The iPad is an incredibly versatile tool.  For Designers, it can become essential, though sifting through the ocean of apps may be daunting.  As many a Designer received an iPad this holiday season, I felt it apt time to compile a list of apps (and tools) to turn the iPad into the perfect portable Industrial Design, with an exhaustive software suite and few extras thrown in for fun.

Load up iTunes, get the gift cards ready, and begin downloading… NOW.

Accessories

Ten One Design Pogo Sketch Stylus

Out of all accessories, this is the most essential.  We need a stylus to sketch, and Ten One’s Pogo line is the best of the bunch, providing a comfortable feel and a being nearly lag-free.  Must buy! ($8)

Alternatives: Ten One’s Pogo Stylus (smaller size)

Apple’s iPad Case ($40)

It’s not perfect, but it’s still the best one available at a decent price.  Protect your iPad, because you WILL drop it.

Alternatives: Incase Convertible Magazine Jacket, Quirky Cloak

Sketching

Sketchbook Pro ($3/Holiday Sale)

As we noted earlier this year, this is not only the best sketching/rendering/art app on the iPad, but it’s actually one of the best sketching tools PERIOD.  Multiple layers, endless brushes, customization, import/export options… the list goes on and on.  Everyone, even non-designers, should own this app.

Alternatives: ArtStudio, Layers Pro, Adobe Ideas, Brushes

Vector Imaging

iDraw ($8.99)

This extremely versatile vector-based illustration program surprised me.  Not only can I create vector-based concepts and designs, but I was able to import images and add text, resulting in a great presentation/layout-creation tool.  The pieces can be exported in a variety of formats, from vector-based PDF to PNG.

Alternative: Freeform

Image Manipulation

Photogene ($3.99)

Often, we’ll need to take a sketch or photograph and modify it in preparation for further usage.  This can include functions from simple rotation and cropping all the way to color adjustment and retouching.  Photogene is as complete as they get for the iPad, providing several filters on top of the already extensive manipulation services.

Alternatives: Adobe Photoshop Express, PhotoPad

Note-Taking

Sound Note ($4.99)

Taking notes during meetings can be an arduous task, albeit an important one.  With the iPad, note-taking apps are plentiful.  Sound Note provides not only some basic hand-writing recognition and keyboard note-taking, but sketching and synced audio recording.  After a meeting is over, simply tap the written note and the recorded audio plays from the timestamp when the note/text was written.  Incredibly useful!

Alternatives: Audio Note, Penultimate

Project & Task Management

SG Project ($9.99)

Project management tools are necessary to make sure that our work is being done on time, and that we are receiving the support we need. SG Project allows for timeline management, multiple workflows, multiple employees, and more.  It’s basically a portable version of Microsoft Project.

Alternatives: Nozbe Todo

Presentation

Keynote ($9.99)

It’s important to showcase our work, and Powerpoint-style programs are an easy way to create detailed presentations of our projects.  For the iPad, Apple’s own Keynote is the best of the bunch, with animation, image addition, a plethora of themes, and the ability to import PPT files rounding it out.

CAD Viewers

on-Hand Viewer XL ($1.99)

Though there are not any deep CAD manipulation tools available for the iPad yet, there are a few excellent viewers.  on-Hand Viewer XL provides the ability to load a CAD model (CATIA, IGS, STL, etc) in its native format for viewing and markup.  Rotate, zoom, cu sections and grab images for quick notes and sharing.

Alternatives: iRhino 3D, AutoCad WS, vueCAD,

File-Sharing

DropBox (Free)

DropBox is the quintessential method for sharing large files with teams and clients.  The free iPad app allows for uploading of images and files to the cloud for access at any time.  Create a secure folder and manage what your clients can and can’t access.

Alternatives: FTP One the Go Pro, AirSharing HD

Meetings

WebEx (Free)

Hosting and attending virtual meetings is no longer a future prospect.  With portable devices, it can be nearly impossible to miss a meeting.  WebEx has been one of the premiere online meeting apps for years, and since it has made its way onto the iPad it has revolutionized meetings on the go.  From VOIP to screen-sharing, notation, and video, the app has it all.

Alternatives: GoTo Meeting, Fuze Meeting

If you have are using any apps for the iPad that are worthwhile to Designers, let us know in the comments!

Buy it at the CDf store now!!

