Desk accessories concepts help reduce risk of sitting at the desk the whole day

As someone who spends almost the entire working day (and sometimes beyond) at a desk and in front of the computer, you can say that I face a lot of issues when it comes to my posture, my eyesight, and my muscles. I’ve tried several ergonomic products and also exercises to help me take a break from my regular work and literal position but I’m still having some regular problems from being a desk potato. I know that there are a lot of risks that will eventually (and some have already) make an appearance in my health journey so products that can help alleviate the strain on my body are always welcome.

Designers: Haneul Kang, Dohui Kim, Dagyeong Kim, Jeongyoon Kim, Yunseo Jung

A group of designers have come up with concepts for a series of products that can help with this problem. The collection is appropriately called DESKRISK as we all know that even if we are sitting seemingly safely at our desks, we’re still exhibiting risky behavior that will eventually need some sort of intervention. The first product is a desk clock that will remind us to take a break from staring at our screens to take better care of our eyes. The screen will blur after some time which resembles the dry eyes we experience a lot of times. After you’ve rested for a few minutes, you can move the button on the clock sideways to wipe away the blur and start the countdown all over again.

The next product is for those who need help with their posture while sitting at the desk for a long time. Well this is for if you’re using a lamp light source at your desk. The lamp has a light that will gradually move downwards from the angle you set after an hour. This way you are reminded to move along with the light source so that we’re not just bowing down towards our screens. There’s a gauge next to the lamp that also helps you track how much time has elapsed. You can also adjust and reset the angle by moving this gauge bar.

The last one may probably be the most useless for me, at least from what I understand from their product description. It’s a magazine rack that will supposedly resemble carpel tunnel syndrome or at least the overstretched wrist ligaments that come from having the same position at your keyboard for a long period of time. The sagging fabric will lengthen according to the size or weight of the books or magazines inserted. How this will help me with my wrist problem is unsure at this point. But aside from that, the other Deskrisk products are pretty useful for people like me who are at risk with the nature of our work.

The post Desk accessories concepts help reduce risk of sitting at the desk the whole day first appeared on Yanko Design.

Futuristic ring lamp uses a levitating metal ball to control it

Most of the lamps we have on desks and shelves take on a mostly vertical form to save space. If that isn’t an issue, however, then there’s ample opportunity for more memorable and mind-blowing designs. This ring lamp, for example, looks like a Dyson-esque product that turns the hollow space inside a circle into something like an art form. That, however, isn’t its main feature, which is a unique design that eschews almost all kinds of traditional physical controls and instead employs a seemingly magical levitating orb that not only adds an air of mystery to the product but also brings a more satisfying form of interaction every time you push down that ball to control the lamp.

Designer: Inovaxion

Levitating spheres are, of course, nothing new, and truth be told, they can be unreliable once the magnetism starts to weaken or, worse, wear off. It is still a source of fascination and the simple technology has been used to great effect in producing designs like a levitating Death Star, the Moon, or even a 360-degree speaker. The Levitos Ring Lamp isn’t as complicated as those, however, but it is able to utilize that gimmick in a more practical yet still delightful manner.

As a ring lamp, Levitos isn’t exactly that remarkable. In fact, some might feel that it’s rather limited since it only has two modes. One gives a soft yet steady white glow, while the other mode slowly cycles through different colors. The ring itself is pretty bare, connected to a similarly simple circular base, and its light is bright yet just as plain. In fact, the design is so simple that you won’t find any button, switch, or dial, and the only way you can control it is through its biggest trick.

The Assembly comes with a small metal orb that you carefully place in the middle of that base using a specially designed cork disc. Once properly oriented, you simply lift the cork and behold the metal sphere hovering and spinning in place. To turn the lamp on, you push the ball down lightly. Another light push switches the lamp to the multicolor cycling mode. Another tap switches the mode again, so you have to double-tap the ball to turn it off.

