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Saturday, May 9, 2020

Rea-life cut and paste tool will blow your mind

Ah, good old cut and paste. A feature as old as time itself. It's hardly the most exciting of technological processes – or so we thought, until we saw this mind-blowing demonstration of how the feature might look in reality (augmented reality, that is).

In a video (below) shared on Twitter, programmer Cyril Diagne demonstrates how AR could allow a user to quickly grab a visual from the real world using their phone, and dump it straight into Photoshop on desktop. No more AirDrop. No more cutting things out. If it ever becomes available, it'll definitely be hitting our list of the best Photoshop actions.

As Diagne explains in subsequent tweets, there's a lot of technical wizardry (as opposed to just straight-up wizardry) involved in the process. The software uses complex machine learning to separate the object in the foreground from the background, while a separate process is able to detect where where the phone is pointing at the laptop (for the paste element).

While the software is only a prototype at this stage, Diagne has shared the code on GitHub, for anyone keen to experiment with the feature themselves. It's currently only compatible with Photoshop, but Diagne says more outputs may become available in the future.

It seems we're not the only ones impressed with Diagne's sorcery (sorry, software). The team behind Photoshop itself even replied to the tweet (above). If Adobe gets involved, perhaps the futuristic feature isn't as far away as it seems.

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AR Cut and Paste Demo: Capture an Object With Your Phone, Throw it Onto Your Computer's Screen

In the sci-fi series The Expanse, set in the 2300s, characters carry smartphone-like devices and are often seen "throwing" data from their device onto a nearby screen for group viewing. Here in humble ol' 2020, designer Cyril Diagne has figured out how to do it, without the histrionic swiping gesture performed on the TV show, and including a capturing step:

Diagne calls it "AR Cut Paste" (though some have commented it's really copy and paste) and has made the code freely available on Github.

CHECKING IN

how are you? we know that everyone is feeling the shift and that things are a little rocky right now. hang in there. i’m trying to focus on what we can control and surrendering the rest. there are a lot of shining moments to notice too, all the videos i’ve seen coming out of italy with people singing and playing music together on their porches, restaurants that are open for takeout and all the patrons that are stepping up to support their local small businesses, places like sweet green giving free food to medical works, the friendly smiles we share with people we walk past at a distance which reminds us we’re all in this together. there is nothing to do in this moment but to be present, exactly where we are, with who we are with and whatever emotions this time of uncertainty brings up. feelings and anxieties shift from moment to moment and that’s okay. i know many of you are suffering greatly during this time and i’m thinking of you. if you’re in los angeles, and can’t get to the store or need help in some way, feel free to reach out to me at joanie@designlovefest.com and i’m happy to help in any way i can. – joanie

p.s. the art featured above and below is by finish illustrator lotta maija, you can follow her on instagram here and buy her prints here.

many of the small clothing designers that i love have sent out notes about how they are struggling during this time of unknown. a few to highlight, LACAUSA which we have loved for a long time. they are boosting sales by offering 25% off site wide with code LOVE. you can’t go wrong with one of their jumpsuits and their t-shirts are amazing. ace&jig which we also adore is doing a sale on sale with 15% off additional with code 15FORYA. bri has this dress in rhumba which is beautiful on. i also love this jumpsuit.

ali golden is an oakland based female designer who makes very chic gingham pieces and is offering 15% off site wide. i love this raw silk set.

and now a few local LA things:

the left bank which is my favorite LA second hand store is doing shopping via instagramstories. it’s owned by an amazing woman who has an all female staff that she is committed to paying and keeping her business flowing. if you’re able to support by shopping, please do.

sister wife is high end consignment and the owner jessica has gorgeous taste. her shop is also closed and she is selling on instagramstories. again, if you’re able to support through purchases i know they’d really appreciate it!

if you’re in LA, heiroom la is offering incredible options for pick up and delivery. they work to support tons of local farms and their quality is top notch.

Dune which has incredible middle easter food is offering zero delivery charge on Caviar.

Palette food + juice has healthy delicious food to go as well.

there are too many spots to name but the point is that many of these small businesses will suffer greatly during this time and if we are able to support them we should try, even ordering gift cards (like from proof bakery which is a favorite of mine!) if you aren’t wanting to leave your home is a great option. you can tuck it away and spend it later after this passes because this too small pass.

honey hi is another local favorite of ours, owned by two cool ladies, they make delicious healthy food and bomb smoothies. and they also have free delivery through postmates or cavier (details here).

i’ll continue to do round ups of places to support so if you have one you want me to highlight leave it in the comments! XO

RECIPES FOR THE WEEKEND

we made it through another week! if you’re like us and find a lot of comfort being in the kitchen here are a few things we’ve cooked recently and have loved. bri made breakfast sandwiches on presently this morning and now i can’t stop thinking about how much i want bacon.

the best chocolate chip cookies. i’ve made a lot of cookie recipes and this is my favorite.

this lemon chicken soup with tons and tons of dill is comforting but still light. i used white rice instead of orzo.

refried beans(recipe is half way down the post), it’s my mom’s recipe and it feeds an army. i didn’t have taco seasoning so i used a mixture of onion salt, garlic salt, chili flakes, smoked paprika, oregano and chili powder and they turned out great.

i’m making this red curry this weekend for the millionth time and i’m so excited. it’s the best and so versatile, just make it with what you have on hand for veggies and protein.

making your own pizza dough is easy and a family pizza party is a great way to use up produce that is about to go bad. you can set out toppings and let people dress their pizza as they please.

