AU 2011: Interview with Design-Build Firm Because We Can, Part 1 From residences to offices to furniture to Burning Man art projects, Oakland-based design-build firm Because We Can is capable of designing and making a lot of crazy stuff. "CNC machines don't care how complex things are," founder Jeff McGrew pointed out during his Autodesk University 2011 Mainstage event. By now you've probably read our transcript of that talk, and now we're ready to post our video chat with both McGrew and co-founder Jillian Northrup, whom we caught up with in the AU 2011 Creative Studio. » Part 2: Projects Past and Present » Part 3: The Open-Source Desk Project » Part 4: Advice for Design Students Gift Guide 2011: Core77's End of Year/End of Days Must Haves Photo Editor / New York, New York Finding great gifts for designers is tough: They’re picky, they already know what they want and chances are it’s not cheap—industrial designers are even worse—they’re some of the most over-informed and critical consumers to shop for! The best strategy is simply asking what they want but if you’re still up to the challenge of finding that special something, I recommend being thoughtful and giving a present that's specific to their interests. Here’s a selection of functional products that are awesome, fun and might offer you some inspiration. Zombie Bells$42.95–169.95X3 Watering Can$99FiftyThree Pencil Stylus$49.95–59.95The Ice Baller$85Punch Bag Laundry Bag$36 littleBits × KORG Synth Kit$159The Sheffield Kevlar Shear$76 Senior Editor / Los Angeles, California Tools for working better, or at least in better surroundings. No one really wants to think about work over the holidays. Columnist / San Francisco, California Senior Editor / New York, New York
Skip the Booze, Bubbles, and Juice - 10 Ways to Look Better in the Morning on Shine Photo by: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, Time Inc DigitalPrep Hair Before Bed-If your fine strands tend to look greasy the minute you open your eyes, "use a dry shampoo preventively," says N.Y.C. ... more Photo by: Dimitrios Kambouris/Getty Images, Time Inc DigitalPrep Hair Before Bed-If your fine strands tend to look greasy the minute you open your eyes, "use a dry shampoo preventively," says N.Y.C. hairstylist Ryan Trygstad. Spray roots until hair feels chalky. Suave Professionals Dry Shampoo, $4; drugstore.com. less aruliden | Brand Strategy & Product Design oh whimsical me