Author Archives: Jack O'Farrell

A Stunning Scandinavian Sleeping Pod

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As if the Scandinavian landscape couldn’t get any prettier, imagine experiencing it from a cozy little pod on the back of your 4×4. Mink Campers is a funky company providing these little pods that could make any trip through Northern Europe that little bit more idyllic. They’ve created a very spacious and bright interior, fitted with a luxury queen size bed and fresh Scandinavian linen. It sounds perfect, right? How about the heated interior, the Bose sound and the wifi connectivity are some of the nice extras that come standard.

Mink Campers “believe that camping is all about creating enjoyable memories with your loved ones.” And what could be more enjoyable than gazing up at the stars through the gigantic sunroof lying above that queen-sized bed, probably nothing if you’re lucky enough to be sitting under that clear night’s sky. What really gets me excited about this trailer is the rear door that opens up to reveal a stove top, makeshift kitchen counter, which is of course stocked with Scandinavian designed kitchen equipment to really fit the environment. The Mink Camper is perfect for any scenic getaway!

Designers: Mink Campers & Jordi Hans Design

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Moto Guzzi’s Moto-makeover

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Started from the bottom, now we’re here. A phrase I’m almost certain the guys over at NCS Proto & Style were saying after developing two completely custom typologies for the Moto Guzzi V7 III. Codenamed “Avio” and “Nomad,” these new versions of the V7 III were given a more industrial feel to an already rugged aesthetic. The process here is one of commonality amongst the design world, from sketching to finished model – and the results are beautiful.

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The Avio (above) holds more of a traditional Harley Davidson feel but with modern tones. The small metal shield which rises above the front headlight looks somewhat out of place on its own but coupled with the carbon fiber addition to the petrol tank; the Avio can be seen as more of a downtown city bike.

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The Nomad (above), my favorite of the two, has a classier look to it, but that’s unfair due to my love of carefully detailed leather seats, especially those of cafe racers which the Nomad’s seat slightly resembles. Accompanying the leather seat is a similar carbon fiber detail on the petrol tank, but instead of the traditional black and grey, this duo is a tan and black color, really adding a touch of class.

With designing any typology, especially that of such a highly esteemed brand, the process is principal, and this is no exception. Like I mentioned before, The crowd at NCS Proto & Style designed, prototyped and assembled accessories onto two Moto Guzzi V7 III using the very fundamentals we all use from consumer to electronics to truck concepts. Firstly, NCS began with sketch concepts, which turns into 3D models, from there these models became clay models/3D printed models. These models, such as the battery covers, Nomad headlamp, Ignition motor covers, and much more resulted in ideation, modeling, adjusting, evaluating, remodeling and so on until the part was perfect. Well-crafted and a true example of strong design thinking mixed with careful detailing, the Avio and Nomad may have only been a teaser at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan last November, but it was a fine example of how some small adjustments here and there can completely change the look of an already established aesthetic.

Designer: NCS Proto & Style for Moto Guzzi

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You’ll never waste food again!

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Population increases, lifestyles evolve, consumption increases… But what do we do with all the leftover waste? One downfall of city-living is the inability to effectively dispose of your food waste. Not so much effective disposal, but more so the repurpose of food waste. And with proper disposal one needs to consider the time, smell, and space. A healthy, smart and design conscious solution to this growing concern is the FoodCycler Eco-Friendly Food Recycler.

Eco-friendly and highly efficient, the Food Recycler is exactly that, it takes your food scraps and turns them into nutrient-rich soil, converting waste into resource. The FoodCycler reduces the food waste by up to 90% and provides the perfect soil for your garden, no matter how big or small. The system is straightforward – the device comes with a removable internal bucket which must be full before beginning the cycle. Taking only 3 hours to catalyze and produce fresh soil, the FoodCyler is practically always ready to go. On top of that, the device itself has a very clean look to it. With the inverted handle on the top lid, the FoodCycler has a perfect rectangular shape with some cozy edges to accentuate that open design aesthetic – welcome and ready for anyone to use.

Designer: FoodCycler

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A classic revisited

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There are various methods of conceptual designing and brand aesthetics that go into creating timeless pieces of automotive design. And while it may be hard to create something with the wow factor on a 4-wheeler, it’s even more difficult when it comes to 2-wheelers. There is little to no body surface to work with, and the engine alone can end up dictating the shape/aesthetics alone and you just have generally less space to work with.

What’s truly special is when a bike manufacturer can use these constraints, manipulate them and create a gorgeous aesthetic around the engine itself. This has been the case for Honda since the Dream D-Type – exposing the engine for all its magnificent raw mechanical beauty. The guys down at NCT Motorcycles of Austria have paid homage to that exact raw beauty with their interpretation of the 1978 Honda CX500, which they have christened ‘Highflyer.’ Stripped back, and discarding everything that had little to no use, NCT did a teardown and rebuild of what can only be described as a speed demon. To add further to the speedy appeal, the final touches were a simple paint job – a fresh coat of black covering the mechanics, a silver coat spread across the tank and then finished with a classic blue and red stripe. A masterpiece.

Designers: Honda & NCT Motorcycles

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A Table “Car”ved by the Gods

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“Certain projects start as ideas that accidentally cement themselves in your mind. If you don’t give in and realize them, you risk insanity. This was one of those projects.” Spoken like a true mad designer, those at Discommon have created something truly special of late, in the form of their unique coffee table – shaped perfectly to catch anyone’s attention from anywhere in the room. They’re just so rare it’s hard not to stare. Perfectly machined from a four-foot-long, four- inch thick block of aluminum, you’d have to think Discommon are insane to even think of such an idea, but the execution is awe-inspiring.

