Smart technology isn’t a very new concept anymore but with the promise of holistic well-being combined with technology, designer Yoojin Chung takes a satirical swipe at the Western interpretation of feng shui with her ingenious project, “Capturing Qi.” This trio of digital devices, born out of Chung’s critique of the commodification of ancient practices, offers a whimsical take on harnessing positive energy in the modern home.
Drawing on her roots in South Korea, Chung’s project serves as a playful commentary on how feng shui, an ancient Chinese practice rooted in the flow of positive energy or qi, has been repackaged into consumer products promising health and fortune. With a keen eye for irony, Chung transforms three iconic feng shui objects – the crystal ball, the wind chime, and the water fountain – into dynamic smart-home devices, all controllable through a smartphone app.
This series of devices blurs the line between tradition and technology, reimagining familiar feng shui elements through a contemporary lens. Each device, whether it’s the spinning crystal, the swaying wind chimes, or the flowing water, creates a visual illusion of energy flow reminiscent of the traditional objects they imitate. Equipped with Arduino circuit boards, these devices seamlessly integrate into the smart home ecosystem, offering users the ability to manipulate their surroundings with just a few taps on their smartphones.
Yet, beneath the whimsy lies a deeper reflection on the human desire for control and success. Chung cleverly infuses her devices with a sense of agency, suggesting that the more one activates them, the greater their chances of success. It’s a nod to our innate yearning for control over our destinies, even as we seek solace in ancient practices like feng shui.
What sets these appliances apart is the thoughtful nod to scientific aesthetics, drawing inspiration from 18th-century scientific apparatus like vacuum chambers. By infusing the devices with the trappings of scientific equipment, it invites users to reconsider their relationship with feng shui in the context of modernity. The wind chime, suspended like a scientific instrument, prompts contemplation on the subtle nuances of object placement and their symbolic meanings in feng shui.
As a graduate of the MA Contextual Design program at Design Academy Eindhoven (DAE), Chung joins a cohort of designers pushing the boundaries of traditional design paradigms. Her work exemplifies the program’s ethos of challenging conventional norms and exploring the intersection of culture, technology, and design. In an era where ancient practices collide with cutting-edge technology, Yoojin Chung’s “Capturing Qi” serves as a poignant reminder of the ever-evolving nature of design and its role in shaping our lived experiences.
Designed by Belgian furniture brand Extremis, this modular outdoor dining system is named Panigiri, and it is designed to accommodate a whole bunch of people to sit comfortably in a range of seating options. The Panigiri dining system is designed by the Extremis founder Dirk Wynants, and it features a long table with either an attached bench seating or open space for chairs.
Since spring is almost here, the Panigiri dining system is excellent for your yards. It features various benches which are divided so that each seating spot can be easily and efficiently accessed, without having to clamber over it. There is also an option of an add-on called the Bring Your Own Seat (BYOS), and it can be easily hooked onto the benches to build a supportive, comfy, and chair-like sitting experience with a backrest.
The dining system is named after the Greek words “pan” and “giri” which means “all” and “gathering”. The seating solution was designed to encourage and facilitate communal dining, where family members and loved ones can gather to share a lovely meal. The table can be customized to any desired length, capable of seating any number of people.
The dining system is available in three iterations – the Panigiri picnic, Panigiri Table, and Panigiri Combo. The Panigiri Picnic has a picnic-table-style setup with bench seating, while the Table features no built-in seating, and can be used with supplementary chairs. The Combo merges the elements of both these styles and formats. The furniture is made from steel and ash wood and is designed for longevity. Extremis utilized the excess wood from other collections to build the dining system, in turn minimizing the environmental impact they create. The dining system is perfect for lovely spring picnics or Sunday brunches with your friends or families, although it isn’t very tiny, and would need some space in your yard, you could customize it to get the length that perfectly works for you and your backyard.
Look, I know life can get hectic and work can be super exhausting, which can be brutal for our mental health. Taking care of our mental well-being has never been more essential, considering how chaotic life can get. As much as we tend to pay attention to our physical well-being, it’s time to do the same for our mental health. Meditation can really help you unwind, release stress, and create an overall tranquil mindset. Although if you’re anything like me, sitting still without a single thought in your head can seem damn near impossible! Hence we’ve curated a collection of innovative gadgets to help you master the art of meditation. From a meditation headset designed by Layer to a battery-free aroma diffuser – these inventive product designs are all you need to inculcate meditation sessions into your daily routine! Start your day or end it on a peaceful and tranquil note. You can thank us later!
