World’s First E-Ink Smartphone with a QWERTY Keyboard will get your eyes and hands to fall in love

It’s like if the smartphone, Kindle, and Blackberry had a baby… and frankly, it’s gorgeous.

The Minimalist Phone stands at a rather unique junction of two trajectories – one, with smartphones getting more and more advanced, and being able to do much more than they previously did, and another, with phones that are designed to be ‘dumb-phones’ that just handle the basics, and don’t have you becoming a screen addict. Strangely enough, even though the two of them should really never have an intersection point, it seems like the Minimalist Phone IS that intersection point. It’s a unique combination of traditional smartphone features, coupled with a no-nonsense design that cuts all the clutter, but reintroduces the QWERTY keyboard, bringing a world of user-focused functionality back. And just if you’re wondering, yes, the Minimal Phone works exactly like any other smartphone – it runs Android 13, supports all your favorite apps, has a fingerprint reader, 4G LTE, and surprisingly enough, both rear and front-facing cameras so you can click color photos just like you would on a regular phone. (You’ll still need to view them in color on a regular screen though)

Oh, and it also has a 3.5mm jack.

Designers: Andre Youkhna and Armen Youssefian

Click Here to Buy Now: $325 $450 ($125 off, exclusive perk for YD Readers only). Hurry, only a few left!

“Live more. Scroll less,” say Andre Youkhna and Armen Youssefian, the folks who designed the Minimal Phone, a smartphone designed to switch the existing relationship where we’re slaves to our technological devices. Here, the smartphone empowers you, giving you the features of a phone without the layer of addictive interfaces and notifications. In essence, the Minimal Phone behaves just like your existing smartphone but has a different approach to interface, features, hardware, etc.

The e-ink display of the Minimal phone offers users a comfortable, glare-free reading experience, significantly reducing eye strain even during prolonged use.

Just like the Fairphone focuses on supply-chain transparency, the Minimal Phone focuses on a user-centric design. The device boasts a 3.5-inch-wide e-ink touchscreen that runs all your apps, lets you send/receive messages, watch videos, and even browse the internet. It has a 300PPI resolution and a 90Hz refresh rate, which even by regular OLED screen standards, is pretty impressive. However, the e-ink screen notably, trades color for high-contrast, daytime visibility, and a much longer battery life. The lack of color isn’t really a bug, but rather a feature that helps deliver information without any distractions, ensuring you use your phone for exactly what you need and don’t spend more time on it than necessary.

Under the screen lies a 43-key QWERTY keyboard that brings back the glory days of being able to type out messages without accidental presses and those godawful typos that are still a problem with touchscreen keyboards. The Minimal Phone’s QWERTY keyboard is 70mm wide, and each key has a respectable travel of 0.15mm, giving you a confident and reliable typing experience.

When you’re not typing out messages and emails (or sh*tposting on X), the phone’s touch-sensitive screen lets you easily browse the internet, use apps, and perform regular smartphone-related functions. Building on the ongoing trend of the minimal OS courtesy brands like Nothing, the one on the Minimal Phone is fairly utilitarian too, with clear text, easy-to-navigate menus, and even widgets. The only difference, however, is the landscape nature of the display, which means apps look/feel different on the Minimal Phone. Nevertheless, you can still use all your favorite Android apps like Uber, Spotify, Instagram, WhatsApp, even Maps.

Its software capabilities aside, the Minimal Phone has some impressive hardware too. Under its hood you’ve got a MediaTek 6769 processor with 6GB of RAM, 128GB of storage, and a 4000mAh battery that should last up to a week on a full charge. The Minimal Phone has Bluetooth 5.0, dual-band WiFi, NFC, and 4G LTE. The phone stands at 4.7 inches tall, 2.8 inches wide, 0.39 inches (or 10mm) thick. It’s got a fingerprint reader built into the power button, a USB-C port, a single SIM tray, a 12MP main camera and an 8MP front-facing selfie-cam, and most impressively, still retains a 3.5mm aux input, quite literally giving you the best of all worlds! The Minimal Phone starts at a discounted price of $325, and is designed to be completely repairable, complying with the latest EU regulations.

