Most of my professional life has involved working in start-ups or small companies. And most of the time, our offices don’t have the regular cubicles and set-up you see in the corporate world. I’m thankful for that because just seeing those constricting environments already stifles my creativity. A lot of the smaller companies have learned to adapt more creative modular setups in their workspaces to give employees better working conditions.
The Toko Meeting Pod is a modular system for offices that want to have a more unique and open space working environment. The way the basic structure is set up, it can become a regular working space for several people, a place where you can do meetings, a space where you can eat together, or maybe even all of the above at different times. It is also meant to be a freestanding design that you can relocate or reconfigure according to what you need at the moment.
The pod can be made from different combinations of materials like wood veneer, engineered wood, and wool felt panels. The wall structure also lets you have visual and acoustic separation while the textile-like properties lets light into the space and the acoustic panels also give you sound absorption for your meetings and conferences.
The Toko Meeting Pod also comes with integrated power and has build-in credenza storage and wall mounts so you can put monitors, whiteboards, shelving. The space can also accommodate tables and seating areas so it’s basically an affordable, sustainable, and flexible space that’s an alternative to the usual office design.
Most of my professional life has involved working in start-ups or small companies. And most of the time, our offices don’t have the regular cubicles and set-up you see in the corporate world. I’m thankful for that because just seeing those constricting environments already stifles my creativity. A lot of the smaller companies have learned to adapt more creative modular setups in their workspaces to give employees better working conditions.
The Toko Meeting Pod is a modular system for offices that want to have a more unique and open space working environment. The way the basic structure is set up, it can become a regular working space for several people, a place where you can do meetings, a space where you can eat together, or maybe even all of the above at different times. It is also meant to be a freestanding design that you can relocate or reconfigure according to what you need at the moment.
The pod can be made from different combinations of materials like wood veneer, engineered wood, and wool felt panels. The wall structure also lets you have visual and acoustic separation while the textile-like properties lets light into the space and the acoustic panels also give you sound absorption for your meetings and conferences.
The Toko Meeting Pod also comes with integrated power and has build-in credenza storage and wall mounts so you can put monitors, whiteboards, shelving. The space can also accommodate tables and seating areas so it’s basically an affordable, sustainable, and flexible space that’s an alternative to the usual office design.
NeoCon 2024 is just around the corner, and this year’s event is set to significantly impact the world of commercial interior design. Taking place June 10-12 at The Mart in Chicago, this 55th edition is expected to attract around 50,000 attendees who will explore the latest trends and innovations in shared spaces. Let’s dive into what to expect, focusing on the themes of design, well-being and sustainability.
Design: Creating Spaces That Connect Us
Design is at the heart of NeoCon, and this year’s event is about creating environments that foster community and collaboration. Gone are the days of bland, cubicle-filled offices. Today, it’s all about spaces that spark spontaneous interactions and genuine connections. Imagine walking into an office that feels more like a dynamic, buzzing café than a traditional workspace.
For instance, products like GRVT by Ghent and KI’s Sonrisa Lounge Furniture offer mobile, flexible solutions that can transform any environment into a collaborative hub at a moment’s notice. These designs cater to the ever-changing needs of modern workspaces. Spacestor’s Portals Huddle, with its easy-to-relocate collaboration spaces, exemplifies how versatile and responsive workplace design has become.
The overall layout also plays a huge role. Gensler’s Design Forecast for 2024 highlights the importance of human-centric workplaces that inspire purpose and reflect organizational values. This means creating spaces where people can casually bump into each other, sparking creativity and camaraderie. These little moments can make a big difference in fostering a positive company culture.
Well-Being: The Science of Feeling Good
One of the most fascinating trends at NeoCon 2024 is the rise of neuroaesthetics—designing spaces that make you feel good based on how your brain reacts to certain elements. Think colors, sounds and even the art on the walls. It’s all about creating environments that boost your mood, productivity and overall well-being.
The Immersive Biophilic Garden by Garden on the Wall, for example, features indoor preserved gardens and moss walls that elevate moods and stimulate minds. Similarly, Egan Visual’s Sculpt Walls blend art with acoustics to create a sensory-rich experience, and CECOCECO’s ArtMorph panels use lighting and textures to soothe and captivate.