1. Japanese Lantern Candle
Designed to look like a traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern, this pretty Japanese lantern candle has an interesting pillar shape and is essential for your bedroom or bathroom on the days you decide to give yourself some much-needed me-time and pampering. The lantern has a soothing and aesthetic appearance.
The Japanese lantern candle provides a contemporary and modern take on an iconic Japanese design. It has a minimalist design that lets it seamlessly merge with any modern living space perfectly and emits a relaxing glow that will instantly make you feel at ease, and help you enter a meditative state.
What we like
Since the wax is non-melting, it creates a lovely clarity on the candle
What we dislike
The candle is a fire hazard, so you need to use it carefully around kids and pets
2. ASMR Zen Ball
This little compact ball is called the ASMR Zen Ball, and it perfectly fuses natural and engineered elements to create a space-inspired design that provides a calming and relaxing experience to its users. The nifty little product has a meteorite-inspired porous surface that functions as an excellent absorbent surface for your aroma oils, which helps create a meditative experience for you.
The Zen Ball is made from genuine volcanic stone and matte aluminum alloy, which lets it double up as a fidget toy, creating an interactive experience, where users can connect with the natural energy of the earth.
What we like
The Zen Ball also doubles up as a fidget toy, which provides sensory stimulation
What we dislike
The ball could get rolling due to accidental bumps when not attached to its base
3. Rin Harmony Incense Holder
The Rin Harmony Incense Holder lets you enjoy the smoky and relaxing aroma of your favorite incense stick, letting you calm down, irrespective of where you are. The holder is built from natural walnut wood, and it serves as a storage space for the incense sticks, as well as a base for the burning incense.
The brass plate functions as a safe space to hold the lit stick, and a matching cover lets you snuff out the flame, while also making sure that the ashes don’t fly around.
What we like
Dual-functional design with a minimal form
Great companion for your calming exercises and meditation
What we dislike
The holder only allows one incense to be lit at a time, so the reach of the aroma is limited
4. LightVision Meditation Headset
Designed by Layer Design, the LightVision meditation headset is an interesting innovation with an array of LED lights that create a layer of magic to the natural visual feed of the user. It transforms natural videos into a sequence of biomorphic patterns, which are visible to the closed eyes.
Why is it noteworthy?
The patterns are visible as an ever-changing kaleidoscope of sequences that trigger the brain’s “frequency-following response”. This results in a distraction-free state of mind letting you meditate and unwind.
What we like
An ergonomic form that is comfortable on the face and eyes
What we dislike
Meditating with the help of screens may result in tired eyes if you’re using them for long periods of time
5. Battery-free Aroma Diffuser
If you’re in the mood to meditate, then this battery-free aroma diffuser is your perfect companion. It lets you take a deep and relaxing breath without causing any kind of harm to the environment. When you use the battery-free aroma diffuser, you harness the power of a single candle as it uses simple science and physics.
As its name signifies, the diffuser doesn’t need any batteries or external power source to operate. It only uses the heat of a single candle to spread some amazing aromatic scents. Made from sustainable materials, the diffuser has a minimalist and eco-friendly design philosophy.
What we like
Built from recyclable materials
Compatible with all kinds of essential oils
What we dislike
Since the diffuser lacks electric controls, it is tough to adjust the intensity of the aroma
6. Miniature Bonfire Wood Diffuser Set
Named the Miniature Bonfire Wood Diffuser Set, this little design induces relaxation as it recreates the smell and lovely experience of a mesmerizing outdoor fire. It perfectly captures all the scents, smells, and memories of a memorable outdoor fire, but within the comfort of your own home, without the dangers of a large outdoor fire.
The wood collected for the diffuser is from branches that were meant to be thrown away. They give off a distinct warm smoky steel when they are burnt on the stainless steel mini oven, emitting a comforting and serene aroma.
What we like
You can use the diffuser as a heating or cooking stool by adding a piece of solid wood, making it a distinct multifunctional design
What we dislike
Requires small pieces of wood, can’t be used with larger pieces of wood
7. Stress-free Aroma Diffuser
Meet the Stress-free Aroma Diffuser which helps you sit back and relax while breathing in an excellent mix of aromatic blends, that have been specially selected to soothe your mind, and help you meditate and unwind. Play some calming music, and let yourself relax with the Stress-free Aroma Diffuser.
