Tag Archives: origami-inspired

Origami-inspired table concept folds into a lamp to save space

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Tables are important pieces of furniture in any human space, whether it’s the dining table at home or a meeting table at the office. That said, we don’t always use these flat horizontal surfaces all the time, and there will be times when they’re just taking up precious space. Yes, more aesthetic tables do provide some visual value, but it doesn’t outweigh the cost of their presence. Foldable tables are practical, but few actually look good even when unfolded and the hassle of moving the folded table out of the way makes them less compelling. But what if you didn’t need to put the table away because it not only becomes more compact but also serves a different purpose? That’s the kind of multi-functional design that this concept proposes, turning a table into a lamp.

Designer: Sonakshi Gupta

The Japanese art of folding paper has inspired many designs because of its beauty, simplicity, and space efficiency. A large and flat sheet of paper can suddenly become a geometric flower or swan with a few folds, significantly reducing the area that the piece of paper once occupied. This art doesn’t involve removing or adding parts, which makes each piece an independent and standalone unit.

LightUP is a concept that takes inspiration from origami and kirigami (which does involve cutting away and gluing pieces together) to design a table that not only saves space but also provides a completely different functionality or two. The squarish wooden tabletop folds up into a shape that’s like a flower bud, freeing up the space around the table for use. Thanks to ingenious invisible hinges, not only do you have a clean and flat table surface but moving only one or two corners is enough to fold and unfold the table. The easier you can perform this action, the more frequently you’re willing to do it.

Of course, that’s not where it all ends. The design’s name comes from the fact that wide LED light strips from the pyramidal base of the table to each of the four corners. Thus, the table becomes a room-wide lamp at night but can also remain as a space-saving art object when the lights are off.

Admittedly, the design’s implementation is actually more complicated than it looks thanks to the moving parts and hinges involved. Those may become points of failure over time due to wear and tear. The idea, however, could give birth to a simpler design, one that takes into account aesthetics, functionality, and sustainability altogether for a truly space-saving piece of furniture.

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Origami-inspired Bluetooth mouse turns a mundane device into a fashion statement

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As odd and unnatural as the computer mouse might be, it has become the standard input device second only to the keyboard. For decades, however, the design of the mouse has changed very little except when modified in the name of ergonomics. There has been a recent spate of concepts that try to breathe new life into mouse design, but many of those remain in the conceptual realm only. This peculiar design almost looks like one of those, but it’s surprisingly a product you can really get your hands on, figuratively and literally. It’s definitely unlike any Bluetooth mouse you’ve ever laid eyes on because when it’s not in use, it can fold so perfectly flat that you can even slip it into your pocket and make it look like a part of your fashionable attire.

Designer: Horace Lam

We’ve actually seen quite a few mice that can fold or lay completely flat, but few have ever made it into production because of the surprising complexity of mouse design. Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, might be great for paper, but not for something that needs to withstand the wear and tear of daily use, not to mention being carried around in bags or even pockets. That’s the rather impressive feat that the myAir.0 OriMouse claims to have achieved, offering a wireless mouse that is flat, functional, and fashionable.

In its flat and deactivated state, the OriMouse has a “V” shape with a faceted surface. Covered in vegan leather or textile, it doesn’t even look anything like a mouse. Weighing only 40g and less than 5mm thin, it looks and feels more like an art object that you carry in your pocket or in your bag. But with a simple pinching gesture that joins the two divergent ends together, the OriMouse rises to the occasion, literally, to become an essential tool for productivity.

Using the same principles that give origami designs innate stability, this foldable mouse can withstand a lot of pressure from your hand without buckling from the weight. At the same time, however, a simple push at a specific and strategic spot disengages the two neodymium magnets and collapses the structure back to its flat state. In addition to this shape-shifting trick, the OriMouse promises a more ergonomic design thanks to the polygonal structure inspired by the folds and facets of an origami object.

