LAYER Design and Deutsche Telekom unveil the future of communication devices

As a huge fan of science fiction content, from books to movies to TV shows, I am excited to see which things from what I’ve read and seen will come true one of these days. And with the advances in technology, a lot of them are not far-fetched ideas anymore. There are some things that may be scary or at least creepy but it’s still pretty interesting to see what we’ll see next which we thought were just works of science fiction before.

Designer: Layer Design for Deutsche Telekom

German telecommunications company Deutsche Telekom recently unveiled the Concept T project which is a collection of advanced technology and gadget concepts that will show consumers what may be the future of communications. Concept View is a home hub with a twist: it has a 3D holographic AI-equipped virtual assistant called Emma to guide you through things like video calls and other digital world activities. It looks like a cross between a crystal ball and the Palantirs from Lord of the Rings but instead of showing you what the future holds, it will show you the future of technology.

A Wi-Fi router isn’t the sexiest gadget out there but Concept Level definitely makes it more interesting. It is a re-configurable router that is made up of different interchangeable, modular elements. The set includes a display unit, Wi-Fi sensing element, mesh repeater, and computational module for Web 3 use cases. The elements are designed using different geometric forms so it looks like you have interesting mini sculptures rather than an actual router.

Concept Buddy is your own personal robot at home, similar to the ones you see in malls and airports. It’s an AI-based digital assistant companion that is able to communicate through the “emotion and information display”. It is able to give reminders like taking medication and household chores and can also assist in calls, online shopping, and other tasks you may need assistance. It can even warn you of potential hazards and contact emergency services if needed. It is able to adapt to your routine and will only “come alive” when it is engaged with.

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These Eco-Friendly Dog Accessories are good for your pooch and the planet too!

Canadian dog brand Earth Rated has embarked on a transformative journey, collaborating with design agency Layer to redefine its identity and expand its product line. The result is a clean and simple rebrand that not only emphasizes recycling and natural products but also introduces a captivating range of sustainable dog toys. This extensive two-year project represents a commitment to holistic design, integrating sustainability into every aspect of the brand.

Designers: Earth RatedLayer Design (Benjamin Hubert)

At the heart of the rebrand is a simple yet effective brandmark that captures the playful essence of Earth Rated. The brand name, expressed in a minimalistic sans-serif font, features a characterful dog silhouette cleverly integrated into the negative space of the “T” and “H” letterforms. This subtle representation of a dog marks an evolution from the more overt cartoon canine mascot associated with Earth Rated’s origins, reflecting a sophisticated and modern approach.

The new identity is defined by fresh greens and vibrant yellow accents, creating a distinctive and ownable signature. The choice of yellow holds significance beyond aesthetics, as it is one of the few colors visible to dogs, aligning with the brand’s focus on creating products that resonate with our furry companions.

Earth Rated proudly holds B Corp Certification, reflecting its commitment to social and environmental impact. The rebrand by Layer reinforces these sustainable values, with new products crafted from recycled and recyclable materials, post-consumer waste, and natural resources such as natural rubber. Even the packaging is designed with eco-friendliness in mind, utilizing recycled plastics, post-consumer waste, recycled cardboard, and natural ink.

Affordability is a key aspect of the rebrand, making great design accessible to a wide range of dog owners. For instance, the poop bag dispenser retails for just $5.99, while a pack of 315 scented or unscented poop bags is priced at $18.99.

Earth Rated is renowned globally for its distinctive poop bags and dispensers, both of which have been reimagined by Layer. The new poop bag dispenser features an intuitive design with a clip to hold used bags, a textured strap for easy attachment to a leash or bag, and a slot for easy access to the bags. The bags, available in compostable, lavender-scented, and unscented versions, not only offer practicality but also serve as a subtle billboard for the Earth Rated brand as they unroll.

Layer’s influence extends to a new collection of dog toys that celebrates the sustainable values driving Earth Rated. Joyful geometric forms and textured surfaces invite interaction, creating an intuitive user experience for both pets and their owners. The material palette includes recycled and recyclable materials, compostable and post-consumer recycled plastics, and natural rubber. Dishwasher-safe for easy cleaning, these toys are designed to be recycled at the end of their life.