The Stress-free Aroma Diffuser emits a gentle breeze, which disperses the aroma evenly wherever you are sitting. It features a porcelain filter that absorbs the oil to provide a long-lasting experience.
What we like
The base is polished and provides an interesting contrast to the organic-looking porcelain disc, letting it function as an elegant decoration piece
What we dislike
Looks easily breakable and fragile, so it must be handled with care
8. The SOUL
The SOUL is an ambient sound generator with a pure all-white minimalist form factor with 8 tactile slides on the top and ambient lighting at the base of the speaker. You don’t need to connect it to your Wi-Fi, and does it come with an app, nor does it have Bluetooth.
Why is it noteworthy?
The SOUL is designed to help you calm down, and not bog you down with features, and paid subscriptions. The sliders on the top resemble tactile spherical sliders, and they let you build out your soundscape, letting you choose between different sounds, and how loud you want them.
What we like
The 8 sliders allow you to customize your sound, helping you focus, destress, meditate, or even fall asleep
What we dislike
It’s a conceptual product, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product
9. Focus
Dubbed Focus, this unique design merges an aroma diffuser and a mood lamp to form an object that will remind you of a scented candle. Focus is meant to touch your different senses, letting you unwind, and enter a soothing meditative state, where you can leave all your cumbersome worries behind.
Why is it noteworthy?
In its unlit mode, Focus resembles a small wireless speaker, but when turned on, it allows you to take a break and relax, while also encouraging you to be mindful, and helping you to focus at the task on hand.
What we like
Lets you take little breaks, and enjoy the present moment
What we dislike
It’s a concept, so we are unsure how the actual product will turn out to be
10. Gingko Smart Diffuser Lamp
This is the Gingko Smart Diffuser Lamp – it is equipped with a monolithic form that holds a fragrance diffuser in its upper half, and a compact, well-designed desk lamp in its lower half, allowing it to function as a smart dual-functional product design, that you can place on your desk or bedside table.
Why is it noteworthy?
Made from a combination of wood, copper, and frosted acrylic glass, the diffuser has an earthy warm appearance that is typically seen in most of Gingko’s products, creating a product that is minimal, calming, and surreal.
What we like
A portable little device that you can carry around with ease
What we dislike
Some people may not prefer wood as their material of choice for diffusers
Crafted out of either walnut or ash wood, the Arch headphone stand rests majestically on your desk, allowing you to place headphones on its gently arched top. The stepped design in the wood feels reminiscent of Bauhaus-style architecture, and adds an understated beauty to your table with how it creates bands of light and shadow. Designed for people serious about maintaining a theme around their workspace, the Arch is an alternative to those rather industrial-looking hooks and metal headphone stands. If you’re a fan of Grovemade‘s stuff, this one might just be perfect for you.
The Hrdwood Arch is perfect for desk setups dominated by earthy tones and the use of wooden elements. The stand can be placed anywhere on your desk (although we recommend placing a cloth below to prevent it from scratching your table). Each stand is meticulously crafted from three wood panels joint together, creating a beautiful wood grain that almost follows the arch around its bend.
At its narrowest point, the Arch is just above an inch wide (1.18 inches to be precise), and therefore accepts pretty much any headphone. The wooden grain provides just the right amount of friction to ensure the headphones don’t go sliding off, and the solid wood stand is heavy enough to not lift upwards when you try to take the headphones off.
The stand comes in two variants – one made from a darker walnut wood, while another employs a lighter ashwood construction. Both have their own distinct flavors, so to speak, and fit in well with different kinds of decor. The ashwood blends seamlessly with bamboo-based furniture, while the walnut works supremely well with darker wood or black anodized metal. Both pair perfectly with glass tables too… and that tiny space underneath the arch is sort of perfect for storing your AirPods Pro case just on the off-chance you happen to have those too.
Before the release of the Cybertruck (for eager buyers), Tesla was developing an official accessory with Heimplanet to satiate the needs of adventure junkies. Known as the Cybertruck Basecamp Tent, the sleek and stylish add-on would turn the electric truck into a sporty off-grid camping vehicle for nature lovers.