Colors play a significant part too. Studies show that natural patterns and shapes are easier for our brains to process, leading to a sense of calm and clarity. Shaw Contract’s Arctic Escape collection and Bernhardt’s Ice Collection of cobalt blue tables are designed to evoke specific emotional responses. Warm colors like Pantone’s color of the year, Peach Fuzz, and cool blues highlighted in ASID’s 2024 Trends Outlook also contribute to environments that make us feel good.
Unexpected pops of color, engaging textures and artful patterns can act as positive distractions in stressful environments. Designtex’s Joy Collection, with its vibrant colors and stimulating designs, brings a sense of clarity and delight, especially to healthcare settings. Collaborations like Stylex and Carole Baijings’ new color palette show how creative use of color can enrich our daily experiences.
Sustainability: Designing for the Future
Sustainability has shifted from a trend to a non-negotiable element of modern design. With the built environment contributing significantly to global CO2 emissions, there’s a pressing need for eco-friendly practices. NeoCon 2024 showcases the leaders in sustainable design, highlighting materials and solutions that reduce environmental impact without sacrificing style or functionality.
Haworth’s DesignLab emphasizes circular design—considering sustainability at every stage of a product’s life cycle. Andreu World’s Circular Design Challenge encourages industry professionals to embrace greener practices like eco-design, zero waste management and carbon neutrality.
Biophilic design, which integrates natural elements like plants and natural light into spaces, is also gaining traction. This approach reduces stress and fosters a deeper connection to nature. Scandinavian Spaces’ Tinnef, made from 100% recycled plastic, and Davis Furniture’s X50 collection, featuring components made of pre-consumer recycled content, are leading the charge in this space.
Noteworthy sustainable innovations include Ultrafabrics’ Volar Bio, which features a mix of recycled and bio-based content, and Turf’s Stone Textures, which emulate natural stone using eco-friendly materials. Slalom’s Bloom product emphasizes acoustic wellness using bio-based materials, while C.F. Stinson’s Sea Change textiles are crafted from post-consumer recycled polyester. Nienkamper’s Vox Tambour, using the eco-material Eelgrass, demonstrates how sustainable materials can offer excellent acoustic and thermal regulation properties.
NeoCon 2024 is set to showcase how thoughtful design can create environments that are functional, beautiful and supportive of human connections and environmental stewardship. As we look forward to the innovations on display, it’s clear that the future of design lies in creating spaces that are as good for people as they are for the planet. This holistic approach makes NeoCon 2024 an unmissable event for anyone interested in the future of our shared spaces.
Immersive VR is great for entertainment… but for work, not that much. The idea is to be able to interact with spatial elements, but not have them completely cut you off from the real world. Just the way a laptop screen or desktop monitor offers you only with a window of productivity but still gives you the option of stepping away to attend meetings, talk to coworkers, or take notes/make doodles, this VR headset concept from Umeå Institute of Design student Simon Ljungblahd lets you easily switch between real and spatial life.
The VR headset features a familiar design, but instead of having screens strapped to your eyes, this one mounts them on a visor-style hinge that you can flip upwards when not in use, allowing yourself to engage with the real world. Meanwhile, a screen on front acts much like the one found on the Vision Pro, giving people around you a sense of your status, whether you’re busy, free, or even when you’re up for a coffee break!
Designer: Simon Ljungblahd
The headset’s design is relatively lightweight, with a display unit that doesn’t need to be bulky because it doesn’t wrap around your eyes, cutting light from the outside world out. It sits ahead of you almost like a HUD (Heads-up Display), giving you the spatial experience just within a portion of your PoV, like a desktop monitor would. Except, you can move your head around to see more of the spatial environment around you. Or look through the corner of your eye to see the real world. When you want to quickly leave the simulation, flip the headset up and you’re out of virtual reality.
“As screen resolution on these devices increases, the use-case of work, or productivity, becomes more interesting as it enables users to view interfaces with a high density of information, which is necessary for that use-case. Spatial Computing would allow users to have a full 360-degree interface and with depth, which would enable much richer multi-tasking,” says Simon. “The depth aspect would also potentially create more intuitive interfaces when it comes to use cases like 3D modeling, or map viewing. The Spatial Computing headsets that are made for entertainment, social experiences, and simulations are designed to optimize the user experience for those use-cases, but so far, no headset on the market is made to focus solely on the use-case of productivity.”
