Smartphones have finally matured enough to the point that they’re no longer mere consumer electronic devices. They have become part of our lifestyles and are sometimes even extensions of ourselves, both in the way we interact with each other but also in how we express ourselves. While most owners are content with slapping on cases or sticking skins that reflect their interests, others are more interested in having their naked mobile phones themselves be that mirror of their personalities. There are plenty of manufacturers that wax philosophical about the intricate designs of their phones, but only a handful actually turn their products into designer pieces. That’s the kind of difference that TECNO’s latest edition is trying to make, bringing a frenzy of doodles that will definitely make your phone stand out, especially at night.
The very word “doodle” itself evokes ideas of fun and unbridled creativity, describing both seemingly chaotic scribbles as well as carefully thought-out compositions. In modern times, Mr Doodle, a.k.a. Sam Cox, has established his name as one of the leading artists that are elevating doodles to the next level, espousing a philosophy to leave no blank undoodled. Apparently, that also means the often blank space that is the back of your phone, which the TECNO Camon 20 Mr Doodle Edition now fills with almost inscrutable lines that seem to make the device jump to life.
Mr Doodle is best known for his complex and intricate doodles that look more like mazes, which is exactly what the back of this Camon 20 edition phones look like, whether you view it from afar or up close. There are also matching Android system and always-on display (AOD) themes that turn your phone screen into a doodle-filled art canvas, and the box itself is a work of art that you’ll want to keep around for as long as possible (reducing trash in the long run). That, however, isn’t the only trick up the phone’s sleeve as it comes to life in the dark of night.
TECNO is calling it “moon phase color changing technology,” though most will probably know it by its more common “luminescent” property. The cyan lines practically soak in light during the day and then release it as an otherworldly glow in the dark. It won’t last long, of course, but it should be enough to give you your 15 minutes of fame while it lasts.
Unfortunately, this color-changing property is limited only to the Night variant of the two, with the Day model sporting the brand’s new “Deconstructionist Design” that employs geometric shapes to add visual interest to the back of the phone. Mind you, these are beautiful phones as well, demonstrating TECNO’s commitment to catering to a market of phone users with growing sophistication in aesthetic tastes.
What truly makes or breaks a home at the end of the day is the furniture that’s placed in it. The right kind of furniture design can create the essence and soul of a home. And I do feel it’s essential that the soul of our home is a reflection of our own soul. Hence picking furniture pieces that bring out the best in our homes, while authentically representing our personality is a must. You need to pick designs that are fun, sophisticated, and functional. They add an extra spark to your home, without compromising on utility in the least. And two furniture designs that would make a great fit for your home are the – Canvas Chair and the Blank Table.
Designed by Stoft Studio, the Canvas Chair and Blank Table are two visually stunning furniture pieces that would make for excellent additions to your home. The two pieces function as furniture and as art! Starting with, the Canvas Chair is quite intriguing to look at. The seat of the chair mimics and functions like an embroidery hoop, subtly highlighting the weaves and textiles and displaying the true artistic value of the chair.
The studio utilized Tärnsjö leather tannery for the leather seat variant of the chair, the textile design duo Butler/Lindgård for the “Goosebumps” weave version, and the Klässbol Linen Weaving Mill to produce the linen version. The Canvas Chair is intended to be a tribute piece of furniture, that beautifully displays the materials and artistry utilized to make a textile weave or natural tanned leather hide.
On the other hand, the Blank Table is also an effort to highlight and showcase art, but by using two tempered glass sheets, to create the tabletop. Different contents such as paint, dried flowers, textiles, or your own artwork can be pressed to represent your personal preferences and style. The Blank Table is an attempt on Stoft Studio’s part to create a furniture design that perfectly caters to and represents your own individual and unique taste, allowing your personal style to be reflected in your home or living space.
