Author Archives: Ida Torres

Turn your sleeping area into your office with this rotating furniture

Posted on by

If you’re living in a small space, you’d want to have furniture that can serve multiple purposes. Modular and multi-functional designs have been dominating the scene the past few years especially during the pandemic when the line between work and private life blurred all the more. Sometimes I wake up in the morning and start working from my bed, thinking maybe I should have a desk built in there or have my desk nearer to my bed for a smooth transition.

Designer: Expand Furniture

This wish comes true with the Compatto Rotating Office Murphy Bed with Desk which is literally a bed that can be turned into a working area and even a multimedia space. And when you’re ready to pack it all up at the end of the day (or the middle), you just have to fold it away, turn it all around (literally) and rest in your Murphy bed with the Queen Italian memory foam mattress.

Of course the highlight of this piece of furniture is the fact that you can quickly turn it into a workspace with a few rotations and push and pulls. The wide desk can fit in things like dual monitors, a TV screen, all-in-one iMacs, and small computers. There is also space for file storage, decorations, books, and other knick knacks. There is also adequate places and openings for all kinds of power cords and wires to power your devices.

You will have to assemble everything yourself though as this is a DIY install. But this seems to be a pretty interesting piece of furniture to have if you can manage to put everything together. I will probably have some anxious moments thinking that I will be displacing my office stuff when I’m sleeping but at least I will have a really cool bed and work station in one.

The post Turn your sleeping area into your office with this rotating furniture first appeared on Yanko Design.

Portable sound monitors helps you create music from the comfort of your room

Posted on by

Gone are the days when you will have to book studio time and spend a lot of money to be able to produce, mix, and create your own music. One tool that artists and producers need to be able to create music is to have great studio monitors so they will be able to fine tune the music they’re creating. We’re now seeing these monitors become more portable and lighter to cater to those who want to produce music from the comfort of their own homes.

Designer: AIAIAI

The Unit-4 monitors by Danish audio makers AIAIAI is one such tool that these indie music creators can use to produce their works of art. These studio monitors portable (weighing at just 2.5kg), battery-powered, and completely wireless. This means you can lug it around to wherever you are working in your house and you will not be bogged down by cables and power cords. Well, at least until the battery runs out after around 20 hours.

When it comes to quality, it can be comparable to the boxy, bigger sound monitors that studios use. It has Flat +/-2dB frequency response from 50Hz to 20kHz and can give a bass extension down to 40Hz with its 2-way active sound monitors. It has a 4-inch woofer and 1-inch silk-dome tweeter with crossover at 3kHz. It is also eco-friendly as the bass reflex enclosure is made from 100% post-consumer recycled plastic which also contributes to the sound quality since it minimizes resonance.

If you want to use the speakers the old school way, there is a 3.5mm mini-jack and 6.3mm balanced TRS inputs. It comes with a magnetic steel grill to protect the woofer and tweeter but you also have the option to not use it if you feel it interferes with the sound. You can get a pair of the AIAIAI UNIT-4 for $800.

The post Portable sound monitors helps you create music from the comfort of your room first appeared on Yanko Design.

Smart belt with haptic feedback can replace white canes for visually impaired

Posted on by

For those that do not have any visual impairments or don’t know have anyone close to them that has this condition, the simple act of walking down a street is something that we probably take for granted. Being aware that not everyone will have that privilege is something that we should occasionally remind ourselves. There are brands and product designers that are constantly working to develop gadgets and tools that can help those that need assistance living their every day lives.

Designer: AI Guided

GUIDi is a concept for a device that can replace the white cane that a lot of visually impaired individuals use to navigate their way through busy streets. It is a device that the user wears on their waist and includes camera and microprocessor modules, and haptic feedback units that will assist them as they walk. There are two 8-megapixel cameras that are forward-facing and will scan the environment as they are walking. The images captured will be analyzed by AI-based software which will be able to identify things like trees, trash cans, sign posts, and other items that the user may face on the street or sidewalk.