The headset is unique in that it offers the best of both VR headsets and desktop monitors. VR headsets keep you locked in an environment that can affect your productivity by cutting the real world out, but also give you a sense of fatigue with too much use. Laptops and desktop monitors, on the other hand, don’t give you unlimited virtual space for multiple tabs/windows and the ability to work in 3D. Simon’s design therefore strikes a clever balance between the two. Besides, I love the idea of the display on the front of my headset being used to let others know whether I’m busy, free, or up for a quick break in between work sessions!
Exhaustion is an epidemic. A staggering 62% of adults worldwide struggle with sleep deprivation, leading to a domino effect on health and productivity. Enter the Power Nap Chair, a revolutionary furniture design that tackles this challenge head-on.
Designed by Martin Tsankov, the idea of the Power Nap Chair came from his friend and business partner Milen Kisov, who discovered that power naps helped significantly boost his productivity at work. Scientifically proven to enhance cognitive function, memory, and cardiovascular health, short 15-30 minute naps are a game-changer. But finding a suitable space for napping at work has traditionally been a hurdle. Existing solutions like sleeping pods are bulky and expensive (not to mention that most offices don’t have them), and napping at your desk isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s also frowned upon… but the Power Nap chair offers a slick, cozy, and effective alternative.
Designers: Martin Tsankov & Milen Kisov
Sort of like a lounge chair meets a baby stroller, the Power Nap Chair comes with a relaxing design that you can lay down in, and a hood that cocoons you in your own personal private bubble. Simplicity reigns supreme – the chair is free of distracting technology, fostering complete disconnection. This makes it perfect for both open-plan offices and compact workspaces. Sustainability is woven into the very fabric of the chair. Carefully chosen, fully recyclable materials are used throughout, minimizing environmental impact.
The Power Nap Chair is built with three core components: a metal frame, an upholstered wooden body, and a foldable hood. The frame is crafted from machine-bent and powder-coated carbon steel profiles, echoing the chair’s triangular design for a sturdy foundation. The body is constructed from 104 individual CNC-milled birch plywood triangles, meticulously hand-sanded, and finished with non-toxic linseed oil. Each triangle is then encased in flame-resistant, biodegradable memory foam before being upholstered in a comfortable woolen fabric. The hood, made from the same fabric, is specially designed to fold for easy storage while providing essential privacy for napping users.
“Our main challenge is reversing societal stigma around resting in the workplace by creating a product fit for a modern lifestyle where relaxation and productivity intersect,” says designer Martin Tsankov, who won an A’ Design Award this year for the Power Nap Chair. The chair looks inviting, comfortable, and has a unique low-poly aesthetic that your eyes are sure to fall in love with right before they shut for your quick nap. The chair holds a design patent, although it isn’t in production just yet. A final prototype was, however, exhibited at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in February 2024.
Never underestimate how crucial great office furniture can be to a workspace! We spend the majority of our day sitting on our office chairs or typing away on our desks whether we’re working in our home office or a corporate one. Hence, these pieces of furniture need to be not only comfortable but ergonomic, and aesthetic as well. And we’ve curated a collection of furniture designs that meet all these criteria. From the ultimate task chair for you to a minimal cubicle-like furniture system – these innovative furniture designs are not only great for maintaining a healthy posture, but are also super comfy to work on, and will perfectly match the interiors of your modern office. Enjoy!
1. Coffin Chair
Shaped like a coffin, this interesting-looking office chair captures the emotions you feel regarding your dead-end corporate job. It is a unique and innovative chair for those who are quite stressed with their jobs but cannot leave. This allows them to process their emotions in a healthy manner.
Why is it noteworthy?
The chair completely captures the feelings you may experience as you go through another tedious workday. It encapsulates the sense of mundaneness and exhaustion you feel as you sit through another dreary meeting that could have quite easily been an email!
