Author Archives: Ida Torres

Starbucks Japan lets you put a barista apron on customizable tumblers

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Whenever I see the latest Starbucks merch that drops in Japan, I kind of regret not living there so I can get easy access to these cute collectibles. Eventually they become available in various online stores in my country but they’re more expensive of course, even for a semi-collector like me. The Starbucks Japan online store is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year and they released a customizable tumbler that you can customize and make look like a cute inanimate barista.

Designer: Starbucks

The My Custom Stainless Steel Bottle Barista is an online store exclusive product that you can customize and order with a possible 343 combinations. When you take a look at the basic tumbler, it just looks like any other regular tumbler but the joy comes in creating one according to your color preference and then dressing it up with other accessories to make it more like you. This is supposedly like how you would customize your drink if you’re that kind of Starbucks drinker.

When you place your order online, you can choose what color your cap, drinking rim, and bottle will be. There are seven color options – black, white, light green, green, pink, blue, and gradated pink-yellow. But the cutest customization here is that you can dress up the tumbler in a barista apron in its iconic green color. The apron is not just decorative but also functional as it can help you hold your drink if it’s too warm or too cold. There’s also a pocket where you can place notes, cards, or the beverage ticket that comes with your online order that lets you enjoy a free refill when you go to your Starbucks.

They also want you to add even more personalized touches to your tumbler like ribbons, patches, pins, and stickers, although they don’t seem to be selling things like that. Maybe they’ll do so eventually, like how Crocs sells things like Jibbitz charms. I’m still hoping someone from Japan will send me one of these cool steel bottles, no matter what the color combinations are.

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Folder-shaped hard drive concept is a more organized way to store files

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When your desktop or laptop or tablet does not have a large storage or your work involves a lot of large files, external hard drives are life savers. However sometimes they’re just too bulky and heavy to carry around, especially if you work outside or move around a lot. Also, if you’re like me, most likely all the files are just dumped there and you rely on the search button to look for what you need. But you probably don’t need most of the files that are stored there and yet you’re still constantly carrying that big hard drive around.

Designer: Junho Han

The idea for the Folder external hard disk is to have something that is not just all about storage but a more efficient way to carry around your files. It is meant to not have all your files in just one bulky device but to separate them into projects or folders so you can be more efficient in finding and storing your files especially if you’re working on several projects at once. Not much details are indicated in the concept page but you can see in some of the product renders that there’s a 1TB marking although I’m not sure if a tiny item like that can hold that much storage.

The hard drive itself is shaped like a tiny folder that you can hold in the palm of your hand. That’s why it’s hard to imagine how 1TB can fit into that in real life. But the design is pretty cute and if you have several folders hard drives, it’s like you also have several non-digital folders to organize everything into projects. The hard drive circuit board is inserted in a slot under the folder and there’s a USB-C port also so you can connect it to your device.

As a concept, it’s interesting and nice-looking. It’s like carrying around a USB-drive only bigger than the flash disk but definitely smaller than the bulky hard drives. Let’s see if can actually work as an actual product.

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Yamaha’s concept for an outdoor heater gives off a flaming hot look

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I live in a tropical country so the need for outdoor (or even indoor) heaters is practically non-existent. But when I first experienced how cold it is outside when I traveled to places that have winter, I understood how important it was to have something to warm you up especially when you’re doing outdoor activities. Most of what I’ve seen are not necessarily aesthetic so there’s always room for well-designed heaters.

Designer: Yamaha Design Laboratory

Yamaha has been experimenting a lot lately with designs for various products that are not necessarily connected to Yamaha Motor or their other businesses. This includes creating design concepts for outdoor tools and one of those projects is for something called Bon-Flame, an outdoor heater attachment tool that combines the brand’s expertise in both mobility and their main product of musical instruments.

Basically this heater uses a bimetallic sheet that is made up of two metals that are glued together. The different metals have varying expansion rates so the sheet is able to change shape when heat is applied. There’s a small ball-shaped bimetal at the base which rotates when heated and then eventually opens up like a flower. The ending look is that of a large flame shape that gives you a pretty looking heater.

The concept also converts the flame of a single burner into far-infrared heat which is better for the environment as it has a lower carbon footprint. It’s still a design concept for now but it would be a great companion for outdoor activities especially if you’re going for an aesthetic look.

