We often underestimate the importance of a great chair. When in reality, we really shouldn’t. We spend the majority of our day sitting on chairs, whether we’re working in our home office, enjoying a meal, or simply sitting and reading a book for leisure! Hence, this piece of furniture needs to be not only comfortable but ergonomic and aesthetic as well. A well-designed chair makes it super easy and effortless to spend hours on it, as it’s simply been built that way. And if it manages to incorporate an innovative new technique and solution, that makes it all the more notable. A notable design that piqued my interest recently is the Peach Easy Chair.

Designer: Annabella Hevesi

Designed by Annabella Hevesi, the Peach Easy Chair was an attempt to introduce and experiment with a new mechanical joint. The interesting chair has been equipped with a unique mechanical joint solution that allows the foam to be shaped in an innovative manner. The joint enables the foam to be shaped without cutting or casting – the first method creates a lot of waste, and the second method is quite expensive. Instead, a new ‘tufting’ technique was employed to distort the foam and create the shell out of the chair. This not only reduces waste but also offers a mechanical connection between the components, eliminating the need for glue.

The metal component used in the chair not only distorts the foam, but also creates a connection between the metallic legs of the chair and its shell, it ‘tensions’ them together, and creates a sense of symmetry and synchronicity, in what would have otherwise been different elements of the same design. At, the same time, the use of the innovative tufting technique is also a form of emotional expression for the designer. It expresses the feeling of anxiety that she had been dealing with while designing the chair and for a year and a half before that. It is a beautiful representation of the difficult emotions she dealt with, and how she gently converted them into a form of art – furniture design.

The Peach Easy Chair is quite a sustainable design since the metallic components of the chair have been 3D printed, and the various methods used to construct the different elements of the chair are pretty sustainable as well.

The post Peach Easy Chair utilizes an innovative joint solution to shape the comfort foam + reduce waste first appeared on Yanko Design.

Poised to be one of the world’s biggest, most impactful events in the design industry, the Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) 2023 is set to take place in Hong Kong this month. Featuring leading creative and business minds from all over the world, KODW 2023 emphasizes the tremendous potential of design as a powerful tool for driving sustainable development and positive social change.

This 3-day event will feature keynotes from experts, panels, workshops, and masterclasses from industry leaders, and the ability to network with design’s biggest names. Scheduled from 14 to 16 June 2023, it promises an intellectual and creative feast set against the bustling, vibrant backdrop of Hong Kong.

Click Here to Register Now. Hurry, 50% off with promo code “KODWYANKO50”.

Discover ‘The Power of Design: Innovating for a Circular World’ from 14 to 16 June 2023 at Hong Kong Palace Museum

On the first two days of the conference, June 14th and 15th, we will dive into the captivating world of design at the Hong Kong Palace Museum. Nestled in the vibrant West Kowloon Cultural District, this iconic architectural landmark will set the stage for groundbreaking discussions on circular design. On the 16th, the KODW 2023 will venture into the vibrant cityscape and step into the realm of local partner studios, for off-site workshops. This ingenious addition takes the conference to a whole new level, offering participants a hands-on, immersive experience like no other.

KODW 2023 will host workshops and masterclasses led by pioneers from the Partner Country, the Netherlands, and other local and global creative leaders.

This year’s KODW is centered around the key narrative of responsible and circular design. With a strong focus on creating eco-conscious solutions, the conference underscores the role of design in building sustainable and resilient living patterns. It’s an essential call for creative minds to use their skills towards developing solutions that are not just visually appealing, but environmentally beneficial, socially inclusive, and economically sustainable.

Richard van der Laken from What Design Can Do believes design can significantly impact consumer behaviors, business strategies, policymaking, and planetary health.

The event is also a confluence of innovators from diverse fields, with researchers, business leaders, creatives, and experts from other disciplines gathering under one roof to share their insights and experiences. This cross-pollination of ideas from different spheres is what makes KODW an enriching and enlightening experience. The list of featured speakers is a veritable who’s-who of the global design community, including names like Richard van der Laken (What Design Can Do), Clint Nagata (BLINK Design Group), Marieke Rietbergen (Design Innovation Group (DIG)), Dr. Fan Ling (Tezign.com), and L. J. Kim (d’strict), Teo Yang (Teo Yang Studio), Pieter van Os (CIRCO), and Rama Gheerawo (The Helen Hamlyn Centre for Design, Royal College of Art).

Sustainable design in buildings is united with responsible considerations for experience and functionality these days. (Photo Credit: UNStudio Lyric Theatre Hong Kong ©UNStudio & ©DBOX)

L. J. Kim from d’strict will spark a conversation on the power of innovative cultural storytelling to engage with local communities and democratize art experiences on a global scale. (Photo Credit: ARTE MUSEUM – GANGNEUNG FOREST (2021) ©d’strict)

Workshop and masterclass leaders include experts in circular economy, open innovation, and industrial design. They promise to deliver sessions that will challenge conventional wisdom and introduce participants to radical and transformative ideas. These workshops and masterclasses will cover a diverse range of topics, from circular design principles to the role of artificial intelligence in creative business environments, and nurturing of creative leadership, each session promises an enriching learning experience.