What we like
Inspired by a painting, giving it an artistic context
Captures the emotions of a dead-end job perfectly
What we dislike
Lacks cozy cushioning, so not a good option for sitting for long periods of time
2. Plenum Cabin
Created by Jaime Hayon for the Danish brand Fritz Hansen, the Plenum Cabin provides comfy spaces to work in corporate offices. The cabins have been designed to function as meeting spots for informal meetings, and they serve as integral focal points in office spaces.
Why is it noteworthy?
“With Plenum Cabin, my aim was to craft a space within a space – a haven for intimate conversations and informal gatherings,” said Hayon. “It’s not just a cabin – it’s an invitation to connect, to share, and to experience the best of human interaction in the workplace.” And the cabin really does function as a comfy and private oasis to work in.
What we like
Features a table, an internal cable management system, and an integrated screen
What we dislike
Space-consuming design, not intended for offices with space constraints
3. Flow Wall Desk
Called the Flow Wall Desk, this intriguing furniture design is intended to be an excellent piece of office furniture for spaces that don’t have too much space. It features a sustainable and simple design philosophy, and it is quite decorative as well, besides having great functionality.
Why is it noteworthy?
You can store and fold up the Flow Wall Desk, allowing it to look like a piece of art on your wall, when you’re not working on it. It looks like a ‘spiraling caterpillar’ when you unfold it!
What we like
Has a flatpack form
It can be easily stored away
What we dislike
Folding and unfolding the desk whenever you need to use it means we can’t have a constant setup
4. Accessible Office Furniture Concept
This office furniture concept merges mechanisms that will be needed by people from all walks of life. This innovative chair shifts forward to facilitate moving from the chair to a wheelchair, a feature that is used in cars made for accessibility.
Why is it noteworthy?
This unique concept involves a motorized track running across the ceiling, like trains on a rail. This ensures that the person doesn’t have to move around, the furniture will help move them around. A desk was also created, and it pivots and slides in and out as needed, like the chairs.
What we like
Features a smart glass that goes opaque if the person needs privacy
What we dislike
It is currently a concept, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product
5. Typo Chair
Dubbed the Typo Chair, this unique chair is minimal yet quite powerful. It is designed by AMDL Circle for the furniture brand Mara, and what makes it stand out is its playful bent form, which functions as a one-of-a kind and quite an uncommon element in furniture design.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Typo Chair is an ergonomic furniture design equipped with a light timber base. It features a gentle curve, which allows the chair to stand apart from other conventional chair designs. The cure is the star feature of the entire furniture piece.
What we like
The wooden and colored metal elements contrast to form a dynamic silhouette
The gentle curve adds some depth and character to an otherwise simple chair
What we dislike
There seems to be no option for customization, which can be inconvenient for some users
6. Qyos
Designed by the Spanish furniture brand Acitu, the Qyos is their first acoustic meeting pod. Qyos was designed to function as “islands of privacy”, allowing employees to work in peace without being disrupted by the rest of the office environment. The pods function as meeting spaces to boost productivity and focus better.
Why is it noteworthy?
The cabins are modular and sound-insulated cabins that were designed by Actiu’s research and development team. They’re excellent for making calls or completing tasks that require all your focus and attention.
What we like
Offers an escape from noisy office spaces
Can be easily put together and assembled
What we dislike
There are similar designs on the market, it has nothing too exciting to set it apart
7. Anthros Task Chair
Dubbed the Anthros Task Chair, this one-of-a-kind task chair is designed with a wholly fresh approach. The chair was made using scientific evidence and research, creating a furniture design that improves your posture, minimizes pain points, helps you focus better, and boosts productivity.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Anthros team observed wheelchair users and worked with them, to understand the importance of right seating. They used this invaluable experience to form a novel way to modern task chair.
What we like
The chair features 4D armrests, so you can adjust the height, pivot angle, and depth
What we dislike
Learning how to operate the chair can be a bit complicated
8. Catifa Carta
Say hello to the Catifa Carta – a lovely sustainable chair with a minimal ethos. The chair is built from dozens of sheets of paper, or specifically PaperShell – an innovation material created by transforming paper into a wood-like material. The end result is a functional and sleek office chair!
Why is it noteworthy?
The wood-like material has a lot of benefits to it. It is rigid, stable, and also quite charming to look at. The material is created by using wood-by products such as sawdust, chips, and waste wood such as the fallen branches from forests. This novel paper-like material is a sustainable alternative to plastic, wood, or fiber composites.