Staatliches Bauhaus originated as a German school of arts in the early 20th century and transformed into one of the most influential art schools in the history of the world. Bauhaus, meaning ‘building a house in German,’ was established six months after the First World War in 1919 and aimed to build a new society after the ravages and destruction of the war. Throughout the 1920s and 1930s, Bauhaus art marked a new period of history and found its presence in paintings, graphics, architecture, and interior design. It celebrates the fusion of individual artistry and vision, emphasizing mass production and function. Additionally, it formed the catalyst and paved the way for modern architecture and furniture design.
Designer: Walter Gropius
Founded by German architect Walter Gropius, he combined two schools, the Weimar Academy of Arts and the Weimar School of Arts and Crafts, into what he called the Bauhaus. The whole idea of the Bauhaus was to produce a functional and aesthetically pleasing object for the mass society instead of individual items for the wealthy. With a utopian aim to create a new form of design by combining fine arts, crafts, design, architecture, and technology, the Bauhaus promoted rational and functional design that embraced the principles of form following function and the less is more ethos. Despite being in existence for only 14 years, it has been the most impactful movement where the teachers and students worked in tandem with each other.
What is the history of Bauhaus?
Before the Bauhaus movement, fine arts such as architecture and design were highly esteemed concerning other art streams like painting and woodworking. Gropius asserted that all the crafts could be brought together and ensured that performing arts, design, and applied arts were given equal status as he tried to unite all branches of art. He envisioned bridging the gap between art and the industry by crafting pieces that combine aesthetics and beauty with function and utility. As a result, notable teachers Marianne Brandt and Marcel Breuer replaced the traditional pupil-teacher relationship with the idea of a community of artists working together.
Bauhaus existed in three cities, functioning through a tough time of social and political upheaval. Nevertheless, it left one of the most significant stamps on art, architecture, and design in the 20th century.
Weimar -1919-1925
Gropius laid the foundation of Bauhaus in Weimar, which aimed to serve a social role with no division of craft-based disciplines.
Dessau- 1925-1932
Dessau was selected after the close of Weimer due to political reasons. However, it was the most fruitful period of activity when Gropius designed the famous Bauhaus building – a landmark of modern, sculptural architecture that was dissolved on 30 September 1932. Currently, it is a UNESCO world heritage site that attracts many tourists.
Berlin-1932-1933
Little work was done during this period due to pressure from the Nazis regime and lack of funding. Unfortunately, it was permanently closed in July 1933 under immense political pressure and threat.
Who were the creative artists behind the Bauhaus movement?
Well-known artists like Josef Albers, Wassily Kandinsky, and Paul Klee offered their expertise as instructors. In addition, the Bauhaus flourished under three different architect-directors: Walter Gropius from 1919 to 1928, Hannes Meyer from 1928 to 1930, and Ludwig Mies van der Rohe from 1930 until 1933.
What was the purpose of the Bauhaus Design style?
Since the modern manufacturing method can result in the loss of art, Bauhaus wanted a design style that could merge art and functional design alongside practical everyday objects with the soul of artwork. In addition, there was an emphasis on experiment and problem-solving, which shaped Bauhaus’s teaching approach and greatly influenced contemporary art education.
What are the key elements of Bauhaus Architecture?
Designer: archetival
With a holistic approach towards design, mid-century modern homes were inspired by clean lines and functional design. At the same time, the interiors were known for their simplicity and sense of openness. The school played a crucial role in developing modernist architecture and significantly impacted mid-century modern art and design and Scandinavian minimalism. The Bauhaus buildings can be angular and linear or feature curved balconies and round corners, but here are some essential common characteristics:
The Bauhaus design style is straightforward; it believes in simplicity, clarity of design, optimum functionality, abstract shapes, the use of primary colors, and balanced visual composition. Therefore, there was no need for additional ornamentation to make things more beautiful as it was allowed only if it followed function.
Instead of floral and curvilinear shapes, the Bauhaus focused on minimalism with linear and geometric forms like triangles, squares, and circles. Asymmetry is favored over symmetry alongside a simple, rational, and functional design.