The event is organized by the Hong Kong Design Centre, a premier institution known for its commitment to promoting design and innovation. With panel discussions that cover subjects as diverse as preserving urban legacies, cultural storytelling, innovative branding, and curating immersive dining experiences, Knowledge of Design Week 2023 is more than just an event – It is a celebration of the power of design to shape the world as we know it. This year’s edition promises to be more exciting and informative than ever before. Enroll now and experience the future of design at KODW 2023!

Click Here to Register Now. Hurry, 50% off with promo code “KODWYANKO50”.

The post Hong Kong’s LEADING Annual Design Event Is Here: Enroll NOW for the Knowledge of Design Week (KODW) 2023 first appeared on Yanko Design.

I, honestly love a good old outdoor adventure during the summer! Relaxing in the midst of nature, in a sweet bubble of my own, away from the hectic city life – sounds like heaven to me! Although, one thing that always worries me before any outdoor getaway is the meals! I’m a food lover through and through, and having warm and freshly prepared (and tasty) meals at all times is a must for me. A good meal isn’t always guaranteed though when you’re getting down and dirty in the outdoors, but we can always try our best! Hence, we’ve curated a collection of portable and functional kitchen appliances that will help you prepare delicious meals even when you’re surrounded by nothing but the wilderness. From a battery-operated ice-maker to an electric pizza oven for your backyard – we’ve collected a whole range of super cool and helpful outdoor cooking appliances that will deliver great food to you without fail.

1. Yuanye

The Yuanye is a portable outdoor barbecue grilling pan that you can bring to your outdoor adventures this summer. Though it looks like a portable projector, it is a super useful outdoor kitchen appliance that has been amped with a gas tank, fire source, and oil storage module.

Why is it noteworthy?

When you open it up, you’ll see two partitions where you can grill your meats on one side and your vegetable on the other. The design of this portable grill is inspired by the usual suitcases we bring when we travel, from the foldable design to the handle and all the accessories. But instead of being storage for clothes and other stuff we need, it’s actually for the food we need when going on a picnic or camping out in the middle of nature.

What we like

• You can cook steak and barbecue all kinds of meats as well as different types of vegetables with the Yuanye, allowing you to prepare a balanced and well-rounded meal
• Fashionable + good-looking appliance

What we dislike

• It’s a concept
• Looks a bit heavy to be carrying around, better suited for your backyard or close distances

2. The Calicamp Storage Drawer

The Calicamp storage drawer with outdoor kitchen fits into trunk space under the bed of the VW California and Multivan (other vehicles can be equipped on special request) and pulls outs for functionality, serving as an extremely useful and undeniable add on to your camper.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pull-out kit adds deep storage space for your gear or wings out on one side to provide a cooking platform with an installable grill, stove, and more; turning the camper van with no or small kitchen into a van with a gourmet-style fold-out kitchen.

What we like

• It comes preloaded with a charcoal grill, stove, trash bin, and cutting board to present an expandable kitchen

What we dislike

• It is designed for the VW California and Multivan. Other vehicles can be equipped on special request

3. The Viuu Bottle Opener

Bottle openers are probably the only EDCs to have undergone the least amount of innovation – a handle and a head are what you usually get. But YUUE Design Studio decided to revamp the age-old bottle opener. This one looks almost like a decorative piece, but without compromising on any of the functionality. You can now get your drinks ready in a really unique + effective manner with the Viuu Bottle Opener.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design is inspired by window grill patterns, specifically those from classic Chinese architecture. There are three shapes featured: one hexagonal, one rectangular, and one with a semi-circular design. All of them have these patterns that may remind you of windows in old houses if you live in such a place influenced by this kind of architecture.

What we like

• Inspired by classic Chinese architecture
• Gives the traditional bottle opener an interesting makeover

What we dislike

• There are no handles to grip while opening the bottle, only the grill design
• Seems more decorative than functional

4. The FLEXTAIL EVO ICER Ice Maker

The FLEXTAIL EVO ICER ice maker is the ultimate ice maker with a built-in battery, and it also happens to be the world’s first. It tackles all the issues you face with the traditional portable ice makers, such that they do exist, but are burdened with slow speeds, and power cords.

Why is it noteworthy?

Right off the bat, you can immediately see that the EVO ICER is meant to be carried anywhere. Weighing only 20.9 lbs and smaller than most portable ice coolers, the ice maker can be easily lifted and positioned where you can easily make and grab as much ice as you need.

