Author Archives: Ida Torres

Turn your bathroom into a sustainable piece of art with 3D printed tiles

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If you’re redesigning your bathroom but you’re bored with the regularly-designed tiles that you see in the market, this 3D printed tile design may be for you. That is, if you don’t mind having some organism looking creatures permanently displayed while you’re taking a bath. It is sustainable and biodegradable so that’s a major bonus if you’re concerned with things like that.

Designer: bioMATTERS

The MYCO-ALGA is an interior tiling system that is made from natural and organic waste that have been upcycled together with actual living organisms. There are different sustainable processes involved in coming up with this including designing them digitally, 3D printing, growing the organisms, enriching them with bio-pigments, fabrication, etc. It begins with the waste materials being ground into a paste-like substrate as a foundation.

Once it has been turned into paste, it is then 3D printed into customized shapes and for two weeks, they are placed and cultivated in a controlled environment so that the mycelium turns into the thing that binds the material together. They are then placed in convection ovens and as they “bake”, they turn into lightweight materials but at the same time, they become strong and rigid. The bio-pigments from the harvested algae which are now gel are then applied to the tiles.

The tiles are definitely unique looking and can be a conversation piece when you have people visit your bathroom. They were designed to specifically look like organisms are crawling all over your space. The mosaic-like design with the non-repeating patterns are visually striking and 100% sustainable.

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Minimalist lamp uses simple, linear shapes to create a functional and ambient light source

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Lamps are something that you need especially if you’re particular with the working or ambient light at home. I particularly don’t look that much at the design when I’m buying one but more on the practicality or how easy it is to set up and use. But if something can tick all of those boxes and has a minimalist look as a bonus, then it’s something worth looking at. You don’t need elaborate or intricate parts and designs to come up with something pleasant to look at that can also be as multi-functional as possible. As the designer says, “Good design is as little design as possible”.

Designer: Y.S.M. Products and Baptiste Vandaele

The Linear Table Lamp is an upcoming Kickstarter project that aims to bring a simple enough lamp that only needs a few linear planes and a light bulb. It is made up of a steel body with a rectangular base and two planes that face it at a 45 degree angle. This particular angle of the planes brings a light and shadow effect to your lamp so that the light is reflected downwards. The metal surfaces are bent and welded but there are no other redundant elements as it is inspired by the Bauhaus art movement.

The light source itself is a 3000K LED bulb that is dimmable so you can use it either as a desk lamp or an ambient lamp. The color of the bulb is the perfect one that can be functional or cozy and can be controlled through a button attached to the cord. You will be able to adjust the brightness or dimness of the lamp depending on what you need at the moment. The color of the lamp itself is also pretty minimalist but with splashes of bright colors in case that’s what you prefer.

The simple design of the lamp as well as the color options (green, orange, white, gray) makes it appealing as an addition to my sometimes messy desk. The Kickstarter funding project will launch by January next year where people will be able to pre-order it. No price or other funding details have been revealed but it is one that I may actually watch out for if the other details are reasonable.

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Casio miniature watch erasers celebrate G-Shock’s 40th anniversary

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I probably haven’t used an eraser for quite some time now since I rarely use pencils to write or draw on my journals. And the few times that I did use a pencil, it already comes with a “built-in” eraser anyway so no need to have a separate one. But if i do find a cute shape for an eraser, I would not hesitate to get one as a souvenir or keepsake.

Designer: Casio

If someone hands you a tiny Casio G-Shock, make sure that it’s an actual watch before you get excited. That’s because the Japanese watch brand is releasing a very realistic albeit smaller version of its famous G-Shock watches to celebrate the watch line’s 40th anniversary. But instead of telling time, these “watchpieces” will be able to erase your mistakes. Well, at least if you used a pencil to write something down.

The erasers are exact replicas of the DW-5600 G-Shock watches and you can get them for free if you buy specific products from Casio. They’re around 60% of the actual sizes of the G-Shock watches and they have detachable bands in case you need a better grip if you’re using the erasers for what they were created to do. But if you just want them as a cute souvenir from your trip to Japan or from your Casio purchase.

Since Japan is known as the land of cute stationery, it’s not really surprising that Casio chose this kind of commemorative piece to celebrate G-Shock’s anniversary. However, you will only be able to get one of these if you order eligible watches from their online store in Japan. The erasers are available in three colors (black, yellow, red) but you will get a random color as your freebie. I’d still take any color but unfortunately I don’t live in Japan so I will just have to stare at these cute erasers.

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Foldable ham stand lets you save space in your kitchen

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If you live in a part of the world where ham is already served to you sliced and you don’t mind that, then having a ham stand as a kitchen staple might be strange to you. But there are also some parts of the world, particularly in Europe, where it’s pretty common to have that as a fixture in family gatherings, parties, or maybe even just daily life for those who really love this kind of cured meat. Most of those available in the market however are pretty bulky so they need to make space in their kitchen for it.