The accessory has finally shipped for people who pre-booked and unfortunately, it looks nothing like the version promised in the 2019 renders and prototype. Just like the Cybertruck’s overblown bubble hype, the Basecamp Tent for the truck bed looks like a gray blob of unfinished and shabby product that’s more like a homeless encampment.
There are a lot of strings attached when we consider the ease of installation as Tesla recommends owners bring the thing to the service center for initial installation of the brackets. Ideally, that should not be the case as one should be able to seamlessly install it on his/her own. A user on the CybertruckOwnersClub forum says that “forcefully popping out the Aeroflap” just feels like a less-than-premium experience. Removing or reinstalling the Aeroflap compromises the waterproofing at the front of the vault. Also, the plastic pieces/clips hooked from the Aeroflap are susceptible to breaking with repeated use.
Strangely the manual lists down the “Tent Mode” – supposed to self-level on a sloped surface – which apparently doesn’t exist right now. So, should we expect some kind of update or add-on fix it? The second-hearted approach in launching this product is evident from the small little gripes. On a positive note, the Roof Peak clips are easy to locate and attach to the roof, as they fit along the triangle section of the truck’s window. This helps maintain the structural integrity of the tent, and once everything is in place, inflate the tent to set up the base for the night. Another advantage is the space under the stowed basecamp to store essentials. Not to mention the lightweight aesthetics and the use of premium materials.
If the price had been reasonable, my perspective would have been different about all the shortcomings in features and the overall design. But shelling out $3,000 for this unfinished accessory that’s a handful while installing and uninstalling, is not at all justified!
When they say something is as “light as air”, it is not meant to be taken literally most of the time. But there are indeed some materials now that can be considered almost as light as air or at least the lightest solid material that we can find. One example is NASA’s nanomaterial silica aerogel which they used in their first stardust mission. It has been used in things like thermal insulation, biomedical applications, and some experimentations. But there’s apparently another use for it and that’s for fashion and (sort of) functionality.
Designer: Coperni
Paris-based accessories brand Coperni wanted to create a bag that is very, very light but also would look like it has frozen smoke trapped inside its little space. And they were able to do so with the Air Swipe Bag hiwch they unveiled at the FW24 show. This particular look is made from aerogel since the process it goes through gives it that transparent, smoky color, not to mention how light but non-fragile it is.
It may seem to look like a fragile bag because of its size and its transparency but the material can actually withstand extreme heat (up to 1,200 degrees celsius) and pressure (up to 4000 times its weight). There is a reason after all why NASA brought this to space. The bag also uses 1% glass reinforcement so you might want to be careful where you swing that bag at.
The Air Swipe Bag doesn’t seem to be the most fashionable but it is indeed interesting looking. My main issue is that it’s a tiny bag that may actually only fit my phone in it and barely at that. As a big bag carrier that has a ton of bags inside the bag, I’m wondering if something as light as this could actually work in a bigger size as well.
Small enough to fit in both your palms, the Patella Crescenda makes growing greens ridiculously easy and quick. The unique shape of the planter allows it to water itself so you don’t need to, and helps you grow seeds without any soil, yielding sprouts in just about a week. The Patella Crescenda is intuitive, fun to use, and is made to be reusable so you can have a constant supply of microgreens for your salads, canapes, and smoothies.
Designer: House of Thol
The Patella Crescenda comes together with just four simple parts – a base tray, two reusable steel seed plates, and a water bulb that fits on top. Fill the bulb with water and place it upturned into the base and an air vacuum inside helps deploy the water slowly, filling up the base tray. Two steel plates sit on top of the base tray, right above the water level. Cuts on these plates let you place clusters of seeds like pulses, legumes, grains, etc. and they begin growing on their own, with the roots descending downwards into the base trey through the cuts.
In just about a week, the microgreens are ready to harvest and can simply be cut with scissors, or pinched off the steel plates. The sprouts grow directly in water without any soil, so you don’t need to clean or rinse them. Garnish them over your food or chuck them in your smoothies. Microgreens are incredibly nutrient-dense compared to their seed/grain/legume counterparts, giving your dishes a fresh burst of color as well a lot of minerals and antioxidants.
The Patella Crescenda simplifies the art of growing microgreens by literally condensing it down into three steps – Add water, add seeds, and harvest. The compact design, coupled with that glass bulb of water gives your interior space a wonderful aesthetic touch, while allowing you to intuitively see how much water your planter has. The steel plates come with six grill-cuts, allowing you to grow a variety of microgreens at the same time in the same dish, and once you’ve reaped your sprouts, cleaning and resprouting a new batch of seeds gives you a fresh harvest in just about a week!