What we like

• The 200Wh battery inside means you don’t have to worry about power sockets, and the EVO ICER can run for as long as three hours on a full charge

What we dislike

• Doesn’t have an option to chill drinks inside if needed

5.  Makit’s Portable Microwave

Makit’s portable microwave utilizes a cordless XTGT system to assist you in heating your meals and snacks when you’re on the go on your outdoor adventures. It features 40-volt rechargeable batteries, which can use up to 500 watts for eight minutes and then 350 watts after that to save energy.

Why is it noteworthy?

When the batteries are fully charged, it will be able to warm up 11 meals or 20 drinks. It also has a USB port so you can also juice up your smartphone or a gadget, but of course, you’ll probably have to choose between your meal or your device. The microwave also comes with a handle and a strap so you can carry it around with you.

What we like

• If you’re worried about safety, the design has safety measures in place for the user’s convenience
• It also deactivates when it’s tilted or when the door is opened

What we dislike

• If you’re warming up frozen meals, it might take up more energy so you’ll be able to reheat fewer meals

6. The Volt 12

The Volt 12 is a compact, kitchen-and-outdoor-friendly oven that reaches ripping temperatures of up to 850°F (450°C), allowing you to bake the perfect pizza in under 90 seconds, just like your favorite pizzeria.

Why is it noteworthy?

Unlike Ooni’s other pizza ovens, the Volt doesn’t need firewood or gas to heat up. This upgrade to electrical heating significantly reduces the pizza oven’s overall footprint, allowing it to be as compact as the Volt 12 is. About as wide and deep as your regular oven (but half as tall, given how pizzas are usually flat), the Volt 12 sits anywhere inside or outside your house.

What we like

• The Volt 12 comes with an incredibly sleek powder-coated outer surface and a triple-paned borosilicate glass door that retains heat within the oven
• Clean-energy pizza oven

What we dislike

• Only for cooking pizza – does not support cooking other food

7. The Lava Box

The Lava Box is a concept for a portable stove that looks minimalist, classy, and not at all like the usual that you see being carried around in campsites and beaches. In fact, you might think it’s a vinyl player or a projector, or a luxury box. They’re actually some of the design inspirations for this stove or rather the mood board used in coming up with the final look. What you get is a box with a cover and when you open it, that’s where the stove shows itself.

Why is it noteworthy?

It’s a single burner with a refillable butane gas container fitting right under it. There’s a wooden know on the right that lets you adjust the flame level for things like when you’re heating water, frying something, or grilling pieces of meat. There are also wooden handles on the side for when you need to move the stove when it’s in use or has recently been used and you don’t want to burn your fingers.

What we like

• Small enough to carry with you on your outdoor trip
• Inspired by a vinyl player

What we dislike

• It’s still a concept!

8. Choi’s Portable Electric Pot

Designed by Yunsoon Choi, this portable electric pot is conceptualized for cooking soups and stews while camping. It would make a great add on to your camping gear this summer!

Why is it noteworthy?

When cooking soup, campers can use the appliance’s main basin to combine all of their ingredients. Just around the basin’s front panel, a timer and temperature control interface allows users to adjust the cooking conditions of each stew and soup according to its recipe. An additional light attachment is also integrated into the build of Choi’s electric pot, allowing for late-night cooking to soothe those munchies.

What we like

• Through a telescopic layering system, the different modules of Choi’s electric pot can fit into one another and be carried by a raised, removable handlebar

What we dislike

• It’s a concept!

9. The +Base Modular Griller

The +Base modular griller, supports almost any kind of cooking you’d want, from frying (teppanyaki), smoking, stewing, grilling, or even keeping wine warm in the form of a unique and innovative griller!

Why is it noteworthy?

Made by a small family-owned Japanese factory that specializes in sheet metal fabrication, the All-in-One Grill is carefully designed to maximize the limited amount of space available, like small grooves on the grill’s frame that keep the skewers in place. The wooden base that protects tables from the grill’s hot bottom also acts as a lid when the griller has to be stowed away.

What we like

• Let’s you cook in seven different ways
• Simplifies outdoor cooking

What we dislike

• Hardcore grillers may not prefer this design

10. Roll

Roll is an attempt to preserve not only the flavors of food but also their presentation. It eschews the traditional square or rectangular shape of food containers in favor of something round. It’s a unique bowl food container that would be perfect for your picnics this summer!

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes Roll different from bowl food containers (which do exist, of course) is that it wholeheartedly embraces the culture of using the lid or dish cap as a plate. That’s why the cap itself was made to look presentable, using soft and clean tones like ivory, sky blue, and terracotta. The idea is that you set the freshly cooked food on the lid itself and then later just cover it with the glass bowl when it’s time to put it away.

