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Design

Watch George Whitesides’ “Toward a science of simplicity” talk at TED

Simplicity: We know it when we see it — but what is it, exactly? In this funny, philosophical talk, George Whitesides chisels out an answer. Someday Harvard chemistry professor George Whitesides will take the time to look back on the 950 scientific articles he’s coauthored, the dozen companies he’s co-founded or the 50-plus patents on […]

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Design Innovation

Watch Jon Kolko’s “My Heart is in The Work” keynote at IxDA | Interaction ‘10 Conference

In 1900, Andrew Carnegie quietly declared that his “heart is in the work” – that he had found an endeavor worth pursuing, and that he would passionately follow-through on that endeavor until it was complete. This talk examines our ability to affect change at the intersection of experience, behavior, meaning, and culture, and will emphasize our responsibility to approach our work with philanthropic enthusiasm that would make Carnegie proud […]

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China Design Readings Trend Watching

Visual Communication in China: “Be Careful of the Steps”

Be careful of the steps, for they have gravity defying properties […]

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China Economics Information Technology Innovation Readings Trend Watching

China, Technology & Innovation: New research projects keep Shanghai district in front with science

Scientific research projects on sodium sulfur batteries, electric cars and high power lasers have been kicked off in Shanghai’s Jiading District: regarded as a “Science and Technology Satellite City” in Shanghai, the district has become a cluster area for scientific research institutes […]

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Design Information Technology Innovation

Watch Liz Danzico’s “Notes on Improvisation and Design” talk at IxDA | Interaction ‘10 Conference

Drawing on improvised models from urban planning to jazz, Liz Danzico investigates improvisation at work and illustrate directions interactions designers might take in understanding how frameworks take hold […]

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China Design Readings Trend Watching

9th Brazilian Graphic Design Biennial in China: VIDEO

The 9th Brazil Graphic Design Biennial — the biggest graphic design event in South America — featured nearly 300 design projects created in between 2007 and 2008 by a wide range of Brazilian professionals, from big traditional agencies to recently graduated designers. Selected by some of the finest design professionals and scholars in Brazil, the projects are divided in 9 categories, from visual identity systems and packaging to posters and typeface design. An exhibition I took part of — “Mostra Foco Brasil”, curated by Billy Bacon and Bruno Porto on the occasion of the 10th Shanghai International Film Festival — was one of the pieces selected[…]

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China Economics Innovation Readings Trend Watching

China, Technology, Innovation and the Environment: Shanghai aims to grow green energy by 20%

Shanghai is gearing up to grow its new-energy industry by 20 percent this year and is making plans to leverage green technologies at the World Expo for daily life […]

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China Consumer Behavior Design Trend Watching

Advertising in China: “Can’t Touch This”!

A very “unusual” point-of-purchase display […]

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Design Information Technology Innovation Software Trend Watching

Watch Cyd Harrell’s “Remote Design Research” talk at IxDA | Interaction ‘10 Conference

Want to do design research cheaply and efficiently with participants anywhere in the world? (Of course.) Want to observe real users in their native technology environments, from the comfort of your own desk? (Who doesn’t?) But what software and hardware do you need, and will it actually work?Bolt|Peters’ Cyd Harrell covers the most powerful tools for un-moderated conceptual research, remote screen observation, participant communication, observer involvement, session recording, time-aware tasks, and real-time recruiting. Get the lowdown on UserVue, Acrobat Connect, GoTo Meeting, Loop11, OpenHallway, UserZoom, Optimal Sort, Ethnio, and more […]

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Design Economics Innovation

Watch Rebecca Henderson’s “Getting Unstuck: How to Promote More Sustainable Practices in Our Organizations” talk at MIT Sloan School of Management

All that’s required to achieve sustainability, says Rebecca Henderson, is to clean up your current operations and/or rethink the business. “That’s easy,” she says — with a smile. Henderson has spent much of her career trying to help firms embrace and survive such transformations. She and her colleagues have analyzed why businesses get stuck in their ways, and how they can break free to act boldly around the challenge and opportunity of sustainability […]