Monopoly Boards Go Circular.
For it’s 75th anniversary Monopoly is going circular. At least their boards are. They’re also making the switch over to credit cards from of the colored currency so many of us grew up playing with (and inevitably losing).
I get what they’re trying to do. Updating the game to match the times and all. But I have to ask myself, is it really a good idea to promote credit in the face of the financial crisis we’re in the midst of? I also can’t quite shake the feeling that it’s going to turn out out to be another New Coke situation. And we all remember how that one ended, right?
Luckily, Monopoly is being and bit smarter and continuing to offer both game designs once the round board rolls out this fall. True purists of the game can continue to whittle away the hours with their traditional boards and paper, while a younger generation can latch onto the latest and greatest. Sound like everyone may be a winner in the end. — Kelly
The New iPad Arrives
Apple announces the new iPad.
The new iPad was officially announced today. This device looks really cool. It’s ability to create a clean and green solution to life’s areas of clutter… photos, mail and books, is just simply amazing. It’s interface is like an iPhone on steroids. Apple has spent some time redesigning some of their core applications to make the device even more valuable. I can’t help but ask a few questions as a designer; Will this take off better than the kindle? Will this really replace the printed photo album? Will lap top users enjoy sharing the screen with the keyboard? I’m not sure, but the device looks like fun. What do you think? – Jeff
LG Retro TV Buzz, What’s the Appeal Anyway?
Image from LG Electronics http://tr.im/LGui
The latest techno buzz is all a-tweet about LG’s new Retro TV. With a classic 1950s-style body, its retro design stays true to 19th-century nostalgics with its 14” screen, rotary dials, CRT video technology, and – yes – even rabbit ear antennas. One more super fun feature, it lets you watch in black and white or sepia.
I can see some appeal. The TV looks fab. Modeled after old-fashioned design, it’s retro charm is completely modern. It comes equipped to function in the 21st century with a digital tuner, video inputs and remote control. (Remember the excitement getting your first remote-controlled television?) At the moment, you can only get one if you live in Korea, but for only $215 US dollars, I won’t be surprised if this set pops up here.
But, here’s my quandary. Who really wants to watch TV on a 14” screen? Will some of us give up feel-like-you’re-there visuals and the ability to read game scores and subtitles for the glamour of this TV set? — Jenny
The Altitude Summit.
Image by Dezz : http://www.flickr.com/photos/residae/
The first conference geared towards design bloggers has finally arrived. In fact, it’s going on right now in Salt Lake City. The Altitude Summit has managed to bring together design bloggers, designers and even designers who want to be bloggers for the first event of its kind. People like Grace Bonney of Design*Sponge. Erin Loechner of design for mankind. Jean Aw of NotCot. All sharing the information they’ve acquired and squirreled away to make a successful design blog. Where they find their inspiration. How they continue to build their online community and brand. You ask, they have the answer.
I had the pleasure of speaking on a panel – Designer vs. Design Blogger – that discussed the balance required to be both. Namely a plan, a good sense of time management and a specific end goal. It’s an honor being included among this elite group of design bloggers. Design is growing and evolving on a daily basis and these are the people are on the forefront of it all. Stay tuned in to see where it goes next! — Kelly