1

The ring lamp comes with a much larger metal ball as an alternative, one that mimics the appearance of the moon. It has the exact same function but gives the lamp a different flavor, especially when the light bounces off the small moon. The design is admittedly gimmicky and probably not that reliable in the long run, as there will be no easy way to control the lamp when the magnet starts to fail, but it’s definitely fun and mesmerizing while it lasts.

The post Futuristic ring lamp uses a levitating metal ball to control it first appeared on Yanko Design.

Futuristic ring lamp uses a levitating metal ball to control it

Most of the lamps we have on desks and shelves take on a mostly vertical form to save space. If that isn’t an issue, however, then there’s ample opportunity for more memorable and mind-blowing designs. This ring lamp, for example, looks like a Dyson-esque product that turns the hollow space inside a circle into something like an art form. That, however, isn’t its main feature, which is a unique design that eschews almost all kinds of traditional physical controls and instead employs a seemingly magical levitating orb that not only adds an air of mystery to the product but also brings a more satisfying form of interaction every time you push down that ball to control the lamp.

Designer: Inovaxion

Levitating spheres are, of course, nothing new, and truth be told, they can be unreliable once the magnetism starts to weaken or, worse, wear off. It is still a source of fascination and the simple technology has been used to great effect in producing designs like a levitating Death Star, the Moon, or even a 360-degree speaker. The Levitos Ring Lamp isn’t as complicated as those, however, but it is able to utilize that gimmick in a more practical yet still delightful manner.

As a ring lamp, Levitos isn’t exactly that remarkable. In fact, some might feel that it’s rather limited since it only has two modes. One gives a soft yet steady white glow, while the other mode slowly cycles through different colors. The ring itself is pretty bare, connected to a similarly simple circular base, and its light is bright yet just as plain. In fact, the design is so simple that you won’t find any button, switch, or dial, and the only way you can control it is through its biggest trick.

The Assembly comes with a small metal orb that you carefully place in the middle of that base using a specially designed cork disc. Once properly oriented, you simply lift the cork and behold the metal sphere hovering and spinning in place. To turn the lamp on, you push the ball down lightly. Another light push switches the lamp to the multicolor cycling mode. Another tap switches the mode again, so you have to double-tap the ball to turn it off.

1

The ring lamp comes with a much larger metal ball as an alternative, one that mimics the appearance of the moon. It has the exact same function but gives the lamp a different flavor, especially when the light bounces off the small moon. The design is admittedly gimmicky and probably not that reliable in the long run, as there will be no easy way to control the lamp when the magnet starts to fail, but it’s definitely fun and mesmerizing while it lasts.

The post Futuristic ring lamp uses a levitating metal ball to control it first appeared on Yanko Design.

Bubble-inspired pendant lamp can hang horizontally or vertically as desired

Lamps these days come in all shapes and sizes, especially ones that are designed to elicit certain positive responses through their aesthetic. That said, most of these lamps are also designed to be used in a single manner only, especially if they’re mounted on walls or hung from ceilings. That’s why it’s interesting to come across lamp designs that offer a bit more flexibility, even if it’s just in the way they’re made to hang from ceilings. This concept, for example, tries to add a bit of whimsical fun to a room’s atmosphere by calling to mind the ethereal beauty and joy that floating bubbles bring to the air.

Designer: Begüm Kılınç

There are lamps that try to literally imitate the appearance of bubbles, and while they might be things of beauty, these chandeliers aren’t always the most practical lighting solutions. Just as bubbles convey characteristics of fragility, this kind of lamp is, more often than not, used for more delicate and posh settings. They are beautiful, yes, but they also don’t bring the kind of flexibility and fun that this lamp concept proposes.

The Bubbles pendant lamp design looks more like a toy than a luxurious crystal-clear chandelier. Bubbles, after all, tend to bring out the inner child of anyone who sees or plays around with them. The pastel colors represent some of the hues reflected off the surfaces of bubbles, though toned down a bit to be a bit more discreet with some interior designs. The cylindrical body and rounded ends are akin to bubbles that, despite normally spherical, would sometimes join with other bubbles to form a longer mass.