When I travel to a new place, one of the things that I always want to try out are the local coffee places. However, not all places have really great original beans and not all coffee addict travelers would trust coffee shops especially if there are not a lot of recommended places. So I know some people who are picky with their caffeine fix who actually travel with all sorts of coffee paraphernalia. Of course this adds to their luggage so it’s not always that convenient. So having paraphernalia that’s handy and at the same time gives you that kick that you need is a must.
Designers: Vanshika Singhal and Yashi Jivnani
BrewPin is a portable coffee machine using the moka pot brewing method that was developed as a concept for coffee brand Bialetti. It is meant for those picky travelers that need to have their espresso shot when they want a caffeine boost and there isn’t any local coffee shop that would suit their taste or if there aren’t any coffee shops in general, like in the mountains or in rural areas. It looks like your typical portable coffee tool but it looks like it’s much easier to use.
The bottom part has a silicone cover with power coat and above it, you find the stainless steel water tank. There’s also a funnel filter and a coffee pod tank as well as a perforated plate where the moka magic happens. There’s a borosilicate glass on top where you pour your coffee in and a nozzle to pour the coffee from. Basically you just plug in the BrewPin, let the coffee brew your espresso shot and then flip it, twist off the cup, and enjoy your caffeine boost.
As someone who often complains that the hotel coffee is almost always no good, this can be a great tool to tide me over until I’m able to get to a proper coffee shop. The only downside to this is that you need to plug it in but if they’re able to create something that would harness energy from somewhere else to get that espresso shot, it would be perfect.
How many people does it take to turn on an air dryer? It may sound like the beginning of a joke but actually this is a real question and the answer is around a hundred people make up the team that has created one of the most high-tech hair dryers. But there’s also a surprising twist with this team as it’s actually made of engineers and scientists that used to create drones. Your hair dryer will not fly in the sky but you’re getting something pretty high-tech.
The Airlight Pro was unveiled last month at the Consumer Electronic Show and is considered a “next-generation hair drying tool” that can be for professional hairdressers, stylists, and ordinary consumers at home. This was developed by L’Oréal in partnership with hardware startup Zuvi. The latter was created by drone engineers and scientists, most of whom came from technology company DJI, so you know that this is definitely a device that comes with good tech. It uses infrared-light technology and wind to have the hair dry faster and also use 31% less energy consumption.
The hair dryer uses a special 17-blade, high=speed motor, and patented infrared technology as well as tungsten-halogen bulbs so that you don’t use excessive heat when drying your hair. This also means that your hair is properly (or naturally) moisturized since the water is dried on the hair surface and the heat will not excessively dry it. Design-wise, it looks like a typical, high-tech hair dryer so there’s nothing really extra special there. But the fact that its technology can dry your hair quicker and still keep it shiny and smooth is the selling point.
The AirLight Pro has a small display in the handheld grip and can also be connected to an app so you can customize the settings depending on your hair type, length, and style. There isn’t a price tag announced yet although they may be looking at something below $400.
After years of doing video conferencing while we were working or studying remotely, you would think that people have gotten used to using our computers’ and devices’ webcams already. But there are still those that are not used to turning on their cameras to participate in video calls whether for work, school, or personal reasons. It’s something that will probably be around for the foreseeable future so we still need all kinds of video conferencing tools.
Seesun is a concept for a webcam and lighting tool that can be utilized by those who are concerned with privacy but also need something to help them out for times when they have no choice but to turn their cameras on. It’s basically a display that can cover the camera if you don’t want to use it but if you need to actually use it, a smiley face will help you become more accustomed to the camera.
When you turn on the camera, you’ll see a countdown to help you prepare for when it begins showing you to whoever it is that you’re meeting with. There is a smiley face on the display that will supposedly help put you at ease and make you stare directly into the camera and make you look more trustworthy. It can also serve as a light stand if your room needs it to give a better video quality. There is also a small remote to help you control the device.
The design basically is that of a light stand but with a web camera on top. The smiley face may actually help in putting people not used to appearing on webcams at ease. As someone so used to video calls, it may not be much of use to me but there are still a lot of people out there who need tools like this to become a video calling pro.
