Tag Archives: metallic

This $10 Metallic Piggy Bank Is Actually Made of Paper

Posted on by

There’s something oddly satisfying about dropping coins into a piggy bank. That little clink sound, the weight gradually building up, the anticipation of finally cracking it open. But let’s be honest, traditional ceramic piggy banks are kind of predictable. So when PLANBUREAU studio decided to reimagine this childhood classic, they went in a direction nobody saw coming: metallic paper.

Here’s the twist. The designers, Dániel Lakos and Míra Majoros, didn’t just wake up one day and think “hey, let’s make a paper pig.” They were working on a project for Red Noses International, an organization that supports clown doctors who work with children in hospitals. The brief was pretty specific: create something that encourages young people to save money and donate, all while keeping the price under 10 EUR with minimal production costs. Not exactly an easy ask.

Designer: PLANBUREAU studio

Most designers would’ve gone the obvious route with plastic or cheap ceramics. But PLANBUREAU had a better idea. Paper. Not flimsy craft paper, mind you, but printed metallic paper that looks like it costs way more than it actually does. It’s one of those “why didn’t anyone think of this before?” moments.

The design process itself is fascinating and honestly pretty modern. They started with ChatGPT, using AI to generate initial concepts. Their first prompt produced a pig that was fine but not quite right. So they asked the AI to make it “more boxy-looking and silver,” then added tweaks like a “cute nose” until they landed on something that felt both contemporary and charming. It’s the kind of iterative design process that shows how technology can actually enhance creativity rather than replace it.

What makes this piggy bank work is its simplicity. It arrives as a flat sheet that you cut and fold yourself. There’s something almost meditative about the assembly process, like adult origami but with a purpose. The metallic finish gives it a modern, almost futuristic vibe that doesn’t scream “kid’s toy.” You could honestly put this on a minimalist desk or shelf and it wouldn’t look out of place. The genius is in the material choice. Paper means easy printing and cutting, which keeps manufacturing costs low. It’s lightweight for shipping. It’s recyclable. And if you’re designing something meant to be eventually destroyed (because let’s face it, that’s how you get the money out), paper actually makes more sense than ceramic shards scattered across your kitchen floor.

There’s also something symbolic about using paper to save money. We’re living in an increasingly cashless society where financial transactions happen with a tap or a click. Physical money feels almost nostalgic. Creating a paper vessel to hold coins becomes this interesting commentary on the materiality of money itself. It’s meta in the best way. For kids especially, this design hits differently. Assembly becomes part of the experience, not just a barrier to use. The act of putting it together creates ownership and investment (pun intended). And when it’s time to donate, breaking open a paper bank feels less destructive than smashing ceramic. There’s no guilt, just satisfaction.

PLANBUREAU studio has carved out a niche making playful, geometric designs, and this piggy bank fits perfectly into their aesthetic. It’s functional but also kind of art. The kind of object that makes you reconsider what everyday items can be. It proves that good design doesn’t require expensive materials or complex manufacturing. Sometimes the best solutions are literally paper-thin. Since we’re constantly looking for ways to make sustainable choices without sacrificing style, this metallic paper piggy bank feels like a small but meaningful answer. It’s affordable, it’s clever, and it makes saving money feel fresh again. Plus, it teaches kids about generosity without being preachy about it. Not bad for something you can fold from a single sheet of paper.

The post This $10 Metallic Piggy Bank Is Actually Made of Paper first appeared on Yanko Design.

10 Best Durable & Stylish Metallic Furniture Designs For Clean Contemporary Living

Posted on by

There’s something about metallic furniture that is completely undeniable. Although metallic furniture wasn’t always considered the ideal fit for residences and homes. The first piece of metal furniture dates back to 1820, and it was a round three-legged table designed by Karl Friedrich Schinkel of Berlin. With time this genre of furniture took over industrial buildings, outdoors/streets, and the kitchens of restaurants. However, it broke through its industrial and utilitarian stereotypes and eventually found a place in interior design by the 1950s. Today metallic furniture can be found in many homes and offices, since it is durable, strong, and functional, and can be finished in multiple ways. And, we’ve collected some excellent metallic furniture designs for you – from a coffee table inspired by the simple shape of a safety pin to a unique shelf that attempts to preserve your work-life balance.

1. Morph Chair

Named the Morph Chair, this metallic furniture piece was designed by Jiung Yun and Minji Kim for some quiet contemplation, since our everyday lives can become quite chaotic and busy. The subtle Morph Chair is designed for those moments where you really just need to take a break and relax for a bit.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is created for moments of peace, allowing you to take a break, and rest on it. The chair serves as a space of calmness, enabling users to organize their chaotic worries and thoughts, taking down their stress a notch or two.

What we like

  • Features an integrated storage section beneath the seat, which can be used to store books and other miscellaneous items

What we dislike

  • Aesthetics can be dull and stark for some people

2. Foundation Bar Stool

The Foundation bar stool is a stunning stool designed by the American brand Bestcase to be a beautiful celebration of the rawness of aluminum, and the simple manufacturing techniques used to construct it. It is part of a collection that was made entirely from aluminum sheet material.

Why is it noteworthy?

The stool is equipped with scaled-up sheets bent through a technique traditionally used to add structure and solidity to thinner materials. This quality showcases aluminum’s structural and decorative traits, displaying how durable and strong it can be.