What we like

• The next time you want to eat the food, you don’t have to rearrange the food again to make it presentable
• Roll takes the food container concept upside-down, literally, by making it usable, whether as a bowl with a round lid or a plate with a bowl cover
• Perfect for outdoor summer picnics

What we dislike

• Not the most shape-efficient design/shape

The post Top 10 kitchen appliances for your yard + outdoor picnics this summer first appeared on Yanko Design.

Chinese architectural practice Wang Chong Studio utilized rustic stone walls, and an enchanting sloping rofe to preserve the Taihang Xinyu Art Museum, which is located alongside the Cangxi River, with the Taihang Mountains as its backdrop. The studio used recycled local stone to artfully merge the art museum with the rocky site it is located in, in China’s Henan Province.

Designer: Wang Chong Studio

The studio wanted to bring the history of the region to the limelight. It topped the art museum with a sculptural tiled roof which seems to blend perfectly with the natural landscape. In fact, it looks as if the roof is growing out of the landscape. “The transformed, rather than demolished, warehouses effectively reflect heritage, identity, and the site’s background,” said studio founder Wang Chong.  “The new building volume that surrounds it creates a hybrid method that is more effective than tabula rasa or ‘repairing the old as the old’.”

A stunning waterside courtyard with stone elements and stepped paths welcomes you to the museum and provides lovely views down the river. “Traditional Chinese landscape paintings try to describe the paths into the mountains layer by layer, which inspired us to design layers of retreats and zigzag mountaineering paths in the site adjacent to the water and back of the mountain,” said Wang. Quite interestingly, the museum has been equipped with a restaurant. It is located in the excavated portion of the hillside below the museum, with massive floor-to-ceiling windows providing attractive views of the neighboring courtyard.

The Taihang Art Museum can be accessed by a stone staircase, and it consists of a series of exhibition spaces that have been divided by rugged stone walls. The gallery spaces showcase pre-existing elements from the site. The sloping curved roof tops this space, and creates segregated spaces that have ceilings that differ in height. “The sloping roof draws inspiration from the Chinese-style large roof,” said Wang. “In ancient Chinese architecture, the large roof is described as ‘like a bird spreading its wings and a pheasant spreading its wings and flying’, as if the wings bring a light feeling.”

The post Sculptural sloping roof was added to an art museum in China to help it merge into the mountainside first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lamps come in all shapes and sizes depending on where they’re used. Some are more decorative than others because they are meant more to enhance ambiance rather than provide illumination critical for getting work done. Of course, that doesn’t mean that these utilitarian lighting can’t look good as well, though they also have to be careful in making sure that usability isn’t impacted for the sake of aesthetics. At the same, you don’t need to go overboard either just to make a lamp look pleasing and distinctive. This somewhat minimalist desk lamp, for example, barely has any notable part aside from its lampshade, but it’s precisely because of its simplicity and form that it looks like you were raising a Zen garden on your desk.

Designer: Jang Lee Jun

For some people, desk lamps are an essential piece of equipment to shed light on their work, literally and figuratively, but they also need to avoid getting in the way of your productivity. That’s the primary reason why most desk lamps are simple, minimalist, and sometimes even bare-bones, providing light without distracting you with their appearance or eating up too much of your precious desk space. Fortunately, you just need a bit of creative thinking to make even a simple design more meaningful, like what this bonsai-inspired lamp tries to prove.

The bonsai tree is one of the more popular symbols related to Zen Buddhism, meditation, and calmness. The real tree takes a lot of patience to grow and trim, but simply seeing one is enough to give our minds peaceful thoughts. Not everyone can afford to take care of the real thing, though, so the Bonsai Desk Lamp offers something similar through its shape. The flat conical lampshade held up by thin metal rods is reminiscent of those bonsai trees, especially the Korean pine tree used for these decorative plants. It may not look like a real bonsai tree with multiple branches, but it could still call to mind those lush, green plants that our brains immediately associate with a state of Zen.

The lamp has one other unique feature that makes it more peaceful than most desk lamps. Instead of shining its light directly, it bounces it off the bottom of the lampshade. This creates a diffusing effect that generates a softer light without diminishing the lamp’s utility. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem possible to move the lamp head around to change its direction, limiting its movement to raising and lowering the arm.

If there’s one worrying thing about the bonsai desk lamp’s design is that it seems to be a bit unbalanced, with the lampshade carrying the visual weight of the object. It might not actually be lopsided, but even the impression of imbalance could make people worry that the lamp will topple over at the slightest nudge, nullifying the effect of whatever feelings of calm and peace the design is supposed to evoke.

The post A peaceful desk lamp concept evokes a feeling of Zen with its form and soft light first appeared on Yanko Design.

