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”.

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Herman Miller, one of the most highly-regarded office chair designers and producers, is celebrating the 100th anniversary of its brand name. To celebrate, they will have an exhibit of the rich history of their company’s graphic design journey. The exhibit will begin at the Milan Design Week and eventually go to Chicago in June. You would think that this exhibit is all about the furniture but is more the visual journey of their design and marketing materials.

Designer: Herman Miller

Founded by D.J De Pree, Herman Miller was launched back in 1923 and by 1930, they hired Gilbert Rhode to bring modern design sensibilities to their previously traditional furniture. His wife Peggy Rhode was his partner as she took charge of designing their marketing materials, matching the new direction that the company was taking. When George Nelson started designing for the company in 1945, pioneer graphic designers like Irving Harper and Tomiko Miho also brought in a new look to their designs.

Designer John Massey and eventually his protege Steve Frykholm then brought the Pop Art look to the designs in the 60s and 70s. Barbara Loveland and Linda Powell then brought postmodern sensibilities in the 80s and 90s. For the textile division of the company, Alexander Girard is the name to remember as he used “graphics to create motifs with meaning” during his tenure as the founding director. His designs will also be on display at the exhibition. They will also be selling limited-edition prints of the Eames Soft Pad Group poster which is an iconic look for the brand.

The exhibit not only shows Herman Miller’s visual design journey but also looks like a history of graphic design over the past 100 years. You can see the various design movements for every decade so it’s also interesting how the company was able to keep up with all of that. It makes sense that they would put on this kind of exhibit rather than just show off their chairs or furniture (although they’re mostly pretty nice as well).

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Created using hundreds of thousands (if not millions) of hand-rolled paper seeds/quills, Ilhwa Kim’s art-pieces are grand yet detailed. Each hand-rolled paper seed acts as a pixel, playing a small role in the grander scheme of things. Millions of these ‘pixels’ come together to create some staggeringly beautiful pieces of art, which are now on display at The House Of Fine Art (HOFA) in London.

Titled Real Life Architecture, Kim’s latest exhibition “will feature more than 20 large panel artworks. Pieces that explore a liminal space between human perception of existence and the true state of reality, a body of abstract artworks representing true life without the limitations of senses”, HOFA said.

Designer: Ilhwa Kim

Kim’s abstract works are impactful artworks composed of thousands of ‘Hanji’ paper seeds whose inherent dynamism creates works of art that shift between painting and sculpture, delivering art as a new experience of discovery, dynamism, and intrigue.

Kim’s works are larger than life, but start with small, humble pieces of paper. Each segment or seed in these pieces starts as a strip of paper that’s rolled into its flat ‘clump’, and then stuck on a massive canvas. What Kim eventually creates is a dizzying mosaic of thousands of such paper seeds. The South Korean artist’s current collection, titled “Real Life Architecture” explores the ‘chasm’ between what we see and the tactile reality of our visions. The artworks look like Post-Impressionist paintings, with each seed acting as a defined stroke, almost like the works of Van Gogh, Gauguin, or Cézanne.

“My seed works contain the dialogue between our senses and the tactile world surfaces, dreaming to be the monument of our sensory architecture.” – Ilhwa Kim

“Cezanne was right in saying that our senses do not represent the outer world as it is. However, this does not mean we cannot or do not have to represent things as they are. Without knowing the surface of the apple, for instance, we cannot learn how to cut the apple or how to make juice out of it”, Kim said.

You can view Ilhwa Kim’s artwork on the HOFA website, or visit the gallery between October 6th and 20th, 2022.

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In-person events are back in full swing, and there’s no better time to generate collective energy and interest than today. After a highly successful inaugural showcase last year, Design London has returned during a very trending time for the global city. With double the floor space to welcome exhibitors and visitors alike, Design London is gathering not only the finest and widest selection of designs across multiple industries, from architecture to interiors to lighting, from across the world. It is also a venue where discussions between the brightest minds in design will be held, previewing and shaping the trends that will carry design into the future, including topics that will give it a more prominent role in saving our planet.

Attend Design London 2022 by registering here!

