This luxurious metal cylinder is actually a pencil sharpener disguised as a desk ornament

There are many tools whose existence we take for granted until the time comes that we urgently and desperately need them. It’s easy to overlook them, especially because of their mundane or cold, mechanical appearances that don’t help endear themselves to us, especially when they’re not in use. A pencil sharpener, for example, is just a simple block of plastic or metal that often gets lost in the mess of our drawers and shelves. This particular incarnation of the stationery tool, however, is something you will probably never be able to ignore, precisely because it calls attention to itself by becoming an object of beauty that you’ll want to always keep on your desk and always in sight.

Designer: Beyond Object

What can be more mundane and infrequently used than a pencil sharpener? It is a critical tool for designers, artists, and engineers, but it is also being made irrelevant by mechanical pencils and digital tools. And even for those that do use pencil sharpeners regularly, these are often cast aside after use and shoved somewhere, sometimes never to be seen again.

Just one look at Funno, however, and you know this isn’t your typical pencil sharpener, not by a long shot. In fact, you might not even realize that it’s a pencil sharpener unless somebody actually points it out. It takes the form of a small cylinder, which is already uncommon for this kind of tool. But what really sets it apart is the lustrous sheen that makes it look more like a priceless desk decoration than something that cuts through wood and gets dirtied by black graphite.

Machined from a solid block of zinc alloy metal, the pencil sharpener is hand-polished to a mirror finish and given four different colors. Three of them look exquisite in polished gold, silver, and copper. The fourth and newest variant comes in a matte black finish that sets itself apart from the others by giving the object the appearance of cast iron. It might not look expensive, but it definitely still has an artisan quality to it.

Funno, fortunately, isn’t just all looks, bearing a German-made Möebius+Ruppert inside to make short work of dull pencils. And, when you’re done with it, the tool continues to be useful beyond its intended purpose, serving as a paperweight or just as a piece of decoration that brings something interesting and motivating for your eyes to see, giving your mind something to dwell on and hopefully draw inspiration from. The Funno pencil sharpener is definitely a beautiful example of how something mundane can be transformed into something glorious with a simple design and a touch of class.

The post This luxurious metal cylinder is actually a pencil sharpener disguised as a desk ornament first appeared on Yanko Design.

DIY wall clock is an enchanting way to tell time using prismatic lights

Clocks, especially the ones we put up on walls, are no longer the single-function products of ages past. Many of them also serve as decorations, sometimes to the point that telling the time has become secondary and almost optional. That’s the case for some clocks that look stunning in terms of aesthetics but sometimes at the expense of easy readability of the time. Given how wall clocks are rarely used to accurately read the time down to the minute, however, that shouldn’t be a problem for most cases anyway. That, in turn, allows for a lot more freedom in how to represent time. This beautiful DIY project, for example, almost completely does away with the convention of distinct clock hands, instead using different hues of light to let you eyeball the time to some extent.

Designer: David Tweeto

Like many DIY wall clock projects, this Decorative Analog Clock involves quite a number of small electronics, wiring, and a bit of 3D printing. As the name suggests, however, this clock bucks the trend of defaulting to a digital presentation and clings to the analog way of telling time, at least in theory. In reality, it is completely driven by software, and the three distinct light colors each tell a different aspect of the time, just like physical hands.

Instead of ticking gears, the Decorative Analog LED Strip IoT Clock uses a small microchip that syncs with NTP (Network Time Protocol) server to know the time. This also controls a strip of 120 LEDs that is folded to form 60 pairs of LEDs back to back, running the strip inside a wide wooden ring that serves as the “face” of the clock. Although it would have been easier to 3D print a plastic ring cover, wood had the advantage of not only looking more stylish but also preventing the light from bleeding through.

The light uses the three primary colors of light (not pigment) to indicate time. Red is used to tell the seconds, and it only shines outward from the rim. Green is for the minutes, and its short light is also on the outer periphery of the circle. Finally, blue stands for the hour, and it is the only one that shines inside the hole of the ring.

