[Image: Dust mite, latimes /Artwork: designslinger]

This is the magnified image of a dust mite. Very creepy, eerie and alien. It looks like it could be
featured in a movie about some unearthly attack bug. But, it survives incredibly well with us here on earth. Actually it thrives with us. Even the cleanest household contains dust mites, because thye are hardy little creatures and we ourselves are constantly feeding them just by shedding microscopic bits of skin. They can number in the tens of millions, so its a good thing they are so tiny that we can't see them without the aid of a microscope.

[Image: Hooke microscope, wikipedia /Artwork: designslinger]

The way we see things has been altered substantially by the microscope and technology.
Robert Hooke is credited with the invention of the first compound microscope and illumination system in 1665. We have been looking closer and closer at the world ever since. Macro photography, and molecular microscopy have given us the opportunity to discover an incredible new world of design.

The super enlargement of the dust mite sent me on a hunt. I wanted to further explore this macro
world and see if anything interesting would turn up. I started the search with some common, but popular objects and was stunned by the enhanced imagery. It was quite simply - beautiful. So, here are a few I thought I'd share with you, without much comment beyond a basic description of what you're looking at, and a closing thought.

[Images: Tangential section, molecular expressions; illustration, NYPL Digital Gallery, American Sycamore Tree
/Artwork: designslinger]

This is the American Sycamore tree. The tangential section you are looking at was created with
a piece of equipment that is part of a microscopic maginification system called optical microscopy.

[Images: Wing scales, molecular expressions; illustration, NYPL Digital Gallery, Monarch Butterfly /Artwork: designslinger]

The monarch butterfly is probably the most popular butterfly in North America, and an insect
most of us find beautiful to look at with the naked eye. With the photo micrograph, the pattern of the butterflies wing makes this creature truly breathtaking. The pattern revealed is as inspiring a resource for the designer as any I've seen before.

[Images: Hair follicle, molecular expressions; illustration, costumes.org /Artwork: designslinger]

Hair. It's something we all have, sometimes too much of; sometimes to little of, but here it is
presented to you as a polarized light microscopy digital image. Along with an 18th century men's wig.

[Images: Section, molecular expressions; illustration: Diamond /Artwork: designslinger]

It is the gemstone to end all gemstones: the diamond. It is the hardest naturally occuring
substance on the planet and most prized jewel. We are enthralled by its beauty and allure.

We have come a long way since Mr. Hooke. The world of optics, macro-photography, and digital
technology have combined to give us something new to look at and think about.