What we like
PaperShell has certain natural imperfections which imparts eah chair with a unique characteristic
What we dislike
Not sure how effective the ergonomics of the chair are for sitting for longer durations of time
9. Eto Desk
Designed by Australian designer Tom Fereday for the furniture brand King, the Eto Desk includes minimal angles and smart integrated accessories. The desk is an excellent option for your home office or even a corporate home, although its minimal and subtle looks make it a great contender for your home office.
Why is it noteworthy?
The desk is quite sleek and minimal and includes an aluminum frame and a timber veneer top that is available in three finishes – Smoked Oak, American Walnut, and Congo.
What we like
The desk is slim and equipped with accessible storage for your stationery
What we dislike
Aesthetics are a bit simple and unassuming, which may not be preferred by some. They could have worked on the aesthetics a little more
10. Lives Post + Beam workspace
Created by the Japanese furniture brand Okamura, the Lives Post + Beam workspace is created to be a flexible + versatile workspace for modern-day offices. The offices are designed to be comfortable and interactive spaces where co-workers can work and engage with one another, creating new ideas and fostering growth.
Why is it noteworthy?
The workspace is designed with a frame and sliding wall panels, and these panels are customizable, allowing users to customize square frames with fixed or moveable panels that can be attached to the top rail.
What we like
Allows companies to create personalized workspaces catering to the needs of their employees
What we dislike
It’s not available yet, so we don’t know how the final design will turn out to be
One of the keys to an aligned, well-functioning, and efficient office space is the furniture we place in it. We spend the majority of our day sitting on our office chairs or typing away on our desks whether we’re working in our home office or a corporate one. Hence, these pieces of furniture need to be not only comfortable but ergonomic, and aesthetic as well. It is important to find furniture designs that are excellent at helping us maintain a good posture, while also being super comfy to work in, and merging well with the overall office interior and aesthetic. And one such furniture design is the Plenum Cabin by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen.
Designed by Jaime Hayon for the Danish brand Fritz Hansen, this series of enclosed seats is called the Plenum Cabin, and they offer comfortable spaces within the corporate workplace. The Plenum Cabins have been designed to serve as meeting spots for productive and informal meetings in office environments. They also function as integral focal points in open-plan interiors.
“With Plenum Cabin, my aim was to craft a space within a space – a haven for intimate conversations and informal gatherings,” said Hayon. “It’s not just a cabin – it’s an invitation to connect, to share, and to experience the best of human interaction in the workplace.” The Plenum Cabin features seats with a high back to provide privacy, as well as foam cushions to offer utmost comfort. The furniture pieces can be upholstered in a range of recycled textiles.
The unique booth has been equipped with a table, an internal cable management system, and an integrated screen. The various features help in creating a productive working environment, allowing employees to work in peace and streamline their schedules. The work booth is also pretty aesthetic to look at it, it has a contemporary appeal, which allows it to seamlessly merge with different kinds of office spaces.
Pens, regardless of design, are almost always associated with productivity and creativity, in other words, activity. While you can use the writing instrument to clear your head and achieve a state of calm, that’s only after you’ve actively used it. Rarely does a pen by its mere appearance actually take you to that state, but that is exactly what this unique-looking pen tries to accomplish. Using not only visuals but also texture, this Japanese-made pen aims to help you become mindful of the present, even if only for a moment, taking inspiration from the easily distinguishable composition of a Zen garden, sand and stone and all.
It’s almost miraculous how a dry landscape and a meticulous arrangement of stone in gravel or sand can nudge the mind into a meditative state. That, however, is the magic and science that Zen Buddhist monks have discovered and developed over centuries, combining contrasting elements, minimalist arrangements, and natural elements to design a space meant to inspire calm and maybe clear a few cobwebs inside the brain. The stillness of the rock standing amid the thin lines of movement drawn on gravel around it, the smoothness of the pebbles contrasting with the coarseness of the sand, and the presence of living trees or shrubs standing defiant on lifeless ground, all these elements work in harmony to take the mind for a peaceful journey.
