Tag Archives: Modern Design

New Doc About A Pioneer Of Modern Design

Architect Eliot Noyes was one of the leading pioneers of modern design during the mid-century, post-war boom in the United States. Educated by Walter Gropius at Harvard, Noyes did more than anyone to align the Modernist design ethos to the needs of ascendant corporate America. His impact on companies like IBM and Mobil Oil paved the way for Apple and many of the other design-conscious brands we know today.

Modernism, Inc. follows Noyes’ career up to a time when disruptive designers of the early ’70s began pushing back against the Modernist view of progress. As he did in Eames: The Architect and the Painter (co-directed with Bill Jersey), filmmaker Jason Cohn uses the story of a mid-century icon to raise contemporary questions about the role of a designer in today’s world.
Jason Cohn will appear in person at both the New York and Los Angeles openings.
“Well-researched, well-crafted and fascinating.
Noyes created and forged some of the most respected, meaningful, and influential industrial design programs in the United States. The rise and attraction of modernism on the heels of the postwar economic boom birthed contemporary design and philosophy that continue to exist and flourish today, influencing mega businesses, including Apple. The idea of beauty with utility, which was generated from the Bauhaus art movement, continues to remain vital today, and for this, we thank Noyes.”
-Sabina Dana Plassa, Film Threat

“Noyes held the belief that design was not an afterthought, but rather something that needed to be infused into every aspect of a company’s thought process. The result helped IBM become the technical design juggernaut of the early personal computing era—and paved the way for companies like Apple to design products for the 21st century. Interviews with those who worked with him, as well as those in his family who knew him intimately, paint the picture of a man who was truly ahead of his time.”-Sara Harowitz, The Georgia Straight
MODERNISM, INC. Directed by Jason Cohn 79 minutes | color | In English | 2023
CREDITS

Jason Andrew Cohn  Writer and Director
Camille Servan-Schreiber  Producer Kevin Jones and Jason Cohn  Editors Steven Emerson  Music Composer Sebastian Roché  Narrator Talia Mindich  Associate Producer
Talia Mindich, Andrei Valladolid, Nina Goodby  Assistant Editors

© 2023 Bread & Butter Films
For the Silo, Kelly Hargraves.

Classic British Electronic Drums Remain Desirable

“Why on earth do you collect old Simmons electronic drums?” At some point I stopped counting how often I was asked this question. But probably the following story is a part of the answer.

Years ago, in May 2015, a scientific assistant of the National Museum of Music Research in Berlin contacted me. He explained that his institute is running a musical instruments museum. They were planning a special exhibition about the history of electronic musical instruments and if I would be willing to provide a Simmons exhibit. Of course I was! Presenting Simmons gear is always better than storing it until the end of days. But nothing happened until 3 weeks ago. He contacted me again and we negotiated the conditions. He was interested in an SDSV and I preferred to bring it by car (600km) rather than unromanticly sending it with a carrier. Although the exhibition is from March to June, the institute needed the exhibits at the end of November in order to make the catalogue in time. Last week I jumped into my car with a blue SDSV with brain and cymbal pad plus my Suitcase Kit and headed for Berlin. Incidentally at the same time there was another SDSV for sale in Berlin. I took the opportunity to bring one kit to the museum but also to bring a new kit back home. However… I had the chance to visit the museum. It was very cool! Musical instruments representing all centuries. Musical instruments I have never heard of. Very impressing. If you happen to be in the Berlin area between March 25th and June 25th: Visit the special exhibition “Good Vibrations – A story about electronic musical instruments”


Early in the morning… Don’t make appointments at noon if you have 600km to go


At least not much traffic at that time


12:30. We are about to land soon


First stop in Berlin: Appointment with the seller of a white SDSV pad set. To be honest: A friend of mine asked me NOT to buy those pads and leave them for him. I agreed. He had been waiting for years to find a pad set for his brain. A round of applause for my modesty, please…


There is still some time until I meet the guy from the museum. Time to discover some essential buildings


Finally! The hall of fame!