In practice, this light analog clock isn’t exactly good at giving you the exact time since the lights can occupy more than just a single “tick” in the clock. It can still give you a general idea, though, which is what analog wall clocks are often used for anyway. As mentioned, the actual clock feature becomes secondary with these decorative clocks, and this DIY project definitely fulfills the primary purpose with much success, especially when the lights are dimmed. It creates a beautiful splash of colors on your wall, serving as a piece of light art that some might not even associate with a clock, even with the red light moving around the circle every second.

The post DIY wall clock is an enchanting way to tell time using prismatic lights first appeared on Yanko Design.

2-in-1 wireless charger concept shows a tidy and decorative home for your devices

A good number of people today have one or even more smartphones, and it’s not uncommon that they would also have accessories like earbuds and smartwatches to go along with these. With the removal of the headphone jack from many modern phones, the adoption of TWS or truly wireless earbuds has seen an upward trend. Some even have wireless charging capabilities to match their partner smartphones, like the Apple AirPods and the iPhone. This is the reason why wireless charging accessories that can accommodate both these devices at the same time are also starting to become more popular, and this concept offers a more space-efficient design that also looks attractive on its own when not in use.

Designer: Hanyoung Lee

Given the limitations of current technologies, the earliest designs of wireless chargers had to be flat beds, often elongated to accommodate more than just a phone. This can be a waste of desk or table space, especially when the devices won’t always be there anyway. Magnet-powered variants like Apple’s MagSafe allowed for a bit more flexibility in that regard, and we’re seeing some more vertical designs rising to the challenge.

Tri-charge is admittedly a bit of a confusing name because it doesn’t refer to the number of devices you can charge on it. You actually only have room for two devices at a time, one phone that supports MagSafe or magnetic wireless charging and one earbuds wireless charging case. It doesn’t take into account smartwatches, which might not be as common anyway, though a possible design iteration could support that as well.

The name, instead, refers to the charger’s triangular shape, technically a tall triangular prism. The phone latches onto the inclined front of the shape, relying on strong magnets to keep it from falling off, while the earbuds case goes inside the bottom compartment. Both wireless chargers use a single cable, avoiding tangles and messy wires. Not only does it keep your desk or bedside table neat, the design also makes for an attractive decoration if there’s nothing charging on it.

The standard design makes use of wood and plastic, but it can also be made of other materials or finishes, including a fancy transparent body that reveals all its secrets. While there is now a growing number of vertically-oriented 2-in-1 or even 3-in-1 wireless chargers like these, the Tri-charge remains distinctive for having a purpose as a decorative object even while not in use as a charger.

The post 2-in-1 wireless charger concept shows a tidy and decorative home for your devices first appeared on Yanko Design.

Meta.Zen playset lets adults calmly build their own miniature tranquil garden

There are different objects and places that have been associated with feelings of peace and calmness, but one of the most iconic ones that span cultures and nations is the carefully designed minimalist Zen garden. Just seeing one, even in a picture, is enough to trigger mental images of peaceful meditation, whether by simply sitting on a spot or raking around sand. Of course, not everyone has space for a real Zen garden at home, and miniature kits can get problematic to maintain because of their use of real sand and, sometimes, real plants. If you’re fine with just the symbolic representations of the principles of Zen, then this sustainable playset for grownups not only gives you the creative freedom to design the Zen garden of your dreams, it even becomes a meditative practice in itself.

Designer: ILSA Yumeng Li and Zongheng Sun (PEAR & MULBERRY)

Puzzle toys and playsets have existed for decades, even centuries, and while the majority of these are designed for younger audiences, there are a few that require a more experienced mind to enjoy. Sometimes a puzzle could be too complicated, or a set might have intricate parts. Some kids might still have a bit of fun with this innovative playset, but it will be adults that will benefit from it the most because it evokes emotions and thoughts that only a stressed adult would be able to appreciate.