The buildings are designed with flat roofs and glass curtain walls. The popular use of modern materials like steel, glass, and concrete that have become an integral component of contemporary architecture and interior design.
The buildings, furniture, and fonts often feature rounded corners and sometimes rounded walls.
The Bauhaus design style is true to materials and ensures that the material is used in its most natural and honest form. Hence, Bauhaus architects did not hide brutal and rough materials. Instead, using basic utilitarian materials like steel, concrete, and glass in an unmodified and exposed form emphasizes the beauty of their functionality.
The ideology of Bauhaus was to make optimum use of time and smart use of the available resources. With an economical way of thinking, the representatives wanted to achieve controlled finance, increase the productivity of time-consuming projects, and precisely use the available materials.
Bauhaus workshops emphasized and embraced technology to merge art and design with mass production and were skillfully used for developing prototypes.
According to Walter Gropius, form follows function. Hence the form or elegant geometric shapes of any object or building should be based on its intended function or purpose.
The focus was on design productivity and a strong understanding of basic design principles of composition, color theory, and craftsmanship in various disciplines. In addition, it believed in the oneness of the artist and the craftsman — an excellent design that is durable, economical, beautiful, and accessible to all.
Their commitment to finding solutions that were simple, rational, and functional is an approach that is still taught to artists and designers today.
The final lesson is that the Bauhaus advocated for a “new guild of craftsmen,” abolishing the elite lines between artist and designer to build a new future.
Bauhaus is all about new techniques, new materials, new ways of construction, and new attitudes. Hence, architects, designers, and artists must invent something new using modern technologies and materials. It also led to the emergence of new forms of interior design.
What countries have the most examples of Bauhaus architecture?
One of the largest collections of Bauhaus-style architecture is in Tel Aviv, Israel. Its city center is a UNESCO-recognized site thanks to more than 4,000 buildings designed by German Jews who fled the Nazis in the 1930s.
Humans today have become dependent on machines in more ways than one, whether they realize it or not. From the vehicles that get us to work and back to the smartphones in our pockets to the contentious AI that’s making headlines, our daily lives are affected and influenced by machines in all shapes and sizes, even those we can’t see. While humans created machines as tools of convenience, our relationship with them hasn’t always been sunshine and roses. Some people have even taken an antagonistic outlook on these man-made objects, especially when those machines threaten our way of life or our very lives. At the same time, however, man’s innate curiosity also gives way to awe, wonder, and sometimes even joy, expressions that are conveyed in these images that were aptly generated using the help of a machine.
Of all the modern technologies that are generating debates in all walks of life around the world, AI is probably right at the top. Although the concept has been around for decades, recent developments that have made the technology more amazing but also more concerning because of the implications of the misuse of highly advanced AI. Hollywood and popular media further exacerbate the situation, causing an almost negative bias against new machines in general.
“Machines that listen to human conversations” is a collection of images that try to turn the narrative around on its head in a poetic and almost subtle way. It is also poetic, but perhaps also a bit controversial, that the realistic-looking photos were generated using the popular AI platform MidJourney. Of course, it is just a tool like any other, and the iterative art process was still initiated, guided, and judged by human creativity.
The photo set revolves around scenarios where steampunk-like machines are literally inserted into the midst of human life. Sometimes they’d be in the middle of streets or sidewalks, while there are times when they’re attached to human heads. In some cases, the machines are left alone, but most of the scenes show humans interacting with the objects. Although the theme is explained as machines observing, listening, and accompanying humans, it is also as much about humans interacting with the machines with curiosity, wonder, and even delight, a stark contrast to the emotions generated whenever AI gets mentioned in the news.
There is also some poetic irony in how these images are the very examples of why AI is getting such negative publicity. If not for the artist’s own explanation, few would have realized that these are AI-generated images. These programs have come so far to the point that only very discerning people will be able to notice the difference. At the same time, however, the photos also express the reasons why machines can also bring us joy, piquing our curiosities and giving us more ways to interact and experience our world.
