Unscene Media goes Skyn Deep (photos)

With how much I've been talking about Equilibrium USG and their Skyn Deep 2009 event, I have no idea how you could've missed it. But don't worry, Unscene Media was there repping, snapping and recording so check it out.

The event definitely did not disappoint - nestled in at the Elastic Arts Foundation, the gallery space was sublimely inviting and lent itself perfectly to showcase the artistic talent behind the bags. Food and drinks were aplenty and the DJs kept things going throughout the night.

Although Skyn Deep was a lot about the design contest, it was a real treat to see how many people rolled in with own Equilibrium bags already. Like I said before in a previous post, it was like amoving art gallery where not only the art can change, but so can the canvas its laid upon. I had the opportunity to get to know the vision and inspiration behind the art while talking to the artists and it was amazing to see how each of them came to their creation. Some were the result of a last-minute effort while others tried to step out of their personal boundaries or represent what it meant to persevere and quite literally "sink or swim".

Here are some pics from the event (and a slideshow above if you missed it..ahem ahem):









































Oh, and btw...hi to all the people I saw at Elastic! From the musicians, fellow camera-heads, artists and old friends, it was really amazing to sit down (and stand up) to chat. Must collaborate soon! Until then, gear up at www.equnit.com.

Video coming soon

Smart Design: Radio by Singgih Kartono

Lately, I've been a bit obsessed about smart design thanks to Mark Paik turning me onto Ideo and the like. Anyway, after a day blast down to Champaign, I woke up this morning and was greeted by a morsel of smart design by an Indonesian man named Singgih Kartono.

From the picture above, it looks like all he did was create a radio. No big deal, right? I mean they have been around for the past century. But if you peel back the skin a bit and look at how that radio came to fruition you'd realize it has much more of an impact than the waves it touts.

First and foremost, the radio took thirteen years to develop. And before you scoff and dismiss him thinking even you could make one in thirteen committed years, I have to clarify that it wasn't just the physical radio that developed. You see with smart design, the creator aims to not only function as a product, but act as a meaningful part of the life and culture that exists around them.

Asia Pacific News said this:

"The radios are made from Pinewood, Mahogany and Albasia – wood from trees indigenous to Indonesia. And Singgih plants a replacement tree for each one he uses.

He explained: “(This is) because wood is a soulful material. Wood tells us about life, balance and limits. When I combine electronic products with wood material, it seems like a soul embodied, it makes a closer relation to us. ”

The radio started out as a final year university project in 1992 when he was studying product design, and it took 13 years to start production. The main challenge was difficulty in sourcing small numbers of radio circuits, to be encased in Singgih’s wooden radio casing.

Suppliers normally only sell a minimum of 1,000 radio circuits per purchase. But in 2005, a supplier finally agreed to sell Singgih 100 radio circuits."

And not only is he wrapping up pieces of Indonesia in his radio project and thinking green-conscious, but he's also creating jobs for his fellow villagers to help manufacture his creation. I love it.

Skyn Deep 2009: An Equilibrium Art Collective

If you missed out on reading my last post, I would definitely go back and read it...like right now. Okay, you back? Awesome.

Now that I don't have to tell you how awesome Equilibrium USG bags are, I can go straight into talking about what's going on this Saturday, October 24th:

So what does this mean for YOU?

Well let me put it this way...if you don't go, you won't get to get your hands on some Equilibrium gear at fire sale prices: 40% off EVERYTHING. And if you're still too cheap to drop some coin, Morris is raffling off 10 bags throughout the night. So what's your excuse now? Yeah, that's what I thought.

But product aside, it'll be a great chance to get to know the artists behind the Skyn Deep competition. I know the artists put a lot of time and thought into making the skyns their own for the show, so come out and support the designers, the product and the creative community.

Think of it as a moving art gallery where not only the art can change, but so can the canvas its laid upon.

Where else are you going to see something like that? Unscene Media will definitely be there rocking the gear and covering the event, so come stop by...say hello and pick up some gear! I'll have Recession Vinyl in hand too if you're feeling frugal and wanna rep The Car Park, haha.

Saturday, October 24
Elastic Arts Foundation
2830 N. Milwaukee
5:00-10:00pm

Equilibrium USG: Essential Hotness.

Growing up in the 'burbs in Illinois, North Face backpacks were always the rage. Back in high school, there was nothing cooler than rocking a Yavapai bag with some Doc Martens and carpenter pants. Nothing said suburbs and Dave Matthews Band concerts more than that image right there.

But let's face it. Most of us aren't scaling mountains or white water rafting every weekend to really take a North Face bag to its true elements. Most of the time, the craziest weather my 2 NF bags see are some -5 degree days en route to the gym carrying my iPod and a bottled water. HARDCORE!

Now don't get me wrong...I still love my North Face bags. They will always hold a special place in my heart. But after getting together with Morris from Proper+ again to collaborate, he gave me some deets into a very special project he's got going on that will make you toss out every backpack you own and buy one of these: Equilibrium USG Bags.

I know a lot of you brand loyals are clenching tight to your nearest and dearest bags right now, but let me break it down for you:

What is a "USG"? "USG" stands for "Urban Survival Gear". And in practical terms, that means it's got a lot more practical features than whatever you're sporting right now. And...ahem...URBAN Survival Gear. That means it will also have some really cool functionality that will really apply to your every day uses/needs. Seriously, I'll prove it to you. Keep reading.

What makes Equilibrium bags so different? More than being really good looking, the bag is honestly one of the most thought out pieces I've ever had the honor to wear. The way that it sits on your shoulders and back are like nothing else I've felt before...North Face bags included. The USG nestles effortlessly onto you like it was made for your body. It feels like you can carry 150lbs. in it for 18 hours and not feel tired. More than that, though, the bag is fully customizable, fashionable and modular - which makes it absolutely impossible to get tired of your Equilibrium USG. It changes to fit what you need to carry and what you want it to look like.

By now you might be a bit confused as to what I mean by that. After all, nothing on the market (save for the Miche Bag hahahaha) is customizable at all. The Equilibrium bags do it on a COMPLETELY different level. And if you haven't already done it out of force of habit, watch the video above to see the USG in action.

The bag is so legit that the Cerritos All Stars are rocking them already. For photographers, DJs and urban activity enthusiasts alike, this bag is the new hotness. Check this out:



I pre-ordered a pack from Morris as soon as I tried one of them on and I can't WAIT to get mine in! I already took the liberty of designing two Unscene Media skyns to flip flop when mine comes. Morris, hit me up when the shipment lands! Haha.



Free set of Recession Stickers for the first person that knows (and comments below) what the skyn on the right is based off of. Hahaha.

In the meantime, hit up www.equnit.com to check out some sick skyn designs. They'll be up on the homepage blogroll shortly too, so you can find them easy. Stay tuned!

Recession Vinyl: Available Now

I met up with Morris over at Proper+ last night since The Car Park stickers were done and they look LEGIT. Super excited to have these done for you guys. I'm rocking the "GAS RATION" sticker on the M3 already as you can see above. You can check out more pics on the car from a recent shoot here.

The stickers will be $5/piece, or you can get a full set for $12. But, for the first 10 people that order, I'll be sure to hook it up. Remember there are three sticker variations - HPDE/Auto-X, GAS RATION and MILEAGE RATION. It's an old pic, but you get the idea:

Order up. Do work. Roll hard.

Choose Your Vinyl

HPDE/Auto-X $5.00 Gas Ration $5.00 Mileage Ration $5.00 Car Park 3-Pack $12.00