Tag Archives: Designer Dot

This rotating hand dryer was designed to be an inclusive virus-killing machine for everyone!

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What is a product that we have simply given up on when it comes to design? Hand dryers! While we have some high-tech versions that dry our hands in 10 seconds and have UV lights to kill bacteria, have you ever thought if they are actually accessible to everyone who may want to dry their hands? What about someone on a wheelchair in a bathroom at the mall or the movie theatre – can they reach the hand dryer? This inclusively designed hand dryer is here to answer that question with a strong ‘Yes!’

Accurately named U Dryer aka Universal Dryer, this design focuses on making the product usable for every type of person who walks into the washroom. Along with the aesthetic facelift, the U Dryer comes with a simple rotational feature which makes it accesible to adults, children, elderly folk and even those who use a wheelchair. Have you seen parents picking up their children awkwardly in public washrooms? This design solves the problem of having to be at a certain height if you want to dry your hands. U Dryer’s main button is seamlessly hidden which protects it from water damage and also from people who may accidentally turn it off/on. It also features a UV light that allows for 360-degree sterilization when the motion sensor detects your hands. A product like this would certainly be essential in the new normal where people can disinfect their hands without sanitizer too. On that note, the hand dryer has HEPA filters built in to prevent any viruses from coming in contact with your hands, especially when it is installed in a public bathroom. These filters also help to purify the air around the product.

The only thing to add would be voice control which can help make it more inclusive and reduce the risk of product contamination via touching – many kids tend to touch things within their reach and blind people also go by their sense of touch. A smart design detail was to connect the cord to the rotating shaft part which prevents the wire from getting tangled even if the product rotates 90 degrees. U Dryer has an overall ‘clean’ design which is aligned with its mission – it might just be the most modern and sleek hand dryer we have ever seen!

Designers: Yeom Jin Soo and Designer Dot

This architecture-inspired turntable puts a modern spin on the retro-aesthetic

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Over the past several years, there has been a resurgence in retro products – particularly with vinyl records. Even though music streaming services are far more convenient and less expensive than record players and turntables, the nostalgia-factor has brought them back in style. In the year 2020, few turntables have captured the essence of that time the way that the Old Future Turntable and Speaker has.

First, let’s look at the shape. The silhouette of the player itself pays homage to 70’s architecture in Seoul. Slanted roofs were common during that era, and when you place the turntable and speaker side-by-side, they look like part of a 70’s city skyline. Some vinyl-lovers may not like this product initially because a flat, horizontal turntable would be preferred for sound-quality. For those who care about audio quality over aesthetics, the turntable’s legs are adjustable, so you can make the table more even.

Of course, this is only half of the story – after all, it’s called the Old Future Turntable. Its reflective surface creates a brilliant gradient that is hard to miss. The neon colors also add a futuristic touch to this nostalgic piece. These two elements – the 70’s inspired shape and the modern colors – come together in perfect harmony. The turntable honors the past while ushering in the future, and would be a lovely statement piece in any trend-setter’s apartment.

Designer: Keonwoo Lee

This triangle-shaped food-waste processor fits perfectly in the corner of your kitchen

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A common problem in smaller households (and I’m fairly familiar with this as someone who lives on his own) is that the garbage bag never fills up in one day. Having fewer people live in a house obviously means lesser waste created on a day-to-day basis, which means it takes a good 3-4 days to really fill up your trash before you chuck it out.

Rather than living with that old, rancid, smelly trash for 3-4 days, the Alone food-waste processor helps provide a discreet way of disposing of small amounts of food at a time. Its unique right-angled triangular shape helps it easily fit into a corner of your kitchen, and its tall design makes it easy to remove the waste-bin and chuck your stuff in without bending over too much. The Alone food-waste processor then proceeds to break down your food, turning it from waste into a harmless, odorless, nutrient-rich fertilizer you can use in your own backyard or kitchen-garden. A heating plate at the base helps accelerate the composting process, breaking food down into a crumbly mulch as little as 30 days (instead of the regular 5-6 months), while an air outlet on the top helps let gases on the inside escape, but not before passing it through a HEPA and Activated Carbon filter to take out those microorganisms and odor molecules, keeping your kitchen odor-free and safe!

Designers: Designer Dot & Hyeona Cho

This iron + steamer turned straightener design will change the way the world irons clothes!

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Aptly named because of its tong-like pinching feature, the Nip steamer takes inspiration from a classic hair-straightener to streamline the clothes-ironing process. The advantage? Added efficiency. Instead of de-wrinkling one side at a time, the two-pane iron straightens both sides of a shirt simultaneously.

I would also like to highlight two smaller, but equally thoughtful elements. First, the shape: the Nip steamer has a curved face, while most irons have a pointed tip. Intentional or not, I think the curved rim is a smart safety feature, as it would prevent fabrics from snagging as they enter the plate. Second, the Nip steamer includes a clear storage container for its power chord, which, when coiled, adds an interesting visual texture to the product. This container includes an anchor that also allows for the wire to be wrapped neatly, instead of leaving it loose and tangled.

These features set the Nip steamer apart from similar products, but not so much that it alienates potential users. The shape is easily recognizable as a clothing iron or steamer, which is precisely what the designers wanted. The Nip steamer keeps functionality at the front-of-mind: anyone who has ironed clothes before can easily use the product without instructions. In other words, the Nip steamer doesn’t reinvent the wheel with this design, but it makes a few smart tweaks.

Designer: Kim Jaehee from Designer dot

Nip-Steamer_KIM-JAEHEE_clothes-iron

A side table and a projector merge to keep you entertained and your smartphone charged!

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What does your nighttime routine look like? My ideal routine is to sit down, recap my day while jotting down the learning’s on my journal, and planning the day to come in advance – indulging in some TLC. Now while that is ideal, the reality is we sleep off with our phone clutched in one hand, our latest binge-watching series playing as a disturbing lullaby that haunts our dreams! With the pandemic disturbing sleep cycles and routines, and the infinite scrolling syndrome gripping the world, designer Younghyun Kim designed a unique side table that stays by your bed, handles your smartphone for you, and lets you relax with your favorite show before you lean over and switch it off with ease. Meet the smart side table that is staying with modern times – the Projectable!

Projectable, derived by merging a projector+table is a one-stop solution for your relaxing needs, consider it a spa for your phone! The first thing this table does is wirelessly charge your phone through the small gap that slots and holds your phone comfortably. Now depending on your mood, you can let your phone rest or, unwind by watching everything from a kitten video to kinetic sand cutting ASMR videos using the projector – no more squinting at the tiny screen! The fabric mesh-covering visually separates the movable projector-head that provides almost 90 degrees rotation. The tactile buttons on the surface control the projector angle and volume levels while switching it off is as easy as leaning over and turning off your night light. The drawer of the table opens with a light, so you can adjust and organize the wires neatly. The accompanying smartphone app lets you match the audio and screen to fit the space. In addition, you can enjoy various functions such as setting the time and recommending content that suits you.

Available in neutral tones that match any given interior, this table is the perfect accompaniment to your comfy chair or bedside, allowing you to relax totally and providing hands-free entertainment while recharging your phone! I would love to get my hand on multiple Projectables and create cozy, hands-free spots for every member of my home!

Designer: Younghyun Kim of Designer Dot