Online Tools review: Dummyimage

In the creation of websites and other work involving images, it can sometimes be useful to have what are referred to as "dummy images" of the correct size and proportions, so as to help in the creation of the layout. This saves the designer having to source several images during the design process, which can interfere with the creative process.

In to the rescue is Dummy Image, a great online tool that will quickly and easily create dummy images of any size and proportion, with several templates available for an even faster workflow.

A great tool, with tremendous usefulness for any graphic or web designer.

Online Tools review: Zootool

In the world of the Web 2.0, it seems that online tools have really become a central part in which people work with the Internet. One of the really great tools developed specifically for collecting and classifying all the information we find during regular browsing sessions, Zootool. A beautiful interface and simple operation make this site a truly useful addition for any regular Web user, but even more for hardcore information and data fanatics.

Have a look and try it out. You may just find it the next best thing since a bunch of little Post-It notes all over the place.

Online Tools review: UD Namecheck

Half of the battle when coming up with a new business/product/website/project name is making sure that soon-to-be brand isn't in use by someone else. Of course, it is possible to do some research yourself, but a note to the next generation of designers: not every company has an online presence!

Before you get started on logos/letterhead/illustrations/etc, why not check and confirm that your new name is not in use already. A great tool to help you determine the validity of your choice is UD Namecheck. This tools checks, with a single search interface:

• Domain names
• Social Media usernames
• Brand names (trademarked)

It's not an exhaustive list, but it is a good start and can serve your purposes pretty adequately. Check it out!

Pick of the week: Bookshelf Porn

If you like books, chances are you'll absolutely love this week's Pick of the week: Bookshelf Porn. An archive of bookshelf photos that will completely astound you. But reader beware, for book lovers only! There's not much more to say about it!

You've been warned!

Electrolux Design Lab

You may have heard of Electrolux before, a leading European designer of a variety of home appliances. Every year, Electrolux holds a design competition to help develop new ideas and concepts in this very competitive field.

And although they have long been eclipsed as an appliance company by some of the larger corporations, many of the ideas generated during the contest are absolute genius! Take a look at this year's contestants and ideas and judge for yourself at Electrolux Design Lab.

I am not a paper cup, really

During many of our frequent trips to Chapter's, my wife and I had often seen these great looking coffee cups, shaped like a standard paper cup, but made from a double-walled ceramic, glazed on the inside and matte on the outside and supplied with a silicone snap-on cover that mimics the standard disposable plastic covers available at most coffee shops today. Appropriately, they are named I Am Not A Paper Cup!

From what I had seen of the display model, fingerprints and smudges seemed to be attracted to the matte finish and I wondered how the cup would fare at home. I was also concerned that the disposable appearance might lead one to forget its permanent nature and attempt to throw it out. So I kept looking at it, but never purchased it.

But my wife, in her infinite wisdom and kindness, purchased it for me as a surprise. And so far, I've been very satisfied with it. After several months of use, the cup maintains its brand new appearance, although I've changed the silicone cover from the original white to a newer black version. But don't get me wrong, the original cover is in fine condition, but unfortunately, it has been stained from constant contact with coffee, which has been my only complaint thus far. I also believe that the manufacturer is aware of the issue, hence the sale of additional covers in several colours, including white, black, red and pink.

The cup performs very well, although its internal volume is far less than the cup's external size indicates. Its double-wall construction keeps contents hot or cold for quite a long time, even in colder external conditions. There is a silicone plug at the bottom, which can be removed to allow access to the hollow portion of the double wall, allowing the addition of hot or cold liquids to increase the thermal capabilities of the cup.

The fragile nature of the cup precludes its use as a travel mug, but it is a fantastic desk mug and my current favourite!

A great photo accessory

Photography can become a pretty gear and gadget intensive hobby, but one continued requirement has been power, usually in the form of batteries which eventually need to be charged. Welcome designer Weng Jie's brilliant concept:

Sometimes, you just have to appreciate people's ingenuity. Harnessing the power of light to power a device that is intended to record light. Truly elegant. Get the complete story here.

Online Tools review: Ninite

I've been an Apple user for more than 10 years now, but I still use a Windows-based computer for work and as such, I've found myself installing applications and re-installing applications on a pretty regular basis.  And I'm not talking about commercial software packages, I'm referring to the basic, free tools that we all install on our computers.

Well someone turned me on to Ninite, a truly ingenious method of selecting and installing the most common, free applications for the Windows platform (I'm in process of begging for an OS X version!). Of all the online tools I've reviewed, this one strikes me as one of the most useful to date.

Take a minute out of your day to take a look. I know you will not regret it!

Geek humour & analysis

 

I couldn't help but love it when I saw it. Can you find yourself using this nifty Venn diagram?

Happy Canada Day

Just wanted to wish all my fellow Canadians a happy Canada Day!!! Go out and enjoy the festivities, take some pictures, see the sights and stay safe! My wife and I are planning to take our boy to see some of the festivities on Parliament Hill; I will post some pictures of our day later in the evening.