Author Archives: Ida Torres

Braille learning device uses minimalist design to facilitate seamless learning

Posted on by

Most people assume that it is easy for visually impaired people to learn Braille. But according to those who are learning this system, the learning tools available are not always that intuitive and easy to use. In fact, the more cluttered a device or tool is, the harder it is as it can be overwhelming for those who are trying to learn and navigate it. Fortunately, there are product designers that want to create concepts for better designed tools that will hopefully be turned into actual products.

Designer: SAQ Design

SMARTIO EDU is a concept for a Braille Education Device that uses minimal tactile noise for both teachers and students that are trying to learn Braille. It is designed to optimize the organization of the information that is at the user’s fingertips. They used soft contours for the surfaces of the device and at the same time used tactile hints to help the user read the information through their fingertips.

The device looks like an instrument and in fact, it is, just not one that produces music. There are buttons on top for the various functions and that can serve as navigational aids. The “subtle cues” is able to tell the user the front and back of the device and also where the key interfaces are located. The device is also designed to work with a companion app that the teacher and student can easily follow and engage with.

The designers would of course have consulted with actual Braille learners to determine if this is something that could work even as it is still a concept. But we don’t see a lot of Braille learning devices in the market so if this does become an actual product, it would be a big help to the community.

The post Braille learning device uses minimalist design to facilitate seamless learning first appeared on Yanko Design.

Largest floating wind platform sets on voyage to offshore destination

Posted on by

The past few decades we’ve seen a lot of countries look for more sustainable (and safer) sources of energy as large parts of their respective populations continue to use a lot of power for various purposes. Wind energy have been an option for some and so we continue to see a lot of companies developing various types of wind turbines to help power their respective places.

Designer: Mingyang Smart Energy

OceanX is one of the wind turbines that has been making a lot of noise lately as it is now the world’s largest single-capacity floating wind platform. It has finally started its voyage from Guangzhou, China and is expected to reach its final destination of the Qingzhou IV Offshore Wind Farm in Yangjiang, Gangdong by August 14, traveling at 191 nautical miles. Aside from its sheer size, the dual-rotor design and its other technological powers has been catching the attention of those interested in sustainable energy.

The Y-shaped floating platform is made up of two MySE16.6 wind turbines on its upper V-shaped structure, with the entire thing weighing 15,000 tonnes. The blade diameters of the wind turbines are at 597 feet and it can withstand wind of up to 161 mph. Since it has a downward poster and a single-point mooring, the rotors can bend without damaging the supporting structure so it can stand up against extreme conditions like harsh winds and heavy waves.

While there are some reports saying that the OceanX will be able to generate power even in a hurricane, that remains to be seen as formulas of wind turbines in general would say otherwise. The company says that it is expected to generate 54 million kWh annually which would be enough to power 30,000 families (those with 3 members each) for an entire year.

The post Largest floating wind platform sets on voyage to offshore destination first appeared on Yanko Design.

Summer house in Denmark is inspired by fisherman’s houses in the area

Posted on by

One of my ultimate dreams is to be able to own a summer or vacation house in an area surrounded by nature. At the rate my life plans are going that will remain a dream but it doesn’t hurt to look at all the well-designed summer houses, specifically the ones in Europe. Most of these use sustainable materials and are built to be part of the natural landscape so those are major plus points.

Designer: Jesper Kusk Arkitekter

At Følle Strand in Denmark, they built the Strandvejen 35 Summer House, a “tiny” space measuring just 46 square meters and inspired by the fisherman’s houses that you can find in the area. Well, of course, a more expensive and spacious version. It’s actually made up of three small buildings that are overlooking the bay of Kalø and with all the spaces optimized so that 7 guests will be able to sleep there. You get all the basic spaces that you need in a house like sleeping areas, a kitchen, and of course a beautifully designed shower area.

The windows and walkways located around the house have also been turned into loving areas and they used sliding doors to separate the various interior spaces. Since the location is surrounded by nature, they have incorporated it into the over-all design. You have skylights and high ceilings to ensure a healthy indoor climate while the large windows show off the beauty of the surroundings which you can enjoy while sitting on the built-in benches and sofas.

The house was built using locally sourced materials, mostly wood and then using Danish oak to clad the facades and roof. This way the overall CO2 footprint is reduced and in fact, they are placed in the Danish voluntary low-emission category. The Strandvejen 35 Summer House lets you commune with nature while inside the comfort of your sustainably built space.

The post Summer house in Denmark is inspired by fisherman’s houses in the area first appeared on Yanko Design.

Robot-looking kitchen air purifier can get close to your stove to absorb smoke

Posted on by

Not all houses have built-in exhaust systems or have space for kitchen hoods so when you cook, it can turn a bit smoky and smelly in there. And of course, we know that the smoke isn’t always that healthy and there may be other harmful elements there. Having an air-purifying product that is small enough to fit in your kitchen but powerful enough to suck out all the smoke would be the ideal solution of course.

