers Dude! (PDF)
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZKRsXpw7vZI
Published in Design Solare
Our BEAM robotic creations were featured in an Italian book about solar design and applications. These little robots have been published in books and magazines from five different countries now. Unfortunately, our whole collection was lost in the mail. If anybody sees one in the wild let us know.
Ordinarily Extraordinary Ideas Giclee Prints
Ordinarily Extraordinary Ideas are visionary and some have already begun to be realized. Some are simple and some are extraordinary. After all, it’s the thought that counts.
BEAM Single and Dual Engine Vibrobot
BEAM Vibrobots use pager motors to move. I used what's known as a BEAM "solar engine" (Type 1 "FLED" variety), pager motors, solar cells, paperclips, and some heat shrink to build a couple of Vibrobots this weekend.
httpvh://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wx7zZzp_RoU
Miniature Compass Necklace
Remove the cork and pin. Fill the necklace with water and put the cork in. The metal is magnetized and should point toward the center/top of the necklace.
May she never lose her way home.
Free Download - Cloud and Wind Repeating Pattern
The following pattern was inspired by work in our Ordinarily Extraordinary poster series. Download the free repeatable pattern below.
Download it here: Cloud Air Pattern EPS
Cleveland Public Art, Eastman Reading Garden Proposal
We were in Cleveland last weekend where we were invited to present a proposal for their now annual, temporary public art space in the Eastman Reading Garden.
"We propose, PLATFORM, a project employing people from Cleveland’s varying neighborhoods to perform their trades. By staging these performances in the Eastman Reading Garden, we are creating events that invite the public to the city center while simultaneously introducing them to people active in their communities with possible incentives to encourage them to head out to new neighborhoods. In addition, by presenting these trades as an art performance we hope to give a perspective of renewed value to work that may sometimes be underestimated or unfamiliar. As each performance will be a contract with us, and payment given for the work, we see the project as directly feeding in to Cleveland’s local economy. Ultimately, in highlighting individuals who are contributing to their community we are hoping the public may ask themselves, “What is my role in Cleveland’s future?”."
Geta Grinders @ Spoke
A couple of photos at the exhibition at Spoke. Thanks to those who came out. Exhibition photos by Heather Mullins.
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Pecha Kucha Night Poster Design
Poster for Pecha Kucha Night Chicago Volume 12. More info at www.pecha-kucha.org.
Kim and Zach at Poptech's Creative Reuse Workshop
We had the opportunity to participate in Poptech's Creative Reuse Workshop last week. First of all, we'd like to thank Poptech, Make Magazine and Ebay Green Team for helping to bring everything together. We were able to get makers of all ages together to build their own BEAM vibe robots. The turnout was fantastic and Kim and I were impressed with the creative output.
Amusement Magazine
Zach and I had a brief interview with regards to our work and the BEAM bots in the spring issue of Amusement. A French publication, Amusement is a gaming and technology mag with the styling of a fashion publication.
Financial Times Weekend Cover Design & Illustrations
Illustrations for a December issue of the FT weekend magazine. They were interested in the images from The Ministries of Sustenance and asked us to do a cover and a few other supporting illustrations for an article on microfinance. Check out the article at the FT.
Best of Make Magazine
About a year ago, Make magazine did an article about our BEAM robots which have appeared again in their book The Best of Make which is available now at makershed.com. That's our bot in the bottom left corner of the cover. The book has 75 of their best DIY projects from their first 10 issues.
Maine Oil Tank Public Art Proposal
The Maine Center for Creativity hosted a design competition, Art All Around, that would be painted on these blank tanks at the Sprague Energy Tank Farm.
We researched the harbor in South Portland, Maine and were influenced by the activity of the Sprague Energy company, as well as this history of the cities shipyards and Maine's state icons.
Les Robots
Les Robots : Du Plus Simple au Plus Sensationnel
Our "Helioforms" (BEAM robots) is pictured in a new book for children. The book about robots is a French Canadian release from the Editions Scholastic publisher. Another great connection made through Flickr as they found us there and approached us about including out little bots in the book. Should you have a geeky, french speaking young friend, it's a very nicely put together, comprehensive introduction to robots.
Transmission
Transmission is a series of prints based on a tower that can amplify thought energy to be used as a power source.
Bailliwik Publication
Bailliwik is an artist collective who produces a self published periodical and they've just released their fifth publication. Some of our photos from the Noetical Succession series that we posted last month are included in this book. There's great work from many diverse artists and includes some extra goodies stuffed inside that make it better than a box of Cracker Jacks. Dare I say, tastier.
Noetical Succession
Giclée Prints featuring solar BEAM robotic accessories and custom made garments.
The Crane Operators
Late in 2001, one of our first collaborations was born. The Crane Operators remains an unfinished online comic book. The project allowed us to bring costumes, photography, 3D, and storytelling together for a unique online experience.