These rock gardens have become so popular that a few people have miniature Zen gardens on shelves or even their desks, but they can neither take these with them wherever they go nor always have them available when they need to. The Zen Pen tries to bring that same experience to an even smaller scale by recreating the key elements of a Zen garden in a way that you can see and feel in your hand. A part of that is clearly seen in the 3D-printed grooves that snake around the barrel and the cap, easily reminiscent of the thin lines and circles drawn on a rock garden.
It doesn’t stop there, however. The clip, which is often regarded as a utilitarian element, also contributes to the composition. Its smooth, oval shape is like one of those rocks or pebbles lying on the gravel, and you can see the typical circles radiating from its position. That position is actually off-center, doubling down on the contrasting themes of balance and asymmetry associated with Zen gardens.
The Zen Pen isn’t just a visual treat but also a tactile one, thanks to the handiwork of skilled Japanese craftsmen utilizing modern technologies like 3D printing and milling. While the grip near the nib is smooth and plain in order to be comfortable to hold, the rest of the barrel and the cap feature this textured surface that delights the fingertips. And as many variations of fidget toys have proven, mindlessly stimulating those fingers, even just by gliding over those grooves, can also help stimulate the mind.
Does your mum work from home, while also managing your chaotic home and your entire family?! Well, then she’s a superhero, like all mums, because they’re truly the masters of multitasking. And if you have a mum who handles the corporate world from the comforts of her home office, while also ensuring everyone in the house doesn’t go insane, we’ve found a couple of products to help her with the former. These ingenious products make for the perfect Mother’s Day gifts for all the WFH mommies! These thoughtful, well-designed and quality products will improve her work routine and productivity, while also helping her maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. From a pen that floats in the air and defies gravity to a fashionable AirPods necklace that ensures your mom never loses her AirPods again – these innovative and functional WFH accessories are excellent gifts for all the hardworking mums out there!
1. Levitating Pen 3.0
One of the most important accessories on someone’s desk is their pen, and this Mother’s Day you can gift your mom a pen that isn’t simply a writing instrument but is a symbol of creative potential and innovation. Called the Levitating Pen 3.0, this sleek and sharp pen defies gravity and features a unique appearance with a spacecraft-like appearance, and the ability to float in the air! Doubling also as a fidget spinner, a statement piece and functional design, this pen is sure to command attention on even Zoom calls.
The Levitating Pen 3.0 is unlike your ordinary office supply. It merges cutting-edge technology with a sleek, good-looking, and minimalist design. The pen balances at a 60-degree angle, and it even gently bobs in place, making note-taking a unique and awe-spiring experience.
What we like
The pen utilizes a magnetic field to levitate and spin, forming an intriguing visual effect
Offers a writing experience that is seamless, durable, and premium
The holder is redesigned to be more streamlined than ever
What we dislike
Although the pen is quite fascinating, it can be deemed a hassle to keep the pen refills handy for prolonged use.
2. Orbitkey Nest
Called the Orbitkey Nest, this little desk organizer is a reinvented version of the stationery box. It serves as a home for your desk accessories and everyday essentials – ranging from your pencils and erasers to your EDC too. It is an excellent option for your mum to store her chargers, AirPods, hard disks, SD cards, pen drives, and more, especially if she finds herself battling with a messy desk often.
Why is it noteworthy?
The nest holds and store your tech essentials, while also ensuring the desk is well-organized and neat. It is a great tool to facilitate productivity and ensure a clutter-free mind. The upper surface features a slight indentation, which can store keys or a watch, while a dedicated zone functions as a wireless charger for phones.
What we like
Made from top-grain leather upper, polycarbonate shell, and a nylon fabric base layer, giving it a clean and sophisticated appearance
What we dislike
The overall size maybe small for some owners and we would have liked a bigger size option was made available.
3. MagBoard Clipboard
Dubbed the MagBoard Clipboard, this innovative notepad/clipboard hybrid is designed for anyone working from home, who needs to integrate adaptability and efficiency into their work schedule. The flexible and minimal product is an excellent Mother’s Day present for your mum if she is a remote worker. It features a magnet and lever mechanism that holds loose sheets safely and securely in one place.
If your mum is bored of typical notepads, then the MagBoard Clipboard is a good option for her. It has a unique design that works well for the environment of a home office, allowing her to take notes without the constraints of a traditional notebook.
