There are so many human foibles that English lacks words to explain, so we English-speakers have to steal them from other languages and italicize them to get by. L'esprit de l'escalier, "the wit of the staircase," is my favorite from the French: That's when you're at a party, someone hits you with a zinger that you have no comeback for, and you don't think of the perfect rejoinder until you're walking down the stairs and leaving at the end of the night.

What you see here is several more of these foreign words from Maptia, a website dedicated to sharing global stories. They've commissioned an illustrator to explain "11 Untranslatable Words From Other Cultures" that you're bound to get a kick out of.

It's a common refrain: ambitious designers develop brilliant, potentially world-changing solutions to the large-scale problems... which never leave the poster presentation or PDF precisely because they're simply too far-reaching. Even when researched and developed to a degree of realizable specificity, few designers have the resources or network to actually execute their vision, and investors are more inclined to support the likes of, say, Rap Genius, as opposed to a water filtration system for the developing world, which may never see any kind of quantitative ROI.

Yet social problems such as lack of food and water beleaguer the everyday lives of billions, and (perhaps more insidiously) environmental issues haunt our existence with no ostensible consequences... until a 100-year storm ravages a city or nation.

The organization also partnered with CNN to produce video 'vignettes' on each project

Thus, the INDEX Design Awards represents a new definition of design that is at once broader and more nuanced: moving beyond beautiful objects towards the intent to "improve life." The very premise of the award is that it might ultimately render itself obsolete—that humankind might eventually prevail over the various humanitarian crises that we face today, that we might achieve ecological homeostasis, that we might reach a point where there is nothing left to improve.

If it seems like a grand vision for what design could or should be, the organization is putting its money where its mouth is, with a total of €500,000 in prize money, as well as new initiatives to connect 'designpreneurs' with business training and savvy investors. And if the notion of "improving life" seems like too broad a directive, each of the finalists of the fifth edition of the biennial celebration of design offers a concrete solution to a remarkably broad range of issues.

The jury team winnowed the field of over 1,000 entrants down to 59 finalists, which can be viewed on the site (we'll have more on the five winners shortly). We've covered several of them before, but the INDEX Awards were a nice occasion to catch up with the likes of Massoud Hassani, who mentioned that his team is working on a new version of his much-lauded Mine Kafon; Dong-Ping Wong and Archie Lee Coates IV are hoping to launch the + Pool test tank in the East River next summer; and Scott Summit of Core77 Design Award-winner Bespoke Innovations, who mentioned that they'd actually started collaborating with another finalist, Ekso Bionics, just before we'd suggested that they work together in our write-up of the latter. We were also glad to see several previously-covered projects in the mix, including hydrogel, the Nest, Rabalder Parken, Skillshare and Wilmington Robotic Exoskeleton.

This past Thursday, we had the opportunity to attend the announcement of the winners of the INDEX Awards, recognizing "Design to Improve Life." Once again, the esteemed jury of the INDEX awards selected five winners (from the 59 finalists) to receive prizes of €100,000 each, albeit with a different tack than in previous years. Not only did the organization introduce a new 'telecast' format for the fifth edition of the biennial event, but they held the festivities in a handful seaside venues in Elsinore, Denmark, about 45km north of Copenhagen for the first time. Following a VIP cocktail reception at the Kronborg castle, historic site of Shakespeare's Hamlet (where one speaker attempted an ill-advised riff on "To be or not to be"), attendees took their seats at the adjacent Culture Yard for the live announcement. The massive, hangar-like space was a Siemens factory as recently as three months ago, and the raw space offered a nice contrast to the slick movie set feel of the production itself. All told, the fast-paced and tightly-scripted presentation was a welcome change from the plodding ceremonies of the past, and the threat of rain cleared up for the warm reception afterward.

The winning entries themselves seem stronger than ever, not least for the fact that several of them have already made an appreciable impact in the real world, demonstrating the potential of design to improve life. Drum roll please...

Copenhagen Adaptation Plan

Along with execs from the INDEX Awards, Lord Mayor Frank Jensen made a few introductory remarks at the press conference, welcoming us to the lovely city of Copenhagen only to return to the stage just a few moments later. accepting one of the top prizes for the Copenhagen Adaptation Plan. Although the city has been considering plans to explore new models of urbanism for over a decade now, the crippling floods of 2011 sparked a renewed effort to create the city of the future.