Furniture, Lighting, and Interiors

Thanks to recent events, people have become more conscious of the role the furniture and lighting play in setting the correct atmosphere at home. Previously considered to be something that only connoisseurs would appreciate, designer products and bespoke designs have entered mainstream consumer consciousness. We’ve seen a rise in interest and sales of such products, and Design London is curating some of the biggest and rising names that are shaping that market.

Danish brand HAY joins Design London for the first time with Palisade, an intriguing metal bench that snakes across the ground to provide both seating capacity as well as visual interest to any outdoor space. Compatriot Thors Design, meanwhile, is celebrating its 20th anniversary with Gaia and Globe plank tables, the latest in the company’s line of bespoke furniture made from recycled wood.

Designer: Ronan and Erwan Bouroullec (HAY)

Designer: Thors Design

Lighting is just as important as furniture in setting the mood, both through their lights as well as their very design. The Akoya pendant lamp from Fabbian, hangs like a clam ready to drop its precious pearl, an imagery that makes it perfect for beach houses and similar architectures. In contrast, the industrial vibe that the pipes of Ago’s Cirkus pendant lamp give is a better fit for more enclosed and darker spaces.

Designer: Filippo Protasoni (Fabbian)

Designer: Ago

It’s easy enough to downplay the design of the floor we walk on or the walls that get covered up by shelves and decorations, but even these can make or break the ambiance that you’re aiming for. For example, handmade tiles from New Terracotta combine old ancient techniques with modern aesthetics, creating a truly unique appearance for any room. In a similar vein, Creadoor adds a pinch of 3D graphics to traditional woodworking techniques to create stunning bespoke doors and walls that give a room a unique personality of its own.

Designer: New Terracotta

Designer: Creadoor

Design Throughout the World

While it’s natural to presume that many of Design London’s participants will be coming from neighboring countries in the region, it is also an opportunity to showcase design hailing from all over the world, especially from Asia. The Korean Pavilion, for example, will house products from some of the country’s small- to medium-sized design companies. Be mesmerized by the reflective surfaces of iamHERE’s benches and stools, or take comfort in the embrace of Woorim Workshop’s curvaceous wooden lounge.

Designer: iamHERE

Designer: Woorim Workshop

The Thai Pavilion, on the other hand, will showcase a variety of furniture and decor sharing a common sustainability theme. The BiiN plant stand, for example, recycles waste material from the industrial sector to create a multi-functional piece of furniture that can act as a plant stand, storage container, or side table. Sarn lamps use traditional weaving patterns and materials to create unique lampshades for pendant lamps.

Designer: Eggwhite Design Studio

Designer: Thingg

Designing for the Future

More than just a showcase for contemporary product designs, Design London will also be a forum for the industry’s luminaries to share their creativity, passion, and vision for what the future holds. It is also an exhibit of a variety of designs that can help change the course of history in making sure that products of the future do right by the planet we live on.

Designer: Lee Broom

A headlining talk from award-winning British designer Lee Broom will go back in time to reveal the influences that gave birth to his many masterpieces that harmoniously blend classic and modern aesthetics. Sustainability advocate Jay Blades MBE will go over his unique approach to making things, as well as his crusade to create and sell furniture using recycled or reclaimed materials.

Designer: Jay Blades MBE

Sustainability has been a big topic in design in the past years, and, unsurprisingly, it has a huge presence this year in London. Net Positive tiles, for example, are made from recycled plastic fishing nets using a zero-waste manufacturing process. Something that can be immediately appreciated is the Island Steps, a 3D printed installation from 100% cement-free concrete that can be a place to sit back and rest while enjoying this guilt-free oasis, whether indoor or outdoor.

Designer: Coldharbour Tiles

Designer: Steuart Padwick (Versarien)

Whether it’s materials for sprucing up your room’s walls or furniture that will give meaning and life to your living space, Design London 2022 will offer eye-catching and mind-blowing designs that display the collective genius of the industry from different corners of the world. Not settling for the status quo, the destination will also provoke the industry’s best minds and talent with talks and discussions, pushing the boundaries of design toward a better future not just for humans but also for the planet.

Register Now to attend Design London 2022!

Design London 2021.
22/09/2021 – Photograph by Sam Frost ©2021.