Although the various options available make use of textured materials to give the mouse an even more tactile experience, the OriMouse’s foldable design also lends itself perfectly to more artistic expressions. In fact, one model even has a graffiti graphic printed on its surface, and it’s not hard to imagine branding opportunities for such a design. Granted, the actual ergonomics of such a mouse will probably be a matter of debate, but if you are looking for a highly portable Bluetooth mouse, it won’t hurt to take a hard look at something that’s also so unique and beautiful that you will easily become the envy of the crowd around you.

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This origami-inspired Apple MagSafe grip stand folds out of your way when you don’t need it

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Today’s smartphones come with large screens to give space for more content, stylish designs that make them stand out, and price tags that can sometimes make you want to cry. All of these translate to devices that can accidentally fall or slip from our hands, crashing on the floor, and sending us into a panic. In response to protective cases that add bulk and remove elegance from phones, accessories like grips and rings have come up to help avoid accidents while minimizing their negative visual impact. Unfortunately, these solutions ironically make the situation worse because of their awkward design. What we need is an accessory that gives plenty of confidence when holding a phone, has enough features to make it worth its price, and still leaves your phone looking posh all the time. Fortunately, there is a product that is able to meet all three, thanks to the Japanese art of paper folding.

Designer: Marcy Arimoto

Click Here to Buy Now: $40 $45 (10% off at checkout). Hurry, Apple Event sales end in 24 hours!

Creating a three-dimensional object from a flat sheet of paper has enchanted people around the world for centuries. Taking inspiration from this ancient art, designs across many industries try to do the reverse, creating a structure that is able to fold flat and vice versa without the hassle of disassembly and reassembly. It’s a technique that saves space and reduces unnecessary parts, and it’s put to good use in the beak mag grip stand for iPhones.

Stand

At first glance, this accessory looks nothing more than a thin, card-sized block that sticks to the back of the phone. And exactly because of how thin it is, you can easily slip your phone into your pocket without worrying about the beak mag snagging on anything or making an awkward protrusion. It won’t separate from your phone either, no matter how much you jump or how much it juggles inside.

Attach

The strong MagSafe connection can handle a load of 500g, and it’s even strong enough to actually keep the phone up when you stick it to a refrigerator, a magnetic mount, or even a car door.

Grip

Of course, the real value of this grip stand is revealed when you lift up its top and pinch its two sides together. It might look like a simple stand, but that hole in the middle becomes a gateway for your finger, allowing you to hold the phone securely with comfort and confidence. And since it’s using magnets instead of adhesives, you can easily set it up for vertical or horizontal positions. And when you’re ready to get going again, simply fold the grip down again to have it virtually disappear.

beak mag isn’t just functional, though. It is also durable and, more importantly, aesthetic. The water-resistant cover dries up quickly so you won’t be left with a gross feeling if and when accidents occur. The material is also a pleasure to touch, and the grip stand’s sharp looks fit the iPhone’s own premium appearance perfectly. With this origami-inspired MagSafe-compatible grip stand, you can forget about those awkward and unflattering rings and stands, and hold your iPhone with confidence, both for its safety as well as its style.

Click Here to Buy Now: $40 $45 (10% off at checkout). Hurry, Apple Event sales end in 24 hours!

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This charming origami-inspired cube brings both light and power anywhere you need them

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Daytime isn’t the only time you can enjoy the freedom that summer brings. The night can also be a source of adventure, fun, or even relaxation, especially when experienced outdoors and away from your usual abode. Staying outdoors at night, however, can bring up a few anxieties, not least of which is having a convenient light source or, more importantly, a power source for your indispensable gadgets. That often means lugging along some lantern or lamp in addition to a power bank, two things you need to be mindful of and two things you could potentially lose. Consider your worries now calmed with an innovative and sustainable travel companion that will illuminate your darkest nights, save your dying phone, and even protect you from mosquitoes!

Designer: Alice Chun

Click Here to Buy Now: $38 $65 (42% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

MEGAPUFF is easy to open and goes flat pack with a quick twist! The origami design is simple and elegant.