A well-designed coffee table is the ultimate pick me up your living room needs. Once you pick the perfect coffee table, setting up your living room becomes child’s play, because you’ve already set the tone and decided on the theme with the table, now you simply need to build on it, and create a space that truly reflects you and your interior design style. I’m no stranger to beautifully designed coffee tables, I come across a gazillion different ones every week on the internet. And I do have an exceptionally soft corner for them. However, if you add Deniz Aktay’s magical touch to my favorite piece of furniture – well, then you have the perfect coffee table.

Designer: Deniz Aktay

I’ve covered a ton of Deniz Aktay designs simply because they are oh-so-simple, elegant, and yet packed with massive functionality. The simplicity will almost make you wonder ‘Why didn’t I think of this?’, but unfortunately for us and luckily for Aktay, no one else can conjure these designs up except him. And his latest design the ‘Whisk’ coffee table is no exception to this. Aktay recently posted the Whisk coffee table to his Instagram page, around two days ago. Simple, and minimal, yet oozing a geometric exuberance, the Whisk coffee table features an artfully shaped metal tube that forms the major body of the design and transforms it into a major eye-catcher.

The simple twisted metallic form of the coffee table brings to mind the image of a whisk, which could be why Aktay named the furniture piece the same. Or if you look closer it also looks like a contorted safety pin! The interloping metallic tube supports a tabletop that rounds at one end and forms a rectangular on the other end. The tabletop fits niftily and strategically into the tube, creating elements that perfectly complement one another, and yet provide an interesting geometrical contrast as well.

Although the Whisk coffee table is a compact and small design with a minor footprint, it speaks volumes through its sharp, form, and metallic excellence. It’s the kind of coffee table that you could fit effortlessly into any part of your home, and I do believe it could work well as a side table too, owing to its minimum form.

The post This Minimal Metallic Coffee Table Takes Inspiration From the Simple Shape of a Safety Pin first appeared on Yanko Design.

With each new iPhone rendition comes a slew of iPhone cases – some from new companies and many from industry-leading names, and makes it tough and stressful for us to choose an option. With countless competitors vying for attention, it’s challenging also for the accessory creators to stand out from the crowd. Amidst the sea of mundane offerings, one concept from Running Guy Studio Design Studio in London, UK shines with its unique style.

The Running Guy, an experimental design and fashion studio, brought a breath of fresh air to the iPhone case market first with the Air Case. It was an innovative case that deviated from traditional materials like leather, plastic, fabric, or rubber, to provide a refreshing alternative that caught curious eyes.

Designer: The Running Guy

After the Air Case made ripples among designers and fans, the studio is back with the next iteration: Air Case 2. What sets the Air Case 2 apart is its bloated textured pattern, which will beautifully complement Apple’s upcoming iPhone 15. This case is not only a fashion statement but will provide all-around protection for your valuable device.

Conceptualized by the talented product designer Philipp Pisarevskiy, the Air Case 2 is designed to absorb impact from any side. Its bloated cushions act as a shield, preventing the energy of a fall impact from reaching your smartphone. Also, the case adheres firmly to your iPhone, with its protruding contours ensuring a secure grip.

But that’s not what the Air Case 2 is all about. An interesting eye-grabber here is the plethora of color options it is revealed in. By incorporating this ingenious design and color options, the Air Case 2 significantly reduces the chances of your phone accidentally slipping out and your phone looking differently attractive.

Air Case 2 excels in style and protection but it does come with a limitation. Due to its peculiar design, it is not compatible with MagSafe accessories. This might be a drawback for users who rely on the convenience and functionality offered by MagSafe technology. However, for those who prioritize superior protection and a distinctive aesthetic, the Air Case 2 presents an enticing option.

The post Air Case 2 is an inflated blend of style and security for your beloved iPhone first appeared on Yanko Design.

We’ve spoken at length on this website about how the Design Intelligence Award is shaping the future of the creative industry through its novel format. Established in 2015 by the China Academy of Art, the Design Intelligence Award (or DIA for short) is more than just an award that recognizes good design. It’s an ecosystem for cultivating innovation and entrepreneurial spirit. For almost a decade, this free-to-enter program has celebrated creativity and ingenuity, with a three-stage judging and evaluation process aimed at developing products that uniquely benefit humanity. The DIA Award also seeks to create a platform for accelerating international trade, increasing connectivity, and opening up commercial opportunities that help propel the Global East in the West-heavy Design Industry. Effective design is only truly impactful when it reaches and benefits a wider audience. With this in mind, the awards program has created a prize fund of ¥5 million RMB, equivalent to $728,000 USD, to support the development of exceptional ideas into exceptional designs. This initiative aims to incubate and nurture innovative concepts that have the potential to make a significant difference in the world of design.

Click Here to Enter Now: Registration Closes on 30th June, 2023 (24:00, UTC+8).