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The Sylvascope is a wooden treehouse built for The Harewood Biennial 2022 exhibit where designers and artists explore why craft is a radical act.

The Harewood Biennial 2022 is a contemporary art exhibit that takes place on the estate of the Harewood House located in Leeds, United Kingdom. The exhibit is meant to explore forms of radical acts within the scope of design and craft. Spread over 100 acres of land, artists and designers embrace radical acts through their own interpretations, from organic architecture to mycelium-based furniture. For Sebastian Cox, a London-based fine furniture maker, his idea of radical acts took shape in the form of a treehouse. Dubbed Sylvascope, the treehouse is a nest-like space constructed by cutting trees down, Cox’s chosen radical act.

Designer: Harewood x Sebastian Cox

Describing the inspiration behind this radical act, Cox describes, “We are planting trees at a rate not seen before in history. The area of woodland in Britain is now back at the level it was in the 14th Century. Despite this, biodiversity within woodlands is declining. How do we save our woodland wildlife? It seems not necessarily by planting more trees–we need to manage our woodland.” In an effort to explore how cutting down trees can help diversify the woodland creatures that populate the forest, the trees used to give rise to Sylvascope came from felled trees located on-site.

Built almost entirely from trees harvested onsite, the Sylvascope treehouse is located in the nucleus of the Harewood Estate to show what managed forests look like. Through this radical act, Cox hopes to help facilitate the growth of brambles and herb undergrowth to boost the area’s biodiversity. Along with cutting trees down, Cox is also planting new seeds and trees in different sections of the forest to provide diverse nesting grounds for different animal species.

“We often think a healthy woodland is one that looks pleasing – with tall trees and a welcoming, leaf-littered woodland floor, easy to navigate with no brambles or undergrowth. But this kind of woodland is not favorable to most of our woodland wildlife,” Cox explains, “When we fell some trees in a woodland, and let light into the woodland floor, other plants, and with the insects, mammals, and birds, can thrive. It seems cutting trees can be more useful than just planting them. Only 41% of Britain’s woodlands are managed, so management should be an equal priority to planting.

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French design brand Lexon continues to develop timeless products that we know bring that ultimate wow factor and aesthetic pleasure. It offers everyday products with award-winning innovative designs that are kept affordable yet beautiful and functional.

At the Maison et Objet 2022, Lexon just introduced two new products: the Speakerbuds LA127 and the Mano LH79 . The new pair of earbuds and the gel dispenser are innovative with their additional functions. However, they also look nothing like other the common earbuds and gel dispensers we have seen yet.

Designers: Alain Berteau, Andrea Quaglio, and Manuela Simonelli

The Lexon Speakerbuds LA12 is a new pair under the Softpower Collection of earbuds from Lexon. Designed by Alain Berteau, the true wireless earbuds also come with a 3W speaker. It features a dual microphone, Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity, and a rechargeable battery. There is the now a standard USB-C port for charging. The pair is IPX4 water-resistant, so you can wear this during a run or workout.

As with most wireless earbuds, the pair allows voice commands and hands-free calls. It can last up to six hours of audio playtime. Charge it up with the charging case, and you can get extra 18 hours. The primary material of the product is ABS with synthetic leather found on the charging case.

The Lexon 2-in-1 True Wireless Stereo Earbuds with Bluetooth speaker is available in different color options: Red, Blue, Black, and Camel. As a result, the design world is treated again to an innovative and beautiful design for the now familiar wireless earbuds ready for most occassions whether with a group or private listening. The price tag reads 99,90€.

The pair already works as a standard pair of earbuds, but the charging case adds a speaker function. Three watts may not be loud to fill the house during parties, but that’s good enough for personal use. Lexon is known for creativity and tapping the best designers in the world. The Speakerbuds design is by Alain Berteau—the same person who created the Nano Garden. Berteau, who is also an architect and professor, has been recognized for his work that marries simplicity and functional innovation.

Lexon has also introduced the Mano-LH79, which is an automatic hand gel dispenser. We finally see nicely designed dispensers from the usual, standard designs. We never imagined we would need dispensers to be beautiful, but the pandemic hit, and the creatives are dying to see and use something more attractive.