They say that looks can be deceiving, and the MEGAPUFF definitely lives up to that aphorism, but in a very good way. At first glance, the white box looks like a simple yet beautiful paper lantern, not so different from traditional lanterns used in Japanese festivals, except perhaps for its cubical shape. The MEGAPUFF is, of course, quite literally a lantern, but that’s just the proverbial tip of the iceberg of what this is capable of. Because despite its minimalist appearance, it packs quite a lot of features that will make any activity more memorable, day or night, indoor or outdoor, no matter the season.

MEGAPUFF is both a portable lantern and power bank and unlike other combination products, it makes no compromises on either. A 4,000 mAh battery delivers all the power you need to charge up your mobile device through a USB-C port or deliver sufficient light to let you see in the dark of night or the darkness of your room. MEGAPUFF can be juiced up via the same USB-C connection, or you can charge it under the sun, providing you with a sustainable way to enjoy the conveniences of modern life, wherever you might be.

Seven light settings.

The light that MEGAPUFF provides is nothing to scoff at either, reaching a maximum of 300 lumens at its brightest. You won’t blind yourself, of course, especially with seven different settings for different light temperatures and intensities, including warm or bright, low or high, or a combination of both. There’s also a blinking red light setting that you won’t find in any portable lamp. This unexpected feature helps keep you safe in the dark, whether you’re riding a bike or signaling for an emergency. Red light therapy is also cited to help treat anxiety, depression, and PTSD, but it seems to have the opposite effect on mosquitoes and drives these bloodsuckers away instead.

Best of all, MEGAPUFF won’t take up much space in your car or camping gear. Thanks to origami technology, the 6.2×6.2 inch cube collapses down to a 0.75-inch high flat-packed square with a simple twisting motion. You don’t even have to turn the light off before collapsing or expanding the lantern, making it trivial to pack up or set up in a flash. This transforming cube is made from durable and eco-friendly sail cloth, leaving you with no worries about the product’s longevity or its effects on the environment. Whether you’re enjoying the great outdoors or lounging indoors, the MEGAPUFF collapsible lamp and battery will give you both light and power so that you can stop fretting and start enjoying your time.

Click Here to Buy Now: $38 $65 (42% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left!

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Seat and relax anywhere with this Origami-inspired foldable chair and ottoman

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Although we have settled down in cities and residential areas, we have ironically become a little bit more nomadic these days in terms of our lifestyles. Not only is travel a staple of daily life, we also often find ourselves sitting down somewhere, either to rest or to resume work. Unfortunately, you won’t find seats everywhere, let alone ergonomic ones that will let you sit in comfort. There might even be instances where you don’t have enough chairs at home to accommodate unexpected but welcome guests. In times like those, a foldable chair would be a practical solution, and this rather unconventional design offers not only a space saving-seat but also a piece of furniture that you can conveniently carry anywhere, like a foldable umbrella.

Designer: Yunonglive Studio

Click Here to Buy Now: $69 $99 (30% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! Raised over $80,000.

Instantly deploys.

Perhaps more than other kinds of furniture, seats like chairs, stools, and ottomans have to be extra stable in order to safely support people sitting on them. The requirements of stability and comfort are often expressed in terms of rigidity and at the cost of flexibility. That is why you’ll rarely find foldable chairs that check all the right boxes, making the Foldable Lander a wonder of design and engineering. Inspired by the lightweight and compact design of the Apollo 11 Lunar Lander as well as the material integrity of Origami techniques, this foldable chair and foldable table/ottoman offer a unique and convenient way to take a seat anywhere, whether it’s for fun or for work.

When in its collapsed form, the Foldable Lander looks almost like a slightly bulky foldable umbrella. Thanks to that design and its light 1.3 kg (2.8 lbs) weight, it is possible to carry the chair with you anywhere or stash it in a bag or in the car for longer travel times. In just 5 seconds, however, that folded structure deploys into a low chair or an ottoman that can double as a low table, and it takes half a minute only to fold it back again so that you can quickly dash to your next destination.