And just like how bubbles can float vertically or horizontally depending on how the wind blows, these lamps can hang either way as well. When it is held up by two cords, it can hang horizontally as you would expect from such a long lamp. However, it can also hang from a single cord to hang vertically, giving it a more striking presence, especially if the lamp is now at eye level. Interestingly, the clear ends of the lamp have spherical “stoppers” that let you adjust how those cords behave.

Such a simple difference can have a profound effect on the ambiance of a room. Imagine multiple Bubble lamps hanging vertically, creating an almost magical atmosphere with their collective lighting. It’s definitely not a ground-breaking feature, and there might be practical and safety issues with such a design. It’s still an interesting experiment that tries to take inspiration from the ordinary things in life that bring us joy and translate that into a product design that does the same.

The post Bubble-inspired pendant lamp can hang horizontally or vertically as desired first appeared on Yanko Design.

Gramophone lamp adds a retro and minimalist lighting aesthetic to your space

Vinyl players and vinyls in general used to be such a hipster thing to have or it was just for serious musicphiles. But now, more and more people are actually getting them for their homes whether as something to actually play or even just as part of a certain aesthetic they’re going for. In fact, it’s not just exclusive for playing music but these gramophones are used as decorations and materials for other accessories.

Designer: Artyom Alimpjvev

The Gramophone Lamp is one such home decoration that uses vinyls as material for this lighting accessory, going for a retro and minimalist aesthetic. The curved base actually looks like the stand for an Apple monitor and it supports a single aluminum stand that slopes at the back and then with the vinyl as the main light source. The trackpad-like surface is where the controls are found, whether to switch the ambient lighting on and off or to increase or reduce the brightness.

The polycarbonate diffuser disk is the “star” of the show as it magnifies the lighting with its almost translucent quality. The lamp has a 4000 mAh lithium ion rechargeable battery so you can use it up to 24 hours (at maximum brightness) even when it’s not plugged in. The light temperature is set at 3500K in a warm white color.

The designer says that this is not meant to be a desk lamp but is really more for atmospheric and aesthetic purposes. The entire thing is actually handcrafted with the singular aluminum stand and there are only 100 units created so if you’re thinking of getting one, you should already place your order on Alimpjev’s website before they all run out and if you have around $170.

The post Gramophone lamp adds a retro and minimalist lighting aesthetic to your space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Snøhetta Creates An Innovative & Compostable Light Made From Hemp

Acclaimed Norwegian studio Snøhetta collaborated with lighting brand Ateljé Lyktan to design the Superdupertube – an innovative office lamp made using extruded hemp and sugarcane bioplastic. The hemp-based lighting is a contemporary update of Ateljé Lyktan’s Supertube which is an office light from the 1970s. It was made from extruded aluminum.

Designer: Snøhetta & Ateljé Lyktan

“[The Supertube] had finished production in 2010 or something like that, so it was iconic but sort of forgotten,” said Snøhetta partner Jenny B Osuldsen. “And it’s a tube. It’s not rocket science but it is what you need for a smart lamp in an office.” “We really loved it and think it has a lot of possibilities, so we wanted to upgrade it to a new level,” she added. The lighting design is made from hemp, and it can be industrially composed.

The extrusion technique used to create the original Supertube was developed in the 1960s, and both brands wanted to produce a lamp that was inspired by and pays tribute to the original design. But, at the same time, they wanted to lower the carbon footprint of the lamp and picked the most sustainable material they could find, which is hemp – a material known for being renewable and durable. They experimented with different materials, before finally picking hemp bioplastic to build Snøhetta’s first office lighting design.