Designer: G11 Designs

The Roba is a robot-looking device but is actually an air purifier for your kitchen that can stay as close as possible to your induction stove top. It is able to absorb the smoke that may come as you cook as well as the harmful ingredients that come with it. It has two “legs” that are simple, thin, and hard metals that stand. at a 90-degree angle so it can support the weight of the entire thing and keep it as close as possible to your stove and the food you’re cooking.

Roba is designed with “flexible and concise movements” that can be adjusted as you cook. It has a height-adjustable pillar and an axis that can both rotate in different directions and also bend its head at different angles so it can adjust as you cook different things on your induction stove. The “friendly look” of the device means it can fit in well with most modern kitchen designs and the parts can be handled “concisely in cylinders”.

This seems to be a concept for now but it can actually be a pretty useful piece of kitchen appliance especially for people like me who have small kitchens and no exhaust system. The fact that it looks like a robot or at least a robot lamp adds to the cuteness factor that makes me want to buy one if it ever becomes available. Maybe I can start cooking regularly as well if I have something like this.

The post Robot-looking kitchen air purifier can get close to your stove to absorb smoke first appeared on Yanko Design.

Minimal bent tape dispenser is made from a single piece of steel

Posted on by

There’s a meme that says one of the things that you’ll never find when you need it is the tape dispenser. You may own one (or maybe even several) but the moment you actually need it, it disappears. So maybe you need something that’s permanently attached to your work space or also something that’s not so difficult to use since I’ve “destroyed” several out of frustration.

Designer: CW&T

As a stationery lover, I like those simple and minimalist items that are both highly functional but also but also well-designed pieces. The M.R Tape Dispenser is one such item that I’ll welcome on my desk. It is a multi-radius tape dispenser that can hold one or multiple rolls of tapes of different sizes. It uses tension to hold and dispense these pieces of tapes.

The dispenser is made out of just one piece of machined and bent stainless steel. The tape is then fed through an opening and then cut into a polished surface. In order to get maximum adhesion, the space where the tape is held and teared off has a mirror polished finish. The dispenser itself has a rubber bump-on pad on its base so it can grip on to your surface. You can attach it to your wall or to your desk.

It’s a pretty simple piece of stationery but because the designers thought long and hard about it, you get something that’s pretty functional. Hopefully you don’t lose it since it’s a pretty expensive piece of tape dispenser.

The post Minimal bent tape dispenser is made from a single piece of steel first appeared on Yanko Design.

Become a Samsung Olympic Games Pin Master and get a Galaxy Z Flip6

Posted on by

Aside from the actual sports events and the Olympians themselves, another popular activity in Paris during the Olympics is pin trading. You see the athletes and fans trying to get as many pins as they can, a practice that actually goes back to the 1924 Paris Olympics where it was a sign of international friendship. One of the games’ major sponsors, Samsung, is bringing a new spin to this tradition, and bringing prizes into the mix.

Designer: Samsung

The Samsung Olympic Games Pin Masters Challenge lets visitors in Paris get the chance to collect 16 specially created pins by playing different Galaxy AI-powered challenges at the Olympic™ rendezvous @ Samsung pop-up experiences all over the city. You can even get the chance to get the extremely rare Golden Pin in order to become an official Samsung Olympic Games Pin Master. If ever you’re in Paris, you have until September 8 to play this challenge.

The 16 pins were designed by French illustrator Jean André and they are actually made from recycled aluminum from old Galaxy smartphones. Eleven of these pins represent Olympic sports like breaking, skateboarding, sport climbing, and surfing, and four Paralympic sports – blind football, para athletics, wheelchair basketball, and wheelchair tennis. There are also four Special Pins that feature three-dimensional landmarks of the city. And then, there is that rare and elusive Golden Pin.

If you’re able to collect all 16 pins, you’ll get a new Galaxy Z Flip6 and a raffle entry to win a round-trip package for two to attend the 2026 Milano Cortina Olympics. Several have already become Pin Masters, and it looks like most of them are kids. They’re the ones who probably enjoyed playing the challenges to get the pins. If I was there in Paris, I would probably be all over this challenge, even just for the pins.

The post Become a Samsung Olympic Games Pin Master and get a Galaxy Z Flip6 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Radio concept brings the aural and tactile nostalgia of using actual radios

Posted on by

One of my favorite parts of going on road trips when I was younger is listening to the radio in the car. You never know what you’re going to get when you switch through stations. And even at home, tuning in on to a physical radio is always a fun time, something that the new generation may never experience ever. But there are still some radios in the market and even more design concepts for those longing for the “good ole days”.

Designer: Gisung Han

This concept for a radio is an interesting one as it doesn’t just play on the nostalgia of tuning in to the radio. The Calming Noise Radio also harps on both the aural and tactile experience that we had when we operated a physical radio back when people still tuned into it. Since the only tactile feel we get know from listening to music is tapping on our devices, this concept harps on the dials as we go from one radio station to another.

The designer made the dials to be “unusually large” so that visually and tactile-wise it stands out. It actually looks like the wheel in The Price Is Right (for those who actually know what that show is) and is meant to be both familiar and unique. The radio is in a familiar rectangular shape with the felt-like grills giving an interesting contrast with the round wheel of the dials.