It’s that transforming design that makes the Foldable Lander an ideal companion anywhere you go, whether it’s to relax outdoors or to quickly drop down for a brief period of work. In fact, Foldable Lander is also ideal for living spaces where there’s not enough room for permanent chairs. You can bring the Chair and Ottoman pair anywhere you go and have a lounge or work area ready in just seconds.

What makes the Foldable Lander even more special is a design that focuses not only on functionality but also on aesthetics and sustainability. The materials used, like Aviation Aluminum and 900D Oxford Cloth, are durable and environment-friendly. From the sandblasted matte texture to the intricate machine embroidery to the specialized mold textures, each step of the Foldable Lander’s production process demonstrates a high level of craftsmanship and acute attention to detail. For only $99, the Foldable Lander Chair or Table/Ottoman delivers a well-designed and ingenious foldable piece of furniture that will let you sit down and enjoy life wherever it takes you, whether in the great outdoors or even just outside your balcony.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69 $99 (30% off). Hurry, less than 72 hours left! Raised over $80,000.

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Origami is a gadget pouch that you can also wear as a fashionable kimono

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If you thought carrying your gadgets out in the open is too geeky, then you haven’t seen this novel accessory that fuses fashion and tech in a very Japanese way.

For decades, the Japanese art of paper folding has inspired many products and designs. The idea of turning a single sheet of material into something completely unrelated is simply enchanting and challenging to translate into something other than paper. The benefits of such a design, however, definitely make the journey worth it, as shown by this origami-inspired pouch that can keep you and your gadgets warm and protected in a very fashionable way.

Designer: Iwase Shoten

Click Here to Buy Now: $223 $318 (30% off). Hurry, only 8/10 left!

We bring a lot of gadgets and tools with us every day, from phones and power banks to notebooks and pens. This smorgasbord of objects has created a market for gadget organizers and pouches, most of which are either designed for functionality only or for looks only. The ORIGAMI wearable gadget pouch, however, takes inspiration from Japanese mindsets, materials, and culture to boldly say that you can have all of those in a simple and single sheet of fabric.

The ORIGAMI takes its cues from two staples of Japanese culture. Thanks to ideas taken from the art of paper folding, the pouch can serve two purposes without requiring you to carry two separate things. When unfolded, the ORIGAMI takes inspiration from the Japanese kimono, whose large sleeves have traditionally been used to carry things like wallets and small objects. Thanks to this wearable gadget pouch’s ingenious design, you can also take your gadgets out of your sleeves with similar ease.

These aren’t the only nods to the Japanese way of life, though. Even the materials and processes used are unique to the country that has given us one of the most notable minimalist product brands in the world. “Sanada-himo” or Sanada braid is touted to be one of the thinnest textiles in the world. The wooden rings are carefully crafted by hand using Japanese Zelkova wood to produce unique grain patterns. Even the available colors have been chosen to reminisce about popular places and objects in Japan.

The ORIGAMI isn’t just fashion apparel, though. As a poncho, the fabric is designed to keep you warm on cold days and dry under a sudden shower. Thanks to using a split yarn warp, the ORIGAMI doesn’t wrinkle no matter how many times you fold it, unlike paper or even regular fabric. And unlike paper folding, there aren’t any complicated instructions and techniques to transform your eye-catching kimono poncho into an equally eye-catching gadget pouch.

Functional and fashionable, the ORIGAMI wearable gadget pouch is a testament that you don’t need complicated technologies or sophisticated (not to mention unsustainable) materials to create something innovative. Sometimes, all you need to take a good hard look at the past and learn from the hard-earned lessons of those who have come long before us. And fortunately, Japan has a rich tradition and culture that makes the seemingly impossible not only possible but also beautiful.

Click Here to Buy Now: $223 $318 (30% off). Hurry, only 8/10 left!

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This modular origami tent built by space architects for the moon unfolds into 750 times it size!

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Studying space exploration is a side hobby of mine so this extreme-weather resistant origami moon habitat is one of my dream homes. SAGA is a Danish architecture studio that designed LUNARK which is a modular shelter that expands and becomes 750 times its original size! It was crucial to design a structure that would be easily transportable (to the moon!), have a zero-waste ecosystem, and could withstand arctic temperatures and meteor showers – LUNARK does it all, in fact, it was taken out on a test run in Greeland by the architects themselves!

