It's time for a little digital redecorating. Make your computer or iPhone homier with The Desktop Wallpaper Project. It's high design for the low, low price of free. Every Wednesday a new desktop pattern goes live from one of 60 different artists. The first offerings include a mesmerizing tableau from McBess, a captivating character from artist Tim Biskup and a bright, cheery haunted forest created by illustrator Andrew Groves.
http://kitsunenoir.com/blog/2008/03/05/the-desktop-wallpaper-project/

And now that you've saved a few pennies sprucing up your digital environment, you can splurge on the 3D one. The clever folks at Gouthier Design turned printing plates from the firm's design and business journal, Graft, into compelling pieces of art. They brushed 6 x 6-inch sections of aluminum printing plates with separation colors—cyan, yellow, magenta or specialty metallic. Black plates received highlights in white. These limited editions are mounted on 3-inch-deep frame casings and sell for $75.
http://www.gouthier.com/reprint.html

Try out the product design arena with the Ample Sample contest. It challenges creative-minded folks to find new life for outdated carpet samples otherwise destined for the landfill. Last year's finalists included a mod-looking lounge chair, an eco-friendly purse and a handy magazine holder. Think you can do better? Upload an image of your design along with instructions for building it by May 10, 2008. Winners get bragging rights along with promotion of their designs at NeoCon—a prominent interior design trade show—and in Floor Focus magazine.
http://www.amplesample.net/2008/about/