Snøhetta and Ateljé Lyktan sourced the hemp used for the lights from the Netherlands, as the quality of the hemp from Swedish farmers “wasn’t quite there yet”, according to Gadd. The hemp used for the lighting design was sourced from the Netherlands, as they believed the quality of hemp from the Swedish farmers “wasn’t quite there yet”, according to Gadd. The hemp is then mixed with polylactic acid bioplastic which is derived from sugarcane, wood cellulose, and other minerals to form a fossil and gas-free composite. This material is then extruded to form the main body of the lamp, which also includes injection-molded louvers and side covers. The electric cables are covered in linen fabric. The lamp can also be composted in an industrial composter, or even recycled and transformed into pellets to build more lamps.

The post Snøhetta Creates An Innovative & Compostable Light Made From Hemp first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Portable Lighting Designs To Provide Illumination Wherever You Go

Gone are the days when lighting designs were boring and typically designed objects that did nothing but add light to a living space. A well-designed lighting fixture should not only have the ability to illuminate any living space but also add that extra oomph factor! I mean, of course, we need them to see in the dark, but as highly functional as they should be, a lighting fixture also needs to be aesthetically pleasing, adding an attractive and visually soothing element to your home or office space. And if it manages to be portable – then well it’s everything you could ask for. From a Japanese lantern candle to a collapsible lighting design – these unique lighting designs are what you need to elevate your living or working space!

1. Japanese Lantern Candle

Inspired by a traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern, this Japanese lantern candle features a billowy pillar shape and emits an ambient and ethereal-looking glow. This lantern is a lighting design that can add some peace and calm to your hectic workday and is also easily moveable from one place to another.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

Why is it noteworthy?

The lantern candle is a modern and contemporary take on an iconic Japanese design. It has a minimalist design that is portable, allowing you to carry it with you. It creates a relaxing glow and is a handcrafted piece by artisans in Kurashiki, Japan. It is a prime specimen of accurate and meticulous craftsmanship.

What we like

  • The candle’s wax is non-melting, which provides a beautiful clarity on the candle

What we dislike

  • The lantern can be a fire hazard, so you need to place it carefully around pets and children

2. The Tomori Lantern Kit

The Tomori Lantern Kit is an innovative kit that lets you build your own lantern, and then put it aside once you’re done using it! It doesn’t function as a ready-made lantern, and once it collapses, it doesn’t occupy much space. You can also snugly fit a conventional flashlight inside it!

Click Here to Buy Now: $39

Why is it noteworthy?

A foldable cardboard piece functions as the base of the kit, as a flashlight holder, and as a stable structure for the lamp. The kit features an LED flashlight that you can use when it is not fitted inside the lantern. But the cardboard base can also accommodate any other cylindrical flashlight that is less than 30mm in diameter and 160mm in length.

What we like

  • The whole kit can be folded down into a flat A4-sized package which is ideal for stashing and packing away
  • A fun experience to put together and create your lantern

What we dislike

  • The lantern cannot withstand rain

3. Gingko Smart Diffuser Lamp

Called the Gingko Smart Diffuser Lamp, this quaint-looking lamp has a monolithic form that holds a fragrance diffuser in its upper half, and a well-designed ergonomic lamp in its lower half. The lamp works well for desks, but can also be used as a portable design to be carried anywhere with you.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Gingko Smart Diffuser Lamp is made from a combination of wood, copper, and frosted acrylic glass, providing it with an earthy and warm appearance which is one of the signature features of all Gingko’s products.

What we like

  • A portable and dual-functional device that you can carry with you with ease

What we dislike

  • Some people may not prefer wood as their material of choice for diffusers

4. Harmony Flame Fireplace

Coined the Harmony Flame Fireplace, this stunning brass lamp lets you enjoy a pretty and safe fire indoors. It uses eco-friendly bioethanol to spread light and warmth throughout your home. The technique used to build musical instruments was used to build the fireplace.

Click Here to Buy Now: $239

Why is it noteworthy?

The Harmony Flame Fireplace is created to uplift and enhance the mood of indoor spaces. The reflective surfaces of the fireplaces, and the vivid flames play around with shadows and light to form a decorative piece that is aesthetically appealing for your dining table or your patio!