The five toys in the collection—Fly, Tug, Fetch, Treat, and Chew—reimagine classic typologies for added functionality. Each toy offers a unique interaction, from the Fly Toy’s raised rim for easy gripping to the Chew Toy’s twisted form that enables dogs to hold it effectively. The Fetch Toy, with its intersecting forms, adds an element of unpredictability to playtime, keeping both pets and owners engaged.

Designer Benjamin Hubert, leading the Layer team, expressed excitement about collaborating with Earth Rated, emphasizing the project’s rewarding nature. The results, he states, celebrate shared values of responsible, sustainable, and affordable design, marking a significant step in the evolution of Earth Rated and setting a new standard for the pet industry.

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LAYER designs fabric-woven MIRA short throw projector for XGIMI to reform viewing experience

There is something undeniably captivating about indulging in a cinematic experience at home. So, when binge-watching shows and movies has become a cherished pastime in the living room, the desire for large screens has reached an all-time high. But installing a massive 85-inch television in the space can pose quite a few challenges: from the daunting installation process to its imposing cost.

Proposing a solution in the form of a short throw project, LAYER Design and Xgimi have joined forces to release MIRA that inspires with its idea and design. The short throw projector is designed by Benjamin Hubert and his team at LAYER to conjure up a stunning 100-inch display that will transpire your binge-watching night out into a cinematic experience.

Designer: XGIMI

To that accord, MIRA is not your typical projector. Its design is a symphony of elegance and warmth, and unobtrusiveness. Though it’s a projector at heart, MIRA is more than just that: it is a three-in-one wonder, combining projection, audio, and smart TV functionalities into a single, harmonious package.

MIRA is attractively created in a fabric-wrapped body. It’s a refreshing departure from the often stark and uninspiring look of most home entertainment devices. With soft curves and a sophisticated neutral color palette, MIRA becomes a piece of art that seamlessly integrates into your living space.

For performance and quality, MIRA features built-in proximity sensors, which enable the projector to interact with your movements throughout the room. This is made possible through the parallax effect, a visual phenomenon that changes the perspective of an image based on the viewer’s point of view. It’s like having the display respond to your presence, adding a touch of magic to your viewing experience.

MIRA’s exceptional image quality is handled by DualLight and Eagle-Eye optics that ensure every frame on the 100-inch canvas is vivid, sharp, and true to life, no matter the lighting conditions in your room. The short throw projector boasts a 2.1-channel speaker system from Harman Kardon. With speakers emitting audio directly to the left and right sides of the room using a super-sized subwoofer, MIRA envelops you in a 3D surround-sound experience that elevates your viewing to a whole new level of audiovisual delight.

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LAYER introduces a collection of eco-friendly chairs and stools made from recycled PET bottles

London-based design firm LAYER designed the ‘Vale’ collection for US furniture brand KFI Studios. The Vale collection is a range of eco-friendly chairs and stool created from recycled PET bottles, and are a protest against the plastic waste that is drowning Earth’s oceans and landfills at an alarming rate. The Vale collection is LAYER and KFI Studio’s eco-friendly solution to this ever-growing issue of plastic waste. In a day and age, where almost 9 million tons of furniture are found in landfills, the Vale collection is a refreshing change and a fine specimen of sustainable furniture.

Designer: LAYER and KFI Studios

The elegant-looking chairs and stools feature shells and seats built from a tactile felt material. The tactile material is manufactured from recycled PET bottles, and it is eco-friendly and quite sturdy, durable, and easy to maintain. The PET bottles are carefully and consciously spun into the non-woven felt, then heat-pressed into the desired shape, creating a soft and impact-resistant material. The felt shells and seats are intricately combined together with the steel frame using simple bolts, to make them super easy to remove if need be. This allows users to recycle the chairs and stools once their life cycle ends.

Besides their eco-friendly nature, the chairs and stools are also quite aesthetically pleasing to the eye. They are inspired by the beauty of nature and the timeless curves of a valley. The curved form of the furniture provides maximum comfort to the user, as well as an impressive visual impact. The artful wrapping of the shell around the steel frames brings to mind the image of rolling hills and valleys. The entire collection has a quaint minimal appeal, which lends it a timeless aesthetic, that will endure the passage of time and the varying seasonal trends.