The haptic feedback units will vibrate to alert the user that there may be some obstruction in their direction. It will even be able to detect things like branches, wires, and other overhanging items that a regular cane may miss since it’s basically on the ground. The device can also be connected to an app on their smartphone through Bluetooth connectivity where they can choose a specific location and they will be guided by GUIDi accordingly. The battery life is around 8-10 hours on a single charge.

Design wise, it’s pretty much a no-frills device that you can wear on your waist and should not be that obstructive or uncomfortable. The two haptic feedback units on each side should be enough to give the user signals on possible obstacles but also not give sudden vibrations that might surprise the user. The GUIDi is not yet in production but those who are interested can try joining the free trial that the company is offering.

The post Smart belt with haptic feedback can replace white canes for visually impaired first appeared on Yanko Design.

Candle warmer with halogen lamp makes your self-care routine more relaxing

Posted on by

There are days when all you want to do when you get home is light up a candle or turn on your diffuser, relax with a book or by listening to music, and just let all the day’s stresses melt away. Self-care has become such an important buzzword the past few years so we get a lot of products now that let ordinary folks have their own destressing rituals without spending so much. After all, we need to find the “silver lining” in whatever situation we’re in.

Designer: Adaption Design Studio for SUMSEI

This is probably one of the reasons why this new product from Korean brand SUMSEI is called the Silver Lining Warmer. They say that this is in reference to the beam of light that shines through the clouds, which is what the product wants to be for those who need a bit of relaxation at home. Basically it’s a candle warmer but with the added bonus of a halogen light to make your room even more comfortable and calming.

The main purpose of the warmer is to diffuse the scent of the paraffin candles as they’re melting from the halogen lamp. But the Silver Lining Warmer also has a halogen lamp that would flicker as you use it to give you a spa-like atmosphere as you enjoy the scents and scenes while probably having sounds in the background as well. The warmer uses heat-resistant resin so that it would still be safe even with the heat from the halogen lamp.

It uses a pretty minimalist design with just black and white color options available so it should go well with any aesthetic. As someone who enjoys diffusing smells and sometimes candles at home while reading or just resting my eyes while listening to music, this is the kind of addition to my routine that I’ll welcome.

The post Candle warmer with halogen lamp makes your self-care routine more relaxing first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nissan Hyper Adventure concept lets you have an eco-friendly outdoor trip

Posted on by

If you’re the type to go on adventurous trips but would also like to take care of the carbon footprint that you leave behind, you are lucky to live in an era where brands are also intentional about the products that they create. Having environment friendly products are now the norm if you want to score points with Mother Earth and with the eco-conscious market. The latest vehicle concept that Nissan unveiled seems to fit into this category.

Designer: Nissan

The Nissan Hyper Adventure is the second concept in the Electronic Vehicle category that they have announced and is specifically designed for those who want to go on eco-friendly outdoor adventures. The renders show a futuristic design for a vehicle that can survive going through a snowy mountain or the rainy trail in a rainforest. It is designed with the e-4ORCE all-wheel-control system so you can get to your destination safely. It also looks pretty spacious inside so you can drive comfortably and even use the vehicle as your shelter if you feel like going “camping” or sleeping outdoors.

The vehicle has a glass that integrates the roof and side windows as well as the flush surface of the back. It also has crampons or snow traction gears on the wheels and bumpers so it can drive through snowy areas. It also has a wide field of view since the instrument panel is connected to the bottom of the windshield. There is enough cargo space for things like tents, skis, and can even fit a kayak. The rear bench seat can be rotated 180 degrees so you can sit facing outside and it even has automatic extendable and retractable steps.

The Nissan Hyper Adventure comes with a large-capacity battery that can also become an energy source. It should be able to power the gadgets and equipment that you’ll use on your outdoor adventure. It also uses the V2X (vehicle-to-everything) capability so it can even power a house. It’s an interesting concept but we’ll have to wait if it becomes an actual vehicle.

The post Nissan Hyper Adventure concept lets you have an eco-friendly outdoor trip first appeared on Yanko Design.

E-ink wall frame lets you read your newspaper’s front page

Posted on by

Believe it or not, there are still newspapers around and there are people (and not all of them old) who still prefer reading through this “old school” way of getting news. There has been a countdown to the demise of the printed versions of these publications but they are still alive and kicking. But we have to admit that there is so much new technology out there and these news organizations need to be able to adapt or eventually go the way of the dinosaurs.

