We like our usual scale just fine. It tells us our body fat percentage, so we know when it goes near 25, it’s time to cool it with the brie. For those of you who dread what the LED reads, industrial designer Jim Ruck’s conceptual scale might seem like your worst nightmare. Though it looks intimidating– being composed of hundreds of pins and all — the device would allow your body weight to be distributed evenly. Look at the bright side: at least he didn’t put the pins in the other way.

You don’t have to be a messenger to be in search of a serious bag. The latest gear from Chrome has arrived. The no nonsense pack producers have introduced their spring ‘09 line: The MiniMetro, Citizen, and Metropolis. All models are available in a limited variety of colors and are the ideal accessories for those consistently on the move. In addition to choice cases they also offer an array of hoodies and jackets in their online store.

While some bands are well connected enough in the music biz to get producers like the Neptunes or Rick Rubin to work on their debut album, Brazilian metal-industrial band Omega Code is more concerned with getting artists like Joshua Davis (pictured here) and Mike Cina. Convinced that a visual element must accompany a true music-listening experience, the group commissioned these guys, plus an enviable crew of other top guns (Si Scott, Motomichi and Dimitre Lima, who has gone on to lush pastures since we introduced him here) to design posters incorporating their logo that will be given out for free when the album launches — which is also free. But that’s not all, folks. Accompanying this mega launch will be a book and DVD published by design mag icon IdN. They’ve opened the floodgates to fans too, encouraging illustrators and designers to submit their ideas for a chance to see their artwork alongside these graphic design gods. The newly extended deadline is March 31. Stay tuned to the band’s website for news on the posters and album release date.

Inquiring Mind (INQMND) Magazine delves into the minds of Richard Clarke, Jesse Leyva, and Jarrett Reynolds, three designers that drive the look of Nike Sportswear. They may not have all come from backgrounds typical to their trade, but whatever they’re doing has yielded some of the illest looks yet. We’re particularly partial to the Obsidian Flywire Cortez’s. These are not your traditional George Costanzas.

Also, be sure to check out INQMND’s new podcast with DJ Mike Danger.