Planetary Parasol Tells Time & Direction

Kota Nezu of znug design, inc. has designed a combination parasol, compass and clock that works on the same principle as a sundial.




Hang tag design:


concept / details as per the designer:
"The parasol is there to block the sun, but it invites you to look for the sun." In daily life you don't pay attention to the sun traveling through the sky, but we wanted to create the moment when you can look up and think upon the dynamic universe. You can play impromptu astronomy with it. Furthermore, you'll be guarded from the blazing sun or an abrupt shower.

Direct yourself so that 'N' of the compass points at yourself, 'S' points at '12' of the parasol. Then the sun seen through the parasol can tell you the approximate season and time by its position.



The impressive design uniquely uses numbers and curves representing the sun's career. The red color handle and the compass are appealing. Even men who are unfamiliar with a parasol can enjoy this special one.

details:
Water-repellent & UV processed (97% of UV rays are cut, analyzed by KAKEN Inc.)
Outer rib: 55cm in length; glass fiber
Fabric panel: polyester 65%, cotton 35%
Utility model right: acquired (Japan)
Designed in Japan - Manufactured in China

How to use :

- Hold the parasol horizontally to make the fabric panel end come to your eye level, and look up from the position close to the shaft.
- Adjust your position so that N of the compass points at you and S points at 12 of the parasol.
- The vertical lines and numbers indicate hours; horizontal lines are the summer solstice, the spring/autumnal equinox and winter solstice from the top to bottom.
- If you see the sun at the point in the figure, it means it is approximate 3:00 pm on the summer solstice.

available for purchase here.

About designer Kota Nezu:

He was born in Tokyo in 1969. He graduated from Chiba University majored in Industrial Design. After working for the Toyota Motor Corporation, he launched the znug design, inc. in 2005. His work includes the conceptual design and project managing for "i-unit" exhibited at EXPO 2005 AICHI, JAPAN.

Currently he produces and designs various industrial products and automobiles. He has been showing his design at Milan Salone, 100% Design, etc. Also he has received the iF Design Award (Germany) and the Good Design Award (Japan) etc.

When It Rains, It Pours Design. Fornasetti Umbrellas & Holders.

I've written about some wonderful Piero Fornasetti products in the past and now here's the latest collection of umbrellas and umbrella stands from the Italian brand.

Fornasetti Umbrellas:







The Fornasetti umbrellas shown above are available here at European Umbrellas.com and are less expensive than the ones shown below from Barneys. Even with the additional 19% VAT and $43.00 to ship to the US, they still come out to less.

Fornasetti Umbrellas at Barney's:





The above umbrellas have long wood handles and each sell for $260.00, available at Barney's.

Fornasetti umbrella holders:



The above Fornasetti umbrella holders and more not shown here, are all available at Unica Home. Prices start at $1,170.00.

Big Fornasetti fan? Then you'll love this:

•Fabulous Fun For Fornasetti Fanatics

Come Rain Or Shine, Here's Fun Design. Color Changing Umbrellas From Squid London

Viviane Jaeger and Emma-Jayne Parkes of Squid London have designed a line of umbrellas made with a special white ink that turns colored when exposed to water. These umbrellas (or Squidellas) make a piece of art out of a utilitarian product that makes walking in the rain a sort of performance art.



They now have four different umbrellas; the iconic London Skyline one, one commissioned exclusively for the Tate, one whose proceeds benefitted a charity), and the final one for Suck UK.

Here's a video of them in action:


The Bird Squit, London Skyline, Squidarella (Paint Drips) and Clouds each retails for £25 ($42.00 USD) and all are sold at different places (but I have the links for you to buy each here in this post).




1. Color-Changing Bird Squit Umbrella:
A portion of whose proceeds go to support ChildReach International, a UK charity aimed at fighting child poverty in developing countries

Bird Squit (dry):

Bird Squit (wet):


buy it here.

2. Color Changing London Skyline Umbrella:
London Skyline (dry):

London Skyline (wet):


buy it here


3. Color-Changing Paint Drip Umbrella:
made exclusively for the Tate museum

Paint Drip (dry):

Paint Drip (wet):

buy it here.

4. Color-Changing Clouds Umbrella:




buy it here.

Squid London

Hate the rain? Then this might be a better umbrella for you:
Art Lebedev's'Fuck The Rain' Umbrella

Funky Find Of The Week: The 'Fuck The Rain' Umbrella

Maybe you reside in rainy Seattle or the gloomy UK- or you just hate the rain. Either way, this umbrella by the Russian design studio Art Lebedev makes it loud and clear to the rain gods that you prefer a sunny day.
Plus, you can flash it at any car the cruises by a puddle, splashing you.

Made in China
Designers: Artemy Lebedev, Anton Schnaider



Comfortable handle allows you to clasp it to your backpack when it’s not raining. Automatic open/close. Material: 100% polyester

Price:
55.47 US$
35.25 €
Buy it here.