These days it’s not necessary to go to a giant studio with overpriced, pro-grade gear to record a Grammy-winning record. You can do it right from the comfort of your own bedroom in fact, using tools priced for even the most casual of hobbyists. It's not news that the tools of creation or the avenues for distributing art are accessible to more people than ever. But the cultural institutions that have dominated popular music for so long can no longer ignore the bedroom producer or budding Soundcloud star.
Maybe you've been inspired to build your own home recording studio. And maybe, you're not quite sure where to start. Well, an audio interface, a good mic and a decent set of headphones will get you pretty far. But the first thing you'll need is probably staring you right in the face: a computer.
Computer and a DAW
Ableton
Justin DeLay, Director of Product and Category Marketing at Reverb, drives home just how important the computer is: "You can strip away everything else and as long as you have a computer you can still create music," he told me. He suggests you "spend the money on a good computer and get other gear — such as audio interfaces, mics, headphones, etc. — used or at reasonable price points."
But, truthfully, you can do quite a lot with whatever computer you have on hand. Joe Pecora, the engineer and producer at Red Room Studio, says your set up "could be as simple as an iPhone/iPad with Garage band." (I know someone who recorded an entire album this way.) While he agrees that the most important part is your computer, he argues it doesn't have to be super powerful. It doesn't even have to be a desktop. JDilla famously created many of his beats on a Roland SP303, and you can basically recreate that experience with an iPad and the $4 Koala Sampler for iOS. And don't forget that Gorillaz recorded an entire album on an iPad.
Which leads us to the next thing you'll need: a DAW, or digital audio workstation. If you're a Mac user, then you're lucky enough to have access to Garage Band, a surprisingly capable free option. And upgrading to Logic Pro X is only a $200 investment. If you're on Windows (or just don't like Logic), I often recommend Ableton Live (starting at $99). But honestly there are plenty of great options out there, like FL Studio, BitWig and Cubase all of which start at $99. And often, stripped down versions come free as part of a software bundle when you buy music-making hardware like MIDI controllers and audio interfaces.
Assuming you already have a computer and you just need the accessories to get recording, you can pick up everything you need for under $500 new. But, if you’re patient, you could build a well equipped bedroom studio with used gear for as little as $250.
MIDI controller
Engadget
Speaking of which, one of the first additions to your studio should be a MIDI controller. DeLay says this is a piece of gear often overlooked by beginners. "It's not just for playing keyboard sounds," he explained, "it can be used to write drums and percussion, to control mixes and more. It's the creative interface of music production, and you don't have to play the piano in order to harness its power."
Unfortunately there's no gear that will magically turn you into a breathy pop goddess, but a decent mic and audio interface can at least help you sound your best. Now, you could get a USB microphone, like Blue Microphones’ $130 Yeti, and it will certainly get the job done. Heck, that album I mentioned earlier was recorded using the wired headset that came with the iPhone.
But, honestly, your better bet is to get a regular XLR mic and an audio interface. Pecora specifically warns against splurging too much here. "People will look at their favorite artist and see that they use a certain mic or preamp or plugin and want to use the same thing thinking it will get them the same sound." On early singles like "Ocean Eyes" Billie Eilish used an Audio-Technica AT2020 condenser mic, which costs just $100. And I’ve stuck almost exclusively with cheap Shure SM58s and 57s ($100 new, $50-$75 used) whether I was recording demos with my band in college or voice over for review videos at Engadget.
If you fancy yourself a future pop sensation and want to make sure your vocals are the star of the show, you could consider using a significant chunk of your budget on something like the Rode NT1-A ($229) or Shure SM7B ($390). You will get better results with more flexibility for post production, but you can clearly get excellent results with more affordable options.
Audio interface
Scarlett
As for the interface, there are tons of great options out there. Companies like Focusrite, Arturia and Tascam make excellent ones. But our new favorites in the budget interface space are Universal Audio’s Volt series. If your budget allows for it we strongly recommend the $299 Volt 276. Though, the $189 Volt 2 is also excellent, it just doesn’t standout from the crowd quite as much.
