Shapeways is a growing repository of 3D models for purchase by 3D printing hobbyists, and like everywhere else on the web, they’ve attracted a fair few memes. But none are as inspired as this most recent entry: Success Kid!
Here’s how digital artist Ryan Kittleson sculpted a model (modelled a sculpture?) of this now seminal image using Sculptris.
The final output, once 3D printed in full colour sandstone, looks like this:
Buy the 3D model from Shapeways for just €12.05, and you’ll find yourself immediately more successful as a person.
There’s this guy called Matthias Müller, and he makes beautiful abstractions out of virtual dust on his supercomputer. He’s some kind of motion-art superhero, probably sent to us from the exploding Planet 3DS Max by his scientist parents.
In this post I’ve picked out a few examples of his work, because as well as being simply gorgeous viewing material, they’re great examples of what’s possible with a few gigs of RAM, a graphics card and some imagination.
Probably my favourite due to it’s relative simplicity, this tech demo plays with texture in surprising ways:
This next one is so epic! Like an underwater fireworks show of electric choreographed jellyfish, or something…
Watch as millions of particles merge and blend with infinite complexity in this piece of seemingly generative fludity:
This final clip is almost a love story. Watch as two swirling masses collide, explode and dance in time with the music:
An undoubtedly talented guy, Matthias has done commercial work for Honda and Vodafone (as featured last year). His YouTube channel is certainly worth a look, as are his lovely image renders on CGPortfolio.
I can barely get the most out of MSPaint, however…
Question: How do you share that great idea of yours while keeping your intellectual property secure? Answer: You use a non-disclosure agreement.
Beer: tool of the trade
But NDAs are way too formal for the modern entrepreneur, who is more likely to meet a potential partner or investor at a conference, in a coffee shop, or over a beer than arrange to meet at the lawyers.
In an informal situation, the most common business exchange is probably handing someone your business card. I’ve been thinking about this, so in the spirit of sharing ideas, here’s what I’ve come up with:
What if your business card could unlock new conversations?
On the understanding that a signed non-disclosure agreement allows for a far smoother flow of communication in the exchange of business ideas, my business card design offers the ability to turn a casual conversation into a pitch scenario, but without the formality.
Take a look at this mockup I created for MOO Cards, who sadly weren’t interested in the exclusive ownership rights!
Click the image to see in fullscreen
My design is a perforated piece of card designed to be ripped in half:
One half lists the usual business card details
One half has space for a signature against the statement: “I hereby agree to treat your idea as confidential in a bond of trust” (or whatever)
Each party keeps one half of the card in this interactive business exchange. Not legally airtight, of course, but still an innovative means of quickly forming trust with a potential partner.
So then, anyone out there want to help turn this design into a reality?
I made this little heart shape with CSS3, which I’ve been playing around with lately as a way of rendering rounded corners in the latest version of Subscription Options. Turns out there’s loads you can do with CSS3!
Here’s the (admittedly complex) code that’s used to render the above:
#heart {
position: relative;
width: 100px;
height: 90px;
}
#heart:before,
#heart:after {
position: absolute;
content: "";
left: 50px;
top: 0;
width: 50px;
height: 80px;
background: url("http://files.digitalcortex.net/images/header/rotate.php"); // this makes the colour the same as my header image - but could be any HTML colour instead
-moz-border-radius: 50px 50px 0 0;
border-radius: 50px 50px 0 0;
-webkit-transform: rotate(-45deg);
-moz-transform: rotate(-45deg);
-ms-transform: rotate(-45deg);
-o-transform: rotate(-45deg);
transform: rotate(-45deg);
-webkit-transform-origin: 0 100%;
-moz-transform-origin: 0 100%;
-ms-transform-origin: 0 100%;
-o-transform-origin: 0 100%;
transform-origin: 0 100%;
}
#heart:after {
left: 0;
-webkit-transform: rotate(45deg);
-moz-transform: rotate(45deg);
-ms-transform: rotate(45deg);
-o-transform: rotate(45deg);
transform: rotate(45deg);
-webkit-transform-origin: 100% 100%;
-moz-transform-origin: 100% 100%;
-ms-transform-origin: 100% 100%;
-o-transform-origin: 100% 100%;
transform-origin :100% 100%;
}
If you’re interested in playing around with CSS3 shapes like the above, loads of them are are available at CSS Tricks.
