In an example of subtraction and task unification, this site has taken away the time it takes to sit through daily weather reports, and combined it with the real question on everyone’s mind. The result? A fantastically simple site called, “Umbrella Today?“.

Is it possible that a quick lesson in division could reduce roommate conflict? By cleverly dividing what was once shared, the Electrolux Design Lab may have done just that.

This form of task unification, presented by Danny Kuo, is sure to please those of us struggling with organization in small spaces.

This instance of Attribute Dependency is in honor of Michael Phelps and his webbed feet – the Gumball Machine Fish Bowl.  Not only is it a creative idea, it’s a DIY project too.  Check out the instructions at Addicted 2 Decorating.

What happens when you subtract the conversation from a phone call?  You get slydial – “a voice message service that connects you directly to someone’s mobile voice mail.”  All you have to do is dial 267-SLYDIAL before placing your call, and then leave your message after the beep.

The slydial website has a rather tongue in cheek list of possible slydial Situations, which coincidentally, also subtract the awkwardness from certain unpleasant social situations.  Our favorite;

You go to a week long convention for work in Las Vegas and blow $5,000 the first night at the roulette table. You need to call your wife and tell her why she should hold off on making the monthly mortgage payment. Her voicemail will be much more understanding than she will.

Here’s a round up of some inventive thinking on the part of advertisers, using Attribute Dependency.  You can be as cynical as you please about marketing to the lowest common denominator (we are), but these ads would make anyone look twice;

1. FedEx

2.Y-plus Yoga Center

3. BBC

4. Heinz

5. YKM

6. Juice Salon

7. fnac

8. Army (UK)

(via Toxel.com, AdverBox, adgoodness, adland)

Even though it’s a little early to be thinking about next year, you might want to…mark your calendar, and remember to buy this Bubble Calendar for 2009;

Based on the universal premise that everyone likes to pop bubbles, memories of Advent calendars, interesting ways of marking time’s progression and needing to know what day it is, Stephen came up with the Bubble Calendar. (via Cool Hunting)

This Attribute Dependency change (bubble wrap instead of paper) renders the tactile calendar a method of marking the passage of time, versus an apparatus for planning and scheduling. Given the increasing use of PDA, e-mail, and other digital planners, calendar makers should take note of this instance of inventive thinking.  In our opinion, not even Google Calendar can compete with bubble wrap.

The Inventive Thinking Project is all about taking the time to reflect on the process of creativity.  Mirror Tic Tac Toe is therefore the perfect symbol of both the premise, and the purpose of this site.  Oh, and it’s a nice take on Attribute Dependency, Division and Task Unification.

(via DVICE)

Inventive thinking may not save your business, but it will always make a statement.  Check out this clever moment of Subtraction from Restaurant Florent;

(via Gawker)

The novelty of the square watermelon is of course, an Attribute Dependency change.  The story behind the square watermelon is just as interesting;

Japanese grocery stores had a problem. They are much smaller than their  US counterparts and therefore don’t have room to waste. Watermelons, big and round, wasted a lot of space. Most people would simply tell the grocery stores that watermelons grow round and there is nothing that can be done about it. But some Japanese farmers took a different approach.  ”If the supermarkets want a space efficient watermelon,”  they asked themselves, “How can we provide one?” It wasn’t long before they invented the square watermelon.

The solution to the problem of round watermelons wasn’t nearly as difficult to solve for those who didn’t assume the problem was impossible to begin with and simply asked how it could be done. It turns out that all you need to do is place them into a square box when they are growing and the watermelon will take on the shape of the box.

Read more about the lessons of the square watermelon at Hard Knox Life.  Or, learn how to grow them yourself here.  We don’t suggest trying to buy one, as they cost about 10,000 yen ($90).