DJ TechTools have updated their original MIDI Fighter controller and added a 3D gyroscope to their arcade button Midi Fighter midi controller. This will now allow DJs to change parameters like pitch, volume and effects to be controlled by simply moving it around. To me this would only be for DJs who don't like spending most of their time dancing around their laptop screen.

The Midi Fighter 3D includes a 16-button array of arcade-like buttons, that can be used as midi triggers and can be configured to any style of color theme that you would like, just in case one color was not enough to keep you focused. The midi controller will run you about $250, shipping sometime in April. So if you don't want to stand behind your laptop screen the whole time and you want to dance with your audience then this bad boy is for you!



Source: CNET

Sean Avery has created these mixed media sculptures of animals and insects. To create these animals he uses layered fragments of broken CDs and it's like BAM! Magic, you have an animal or an insect sculpture. See more of his work over at DeviantArt.



Source: Colossal

Lindsey Bessanson an artist from Arizona has found a way to create robo-bugs and turn them into stiff endless time pieces.  She began her adventure of making these bugs back in 2003 and has continued to master this technique. To create these bug pieces, she takes dried, dead insects and puts them in a humidifier for a couple of days. With this, the legs and wings become flexible, allowing her to fan them out and position them according to her liking. Next, she is able to take the insect apart,  and then strengthen all the joints with metal and puts everything back together again. The completed insect is pinned to a piece of Styrofoam so it can harden into the desired position. It takes her about two weeks to complete an insect. I have put only a few of her pieces on TCL so go and check out more of her work. She does have prints available as well as the SteamPunk Insects



Photos via Hadal Art
Source: Steampunk

Superfamous is the Los Angeles–based studio of Dutch interaction designer Folkert Gorter, who created this beautiful and almost mysterious collection of photo's of California. I couldn't find a lot of information on him, but if you want to check out more of his work, then check out his flickr.

Where would you go if you could take your house with you? Ann Holley and Darren Macca have designed a home where they can take it wherever they want. This beautiful 125 sq ft ProtoHaus home was made out of wood and recycled materials.  It has a modern style kitchen, tiny bathroom, a small bedroom and a comfy place to lay their head. The home is also powered by solar energy and propane, so if they wanted to live off the grid they could. If you want to know more about the house watch the video below.



Source: Toxel

Martin Kilmas is the creator behind the "porcelain figurines" series. The images below were captured just as each of the fragile objects hit the ground after being dropped from about 10 feet. Martin was able to capture the photos by wiring his camera in such a way that the sound each figurine made as it hit the ground tripped the shutter release. What I find so interesting in these shots is that each figurine almost gives off a sense of motion or liveliness. He also does a similar series with vases.  You can check out more on his site. 



Source: designboom

When I first saw these I wasn't sure what I was looking at. It took me a second to realize I was looking at sculptures of pencils. Artist Jennifer Maestre created these intriguing sculptures in which her inspiration came from the shape and look of Sea Urchins.  I think she does a better job at describing her idea and the process; here are some words from the artist:

Paradox and surprise are integral in my choice of materials. Quantities of industrially manufactured objects are used to create flexible forms reminiscent of the organic shapes of animals and nature. Pencils are common objects, here; these anonymous objects become the structure. There is true a fragility to the sometimes brutal aspect of the sculptures, vulnerability that is belied by the fearsome texture. 

To make the pencil sculptures, I take hundreds of pencils, cut them into 1-inch sections, drill a hole in each section (to turn them into beads), sharpen them all and sew them together. The beading technique I rely on most is peyote stitch.

Source: Wanken

The Bluetooth touch-activated headset is a beauty when it comes to style.  I can only image that the sound quality would be just as much.  The Parrot Zik Headphones ($TBA) were designed by renowned Philippe Stark, and feature an elegant and simple design.  It also features active noise canceling, Bluetooth A2DP stereo, NFC support, proximity sensor to go into standby mode when not being used, a touch panel for remote control of your tunes, and lastly it has Digital Signal Processing for amazing sound.  They will be coming out later this year.

I stumbled upon this sweet shipping container home that was built by Poteet architecs. They did a great job of making this not only look sweet on the outside but cozy on the inside. I'm still not sure if this is the main home or a guest home, but either way I would spend a lot of time in this container. I even think that the roof garden was also a nice touch. Check out more of Poteet Architests, LP



Source: Jared Erickson