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10 Clever Uses for the LED Throwie

Dec 2, 2011 11:38 PM

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The LED throwie is an ingenious graffiti application invented by Graffiti Research Lab: the marriage of magnets and LEDs for portable, throw-able, digital graffiti. This week on Giveaway Tuesdays, we are hosting a giveaway of a more polished version of the LED throwie, available at Think Geek. There are DIY instructions for making your own throwies, which I've posted below in video form, and hence, there is a great community of people (mostly on Flickr) showing off their LED throwie projects.

This week: We challenge you to come up with a cool application for the LED throwie. The winner will receive a set of 40. In need of a little inspiration? Before you participate, check out these 10 fun applications for the infamous LED throwie.

1. Throwing Throwies at a Train

A night train is the perfect moving target. Captured in a blur by flickr user Carol Browne:

Colorful heart-shaped bokeh lights in a hand.

Vintage train with the number C.P.R. 374, illuminated by colorful lights.

Colorful abstract light patterns with a circular focal point.

2. Seattle Gassworks

The structures at Seattle's Gassworks Parks make for a beautiful canvas. Day shot captured by flickr user martineno:

Rusty metal tower with small white objects scattered on its surface.

Another day shot by Slightlynorth:

Rusty metal surface with climbing holds.

Night shot captured by green eyed so and so:

Industrial smokestacks against a twilight sky.

Industrial structure at dusk with a cloudy sky.

3. Throwies in Motion

Timelapse photography fun captured with the Nikon D300 by flickr user Brady Macdonald:

Colorful light trails in red and green against a black background.

Light trails forming a circular pattern in red on a dark background.

4. Spell it Out

Mobile advertising for bright.nl/oranje by Erwin van der Zande:

Old blue van parked at night with license plate visible.

5. Night Light

Illuminating a street corner in Torino by TODO.TO.IT:

Illuminated green decorations on a street in the dark.

Illuminated green water fountain with decorative elements.

A glowing green decoration resembling a deer with lights in a dark setting.

6. Undisclosed Location

Can you guess where this is? Beautiful display by what appears to be a F.A.T/Graffiti Research Lab flickr account urban_data:

Colorful blue and green decorative lights arranged in a wavy pattern.

Colorful blue and green light bokeh background.

7. Public Art

Another application posted by urban_data; the beautification of a public sculpture:

Statue illuminated with colorful lights at night.

Statue adorned with colorful holiday lights.

8. Floating Figure... Baby Jesus?

Once again posted by urban_data, the construction of the human figure:

Illuminated figure sculpture with yellow lights against a dark background.

Street sign at night featuring Lafayette and Kenmare streets, illuminated figure above.

Person sitting in a chair next to a light-up figure shaped like a human.

Lit skull sculpture surrounded by orange glowing lights.

9. Metal Fan

Just toss 'em on those metal blades; by flickr user Vanderlin:

Two people posing with a colorful light display at night.

A glowing circular light display with two people interacting in a nighttime outdoor setting.

Colorful decorative fan with lights.

10. The Fiat 500

Last but not least, a cute little Fiat 500 truly makes the perfect target. The Graffiti Research Lab live in Rome, as photographed by James Powderly:

Decorated miniature car with colorful lights in a crowd at night.

Decorated vintage car with colorful lights.

A silver car decorated with colorful Christmas lights at night.

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