What we like

  • Celebrates the exceptional material properties of aluminum

What we dislike

  • It is only available in aluminum, no other option in material

3. Camber

Camber is an innovative collection of seats that are created by cutting and bending a single sheet of stainless steel. The design involves making two angular cuts where the folds would happen if you would just bend the two ends to form legs.

Why is it noteworthy?

Camber is simple, almost brutalist in its appearance, but its appeal goes beyond looks, offering a design that isn’t only efficient but also, in some odd way, charming in its own right.

What we like

  • The two angular cuts give the chair and stool some stability
  • Simple, functional, and efficient design

What we dislike

  • Stainless steel is not the most environment-friendly metal

4. Tablecloth Side Table

Designed by Deniz Aktay, the Tablecloth side table is designed to create contrasting images of stability and fluidity. The Tablecloth has only three legs instead of four, which truly makes it stand out. It features a metallic surface which offers it a rather rigid appearance, while the curved edges create an illusion of movement.

Why is it noteworthy?

The shape of the legs is unique as well, they taper sharply to the feet, creating an image of dynamism of even imbalance in our heads. The table is shaped like a tablecloth, but it seems to be in motion rather than rest, truly creating an innovative image in front of our eyes.

What we like

  • Resembles the waves and undulating surfaces of a piece of cloth that looks like it’s falling to the ground

What we dislike

  • It is a conceptual design, so unsure how well it will translate into a tangible product

5. The Tila Chair

Named the Tila Chair, this innovative and unique chair design by Shepherd Studio is made using hundreds of shiny spheres and is intended to be an exploration of density. It features a one-of-a-kind form that instantly grabs attention and makes it a conversation starter.

Why is it noteworthy?

The unique-looking chair is partially inspired by the traditional game of marbles (also called Tila), and truly the chair is built using 210 stainless steel spheres that are supported by a tubular frame.

What we like

  • Has an attractive chrome finish that reflects the chair’s surroundings
  • Creates a visually intriguing interplay of light and shadow

What we dislike

  • The tiny spheres seem tough to clean and maintain

6. Criteria Bookshelf

Named the Criterion bookshelf, this unique metallic shelf is designed to act as a figurative and literal separation between work and rest. The bookshelf merges two different parts of shelves for different parts of the day, serving as an innovative and super functional furniture design.

Why is it noteworthy?

One shelf is a typical shelf that stores books, stationery, and desk accessories, while the opposite end has limited space, as well as lighting that will be quite useful at night.

What we like

  • It is a multifunctional furniture design
  • Great at helping you maintain a work-life balance

What we dislike

  • It’s a conceptual design, unsure how well it will translate into a physical product
  • The shelf has a quirky form and shape, so it could be difficult to place/fit it in your room

7. Whisk Coffee Table

Named the Whisk Coffee Table, this furniture design by Deniz Aktay is made of an artfully shaped and twisted metal tube which serves as the major body of the design, making it an immediate and major eye-catcher, and conversation starter.

Why is it noteworthy?

The metallic form of the coffee table is simple yet twisted, reminding you of a whisk, which is probably why Aktay named it the same. If you look closely at it, it also looks like a contorted safety pin!

What we like

  • Built of interesting geometric elements that perfectly complement each other
  • Fine specimen of sharp form and metallic excellence

What we dislike

  • The actual product could differ after manufacturing since currently, it is only a concept

8. Non-Square

Called Non-Square, this metallic furniture piece has a minimal and stainless steel aesthetic, which makes it look like an ordinary side table dressed up as a cube. As you look closely at the side table, you realize it has a deeper purpose.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed by Hyunjun Yu, Soojin Jung, and Kyoungseo Paek, the Non-Square is a conceptual furniture design which perfectly merges side tables and stools in the form of a stainless steel hexahedron structure.

What we like

  • Hidden storage compartments
  • Modular design

What we dislike

  • Bulky & space-consuming design

9. Strap Furniture Collection

Named the Strap furniture collection, this outdoor furniture collection is inspired by the 1970s poolside furniture. Called the Strap furniture collection, it involves 11 seating designs such as benches, stools, armchairs, loungers, and stackable chairs. They bring the 1970s charm to your backyard.

Why is it noteworthy?

The metallic chairs are made from aluminum straps, which seem to be quite tightly wound around simple tubular frames. The furniture pieces draw inspiration from the designer’s childhood memories of sun loungers around the local pool.

What we like

  • Takes you on a trip down memory lane, evoking childhood nostalgia
  • Not only limited to your backyard, can be used even in university campuses, shopping districts, and other urban spaces

What we dislike

  • The aesthetics  definitely need some work and innovation, as they are a bit dry and boring

10. 4-AL Stool

Designed by Vienna-based Paul Matteo Wesser, the 4-AL stool is designed to be a fine specimen of eco-friendly furniture. Not only does it showcase eco-friendly practices, but it also redefines how we perceive and utilize repurposed materials. It shows us how sustainable furniture can be made from repurposed elements.

Why is it noteworthy?

Wesser repurposed metal balcony cladding elements and converted them into the stool’s main structure. An aluminum profile was selected for the frame, which showcases a devotion to stability durability, and water resistance.

What we like

  • Inspired by coastal architecture
  • Showcases the potential of repurposed elements in modern design

What we dislike

  • It is currently only a prototype, not a final product

The post 10 Best Durable & Stylish Metallic Furniture Designs For Clean Contemporary Living first appeared on Yanko Design.