The Mano-LH79 is a design by Andrea Quaglio and Manuela Simonelli. If you may remember, Quaglio Simonelli also designed something for Lexon before–the Lexon Oblio Wireless Charger. The new hand gel dispenser features automatic hand detection that helps kill 99.9% of bacteria. There is an LED light, adjustable pump flow, rechargeable battery, and a USB-C port. The LED ring comes with adjustable brightness so you can set the mood.

The gel tank is refillable for up to 160ml or 5.4oz of sanitizer gel. You can only use gel and not any other liquid or alcohol. The pump flow is also adjustable depending on the preference of the user. It has an LED indicator so you can know the charging status. Color options are as follows: Gold, Dark Green, Black, Terracotta, and White.

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After a measured return to normalcy last year in September, this year’s first Maison&Objet is looking to make an in-person comeback this March 2022. This year’s event, originally slated for January, was pushed forward to March due to the rising Omicron variant sweeping through the world. The event, now slated to be held between March 24th-28th 2022, will explore the theme of ‘New Luxury’, looking at both ‘Uber Luxury’ or the more traditional opulent luxury, as well as a new emerging ‘Lux Populis’, used to describe a luxury that draws inspiration from “the world of street culture, driven by a generation raised on a diet of reality TV, Instagram, TikTok, and gaming.”

The 2022 Maison&Objet is described as ‘Business as Usual’, with over 3000 brands attending the March event, spread across 14 sectors/universes, with as many as 20+ conferences covering the 4-day trade fair. The fair will be held at the Paris Nord Villepinte exhibition center and is open to anyone who wants to attend. Described as the epicenter of design, Maison&Objet, held twice every year, becomes the hotspot for anyone and everyone in the decoration & design world, allowing brands and retailers to showcase their latest work, consumers and media to see what the upcoming trends are, but most importantly, the event acts as a buzzworthy networking ground, allowing people to intermingle, interact, and innovate. Yanko Design will be on the ground at this year’s Maison&Objet March event, giving the readers a glimpse of what the world’s biggest decor and design trade fair has to offer! However, for a sneak peek at some of the designs on our ‘must-watch’ list, just scroll below!

Click Here to Buy Tickets Now: $77.11 (€70)

Transparent Speaker by Transparent

Modern consumer electronics have gotten so incredibly complex in the past few years, you could look at your smart speaker and absolutely not know how to fix it… or what’s even inside it, for that matter. The Transparent Speaker hopes to ditch that approach with a design that quite literally provides clarity! The speaker’s transparent frame lets you know exactly what’s inside the audio device, and moreover, its transparency extends to the product’s build too – which means it can be infinitely repaired and upgraded for life.

Nest by Orbitkey

The Orbitkey Nest reinterprets the stationery box by acting as a storage container for not pencils and erasers, but for your EDC. Designed to complement your tech-filled life, the Nest is perfect for storing your chargers, cables, AirPods, hard-disks, SD cards, pen-drives, etc. It helps keep your workplace organized not just by containing your tech accessories, but also by allowing you to dock/rest your belongings on it. The Nest’s upper surface comes with a slight indentation, perfect for resting your wallet, keys, or watch, while a dedicated zone even acts as a wireless charger for your phone.

Nanoblock by Nanoblock

Designed to be the smaller sibling to the popular brick-based construction toy (you know which one I’m talking about!), the Nanoblock is a 5mm plastic building block that lets you create tiny structures and sculptures piece by piece by layering blocks above one another. The blocks come in a stunning variety of colors, and the fact that they’re just 5mm in height makes the structures vividly more detailed, unlike the LEGO structures which have a ‘pixelated’ effect because the bricks are so big.

MoriMori LED Lantern Speaker by Keen Hsu

The MoriMori LED Lantern Speaker projects the aesthetic charm and classic appeal of a mid-19th-century kerosene lamp, smartly updated with energy-efficient LEDs and a compact Bluetooth speaker. It generates continuous ambient light and crisp 360° sound, creating a harmonious atmosphere in any space. Oh, and just like the original Hurricane lamp that inspired its design, you can easily adjust the brightness with a simple turn of the knob!