And while the fact that the city is host to the awards—founded as a private initiative, INDEX now has government support—the Copenhagen Adaptation Plan is impressive both for its scope and the fact that it's on track to meet ambitious deadlines within the next few years and decades.

Images courtesy of Ezra Caldwell

I must admit I was a little nervous when I started drafting up my profile of bicycle builder and sometime artist Ezra Caldwell—as I admitted in a footnote, it's a little nerve-wracking to portray a terminally ill Renaissance Man as a real human being (I also worry that the "Bike Cult Show Builder Profile" designation may have dissuaded some readers from the outset; biased though I may be, I'd recommend it to just about anyone). Nevertheless, I was glad to have the opportunity to share his story with those who may not have heard it before, and true to form, Caldwell sent a very nice thank-you note shortly thereafter.

Meanwhile, Caldwell's real-time autobiography continues to unfold on his blog, "Teaching Cancer to Cry," where he recently chronicled his preparations for the Bike Cult Show (he's also posted some photosfrom the show itself on his photography site). The two-day show was dedicated to him and served as the occasion to launch the charity auction of his last bike, the Ultimate Tight Ass (a.k.a. the UTA):

I put this thing together with the express purpose of building myself what I felt was the ULTIMATE mountain bike (the fact that it may well turn out to be the ultimate bike I build is a bit of a twist!), to ride until I was no longer healthy enough to do so, at which point I would auction it off for some sort of cancer related charity. In the end our decision was to donate the proceeds to the Visiting Nurse Service of NY Home Hospice Program.

Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting award-winning projects and ideas from this year's Core77 Design Awards 2013. We will be featuring these projects by category, so stay tuned for your favorite categories of design! For full details on the project, jury commenting and more information about the awards program, go to Core77DesignAwards.com.

• Project Name: Smartphone-charging Handbag Design for Vodafone and Richard Nicoll
• Designer: IDEO + Vodafone xone + Vodafone UK + Richard Nicoll

A tech-enabled leather handbag that can power an iPhone, Android device, or other "smart" digital tool through two full charges, seamlessly integrating high-end fashion and inductive charging technology. Thanks to Tusting, a world-class British leather goods company, fashionistas can power the purse through several layers of leather by simply slapping a magnetic "tap" unit to the bag's exterior. Once the purse is charged, users can then power their gadgets on the go by plugging them into a pocket inside the bag. A Bluetooth-enabled LED "charm" on the bag's exterior animates silently to indicate battery status and incoming calls, texts or notifications.

- How did you learn that you had been recognized by the jury?

We were informed by our partner IDEO that we were the honoree of the Core77 Design Awards.

- What's the latest news or development with your project?

The successful delivery of the project captured tremendous attention during the catwalk with the audience as well as within Vodafone. We are currently evaluating potential commercial opportunities. This is a great example of the use of mobile technology beyond its traditional practice.

- What is one quick anecdote about your project?

As mobile technology is permeating into nearly every facet of our daily lives, the Vodafone xone team is thrilled to play a leading role in bringing these innovative trends to life by designing, engineering and applying disruptive technology from inception to commercialization. Applying mobile technology to fashion industry to build a practical product has definitely been a unique experience for us and all parties involved in this project. Vodafone xone has applied its motto of "embracing the unknown" and exploring diverse opportunities in this project. We developed a product (the charging unit) in an iterative design and process with our team.

- What was an "a-ha" moment from this project?

Being always connected, hence being always 'on' these days is the inevitable fact of our everyday life. Instant access to the world from everywhere has become a mandatory extension to our physical presence. The thought of not being connected causes the feeling of isolation nowadays, thus having a smartphone available at all times is an essential asset for everyone.

We all may have observed that most women have just a "few" items in their handbags whether of high necessity or not. Women miss their calls over and over because they cannot spot their phones at once in their handbags amongst these "few" items. On the other hand, how many times have we witnessed that performing all of the functions for staying connected with our smartphones or tablets caused the battery to die by the time we need to pick up the kids or make an important phone call? The moment we became aware that we could provide an innovative solution which answers that question was our "a-ha" moment. Knowing that we could now enable a solution that ensures women will receive notification when their phone rings in their handbag and have the possibility to charge their phone without removing it from their handbag.