After we brought the gear inside I explained how to set up the kit right


Inside the box on the left there’s a Mini Moog. The exhibition will include around 70 exhibits


I am invited to visit the museum. It is much much bigger than I thought. It shows classical instruments from the 17th century as well as contemporary gear. But the focus is on classical instruments. My favorite exhibit is a “Trautonium”, a predecessor of the synthesizer


This is the space for the special exhibition. In some special events some of the gear will be explained and played


The craziest musical instrument I have ever seen. The organ is only the controller of a hall full of instruments like percussion, snares, timpanies, chromatic percussion, organ pipes… all triggered by compressed air.


I counted more than 20 harpsichords. All vintage and all restored in the institutes own workshop

I really recommend this museum if you are interested in music. I will come and visit my SDSV in March or April (Will it still recognize me?) and of course I will pick it up in June. For the Silo, Wolfgang Stoelzle. Read much, much more about Simmons drums at Wolfgang’s blog here.

Supplemental- A brief history of Simmons drums

Short segment featuring Silo founder, artist and musician Jarrod Barker playing Simmons drums:

Howard Jones using Simmons drums and sounds for 2016 live performances

PUSH TURN MOVE Book Focuses On Interface Design In Electronic Music

Coming to Kickstarter April 18th. Meet the designers, makers, musicians and their instruments and learn how they have shaped the world of electronic music. Richly illustrated with a unique collection of sketches, photos and graphics and with a foreword by electronic music visionary Jean-Michel Jarre.


The book’s essence is to celebrate innovative interface designs, provide a categorization of gear and explore the functional, artistic, philosophical and aesthetic world of user interfaces in the context of making and performing of electronic music.

Featuring exclusive interviews with: Roger Linn, Dave Smith, Keith McMillen, Richard Devine, Suzanne Ciani, Olivier Gillet, Ean Golden, Brian Crabtree, Matt Moldover, Axel Hartmann, Dorit Chrysler, DiViNCi, Skinnerbox, Native Instruments, Ableton, Teenage Engineering, Roland, Elektron and many more.


A wide range of landmark pieces of equipment is featured along with chapters on design principles, interface elements, visualization of sound and instrument and controller concepts such as grids, touch and modular. PUSH TURN MOVE is the very first of its kind in both scope and depth. Please sign up on www.pushturnmove.com or follow along on http://fb.me/pushturnmove/

PUSH TURN MOVE is written by friend of The Silo-  Danish designer, author and electronic musician Kim Bjørn and edited by Mike Metlay, editor at Recording Magazine and Paul Nagle, reviewer at Sound on Sound Magazine.

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Must Have Chargers For iPhone X

With Streetinsider.com recently reporting that Apple sold an estimated 6 million iPhone X units this past Black Friday weekend alone, as calculated by an analyst with Rosenblatt Securities, and with untold millions more sure to sell throughout the holiday season, it’s clear the marketplace is embracing this new iPhone iteration. In fact, the analyst firm is so optimistic that it increased December quarter iPhone X shipment estimates from 27-28 million to 30 million units.

Given each new iPhone model launch ushers in an abundance of equipment and accessories hell-bent on helping users make the most of their prized smartphone, I began wondering what extras are on tap for the eagerly anticipated iPhone X. In the event that your own curiosity is piqued just the same, or if you’re one of the multi-millions of customers for whom iPhone X marks the spot in your heart (and wallet), here’s an array of accouterments that can help ensure smartphone satisfaction for any X-phile. All prices are in US dollars and are msrp.

ALLDOCK USB Charging Station (www.Alldock.com) – Starting at $129.00

The ALLDOCK is a multi-port USB charging station that offers consumers a piece of technology that looks like anything but, allowing them to embrace their electronics and avoid the cable chaos. This interior design-friendly gadget gives users the ability to charge all devices you’re your iPhone X, as well as other smartphones and tablets, all in one place. Accessory add-ons include a docking mount for the Apple Watch, Fitbit Wearables, Apple Pencil and Apple AirPods (more charging add-ons are to be released the company says). It offers all around compatibility for both wireless and quick charge phones, and delivers a 40% quicker charge as compared to using a standard charger. ALLDOCK is available in two sizes and is offered in various premium materials such as Bamboo, Walnut and Aluminum.