The Calming Noise Radio, if it gets turned into an actual radio, will also probably play around with the “subtle static noise” that we get from old radios with the analog frequency adjustment sound. This will of course be pretty strange and unfamiliar for those who grew up in the age of MP3s and music streaming but will bring a nostalgic feeling for those who still get goosebumps from the sound of LPs and cassette tapes.

The post Radio concept brings the aural and tactile nostalgia of using actual radios first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO® Technic™ NASA model set brings the Lunar Rovel Module to your table

Posted on by

While LEGO® sets were probably originally built for kids to enjoy, most of the people I know who play with these patented bricks and sets are grownups. Granted, these are adults who were somehow “deprived” of owning some of these pretty expensive sets, it’s just one of those toys that can be enjoyed by children and adults of all ages. There are sets however that are especially built for grown-ups as they are pretty detailed and contain a lot of intricate and authentic parts.

Designer: Lego

This new LEGO® set they’re releasing in particular is meant for adults and will appeal to those who are into space travel. The LEGO® Technic™ NASA model set includes a displayable model version of the Lunar Rover Module that was aboard the historic Apollo 17 mission back in 1972. It also includes 3 attachable equipment sets that includes a lot of authentic details. Basically, this LEGO® set is for the big boys and girls who are very much interested in outer space and everything NASA.

If you are a frustrated (or aspiring) astronaut, you can test out some of the steering and suspension included in the set and play around with equipment like the model battery pack (with its heating and cooling elements), a TV camera with antennae, communications unit, and even a shovel and drill so you can pretend to find LEGO® Moon rock elements. There’s even a Traverse Gravimeter Experiment that was carried by the Apollo 17 during NASA’s very last Apollo mission.

Aside from the enjoyment of building this LEGO® set, you will also get a deeper insight in the Apollo missions (if you didn’t already know everything there is to know about it). The young ones may need adult assistance for this as there are a lot of detailed equipment with this and it’s a hefty 1,913-piece set.

The post LEGO® Technic™ NASA model set brings the Lunar Rovel Module to your table first appeared on Yanko Design.

Vinyl player has built-in speaker and high-fidelity belt drive

Posted on by

In this age of digital music, you still see some true-blue music lovers that collect vinyl records. To be able to fully appreciate the quality of this high-fidelity kind of music though, you also need to have a pretty good vinyl player. The quality though of what’s available in the market can be hit or miss, especially for those that have limited budget. So when we see something that’s relatively affordable but you know can bring you great music, we can’t wait to add to cart.

Designer: 1 By One

1 By One is one such brand that can give you quality vinyl players while not killing your wallet. Their High Fidelity Belt Drive Turntable has a lot of features that will make music lovers pretty happy. This includes built-in speakers so you don’t need to spend for external speakers if you don’t have them already. But it can also be connected to your system if you prefer something more powerful than what is already included in this turntable package. It is also a vibration-damping belt-drive turntable system so you’ll get stable sound.

It can spin both 33 and 45 RPM speeds and has magnet-type cartridge and adjustable counterweight which are necessary to give you “rich and warm audio” and also balances each channel. The Audio-Technica stylus cartridge included here is diamond-tipped and is able to track the vinyl record’s grooves so you get high-definition audio. The turntable uses wood and metal materials while the transparent cover gives it a more aesthetic look.

If you also want to play music from other sources rather than a vinyl record, you can do Bluetooth streaming from your phone, tablet, computer, or any mp3 player. There’s also an Aux-in port so you can connect music sources and other speakers manually. As I am on the lookout for a vinyl player I can afford, this can be an option (well, if it’s available where I live, that is).

The post Vinyl player has built-in speaker and high-fidelity belt drive first appeared on Yanko Design.

Skylight can brighten up your campsite with multi-directional lighting

Posted on by

When you’re going camping or staying outdoors overnight, having a light source is one of the most important yet sometimes most difficult things. You can of course have lamps and torches but they are only able to light a small portion of your space, depending of course on how large the site is or how many you are bringing. There are a lot more options now as more brands are getting into creating outdoor products.

Designer: Goal Zero

Skylight is a Telescoping Area Light that can illuminate a large part of your outdoor space, up to 300 feet to be specific. The 6,000 lumens device can give you “dramatically more visibility” than the usual camping lights that are available in the market. It also gives off a warmer light and can be raised from 4 to 12 feet, depending on how large of a space you need to illuminate.

The Skylight also has an IPX4 water resistant rating so even if it drizzles, you can still use it even as you take shelter in your tents or umbrellas. The multi-directional lighting is also pretty useful as well as the 4 brightness settings that you can choose from. The design of the 6 articulating petals of the area light makes it look like a dragonfly or insect that can fly around at any second.

It also has an internal battery that can make it last for 8 hours at its lowest brightness setting but you can also connect it into a Yeti to power it for 250 hours or a larger power station for longer. This means it can be used for power outages as well. The Skylight has a hard plastic protective case so it will be easier to carry it around.

The post Skylight can brighten up your campsite with multi-directional lighting first appeared on Yanko Design.