What we like

  • You can enjoy a warm, pretty, and safe fire inside your home

What we dislike

  • The lamp is powered using bioethanol which is eco-friendly,  but needs to be purchased again for refilling, which in turn creates a fuel dependency
  • The lamp’s fuel capacity and compact size do not support long-term extended use

5. Anywhere-Use Lamp

The Anywhere-Use Lamp is a minimalist portable table lamp that is a relief in a world populated with harsh lighting and big glaring screens. The lamp offers a touch of tranquility and elegance when placed in a living space. It has a mushroom-inspired head emitting a soft and warm ambient glow.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149

Why is it noteworthy?

The lamp is powered by four AA batteries, and it has a modular modular that delivers amazing atmospheric enhancement wherever you decide to place it. The lamp features six high-color rendering LEDS, which radiates a soothing luminescence, transforming any space into an oasis of peace.

What we like

  • Feature 4 brightness level
  • Easy to disassemble, store in a bag, and carry anywhere with you

What we dislike

  • The lamp is not water-resistant
  • It utilizes four AA batteries

6. Madco Table Lamp

Dubbed the Madco Table Lamp, and designed by Italian designer Elisa Ossino for the Japanese brand Ambientec, this lamp is a subtle, minimalist, and delicate recreation of festive Japanese lanterns. They aim to bring Japanese culture to your home in a convenient and portable form.

Why is it noteworthy?

The lamp is designed to be portable, and it can be recharged using a UBC-C. The designer says that you should take the lamp outside, as it is waterproof, and will create a pretty and intriguing interplay with plants. It can be hung from its handle as well!

What we like

  • Features a portable and flexible form
  • Adds a pop of color and Japanese culture to your living space

What we dislike

  • The lamp seems to be a bit fragile and easily breakable, must be handled with care

7. Iyer’s Lamp Design

Designed by Shail Iyer, this sleek lamp design is an experiment on modern minimalism, to create a lighting fixture that is simple yet multifunctional. Iyer tried to present his take on modern minimalism, which entails taking up minimum space while doing maximum work – and this lighting design is the final result.

Why is it noteworthy?

The portable desk lamp looks much like a modern lamp light lantern, and it features a multi-shaped silhouette. The body has a large cylindrical shape, with a sturdy bottom for stability. What makes the lamp interesting is that it can be hung from a hook, or even rested on top of a flat surface.

What we like

  • Compact, easy-to-carry form
  • Multifunctional design that can be hooked or placed on a flat surface

What we dislike

  • It’s a conceptual design, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product

8. Stella

Called Stella, this exquisite-looking lighting design was created as a part of the 2023 New Collection lighting products by COG Design Studio x Bonakia. The ethereal-esque lighting design was built through a mix of multiple techniques – repetition and transforming, and by employing various geometric shapes.

Why is it noteworthy?

It features an interesting triangular intaglio shape and is built using acrylic material. The goal behind the design was to observe the sensibility of light when it is transmitted to a detailed intaglio pattern.

What we like

  • Stella radiates an ambient and seductive glow
  • Portable design that can be placed wherever you like

What we dislike

  • The lamp should be carefully cleaned and maintained, as it looks quite fragile
  • You should move the lamp around with caution, as it could fall and break

9. Z-Lamp

Dubbed the Z-lamp, this innovative lamp has a collapsible feature that makes it easy to carry around. It features a ridged silicone shade that lets the lamp expand or contract, letting you control the lamp’s overall brightness as well. It is equipped with a collapsible silicon clad that sits over the LED base.

Why is it noteworthy?

Once you expand the entire silicone cover, it functions as a large diffuser, that scatters more light in all directions. Once you compact it, the diffuser’s size reduces and dims the LED’s intensity. The lamp is simple, smart, and engaging!

What we like

  • Unique collapsible feature that converts it into an easy-to-carry design

What we dislike

10. Float

Called Float, this cute battery-powered design can create ambient restaurant lighting wherever you like. Designed by the Italian brand Axolight, this lighting design is a versatile product that can be placed on a desk, used as a lamp, or even fixed on a wall.

