Design

August 9, 2019

102-Year-Old Tattooist Is Keeping an Ancient Philippine Tattoo Tradition Alive

At 102 years old, Whang-Od Oggay (who also goes by Whang-od or Maria Oggay) is helping to keep an ancient tradition alive in the Kalinga province of the Philippines. She’s the country’s oldest mambabatok, a traditional Kalinga tattooist. Each morning at dawn, Whang-Od wakes to craft a mixture of ink from pine soot and water in preparation to apply hand-tapped tattoos on the bodies of people from around the world.

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August 7, 2019

Photographer Transforms 20-Year-Old Computer into Functioning Camera

Inspired by ideas of recycling and reusing, Iranian photographer Alireza Rostami created a very special camera. By combining old computer parts with the lens and back of a large-format camera, he was able to build a functional “Frankenstein” camera. This ingenious use of materials is part of Rostami's bigger message about living without waste and finding new meaning in old technology. The project started with Rostami's very first computer, which he purchased in 1999.

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July 29, 2019

Doting Dad Translates His Baby’s Sleep Pattern Data into a Cuddly Knit Blanket

Today, tech-minded artists are coming up with crafty ways to visualize different kinds of data. Blurring the line between art and science, these projects put a contemporary twist on traditional handiworks, materializing as a rail delay scarf, a farm-fishing mosaic, and, thanks to Seung Lee, even a “Sleep Blanket.” Lee, a Seattle-based webcomic artist, became a father in 2017.

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July 18, 2019

Smart Planter Transforms Your Houseplant into a Virtual Pet

Anyone with a green thumb knows that plants are full of personality—their leaves and blooms give a great indication of their mood. Now, thanks to clever design, you can transform your favorite houseplant into a virtual pet with the ability to communicate its needs. Created by Vivien Muller of Mu Design, the Lüa smart planter shows 15 different animated emotions based on how your plant is feeling.

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My Modern Met

Celebrating creativity and promoting a positive culture by spotlighting the best sides of humanity—from the lighthearted and fun to the thought-provoking and enlightening.