If you’re trying to save a few bucks, it's hard to beat the Scarlett series from Focusrite (just make sure to get the second- or third-gen models). You can get the latest Scarlett 2i2 for around $130 used, but it's just $180 new (and includes a huge bundle of very useful software).
The reason to opt for an audio interface instead of a simple USB mic is because it offers you a lot more flexibility and room to grow. For one, it offloads a lot of the audio processing from the CPU. Second, it will allow you to connect not just mics (and swap in different ones for different purposes), but also instruments, turntables or anything with an audio-out jack. An audio interface is also necessary if you plan to connect a pair of studio monitors.
Studio monitors and headphones
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
This is an area that DeLay advises caution. While a good set of studio monitors will obviously be better than the speakers on your laptop and will result in a better mix, it's too easy to get caught up in what he calls monitor envy. "The reality is that monitors at a $300 price point are going to work just fine in most spaces," he says. Plus, your bedroom probably doesn't have the space to really make the most of large, powerful monitors. So, save your money.
And if you're just starting out, you're probably better off getting a decent set of headphones. There're tons of amazing and affordable studio quality headphones out there for under $200, like the $179 Beyerdynamic DT990PRO (currently down to just $179 on Amazon). But one of our favorites is an old workhorse from Sony, the MDR-7506. They're well under $100 and actual pros have used them for decades to mix music.
One tip DeLay offers for novices: Double check your mixes in the real world. Headphones can over emphasize bass, while smaller studio monitors can have trouble delivering accurate bass response. So make sure to listen to your track on laptop speakers or in a car to get a sense of how it will sound in the wild.
And that's really the key — have the patience to develop your skills and make the most of the gear you have. It's really easy to catch a bad case of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) when you're first starting out — trust me, I know. But there's no need to shell out thousands of dollars for high-end gear to start making music. You don't even need to buy new gear. Pecora suggests the only thing you absolutely should buy new are headphones. And, presumably, that's just because you don't want to be wearing years worth of someone else's sweat on your ears.
These days it’s not necessary to go to a giant studio with overpriced, pro-grade gear to record a Grammy-winning record. You can do it right from the comfort of your own bedroom in fact, using tools priced for even the most casual of hobbyists. It's not news that the tools of creation or the avenues for distributing art are accessible to more people than ever. But the cultural institutions that have dominated popular music for so long can no longer ignore the bedroom producer or budding Soundcloud star.
Maybe you've been inspired to build your own home recording studio. And maybe, you're not quite sure where to start. Well, an audio interface, a good mic and a decent set of headphones will get you pretty far. But the first thing you'll need is probably staring you right in the face: a computer.
Computer and a DAW
Ableton
Justin DeLay, Director of Product and Category Marketing at Reverb, drives home just how important the computer is: "You can strip away everything else and as long as you have a computer you can still create music," he told me. He suggests you "spend the money on a good computer and get other gear — such as audio interfaces, mics, headphones, etc. — used or at reasonable price points."
But, truthfully, you can do quite a lot with whatever computer you have on hand. Joe Pecora, the engineer and producer at Red Room Studio, says your set up "could be as simple as an iPhone/iPad with Garage band." (I know someone who recorded an entire album this way.) While he agrees that the most important part is your computer, he argues it doesn't have to be super powerful. It doesn't even have to be a desktop. JDilla famously created many of his beats on a Roland SP303, and you can basically recreate that experience with an iPad and the $4 Koala Sampler for iOS. And don't forget that Gorillaz recorded an entire album on an iPad.
Which leads us to the next thing you'll need: a DAW, or digital audio workstation. If you're a Mac user, then you're lucky enough to have access to Garage Band, a surprisingly capable free option. And upgrading to Logic Pro X is only a $200 investment. If you're on Windows (or just don't like Logic), I often recommend Ableton Live (starting at $99). But honestly there are plenty of great options out there, like FL Studio, BitWig and Cubase all of which start at $99. And often, stripped down versions come free as part of a software bundle when you buy music-making hardware like MIDI controllers and audio interfaces.