Designer: Alexander Klöpping

The newest device that can help you consume news in a blend of digital and sort of analog way is Project E Ink which is basically a frame that you can hang on your wall. But instead of just having a static piece of art on this device, it will display the first page of the newspaper that you’re subscribed to so you can read the most important pieces of news for that day while drinking your coffee and staring at your wall. And from its name, it uses electronic ink.

The newspaper front page reader is a 32-inch screen which is the same size of an actual newspaper front page when it is unfolded. There are no other buttons on the device and it is not a touchscreen that you can swipe through. All it shows you is the front page of the newspaper and it will be refreshed every day. The battery can last for weeks since that’s one of the advantages of e-ink. It weighs just 17.6 pounds so there should be no danger of it falling off your wall.

At $3,050, it is an expensive piece of newspaper but should appeal to those looking to have a conversation and statement piece on their walls rather than as an actual way of consuming news. The creators also encourage people to subscribe to their favorite newspapers since they’re not really affiliated with any of the publications. You can subscribe to their online portal for content management at €60 annually.

The post E-ink wall frame lets you read your newspaper’s front page first appeared on Yanko Design.

Attach a faux Game Boy magnetic wallet to your iPhone

Posted on by

A lot of “vintage” gadgets and devices are back but not everything is in their original iteration. Not all of these are still working per se since there’s a reason why they became outdated but that doesn’t mean they can’t come back in one form or another. A lot of these older gadgets are now being retrofitted as design concepts. So if you see someone walking around with a Game Boy attached to their phone, that’s not really an actual Game Boy.

Designer: elago

The latest addition to elago’s Nintendo themed Apple accessories is the Game Boy MagSafe wallet, which is exactly what its name says. It’s a magnetic wallet that you can snap on to the back of your MagSafe iPhone (from the 12, 13, 14, and 15 series) where you can store up to two cards. It has RFID blocking material so yur cards will not be affected by electromagnetic waves.

What makes this silicone magnetic wallet unique is that its design is inspired by Nintendo’s Game Boy which will bring on the nostalgic feels for anyone who has played this classic gaming console at one time or another. From the display to the red buttons to the D-pad to the start and select buttons, it has captured the exact design and vibes of the typical Game Boy that we used to know and love.

Since it’s actually a wallet for your two cards, it has a button that will help push the cards out. And since you also have to hold both the phone and attached Game Boy Magsafe wallet, there’s a groove near the bottom so you’ll have a good ergonomic grip. It’s now available for purchase at just $19, if you want to make your iPhone look cooler.

The post Attach a faux Game Boy magnetic wallet to your iPhone first appeared on Yanko Design.

Jet capsule lets you speed on the water in a lighter, adaptable shell

Posted on by

If you’ve watched any movie or TV show that features lifestyles of the rich and famous, there is almost always a scene where all sorts of beautiful people riding all sorts of expensive looking water vehicles and toys. For those of us who will probably never have that lifestyle, we can just live vicariously through these videos and dream about jet skiing, yachting, or any other glamorous water activity.

Designer: Pierpaolo Lazzarini

Personally, I dream riding one of those cool looking closed capsule vehicles like this 2024 version of the Jet Capsule Super Sport. I’m afraid to fall in the water but I’d also like to speed on the water, so this seems like the perfect compromise. This new version is way lighter than its predecessor as the lightweight construction has reduced it to just 3200 kg which is 500 kg lighter. The single engine propulsion has a range of 570 hp to 850 hp and is able to reach 38 knots in 12 seconds so you could say it’s built for speed.

The upper structure of the jet capsule is made from carbon fiber which is made through vacuum-infusion molding, hence the lighter and more adaptable water vehicle. Inside you get a space that can seat up to 10 passengers but it is also fully customizable and can even fit in a dinette, bathroom, and beds if the customer wishes to have these optional features. There is a sunbed on the rooftop in case some visitors would like to sunbathe and it can be accessed through a rear ladder.