Banksy shows his gentle side with new hospital artwork

A new artwork by Banksy has appeared in a hospital corridor, paying tribute to NHS workers. The piece, entitled Game Changer, is currently on display at Southampton General Hospital, and was hung near the emergency department in collaboration with the hospital managers.

The (almost) monochrome painting depicts a young boy kneeling and playing with toys. His chosen doll, rather than Batman or Superman (who remain confined the wastepaper basket), is a nurse wearing a cape, an apron bearing the red cross emblem and a face mask. With masks in short supply, don't forget to check out our guide to where to buy a face mask right now.

The piece appears to mark a slight departure from Banksy's signature biting political commentary, instead conveying a simple message of appreciation. Along with the artwork, Banksy left a note of gratitude for hospital workers: "Thanks for all you're doing. I hope this brightens the place up a bit, even if it's only black and white."

But rather than just a gesture, the piece is also intended to raise money for the NHS. According to the BBC, after appearing in Southampton General Hospital until the Autumn, it will be auctioned to raise money for NHS charities.

Staff described the artwork's unveiling as "an emotional moment"

"Here at Southampton," said Paula Head, chief executive of University Hospital Southampton NHS Foundation Trust, "our hospital family has been directly impacted with the tragic loss of much loved and respected members of staff and friends. The fact that Banksy has chosen us to recognise the outstanding contribution everyone in and with the NHS is making, in unprecedented times, is a huge honour."

It's been a busy year for Banksy so far. His latest piece of street art popped up in Bristol on Valentine's Day (but was vandalised a few days later), while another piece received a timely face mask last month – the jury's out on whether than was actually him, though.

Not even lockdown has dampened his work ethic – his own bathroom recently became a canvas (much to his wife's chagrin). If you fancy some urban inspiration, check out our favourite street art examples from around the world.

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CASETIFY 2020 COLLECTION (AND DISCOUNT CODE)!

we’ve had a curated shop on casetify for the last five years and every year or so we work with a talented group of artists on launching a new set of designs and this year it’s better than ever. we have been working on this series since january and we’re really excited that we can finally share it with you. every single artist in the collection is an independent artist, they work in a variety of mediums from block printing to ceramics, they are all female with the exception of mike (the talented artist that created my wedding invite art!) and we’re really proud of what everyone created. each of the cases can be purchased in any phone size and there are lots of ways to customize by adding glitter or colored edges so have fun clicking around the case exactly as you want it! use code designlovefest15 for 15% off the entire collection!

the above designs are all by megan galante. we love her colorful and fun work. how pretty is this matching case and watch strap?! her cheetah case was one of our best selling designs last time around and she did an updated version here!

i’m super excited to be adding my friend Hillary to the Casetify collection. she is the talented designer behind bliss & mischief and i love her vibe. her cases feel very 70’s and happy, i love the wildflower case with the glitter option, there are several different color options for the glitter, the silver is also very cool.

these block shop cases (1, 2, 3 , 4 and 5) are so cool and i’m thrilled they are part of our collection! i reached out to them on whim and with my fingers crossed. i have been a long time fan of their work but didn’t know if they’d be open to putting their beautiful creations on cases, but they were! and i really really love how they turned out. they nail the color and print combos. they have coordinating watch straps (in tartan, and sidewinder )! their cases also look super cool with glitter like this one and this. if you’re curious, you can learn more about block shop on their site.

mike created my wedding invitations that justin and i both loved and i’m excited to add his work to our shop! he is incredibly talented and i think is pieces translate perfectly to cases and watch strap. this star on star combo is so fun. and the star design is also available on AirPod cases!

ivy is the sweetest and an incredible ceramic artist! it makes me happy to mix so many mediums of art into this collection. i love ivy’s work. joanie is currently rocking this case (which is also cute with the pink edges) and i love how her watch straps and cases look together. and she has airpod cases too (here and here) ! coming from a home with two people with AirPods having cases to set them apart is a win.

Ohmeed created these beautiful cases for us, i love that they have a desert vibe. they’re very calming. the pink and green tile ones are very chic.

and katy smail! we first featured katy’s designs years ago on dress your tech and we’re very happy to have her on Casetify. she kills the floral game and how about this cute pink cat case?! also love the tulip case and the punchy colors on this happy flower case.

everyone was a big fan of the jessalyn cases at our last launch and we’re excited to bring two more of her abstract designs to this collection, this one and this.

last but certainly not least is this gorgeous case by la tinta! she contributed two designs to this collection and they are both a favorite of ours. the colors are really pretty.

that sums it’s up! thank you for all of the love and support and excitement you have already shared with us about the launch! it means so much to us.

p.s. don’t forget to use designlovefest15 for 15% the entire collection!

Kinetic installation uses rocks and electromechanics to play music

An electromechanical sound machine sounds much more sophisticated than, say, a musical instrument. That’s exactly what artist Neil Mendoza has created. His electromechanical devices are capable of playing songs like George Harrison’s “Here Comes the Sun.”

The device called Rock Band, is kinetic sound art installation combining four instruments: a xylophone, a buzzing base, spinners, and slappers. Mendoza goes into detail describing how each part works like how the slappers, “slap the rocks with pieces of fake leather and provide some light percussion.”

Watch the video below to see the instrument in action and find more works on his website.

Click here to view the embedded video.

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