We are pleased to see that our teamwork with all our partners resulted in the first of its kind high-tech handbag for fashion diehards. We've created this trend and we're sure that it will trigger more creative work across the sector.

View the full project here.

wants a Sr. UX Designer
in New York, New York

Yahoo! is focused on making the world's daily habits more inspiring and entertaining. By creating highly personalized experiences for their users, they keep people connected to what matters most to them, across devices and around the globe.

This is your opportunity, if you're a User Experience Designer who is passionate about creating intuitive and engaging user experiences, to join the Yahoo! Finance team. You'll need 8+ years working in a fast-paced environment on high-profile consumer facing media sites for mass audience and demonstrated excellence in typography, interaction design, visual design, information architecture, and solid understanding of UX design principles.

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Core77's Hand-Eye Supply Curiosity Club is pleased to present David Butts of Mad Dog Garage!

Tonight's talk starts at 6pm at the Hand-Eye Supply store in Portland, OR. Come early and check out our space or check in with us online for the live broadcast!

David Butts
Mad Dog Garage: "A Reverence For Gears - Making and Using Gears in Kinetic Sculpture"
Hand-Eye Supply
23 NW 4th Ave
Portland, OR 97209
Tuesday, Sept. 3rd, 6pm PST

Dave's sculptures start as an idea and proceed to hand sketches, notes and drawings. If the design looks like it will work, it's rendered accurately in AutoCAD. If AutoCAD doesn't expose a fatal flaw, a rough working prototype is built, and then final construction. David uses found and re-purposed objects, and builds from wood, plastic and various metals. He incorporates gears in his sculptures because they symbolize machines and industry, and they are shorthand for the workings of the universe. He loves gears: planning them, cutting them, and watching them work.

David Butts' Mad Dog Garage exists in the iconic Allen's Radiator Shop in the NW neighborhood of downtown Portland, OR. A bevy of fabrication implements: lathes, milling machines, an assortment of saws, drill presses and other tool miscellanea are used to create his work - interactive kinetic sculptures that can be experienced by passers by in his "sidewalk gallery."

Portrait by Ira Lippke

This is the latest installment of our Core77 Questionnaire. We'll be posting a new interview every other Tuesday.

Name:Lindsey Adelman

Occupation: Industrial designer

Location: New York City

Current projects: Developing a new lightbulb. Planning my next video. Designing the business. And building hundreds of chandeliers.

Mission: To always ask "What if...?" To design with care. To believe in what I put out there.

One of the latest versions of Adelman's Branching Bubble chandeliers. Photo by Sam Kweskin

Above and below: Adelman's studio in New York City. All remaining photos by Lauren Coleman

When did you decide that you wanted to be a designer? I first heard about industrial design when I was 22, working for the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C. I was walking through the exhibition fabrication department, and a woman was carving fake French fries out of foam. It looked like a lot more fun than my editorial job. I asked what she was—and she told me, an industrial designer. So I applied to RISD and that was that.

Education: I have a B.A. in English from Kenyon College and a B.F.A. from the Rhode Island School of Design.

First design job: I suppose it was in grade school, because I always did the programs and posters and props for all our plays, even though I did not know what design was. And of course I signed them really big.

Who is your design hero? There are many throughout history, but right now it's Nendo.

Above and below: Blowing glass and applying gold foil to an Adelman chandelier-in-progress

This is one of the more fascinating experiments in small-space living that we've ever seen. Seattle-based engineer Steve Sauer wanted to see if he could turn a 182-square-foot storage unit with a single window into a liveable space, and he then decided to build it himself. Not only do we feel he's succeeded admirably, we're not sure which we admire more: Sauer's incredibly creative use of multi-level space, his unwillingness to compromise on materials, his self-machined plumbing, his IKEA-hacked surfaces... the list goes on.

The design of this space and its various features would be impossible to explain through still photographs, so thankfully there's video. Check out how bike-nut Sauer fit multiple bikes inside, peep his in-floor soaking tub, the ingenious kitchen-bin shower cubbies, and the bike shift lever in the showerhead mount. Sauer earns his living designing aircraft interiors for Boeing, but we wish he'd spend more time designing spaces down here on the ground.