ALLDOCK iphone charger
photo- ALLDOCK

Skyroam Solis (www.SkyRoam.com) – $149.99

Skyroam Solis is a dual 4G LTE global WiFi hotspot and power bank. It satisfies the most significant needs of travelers with super-fast LTE speeds, long-lasting battery and mobile charging that will keep users powered-up all day long. Skyroam service seamlessly connects users with mobile WiFi on-the-go through its proprietary global WiFi network that’s powered by patented virtual SIM (vSIM) technology. With instant access to secure, unlimited data in over 100 countries, Skyroam Solis offers the convenience of going from one country to another without configuring local SIMs, updating plans, or incurring roaming charges or overage fees. Plus, it’s shareable on up to five devices simultaneously.

Skyroam Solis
photo- Skyroam

Mophie Wireless Charging Base (www.Mophie.com) – $59.95

Mophie makes charging your iPhone easier than ever. This wireless charging base includes the latest Qi technology and delivers fast charging speeds of up to 7.5W to your phone on contact. In fact, it delivers safe charging speeds 50% faster than standard wireless chargers. The non-slip finish ensures perfect placement, and the included wall adapter means you get everything you need right in the box to start charging right away. The wireless capability also allows users to be clutter-free and take the base with them while they’re out and abut; making it a portable option for those indelibly on-the-go.

photo- Mophie

Tech Armor ActivePower External Battery Dual USB Power Bank (www.TechArmor.com) – $39.99

Compact and lightweight, the Tech Armor 6000mAh Power Bank will boost your smartphone’s battery life, ensuring you’re charged up for your entire day. You’ll get not just one, but two full charges for your smartphone. And, it boasts a built-in flashlight. The Power Bank also has dual USB ports to charge two devices at once, such as a phone and a tablet. Tech Armor’s high performance ActivePower external battery packs use only the highest quality, Grade A Korean battery cells available on the market. With four models to meet anyone’s power needs, Tech Armor ActivePower series his sure to have something for you. This 6000 model is covered by a hassle-free two-year warranty. The company even says that they are committed to your satisfaction and will send you free replacements for defective or unsatisfactory product.

photo- Tech Armor

Ventev Mobile Powercell Chargers (MobileAccessories.Ventev.com) – $54.99 – $74.99

Ventev Mobile’s Powercell 6000+ is a useful device for frequent travelers who hate carrying multiple chargers to keep all of their gadgets and gear juiced up. The Powercell 6000+ is a 6000mAh, dual output portable backup battery that provides a full 25 hours of talk, 18 hours of Internet, 20 hours of video or 100 hours of audio playback power. It features 1A and 2.1A ports that allow for optimal and simultaneous charging of phones and tablets, and built-in folding AC prongs that make recharging the battery extremely easy. Also from Ventev Mobile is the Powercell 3015c, a 3000mAh portable battery with a built-in Apple Lightning cable. The slim, wallet-sized device provides 12 additional hours of talk time and features an on/off button with LED battery indicator light. The attached cable eliminates the need to carry around pesky removable cords to charge your devices while on-the-go.

Ventev Powercell 6000
photo- murrayontravel.com


For the Silo, Merilee Kern. 
As the Executive Editor and Producer of “The Luxe List,” Merilee Kern is an internationally-regarded consumer product trends expert and hospitality industry voice of authority—a travel, dining, leisure and lifestyle expert who spotlights noteworthy marketplace innovations, change makers, movers and shakers. She reports on exemplary travel destinations and experiences, extraordinary events and newsworthy products and services across all categories. Reach her online at www.TheLuxeList.com, on Twitter at www.Twitter.com/LuxeListEditor, on Facebook at www.Facebook.com/TheLuxeList and on Instagram at
www.Instagram.com/LuxeListReviews.

