19 replies to this topic

[Hans van der Maarel]

I've just finished the work on the first 'release version' of the maps for the globe chairs, and I thought I'd give you a little bit of an update. I have 3 'pre-production' models in my home at the moment that I used as a reference for color and sharpness differences (printing on cloth means you can't show small details), so here's a quick photo (please don't look at the mess):

 IMG_2430_large.JPG   126.31K   280 downloads

The final version uses the same style, I just made some edits to make the sewing process a bit easier, as well as correcting a few mistakes.

You wouldn't believe the trouble I had to go through in order to get them in my car and then up 2 flights of stairs and through 3 doors... You see, the big one has a diameter of about 5 feet. Wider than the stairwell and the doors in my house.

Some map samples are available on my website. If you want to order one of these globes, feel free to visit Oolaalaa.

[benbakelaar]

I am so ordering one of these.

Congrats on completing the project Hans! That was a long one.

[rudy]

I love it!!! Great work! I want the big one . . . if it wasn't a little too expensive. How much does it cost to ship a 5 foot ball overseas? Fantastic. It's going on my birthday wish list (fellow Cartotalkers take note: you have 9 months to save!)

[ELeFevre]

Hans,
They look fantastic! Are they comfortable and stable to sit on?

[Rafal]

I've just finished the work on the first 'release version' of the maps for the globe chairs, and I thought I'd give you a little bit of an update. I have 3 'pre-production' models in my home at the moment that I used as a reference for color and sharpness differences (printing on cloth means you can't show small details), so here's a quick photo (please don't look at the mess):

 IMG_2430_large.JPG   126.31K   280 downloads

The final version uses the same style, I just made some edits to make the sewing process a bit easier, as well as correcting a few mistakes.

You wouldn't believe the trouble I had to go through in order to get them in my car and then up 2 flights of stairs and through 3 doors... You see, the big one has a diameter of about 5 feet. Wider than the stairwell and the doors in my house.

Some map samples are available on my website. If you want to order one of these globes, feel free to visit Oolaalaa.

I like the middle one.

You could also make Moon and Mars for other people around the table

[Hans van der Maarel]

Rudy,

Shipping to North America could be pricy, due to the size. If you're really interested, it's best to contact Oolaalaa directly and work something out with them. In due time, there might be a distribution point in North America though.

Erin,

They are actually quite comfortable, provided you sit in a size that's suitable for your length. They come in 6 sizes: XS, S, M, L, XL and XXL, shown here are XS, L and XXL. The L is meant for kids or short people. If I sit in it, it's comfortable, but getting up is difficult because it's so low. Kind of like sitting on a chair that's too low for you. The XXL is great for me. Plus, since it forms itself to your body, you're not limited to one particular way of sitting.

Ben,

It took a long time, but that's partly due to the fact that printing needs to be done in fairly large runs. Up until now, we've been doing test prints, but even those would result in several balls, so they would sell those and we'd only start working on the next test once the stock had run out.

Rafal,

I suggested doing the moon as well. The XXL and XS have roughly the same ratio of diameter as the Earth and the moon...

[CHART]

Really neat work Hans.

[A. Fenix]

MY BIRTHDAY IS COMING UP TOO!

WOW! my new favorite thing to obsess over...

I must have one! two...three...

[GISRox]

Very cool indeed. That XXL has my name written all over it. When we get a North American distributor, let me know!

[Hans van der Maarel]

Very cool indeed. That XXL has my name written all over it. When we get a North American distributor, let me know!

Hmmm...

R U S S I A

C H I N A

C A N A D A

A T L A N T I C O C E A N

Sorry... no PaulM

It seems there is some genuine interest from the US and/or Canada. Could anybody who is seriously interested please PM me, I can then see if we can do something re. shipping.

[rudy]

Hans - can you clarify? Are they stuffed balls or bean bag chairs (which generally have stuffing but aren't completely stuffed full)? Do you have a photo of one being used as a chair, if that's the case? I might have a distributor who's interested.

[Hans van der Maarel]

Hans - can you clarify? Are they stuffed balls or bean bag chairs (which generally have stuffing but aren't completely stuffed full)? Do you have a photo of one being used as a chair, if that's the case? I might have a distributor who's interested.

These are, for lack of a better word, bean bag chairs. When there's nobody sitting in them, they are roughly spherical. As soon as you sit in them they give way up to (or rather down to) a certain level. Then when you get up, they pop back in a matter of seconds.

There's some good photos of people sitting in them on the official site.

[benbakelaar]

Hans, it's not your bean bag is it?? (in the picture)

http://www.wired.com...e/15-07/ff_maps

[Hans van der Maarel]

Hans, it's not your bean bag is it?? (in the picture)

http://www.wired.com...e/15-07/ff_maps

No, it isn't. Looks more like a regular or inflatable globe at first sight...

There will be an article on how I did this published online sometime really soon (or so I'm told), with some cool photos.

[J Shively]

Very Cool and would look very nice in a cartographer's home...however, at 799 Euro's or ~ $1100 U.S. Dollars, it won't be in mine anytime soon.