“The Vale collection is a study in restraint – in materials, form, and design language – that echoes the restraint required to live responsibly in today’s world. In doing so, it celebrates the mindful approach of Layer as a design studio,” says Benjamin Hubert of Layer. The Vale series includes a chair, an armchair, a lounge chair, high and low stools, and an ottoman.

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LAYER Design X Samsung’s 10,000mAh power bank explores maximum power in a minimal form

With its ambient, minimalist design that takes cues from nature, the Samsung Battery Pack sits perfectly on your work desk, blending in but standing out as a power bank with a uniquely different aesthetic. Designed in collaboration with LAYER Design, the battery pack boasts an organic shape that exudes a natural essence. Its pebble-like appearance is enveloped in a speckled plastic material that feels soft to the touch, adding a human touch to the device. The rounded shape gets sliced flat at one end, creating a surface for the charging ports. This asymmetrical design fits snugly in the hand, providing an enhanced and ergonomic user experience.

Designers: LAYER X Samsung

To reinforce the Samsung Battery Pack’s stone-like design, it comes with a beige, speckled plastic outer housing that has a smooth, matte finish reminiscent of a pebble or polished stone. The battery pack feels great in the hand, thanks to its curved surfaces (like an exaggerated version of Samsung’s own phones which come with rounded edges). The flat surface on the bottom allows the power bank to stand vertically when not in use (although don’t expect it to be stable), and an engraved “10” on the battery pack’s surface lets users quickly identify that the battery pack has a capacity of 10,000 mAh.

The Samsung Battery Pack with a capacity of 10,000 mAh and 25W power output is a high-performance device that offers speedy charging on the go. Equipped with Super Fast Charging technology, it can instantly boost the power of your devices and recharge just as quickly. The Battery Pack is designed with dual-port charging capability, allowing you to charge multiple devices simultaneously, such as your phone and earbuds, for added convenience and less hassle.

“We are proud to have partnered with Samsung since the very beginnings of LAYER. The new Battery Pack is a small part of a larger collaboration, and it is exciting to release the first of many products we are working on,” says Benjamin Hubert, founder of LAYER. “The Samsung Battery Pack is accessible, functional, and simple yet instantly identifiable and memorable, bringing a little bit of joy to the everyday.” The Samsung Battery Pack starts at $34.99 and is available globally in select outlets.

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LAYER Breeze coffee machine presents a softer way to start your day

Kitchen appliances have gotten more sophisticated and more advanced these days, yet their design language has remained mostly the same. Although they definitely look elegant and refined, most kitchen equipment, from refrigerators to ovens, often have sharp edges, shiny metallic surfaces, and an almost cold demeanor. There are exceptions, of course, but this design DNA seems to be the most prevalent, even for smaller appliances like toasters and coffee machines. That, in turn, dictates the overall aesthetic of the kitchen, at least if the appliances’ style doesn’t clash with the theme you already have going. That doesn’t always have to be the case, and this capsule-based coffee machine challenges those established traditions to bring a device that greets you with a calming and somber ambiance that helps ease you into the day.

Designer: Benjamin Hubert (LAYER Design)

A lot of people depend on coffee to get their day started or even get through the rest of the day. While businesses like Starbucks can be found almost everywhere, many households today would have their own coffee machine, whether using beans or capsules. Despite the popularity of these appliances, few owners probably notice how their designs affect how people see and approach them, which is to say they see coffee machines are veritable machines that are elegant yet clinical rather than something approachable and personal.

Breeze, designed for the South Korean coffee brand Dongsuh, tries to change that attitude by drastically changing the appearance of a capsule coffee machine. This comparatively newer breed of coffee makers often have more stylish and less industrial designs, but they still can’t get rid of that shiny metallic luster common to kitchen appliances and tools. In contrast, Breeze applies a refreshing and softer color palette, favoring pastel variants of white, charcoal, and pink to convey a gentler personality.

The shapes are also distinctly different. While the modular blocks are admittedly more geometric, their rounded corners add to the overall softer aesthetic of the machine. A ridged surface wraps around the base, contrasting with the smoother texture of the head. Another point of contrast is the tall water tank at the back, a transparent container that projects an image of clarity that, when taken together with the more subdued hues of the machine, seems to send a message of calm.