Why is it noteworthy?

Float has a minimal shape and form, that allows it to easily merge with both indoor and outdoor spaces – whether it is a home or a restaurant patio. You could also place the lighting design over an empty bottle, and create your own pretend-restaurant experience.

What we like

  • Battery lasts for 9 hours, you can use it wirelessly as well
  • Features a 5-step touch dimmer, allowing you to adjust the lighting

What we dislike

  • There seems to be no option for sizing

The post Top 10 Portable Lighting Designs To Provide Illumination Wherever You Go first appeared on Yanko Design.

Gothic Wooden Box Lamp adds a mystical touch to your desk or shelf

Not all lamps are made to shine brightly and quite a number are designed to be more decorative than utilitarian, enhancing a space’s aesthetic while giving a bit of illumination. Some emit a gentle glow that tries to set a certain mood, while others paint a kaleidoscopic display that liven up a room. Some might be luxurious and elegant, while others are fun and whimsical. This DIY project somewhat straddles those two worlds, bringing an unconventional box lamp with gothic-inspired patterns on every face. The end result is a stunning yet subtle light display that seems to bridge the worlds of the magical and the technological right on your very desk.

Designer: Kostiantyn Andriiuk

Programmable RGB lights are quite common these days and they come in different forms, ranging from finished lamps to LED strips you can add to any project. Of course, simply displaying lights is hardly exciting and fails to take advantage of the flexibility that these lights can offer. So why not put these seemingly magical colored lights inside a design that’s exactly meant to convey a sense of mysticism and awe?

This Gothic-inspired lamp does exactly that, not just through the lights alone but from every inch and face of the box. The walnut veneer material, polished with flaxseed oil, gives it a vintage aesthetic as if the lamp was hidden from mortal eyes for decades or even centuries. All but the bottom faces have intricate cutout patterns that not only let the light shine through from the inside but also give it an otherworldly character.

The illusion of the mystical, however, comes from mundane technology. RGB light strips line the insides of the box and can be controlled remotely through software, almost like magic. The box also has hidden touch sensors that allow you to simply tap on a surface to produce the same results, at least for the most basic controls like turning it on or off and adjusting the brightness. With light shining through the extremely thin cutouts of the gothic-inspired patterns, the Box Lamp emits an almost eerie glow that can be appreciated whether outdoors under the sun or, better yet, inside the darkness of your room.

The Gothic Wooden Desk Lamp is something you might be able to create on your own, provided you have the necessary tools available. The hardest part is actually cutting out those complex patterns, which requires a decent laser engraver that can work with thin wooden boards. Fortunately, all that information, as well as the process, is available for free so anyone can design their own magical light box and fancy themselves as a master of the mystical arts.

The post Gothic Wooden Box Lamp adds a mystical touch to your desk or shelf first appeared on Yanko Design.

Stone light sculptures use shadow play to create a more dramatic effect

Lamps are designed to bring light to a space, but that doesn’t mean they need to be dazzling or blinding. In fact, some lamps emit more subdued and diffused illumination to create a specific atmosphere and enhance the ambiance of an area. Some lighting fixtures even go beyond just the light they shine, putting just as much emphasis on the form they come in or, in some cases, the effects they have on the environment around them. This collection of light sculptures, for example, are more pieces of art than just lamps, but the way it casts shadows inside and around it delivers more impact that, in turn, further enhances the effect that the warm light produces.

Designer: Alex and Henri (Frero)

It’s almost too easy to take for granted the effect that shadows have on our surroundings. Given their dark nature, they’re often regarded as “bad” or even “ugly” elements, especially when they do obscure other more important objects in a composition. That said, shadows actually create a more impactful composition, especially when they contrast with light and create interesting forms thanks to the shapes that stand between the light source and the surface the shadows are projected on.