Click Here to Buy Now: $325 $450 ($125 off, exclusive perk for YD Readers only). Hurry, only a few left!

The post World’s First E-Ink Smartphone with a QWERTY Keyboard will get your eyes and hands to fall in love first appeared on Yanko Design.

An unconventional futuristic design language gives a fresh take on everyday home objects

What do you think defines a futuristic product? Is it always technologically integrated, curved, angular, metal, plastic, or leather? I feel like one must think about the intent of the product and signify that through their design. Ocean White is a collection that showcases a range of meticulously crafted objects that embody this approach. By employing translucent materials, Ocean White has achieved a harmonious blend of comfort and beauty. With a strong focus on futurism and the essence of each product, this collection offers a glimpse into a world where functionality and aesthetics coexist seamlessly.

Designers: minjeong KimBohyeon KimDK (Dukkeun An)Junha Kamikhyeon kimMaini KHyunyup Cheong for Second White

Ocean White’s primary objective in creating the fourth collection was to prioritize natural and comfortable materials that play a crucial role in our everyday lives. The designers have successfully accomplished this by incorporating translucent materials into the product range. This choice allows the objects to exude an ethereal quality, evoking a sense of serenity and tranquility. By embracing transparency, Ocean White delivers a unique experience where functionality meets elegance.

The fourth collection consists of 8 products:

1. Easel

The easel from Ocean White’s fourth collection showcases the brand’s commitment to combining comfort and beauty. With its translucent design, it allows the viewer to focus on the art piece in isolation and appreciate it better. If not, the easel becomes an art piece in itself, providing artists with an inspiring backdrop for their creativity.

2. Partition

The partition stands as a testament to Ocean White’s dedication to creating harmonious spaces. The translucent nature of the partition allows light to filter through, adding an ethereal touch to any environment while maintaining privacy.

3. Pen Tray

The pen tray combines functionality and aesthetics effortlessly. Its translucent construction offers a captivating display, ensuring that even mundane tasks become visually appealing.

4. Diffuser

By utilizing translucent materials, the diffuser creates a soothing ambiance while releasing fragrances that elevate the atmosphere. The diffuser serves as both a practical home accessory and an elegant decorative piece in a variety of 3 finishes to blend in with your style.

In Ocean White’s philosophy, the more futuristic a design is, the closer it should be to the intrinsic nature of objects. With this in mind, the fourth collection incorporates light as its medium, encouraging users to focus on the essence of each product. By emphasizing simplicity and functionality, Ocean White presents a visually stunning and futuristic design language.

5. Mirror

The mirror combines sleek, minimalist aesthetics with futuristic elements. Its illuminated axis utilizes light to help focus on the purpose of the mirror. Allowing the user to perceive it as if it were standing on a vertical stand and focusing on their reflection, providing a captivating and otherworldly experience.

6. TV Stand

This futuristic TV stand exemplifies Ocean White’s commitment to combining technology and nature. The translucent material used in its construction creates a seamless integration with the surroundings, ensuring that the focus remains on the content displayed.

7. Pot

The pot showcases an innovative design that incorporates translucent materials. This futuristic approach adds a touch of elegance to plant cultivation, blurring the boundaries between nature and modernity.

8. Sign

The sign exhibits a futuristic design while remaining functional and versatile. The translucent signage creates a mesmerizing effect when illuminated, making it a visually striking addition to any space. However, the legibility of the text gets hampered, defeating the purpose of the signage. They could consider reducing the intensity of illumination.

Ocean White’s fourth collection, “Essence of the Future” embodies the brand’s commitment to crafting products that seamlessly blend comfort, beauty, and futurism. By utilizing translucent materials and emphasizing simplicity, each object represents a harmonious balance between aesthetics and functionality. Their dedication to the essence of each product shines through, providing users with a glimpse into a world where design and nature intertwine effortlessly. With this collection, Ocean White continues to redefine the boundaries of contemporary design and inspire a new generation of aesthetically conscious individuals.

The post An unconventional futuristic design language gives a fresh take on everyday home objects first appeared on Yanko Design.