Here’s the fineprint- ********Some or all of the accommodations(s), experience(s), item(s) and/or service(s) detailed above may have been provided at no cost and/or sponsored to accommodate this review, but all opinions expressed are entirely those of Merilee Kern and have not been influenced in any way.********

Featured image- ALLDOCK

Sources:

https://www.streetinsider.com/Analyst+Comments/Apple+%28AAPL%29%3A+iPhone+X+Production+Ahead+of+Schedule%2C+6+Mil+Est+Sold+Through+Black+Friday+Weekend+-+Rosenblatt/13544265.html

http://rblt.com/

Visionect And Heckler Design Collab On JOAN Digital Office Displays

November 2017—Phoenix, Arizona | Visionect, the maker of the award-winning JOAN meeting room scheduling solutions, has joined forces with Heckler Design, the creator of commercial-grade products for design-conscious consumers and businesses, to create a custom wall mount for JOAN. The powder-coated steel VESA bracket fixes the 6-inch JOAN digital office devices securely into place without distracting from their seamless look and feel for the perfect combination of quiet design and heightened safety.

JOAN from Visionect is a simple, easy-to-use device that helps organize and reserve meeting room spaces, displaying real-time meeting information outside of meeting rooms and eliminating confusion, meeting interruptions and double bookings.

JOAN Digital Office scheduling display

 

Previously, the cordless JOAN displays, ranging in size from 6 to 13 inches in diagonal, could be installed  with the Magnetic Mount adhesive strip located at the back of each device. This allowed for effortless installation on any surface, even glass, brick or steel, all without drilling or expensive wiring.

Furthering the high functionality and effortless design of the JOAN product line, Visionect has now teamed up with Heckler Design, the makers of commercial-grade products for design-conscious consumers and businesses, in order to create a wall mount for JOAN, offering an additional, more secure mounting option for the room booking solution.
Created by Visionect after a decade of market-leading expertise in building energy-efficient digital signs, JOAN was developed in close collaboration with its early users, from small businesses to Fortune 500 companies.

The result of this customer-influenced approach is a device that features a battery life of up to 12 weeks and combines the elegance of electronic paper with an intuitive, quiet design that won the CES Innovation Award for eco-design as well as the Red Dot Design Award, the highest distinction for design quality.

JOAN digital office display mount bracket

Laser cut from powder-coated steel, the new JOAN Secure Wall Mount offers an additional installation option for the 6-inch JOAN Manager and JOAN Executive devices, fixing them safely into place and preventing unauthorised removal. The minimalistic wall mount is a custom-built anti-theft VESA bracket that can also be attached via a Double-Sided Adhesive Pad, and represents the perfect blend of quiet elegance and enhanced security.

The Secure Wall Mount continues the tradition of effortless JOAN installation and can be attached to all surfaces, easily.



Fixing the Mount on drywall is a matter of installing the drywall anchor screws, while installation on glass is enabled with the use of a Double-Sided Adhesive Pad that the Secure Wall Mount is adhered to. A special locking bracket then fixes JOAN into place and prevents anyone from detaching it.

“With JOAN, the Visionect team has created a desirable and elegant meeting room scheduling solution. We designed the JOAN Secure Wall Mount to reduce the temptation and likelihood of theft while carefully maintaining the beautiful aesthetics of the JOAN hardware,” commented Dean Heckler, CEO and Head Designer of Heckler Design. “We can’t wait to see how enterprise and institutions will benefit from this complete solution.”

About Visionect | Visionect is the world leader in deploying digital signs in environments impossible before, setting a new standard in versatile, energy-efficient displays. The result of a decade of market-leading expertise, Visionect technology is unparalleled in versatility, ultra-low power consumption, ease of installation and simplicity of use. The force behind the breakthrough Place & Play signage concept and the maker of the award-winning JOAN room scheduling solutions.|

About Heckler Design | Heckler Design, known for its renowned OneLessDesk and WindFall Stand, creates beautifully simple, commercial-grade products for design-conscious consumers and businesses. Heckler Design’s products currently include office furniture, desk accessories, secure iPad stands, and point-of-sale hardware. Founded in 2007 and headquartered in Phoenix, Ariz., all of Heckler Design’s products are made in America. |

About JOAN | JOAN is a simple, easy-to-use device that helps organize and reserve meeting room space. It shows meeting information, the meetings coming up and eliminates meeting interruptions by clearly signalling the room is occupied and until when. It is a cost-effective meeting room solution which helps modern, busy workplaces be more productive. |