Assuming you already have a computer and you just need the accessories to get recording, you can pick up everything you need for under $500 new. But, if you’re patient, you could build a well equipped bedroom studio with used gear for as little as $250.
MIDI controller
Engadget
Speaking of which, one of the first additions to your studio should be a MIDI controller. DeLay says this is a piece of gear often overlooked by beginners. "It's not just for playing keyboard sounds," he explained, "it can be used to write drums and percussion, to control mixes and more. It's the creative interface of music production, and you don't have to play the piano in order to harness its power."
Unfortunately there's no gear that will magically turn you into a breathy pop goddess, but a decent mic and audio interface can at least help you sound your best. Now, you could get a USB microphone, like Blue Microphones’ $130 Yeti, and it will certainly get the job done. Heck, that album I mentioned earlier was recorded using the wired headset that came with the iPhone.
But, honestly, your better bet is to get a regular XLR mic and an audio interface. Pecora specifically warns against splurging too much here. "People will look at their favorite artist and see that they use a certain mic or preamp or plugin and want to use the same thing thinking it will get them the same sound." On early singles like "Ocean Eyes" Billie Eilish used an Audio-Technica AT2020 condenser mic, which costs just $100. And I’ve stuck almost exclusively with cheap Shure SM58s and 57s ($100 new, $50-$75 used) whether I was recording demos with my band in college or voice over for review videos at Engadget.
If you fancy yourself a future pop sensation and want to make sure your vocals are the star of the show, you could consider using a significant chunk of your budget on something like the Rode NT1-A ($229) or Shure SM7B ($390). You will get better results with more flexibility for post production, but you can clearly get excellent results with more affordable options.
Audio interface
Scarlett
As for the interface, there are tons of great options out there. Companies like Focusrite, Arturia and Tascam make excellent ones. But our new favorites in the budget interface space are Universal Audio’s Volt series. If your budget allows for it we strongly recommend the $299 Volt 276. Though, the $189 Volt 2 is also excellent, it just doesn’t standout from the crowd quite as much.
If you’re trying to save a few bucks, it's hard to beat the Scarlett series from Focusrite (just make sure to get the second- or third-gen models). You can get the latest Scarlett 2i2 for around $130 used, but it's just $180 new (and includes a huge bundle of very useful software).
The reason to opt for an audio interface instead of a simple USB mic is because it offers you a lot more flexibility and room to grow. For one, it offloads a lot of the audio processing from the CPU. Second, it will allow you to connect not just mics (and swap in different ones for different purposes), but also instruments, turntables or anything with an audio-out jack. An audio interface is also necessary if you plan to connect a pair of studio monitors.
Studio monitors and headphones
Will Lipman Photography for Engadget
This is an area that DeLay advises caution. While a good set of studio monitors will obviously be better than the speakers on your laptop and will result in a better mix, it's too easy to get caught up in what he calls monitor envy. "The reality is that monitors at a $300 price point are going to work just fine in most spaces," he says. Plus, your bedroom probably doesn't have the space to really make the most of large, powerful monitors. So, save your money.
And if you're just starting out, you're probably better off getting a decent set of headphones. There're tons of amazing and affordable studio quality headphones out there for under $200, like the $179 Beyerdynamic DT990PRO (currently down to just $179 on Amazon). But one of our favorites is an old workhorse from Sony, the MDR-7506. They're well under $100 and actual pros have used them for decades to mix music.
One tip DeLay offers for novices: Double check your mixes in the real world. Headphones can over emphasize bass, while smaller studio monitors can have trouble delivering accurate bass response. So make sure to listen to your track on laptop speakers or in a car to get a sense of how it will sound in the wild.
