This fall, you’ll be able to purchase the Hello & Goodbye backrest coat hanger, one of the first production pieces from concept artist John Nouanesing. What are some of his other concepts you may ask? How about a dog urinal for the lazy pet owner? Or maybe Pong 3D, a working table tennis set made to look like the Atari game. But, right now we’re loving the walnut and aluminum rack. Half design piece, half functioning coat hanger, all hot.

Is it Tuesday already? While we’re busy devising ways to get you into first class seats, front row concerts, digitized gadgets and limited edition schwag, we thought you might like a nice amuse-gueules prize. We’ve been ranting about Makr brand leather goods, and now we want to put one in your pocket — wait, that didn’t come out right. Choose from all of their excellent lines, including the Lace (above, left) for the ladies.

THE PRIZE: A lovely Makr wallet (est. retail, $120).

THIS WEEK’S RULES: We have another simple challenge. Last week we wanted to know what Mr. Spear had in his bag. This week, we just want to know how much money you think he has in his wallet (at the time of this post). First two readers to get closest without going over … you know the drill.

It’s a scene that has played out many times before: the eyes of world are focused on the opening ceremonies, and the lighting of the Olympic flame effectively announces, “let the games begin.” Ever since the 1936 Games in Berlin, this tradition has enlisted the finest designers around the world to represent the host country in torch form. As the athletes get ready to go for gold in Beijing, The New York Times took a retrospective look at past torches and the newest flame bearer. This year’s torch, formed in the shaped of a traditional Chinese scroll, doesn’t credit one person with its design, but gives the distinction to Lenovo, the company that produces the IBM Thinkpad. Interesting.

via Core77

The Simpsons series (out August 21) marks Kidrobot’s largest mini-figure series yet. Twenty-four vinyl figures stand just three inches tall, but the implications of the Kidrobot/Simpsons collaboration are huge. Despite the fact that Simpsons-creator Matt Groening redrew his characters in Kidrobot’s signature Dunny/Munny style, toy fans cried foul (loudly) on the site’s forum. The allegation: This new release violates Kidrobot’s core philosophy that nostalgia equals death.

KR founder Paul Budnitz holds tight to the belief that reminiscing on the past is a sure-fire creativity killer. His company creates urban art toys with a focus on fresh designers from the international graffiti scene. He points to subjects like dinosaurs and Stormtroopers as toys people buy due to memories, not artistry. And yet, the citizens of Springfield are unequivocally linked to nostalgia; be it their sloppy origins on the late 80s Tracey Ullman Show or the catch-phrases that became T-shirt fodder in the 90s. In an unprecedented move, Budnitz turned to his blog to explain his decision process, where he, among other things, discusses what really sucks (which, according to Paul, do NOT include LaCoste shirts, the Muppets and France).

From the brilliant minds that brought you the design mag Beautiful/Decay comes Something In the Universe (SITU), an agency that will tackle creative services, brand strategy, and marketing. In addition to working on the mag, they’ve also helped out The Shins, Toyota, and the MTV Movie Awards, but from what we gather, you can hire them for a little guidance even if you’re not (yet) a household name.