Lovebox Color & Photo by Xavier Houy

The Lovebox is a connected, messaging device that pairs with an app to go beyond regular communication and deliver special expressions of affection. Think of it as a physical symbol of your digital memories and intrinsic emotions.

Original Storm Umbrella by Senz°

The Original Storm Umbrella is absolutely gust-resistant! No matter how strong the wind, the umbrella’s unique design won’t ever flip over. Moreover, its aerodynamic shape was calibrated to easily cut through the air with minimal drag too, which means you can hold the umbrella comfortably with one hand in a storm! Oh, and when you’re indoors, the umbrella folds into a compact portable avatar, just like your regular umbrella.

Acoustic Speaker by Kreafunk

With a wonderfully contemporary Danish design, Kreafunk’s speakers look as beautiful as they sound. The way they’re designed makes them blend beautifully into home interiors, with their use of metal, plastic, fabric, and occasionally leather, all combined together to make something that rivals even the best smart speakers. Shown above is the aCOUSTIC, a pretty slick-looking wireless speaker that pumps out a good 30 hours of music on a full charge. It comes with a handle that makes it easy to carry around the house, sports an IP55 dust and water repellent design which means you can carry it outdoors too, and here’s the best part – it supports wireless charging, so you can easily place the speaker on a charging pad when the battery runs low!

Dentelles Lamp And Speaker by Paulien & Kaat

Dentelles refers to the paper doilies used by Lieven and Jenny Vanhalst in the Pastry Shop in the ’70s. If you pile up several doilies, you get the shape of this collection. Another Lamp/Speaker in the collection, this one boasts of a retro aesthetic too (are we sensing a design trend?), although its interpretation is less literal. The lamp has the appeal of something you’d see from Gantri, and comes with a speaker located in its brass base. Both the lamp and the speaker are wireless and therefore easy to move. Moreover, the lamp can simply be dimmed by tapping. The module is 100% recyclable and non-breakable.

Click Here to Buy Tickets Now: $77.11 (€70)

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On March 5, on a Saturday afternoon, a group of 15 artists and activists launched 350 paper planes from the top floor of The Guggenheim calling for a no-fly zone over Ukraine.

Deployed during peak visiting hours, the 350 paper planes floated from the museum’s top floor to the ground, between floors brimming with people. As Russian forces invaded Ukraine, President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine had requested NATO to enforce a no-fly zone over Ukraine, but the request was rejected by NATO for fear of bringing more countries into the conflict since they would have to shoot down any Russian aircraft flying over Ukraine.

So far NATO, led by the United States, has announced it would not intervene by air or land, rejecting the possibility of taking on Russian forces. The paper planes that flew through the Guggenheim had a clear message for citizens of the world,

It reads, “This jet is made of paper. But what if it were steel and carried bombs over the heads of the ones you love? Right now, Russia is making deliberate efforts to blow up the largest nuclear plant in Europe in order to wipe out the Ukrainian population. This would give Putin control over Ukrainian land. But that is not the end. Russia wants to move its nuclear arsenal to the Ukrainian-Polish border and push its army further west. Putin has openly said this many times. This is no longer a local conflict. Act now to save the world. Ask president Biden to declare a no-fly zone over Ukraine. Protect the sky over Ukraine. Full embargo on Russia. Boycott Russian influence in cultural and political institutions.”

Upon entry to The Guggenheim, museum security guards barred two artists and activists from entering who were given the option to enter without the bag of flyers in tow. Artists Anton Varga, Bea Fremderman, V Pan, and Volk Lika were among the 15 organizers behind the act.

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The Mobile World Congress this year is unsurprisingly filled with phones and Metaverse references, but producers and consumers are thankfully becoming more aware of the deeper impact these products have in our lives and on the planet.

Next to CES, MWC is an auspicious time for companies to show off their wares, especially those related to smartphones, tablets, and even the new “Metaverse.” Despite the onslaught of COVID-19 since 2020, the smartphone market shows no signs of declining, at least to a significant degree. After two years, MWC 2022 sees a return to face-to-face exhibits and interactions that almost feels surreal given previous events. It’s not as jam-packed and as frantic as before, but that’s not the only thing that’s different this year. There’s also an increased consciousness of the role that thoughtful product design plays in improving people’s lives, both directly and indirectly through sustainable products.