The Design Intelligence Award undergoes a rigorous judging process, comprising three stages. A group of 550 design experts assesses entries based on three key criteria. The first layer focuses on the essential “Principles of Design,” which includes factors such as functionality, aesthetics, technicality, user experience, and sustainability. The second layer considers the “Direction of Design,” taking into account how the design contributes to humanity, industry, and the future. The third and final layer emphasizes the “Impact of Design” on social influence and industrial development. The judging process concludes with a hands-on final round, ensuring that only the most exceptional designs are recognized.

The DIA Jury Panel is made up of 550 experts and judges from 37 countries and regions around the world. They carefully select 30 outstanding projects that showcase innovation and positive impact. These lucky winners receive a share of the DIA’s prize fund of ¥5 million RMB ($728,000 USD), with the top project receiving ¥1 million RMB. The winners are also invited to the prestigious DIA Award Ceremony, where they can connect with global representatives from various sectors such as design, academia, and media. They also have the opportunity to attend the D-WILL expert lectures, sponsored by the Zhejiang Modern Intelligent Manufacturing Promotion Center and Design Innovation Center of China Academy of Art. These lectures aim to inspire innovation and collaboration by featuring education experts, industry leaders, and pioneers who share their knowledge and achievements with the next generation. Finally, the winners benefit from media exposure through a coordinated PR campaign, which helps to promote their work to a wider audience. If you’re curious, scroll below to check out some of last year’s Design Intelligence Awards winners and honorable mentions!

This year’s Design Intelligence Award is open for entries. Submit your innovative idea for a chance to win up to ¥1 million RMB ($147,000 USD) and bring your life-changing design to reality! Don’t miss out on this opportunity to make a difference. Click here to enroll for the 2023 Design Intelligence Awards FOR FREE!

2022 Design Intelligence Awards winners and Honorable Mentions

Shuttle Footwear by SCRY

The birth of SCRY Shuttle marks a new era in the footwear industry, where digitalization is revolutionizing the way shoes are made. Unlike traditional shoes, SCRY Shuttle is manufactured using an integrated 3D printing process that eliminates the need for assembly, reduces material waste, and eliminates lengthy assembly lines… and that unique approach reflects in the shoe’s drop-dead gorgeous design too! The shoe is made from a single material that is engineered to achieve the required performance of different parts, making it easy to recycle. The midsole of the shoe is filled with an innovative lattice structure that provides a soft and comfortable foot experience. The Shuttle isn’t designed for retail, however, SCRY does sell some stunning accent footwear on their website.

HiPhi Z by Human Horizons

With two electric motors mounted on the rear wheels, the HiPhi Z can generate over 600 horsepower and 605 pound-feet of torque, making the EV China’s answer to Tesla. It’s quick too, with a 0-62 mph time of just 3.8 seconds, comparable to the Model 3. And if you’re worried about range anxiety, don’t be – the Z can travel up to 438 miles on a single charge. What really sets the Z apart, however, is its unique LED matrix under each headlight and taillight. Not only does it look cool, but it can also display text, emojis, and other fun things. So not only will you enjoy driving the Z, but you’ll also turn heads and make people smile as you pass by.

Square Off Swap by Infivention Technologies

Following the launch of Square Off, an AI-automated chess board that you could play against, the Square Off Swap extends the same technology, but now with the ability to play multiple games on the same board. Offering users the ability to now play games like Chess, Checkers, Halma, and Connect 4 on a single surface, the Square Off Swap features better internals that are much more responsive, offering faster and more reactive gameplay and interactive embedded lights that just do wonders to uplift the gaming experience, while keeping everything extremely real!

U-Lab 001 Guitar by Unknown Galaxy Technology (Shenzhen) Ltd. & inDare Design Strategy Ltd.

The U-Lab 001 may look like a typical guitar, but it’s anything but ordinary. With a hollow cutout, no strings, and the ability to fold in half for easy travel, this guitar is perfect for beginners with little to no formal training. The right-hand rocker switches simulate strumming, while the touch-sensitive light-up fretboard under the left hand teaches notes, chords, and music theory. A companion smartphone app enhances the learning experience. The ULab 001 also boasts a built-in speaker, volume control, a knob to change the guitar’s scale, and a headphone jack for silent practice.

Little Patience Meditation Seat by Shine Meditation Health Technology

The Little Patience Meditation Seat is designed to guide users into sitting cross-legged, promoting an upright back and inwardly folded legs. This posture has been used for thousands of years in Oriental and Indian cultures for meditation and eating, as it increases blood circulation, joint flexibility, and strengthens bones while aiding digestion. The seat’s unique design resembles a saddle with a concave middle, requiring some guidance for first-time users. However, it encourages a healthy sitting practice that benefits both physical and mental well-being, making it an unusual but worthwhile addition to any space!