And that's really the key — have the patience to develop your skills and make the most of the gear you have. It's really easy to catch a bad case of GAS (gear acquisition syndrome) when you're first starting out — trust me, I know. But there's no need to shell out thousands of dollars for high-end gear to start making music. You don't even need to buy new gear. Pecora suggests the only thing you absolutely should buy new are headphones. And, presumably, that's just because you don't want to be wearing years worth of someone else's sweat on your ears.
Bluetooth and wireless speakers are all the rage these days, coming in all sorts of designs, sizes, and prices. While there is a great variety among them in terms of aesthetics, it seems that most of them fall into one of two categories. There are gorgeous speakers that improve the ambiance of your house but would probably die when used outside. And then there are those that are born to be used outdoors but don’t exactly mesh well with your interior decor with their rugged and rough aesthetic. There are, of course, a few that straddle the line between these two worlds, like this speaker design concept that is a work of art indoors and a handy portable speaker outdoors.
Designer: Tyrion Ma
There seem to be two separate and almost mutually exclusive sets of requirements for outdoor and indoor wireless speakers. Those that are meant to stay inside are often big, eye-catching, and sometimes even imposing, while portable speakers, by necessity, are smaller and designed to be more durable. Some properties, like omnidirectional speakers, can apply to both types, though blasting audio at 360 degrees might make less sense outdoors where there are no walls to bounce the waves off.
It is difficult for a single speaker to have all these traits, not to mention that it is expensive to implement and manufacture. The AUREOLA wireless speaker concept design sort of sidesteps this problem by actually having two parts, each designed for a different environment. The portable outdoor speaker part is barely bigger than a smartphone and sits on the larger part’s base, which also serves as a wireless charging pad for both the speaker and other devices.
While the portable part of the speaker is almost negligible in size and appearance, the indoor part is undoubtedly the main attraction. A large ring rises from the base, providing the omnidirectional sound source as well as the AUREOLA’s source of character. It is clearly a speaker that was designed to grab people’s attention through its sheer size and artistic form. In different colors, it can easily blend with your room’s design, becoming the visual and aural focus of the space.
While the speaker’s design is elegant and its concept intriguing, the concept still leaves plenty of questions unanswered. The most important is how the two parts can actually be considered a whole when they’re together. It seems as if the two are only related by design and operate independently of each other, making them just members of a set rather than two parts of a whole. Then again, it might not be that hard to think of ways to make it happen, like how the smaller speaker is actually the brains behind the AUREOLA’s functions. It’s definitely an avenue worth pursuing, if only for the sake of seeing such a striking speaker become a reality.
Common smartphone cases provide the bare minimum protection possible without bulking up the device. Some go beyond the call of duty at the expense of making otherwise thin and slick phones look like miniature tanks. Other provide additional functionality, like batteries, card slots, or even rings for holding the phone more securely. That last one is a bit divisive among smartphone users because while it does offer a more secure grip, it also makes the phone look a bit awkward. That, however, has nothing on this weird-looking protective case for an iPhone that brings an extra grip and a stand in a manner that can only really be considered to be a form of art.
At first glance, you might not even recognize this object as a smartphone case, nor would you be able to immediately see the iPhone it snugly cradles inside. It looks more like a tiny shelf for tiny people that turns the iPhone into something like an art project. Although there will be little doubt that this can protect the phone since it manages to keep everything away from its body, some might have reservations about how it actually makes the phone more usable.
The shape of the Geta case wasn’t just plucked out of thin air. Its very name bears the source of its inspiration, that of traditional Japanese sandals that elevate their wearers with “teeth” that protrude from the bottom. In the case of this smartphone case, those teeth also hold the phone up like an angled stand. They also give places for people to insert their fingers when holding the phone.
The space between the extruded fins lets you hold the phone with a lot more confidence than a ring since you can use multiple fingers to keep it in place. Those fins are also angled at the sides so that the phone can rest on them, propping up the display for hands-free viewing. One side is cut differently, though, so it gives a different and lower angle. The fins also let you stand the phone upright in portrait orientation, which is better for video calls.