If you are among the two million people who would have liked to expose their senses to the biggest revolution in cooking since the discovery of fire by visiting the legendary elBulli restaurant on Spain's Costa Brava, but didn't manage to do so before it closed two years ago, here comes a consolation: The Art of Food show in the Embankment Galleries of London's Somersethouse narrates the story of the elBulli restaurant and its protagonists in an engaging and well-executed exhibition.

Drawings and carefully crafted putty models preceded every new dish that Ferran Adria put on the table.

The work in the upper gallery focuses mainly on the molecular cooking techniques developed by Ferran Adria and his brother Albert Adria, whereas the lower showroom provides (via countless photographs and personal memrobilia) an intimate view into how the elBulli restaurant came into existence and how it developed over the years into the Mekka of New Cuisine. In the late 80's, chef and elBulli co-owner Ferran Adria's priority shifted from simply creating dishes, to create concepts and techniques that would be capable of making diners live experiences.

This giant meringue Bulli (french bulldog) was created for the final dinner at the elBulli restaurant in 2011. It's now on show in London's Somersethouse.

By doing so, he is an artist and a chemistry professor in equal measure (holding a honorary doctorate of Barcelona University), while being considered the most influential chef of the past two decades. To put it with the words of Richard Hamilton (a passionate disciple of Adria's cuisine): "Ferran did for cooking what Shakespeare did for language—he completely re-invented its vocabulary".

A coracle is a type of primitive boat invented in Wales. The unique design consists of a willow-rod framework tied together with bark strips, then skinned with an animal hide and rendered watertight with tar. Designed for rivergoing fishermen, the one-man craft is light enough to be carried across one's back.

wants a Sr. Backpack & Accessory Designer
in Los Angeles, California

Since 1972, The Outdoor Recreation Group has been having fun and delivering only the best in branded backpacks, camping accessories and apparel. They're looking for someone with a passion for exceptional outdoor product design who is also able to take the lead on their design process.

Does that sound like you? Would you be psyched to support and execute all seasonal projects from concept to completion of final samples for all accessory product categories including, outdoor technical backpacks, hydration bags, lifestyle daypacks, fishing tackle bags, luggage and travel accessories, tactical gear and hunting bags?

If so, Apply Now.

Images courtesy of Volvo

Last week, we received word that Volvo would be debuting their radical new design direction with what they've dubbed the Concept Coupe, the first new vehicle under SVP of Design Thomas Ingenlath, and it's been lighting up the boards, so to speak, since it was unveiled on Thursday. Forum members' reaction to the XC90 has been mixed but mostly positive thus far, and there is indeed more to it than meets the eye. Ingenlath offers a few choice remarks about what he calls "Volvo unleashed":

The last few years car design has become increasingly standardized and streamlined, and too often defined by cluttered and overly complex design. While other brands try too hard to look luxurious and muscular, Volvo Cars will stand out as the calm, confident and naturally powerful challenger. We have no ambition to blend in, and the Concept Coupe efficiently manifests how iconic design will reinforce Volvo's identity...

Think about the powerful calmness of a lion. He doesn't have to prowl to radiate respect. Even lying down, he shows very clearly what he is capable of...

It's up for debate as to how successfully the XC90 actually "merges contemporary Scandinavian lifestyle and design with iconic elements from Volvo's 1960's era" (per the press release). Yes, it includes certain signature elements such as the distinctive grill—the 'cow horns' at the bottom also refer to the iconic P1800—but the streamlined form factor doesn't quite scream Volvo. Not that it's a bad thing: Michael DiTullo notes that "It feels a bit like the concept that Bertone did for Jaguar last year in a really good way," and Orrkwankit gets a little more specific: "I see some G35 Coupe C-Pillar, some VW XL1 tail, some MB CLA lower grill, some Jag F-Type front fenders... Yet somehow it all comes together pretty nicely."

Over the next few weeks we will be highlighting award-winning projects and ideas from this year's Core77 Design Awards 2013. We will be featuring these projects by category, so stay tuned for your favorite categories of design! For full details on the project, jury commenting and more information about the awards program, go to Core77DesignAwards.com.