22 minimal ways to impart a festive christmas look  

Traditional Christmas décor can be overwhelming and feel stressful. For a fresher, laid-back and yet inviting vibe, one can opt for the minimalist approach or the Nordic feel that celebrates a warm neutral palette. Minimalist interiors are all about creating a simple yet elegant décor to bring in the holiday cheer. It also means having less but quality décor as it saves time and money so that one can focus on things that are more important. This interior style breaks away from the traditional red color and accommodates hues of white, natural wood, gray, and green that forms the key components of a Scandinavian Christmas décor. Discover how to create a joyful environment that feels warm and inviting with a clean, minimal, pared-down look.

1. An Earthy Tablescape

Earthy colors and the natural hues of Christmas form an essential component of minimalistic décor. An alternate arrangement of candles, mini Christmas trees, and differently-sized pumpkins form an interesting composition. The earthy-hued table linen adds texture and softens the table, while the cozy glow of candles can create an intimate table setting that encourages conversations.

2. A Bare Christmas Tree

Why go for an artificial tree when you have a real one? Keep it simple and bring a real Christmas tree in a concrete planter. Skip the traditional Christmas ornaments and focus on a limited number of essentials like a Santa, fairy, etc. to infuse the pared-down festive vibe.

3. A Woodsy Look

The minimalist trend revolves around natural materials like wood and the feeling of being close to nature. In this example, white stockings are hung from a woody plank to infuse warmth and create a festive feel. Add a garland to the shelf to give the space a special flair.

4. Santa-inspired Tableware

Brighten up the Christmas décor with the accent coffee mugs that are functional too. The classic red color and beautiful Santa Claus décor makes a statement on the dining table.

5. Create a Centerpiece

Sometimes less is more! Create a centerpiece with a natural feel and a seasonal aesthetic. The statement deer head in gold forms the accent piece in the bowl, where the bling of metal is balanced with greenery and pine cones that add texture and create the perfect holiday feel.

6. Decorate with Wreaths

Wreaths are one of the easiest and most interesting ways to add a festive touch and decorate for the holidays. Combining fresh and dried greenery and some fresh fruits adds depth and drama to the wreath.

7. A Pleasing Entrance

Decorate the entrance to create a warm and inviting feel that sets the tone for festivities. Transform the look of the doorway with a pair of wreaths.

8. Incorporate Evergreens

Break the monotony of an all-white décor with a clever arrangement of a green wreath around one side of the round mirror. Don’t miss the Christmas tray with reindeer, snow-clad trees and ornaments. The décor enhances the minimal aesthetics of the home and subtly adds festivity to the space.

9. A Minimal Christmas Tree

Reminiscent of a Christmas tree, a wooden triangle evokes the Christmas charm and is cheery enough to delight the space. This contemporary alternative to the traditional Christmas tree combines a green plant in a white planter to weave the look.

10. Use Wooden Nativity Elements

Dedicate an alcove or one section of the home for adding thoughtfully chosen wooden Christmas figures and shepherds that bring the perfect Christmas vibe. This is a simple and interesting way to inject a festive flair into the home alongside a fuss-free holiday vibe into the home.

11. Decorate the Fireplace

The fireplace usually forms the centerpiece of any room and is perfect for adding some tasteful décor. Strategically place the cascading garland to create a minimalist yet festive feel. Mixing fresh greenery and varying heights of white candles effortlessly set up the classic look.

12. Repurpose Old Glass Jars

Repurpose and decorate existing glass jars with moss and leaves to infuse a refreshing vibe into the home décor. Arrange the evergreens with a simple row of candles to infuse a warm and cozy feel. This arrangement transforms into a beautiful centerpiece and works perfectly with festive decor.

13. A minimal 3D star

An eye-catching 3D star and white paper garland grabs attention and infuses a festive vibe into the home décor. A red cookie jar on a white cake stand and wooden base complete the Christmas look.

14. A Christmas Corner

Create a minimalist Christmas corner with white candles and a pair of contrast- colored gray and white stockings, and a garland. The black candle holder with white candles on a circular table offers a Nordic feel.

15. Decorate the Stairs

Evergreen garlands are always nice for a minimalist décor. In this all-white staircase, a green garland wraps around the stair railing to offer contrast and create a light and airy feel. The white stockings add depth and dimension to bare white walls and impart a layered look.