Beyond just the visuals, the design also includes a more tactile interface to operate the machine, using clearly marked LED-backlit buttons at the top of the head. Made from simple shapes and with a simple way of operating, Breeze gives the coffee machine a gentle and almost comforting identity, which is probably the kind of character you’d want to meet when you get your coffee first thing in the morning or in the middle of a tiring day.

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LAYER Design’s pocketable wallet for your NFTs is the next big thing in digital assets

LAYER Design has shown the desire to be on the cusp of technologies that facilitate, and go hand in hand with cultural shifts. Now the United Kingdom-based design agency has ventured into the domain of digital currency and assets with a gadget for the geekiest of them all.

They’ve collaborated with designer Tony Fadell (Former Apple executive and cocreator iPod and iPhone) and technology brand Ledger to create a credit card-sized device to store, access and send all your cryptocurrencies and NFTs.

Designer: LAYER Design

Click Here to Buy Now!

Dubbed Ledger Stax, the crypto wallet for your intangible assets (such as secure codes, digital money and non-tangible art) is now almost two years in the making. The idea is to make it highly intuitive and easy to use with the ability to manage more than 5,500 crypto assets like coins and non-fungible tokens. As Benjamin Hubert, LAYER founder, rightly put it, “We strongly believe in a future of secure and private financial sovereignty where crypto becomes the norm.”

This pocket-friendly gadget employs an e-ink display with a wraparound touchscreen that encapsulates the front and the spine. We already know how energy-efficient e-ink displays are so we can expect a battery life of weeks or even months given one will not use it as often as a mobile device. Keeping things minimal, there is only a single button to power on or off the device, and also the body is crafted out of aluminum and has ample space to stack multiple devices courtesy of the magnetic function. The architecture used here is the same as the Nano series wallets designed by Ledger.

Ledger Stax will be mostly used for text-based things with the odd requirement to edit NFTs or use them as a lockscreen screensaver. The latter will be done in grayscale (remember it has an e-ink display) which actually looks cool. Users can also stack multiple Ledger Stax devices to keep the digital portfolio organized, and each one of them can be identified by the labeling on the spine. The Web3 apps can be explored with the accompanying app for popular platforms that can be connected to a smartphone too.

Overall, the gadget is very easy to carry with a very reassuring feel in hand thanks to the soft edges for a firm grip. The project seems progressive so far and is expected to ship by the end of March 2023. The price has been set at $299 for now and can be pre-ordered right away.

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Layer Design reveals the ultimate Pendler e-bike with modular accessories and high practicality quotient

Electric bike startups are popping up more frequently than ever – pitching economic means of transport without harming the environment. The London-based creative agency Layer Design has impressed us at Yanko Design with their creations, and their latest two-wheeler conceptual urban e-bike is no different.

The electric bicycle is built to be safer on the roads, ideal of modern lifestyle and better in performance than other options on the market. Christened the Pendler bike, it gets the name from Danish word pendling (meaning commuting), and is a nod to the country’s deep cycling culture.

Designer: Layer Design

The idea of this concept is centered on the U-shaped frame which is basically a thick structural element. This lends the two-wheeler an identifiable silhouette for on-off urban riding needs. Aesthetics and feasible performance of the Pendler are given much attention which is important for a design to materialize for mass production.

45Nm electric motor on the e-bike is concealed well within the frame and the detachable timber accessories add a dimension of practical usefulness to the e-bike. Layer Design has been mindful enough to bring built-in solutions to problems cyclists come across. Things such as bike storage or communication with surrounding traffic. According to Benjamin Hubert the creation solves a number of predicaments of daily city commute while keeping the tech driven positioning and aesthetics intact.

Pendler folds down flat for easy storage since handlebar rotates 90 degrees to align with the main frame and the pedals fold down flat. The wheels have been kept down to 20-inches to keep up the compact theme – good enough to carry on a public transport too. Modularity comes in the form of detachable and modular baskets on the front and rear. This gives rider the flexibility to add or remove these add-ons as per need.

The communication aspect is taken care of by the phone dock for navigation, height adjustable saddle and indicator lights on the handlebar. This way the rider doesn’t have to put his/her hand out to alarm other motorists. Pendler is powered by a swappable 25Wh battery that churns out 70 km range on single charge and top speed of 25 km/h.

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LAYER Design’s O6 chair is a cozy, minimalist task-chair for your everyday WFH needs

Named after the O-shaped backrest that gives the chair its distinct lightweight design, the O6 is the result of a 2-year collaboration between Benjamin Hubert’s LAYER Design and Allsteel.