Better Bungee™ Is Stronger Environmentally Safe For All Uses

The Better Bungee is excited to officially launch into the US and CANADIAN market, available at GRAINGER and AMAZON, The Better Bungee, made in the USA of a new high tech material; that will not crack, break or become brittle and is virtually weightless, allowing The Better Bungee to safely stretch twice its original length but still retain its stretch.  The Better Bungee is great for organizing the garage, hauling, storage and more!  A great life hack for organizing, saving space in small rooms or uncluttering your garage.

US Made Bungee is Ultra-Lightweight, Stronger and More Versatile

The Better Bungee™ is the most durable, top-of-the-line tie downs to fit every application; cargo control, ATV, Camping / Outdoor adventures, Motor Cycles, Boating, water sports, to mention a few.  The Better Bungee™ products are made to withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions, are resistant to oil, diesel fuel, salt water and most household chemicals.  Made in the USA of a new high tech material; that will not crack, break or become brittle and is virtually weightless, allowing The Better Bungee to safely stretch twice its original length but still retain its stretch.  Available on Amazon.com, Gemplers.com, Imperial Supply and Grainger.com. The variety of straps, cords, ropes, lengths, colors and accessories make this product one of a kind.

Deb Dershem
Deb Dershem

Deb Dershem, President of The Better Bungee™ “We are excited to launch the Better Bungee into the US with a high-tech environmentally friendly material that is safer and stronger and lighter in weight.  It is the BETTER option now on the market for any rubber or shock cord applications.”

 

The Better Bungee™ Product Offerings: 

 

The Better Bungee™ heavy duty Strap is available with galvanized, stainless and over-molded nylon ends available in lengths of 12”, 18”, 24”, and 36”.  This product stretches to twice its length.  The super strong nylon ends are molded into the material to create a one-piece strap.  The ends will not pull out and are super strong and non-marring.

The Better Bungee™ Cord is a medium duty one-piece cord with over-molded super strong non-marring ends and is available in lengths of 12”, 18”, 24”.  This product stretches to twice its length.

The Synch™ Cord is medium duty; has a loop on one end and an over-molded super strong non-marring end on the other.  It is available in 30” and is perfect for applications where 2 hooks just won’t work.  It can make an anchor point easily by wrapping the cord around a bar or through a hole; then put the hook through the loop, pull tight then secure the hook end.   It makes a superior storage organizer for cords, rope and hoses!  Also great for holding things tight against a garage wall.

The Slotted Strap is versatile and heavy duty, will adjust from lengths of 12” to 36” and has either 2 over-molded super strong non-marring nylon ends or two galvanized hooks.  It can be used as an all in one tie down or for storage and organization.  This product is extremely versatile! When you can only have one this is for you!

The Better Bungee™, Build A Bungee™ kit comes with rope or strap.  This is the answer to any custom bungee cord needs.  Rope is available in 2 sizes: 1/4” or 5/16” and non-marring adjustable hook ends for building customized bungee cords.  Add our super strong O-ring to create custom cargo.

Innovative- Better Bungee Rope and Strap Kit
Innovative- Better Bungee Rope and Strap Kit

The Better Bungee™ rope and strap is a great replacement for shock cord.  It can be used to customize just about anything- tarp tie downs, shock cord on canoes, kayaks, covers for trucks, the uses are endless.  The rope material is available in reels of 50 feet and in diameters of 5/16” and 1/4”.  The strap material is 5/32 x 3/4″ and available in reels of 50 feet.  Larger or smaller rolls are available in bulk packages.

About The Better Bungee

Launched in 2016, The Better Bungee™ is the creator of superior bungees and tie down systems.  They are the only company in the industry to use the Betterthane 8000™ to manufacture all of their products.  Superior design and manufacturing practices allow us to sell our products at a price point that is economically feasible for all people. The versatility, environmentally friendly, safety and durability of this product are what set it apart from other bungee product lines.  Available in the US and Canada. Contact marketingdirector@thesilo.ca for ordering information.