the site is being updated. enjoy some new pictures of the botanist series below.

Ceramic: Lock Cup

I don't know why, but simple, and incredibly clever ideas like this are like crack to us designers. Efrat Gommeh's simple lock cup addresses the common, and ridiculous problem of missing personal affects at work. Remove the key, and the cup doesn't hold water (or coffee, tea, etc). Though it's not really practical, it's details like this that show how design combines equal parts problem solving and humor. Check out more at Efrat's website www.gommeh.com.

Botanist: CA BOOM 4 Show

We will be attending the CA BOOM 4 independent design show in a big way this year. We are excited to meet everyone, and it will bve a chance tto see our botanist products first hand. Especially since we've made sure to have each finsh option together in one place for teh first time. Come say hi at the show (March 30-April 1st) in Santa Monica.

Glass: Pint Glasses

These very playful variations on the simple pint glass inspire with simple gestures. London-based japanese designer Emiko Oki took inspiration from the ubiquitous pint glass, but added a few twists to accomodate a goblet, candle holder, ashtray, and flower vase. Check out her site at www.emikooki.com.

Electronics: monome

The monome is a pretty amazing little device. Taking minimalism to the edge, seriously, it is comprised of an 8x8 grid of LED-backed buttons. The system is completely open, and a ton of small applications have been created by users and developers to allows for some ingenious music production. The lack of decals, controls, or info keeps the system open to any possibility. Check out menome.org for some amazing info. Sick.

Electronics: Panasonic RP-HTX7 Headphones

These little guys are fantastic. They have a simple, honest form that still contains the quirks and material breaks we most associate with the classroom audio equipment of our childhood. And at around $50, you really can't go wrong.

available at www.turntablelab.com

Ceramic: Sara Paloma

Sara Paloma is a talented designer working in ceramics from her studio in Emmeryville, California. Her studies of proportion and playful, even daring textures offer a fresh look into a craft that is well established. I particularly like her ripple vases.

www.sarapaloma.com