The chair’s name also pays a hat-tip to the six key interactions that enable the user to configure the O6 for ultimate comfort. These
adjustability controls include the vertical movement of its armrests; multi-directional movement of the arm pads;
the vertical and horizontal movement of the seat; the tilting backrest; and the adjustable lumbar support. “The controls
are streamlined and intuitive, enabling ergonomic comfort without visual complication”, says LAYER Design in their press release.

Designer: LAYER Design for Allsteel

The O6, like a lot of LAYER’s past work, relies on balanced forms, curved edges, and soft forms that create a visually comforting experience that in the case of the O6 also extends to the actual experience of sitting on the chair too. Designed to blend into your muted office setup (rather than act as a vibrant statement piece), the chair sports a greyscale color palette and comes in 4 color options for the frame going from a light neutral grey all the way to black. Users can further customize the chair’s design by choosing from as many as 22 different colors of Spectrum mesh for the back and seat and six 4-Way Stretch mesh back colors.

“Task chairs typically have a highly technical expression that reflects their focus on functionality,” says Benjamin Hubert, Founder of LAYER. “Our collaboration with Allsteel was about finding a way to reduce that technical expression to enhance the sense of visual comfort and create a simple appearance.” This simplicity also elegantly conceals the chair’s 6 functions that elevate the user’s comfort. The idea for the O6 was to create a design that embodies the aspect of easy and comfortable productivity, rather than taking on a highly technical design that looks like an engineer’s sketch with hardly any ergonomic considerations.

The O6 Task Chair was launched this week at NeoCon 2022, and is now available on the Allsteel website, starting at $1039 for the high-back task chair with 4D adjustable arms.

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LAYER x Deutsche Telekom show how to hide tech in stylish home decor

Homes are getting more and more connected these days, mostly thanks to the new breed of Internet-connected devices scattered across the property. Many of these try to disguise themselves as part of your room’s interior design, like smart speakers that try to grab our visual and aural attention, but most of these devices are unapologetic in looking the part of a technical object. That doesn’t have to be the case, of course, and there are many ways to better integrate these devices into what look like everyday household objects and accessories. That’s exactly the proposal that Deutsche Telekom Design is making through LAYER, making interior design an integral part of the product’s design rather than an afterthought.

Designer: Benjamin Hubert (LAYER Design)

It’s not that difficult to spot devices and “smart appliances” inside a room. Even the smart speakers that try to be stylish and eye-catching don’t always blend well with their surroundings. And then there are devices that don’t even try to hide their presence and advertise their true nature. Routers and network meshes are the biggest culprits here, looking like alien structures inside an otherwise cozy abode, but set-top boxes and wireless speakers are sometimes just as bad.

This visual and design inconsistency is no small matter when it comes to creating a conducive atmosphere for your home. There are psychological consequences to visual clutter as well as the nagging feeling of not everything matching your desired aesthetics. Fortunately, that doesn’t have to be the case, especially with today’s technologies, materials, and manufacturing processes. That’s the kind of smart home that Deutsche Telekom is trying to present with this “eclectic family” of connected devices that look more like decor than tech products.

At the very top of that list is the router, which actually looks more like a desk mirror. In fact, it does function as one when the router’s display isn’t active. Even then, it only displays text rather than icons and images, making it a very minimalist piece of tech equipment. Joining it is a mesh repeater that masquerades as an upright wooden bowl decoration. They might even resemble some smart thermostats when hung on a wall, except without extraneous details and interfaces.

The set-top box/speaker does have telltale signs of an audio device, mostly due to the typical fabric-like surface that marks almost all speakers. Its minimalist design and text-based display, however, still make it a good candidate for interior design accessories. An interesting part of the product, however, is an accompanying webcam that’s no bigger than a can of tuna. There’s also a more typical set-top box that isn’t shaped like a box at all. Instead, it looks like a ceramic bowl that would be carefully put on display in the living room.

In addition to the designs themselves, this Home Harmony connectivity concept also tries to steer the ship towards more sustainable shores. Electronics are often made using plastics and unfriendly substances, but the use of wood, ceramic, and alternative materials will help make these objects not only blend in visually but also become a better part of people’s lives at home.

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