The Geta case is a rather clever way of using structure and architectural forms to provide these functions, though it admittedly won’t appeal to the majority of smartphone users. Seeing it more as a somewhat outlandish piece of art that also delivers some functionality might make it more palatable. There is even one variant made of clear silicone with fake eyelashes randomly embedded in it. It won’t, however, do anything to help make it fit inside some small bags, not to mention in your pockets.
You’ve probably seen those cute videos of humans and their furry pets collaborating on paintings and other artwork. Even though I’m not much of an animal lover, I do find myself saying “aaaww” whenever I come across one of those videos or stories. Usually we see dogs, cats, maybe even a bird or two that is able to contribute to their owners’ artwork. It can be something they’re trained to do or something that is instinctive as well, if you believe that animals can have creative genes as well.
But have you ever seen a human and bees collaborate? This is what Canada-based artist Ava Roth has been doing as she creates embroidery using natural materials and then she allows the bees to add their own natural flair with their honeycombs. The final result is a one-of-a-kind piece of art that will definitely look unique in your living room wall. You can have bragging rights that real-life bees actually contributed to this mixed-media collage and that not one piece is the same.
The artist first has to hand-stitch different geometric patterns onto Japanese rice paper and then adds some found materials like leaves, rocks, porcupine quills, etc. She then installs them into maple frames that actually resemble bee hives in order to attract the bees to it. Once she’s finished with her part, it’s the bees’ turn to do their magic as they add their unique golden honeycombs. There are pieces of art where the embroidery are in rows and the space for the honeycombs are in the other rows.
If you’re interested in art that mixes creativity with nature, this mixed-media art will look pretty cool in your space. You can purchase some pieces through her website. If you suffer from trypophobia or honeycombs make you feel uncomfortable, then best stay away from this. If you’re allergic to bees, maybe you also shouldn’t have these hanging on your walls just to be safe.
Vinyl records have been revived in the past years, but ironically, the younger CDs seem to have fallen out of fashion almost completely. Not only have streaming services and digital collections (legally acquired, of course) made the limited capacity of audio CDs pointless, the physical medium doesn’t offer any distinct audio flavor as old-school records do. That said, CDs continue to be made and sold, and there are people that still hold onto their library of collected albums in this disc format dearly. It’s definitely possible to still listen to them, but most CD players these days come in large boxes that stay at home or peripherals that connect to computers. This minimalist CD player, however, offers the freedom to listen to that kind of music anywhere you go and also gives you the opportunity to flaunt that CD’s cover, just like album art in music apps.
Digital music created the concept of album art as a digital counterpart to the CD cover jackets of old. It’s a visual experience that you lose when you listen to CDs unless you have the jacket in front of you all the time. You definitely can’t display it on the device you’re using to play the CD, especially if it’s a portable CD player that covers everything up to create a compact form fit for traveling.
The CP1 CD Player breaks away from the mold with a device that in itself is a work of minimalist art. The plain, boxy shape of the player looks like a picture frame or an enlarged Polaroid-style photo. The middle of the device is transparent, showing the bed where the CD would lie and spin. As it is, it is already quite striking in its bold transparency, but it is also the perfect place to insert the CD’s cover jacket. In essence, the player lets you create the experience of album art in physical form.
More than just a CD player, this device also becomes a piece of decor, especially when you hang it on walls. It has its own built-in rechargeable battery, so you don’t have to worry about ugly wires until it’s time to recharge it. Of course, that same battery lets you carry it anywhere so that you can listen to your favorite CDs anytime you want. There is a 3.5mm jack to plug in headphones and speakers, but you can also enjoy the music through wireless audio equipment thanks to its built-in Bluetooth support.
This photographic CD player doesn’t really add any advanced features for playing this physical medium. In fact, it even takes a small step back by making you manually insert cover jackets to get the same effect as album art on music apps. It does, however, hone in on how appreciating music also comes with other treats for the senses, and it does so in a very elegant way that puts a CD’s art proudly on display.