VT-30 by EHang

The VT-30 is an eVTOL aircraft created by leading Chinese manufacturer EHang for inter-city travel. It follows a “lift and cruise” model and is fully autonomous, with a capacity of two passengers. The aircraft can travel up to 300 km on a single battery charge, with flight times of up to 100 minutes. It can take off and land on both runways and helipads, given its vertical and take-off capabilities. Unlike other air taxi developers, EHang’s design is compact and sleek, with a smaller cockpit contributing to its impressive range.

FlipPack by Guangzhou Korin Technology

Korin Design’s engineers have developed a cutting-edge backpack that boasts magnetic side pockets for swift access and a sleek, waterproof exterior. Dubbed the FlipPack, for its flip-out magnetic side pockets, the backpack also offers exceptional security with RFID blocking, a concealed magnetic back pocket, air cell straps for added comfort, and a collapsible structure for effortless storage.

Sustainable Shopping Bag by Lim Sungmook

Crafted rather wonderfully from a single sheet of durable and waterproof Tyvek material, the Sustainable Shopping Bag is a smart alternative to single-use plastic bags that end up in landfills. Its net-based design is not only strong but also requires less material, making it an eco-friendly choice. The bag’s clever cuts allow it to expand and accommodate a range of items, from groceries to clothes and even a wine bottle. Available in various sizes, colors, and patterns, the bag’s patented design is both practical and stylish.

YA CONG Handle Pot by Hangzhou Great Wisdom Creative Design

Challenging the common silhouette of the teapot, the YA CONG features a unique squarish design that strays away from tradition, and also exhibits a new style of pottery that can’t be crafted on a rotary potter’s wheel. The unique shape is systematically designed with the characteristics of “square outside and round inside”, emphasizing both rigidity and softness. In straying away from the traditional shape of teapots, the YA CONG creates its own style and tradition with high artistic value and practical function.

Helloface Transparent Respirator Mask by oneoverthree for Handan Hengyong

While it’s safe to say that the pandemic is behind us, it’s also worth remembering that we still need masks, not for protection from pathogens, but rather from terrible air quality. A majority of the third world lives with incredibly polluted air (urban cities in first-world countries aren’t any better), and the Helloface Transparent Respirator Mask hopes to usher in a future where people can wear masks without obstructing their facial expressions. The mask features a cartridge on the front as well as inlets and outlets on the side that allow air to flow in and out comfortably without fogging up the inside. The rest of the mask itself is made from transparent plastic, allowing the wearer to still visually express themselves and interact with others without any barriers.

Click Here to Enroll for the 2023 Design Intelligence Awards FOR FREE! Registration Closes on 30th June, 2023 (24:00, UTC+8).

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Robot vacuum cleaners have come a long way since the very first Roombas rolled on the floors of a few lucky homeowners. Although their basic round designs haven’t changed much, their capabilities have grown significantly in recent years. It’s almost rare for decent robot vacuum cleaners or RVCs not to have some self-emptying function these days, and some even advertise mopping capabilities. But while these RVCs claim to be able to both suck up and mop away dirt, most are just good at one or the other. There’s a lot left to be desired when it comes to mopping efficiency, and that’s where ECOVACS’ new DEEBOT T20 OMNI comes in, raising the bar for mopping performance while making sure that your precious carpets remain safe and dry all the time.

Designer: ECOVACS Design

Click Here to Reserve Now! The first 500 customers get a $50 Accessories package upon purchase on June 13.

Robot vacuums that can also mop are pretty convenient because you don’t have to buy two separate devices to keep your floors clean. That said, a lot of floors aren’t just made of hard surfaces like tiles, wood, or vinyl, and some homes use carpets in a few areas, and it would be disastrous for these robots to roll over those with wet mops. Most vacuum cleaners simply avoid these areas if you have the mopping function turned on, requiring you to do double the work by going over carpeted areas without mop heads attached.

The ECOVACS DEEBOT T20 OMNI’s solution is smarter and more efficient. It simply lifts the mop plates as high as 9mm when transitioning from hard floor to soft carpeting, a height that no other robot vacuum has so far reached, while simultaneously increasing the suction power to make sure it gets all the dirt buried deep in the fuzzy material. This LiftUp OZMO Turbo 2.0 Rotating Mopping System ensures that your carpet is safe and dry while giving it a thorough cleaning.

The DEEBOT T20 OMNI’s mopping upgrades don’t stop there. Its self-washing function cleans those rotating mop heads with hot water set to 131°F in order to more effectively remove not only dirt but also stubborn oil and grease. It then uses hot air to dry the mop, eliminating bacteria and odors and making sure that it’s ready for the next round of cleaning.

