BENJAMIN R. LLOYD » blog

EV Charging

benlloyd — Thu, 15 Jul 2010 14:37:56 +0000

Yesterday, GE introduced the Wattstation, designed by fuseproject. It strikes me as a nice looking, attention drawing design that seems appropriate for its assumed (by me) role of publicity and promotion for GE and urban electric vehicle initiatives. There is good technology beneath the pretty surface, citing faster charge times, smart grid power allocation, upgradability, etc.

It’s easy to call out issues of environmental durability at first glance. Though more so, I was struck by the stark contrast of these devices looking completely out-of-place in the city streetscapes in the banner images:

Charging ahead: WattStation (image links to WattStation site)

Once EV’s become more common and it would no longer be necessary for cities to trumpet their EV friendliness. Looking forward a bit, I imagined how a system like this be integrated into an existing landscape. I sketched this idea (quickly). It’s not wholly original, as I’ve read about concepts involving piezo electric generators + induction chargers to power electric cars as they drive. Still, I think my concept makes sense while minimizing the visual and technological “exposure” / “clutter”:

Coincidentally, there was a time when cars themselves were viewed as ugly, out of place visual clutter in urban centers.

a nightmare

benlloyd — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 23:34:44 +0000

Sometimes I have work dreams. Sometimes I have designy dreams. This designy dream was a nightmare. I was meeting with a new client who made motorcycles. The company was looking to revise the latest model as they had received some negative feedback from the field and weren’t really sure what to do. I walked up to the existing product to examine it and the instrument cluster/handlebars looked like this:

Two huge panels filled with unlabeled buttons. Then I woke up in a cold sweat, and drew this picture.

sightings: a little mention

benlloyd — Sat, 05 Jun 2010 21:04:15 +0000

sightings: SBP 2010

benlloyd — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:57:33 +0000

Beki’s New Website Live

benlloyd — Sat, 29 May 2010 22:25:12 +0000

After 3 years, we’ve retired Beki’s website (my wife) and moved her over to WordPress. Instead of simply porting her old theme in WP, I created a refreshed look and (hopefully) streamlined structure. Her new theme is built on the Thematic Framework. I started with the excellent Gallery child theme by Chris Wallace and added support for YAPB along with integrating new blog/event post types. The new site doesn’t use any flash for better mobile access and seo. Check it out!

city car sketch

benlloyd — Fri, 19 Feb 2010 18:04:39 +0000

Update: Here is a photo of my little sketch on display in Rochester:

interruptions

benlloyd — Tue, 12 Jan 2010 18:30:26 +0000

I havent updated here in a few months. I’ve been very busy with all sorts of “other” projects. This winter will be known as the winter when everything breaks for Ben: cars, computers, appliances, etc. So, this is a temporary interruption. There will be considerable activity soon. Promise.

sightings: Skid Steer Ideation

benlloyd — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 21:19:12 +0000

race fliers are fun!

benlloyd — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 19:15:22 +0000

going up!

benlloyd — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:02:08 +0000

Sometimes I do feel like I’m in the basement. Positive thought: when starting at the bottom or in the back, there is only one way to go: up. Starting in the front, one can only stay in place or move back. I think it speaks for itself.

Nice image from a friend.

Thanks Brodie!