What we like
The clipboard utilizes magnets and levers to hold and release papers
It has a lightweight and compact form, making it ideal for use at home or on the go
What we dislike
It works well with specific page sizes, so may not be able to cater to everyone’s needs
4. Fidget Cube
If your mum is a chronic fidgeter, and you often find her fidgeting away with random objects on her desk, then it may be time to gift her something that has been designed for ‘fidgeting’. Dubbed the Fidget Cube, this unusually addictive yet high-quality desk toy is designed to help users focus. It features six sides, and each side has something for your mum to fidget with, and calm her overworked mind.
Why is it noteworthy?
The Fidget Cube includes six versatile sides, and the different sides have something different for you to do. There is – Click, Glide, Flip, Breathe, Roll, and Spin. The Click side lets the clicker in your mom out, as she doesn’t need to click on any pens anymore. With the glide action, she can enjoy the gliding action of this joystick.
What we like
It is available in ten different color schemes, so you can pick the one your mum would like
Helps in focusing and streamlining thoughts
What we dislike
Fidgeting isn’t considered a positive activity by everyone, so the product may not be appreciated by some people
5. The Note
Quite simply called the Note, this little note-taking accessory is the perfect product for all work-from-home moms. The Note is essentially a compact desk whiteboard that lets you swiftly take down notes with ease and efficiency. And it doesn’t function as your everyday note-taker, no, it has a few innovative tricks up its sleeve to elevate your dreary workday.
Why is it noteworthy?
If your mum spends a lot of hours in her home office, and yet somehow manages to brilliantly manage your home and family, then having a whiteboard that lets her keep track of her tasks and daily routine is an absolute godsend. This unique whiteboard can be easily flipped over or twisted, providing abundant space to write down her notes. One side of the board has a dotted grid surface to help with diagrams, while the other side is plain, or you could even have the same design on both sides.
What we like
The Note is equipped with a multi-purpose vertical screen to view the time, manage your appointments, and keep an eye on the calendar
What we dislike
The screen doesn’t support showing videos, which is a function that can be important in certain people’s fields of work
6. ASMR Zen Ball
Does work stress get to your mum quite a bit? Well, then gifting her this compact little ball could be the ideal Mother’s Day present. Dubbed the ASMR Zen Ball, this unique little design merges natural and engineered elements to form an intriguing space-inspired design which offers a tranquil and calming experience to users. It features a meteorite-inspired porous surface that swiftly absorbs aroma oils.
Crafted from genuine volcanic stone and matte aluminum alloy, the Zen Balls functions as a fidget toy as well, providing users with an interactive yet meditative experience, allowing them to foster a relationship with the natural energy of the earth. It is a useful and valuable addition to your mum’s desk space, allowing her to take breaks from work, and regulate her stress levels.
What we like
Serves as a fidget toy, offering sensory stimulation, and distracting users from stressful thoughts
What we dislike
If the ball is not attached to the base, it could start rolling due to accidental bumps
7. The Modular Bottle
Sitting at your work desk all day can often make you forget to keep drinking your water. And if you’re mum is one of those people, then you may want to gift her the Modular Bottle this Mother’s Day! Called TMB or The Modular Bottle, this bottle tends to meet drinking requirements in every kind of situation. Whether someone’s working at home, driving to work, or even heading to the gym. The bottle will cater to your mum’s different drinking needs!
Why is it noteworthy?
The interior of the bottle is made using durable borosilicate glass, providing drinks with the perfect taste, no matter how many times the bottle is used. This also makes the bottle quite easy to clean. The mid-section of the bottle is translucent so you can easily make out how much liquid is left inside.
What we like
It has an Infusion Module Add-On for tea and fruits
It has quite a large opening, making it easy to clean
There is a secret compartment for snacks
What we dislike
Since it is a glass bottle, it is easily breakable and must be handled with care
8. AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap
If your mum is obsessed with her AirPods or AirPods Pro and needs them throughout her workday to attend to important calls or to listen to essential media, well then this clever little neck strap may be for her. This AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap will ensure that she never loses them, and they’re always close to her heart. They’re also great for when she is commuting or moving around and needs easy access to them.