Like every year, a few of these designs and products manage to grab our attention more strongly than others. Some through their design, others through their commitment to the environment, while others are just plain fun or useful. Without further ado, here is Yanko Design’s Top 8 picks for MWC 2022, ranked!

1. OPPO Find X5 Pro

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, and some smartphones are regarded to be beautiful, mostly from the standpoint of people who love gadgets and tech products. They are well-designed, of course, but few would probably be standout to a designer as a thing of beauty. The OPPO Find X5 Pro breaks out of the mold in more ways than one.

The phone’s design takes minimalism to heart without going overboard and ditching features. The cameras are still there, but they aren’t as in your face as most camera bumps are these days. The structure rises so smoothly and so softly from the surface of the phone, like a dune in a desert after a sandstorm. You have a single continuous form that looks and feels unbroken, even with the camera holes and branding.

OPPO’s choice of ceramic material also brings joy to the hands. The white colorway exudes an atmosphere of peace, while the black finish pulls you into its dark depths and into a meditative state. Both are sleek and clean, even if the black does become a fingerprint magnet. Wiping off those smudges can itself even become a mindfulness practice.

What makes the OPPO Find X5 Pro’s understated beauty even more compelling is its relevance. We live very busy lives in an ever-changing world that’s still recovering from two chaotic years. Smartphones have become our faithful companions and weapons in navigating this world, but they have also become sources of stress and, in some cases, addiction. OPPO’s “futuristic” design actually goes back in time and back to the basics, offering an oasis of calmness and comfort for the eyes, the hands, and the mind.

Designer: OPPO

2. Realme GT2

Realme gets the silver medal for the GT2 and GT2 Pro phones not in the uniqueness of their designs but for the boldness of their statement. True, the Paper White and Paper Green models of these phones do have unique patterns and textures that try to recreate the look and feel of paper, but that pales in comparison to the message that the design is trying to send.

Taking inspiration from paper and other sustainable materials, Realme adopted a bio-based polymer to create the shell of these two colorways. Although the phone is far from being recyclable, the novel material significantly reduces the carbon emission overhead of producing these phones. The Realme GT2 is only the second of two phones boasting a TCO 9.0 certification for its positive impact on the environment.

This bio-based polymer might be a one-off thing, but Realme is at least making a lot of noise about its other efforts to create a greener tomorrow. Like many smartphone makers these days, it is reducing the amount of plastic in its packaging and increasing its use of sustainable materials. With the Realme GT2 series, it’s also committing to planting a tree for every phone sold. As one of the fastest-growing smartphone brands in the market, it has a big responsibility in creating awareness and doing its part to help protect the environment. It deserves major props for getting the ball rolling in this arena.

Designer: Naoto Fukasawa for Realme

3. TCL Ultra Flex

Foldable phones are going to be around for a while, even if they won’t become the future. The new experiences it enables are both exciting and challenging, especially for designers. We’re still a few hundred steps away from the perfect foldable screen, which makes it the perfect time for designers and manufacturers to play around with new ideas and test out prototypes.

Samsung and LG aren’t the only ones having fun with deformable screens, of course. TCL is right up there with some even crazier ideas that actually become working prototypes. It hasn’t sold any of that technology yet, though, or at least the flexible screens it has been developing. That gives it at least more time and leeway to bring more ideas to light, including this one it showed off at MWC 2022.

Foldable phones seem to have adopted Samsung’s “innie” design, where the flexible screen folds inward like a book, protected by the phone’s external frame. It’s not the only way to fold, of course, but it is currently the winner, despite requiring an extra screen on the outside to make the phone usable even when folded. Some think that allowing a screen to fold in and out would be the ideal option, leaving the owner to decide which method is best, and that’s exactly what the TCL Ultra Flex tries to do.

As a prototype, it’s not exactly the prettiest nor the most usable, but it does try to prove that it can be done. Of course, there remain many questions about its durability, not to mention its economy, but there’s plenty of time for the company to figure that out. Once it does, TCL will have the opportunity to shape the foldable device market and, consequently, shape the new experiences that these devices will offer.