SAGA has one mission – make outer space a little cozier for future human inhabitants. The LUNARK habitat shows what can happen when the architect steps back and allows the extreme environment on the Moon and the high arctic to mold a habitat around human beings. LUNARK’s form was inspired by the patterns seen in a budding leaf as it unfolds and origami. It unfolds from a tight bud to a large ovoid shape with a rigid carbon fiber shell. Its exterior is tough as a tank while its interior is a cozy home with a sense of Nordic “hygge”.

lunark3

The main exterior of the habitat is made from a black glossy carbon fiber shell. The carbon-fiber structure’s sandwiched panels with a foam core for extra insulation. Carbon fiber is ideal because it’s lightweight – which is crucial for transport and unfolding – yet strong. The panels are connected by a white foldable composite rubber and the main load-bearing structure is an aluminum frame.

Starting from the size of a small car, the carbon fiber shell can unfold to 750 times its size. Inside, solar-powered circadian panels mimic the light cycles on Earth, aiming to improve astronauts’ sleep patterns and general well-being. It is designed to counteract monotony, claustrophobia, and psychological stress.

lunark1

With an inner volume of 17.2 sqm, LUNARK is designed to shelter two people at once. It is powered by a 1000 Ah solar-powered battery. It aspires to be a zero-waste shelter, leaving as little impact as possible on the environment. Inside the unfolding pod, there is space for a 3D printer (for printing spare parts if needed), stowage for batteries and water, and a living algae farm. LUNARK also has a series of in-built digital software systems, including a weather simulator to help break up the day-to-day monotony, and an algae reactor, to nurture and monitor a source of nutrition.

The main principle behind LUNARK is its expanding volume, as the structure expands 750% after transport while testing it was a great success as it was easy to unfold and strong enough to withstand the extreme environment. “The habitat worked beyond all expectations. The unfolding was possible by just two people and no heavy machinery – and in the extreme cold of the arctic. Furthermore, the interior design and spatial organization worked well. We are not trained professional astronauts, our tolerance is much lower. So we needed a much more pleasant living environment. We wanted to create a home, not a survival machine – and the habitat really ended up feeling like home,” adds Aristotelis.

Earlier in 2020, SAGA developed a prototype for LUNARK using the principles of Japanese origami folding with biomimicry. The two architects, Sebastian Aristotelis and Karl-Johan Sørensen, then went on a two-month mission to experience extreme isolation in northern Greenland where they tested LUNARK and its technologies themselves for future moon missions while enduring -30°c, hurricane winds, and hungry polar bears!

lunark2

In the two months spent in extreme isolation in Greenland, SAGA collected data about the performance of the unfolding origami structure and the circadian light panels that form the artificial sky inside the habitat. The duo also collected data about their psychological wellbeing, the impact of isolation, and how to deal with conflicts under extreme conditions which will help them make LUNARK even better for real missions.

“We wanted to make the most realistic simulation mission. If we as architects want to test the effect of architectural countermeasures in space we also need to simulate a realistic amount of stress on the participants (in our case ourselves). The cold arctic was the best bet for that. At the same time, the arctic has the most similar lighting conditions to the moon. It’s far away, remote and isolated so the experiment conditions forced our design to be easy to deploy,” said Aristotelis.

Having lived for months in conditions that resemble those in outer space, the two young architects collected a significant amount of data which they will analyze with a focus on human well-being and psychology. “The future looks great, our design worked better than expected which puts us on a solid trajectory to build in outer space,” Aristotelis concludes. SAGA is not only focused on making brilliant space architecture but is also putting the mental health of the astronauts at the core of their design which makes them stand out among all others on our planet!

Designer: SAGA Space Architects

lunark

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This packaging design’s innovative and simple form lets you eat snacks fuss-free!