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FryMist concept combines air frying and steaming into one device

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I’ve been trying for years to eat healthier due to various health conditions that have come up. I’m not much of a cook and the only things I can do right now are fry things. But of course it’s not the healthiest way so having an air fryer would be ideal. Another way would be to steam things but there are times when frying, or at least air frying, is better.

Designer: Duygu Yildiz

A designer said, why not have both? FryMist is a concept for a cooking device that puts an air fryer and a steamer into just one device to save space in your kitchen. It’s not really combining the two processes but integrating them into just one device. This way you are able to get low-fat cooking and healthier dishes while also not giving you harmful chemicals from high heat.

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The steamer part has a water boiling container and a grill since you of course need water to be able to steam your veggies or fish or whatever else you can steam. The air fryer part has the container and the air fry grill. The air fryer and steamer also has separate screens so you won’t get confused as to the controls and the displays.

This would be an ideal cooking device for people who like me who don’t have much time to cook actual dishes. If this is made into an actual product, I would probably be first in line to get one.

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Paper vases lets you play around with shapes, colors, patterns

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Vases usually take a back seat to the flowers and plants that they house since the main attraction are the flora. Usually they are just functional or if they do have designs, they’re not always that eye-catching and can sometimes be minimalist. But who says you can’t have attractive flowers and also beautiful vases with various colors and patterns?

Designer: Super Nature Design

The Dot Dot Dot Paper Vase is one kind of vase that will catch your attention even before you put flowers or plants in them. From its name of course you can deduct that they are made from paper but it’s not just any ordinary paper but ones that have different colors, patterns, and shapes. It can spark creativity in the “viewer” and can also serve as an interactive canvas together with what you’ll put in it.

Since the material is paper, you will also be able to fold, shape, and decorate it in any way you want. You can use it to either complement the flora that you’ll put in it or provide a startling contrast to add to the visual smorgasbord. Minimalists will probably not be that fond of it because of the vibrant colors and the textured patterns.

The paper vases have different colorways like green, red, violet, yellow, and pink, but always with the white color creating patterns. There are also different shapes like circles, spirals, half moons, and lines. They can add an artful feel to your space aside from serving its function as a vessel.

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Fendi and MAD Architects collaborate on sci-fi shoes and Peekaboo bags

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It’s always interesting when two brands from two different disciplines team up to create something that is sure to be unique or at the very least, different. Fashion brand Fendi is no stranger to collaborations with other companies, designers, and even celebrities. Their latest partnership is with MAD Architects, specifically designer Ma Yansong and they’re bringing a futuristic look to your feet and your hands.

Designer: Ma Yansong

This collaboration for shoes and bags that would look at home in a sci-fi movie (or maybe even the near future) is designed by the Beijing-born Ma Yansong and Fendi’s own Silvia Venturini Fendi and is able to “combine new technoligies with an Eastern affinity for natural forms.” Three colors of the ergonomic Lycra running shoes and two new versions of the iconic Peekabook bag are part of this collection which is a must have for Fendi collectors, or at least those who can afford it.

The Fendi MAD sneakers are slip-on footwear that have elastic laces and come with extra-light sole features that make it ideal for running or walking (and modeled by short-track speed skater Lin Xiaojun). There are three different versions that in black, white, or gray and with injected details in either metallic silver, yellow, or dark blue. They all have padded Lycra® to add to the comfortable feel.

The Peekaboo ISeeYou bags are identifiable with the Fendi brand and this time they feature the curving, wave-like panels and the glossy coloured aluminum underneath it that give it a futuristic look. The black colorway is medium sized and has black leather and dark blue aluminum while the gray small version has grey leather and yellow aluminum. Of course as this is Fendi, expect the prices to be steep.

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Rocking stool lets you relax while moving back and forth

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One of my favorite childhood memories is immediately getting on a rocking chair/horse/stool whenever I see one and just rocking like crazy until I get dizzy. But of course as you grow older, it becomes frowned upon when a fully grown adult tries to ride one, especially if it’s built for kids (and you might damage it). But who says we can’t or shouldn’t enjoy one that’s specifically built for grown ups?

Designer: Dsignio

Platero is a rocking pouffe that is created specifically for people in the office that are bored sitting on regular chairs and need a break from their mundane routine. It’s a stool with a curved base that lets you rock it back and forth and change positions if you need some sort of motion as you rest for a while or even when you’re doing actually work but need a more creative work environment.