Designer: TCL

4. Huawei MatePad Paper

Tablets are making a comeback, especially from the Android side. These increasingly larger slates are getting more powerful to the point that they are being positioned as laptop replacements. Tablets, however, do have new competition in the form of more powerful and more talented e-book readers, often called eReaders. Huawei, however, is putting a different spin on that idea and is targeting a very specific and probably niche market.

The Huawei MatePad Paper does come with the trappings of a typical e-book reader, one that uses the popular E-Ink display to give your eyes and the device’s battery a well-deserved reprieve. What makes this new contender different is that reading is actually just its secondary purpose. Its primary goal is to replace your paper notebook instead.

That is definitely a tall order, especially with so many expectations coming from die-hard pen and paper users. You can really only do so much to try and replicate the feel of pen or pencil writing on a material like paper using a plastic stylus nib and glass. Huawei has made a good approximation, but the MatePad Paper’s features try to make up for whatever flaw there is in that experience.

The Huawei MatePad Paper is designed primarily to be a notebook, and the software it has reflects that purpose. In addition to typical note-taking, it even has features for creating your own digital journal and copying content directly from a Huawei laptop. It can also record audio while you’re jotting down notes and play it back later when you need more than just a visual reminder. Its lightweight and portable design makes it an almost perfect companion to keep your design ideas and references, and its simpler functions, at least compared to a tablet, leave very little room for distractions as well.

Designer: Huawei

5. HTC Viverse

The Metaverse is everywhere, at least when it comes to marketing and buzzwords. Just like the early days of the cloud, the term is still a bit hard to qualify and quantify in its current form. This, of course, leaves the doors wide open for any interpretation, implementation, and vision. Despite its name, Meta, formerly known as Facebook, doesn’t have a monopoly on the Metaverse (at least not yet), and its rival in the VR space is putting down some stakes on the ground to claim a bit of that space.

HTC’s Viverse is still a work in progress, but its ambition is no less grand than others. Its Vive VR platform already laid the groundwork for some Metaverse-compatible experiences, like holding events and meetings in virtual worlds. It is also envisioning more interactive experiences, like buying or paying for goods using cryptocurrencies and, of course, buying NFT art.

What makes the Viverse more encompassing is that HTC isn’t stopping with its Vive VR platform. Ideally, the Metaverse experience will extend to almost any device with a screen, like a smartphone, a tablet, or even a computer with a web browser. Without this seamless cross-platform experience, the Metaverse will be limited to a few people that have no problems wearing headsets or eyewear all the time, which doesn’t really sound Metaverse-like.

Designer: HTC Vive

6. Lenovo ThinkPad X13s

Let’s face it, most laptop designs don’t exactly excite, especially when they look like any other laptop in the market. Although there are a few that do stand out, they are far and few in between. When Lenovo announced a host of new laptops at MWC 2022 this week, we almost gave it a pass, but one new entry piqued our curiosity in more ways than one.

The Lenovo ThinkPad X13s has the distinction of being the first ThinkPad to be powered by an ARM Snapdragon processor, a glowing recommendation considering the strength of Lenovo’s brand. With the attention that Apple’s M1 chip has been getting since it launched, there has been a great deal of interest in seeing more Windows laptops running on this platform.

What this means for designers is that the ThinkPad X13s will last longer than most other laptops on a single charge. This translates to longer working times away from a power outlet and more freedom to work the way they want. There are still some problems with app compatibility with Windows on ARM, but staples like Adobe’s suite and ZBrush are completely supported already.

The ThinkPad X13s also has a rather intriguing design that could be best described as a “reverse notch.” Instead of going the way of the latest MacBook Pro, Lenovo opted instead to have a bit of a lip at the top of the screen to accommodate the camera and security hardware. That said, the bezels around the screen are still on the thick side, so there doesn’t seem to be anything gained from that unusual design.

Designer: Lenovo

7. Prinker

We’ve already seen the Samsung-backed Prinker make its debut back in CES 2022 last January, and it has returned to once again show how well-thought design can also be fun and whimsical. Basically a handheld inkjet printer in the shape of a gigantic ink cartridge, Prinker offers almost endless fun in putting temporary tattoos on almost any part of your body.