16. Clean and Sleek Look

Who says that a clean and sleek design cannot be warm and cozy? In this example, the branches on the flat surfaces and a wreath combine with knit stockings to form a perfect wintery accent.

17. Hang a Garland

Imbue a festive look with garlands across all the windows of the home. Elevate the aesthetics with a garland of fresh fruits and citrus fruits that smells fresh and adds subtle fragrance, gorgeous color and texture. It is a fantastic way to weave festivities into different areas of the home.

18. Bring Nature into the Decor

The tree forms the center of attraction during the holiday season so one must make sure to decorate it with a few white and silver ornaments to get the minimalist Christmas look. A soft color scheme in gray and various shades of green creates a layered look. The cane baskets alongside the natural display of greenery, plants and a textured cushion infuse a Nordic vibe into the space.

19. Buy Christmas Candles

You don’t need a Christmas tree when you have mini Christmas tree-shaped candles. The warmth of candlelight creates a cozy setting, while fewer objects offer a festive aesthetic that’s trendy and yet tasteful. These functional pieces have a purpose and are not just meant for a festive visual appeal.

20. A Woody Decor

For a stylish minimalist space, turn to the corner table to add a little holiday cheer and choose accents that blend with the overall décor. Some cane and woody decoration that looks rustic and imparts an earthy vibe without making the place look overdone.

21. Create a Terrannium

Take a glass vase and set up the perfect winter scene that can add some cheer on the kitchen island or the center table. Reminiscent of a walk through the snowy woods, create the Terrarium with an illuminated white house with lighting, mini snow-clad faux trees and a lamp post.

22. Add Santa-inspired Accessories

Cute Santa’s always look great in any room. This is the simplest way to infuse the festive vibe in unexpected places to complete the Christmas look.

The post 22 minimal ways to impart a festive christmas look   first appeared on Yanko Design.

Furniture Designs to add a touch of Japandi minimalism + aesthetics to your home!

I absolutely love minimal furniture designs! A subtle and simple piece of furniture can truly complete a room. It can be the final piece that makes a space come full circle, building a comfortable and cohesive haven, rather than a random area. Furniture pieces make or break a home, they add on to the essence or soul of a home, hence one needs to be extremely picky while choosing a furniture design. The design should be a reflection of you, and what you want your home to be. When you place a piece of furniture in a room, it should instantly integrate with the space, creating a wholesome and organic environment. And I believe minimal furniture designs do exactly that! Hence, we’ve curated a collection of furniture designs that truly embody minimalism and its quaint simplicity and zen-ness. Add these pieces to your home to create a living space that truly feels like yours! Enjoy!

The Piano desk gives that traditional piano design a nod by incorporating it into your familiar wooden desk with some additional inspiration from the Standard chair by Jean Prouvé that elevates the minimal piece. The Piano desk created so the designer could experiment with a hybrid material selection and play with interesting visual contrasts. On the one hand, we have metal which is a cold material that is beautifully balanced by the warmer wood. On the other hand, the same metal which allows for a slimmer silhouette is given the sturdiness with the addition of wood. The key factor in the briefing was to design a product with a democratic approach. That is how the minimal desk without any complex production processes was born while still featuring a small design element that other minimal desks didn’t have – the dipped shelf!

The Ark desk was designed for a client who wanted to increase the functionalities of his traditional table/desk – a need we have all realized during this pandemic. Ark is minimal in its design yet maximizes its surface area. The interesting thing about Ark’s design is that it can switch identities between the writing desk and the dressing table. The mirror is an optional feature for the desk, you can move its position based on what you are using it for. One of its sides is a downwards flanging cabinet included to increase storage. It provides a space for keeping cosmetics during dressing, books, or work-related files which ensures that the desktop space is clutter-free. The cabinet also keeps the items stored hidden from the front view which makes the overall visual of Ark a very clean and pleasing one!

Paperclip Chair by Andrew Edge

Paperclip Chair by Andrew Edge

Stationery and Furniture really don’t have that much influence over one another. Just given their sheer size difference, the way a piece of stationery interacts with its surroundings is vastly different from how a piece of furniture does, considering its scale. However, Boston-based designer Andrew Edge is hoping to switch things up with the Paperclip Chair, a rather minimalist piece of furniture with oddly pleasing paperclip-shaped legs. The legs come with curved, angled forms made from metal piping, upon which rests the seat, yet another minimally designed detail.