Fuca

Fuca

Suma

Suma

The Tala Asa collection of light sculptures embraces this kind of shadow play, putting equal importance on both light and darkness to generate a more striking overall visual. Just like in art, negative space provides not only breathing room but a canvas for these contrasting elements to draw on, casting shadows inside holes while also shining light through them. The earthen aesthetic of sculptures provides additional contrast to the unearthly glow of the light shining from inside.

Coco

Coco

Anta

Anta

Each of the five sculptures has a story to tell through their different forms. Fuca’s simple frame pays homage to the beauty of square elements you might find around you, while the arching Suma is inspired by the geological wonder that is the Ring of Fire. Two squares on top of each other make Coco represent balance and equilibrium, while the interplay of Anta’s three stripes embodies both unity and individuality. Lastly, Sunda’s more complicated pairing is meant to convey the intricate structures and complex relationships of tectonic plates, cutting a powerful and imposing figure in any space it stands on.

Sunda

Sunda

Regardless of their design or inspiration, all five sculptures draw from the earth in more ways than one. They’re available in natural tone finishes, including bone, sienna, terra, olive, and lava, but they’re also made from reclaimed stone and minerals bound with resin and coated with natural plaster paint. And just like how the sun and the earth create an interesting play of light and shadow, the Tala Asa light sculptures bring that interesting dynamic to a smaller degree in your home, office, or any space that needs just a little bit of natural inspiration to bring it to life.

The post Stone light sculptures use shadow play to create a more dramatic effect first appeared on Yanko Design.

Antiquated tools reinterpreted as delightful everyday products

Humanity has produced no small number of tools and objects over the course of history. Some have evolved to become the tools we use today, while others have almost faded into the background, remembered and illustrated only in history books. While these items of the past may no longer serve a practical purpose today, they could still serve as a stepping stone to inspire the designs of tomorrow. This collection of three everyday products, for example, takes a few pages from the form and even the function of these old objects, creating an atmosphere of wonder and curiosity, while also giving a few visual clues that connect us to our distant past.

Designers: Dami Seo, Dohui Kim, Dong Kyun Kim

1

Fire-lit lamps may have once been the only way that people could see in the dark of night, but these are not only impractical today, they’re also fire hazards. That said, there’s a certain romantic charm to the shapes and curves of these kerosene lamps, an emotion that the DIDIM_Stand Light tries to replicate with modern technology. The tall floor lamp imitates the style of a lamp dangling from a metal bar, but here the lamp is a battery-powered LED lamp that you can remove and use independently of the rest of the structure. The lamp’s two-piece stand and the wavy cantilever are meant to resemble a person holding such a lantern in olden times.

1

A bucket-drawn well is almost an iconic image in many historical or fictional settings that depict periods before an industrial age, and this old contraption has come to symbolize not only life that comes from water but also the routines of life in those ages. Today, we use clocks to mark those routines, and the DIDIM_Alarm Clock combines these two concepts into a miniature well that will hopefully make you feel less annoyed when it wakes you up in the morning. Instead of a basket, the “well” has a bell that rises from within when it’s time to sound the alarm. It isn’t a real bell, however, and has a speaker inside to do the work. Amusingly, you have to hit the bell in order to silence it.

1

A little bit more obscure is the DIDIM_Tray, inspired by old grinding stones that people used to prepare grains and beans for cooking. Instead of grinding things, however, turning the “pestle” handle deploys the fan-shaped trays that have compartments for your phone, your pens, and your earbuds. When you’re done using it and don’t want the circular tray to take up space, simply turn the handle in the opposite direction to transform it into a decorative for your desk or table.

These might be mundane objects you can find in anyone’s home, but giving them a bit of a flavor not only enhances their appearance but also changes the atmosphere around them. And you don’t even have to think hard of designs that will capture your visitors’ attention. By simply looking at our past and appreciating the designs that have come before us, we can already bring a unique visual and tactile experience to these everyday products, while also helping us make a connection with the past.

The post Antiquated tools reinterpreted as delightful everyday products first appeared on Yanko Design.