• Project Name: QMB Quad Micro Bar
• Designer: Joe Warren

In response to the Smaller but Better trend, I looked at how social seating might be improved by finding a way of making traditional tables and chair into a single flexible multipurpose solution. QMB combines a round bar height table with four fold-out stools to create a new type of seating experience. The main structure is CNC routed, using a single sheet of .75 finished plywood then assembled using hinges and standard fasteners. The fold out stools give the user the option to open up only the seats that are needed, then easily fold away the stools when finished.

- How did you learn that you had been recognized by the jury?

I just happened to be watching the online presentation of awards for DIY, and saw I had not received a honorable mention or even a notable, just about to click away when OMG, QMB got the nod.

- What's the latest news or development with your project?

In August we will be launching the QMBOptions.com web site where people can check out the newest versions of QMB an all the available Options. Part of the site will include a promotional version called QMB MAX which is designed for trade shows, promotional events and exhibitions. QMB MAX comes with an on-board 10' Pop Up display stored inside, so you can have your exhibit with seating for four in a single package.

- What is one quick anecdote about your project?

Since it rains a lot where I live, I had to do all the final wood finishing of the prototype outside. When I had to seal the plywood, there was no dry place to let the sealants cure. So I was forced to carefully stack the pieces inside my mini van while they cured. Now, six months later, my car still smells like conversion varnish.

- What was an "a-ha" moment from this project?

I realized I really had something when some one contacted me and wanted to come to by my studio and buy seven units sight unseen!

View the full project here.

Menu Booth

Re-branded as NY NOW, the biannual trade show formally known as the New York International Gift Fair was back this August with all of the usual suspects presenting their wares. Viewing this show through a designers' lens can be a little overwhelming—there's just so much stuff!—but as veteran attendees we stuck to the small but well curated flagship section of the fair, "Accent on Design."

There was not much in the way of new product at the show this year, with most companies opting to refresh their collections with new colors and invest in more sophisticated branded booths—always a good thing, as it elevated the overall experience of walking the floor. One of our favorite booths, pictured above, was Danish vendor Menu who consistently present a strong product line-up, their no-frills gallery like presentation a testament to the strength of the products.

Overall, it felt like most companies exhibition spaces had a smaller footprint. it was inspiring to see some of the independent designers like Fort Standard and Chen Chen & Kai Williams who got their start with the AmDC graduate to getting their own booths, and Japan's presence was undeniable with both their minimal approach to display and product selection offering a welcome visual break.

Here's a quick round-up of stuff that caught our eye!

Desktructure by Hector Serrano

This Wood Species series of entries comes to us from guest writer Rob Wilkey, an Atlanta-based woodworker and industrial designer whose expertise is in small home goods, furniture, and large installations.

Over the next few articles, we'll be analyzing a number of common imported wood species. This week's featured species:

Rosewood lumber is harvested from a handful of trees in the Dalbergia genus, all of which emit a sweet, rose-like scent when cut or sanded. The wood of these trees is prized throughout the world for its remarkable coloration and density. Certain species of rosewood have been in such demand that they are now threatened with extinction, and are heavily protected by international laws. In fact, CITES trade regulations restrict Brazilian Rosewood and the Madagascan 'Bois de Rose' from crossing international borders in any form.

Despite these heavy trade restrictions, illegal logging of Brazilian Rosewood and Bois de Rose still occurs, and sources providing it in large quantities are frequently under scrutiny. Many other species of rosewood are less restricted in their trade, and are arguably just as beautiful as the protected woods. The different rosewood species range in color from lighter brown to deep reds, browns and purples. Most rosewoods also exhibit very dark streaks along their growth rings, creating striking patterns in flatsawn boards. The softer sapwood is a light, pale yellow, and is sometimes included on a piece for contrast.

You've seen people with a trace of a smile on their face, or a hint of a smirk, or a tinge of doubt. Human facial expressions can be subtle, created as they are by us setting our jaws, raising our eyebrows or tightening our lips. And that subtleness has traditionally been difficult, from a materials standpoint, to design into a robot.