Sideboards are not thought of as dynamic or interactive but this furniture piece adds movement to the otherwise traditionally mundane design. It showcases a technical/mechanical approach to designing a sideboard and uses a combination of bearings + linkages for the sliding mechanism. The fun detail is that these are exposed and add more character to the piece. The front panel swivels over and the linkages push the drawer out. It’s crafted from maple and walnut wood with a glass top which gives it an evergreen aesthetic. The combination of woodwork and mechanics makes it an elegant vintage vibe. Sideboard has a universal appeal and the mechanism makes it more accessible for storing daily-use items as opposed to a junk closet.

The minimal furniture collection uses clean lines focused around an elevated seat, bringing to mind the stunning visuals of the Gargantua black hole portrayed in Christopher Nolan’s Interstellar. The story goes like this – Eugénie von Tunzelmann, a CG supervisor at Double Negative, generated a flat, multicolored ring – a stand-in for the accretion disk – and positioned it around their spinning black hole. Something very, very weird happened. ‘We found that warping space around the black hole also warps the accretion disk, so rather than looking like Saturn’s rings around a black sphere, the light creates this extraordinary halo.’ This warping halo brings to mind the lines showcased in this design. The furniture itself boasts of low tables that work as a coffee table as well as a bench, given the changing width of the design.

This chair is an amazing display of nostalgia and minimalism through furniture design. The designer wanted to incorporate our inherent ways of interacting with nature into a chair. Stubby chair was inspired by these environmental settings that combined the love for interiors with an element from the exterior world. Nature is the best designer (for the most part!) so observing nature gives the designer a lot of clues and points of directions where they should pay attention so it fits seamlessly into our lives. “Over time, you settle down with some household items, borrowed from nature. At the same time, you understand that the world is changing and you are changing with it,” she says describing the simplistic design which can age with time.

Winner of the Golden Pin Design Award, the Bien Bien Cat Tree by Cheng-Liang Wu and Chia-Wen Lin is a cat tree that also masterfully doubles up as a piece of furniture. It’s a beautiful product that caters to the needs of both your cat (s) and you, functioning as a space that can be utilized and shared by humans and felines alike. You can build the modular cat tree all by yourself, its modularity allows it to be assembled in various ways, according to personal requirements, space restrictions, and of course, the moods of your cat. There are several shelving options for you to store your precious belongings in, as well as little nooks and crannies for your pet to sleep and play around in. Multiple accessories can be attached as means of recreation for your cat, and my favorite one, hands down, is the tiny hammock!

Nail four legs together put a seat on top, you have yourself a stool. That’s what the most simplistic and basic form of a stool is – four wooden legs capped with a circular or square seat. Award-winning designer João Teixeira, however, is challenging the notion of what that basic archetype of a wooden stool should look like. His design, the Knot Stool, makes use of wood in an unusual way, lending it an appearance that resembles the styles of metal and plastic furniture. The Knot uses a lathe-spun seat beneath which sit three steam-bent wooden legs, giving the stool a fun, funky facelift.

Designed by Annabella Hevesi, there is something about the ODU Desk that instantly puts me at ease. It’s just so well-designed! Clean, minimal, and soft, it’s a desk that almost gives me Japandi feels. (Japandi is a growing design trend that merges Japanese and Scandinavian aesthetics.) It’s a warm wooden desk with a protective screen around it that ensures you have your privacy while working! It shuts off the outside world and helps you focus completely on your work. Not to mention, the wooden desk top has been integrated with little storage containers! These containers are perfect for storing your office stationery, souvenirs, and other knick-knacks you may want to place on your desk. An interesting feature is that you can actually remove and separate the containers from the desk. This is perfect for when you want to clean the nooks and crannies of the desk.