It also has a side table in front so you can place your laptop, tablet, notebook, book, or any tool that you want to use as you rock back and forth. So that probably rules out coffee or food as it might spill or fall off the chair as you sway it around. It also has an ergonomic design so you probably feel comfortable when sitting on it, or as comfortable as you can get on a stool. At least there’s a back rest part so it’s better than most stools that just have a seating part.

It comes in different finishes but the side table part is mostly wooden. If you suffer from motion sickness though, this stool may not be the best option for you to relax in the middle of work. Well, unless you use it to practice getting used to moving around.

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Yamaha conceptualizes toys for your feline friends

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There used to be a time when most pet-oriented brands would design products mostly for puppies and dogs. But now that there are a lot of feline fur parents out there too, we’re seeing more brands get into the game of creating products that will appeal to this market. Even brands that usually don’t have anything to do with pets are also conceptualizing toys for cats.

Designers: Kazuya Washio (Yamaha Design Lab)

Yamaha is known more for their musical instruments and vehicles but now they’re exploring design studies for cat-related products while still keeping the design values of the company. What they came up with are three design concepts for things that felines might enjoy if they ever get made into actual products although there are no plans to commercialize it for now.

Neko-Yama is a cat playground but built in the “Yamaha style”. It lets the felines have a platform where they can explore all the tight spaces, crevices, and holes that they usually want to play around in. You will also be able to enjoy looking at them challenge themselves by playing around in the various places they can stick themselves in since it has a transparent design. The Strumming Box meanwhile is a scratching post where different colors will appear in the underside as they create their own patterns. Eventually it will look like a worn-out guitar but with the cat’s claws and scratches creating the unique surface.

Lastly, the Cat Music Box lets your feline friends create their own music by walking around in a wheel. Think of it as a hamster wheel but for cats and it is able to create notes through the rotation of the double wheels as it walks or runs around on the inner ring. The tempo also depends on how fast or slow they move. They can also walk backwards which might create a different kind of music.

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Tamagotchi Celebration Egg has recycled eggshell casing

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Any child of the 90s has probably at one point or another got their hands on a Tamagotchi. Before there were mobile phones where we spend most of our eyes and fingers on, we had to feed, clean and take care of our virtual pets on a regular basis. In case you didn’t know, there are still a lot of Tamagotchis around and it is celebrating its 28th birthday with a special egg surprise.

Designer: Bandai Namco

The Original Tamagotchi Celebration Egg will be arriving in a very special packaging inside and outside by 2025. What makes this special is that it goes back to its egg roots since the toy’s name comes literally from the Japanese word for egg, tamago. Instead of the normal plastic casing, this one is made from recycled eggshells, giving it a smooth, matte finish, much like a real egg’s look and feel.

In keeping with the eco-friendly celebration of the Tamagotchi’s anniversary, the packaging is also made from recycled paper. Aside from those two special things, you can play with your virtual pet in its usual way by feeding them, cleaning them up when they poop, and even disciplining them when they’re being naughty. And of course, they will grow up to be different characters, depending on how you take care of them.

This particular celebration egg can still be attached to your bag or even to your clothes with the ball chain, since you of course need to carry it around with you at all times. It will be available exclusively through Amazon by 2025 and will cost just $29.99.

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Underwater camera drone concept can autonomously capture high quality footage

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I love looking at underwater sea footage with all the plants, corals, and swimming creatures that the divers and swimmers show off. But I know I probably will never go down there myself so I have to live vicariously through these videos. Holding a camera or using a body cam are not always that comfortable though so there should be a better solution for underwater videography.

Designer: JiHoon Park

This concept for an underwater camera drone tries to solve those issues. The DSP mini will function as your companion as you dive and swim underwater and you don”t need to hold it or wear it which can sometimes be restricting. It should be able to sort of swim beside you and capture video footage of everything that you see underwater.

The idea is that this underwater drone should be able to autonomously track your movements as you swim underwater and capture video footage from all angles and in high quality format. It doesn’t need any manual operation so even if you’re a beginner in diving and in video capture, it should be easy.

The design of the DSP mini looks like a mini robot that will be your underwater diving companion. Of course this is still a concept but it would be interesting to have a tool like this that will not interfere with your actual diving activity but also can bring high quality footage so people like me who don’t dive can see what’s actually down there.

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