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Who avoids eating pistachios because of the mess the shells create? Well, we might just be in luck because ÖLOBOX was designed with a pocket for shells inside the packaging itself which allows you to eat snacks like pistachios anywhere! The origami-inspired packaging design is meant for snacks that need shelling before eating. The husks section is inside and opens after the pack is opened. When you finish eating, simply close the pack with shells and discard it responsibly.

ÖLOBOX aims to encourage a new culture of healthy snacking and an attentive attitude that takes into account how we interact with the packaging, if it makes snacking easier, what happens to the packaging after the snack is done, and more. When we choose our snack it is also important to start taking note of the waste it generates. “First of all, it’s very important to tell the customer how to use the new package. We have found inspiration in the symbol of recycling. The main idea of the design of ÖLOBOX’s pack is based on the instruction there with the arrows being the key elements. They show the sequence of actions for the consumer: 1-2-3,” says Olkas Voron as her packaging design focuses on making the experience easy.

At Yanko Design, we are obsessed with innovative packaging so we put this one on our Instagram to let our audience react and discuss. There were a lot of insightful comments pointing out things that could actually make ÖLOBOX a whole lot better, for example, many readers recommended a shape that could also stand on its own because snacks like pistachios require you to use both hands and the cone form makes that hard to do. Environmentally conscious readers would love to see the plastic element being replaced or even taken out completely to reduce waste and make the entire packaging recyclable. However, ÖLOBOX is a step in the right direction and all we can say is SHELL YEAH!

Designer: Olkas Voron, Nikita Bulgakov and Aleksey Koler

Origami-inspired product designs that promise to add a sense of Ikigai to your life!

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There’s something so soothing and therapeutic about the Japanese art of Origami. Some may say it’s simply folding paper, but it is much more than that. Though I may not be very good at it, almost everything made using this technique is always super pretty and you feel like secretly storing it away from clumsy hands. Origami has been a major source of inspiration for designers. They’ve been integrating this technique into many of their designs, and the result is minimal, artistic, and beautiful products that instantly make you feel at ease. We’ve curated a collection of origami-inspired designs – from a minimal tea table that was inspired by it to a shoe grip inspired by Kirigami (a variation of Origami). Each of these designs will invoke a sense of peace and serenity within you, and you would love to add them to your daily life and living space!

Hasu transforms itself as the tea ritual progresses making it a contemporary piece of furniture that still pays a tribute to the process. It starts as a minimal compact structure and ends as a complete furniture set for tea time. Hasu’s design allows storing an extensive tea collection while presenting it in a unique and clean manner – it is almost like you can fold or unfold the tea time ritual like origami. There is a lot of storage for all the objects needed for tea rituals and the table allows you to present them one by one during tea time, it is all on-site so everything is handy as well as neatly tucked away. The unfolding of the four upper tabletops marks the beginning of the tea time ritual. Extend the seating to four guests by simply pulling the floor chairs from the table. Even when it is not in use, it still upgrades the space as an abstract piece.

The Origami Bottle may have a solution to that convenient problem. Designed to be reusable, but more importantly, be collapsible, the Origami Bottle folds down to 20% of its original size when not in use. Small enough to easily fit into any bag without occupying much space, the Origami Bottle neatly folds down to a nice, portable puck that’s easy and convenient to carry around. When you need to fill it up, the bottle opens up to a full size of 25oz (750ml). Made from a food-safe non-toxic TPE, the Origami bottle is characterized by its network of creases that cover the bottle’s sides. These creases act as fold lines, allowing the bottle to collapse and expand whenever you want it, but here’s where the Origami bottle’s design shines through.

With the Imagiro, the carpet isn’t just a carpet anymore, but instead is an imagination-fueled origami art-installation that decorates your home (or even a hotel/retail space) in all three dimensions, displayed as a part of the Wayon showcase by EINA University of Design, Barcelona.

