Author Archives: Jay Alba

Instagram Filters get applied in real life with this liquid-filled camera lens

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Want to bring the look of an Instagram filter to your 35mm film photos? The HydroChrome Sutton’s Panoramic Belair Camera gives you the power to create and experiment with your own photo effects. How does it work? Instead of using the power of digital technology (or whatever wizardry Instagram’s team discovered), the HydroChrome uses liquids to create its dreamy, colorful film strips.

How does it work? As you can see in the pictures below, a tube and syringe are attached to the camera’s body. With the liquid of your choice, you can create dreamy, colorful panoramic film strips with sprocket holes. The designer elaborates,” Have you noticed Instagram’s film border filters that mimic authentic analog sprocket holes? Us too, and who can blame them, it’s a great look! But instead of faking the effect, you can do it for real with the HydroChrome. Master this authentic analog aesthetic with no digital trickery required!”  This real-life colored filter was inspired by the HydroChrome’s namesake, Thomas Sutton, who pioneered the use of liquid-filled lenses. Now, over 150 years later, the technique has been adapted and packaged into a beginner-friendly package.

In recent years, 35mm film photography has experienced a resurgence in popularity. Even as digital photography and phone cameras become more advanced, people still feel nostalgic for film cameras. The HydroChrome camera invites those photography fans to experiment with this particular medium, in a way that is both unconventional and uncomplicated. With the HydroChrome’s easy-to-use function and the included “Liquids Guide,” anyone can capture dreamy, beautiful images.

Designer: Lomography

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Sustainable Product Designers, Take Notes from This Light Kit’s No-Waste Packaging

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Most designs have not found a way to integrate their packaging as part of their product, but they should take notes from the Light Box. So what is it? True to its name, the Light Box is a mini electric light kit, consisting of three small light bulb modules, three solar panels, and a charging wire. The cardboard packaging, an eco-friendly, lightweight box (see what they did there?) that contributes to the product’s commitment to sustainability. In addition to being biodegradable, the packaging can also be used as an integral part of the lighting kit. How do these two elements work together? Each side of the box has its own “deployment diagram” with perforations and pre-stressed lines to indicate where you should fold. These cardboard-origami structures serve as holders for the mini light modules, creating unique hanging fixtures for your space.

The Light Box was designed as a functional, portable light for indoor and outdoor use. The light presents itself in 3 iterations – use it as a regular indoor or outdoor light and even tell a story with the silhouette created by the shadowbox. But those are simple versions. The lightbox really shines with its solar panels inspired lighting. The solar panels allow you to be while camping or during the nighttime in regions where electricity is not easy to come by. Truly multifunctional and useful, isn’t it? Hang it as a charming, minimalist light fixture in your room, or keep it as part of your camping essentials. I could imagine the Light Box in a variety of stores, from Bed, Bath, and Beyond to the “gift” section of Urban Outfitters; the product has such a widespread consumer appeal. But in general, I hope its concept of integrating the packaging into the product catches on in the product design world.

Designer: Sungrae Kim

Seoul’s architecture gets immortalized with these desk trays!

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Looking for new storage containers for your desk? These stackable trays from Studio Unité present an unconventional shape — with slanted sides and not-quite-equal rectangular borders. With their frames, built with a mixture of wood, cement, and plywood, these trays look very much like tiny buildings on your desk. That architecture-inspired imagery has very specific roots; you could likely find its full-sized counterpart in the streets of Seoul.

Brief history lesson: In the 1960s and 70s, Seoul built several apartments in order to accommodate its growing population. Many of those early apartment complexes could be described as … well, experimental – never a perfect square or rectangle. These buildings are a part of Seoul’s history, and Studio Unité honors this history with their array of desk-storage units. Previously on Yanko Design, we’ve featured products inspired by Seoul’s architecture and we are excited to add Studio Unité’s desk trays to that collection. The design helps preserve Seoul’s history and culture and presents it in a product that is easily accessible to consumers.

Designer: Somin Lee and Sujin Lee

With this space heater + hanging rack, your clothes will always have that fresh-from-the-dryer feel

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You know the feeling when you pull on a sweater that is fresh from the dryer? The comforting, all-encompassing warmth that fades too quickly? There are ways to replicate that feeling without jacking up your electric bill with unnecessary dryer runs. I sometimes drape my socks on my space heater, for instance. This method, while cheap, has two obvious problems:

1) I’m mildly worried that it is a fire hazard,

2) the clothes block the warm air from heating my room.