The neck strap is made up of a woven necklace, that ensures your AirPods are around your neck at all times. It merges fashion, good looks, and practicality to create an innovative Apple accessory with a patented One-Click Magnetic Lock, which keeps your mum’s earbuds safe and secure.
What we like
Eliminates the risk of losing your AirPods, especially if you are on the move
Provides easy and quick access to your AirPods
What we dislike
Since they’re attached to a necklace, the AirPods are easily exposed to damage, dirt, and weather elements
9. BetterBack
If your mum is sitting at her work desk in her home office all day long, then she is bound to suffer from some back pain. And if you want your mum to take better care of her back and posture, well then you better get her the BetterBack! The BetterBack provides instant relief from back pain. It lets the user sit effortlessly in the perfect posture, not only easing back pain but also helping to prevent it.
Why is it noteworthy?
The BetterBack features a lightweight and portable design, and it successfully makes every chair ergonomic. Your mum simply needs to wear it for 15 minutes a day, and it retrains her body’s default posture, allowing her to stand or sit properly without the BetterBack, in turn improving her posture.
What we like
Stabilizes the pelvis, and restores the spine’s natural curvature, in turn providing lumbar supports
What we dislike
You cannot clip it to your waist, so it can be a pain to stand up and sit down with it
10. Light-Up Desk Lamp
This desk lamp is called the Light-Up Desk Lamp, and quite interestingly, it is inspired by the story of a light switch, which according to the designer has more meaning when it is turned on, than when it illuminates a space. The designer believes that turning on the switch indicates a new beginning, which leads to the creation of the Light-Up Lamp. What a wonderful and thoughtful gift to give your mum this Mother’s Day, right?
Why is it noteworthy?
The Light-Up Lamp is designed to get your mum into ‘work mode’, the minute the lamp is switched on. The lamp doesn’t really have a very complicated design. It is simple and focused and aims to create a seamless work environment the second it is switched on. It doesn’t have any sudden color changes or any odd flickers.
What we like
It is designed to enhance productivity
It is also an excellent table organizer, as you can hold up sticky notes on it
What we dislike
It is a tall and bulky design, so it will occupy some precious real estate on your desk. Not the most compact desk lamp on the market
You’ve probably had your share of seeing articles, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts about beautifully crafted notebooks and journals. Despite the prevalence of smartphones, computers, and digital devices, there is still a very strong culture around paper notebooks and the tools that support their use. That said, notebooks aren’t the only medium for this kind of creative activity, and loose-leaf paper has some benefits as well, at least as long as you have a way of keeping them together or writing on them on a flat surface. This extremely simple clipboard offers that kind of experience for artists, architects, and engineers, and it even adds a feature you’ve probably never seen on any clipboard before.
Designer: Studio SHFT
Clipboards have been around for decades, maybe even centuries, but very few people actually give them a second thought. You’d usually see them in offices, store rooms, or even on the field to hold a few sheets of paper together, mostly checklists or forms to be filled while standing up. Unfortunately, that underestimates the utility of this tool, and this all-metal clipboard demonstrates how you can take advantage of its features with a few ingenious design details.
The most striking thing about the FOLD B is that it’s made from a single sheet of stainless steel. Although most clipboards are often made with plastic, cardboard, or even cork, a steel one isn’t at all unheard of yet extremely rare. Even rarer is the fact that it’s really just one flat sheet of metal, without even a clip to keep paper in place.
That function is instead delegated to two small cylindrical magnets that are strong enough to hold the paper down, though probably only a single sheet as well. The idea is to use the clipboard not as an organizer for loose-leaf paper but as a drawing board or canvas. You place a sheet of paper, “pin” it down with those two magnets, and start drawing, drafting, or writing to your heart’s content. The clipboard’s elevated rear drives home the fact that it’s really made for this kind of use case.
While it doesn’t have a paper clip, The one thing that does protrude from the top of the clipboard is a small rechargeable lamp. This assists the user to keep on working even in darker spaces, though it’s still better to have a properly lit environment anyway. This lamp is connected to the clipboard with screws, so it’s completely possible to remove it if you feel that it hinders rather than helps. Curiously, this built-in lighting also opens the design to more uses, like a guest book or a menu holder for restaurants.