The original thought was a vehicular shape emerging from liquid metal, and that is exactly the look they achieved. Deciding to only execute a series of ten tables, Discommon is strict in designing only one vehicle per each table and will not repeat any vehicle twice either. The client of the table has free reign over what vehicle gets machined into the table – this includes planes, trains, and automobiles. From here, the team at Discommon will painstakingly CAD model the surface work and ensure this final design looks just like that emerging vehicle they set out to achieve. If the first two tables are anything to go by, this collection is set to become a true showcase of masterpieces.

Designer: Discommon

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F40 Table

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No matter the terrain…

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Everyone’s busy designing the bikes of the future, while High Powered Cycles are here creating the bikes of now. Their latest release, the Typhoon Pro electric mountain bike is a force to be reckoned with. Perfect for those who spend 90% of their time climbing up to the summit, only to enjoy the 10% of downhill. I’ve never done it, but I’m sure the experience could be made a lot better with the use of an electric bike.

This bike is a crossbreed between a ToaToa dirt bike and your standard mountain bike. The tubular steel frame is concealed by a striking black body shell which gives host to an edgy seating choice. Housing a 6,000-watt Crystalyte motor under the frame, this monster can hit top speeds of up to 42 miles per hour – getting you up the side of that mountain before you know it. The contrast between the gold and black really accentuates the frame, while allowing the black to hide the heavy mechanics.

Designer: High Powered Cycles

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If IKEA made sailboats

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Once upon a time, Ahab sought revenge upon Moby Dick, the albino sperm whale, while sailing upon the glorious Pequod – to hear of that tale would make any man rush to the sea right? Luckily for those who feel that same longing to hit those crashing waves in their own boat, or simply…just wish to have their own boat in general, can now fulfill that dream. Rapid Whale has really alleviated the stresses and burdens of owning a boat, not even beginning to mention the fees and maintenance attached too. If anything they’ve developed a fun, full-sized mini boat, boasting a length of six foot and fully electrical – made to order and assembly.

Comprised of the Mini Boat Kit are laser-cut marine-grade plywood, 3D printer components, a steering wheel, sheeting-shift bearings, and various gaskets – unfortunately, the boat isn’t complete, having to source and purchase the motor, engine, and batteries by the owner. That’s not all too bad considering you now have a boat all to yourself. Weighing in at a staggering sixty-seven pounds and hitting a fairly breezy four miles per hour, the Rapid Whale Mini Boat is sure to itch every nautical tickle you may have.

Designer: Rapid Whale

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Old Power, New Heart

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Think of Mad Max meeting Steve McQueen and deciding they’re going to make a bike together. A sentence which would otherwise seem almost too obscure to happen looks to have happened thanks to the guys at Republica Motorcicletas of Argentina. A truly stunning aesthetic that’s rugged and fierce on the eyes – the 1994 Honda NX350 Sahara is known to these guys as “Old Power.” It may be hard to see some of the old NX350, and this is due to the build – the guys at Republica Motorcicletas built this two-wheeler around a fuel tank from a 1965 Jawa, and the result is mesmerizing. As a lover of all things edgy and old, this 1994 beauty has been resurrected and given an almost apocalyptic feel to it.

Greeted by an unorthodox grill sitting angrily below the handlebars, accompanied by two high powered LED eyes, sure to burn a hole through the darkness. As if the front wasn’t chilling enough, the rear brake light is hidden behind the saddle creeping out behind a wire mesh and teases a color which can only be described as molten lava. This bike, with its custom detailing, dark soul and edgy vibes are one of a kind and for a very good reason – it would feel like the end of the world if these were all over the streets.

Designer: Republica Motorcicletas

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Forget everything you know about knives

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Of course, with the world of designers looking to integrate voice assistants into everything and anything around us -there are other designers out there trying to make a difference in our daily physical interactions. One of which is Chifen Cheng, who took a very holistic design approach when designing the Knife Reinvented for Maison Milan – a walnut knife with a twist of incorporating Asian culinary tools.

As Chifen Cheng put it, the Knife Reinvented is a salad knife that does more than just cut. Utilizing the hand as a pestle, this salad knife is not only hyper-functional, it’s aesthetically gorgeous due to the material contrast. The use of a wooden blade prevents the oxidation reaction with lettuce, usually caused by a stainless-steel blade, ensuring the lettuce doesn’t start browning straight away. The sizably dominant blade itself makes transporting the ingredients an effortless breeze. Not to mention the fact this knife can stand on its own due to the weight of the pestle, standing elegantly, awaiting its master to put it to good use. An intelligent design, the Knife Reinvented is a pleasingly simple innovation that just screams out to be held.

Designer: Chifen Cheng

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Nuro takes the man out of ‘deliveryman’

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The self-driving car industry is turning into somewhat of an entire ecosystem of its own of late, and that’s nobody’s fault but all of our own for hyping it up. However, just when we thought all hope was lost for finding something a little different, two Google engineers have risen to the top with their interesting spin on autonomous transportation in the form of Nuro. Focused on deliveries, Nuro delivers explicitly the kind that is low-speed, local, and last-mile: groceries, laundry, and take-out orders. Everything you need that’s reliable, short distance and easily accessible right?

While all the other start-ups are looking into automation in a grand scheme of things, these two Google engineers are smartly working towards a niche section of the autonomous transport ecosystem and doing it right. With the increase in Amazon packages more than ever before, it’s understandable that people are getting pickier with their delivery schedules. Albeit the talk of drone delivery is very much at large, there is no stopping the security of 4 wheels getting two and from your door thanks to the systems already in place. It’s hard to see Nuro not succeeding shortly, mostly due to the design approach these guys have taken both in hardware and software. This delivery car is filled to the brim with tech that would make any autonomous car look silly and then some.

Designer: Nuro

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