Meta.Zen, in a nutshell, lets you put together a Zen garden of your own design. You can make it as simple or as complicated as it can be, limited only by the number of pieces you have at hand. The hexagonal base pieces magnetically attach to one another, making them simple to use even for those with physical handicaps. The magnets are strong enough so that you can even stick the finished garden to a wall to serve as a calming piece of decoration. And since there’s no sand or plants involved, there’s no mess either.

It’s more than just a simple playset, though, and each and every piece is carefully designed with the same meticulous attention to detail that Zen gardeners use. The almost random ridges and valleys of the base tiles can be combined and connected in multiple ways, creating millions of Zen patterns that you can change as your heart desires. The pebbles, stone lamps, and structures that you can place on top also magnetically attach to the intersection of tiles, making it effortless to create any arrangement you could think of. More than just the final result, the process of putting together this playset can become a calming and meditative activity of its own.

And, of course, Meta.Zen also gives peace of mind that your serenity doesn’t come at the cost of the planet’s life. The parts are used using biodegradable PLA based on walnut wood, while only natural fibers like algae and bamboo are used to give the pieces their earthy colors. Each piece is designed to let you see and feel elements of nature on a smaller scale, giving you the freedom to take not only the playset but also your Zen bubble with you wherever you go.

The post Meta.Zen playset lets adults calmly build their own miniature tranquil garden first appeared on Yanko Design.

Deal Of The Day: Ending Soon – 33% Off On ‘Blue Pine Studio’ 3D-Illusion Lighting Sculpture

blue-3d-sculpture

You guys always seem to enjoy when we tell you about the ‘Blue Pine Studio’ 3D-Illusion Lighting Sculpture. Well now the deal is on its last days. It’s a cool piece to have in your home, and is sure to get a few conversations started when you have guests over.

Transform your space with an ultra-modern, dazzling 3D light sculpture crafted by the genius designers at Blue Pine Studio. One part practical, one part decorative—this piece lights up a room, and takes any onlooker on a visual journey.

– Set to 16 different colors
– Adjust design with 4 light-changing modes
– Dim lights to set the mood
– Comes with a convenient remote control
– Use day after day w/ long-life LED light (over 30,000 hours)

Normally $120, with today’s 33% rebate, it’s $79.99.

[ Get the ‘Blue Pine Studio’ 3D-Illusion Lighting Sculpture ]

The ‘Get Ready For The Launch’ Desk Lamp Is Perfect For The Space Geek In Your Life

get-ready-for-launch-lamp

There isn’t a whole lot to say about this desk lamp from the Arnout Meijer Studio in the Netherlands, other than to observe that it looks very cool and would make a great addition to anyone who considers space exploration an essential human endeavour. Measuring 60cm high (2ft.), the lamp stands atop a mat white base, maintaining a neutral look overall. One has to inquire about the price, which leads us to believe it’s probably more than we can afford. But there are plenty of people with more disposable income than us, so feel free to follow the link at the bottom of this article if you fancy the ‘Get Ready For The Launch’ desk lamp.

[ Product Page ] VIA [ NoPuedoCreer ]

The post The ‘Get Ready For The Launch’ Desk Lamp Is Perfect For The Space Geek In Your Life appeared first on OhGizmo!.

Unique Papercraft Art for Your Home

Papertrophy is clever twist on taxidermy inspired by classic game trophies but a whole lot more animal-friendly! Constructed from just paper and glue, the designs are shipped flat-pack and arrive ready for users to put them together following a simple number pattern. From a geometric gorilla to angular antlers, there are 7 different animals and 80 color options to choose from! Jump to the vid —>

Designer: Holger Hoffmann

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(Unique Papercraft Art for Your Home was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Inner Reflection Mirrors

Eglė Stonkutė’s series of artfully designed mirrors are less about literal reflection and more about invoking the imagination. The first is an interpretation of circular waves of water held in static motion. The next is an extract from the legend of Narcissus with a swooping bottom that represents the river in the story. The last is a concave moving mirror that turns the mirrored image upside down similar to a view through a drop of water. Together, they encourage viewers to reflect not on the exterior, but within.

Designer: Eglė Stonkutė

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(Inner Reflection Mirrors was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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