MB&F creates some amazing timepieces.  Designer’s are always known to have some interesting hardware on their wrist, but I have never seen anything this awesome.  The inspiration behind this piece is from the designer Maximilian Büsser’s childhood passion for assembling model plane kits.  This sculpture would look right at home with your arm hanging out the window of a mid 50′s Chevy or even next to the huge center vents of a Jaguar XJ.  This is truly a product that is sure to inspire and make its way onto a few designers image boards.  And you may ask, what is a horological machine?

Horological Machines are as much, if not more, art and sculpture as they are micro-engineering: they are machines which tell the time rather than machines to tell the time.

By designing and constructing three-dimensional machines rather than wristwatches, MB&F are able to break free of the constraints imposed by traditional horology and create kinetic art.

Check out the MB&F site for other works of art and hit the jump for more images.

[pics from notcot}

CDF’s very own Jason White is on the cusp of releasing his first book, Old School Viscom, to the masses! Over the past year, Jason has posted tutorial after tutorial on the Fetish, helping professionals and students alike in understanding the basics of automotive sketching and rendering across a variety of medium.

Join us in congratulating Jason on the release of his first book!  The 250-page book is available for preorder right now (click here) and more info can be found on the official website (oldschoolviscom.com).

Finally an Audi for all the kiddos out there.  This $13,000 toy is an awesome replica of a 1936 race car.  The roadster contains over 900 pieces with an aluminum body all put together by the Audi toolmaking division.  Why do I have a feeling that no kid will ever “drive” one of these.  Instead it will be some sort of decoration for someone with way too much money.

[Source: Playgrounder]

The Limited Edition 2010 Rendered Hope Charity Calendar is about to finish printing.  There is only 2 weeks left to order!  This year’s calendar has already been a great success and surpassed last year’s sales.  The children at the Detroit Children’s Hospital are grateful.

Just a reminder that the calendar is full of transportation artwork from designers across the country and 100% of the profits go to the Children’s Hospital. This will truly be a collectors edition showing Sangyup Lee”s last sketches from GM.   He is now Chief Exterior Designer for VW at the Santa Monica Studio.

Click here to order yours today!!

Press Release after the jump….

Car Design Fetish Announces 2010 “Rendered Hope” Charity Car Design Calendar

Automotive design and enthusiast website coordinates with Children’s Hospital of Michigan and to provide toys for children at Detroit Medical Center from sales of the unique calendar.

Automotive design enthusiast website Car Design Fetish (www.cardesignfetish.com) has announced the availability of the limited edition “Rendered Hope” 2010 Charity Car Design Calendar, with all profits going towards the purchase  of toys for the Children’s Hospital of Michigan at the Detroit Medical Center.

With support from established designers at companies such as General Motors and supplier Johnson Controls, as well as design firm Future Elements and publisher Design Studio Press among others, the calendar contains beautiful artwork of vehicles in the artists’ individual art styles.  High-quality images of hot rods, race cars, and futuristic vehicles adorn each page along with a short biography of the designer.

The professional designers and artists who have supplied artwork for the calendar include Micah Jones, Scott Robertson, Dwayne Vance, Dustin Shedlarski, Arvind Ramkrishna, Raza Bashir, Sangyup Lee, Brian Stupski, Mark Weaver, Wayne Manista, and Charlie Smith.

Car Design Fetish will utilize the profits from the sales to purchase gifts for the patients at DMC’s Children’s Hospital of Michigan including Hot Wheels and other toys.  Sized at 11″ x 17″ the limited-edition calendar is on sale through December 31st, after which it will be removed from sale.
The calendar retails for $22.99 and can be ordered online at www.cafepress.com/cardesignfetish.416898679

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Car Design Fetish is a website blog aimed at sharing information, trends, news and tutorials amongst creative designers in the automotive and product design industries.  The website can be found at http://www.cardesignfetish.com

Have you ever seen a better deal.  Except for our Charity Calendar I have not seen a better value for the car enthusiast.  Papa John is sharing his favorite Camaro in a size we can all afford.  For the $5 purchase price $1 goes to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation while the othe $4 pays for the car which includes a coupon for a free medium pizza.  Papa J is also donating 5,000 mini Camaro’s to Toys for Tots.  Instead of a Hot Wheel for the kiddo this year go splurge on one of these and get yourself a pizza!

Press Release after the jump….