The Bandage Sofa is quite self-explanatory in its approach. The sofa uses a bandage in either the same color or a contrasting hue to hold your cushions in place – whether you choose to arrange for comfort or style! When members of the Bogdanova Bureau team started to design this sofa, they first thought about comfort. The first thing you imagine when you think about the couch is a dozen uncomfortable pillows, moving from side to side and making your rest miserable. With Bandage Sofa, your cushions stay just the way you want them to! The clean lines muted yet modern tones, and sleek design makes it a perfect match for every interior setting.

Manufacturing waste repurposed into a furniture collection your home needs!

Looking to make a switch to a sustainable lifestyle in 2020? Meet the Dot Collection – these modern pieces are made from the waste produced during manufacturing furniture. This group will keep with the aesthetic of your space while also allowing you to continue reusing, reducing and recycling.

The Dot collection includes a set of chairs, bench, and side table that all come in subtle earthy colors with a combination of cool and warm. The inspiration for this modern sustainable set was a factory visit where the Studio Pesi team noticed a lot of leftover material. After a linoleum board is cut, the pieces are usually wasted and the goal behind the Dot collection was to make something functional and minimal enough for it to fit with any interior style.

The chairs, bench, and side tables are made with off-the-shelf solid wood cylinders and the linoleum board leftovers so sustainability is truly in the bare bones of their structures. The linoleum board leftovers provide for a soft and warm surface on the top of the furniture. The joints between the two materials give the Dot collection its unique image and name.

If I were to name each piece of the collection individually, I would call them Reuse, Reduce and Recycle.

Designer: Studio Pesi

Get inspired to declutter with our collection of minimal designs: Part 3

There’s something just so clean, simple and refreshing about minimal designs, that you can’t help but feel a sense of thrill on being surrounded by them. They have the ability to make any living space seem spacious, decluttered and sophisticated. So, we’ve curated a collection of minimal designs that we know will fill you up with peace and joy!

Neil Aronowitz utilized and manipulated the material Concrete Canvas which is basically “concrete cloth on a roll” to create a furniture collection that seems more like artwork. The minimal collection consists of the Whorl Console and Table.

Geometric, organic and opaque, Erik Olovsson’s Indefinite Vases collection consists of sculptural vases that could definitely heighten up the style quotient of any place. These minimal containers are perfect for holding fresh flowers!

This built-in concrete bike rack by Fima Arredo is perfect for storing your bikes! Simply slide them in…and pray no one steals them! Though a wonderful outdoor concept, and pleasing to the eyes, we do wonder how practical it would be in reality.

Designer Pei-Ju Wu integrated a planter, side table, and a lamp, into this amazing piece of furniture that you can place in your living room. The Oasis features a planter at the base of the table, which keeps green thanks to the integrated LED lights, and stays hydrated via the clever funnel found at the center of the tabletop. Excess water simply drips down to the collection tray and evaporates back into the air.

The Arche Collection by Emre Yunus Uzun consists of a vase, a candle holder and a bowl. Each piece showcases a curved structure or an arch. Minimal, matte and subtle, these anodized aluminum pieces are what your living room needs!

The Vinyl Table by Stian Herdal is a mid-century inspired modern record player stand, cabinet, and storage unit, made from a combination of Oak and Valchromat. The minimal vintage piece allows you to display your turntable and all your vinyl records that may have been gathering dust in storage.

The Malibu Sideboard by Morelato Ebanisteria Italiana is a wooden minimal storage piece with intriguing handles. The handles merge the different drawers creating an interesting visual!

Ichiro Iwasaki designed this innovative lighting system, where a network of tubes was used to create a minimally intriguing lighting fixture. The various shades can be positioned as needed!

Living Modules by Photonic Studio is the perfect room for the minimalist in you! Wood and warm beige tones make up the majority of the room, with turquoise seating elements. A curved ladder mounted on the wall leads to a little bunk, placed right above the desk table, forming a cozy little corner for you!

bloomengine_smart_planter_layout

The Bloomengine is a completely self-contained, self-sustaining planter. It can grow and monitor your plant while guiding you through the process, informing you of the plant’s progress and needs. The smart planter autonomously takes care of all the plant’s needs, without much involvement on your part.

The Lik Wall Lamp by Serge and Robert Cornelissen is a minimal aluminum lamp, with a built-in LED light. It can be dimmed according to your preference.

For more such soothing minimal designs, check out Part 1 and 2 of this series!