High Plains Raceway in Byers, CO

Here's a YouTube simulation of the new track in Colorado driven in a BMW M3-GT for those who are interested. The downshifts in this sim are a bit much, but the track looks like it has respectable elevation change, blind corners, and off camber bits. Can't wait to drive it! Here's what the video post says:

An in car view from a race prepped M3 of the new High Plains Raceway east of Byers, CO. This version includes new configurations for T3 & T4 and has accurate camber. Curbing is only estimated at this time and has been exagerrated for the sake of the sim.

Enjoy!

Denver Auto Show

I couldn't believe there were so many people on a Sunday morning poking around new cars. I shouldn't be so surprised. There are as many gearheads as race car fanatics here in the mountains. We've also had quite a few spring-like days in Denver, I'm glad that I'm not the only one who is eager for winter to be over (there was snow on the ground this morning).

Sadly, the Denver Auto Show doesn't really attract any concept cars, but several long awaited releases were there. The BMW 1 series was attracting a big crowd. And I was amazed that VW is living up to its claim to release 7 new models about 4 years ago. There weren't 7 new ones there, but the EOS, GLI and Tiguan showed up very well. I realize the photo is of the old and new Rabbit...classics are sometimes hard to beat.

It doesn't take much for my feelers to direct me to performance cars and the Nissan GT-R didn't disappoint. Photographs in the mags don't really tell the story. I also like that the taillights are round instead of the angular ones in earlier photos. Oh, and don't forget the new shape of Subaru's STI...fastbacks are back...en force! Everyone seems to have one!! Are we looking for less drag? To use less gas?

Otherwise, the other big excitement for me was being able to talk to Karl at the RM SCCA booth about the new track being built east of the Denver Airport. After losing Secondcreek, which was pretty much in our backyard, this new track promises some good elevation change, safe run-off and flatout corners-I'm told not for the faint of heart.

When a friend joined me, our focus was on smaller, economy cars. But tell me something. Why aren't these cars getting better MPG? Unless you get a hybrid, you're looking on average of between 24city to 35hwy? Hmmm. I do not own an economy class car and that's what I get. Guess I'll have to look at hydrogen.

What Does Humanity Have In Common?

Here's a review about the book I'm currently reading:

From Publishers Weekly--For years the doctrine of neuroscientists has been that the brain is a machine: break a part and you lose that function permanently. But more and more evidence is turning up to show that the brain can rewire itself, even in the face of catastrophic trauma: essentially, the functions of the brain can be strengthened just like a weak muscle. Scientists have taught a woman with damaged inner ears, who for five years had had "a sense of perpetual falling," to regain her sense of balance with a sensor on her tongue, and a stroke victim to recover the ability to walk although 97% of the nerves from the cerebral cortex to the spine were destroyed. With detailed case studies reminiscent of Oliver Sachs, combined with extensive interviews with lead researchers, Doidge, a research psychiatrist and psychoanalyst at Columbia and the University of Toronto, slowly turns everything we thought we knew about the brain upside down. He is, perhaps, overenthusiastic about the possibilities, believing that this new science can fix every neurological problem, from learning disabilities to blindness. But Doidge writes interestingly and engagingly about some of the least understood marvels of the brain. (Mar. 19) Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

And another one:

Oliver Sacks--Only a few decades ago, scientists considered the brain to be fixed or "hardwired," and considered most forms of brain damage, therefore, to be incurable. Dr. Doidge, an eminent psychiatrist and researcher, was struck by how his patients' own transformations belied this, and set out to explore the new science of neuroplasticity by interviewing both scientific pioneers in neuroscience, and patients who have benefited from neuro-rehabilitation. Here he describes in fascinating personal narratives how the brain, far from being fixed, has remarkable powers of changing its own structure and compensating for even the most challenging neurological conditions. Doidge's book is a remarkable and hopeful portrait of the endless adaptability of the human brain.

As an designer, graphics and industrial, the accounts in this book add to my empathy of others and give me a feeling of faith that 'where there is a will, there is a way.' I'm halfway through the book now and yes, I am saying a 'will' allows for new possibilities in creating tools and products that enhance our experience. I am not a scientist, but am interested in how things work...including our physiology. Our physiology is a machine that my industry has been attempting to pick apart to profit from and, I think increasingly, improve life on earth.

DWR Design the Modern Snowboard Event--Success!

The evening at the DWR in Cherry Creek went super! The snowboard designs were diverse and prompted plenty of discussion. Good thing too as the winning snowboard was chosen by public ballot! Besides the debate over the designs, there was plenty of music and refreshments supplied by Fourteener Vodka (out of Boulder), Hapa Sushi and DJs Sharpshooter and Guy! So fun!

I've included a few photos from the event, including the winner of the competition and his board. His design will appear as a top sheet on a K2 snowboard and proceeds will go to Snowboard Outreach Society to get at-risk kids out on the slopes riding!! : )

Design Within Reach Design the Modern Snowboard Event

Community...
Tonight is the night that my snowboard design will be judged...among designs from the Denver community of graphic designers that were invited to participate! Amy, the proprietor of the Denver DWR location knows a bit about me, so I am honored that my name keeps popping up in her talent pool!

My Mission
Design a 'modern' snowboard for K2 Snowboards, the Snowboard Outreach Society and Design Within Reach Denver to raise awareness and funds for SOS through sales of the winning design produced on a K2 snowboard. The design brief also included three words: Humility, Simplicity and Believer that represented each company.

Research is always my first step. The recent Ride Snowboards design contest featured skulls/skeletons, images of gambling icons, cyan/yellow/magenta colors, and street art. When I asked people from Colorado which designs were the most appealing, I was surprised. The feedback I got was muted colors, simple design, fluorescent is okay on the bottom. Hmmm.

I have to say that I am driven by what resonates. Not always an easy thing to do, evidenced by showing some of my early attempts to people I know are deep in snowboarding love and knowledge. One design looked 'too spiritual' and the other design was a cool idea, but too simple. The current design has faired much better!! The background graphic uses K2's snowboarding logo with subtle use of SOS's snowflake logo. On top of that, topography lines depict mountain terrain and words of aspiration (not inspiration) replace altitude. The words: Humility, simplicity, believer, courage, wisdom, discipline, carefree, grace and truth.

So, onto the show!!

Denver Design Council Design After Dark Fundraiser

When Steve Chucovich of Architecture Denver invited me to collaborate with a team to develop and fabricate an "object of desire," I was psyched! The 'object' would be auctioned off at the Design After Dark Gala called 'ISH' held by the Design Council of the Denver Art Museum in February '08: http://www.denverartmuseum.org/utility/calendar/eventDetails/eventId--168505

The team consisted of an architect (Steve), a metalworks sculptor (Ira), a fashion designer (Nancy) and an industrial designer (me!). The kickoff for the project was a gathering to select a our 'ISH' word and object of desire (a piece from a well-known designer). Our team selected the word 'stylish' and the Ghost Chair. With word and form in hand, our departure point was established!

At the conclusion of many meetings to brainstorm, sketch, and play with materials, our mission statement went like this:
"The piece is about movement and transformation, texture, transparency and form both indeterminate and defined. The female shape both a sensual and artful ideal, breaks down and transforms using machine-like prosthetic elements as activators to deconstruct and evolve into a indeterminate ethereal form of complex folded transparent and reflective surfaces and spaces."

At the gala, our piece generated a art acquisition price of $650!! Success!! Here's the article the Denver Post wrote: http://www.denverpost.com/entertainment/ci_8191287