Core77

There is nothing profound about making mundane objects out of carbon-fiber

By Rain Noe - January 28, 2009

in Object Culture

Are we nuts, or is design firm Purisme, which won a Red Dot Design Award for their carbon-fiber letter opener, just a lot of overindulgent hype? Folks, their product line consists of: 1) aformentioned letter opener, 2) a carbon-fiber smoking pipe, 3) a carbon-fiber bracelet, and 4) a carbon-fiber yo-yo.

That's right, a yo-yo.

Oy vey.

We've seen some overhyped press announcements in our time, but this one makes it sound like the carbon-fiber letter opener--which features "a specially developed RFID-TAG [that] carries an electromagnetically coded personal message from the design artist"--is going to end world hunger.

There was this one time when I couldn't find my own letter opener, and I had to open a letter using my finger. Let me tell you, it was really crazy.

o

Favorite This
Q
10

Comment

Comments

Tiago

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

To me what is more shocking is the fact that this design won an award! What is good design after all? Who are the judges from the design contests like this traditional one - Red Dot. How could this product/idea win a prize?? I don't feel like get into contests because of this: I don't trust the judges values.
!Report as spam
the Record Player

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

this is funny! especially since this site is known for over-hyping everything. good call though...these are ridiculous! seriously, who is so lazy that they need a carbon fiber letter opener!? (kitchen knives do just fine) and who needs bracelets?! The yo-yo makes sense though...when kids use it as a mace it will hurt less than a heavy wooden one.

!Report as spam
danielle

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

i am with scott on this one. who else here has a crush on hipstomp!? am i alone on this one?
!Report as spam
CtoThaD

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I would totally rock the pipe. I dig carbon fiber.
!Report as spam
Berkana

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Carbon Fiber is the brass of the 2000's. One day, people will look at things with CF showing, and think it looks so dated.
!Report as spam
Joel

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I completely agree with your points, but must also admit that the thing looks pretty badass... it's a shame people would spend time designing something as pointless as a letter opener, but they nailed it as far as I'm concerned. The look of carbon fiber is just so cool, I think I would like anything made out of it, regardless of its relative useful/useless-ness. A red dot award though? WTF were the judges thinking?

!Report as spam
Scott

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

This is the best post I have ever seen on core77.
!Report as spam
#6,206,987,352 + previously born

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

HAH! I'm not sure if I should be upset about things like this, or something like a billboard advertising for the website whocanisue . com. I guess my hope is that eventually all these ridiculous things will allow everybody to see how ridiculous our state of living is, and that it is completely unnatural and outdated in the context of modern times. Meh. Maybe we should just outlaw carbon fiber.
!Report as spam
ncosman

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

Oh my god, your finger? that IS crazy! I would have thought a finger would exploded due to the massive shearing forces. When I open letters (or do sweet yo-yo tricks!) i need some seriously exotic aero-space-age material selections. I insist that my key fob have to be made from aircraft grade anodized 2024 aluminum, my toothpicks some mirror-polished 316 stainless, and finally, I'm helpless without my billet machined titanium 20,000 BTU arctic survival cigar lighter. Who's with me?
!Report as spam
tarynpaper

15 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

hahahah very well put, i couldn't agree with you more.
!Report as spam