Ready, Aim..... Walk. The Gun Leash.

Povodokus, the retractable gun dog lead -or leash as people often call them, is a design concept from the clever and conceptual folks at Russian design studio, Art Lebedev.



The lead goes out freely as the dog pulls and reels in when you pull the trigger.


The Design Process

First sketches:

Too much details for a leash. Simplifying:

Less blasters, more real life:

Choosing their top gun and preparing the model:

Shooting photos for the website:

all images courtesy of Art Lebedev

Introducing VOD-K, Caramel & Truffle Flavored Premium Vodka From Paris.

VOD-K, the subtle combination of pure grain vodka, caramel and black truffles is a new premium vodka from Paris-based Fryd Food & Drink produced and bottled in Cognac in the Charente, the birthplace of expertise and tradition in quality spirits and liqueurs.



An exceptional vodka, VOD-K differs from its sister premium pure grain through the subtle aroma of truffles and caramel it releases every sip. This exclusive alliance gives contrasting notes, leaving the palate an impression of strength and softness.



Fryd Food & Drink tapped agency QSLD Paris to brand the new premium vodka. The agency worked on the name research, the graphic identity and the package design.

Frydlender Lawrence is a lover of terroir and flavors forgotten. A true epicurean, he has always advocated a return to the earth and the real. After more than 20 years in the world of cosmetics and traveling the world, he created Fryd Food & Drink. As a nod to the founder, VOD-K is nestled in a crystal bottle much like a vial of perfume. Composed mainly of crystal glass, it features a thick base which supports pattern etched glass that results in a brushed metal nose with a plastic insert designed much like perfume.




"I wanted to reconsider, premiumize and modernize the distillery sample bottle. The bottle of Vod-k is cylinder-shaped heavy and weighted to underline its premium character. This character is highlightened by the mat finishing of its Brown anodized metal cap. The bottom of the bottle is truffle shaped. The concept of Vod-k has been thought from the beginning to the end to create a consistent universe. Vod-k is a modern interpretation of the « demijohn ». Unique by its shape and its graphic design, Vod-k is also a decorative object. Thought to be exhibited, no detail has been left to chance." Denis Boudard of QSLD says.



The name « vod-k » is phonetical and looks like an sms word. A universal name, easy to remember, to understand and pronounce all over the world.



Specializing in truffle based fine foods, Fryd Food & Drink has previously trusted QSLD Paris with the design and graphic identity of their own logotype and QSLD worked on the graphic and volume design of many of their products (e.g.Olive oil, truffle flavoured salt and pasta).

Crystal & Diamond-Encrusted Cooper Tires For 60th Anniversary Of Formula 3 Racing.

The press release:
Cooper Tire celebrated the diamond anniversary of Formula 3 racing in Britain by creating a set of jewel-encrusted tyres.



The tyres were made by London jeweller, Freddie Keeble at FK Diamonds, using both diamonds for the 60th anniversary, and Swarovski crystals.



The tyres were unveiled at Silverstone during the launch of the 2011 Cooper Tires British F3 International Series, where they were bolted on to the race car of Carlin driver, Rupert Svendsen–Cook.




The 2011 season is also the 30th consecutive year that Cooper Tire and its associate brand, Avon Tyres, have acted as sole supplier to the prestigious championship. In the last 60 years, the list of former British F3 competitors to progress to Grand Prix racing include such luminaries as Ayrton Senna, Nigel Mansell, Jenson Button, Damon Hill, David Coulthard, Martin Brundle, Nelson Piquet, Johnny Herbert, Mika Hakkinen and Rubens Barrichello to name but a few.

Julian Baldwin, Managing Director of Cooper Tire Europe, said, “The Cooper and Avon brands have been involved in Formula 3 for half of the entire existence of the series in Britain. The diamond anniversary is huge landmark for Formula 3 and we are proud to continue our long-standing relationship with one of the most important single-seater championships in the world.”



Keeble, owner of FK Diamonds, said, “The process of setting the diamonds was certainly a little different from what we are used to doing.”



In order to set the crystals and diamonds, Keeble cut the Cooper logo out of metal and then set the stones within that to ensure they would be secure. The individual lettering was then attached to the tyre with a strong adhesive.


via autoblog

The tires go very nicely with these diamond encrusted racing helmets!

Graffiti Decorated Desktop Dumpsters By Steelplant.

Designer Ryan Christensen of Steelplant has come up with a very chic urban way to store books and desk accessories or as a container for live plants and other objects.




His Steelplant Edition One are a series of artist-decorated "Desktop Dumpsters." The graffiti-painted miniature steel dumpsters are each one of a kind and look just like the real thing. Dumpsters are cut, formed, and welded up from 14 gauge (1/16") 25-35% recycled steel. When empty, they weigh nine pounds. The lid tiles are milled from a wood/plastic composite material that is made from plastic bags and sawdust that would otherwise go to a dump somewhere.




Once built they are given to an artist, or multiple artists to be painted, inked, glued, printed, distressed, whatever. Each dumpster is unique in the first edition. The art and application methods will change with each release.







In Ryan's own words:
"Steelplant was born out of a massive year-long brainstorming session I had. Back in November of 2010 while working like mad on a catalog for a client, I got a serious overuse injury that crippled me for a year. During this time It occured (sic)to me how important it was to make objects with my hands. I also realized that I needed a creative outlet that wasn't limited by factors out of my control. When I was finally well enough to use my hands again I turned my thoughts into sketches, and my sketches into Steelplant."

Shop for them here