Designer: Francesc Vilaro

Spain is one of the countries that take their ham “seriously” and a Barcelona-based designer has come up with a solution to the space issue for the ham stand. What he designed was a folding ham stand called Jamonero that serves its main purpose which is to hold your ham while you slice it. When you don’t need it though, it can be folded and tucked into a drawer to save space for other kitchen accessories which you may need at the moment. It’s a small design adjustment to a simple accessory but it is pretty useful especially when you don’t have that big of a kitchen or a dining table.

The foldable ham stand is made of FSC certified beech wood and stainless steel. When you need to use it to hold your ham, the arm folds out and is held in place with a bolt. There is also an anti-slip feature that should keep the holder (and the ham) in place at your table or the counter and make it easier for you to cut and serve the meat. It’s also pretty easy to clean it, either with just a cloth or with water directly. There are two “variants” of the Jamonero, a smaller one for ham that weighs 5-7 kilos and a bigger one for the 7-9 kilos of ham.

It’s little tweaks for accessories like this that make a ll the difference for something as simple as a ham holder. Each piece that they’re selling (from Spanish kitchenware brand Lodivi) was designed and produced in Barcelona so there’s also a local thing going on there. So if you regularly buy legs of ham for your gatherings or regular meals, this is something you might want to have if you also want to be able to put it away in the drawer when you’re not using it.

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CD-inspired Swipe bag brings aughts nostalgia to your arm

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Over the past years, we’ve seen a lot of “old” things becoming hip again. For young ones who weren’t even born when certain fashion items became popular back then, they found these things to be cool and cute. Even gadgets and devices from the 90s and aughts are enjoying a resurgence, even though the current purpose is much more different than the original. We’re seeing items designed like cassette tapes, vinyl players, and now, even the classic CD player has been repurposed.

Desginer: Coperni

The Parisian designer label Coperni has looked to the aughts for design inspiration for their latest Swipe bag iteration. The CD-PLAYER Swipe bag looks just like the silver metallic CD players that became popular back then when we still had CDs to play our music. But this one won’t be able to bring your old Britney Spears CD to musical life even though the bag does come with wired headphones.

The handbag has the faux CD player as its main body with a metallic plated handle so you can carry it around. There are also realistic looking buttons and a small display to really make it look like the CD player, although what these buttons do remains to be seen. And as mentioned, it comes with wired headphones to complete your retro look. But it also is not clear what the headphones are for.

The bag also has a USB-C-chargeable battery so maybe there is indeed a music component that will be revealed. My main concern though is what can actually fit in the bag since the CD player compartment is pretty small. But those who have been using the iconic Coperni Swipe bags are those that can fit everything they need in tiny purses anyway.

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This curved vertical ergonomic mouse helps lessen fatigue on your hand

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As someone who has not used a mouse since I switched to Mac years ago, the idea of mouse fatigue is foreign to me. But I do know a lot of people who spend more than half of their day in front of the screen and with a mouse to guide them most of the time and they testify that it can take a toll on your hand and fingers. There are several ergonomic options out there but this one from Protoarc seems to be unique and even more ergonomic than the usual ones out there.

Designer: Protoarc

The EM11 RGB Wireless Ergonomic Vertical Mouse lets you have a more relaxed position when using the device, especially if you’ll be using it for long periods. The ergonomics vertical grip gives you a more natural position for your hand and will also supposedly give you fatigue resistance because of the way you use it and the way it’s designed. It should be able to reduce the strain on your arm, wrist, and hand and also is more convenient with its back and forward thumb buttons.

If you’re using multiple devices, the mouse is able to switch connection mode through low bluetooth with up to 3 devices and with three different available DPI for high precision control. And if you prefer something a bit more stable, you can also connect it to your computer through a USB receiver. It also has four different RGB light modes to match your mood while working or playing: neon, monochromatic, streamer, breathing. The battery life is also pretty impressive as it can last up to 90 days on a single charge.

With a lot of people staying in front of screens more hours every day, whether for work or for play, it’s really important to have ergonomic devices like these so we lessen the fatigue on our body. If I was still using a mouse, I would probably use something like this as the design seems more natural than your usual mouse devices.

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Get your own LEGO T. Rex skull in your dinosaur museum

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Kids and adults alike have been fascinated with dinosaurs even before Jurassic Park but we have to admit that the movie series has brought even more “fans” into the fold. We’ve seen a lot of merchandise from various brands that would make the most ardent dinosaur fans happy (and spend lots of money). LEGO is one of those brands and they have several Jurassic World sets available and the latest addition to the collection brings the king of dinosaurs to your hands.

Designer: LEGO

The LEGO® Jurassic World Dinosaur Fossils: T. rex Skull (76964) is actually the first of the Jurassic World sets that were meant for a museum-like display. It’s basically a 577-piece set that when put together brings you the T. Rex skull, complete with an opening jaw and a stand to proudly display your LEGO archeological find. It even has an info plaque to go with your stand, an “amber” piece at the back and a fossilized footprint.

Once you are able to put the dinosaur bones together to form the T. Rex skull, you can pose it in different ways on the stand, including opening and closing the jaws. You can also use the LEGO Builder app guide in case you need help in building this archeological piece. You’ll be able to track your progress and zoom in and out on the model in 3D as you try to finish your build. Some people though want to just use their own skills as they build their LEGO sets so to each their own.

