Awesome Art & Design

Despite the fact that designer Rasmus B. Fex’s chair looks like it’s about to tip over, it’s actually extraordinarily stable thanks to some clever engineering and construction.

While this octopus candelabra has eight arms, it only holds four candles at a time – but we’ll forgive it, since it’s still the most awesome centerpiece you can own – except maybe an octopus punch bowl.

Michael Roopenian’s Engrain is a prototype keyboard with keys made from a single plank of sandblasted wood. The consistent variation of the ridges on the keys makes it easier to touch type.

Own prints of Jed Henry’s hit Ukiyo-e Heroes – videogame characters drawn in the traditional Japanese style. Watch woodblock artist Dave Bull make a sample print here.

Yeople’s En garde Musketeer is a dual purpose cutting board – it has a slot where you can sheathe a knife. Each board is handmade in Romania out of beech wood and finished with laser engraving.

For erryday shufflin’ of files. Stampd’ LA’s gold USB drive is obviously not made of the real deal, but it’s 6 times more expensive than regular 4GB flash drives. Because that’s just how you roll.

James Bit makes jackets that make game cases look like classic Penguin books. You can customize the author, title and colors, but he’ll only send the template; you’ll have to print it on your own.

Measuring about 2 x 3 ft, the GeoChron makes it easy to tell the time in any place in the world. It’s available in different frames and two models, one that’s hung and one that flush-mounts to the wall.

No mere cash-in, The Art and Making of The Dark Knight Trilogy was made by Batman fans for Batman fans. It features interviews and articles by the cast and crew along with tons of pictures.

Inspired by the 2012 London Olympics, artist Ugo Gattoni’s intricate inked illustration measures about 15 feet wide, and depicts a scene of a crazy bicycle race. It’s available in book form for your pleasure.

Portable speakers that are made from old loudspeakers. Each unit is unique and rare (and pricey). It’s available in two sizes and comes with an internal battery, a charger and a 3.5mm cable.

Cases for the iPad, Kindle Fire and Nexus 7 (sorry eReaders) with licensed classic book cover art. Handmade using book board and book cloth, the same materials used in paper book hardcovers.

A pair of snow globes for all seasons seasonings. GamaGo’s bear-filled salt and pepper shakers are decorative and practical. The transparent globes make it easier to see if you need to refill them.

A creepy encounter in his childhood inspired designer Scott Ogden to redefine the Ouija Board. We hope no one is possessed by an evil spirit while riding it. Limited edition of 250.

Freelance illustrator Gavin Aung Than turns inspirational quotes into comic strips or panels. Gavin’s choice of quotes combined with his diverse art style makes each piece compelling.

A clever iPhone 4/4S case which turns its LED flash into a colorful notification light, glowing when you receive texts, calls or emails, yet still allowing you to use it for photos. Available in a variety of colors.

Yeongkeun Jeong and Aareum Jeong devised this clever system of stick-on dots and a lengthy strap which can be woven around the triangular frame of most bikes, creating storage space out of the void.

A reversible jacket made from a special three-layer fabric. The dark side keeps you warm while the light side is for keeping cool. The jacket is also breathable and waterproof.

Made from flexible silicone, the Pack-Away Bucket folds flat when not in use, minimizing storage space. Works great for gardening, but also as a serving piece for outdoor dining.

A clever beach-side promotional display for Sprite looks like a giant soda machine, but we’re thinking that it dispenses water and not lemon-lime soda or else it would make for one sticky mess.

Artist Jill Sylvia creates incredible models of structures such as the New York Stock Exchange, the U.S. Treasury and the Capital using sheets of financial ledger books with holes cut out of them.

For his Brecce collection, designer Marco Stefanelli combined sawmill scraps and other waste materials with resin and LEDs to make wonderful organic lamps that are eye-catching yet still subdued.

Zone out for a sec and appreciate the fine work My Dog Sighs puts into FreeArtFriday: a weekly ritual of creating art pieces with found materials and leaving them on the street for passersby.