iPad simplification


My idea this week is an accessory to transform the whizzbang iPad into a simple practical object that may be useful around the home, in this case a bookend.
I will probably buy an iPad at some point. It is a beautiful object and is apparently wonderful to use. I don’t think I’ll read books on it as a paper book has higher resolution text, is about four times lighter and doesn’t need a battery. The iPad will definitely be a success as an entertainment device, looking at photos, reading an e-magazine, watching a movie and visiting websites, but whether it will become a ‘useful’ thing is a bit of an unknown. Hopefully the people who make the software apps will come up with something that turns the iPad from a delightful luxury item into an essential piece of equipment. Maybe one day we will look back and think ‘what exactly did we do before the iPad?’ or maybe we’ll think ‘Well, it made a stylish bookend’. Your comments are very welcome…

You can see my other Apple related work I did for Esquire magazine’s 75th anniversary edition a while back here. If you’re new to my site check out the other fifty ideas I’ve had by going to the home page and scrolling down. Follow future ideas via Twitter/Facebook/RSS/Email

You’re always on my back

Piggy back seat

My hips have never been angular enough to give comfortable piggy back rides. My rider tends to slip off due to the unceasing pull of gravity combined with my lack of hip ridge. Hopefully this will solve it.

In other news I am exhibiting, amongst other things,  my field made from hundreds of shoes (see last years version here) during the Salone del Mobile in Milan 14th – 19th April. This time I am using even more Terra Plana shoes (500!).  From the practice run in the studio its looking good. The opening is 6pm on the 14th come along and say hello. I will be around most days, if anyone has another exhibition in Milan let me know and I will visit you.

Entratalibera
Corso indipendenza 16
20129 milano
italy
map link

I just wash and go flying

Hair dryer
The first idea for drying hair nearly took off, literally. An idea I showed in icon magazine in my ‘The lost sketchbooks’ monthly sketch. More ideas coming soon, hope you enjoy… Follow future ideas via Twitter/Facebook/RSS/Email

Two way toothpaste

two way toothpaste
My idea this week is a two way toothpaste, ideal for those who get angry with their partner for squeezing the toothpaste from the front. Simply open the other end and squeeze from the back as demonstrated below. Also quite useful for getting the last of the paste out of the bottom.

two way toothpaste
I admit that I squeeze from the front but I hope that by recognising the problem I have taken the first steps towards becoming a better person. With thanks to my excellent illustrator friend Clare Mallison for the use of her hand. For those who like this idea see my previous genetically modified egg or my home stats doorbell. <<Follow more ideas on Twitter/Facebook, © Dominic Wilcox.

Related work
Solid aluminium toothbrush carriage case

Show me your shoes!

In 2000 I saw a documentary about the Royal College of Art on BBC2 that  focused on a course called Design Products. There was an artist on the course and the projects seemed to be very conceptual, ideas based, so I decided to apply.

When I walked into the interview room there were about six people standing around a table looking at my sketchbooks. A man said ‘show me your shoes, show me your shoes!’ This confused me at first but later I learned that he was refering to a drawing in my sketchbook (shown above). This man turned out to be Ron Arad, a famous designer and architect. Luckily I was accepted on the course based on this and my other sketched ideas.