The Smartmi Heater has solved both these problems with two design changes. The first is simple – adding an adjustable handlebar to the heating unit. When the bar is in the upright position, it functions similarly to the handle of a briefcase, making the appliance more portable despite its bulk. If you pull it down in front of the heating unit itself, it acts as a rack to dry or warm up your clothes. (Finally, I can get that fresh-from-the-dryer warmth without risking a fire.)

Of course, the adjustable bar poses a similar problem to my proposed “socks on the heater” method. Sure, your towels or sweaters will get warm and toasty, but your room may miss the flood of warm air directly aimed at your cold feet. The Smartmi fixes this issue by allowing warm air to flow from two outlets: straight out from the unit’s front and out from the top. This means that warm air can still fill the room, even if the heater’s face is blocked by a curtain of clothes.

These are minor design changes, yet they make all the difference for the user experience. They allow for maximum coziness and warmth, setting the product apart from its competitors. The holidays may be over, but for many readers, winter is still very much in season. If that is the case, you may want to warm your stockings over the Smartmi heater.

Designer: Eamin G

Air Purifying Window that uses sunlight to purify your home also creates a Foggy Screen to retain your privacy

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After spending a year quarantined with three roommates, the air quality in our apartment, if you can imagine, has grown quite stuffy. The solution seems simple: crack open a window. That’s true, we could do that, but giving our neighbors a clear view into our home does not sit well with any of us. For my roommates and I specifically, we have the bad luck of having large windows that look out onto a frequently traveled hallway, which gives our neighbors a clear window into our apartment.

Privacy or fresh air? That is the compromise that many apartment dwellers — especially those with ground-floor units — face. The Hazy Air Purifier is a window that ensures privacy while providing proper ventilation. How does it work? The device utilizes a new concept called HAZE, which uses sunlight to heat the air inside your home; this “heat haze” purifies the atmosphere and creates a foggy screen that obscures your interior living space from passing neighbors.

How does the Hazy air purifier fit into your living space? After all, windows come in all sizes. The designers fixed this issue with the Hazy’s height-adjustable frame. As long as your apartment has rectangular windows, the Hazy will likely be a perfect fit. Alternatively, the product also works as a standing unit; it doesn’t have to be fixed to the wall. Unfortunately, this method means losing out on the product’s main selling point: the hazy window effect. However, on its own, the Hazy air purifier’s unique shape won’t clash with your decor or clutter or living space, but may also attract some interested, quizzical questions from house guests.

Designer: Jisu Yang

 

From UPS to Dominos, this self-driving vehicle is the eco-friendly delivery solution of the future

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In looking for ways to reduce carbon emissions, especially in the transportation industry, designers have proposed solutions that would decrease carbon emissions from delivery trucks. Why so specific? The problem with these short-distance deliveries is that they burn a disproportionate amount of fuel compared to the size of the package being dropped off.

Here’s where we introduce the Beep, a self-driving vehicle that was designed for these short travels. On Yanko, we’ve featured other green transport vehicles that operate under similar principles: electric-powered bikes or scooters that mail carriers can use for the “last leg” of the package’s journey. The Beep stands out because, unlike other proposed designs, it doesn’t require a driver.

How would this system work in practice? Well, the Beep, with its short, compact design, can easily maneuver through local roads and tight alleys. Since the vehicle drives itself, the restaurant chains or delivery services that use them won’t have to train employees to use them. Quick note: the Beep can also be driven manually if preferred. In those cases, a handle and standing platform will pop out from the back of the Beep, allowing the user to ride it like an electric scooter.

The Beep’s storage container is sturdy enough to protect its cargo from harm. Additionally, the storage container is height-adjustable, so packages of any size can fit securely. Groceries or other food items will also stay fresh thanks to its climate-controlled interior. These two features demonstrate the Beep’s diverse capabilities — particularly, how it can be used to service a variety of different industries.

Designer: Dawn Studio

These iPhone 12 attachable lenses + photo filters bridge the gap between your phone and DSLR

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You might be wondering, why would you want a lens attachment for your phone when its embedded camera already has HD resolution? Although it’s possible to capture and edit beautiful images on your smartphone, those devices have their limits. If you’ve tried to snap a zoomed-in photo without compromising on the resolution, you would understand the struggle.

Take your phone photography skills to the next level with the SANDMARC lenses and filters, made for all the iPhone 12 models. The set includes macro, anamorphic, telephoto, fisheye, and wide-angle lenses — lenses that you’d find in a professional photographer’s bag. Additionally, there are four SANDMARC filters to help enhance your photo’s beauty — replacing the need for Instagram or Snapchat filters.