PAPA JOHN’S TO DONATE $80,000 IN PROCEEDS OF MINI CAMARO SALES TO TOYS FOR TOTS

Pizza chain’s contribution to annual holiday campaign also will include free pizza offer on back of mini-car packaging, all available at www.papajohns.com

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (November 16, 2009) – Earlier this year, “Papa” John Schnatter set out on a cross-country Road Trip to celebrate the 25th Anniversary of Papa John’s Pizza…and to search for the car that started it all: a 1971 Z28 Camaro that Schnatter sold to keep his dad’s tavern in business and ultimately open his first Papa John’s restaurant. He even offered a $250,000 reward for the car’s safe return. To everyone’s surprise (especially Schnatter’s), the beloved Camaro was found in Flatwoods, Ky. in August.

Beginning today, pizza and car lovers alike may purchase a mini replica of Schnatter’s Camaro for just $4.99 at www.papajohns.com. For every mini Camaro sold, $1 will be donated to the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation, just in time for the holidays. In addition, every toy’s packaging includes a coupon for a free medium cheese pizza – making it the gift that keeps on giving, long after the holiday leftovers are gone!

Papa John’s is also donating 5,000 mini Camaros directly to Toys for Tots – a retail value of $25,000, and $50,000 in redeemable free pizzas. In total, Papa John’s will contribute more than $155,000 to the 2009 Toys for Tots campaign.

“You could say that Christmas came early this year for John, which is why we’re especially pleased to share his joy with kids around the country who love Papa John’s pizza,” said Jude Thompson, Papa John’s president and chief operating officer. “Papa John’s is proud to partner and be associated with Toys for Tots, renowned for touching millions of young lives year after year.”

“Papa John has a great story that’s not only fun, but also provides hope and inspiration to less fortunate children,” said Maj. Bill Grein, USMC (Ret), vice president of the Marine Toys for Tots Foundation. “Toys for Tots is honored to have the support of Papa John’s and their 2,600 restaurants across the country this season as we make the holidays brighter for families everywhere.”

For more information and to purchase a mini Camaro, benefiting Toys for Tots, visit www.papajohns.com.

About Marine Toys for Tots

The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation is a not for profit organization authorized by the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve to provide fundraising and other necessary support for their annual Toys for Tots Program. Now in its 62nd year, Toys for Tots provides hope and happiness to economically disadvantaged children through the gift of a shiny new toy during the Christmas holiday season. Our gifts offer these children recognition, confidence and a positive memory they will cherish for a lifetime. Many of the gifts we provide, such as books, games and sports equipment, make a significant contribution to the educational, social and recreational interests of these children. In 2008, Marines distributed gifts to 7.6 million children in over 650 communities nationwide. The Marine Toys for Tots Foundation relies on individual donations from the American public and is supported by corporate sponsorships. For more information, visit www.toysfortots.org.

About Papa John’s

Headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky, Papa John’s International, Inc. (NASDAQ: PZZA) is the world’s third largest pizza company. For nine of the last 10 years, consumers have rated Papa John’s No. 1 in customer satisfaction among all national pizza chains in the highly regarded American Customer Satisfaction Index (ACSI). Papa John’s also ranks first among pizza companies in the 2008 Brand Keys Customer Loyalty Engagement Index, was honored by Restaurants & Institutions Magazine (R&I) with the 2008 Silver Award for Consumers’ Choice in Chains in the pizza segment, and was named 2007 Pizza Today Chain of the Year. For more information about the company or to order pizza online, visit Papa John’s at www.papajohns.com.

It’s here!!!  The 2010 Rendered Hope Charity Calendar featuring transportation artwork from professional designers.  This years calendar has a great mix of work from OEM, Hot Rod and Entertainment Designers.  There is feature artwork from the hot Camaro, Corvette Stingray Concept, Scott Robertson’s crazy ships, west coast Hot Rods and more!

Just like last year 100% of the profits will go toward buying Hot Wheels and toys for the Detroit Children’s Hospital annual Snow Pile Event.  This is a great cause that you surely want to support.

Head on over to our store at Cafe Press and buy the gift that gives 12 times a year!  This is a large calendar too at 11″ x 17″ with thick card stock and full bleed printing.  Very high quality.

The calendar is a limited edition print and will be on sale now through the end of the year.  So spread the word and get it while you can!

Buy It Here!

This Interactive Recreational Entertainment Vessel (iREV) is a pontoon with a specific purpose.  10 people can sit around the central low smoke charcoal grill or a number of other modules that can replace it.  This is quite the floating bar but at 24g’s you can buy one hell of a pontoon boat.  Still it is a pretty cool product for floating around with friends.  It is also environmentally friendly with 45% reclaimed material,  80% recyclable and it is made in America.