In addition to smart and powerful vacuuming and mopping, ECOVACS also put the smartest brains and eyes inside the DEEBOT T20 OMNI. TrueMapping 2.0 uses the same LIDAR technology seen in self-driving cars to create a more accurate map of your floor, while TrueDetect 3D 2.0 avoids objects and obstacles like toys, keys, wires, and, of course, kids and pets. You can easily control the robot vacuum with your voice, thanks to ECOVACS’ YIKO AI, and you can even integrate it with the rest of your smart home using Alexa, Google Assistant, or Siri Shortcuts. With its superior suction power, upgraded mopping functions, and intelligent navigation, the ECOVACS DEEBOT T20 OMNI promises a cleaner house, peace of mind, and more time to spend on the more important things in life.

Click Here to Reserve Now! The first 500 customers get a $50 Accessories package upon purchase on June 13.

The post ECOVACS DEEBOT T20 OMNI robot vacuum’s advanced mopping tech cleans floors, protects carpets first appeared on Yanko Design.

I love coffee, I need it to start my day, or else I simply refuse to start my day! It’s the boost of energy, dose of motivation, and rush of serotonin that I need every morning. And, I’m pretty sure that’s the case for most of us. There is a different satisfaction and pleasure in sipping caffeine that you know is the result of your own hard work, something precariously prepared with your own personal touch to it. And if you’re someone who’s chasing that feeling, then a unique, innovative, and interactive coffee machine is all you need, and ninety-five percent of the battle is won (the other five percent is you setting aside your laziness and actually operating the machine)! From a warm and gentle capsule coffee machine to a speaker-like portable coffee machine for coffee on the go – this collection of super cool and easy-to-use coffee machines will start you off on your coffee brewing journey. Cheers!

1. The Woolly Capsule Coffee Machine

The Woolly capsule coffee machine concept radiates a sense of softness and approachability and has a rather adorable appeal to it. It consists of very few straight lines and a muted color palette that heavily avoids black and reds.

Why is it noteworthy?

The coffee machine consists of wooden panels and metallic accents that contrast interestingly against the textured plastic surface of the body, creating a unique composition that is appealing to the eyes.

What we like

• Soft and friendly aesthetic, unlike the typical daunting coffee machines we come across
• Features embedded touch-sensitive buttons on the panel that take interaction to the next level

What we dislike

• A wooden body and coffee-stained fingers may disrupt the aesthetics of the machine

2. The Breeze Coffee Machine

Designed for the South Korean coffee brand Dongsuh, the Breeze coffee machine is a capsule coffee machine with a twist. It has a refreshing soft color palette with white, charcoal, and pink variants to represent a gentler personality.

Why is it noteworthy?

The coffee machine features a ridged surface wrapped around the base, which contrasts with the smoother texture of the head. The tall water tank at the back complements the subdued hues of the machine, sending across a message of calm.

What we like

• The design includes a more tactile interface to operate the machine, using clearly marked LED-backlit buttons at the top of the head

What we dislike

• It’s a capsule-based coffee machine but there is no knowledge shared on how to make the process reduce wastage or make it more sustainable

3. POCO

POCO: Portable capsule coffee machine is a compact and lightweight device that you can slide with ease into your back or backpack along with the required coffee pods. It’s the perfect coffee maker on the go for coffee lovers!

Why is it noteworthy?

It’s rechargeable using a USB-C: You can charge it on the go using your laptop or a portable charger. This makes it an ideal device for people who are always on the move.

What we like

• Features a built-in thermal insulation function
• Allows you to enjoy coffee anytime and anywhere

What we dislike

• Since it’s a concept we don’t know how functional and credible it will be as an actual product

4. The CJ

Espresso machine manufacturer Moak commissioned the Italian industrial designer Odo Fioravanti to design an eye-catching machine that is minimal, modernist, and brutalist

Why is it noteworthy?

Called the CJ (Coffee Jockey), the coffee machine includes various geometric shapes that have been bundled up together to create a design that is simple and beautiful. It has a soft pastel color which imparts the espresso machine with a classy and refined look.

What we like

• You can actually put two coffee cups in front and get two sizable espresso shots out of one process

What we dislike

• The design is for Moak and promises a new coffee blend and capsule system that is not shown yet, so we cannot speak on its functionality

5. Muuto

Designed by PDF Haus, Muuto is a minimalist matte coffee maker built from ceramic steel, that can be operated and used with the click of a single button.

Why is it noteworthy?

This minimalist coffee maker has a simple, no-frills design. It is intuitive by design and features a single button to kickstart the entire operation. The button is an easy-click power key placed on Muuto’s main rounded chamber. A tiny LED light can be found just above the main power switch and indicates three different signals to users: on, off, and fill.

What we like

• A no-frills coffee machine that is perfect for modern kitchens
• Intuitive and easy-to-use

What we dislike

• Overall a bulky piece that needs a sizeable real estate on your kitchen coutertop

The post Top 5 sleek coffee machines for diehard coffee lovers first appeared on Yanko Design.