At least until now. Prepare to be grossed out: Remember how we learned that plants can communicate with each other through fungus in the soil? Well, in a similar example of the utility of an often-overlooked material, robotics designers from the UK have now produced a robot whose expressions are controlled by mold. Slime mold.

Slime mold can move. The stuff tends to live in dark shady, wet areas like fallen logs and leaves, and by contracting its tube-like structure and propelling itself towards a food source, it can move at about 1 mm per hour. On top of that, slime mold is surprisingly clever. In 2000 Japanese researchers showed that slime mold can determine the shortest route through a maze, when searching for food. Even more amazing, it has an ability to "remember" where it has been even though it lacks a brain.

So what the heck does this have to do with robots? It starts with that movement capability. Klaus-Peter Zauner at the University of Southampton is a pioneer of connecting mold to a robot. After observing that slime mold shies away from light, Zauner grew the mold into a six-pointed star shape, on a six-pointed circuit, and connected it via computer to a six-legged robot. Each robot leg corresponded to one "arm" of the star-shaped mold. If light hit one of the mold's arms, then it moved away from the light, while at the same time controlled the movement of one of the robot's legs. In short, the robot scrambled away from light as an embodiment of the mold.

Is tracing cheating? Not when you're innovative photographer Janne Parviainen, who "had this mad idea of tracing entire rooms with one LED" while leaving the camera shutter open. The Helsinki-based artist's ghostly recordings resemble a sort of low-res, organically imperfect laser scan of spaces and the people who inhabit them. They also bring to mind the contour drawings that art students grind out during Foundation.

No post-processing is used; Parviainen simply calculates his settings, opens the shutter, then spends "a few seconds to hours, depending" tracing a room with his LED to create images straight from the camera lens.

wants an Industrial Designer
in Santa Maria, California

Imagine designing integrated interior systems for leading aircraft manufacturers and airlines with the in-house capacity to go from raw material fabrication all the way to final assembly. Zodiac Aerospace has long been meeting the high standards set by the aerospace industry and they'd like you to do the same as their newest Industrial Designer.

If you're an independent-minded designer, skilled in translating customer aspirations into unique, high value user experiences and with an understanding of manufacturing processes, Apply Now.

Photo: Christrini

Core77 has had the pleasure of chronicling New Skins, a workshop led by designer Francis Bitonti, which took place from July 22 to August 8 at Pratt's Digital Arts and Humanities Research Center in Brooklyn, NY. As a pioneer in the digital fashion design space, Bitonti's practice is primarily concerned with the wearable applications of computationally-based design methodologies and cutting-edge manufacturing technologies. His efforts in the classroom are an extension of his work in the studio, a fast-paced, process-centric approach to new and emerging technologies and their potential to yield never-before-scene results.

We've previously published coverage of weeks one and two of the summer intensive, which was sponsored by the Pratt DAHRC, Makerbot and 3D NYC Lab. In addition to the report on the third week and final project, Bitonti has graciously allowed us to present the video documentation of the course as it unfolded this past summer.

By Francis Bitonti Studio

The third week of Francis Bitonti's New Skins: Computional Design for Fashion Workshop at Pratt Institute's Digital Arts and Humanities Research Center brought the students together in the creation of their final garment: the Verlan Dress. All twelve of the students worked together throughout the final week to realize a new design, which integrated different components of the two garments previously selected by the jury at the end of the second week—designer Vito Acconci, fashion designer Jona from INAISCE, and representatives from MakerBot—as chronicled in our Week Two recap.

The students created the geometry for the dress using 3D anatomical models of the human body, then abstracted hidden lines and vectors of the human body (muscles, veins and arteries) into curves that could be manipulated in a 3D modeling environment. The inspiration for turning the body inside out, projecting the interior to the exterior of the body, creating a second skin from what lies underneath led to the name Verlan dress; the French slang word refers to reversing the first and last syllables, turning the word inside out.

Throughout the design process, the students focused on developing a unique formal language that would conform to the body through a procedural algorithm; finding a voice through a new emerging manufacturing paradigm. "We do not want to be teaching technology for the sake of technology," explains Bitonti. "This isn't about training technicians or draftsmen. We are trying to teach students to think through the computer as a medium and develop sensibilities for these new virtual materials."