The Clixo magnetic building set presents the most dramatic change to this classic idea, by disregarding the need for block-shaped pieces entirely. Instead of sticking to the tried-and-true design of geometric shapes, the Clixo pieces are thin and flexible, almost like a sheet of origami paper. Some of the pieces mimic the shape of a fidget spinner, with four leg-like structures with circular, magnetic connectors. What are the advantages of this design? Firstly, it allows a Clixo to do what a lego can’t: fold inward and attach to its own legs. Secondly, it allows you to build anywhere (literally). Conventional building blocks must be stacked on a flat surface, otherwise, they’ll topple over. Clixo pieces aren’t limited by that constraint. You can build a new creation on your lap, wrap them around your wrist like a bracelet, or even stick them on your fridge like magnets.

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The FODI is a nifty little stand for your tablet and smartphone. When flat, it measures a cool 1mm thick and uses the powers of Origami to fold open into a convenient stand that lets you dock your smartphone or tablet onto it at a convenient angle for watching videos, movies, or just regular video-chatting. The FODI is made from polymers that provide strength over periodic use (the PP gives it its flexible ability). Designed with alluring patterns like marble, granite, wood, or even graphical designs, the FODI goes rather well with the tech that docks on it as well as the decor around you. Its incredibly slim profile even means you can carry it around with you in your tablet-sleeve or backpack. If only it could wirelessly charge your devices too, that would just be perfect!

Inspired by the techniques used for origami, this compact and portable headphone is designed to fit into just about any space. Being a practical device, it is waterproof, dust-proof, and durable. Designer Vedang Kulkarni has kept in mind the key aspects of functionality and transformation. Needless to say, all controls are intuitively placed, so that you can access and adjust them easily. Audiball is your personal headphone and a smart speaker on the go. The telescopic headband is stylish and looks very chic as an accent in the speaker mode. Features include active noise-canceling technology for a better listening experience.

A century ago, not a soul would have imagined the advances in medical science we have achieved. Taking the evolution of medical surgeries a step further, MIT engineers have crafted an origami-inspired medical patch that can wrap around your internal organs with the utmost ease. This design makes it pretty useful in application to internal injuries or sensitive parts of the internal organs – airways, intestines, or hard-to-reach spaces. Aesthetically speaking, the design appears just like a foldable piece of paper; this patch contacts the tissues and organs. After that, it morphs into a thick gel that stays firmly on the injured area until it heals. The patch is made up of three layers – the top layer is an elastomer film consisting of zwitterionic polymers that become a water-based skin-like barrier. The middle layer is the bio-adhesive hydrogel having the compound NHS esters to form a strong bond with the tissue surface. The bottom layer is made up of silicone oil to prevent it from sticking to the body surface before reaching the intended target.

The University of Cambridge and The University of Queensland teamed up to create ‘The HappyShield’. The HappyShield is an origami face shield, that is created by simply folding a piece of clear plastic. The shield basically comprises a clear sheet and some elastic. Employing the curve-crease origami technique, the translucent plastic is folded on a template, and merged with a piece of elastic to create The HappyShield! The shield is very easy to make, and not does require 3D printing or any other complicated techniques. It can simply be made by hand and manufactured in bulk!

MIT engineers introduced a shoe grip, that was inspired by Kirigami – a variation of origami! It’s quite similar to snakeskin and is a sturdy friction-boosting material that will provide you with a stronger grip, especially when walking across a slippery surface. The super grip was designed bearing in mind older adults, as they are more prone to slipping, and it could reduce the risk of falling even! The Kirigami technique used here has been gaining a lot of popularity recently. It was even used to create a bandage that can artfully stick onto the tricky and deformable areas of your body. Origami has a lot more uses than we know, it seems!

The Bookniture Origami Furniture by MoMA is really as creative as a product can get! It’s a piece of furniture that folds into a book when not in use! When folded, Bookniture is basically a book, one that you can easily slide onto your bookshelf or your desk. When opened, it forms an accordion-style furniture design that can be used as a table, seat, or even a storage shelf. Despite the fact that it can be folded in origami-style, the design is quite durable and able to hold quite a bit of weight. So you can sit on it with ease, without fearing that it’ll break apart and you may fall!