While the T. Rex skull is meant for kids 9 and above, we all know that a lot of adults will also get this to add to their LEGO dinosaur collection. But if your kid is interested in paleontology, this is a good tool to encourage them to use their creativity and even expand their storytelling skills by creating their very own dinosaur museum.

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Desk and wall lamp brings mood lighting and productivity in one

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When most of the world was in lockdown and working from home became the normal, the lines between rest and work became more blurred than ever. I would often find myself in bed trying to work but ending up watching k-dramas. Or when I’m supposed to be sleeping, I would still be catching up with work that I missed because I was slacking off. While things seem to be getting back to normal now, there are still lines that are sometimes a bit blurred.

Designer: Teixeira Design Studio for Gantri

Because of these blurred lines, we are seeing products now that are designed to serve dual purposes, whether it’s for productivity and/or relaxation. If you find yourself staying in bed most of the time and you need a lamp that can be both relaxing and also let you work properly, this new collaboration between Gantri and Teixeira Design Studio may be the one you’re looking for. Fold is a 3D-printed lamp that is able to cast its light downwards and upwards so it can serve as a functional lamp and for mood lighting as well.

The Fold Wall Light creates mood lighting because of its upward, diffused glow but since it also has a downward light, you can use it for times when you need to actually work and be productive. You don’t need to turn on/off or adjust anything as the design itself brings the two kinds of light together. It is also space-saving as it can be mounted on the wall or placed on a side table or a small desk. The fact that it can provide both direct light and ambient light means you can save up on having multiple lamps as well.

The lamp also has a minimalist look so it can fit into your room whatever the look you’re going for is. As a desk lamp, it looks a bit bulkier than when placed on the wall although it’s still more space-saving than most other desk lamps. I don’t know if I would really want a lamp that can be both for work and for relaxation as it defeats the purpose or at least the illusion of work-life balance.

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Floating architecture designs to light up Copenhagen, Maldives

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Water-based architecture is not about boats, yachts, or ships, or at least not just about them. We’re seeing some designers experiment with bringing all kinds of floating structures that residents and tourists can enjoy while basking in breathtaking views. A Copenhagen-based studio is teaming up with the local municipality to bring these unique concepts to life and show different possibilities for this kind of architecture.

Designer: MAST

The first of three projects is a floating sauna and harbor bath where up to fifteen people will be able to have a relaxing time while looking at an aquatic view. They can even plunge directly into the harbor bath after sweating it up in the sauna. It uses eco-friendly materials like cross-laminated timber and wood fiber insulation. This floating sauna is also “portable” in a sense that it can be moved to different locations through a towboat. There is also a small changing room as well as storage facilities and a wooden deck with access to the harbor bath.

The Harbour Cliff is the first free-floating open bouldering gym in the world where visitors can swim to it and then try the different climbing routes within the structure. There are three slightly inverted ledges to do the different challenges, including a 14.8 foot climb where you need to do a particularly hard jump to be able to reach the final spot. It looks like something straight out of an alien invasion movie and I keep expecting a monster to emerge from the structure.

Lastly, if you don’t want to sweat it out in the sauna or do bouldering, you can head over to the Maldives to visit a floating villa. These villas are anchored in protected lagoon areas and have two bedrooms, bathrooms, a loving room, and even a courtyard garden and a roof terrace. As part of their eco-friendly design, they use solar cells, battery packs, on-board sewage treatment and watermakers.

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This exoskeleton-like back support lets you lift heavy objects while keeping your back safe

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If your work involves regularly carrying heavy things around, then your back is most likely one of your body parts that suffers. I don’t have a job that does that (does carrying a heavy bag every day count?) and yet I constantly feel all sorts of back aches. Well, maybe I’m just old. In any case, those who work in construction, warehouse production, and other industries where they have to carry heavy objects need to have literal support to help them manage their bones and joints.

Designer: Bebop Design

A Korean studio designed one such product for their client WIRobotics. WIBS is a wearable back support that’s created specifically for those who are involved in labor intensive industries which workers can wear while they’re doing their task or when they’re on a break. The brace was designed to not look so much like a brace but more to look like it’s part of your outfit and will not get in the way of doing your usual tasks. It also looks comfortable enough to regularly wear or at least when you need to have better support for your body.

WIBS is able to provide mechanical support to the user’s posterior, including the back and waist, two of the parts that are affected when you regularly lift heavy objects. While the materials are durable and designed to withstand pressure, they were able to use a soft design to it for the user’s comfort. There is also no need for electricity to use it so you can go around without needing to charge or change any battery. It uses tensioned flexible rubber composite as well as mechanical gears. You can adjust the strength level through an analog controller in the chest area.

This back support device can be adjusted to various sizes depending on the wearer as it has adjustable straps for the perfect fit. Think of it as a posterior brace that will not hinder movements but provide much needed support as you go about your regular tasks that involve lifting and moving heavy objects for a long period of time.

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