The Jet Capsule Super Sport can be used as support for several water sporting activities like parasailing, kiteboarding, wakeboarding, etc. It can also be used just to speed along the waters or even enjoy some quality time in the middle of the ocean as it can switch to jet-drive while slowing down and full electric mode if you’re low-speed cruising. Again, this will remain a fantasy for people like me but if you can afford it, it seems to be an enjoyable toy to have on your vacation.

The post Jet capsule lets you speed on the water in a lighter, adaptable shell first appeared on Yanko Design.

Lush’s Bath Bot brings the bath bomb to a digital level

Posted on by

Taking a bath is a functional experience that we all have almost every day. There are of course people who get bored when in the shower or in the bath tub so they do something else like singing in the shower, listening to music or podcasts, or even having a mini dance party just to relieve the routine. If you have a bathtub, adding a bath bomb every once in a while can make you feel like you’re at a bubble party. What if you could have all of these experiences using just one device?

Designer: Lush

Lush is a brand that you wouldn’t normally associate with gadgets or devices but it is closely co-related with taking a bath. They are set to release their very own “digital bath bomb” called Bath Bot which will be able to give you a “custom light, sound, and colour experience” whenever you take a bath. Basically it’s the same size and shape of their bath bombs but is actually a water-proof speaker that you can put in the bathtub with you or on the sink near your shower if you don’t have a bathtub.

The Bath Bot will give you a 180-degree sound show so you can play your favorite music or audio book or podcast while enjoying a bath. If you want more of a colorful mode, you can also get full-spectrum multi-directional lights so you can have your very own spa or rave experience, whichever end of the spectrum you want. There are several colors available including lavender, pink, red, green, blue, etc. You can also have tiny bubbles fizzing across the speaker if you want even more of a multi-sensory experience.

The devices themselves are just available in two colorways: white or black. But you have several modes available like Rave Mode, Fun Mode, and Sleepy Mode, all of which you can adjust in the Lush app which also has podcasts and playlists. I don’t get bored when taking a bath but this just take my bathing experience to a whole new level.

The post Lush’s Bath Bot brings the bath bomb to a digital level first appeared on Yanko Design.

Puffy blanket turns into an outdoor coat, is made from 100% recycled materials

Posted on by

As someone who lives in a tropical weather country, having heavy duty blankets for indoors and outdoors isn’t really a priority. Even when I’m in an airconditioned room, I rarely use blankets as I’m not used to it. But when I was able to visit New Zealand during their winter season, I finally understood the need to have a good piece of blanket during those cold, dreary nights. What if you could get a “state-of-the-art” blanket that can also be worn as a sort of coat outdoors and is made from recycled materials?

Designer: Houdini x Rumpl

The Reconnect Puffy Blanket is the brand’s most technical blanket as it has a 2-layer waterproof hardshell to protect you from extreme weather conditions, Houdini-branded hardware, French seams, and an ultra-soft-to-touch finish. The hardshell is rated at 20,000mm H20 with a breathability of 15,000 g/m2/24h so it can protect you from heavy rain and wet snow in case you’re going outside with your blanket. It is made with 200g hollow-fiber insulationand with the Houdini C9 Ripstop so the blanket is comfortable and breathable and of course is durable so it should last you longer than most blankets.

Another great feature of this blanket is that it is sustainable and has 100% circularity. It is made from post-consumer recycled and recycled materials. They say that 1 blanket produced is equivalent to 66 plastic bottles that have been removed from landfills. If you’re going outdoors in really cold weather for some reason, the Reconnect Puffy Blanket has a Double-snap Cape Clip feature so you can turn it into a hands-free wearable that can act like a coat.

Of course a blanket that can act like coat is not the most fashionable of winter wear but being posh is probably not your first concern when you’re out in cold weather. If it’s comfort and protection from the elements that you’re looking for, the Reconnect Puffy Blanket seems to be a great option to keep you warm during those cold winter nights. The price tag of $200 seems pretty reasonable for something that has all these features.

The post Puffy blanket turns into an outdoor coat, is made from 100% recycled materials first appeared on Yanko Design.