Current Projects & Events
A look at what's goin on now.
Wheelchair Cart
Extreme DIY
Here is a partial shot (click for bigger) of one of our most recent project, a Wheelchair Cart Conversion Kit. Aimed squarely at a production facility with not much (ie, basic welding tools and skills, old parts), this entire project is about giving Developing Economies one more skill for one more pair of hands.
Alex.
Private Poster Series
Carbon Based Goes Collector
Carbon Based was approached by a private collector who was (somehow) able to persuade us to do a one-off 8 print collection, featuring 3 selected works from our vault. (No, this site is not comprehensive. Duh.)
After nearly a year, they finally got the prints framed and hung, and, we are proud to say, they are the dominant force in their house!
Click on the photo to see a special page or click here.
Carlos.
New Work at Brunel University
Carbon Based REPRAZENT!
At the recent Brunel University Masters show, the class presented posterizations of their thesis research. Much to my chagrin, Carbon Based had THREE appearances: Carlos' work (bottom right), a Neandethal Ned logo on Dans poster (top right) and the PiGoDiVo logo (bottom left) on Twans!
Dig the photos!
Its always good to know that, together, we are strong.
Carlos.
Erin Marie Oliva Business Cards
A budding Interior Designer in the greater Los Angeles area, Erin needed a clean, fresh look for her debut on the scene. She asked Carbon Based for a business card that could be used for potential clients / employers, yet would be universal enough to be given to anyone.
After a thorough analysis, we decided a clean, simple route would be the most appropriate; somewhere between minimal, elegant, and straight foreward- all the while not losing sight of her professional stance and her inherent femininity. Once again, were sticking with the closer ratio dimention of 1 to 1.4 for the card size, and weve been using Didot, as its got such nice curves and balances (although we did stroke it ever so slightly). Since each of her names involves the letter I, we raised the dots as a point of differentiation, giving her cards a slight touch of whimsy.
Although just a trial version, the image you see to the right is a composite of what the card might look like, if held to the light. The front is white, printed with her name, and the back is printed black, with her phone number negative and backwards. (The dark gray border is just to frame the card.)
Carlos.
Pigodivo.
Twan Verdonck had the ingenious idea to start a brand that was not destined by corporate fat cats, but actually controlled by its users; a socialist, open source project. So it fell upon the shoulders of Carbon Based to make something apt, yet maleable. The idea was to come up with a logo that was simple and clean, yet- as an open source logo- could be adopted, adapted and otherwise customized per project, per user, as they saw fit. We're thinking about instituting some guidelines like "you cant touch the circle, and it has to have a P, but beyond that, its all you..."
Right now you can see it in action on two sites:
Boezels.com
and
Pigodivo.com.
Although just a beginning, the logo and the Pigodivo site (both of which Carbon Based is heavily vested in) will be evolving continually, and a day to day basis. Check back often for updates!
Ciao.
Web
Boezels Viral Marketing Initiative
Twan Verdonck is an accomplished dutch designer, with projects featured all over the world, the latest of which- his Boezels Product line- was shown at "SAFE: Design Takes On Risk," at MoMA NY. The Boezels product line is designed to address the needs of mentally challenged children, but is accessible by all ability ranges.
According to his agent in LA, Fisher-Price is set to revue the product line for potential production, but the rumor was that they were skeptical that such a "lo-fi" product line could engage today's pop-culture driven, technically-inclined youth. He decided to start a grassroots / viral campaign to promote awareness, and demonstrate to FP that the market would support such a product. He asked Carbon Based for some help and- in return for a kebab and french fries (we work for cheap)- we obliged.
A bit of research, some clean-up of the hell that Microsoft Frontpage had wreaked, and a days worth of html twiddling allowed the visitors of his site to click once, and generate a fully completed, ready-to-send email. Saving his patrons time and effort will help increase the likely hood of their promotion of his product.
Carlos.
Pogliaghi Rebuild
This is my Pogliaghi frame, originally built somewhere between 1970-1977. Sante Pogliaghi built really nice steel frames with fair notoriety, but his name was bought out in the late seventies, this being one of his last frames from the "true" era.
There is a legend that when lugs where unavailable, he would build a frame of over sized tubing, then cut out the joints, and use them as lugs for the regular frame.
It was just shot in "Spanish Sunset" Orange, at Mike's Garage (Thanks Mike!), and the bottom bracket, fork, crank, rear derailleur and seat have been installed. I'm looking at lacing up some mavic rims to a Schmidt Nabendynamo, to provide some juice for lighting during those all-necessary night rides to the local burrito shop.
Alex.
The Kitchen of 1135 Lincoln Bl.
The kitchen to our house was needing a... pick me up, so to speak. Living with enthusiastic, yet amateur, cooks meant that the average kitchen would just not do, and ours was pretty average. This picture was taken December 2005, and shows the level of carnage a few beers, two sledge hammers and 4 hands can bring to mediocrity.
Already, we have the spanish tiles for the flooring, while the cabinetry is being rendered via cad by me. The counter space will be enlargened and is going made of poured concrete. Rather comedically, the fridge and microwave currently live in the lounge (bringing new definition to the term "tv diner"), but such is the case, when the kitchen is in such disarray.
Alex.
The Phoenix
As you can see it in its original form, the guitar started out as a Jackson JDR 94, a balanced machine, made with quality, in Japan. Unfortunately, it was only later in its 12 year life time that it took on the onerous title of "project," once it suffered a moment of "rock and roll stardom" and thus, exists no longer in its current state. The neck and body had to be replaced- luckily the neck from a similar vintage- and are awaiting shipment from San Francisco.
Originally intended as a project axe, the electronics will also be modified. The neck pickup will be hardwired with the mid, and then sent directly to the volume knob sans pickup selector or tone. The bridge pickup will then be attached to a second jack (and perhaps second volume) to be eventually sent out as a distinct, second voice. I haven't quite figured out how this part is going to work, but the idea is to mimic the possibilities of the Warr Guitar. Eventually this may either become a 2 headed monster or it will sow the seeds for its own child-protegy... Only time can tell.
Carlos.
Dah Studios.
Anita Dah had been teaching Yoga and Pilates for some years, when she decided to start her own studio. Luck found her a new location in San Francisco's SOMA district, perfect for holding classes. She came to us when it was time to develop a business card and banner.
She wanted minimal and organic, yet clean and modern. We ended up using a single hit of dark marigold (pantone 397 u), and the natural negative space it produces. As requested, the card is a bit larger than "regular" 2x3.5 inch.
We still have yet to complete the banner, but it should be ironed out shortly.
Alex & Carlos.