What makes this product special is that it combines existing ideas and technologies in a way that creates a totally new experience, the marks of a great product design. Plus, it’s also fun and safe, a win-win situation for young people craving to add a bit of personalization and identity, even at the wildest of parties.

Designer: Prinker (Samsung)

8. Fauna

Sometimes, the best solutions are also the simplest and the most inconspicuous. That’s the kind of solution that Fauna’s audio sunglasses try to offer, solving multiple problems with a single and stylish product. Part eyewear and part open ear headphones, Fauna lets you enjoy your music while keeping safe and looking great, all at the same time.

This kind of integrated solution will be critical in the next few years, especially as technology becomes even more deeply embedded in our lives. Ordinary objects like eyeglasses, rings, and even clothing will soon be connected to a network thanks to technologies like 5G (or 6G even), flexible screens, and wearable circuitry. These, in turn, will pave the way for the so-called Metaverse to become as normal and as ordinary as the real universe.

Designer: Fauna

Wrap-up

Mobile technology and consumer devices have grown by leaps and bounds ever since the iPhone first came out more than a decade ago. Smartphones, tablets, and the accessories built around them have become almost unavoidable parts of modern life. There are no signs of things slowing down, which doesn’t bode well for humanity and the planet in the grand scheme of things. Fortunately, there are signs of things shifting for the better as well.

Just like at CES 2022, we saw positive indicators that both manufacturers and consumers are becoming more aware of how these devices have indirect effects on lives and the environment. From focusing on mental health in addition to physical fitness to embracing and promoting sustainable practices, the design of products, both physical and digital, are seemingly taking a turn for the better. While foldable phones, the Metaverse, and dozens of identical devices will continue to flood the market, there is at least some hope that the people pushing these products and technologies have grown more conscientious of the role they play in building a better future.

The post The Best of MWC 2022 – Product Design in a Mobile World first appeared on Yanko Design.

Most of us probably dream of eventually having paperless events or at least those that do not waste that much paper. Anyone who has ever been to a physical event, specifically conferences, exhibitions, and expositions has gone home with a bagful of pamphlets, brochures, and other paper materials that you probably will not use in the future and will just be thrown away. So a lot of exhibitors are now thinking of ways to lessen paper waste and one at the recent 2021 Guangzhou Design Week went an extra step.

If you were able to go to the Guangzhou design expo last month and visited the Netherlands booth, then you were able to experience the Paperless Pavilion showcasing the latest Dutch design strategies. But for those that are still stuck viewing expos and exhibits from the comfort of our own homes, this is what we missed, at least from the pavilion from the Dutch contingent. This was collaborated on by the Dutch Consulate, multimedia designer Shard Island, light innovator Signify, and Superimpose Architecture.

Designers: Carolyn Leung, Ben de Lange, Ruben Bergambagt and JunWei Loh

The main idea for the Paperless Pavilion is in the name itself. They wanted to minimize or do away with the use of the usual posters and pamphlets that booths normally have and instead create something that would still bring content to the visitors through live and digital presentations. But rather than just use the standard LCD screens, they came up with something to display innovative Dutch design. The whole area had plasterboard painted white with a brushed metallic veneer layer.

They also weren’t satisfied with just using typical LED lights but instead highlighted it with curved walls. Even the acoustics of the pavilion was incorporated into the design by using a special carpet to complement the curved outer wall and the entrance atriums to give better acoustics for the videos and other audio materials. If visitors want to “take home” the information that they got from the presentations, there’s a QR code where all the materials are saved and can be accessed.

Expos usually have a ton of booths that you can visit so exhibitors will want to have a space that stands out to attract visitors. The Paperless Pavilion used 124 linear LED light fixtures arranged into colorful, horizontal bands. And because this is the Dutch pavilion, they were arranged like you were looking at tulip flower fields. And when there’s an event within the area, the lights are part of the presentations, reflecting into abstract colors on the walls.

Some may wonder if the materials used in the Paperless Pavilion actually cancel out the idea of becoming more sustainable by not using paper. Superimpose Architecture assures us that the LED lights will be reused after the exhibit so that should not really be a problem.

The post Paperless Pavilion in Guangzhou Design Week lives up to its name first appeared on Yanko Design.