Aesthetically, the SANDMARC lenses give users the look and feel of operating a traditional digital camera. Users can experience the satisfying sensation of rotating a lens to fine-tune the camera’s focus — a small joy that amateur photographers (like me) can attest to. More importantly, the SANDMARC attachments work almost as well as professional photography equipment. This product makes this expensive hobby more accessible to the general public — not to mention aspiring Instagram stars. It will be interesting to see how the photography industry and profession will change, as smartphone cameras and accessories improve their quality to compete with traditional cameras.

Designer: Sandmarc

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Move aside Apple magic mouse, this touch-screen wireless mouse is the next logical evolution we need!

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Imagine this: In a post-pandemic world, you are traveling and attempting to work on a cramped work surface. It may be an airplane’s foldable seat tray, a small coffee shop table, etc. When you’re working on a limited table surface, it is difficult to fit your computer – let alone an accessory like a wireless mouse. Enter the T001. This touch-screen mouse negates the need for a flat surface to direct the cursor. You could literally hold the mouse in your lap and move the cursor by tracing your finger across the glass. Additionally, the mouse’s flat, sleek shape fits into your pocket like a phone, just like a phone.

The idea of a purely touch-screen mouse is intriguing, as it deviates from the standard design. Functionally and aesthetically, the T001 resembles a tablet or phone more than a computer mouse. The result is a clean interface – with a bright, eye-catching gradient for the background. This visual, reminiscent of a phone’s background screen, reinforces the connection between the T001 mouse and the touch-screen devices that inspired its creation. However, the lack of physical buttons may leave something to be desired. For reference, the Apple Magic Mouse has a similar, streamlined look, but still kept the tactile clicking function. Will its absence throw off its usability for users? Or is this the inevitable next step in the evolution of wireless mouse design? It would be interesting to see how users adjust to a “button-less” product when most people have grown accustomed to having that tactile feedback.

Designer: Alex Terol

This smart assistant uses aromatherapy + your song choice to create smells that compliment your mood!

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When I am in a work slump, I try to kick-start my creative juices in different ways. I microwave a cup of coffee, put on music, and (this might surprise people) light a candle. Wait, you might think, Candles are supposed to have a calming effect, right? They aren’t supposed to spur your productive flow. For a long time, I believed that my correlation between productivity and scented candles was just a placebo effect. It turns out some research suggests that certain scents can increase alertness and work performance. How? The basic principles of aromatherapy say that smells can evoke positive emotions and memories associated with those emotions. That correlation can enhance the experience of various activities, from relaxing in a spa to typing this article.

The smart diffuser/speaker embodies the idea that your other senses, particularly smell and hearing, can be evoked to enhance whatever activity you are taking part in. What does the speaker do? It analyzes the music you’re playing and chooses a fragrance to complement the mood. By combining smell and sound, the smart speaker/diffuser creates a more immersive experience … even if that experience simply involves lying in bed or researching award-winning product designs.

We think of scent diffusers as relaxation products, but this design shows that aromatherapy has many more uses. My one gripe with the smart speaker/diffuser is its current marketing. Its description on Instagram fails to show off the versatility of this concept because it only names one available scent: lavender, which connotes relaxation. I would love to see what scents the speaker would choose for an upbeat song for the hours when I want to be productive. Overall, you can tell that I was impressed with a concept if my main critique was for the online presentation. I love this product because it also validates smell-motivated workers like me, who thought their candle-lighting routine made them an oddity.

Designer: Kim Minsu

The sliding design of this thermal footrest relaxes your legs and warms your frosty toes!

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A full day of being glued to your chair is draining in its own way. Your blood does not circulate through your lower body as well when sitting, which leads to aches and numbness, and pressure being placed on your joints. With the rise of remote working, many desk workers have the luxury of customizing their workspace in order to solve this problem. They can kick their legs up on a side table by their desk, not worrying about intruding into someone else’s space. What happens, however, when we return to our original offices and have to co-exist in working spaces?

The OFF:REE thermal footrest provides the blood circulation to reduce strain on your joints while retaining a compact shape that won’t get in the way of your co-workers. The built-in heater helps improve blood circulation while also keeping your feet warm during the winter months. The design is simple yet well-informed by user research. Its slightly curved shape provides support and fits comfortably to the arch of your feet. Its sliding platform allows users of varying heights to adjust the footrest’s angle to suit their needs. Finally, its large buttons – easily controlled by your feet, add another layer of convenience and usability.

If you’re going to spend 40 hours each week sitting in one place, you may as well be comfortable. And if you can achieve that comfort without intruding on your fellow worker’s space, all the better.

Designer: Hoyeon Kim and Mungyeong Kim