Why this Thermoregulating Graphene Blanket is a Must-Have for Every Home

Rising electricity costs, power outages, extreme weather, these aren’t a distant figment of fiction anymore. Regardless of where you live, all of these are a reality, and sure, we can adopt new forms of energy and build more reliable power systems for ensuring our sustenance… or, we could just be very smart with how we leverage existing technologies to live our lives comfortably in an energy-efficient way. Meet HILU, a thermoregulating blanket that replaces the need for a thermostat or an air-conditioner. Made from graphene, one of the most highly conductive materials known to man, the HILU blanket thermoregulates you while you sleep. In short, if you’re feeling hot, the blanket cools you down. If you’re feeling cold, the blanket warms you up. The HILU blanket doesn’t run on electricity and doesn’t need plugging in. It can be used both indoors and outdoors… and the best part, it can thermoregulate in both directions at the same time, keeping you cool while keeping your partner warm.

Designer: HILU Design

Click Here to Buy Now: Queen Size + Mask for $180 $320 (44% off) or King Size + Mask for $190 $345 (44% off). Hurry, exclusive deal for YD readers.

HILU graphene-made blanket adjusts to your body temperature so you can sleep all night comfortably, regardless the season.

The way the HILU blanket works is simple science. Given graphene’s highly conductive properties, it does a remarkable job of regulating your body’s temperature, helping you feel warm when it’s cold, and cool when it’s hot. The blanket detects your body’s own temperature, and either lets heat out or traps heat inside to help you reach an optimal temperature so that you feel comfortable all year round.

HILU’s fabric is crafted from pure graphene fiber, which is produced through a unique wet spinning process that dissolves graphite into liquid graphene crystals. These crystals are then dried to form the fibers, which are woven together using Adaptex technology to create a blanket that can sense and regulate body temperature. The blanket is also soft, comfortable, hypoallergenic, and OEKO-TEX100 certified. Additionally, the use of pure graphene fiber makes the HILU blanket highly durable and virtually tear-proof.

Made of genuine graphene fibers, HILU blankets are the strongest and most durable in the market.

The properties of graphene don’t just stop there. Aside from HILU’s borderline magical thermoregulating properties and high durability, the blanket is also hypoallergenic, breathable, and anti-bacterial. This makes it suitable for all skin types, keeping you comfortable through the year. The breathability ensures you don’t work up a sweat while you sleep, and the anti-bacterial nature of the fibers ensure that even if you do, your blanket remains fresh for weeks.

Unlike your cotton or wool blanket that can often get musty with time, the HILU has no such shortcomings, although it’s recommended that you machine wash it on the gentle cycle with cold water and tumble dry on low to make it last for years to come… a promise extended by even HILU’s makers with their staggering 10-year warranty.

The HILU blanket is available in both Queen and King sizes, with its signature satin-grey fabric (and comes with a free luxurious eye mask). You can choose a custom color for the tailoring, with options between grey, blue, or green stitching to give your blanket the perfect accent color. The blanket debuted earlier this year on crowdfunding platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo, gathering over $1 million in sales. The HILU team began delivering the blanket at the beginning of May, and you can grab yours now at a special discounted price (and claim the free eye mask) just for Yanko Design readers using the link below!

Click Here to Buy Now: Queen Size + Mask for $180 $320 (44% off) or King Size + Mask for $190 $345 (44% off). Hurry, exclusive deal for YD readers.

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Top 10 sustainable furniture designs that are the eco-friendly additions your home needs

2020 was a life-altering and drastic year, and 2023 is the year we get to redeem all our careless mistakes of the past and start living more consciously and sustainably. We cannot ignore the needs of our planet anymore, we need to take the environment into consideration, and what better way to start doing that than from our own homes? Sustainable furniture is taking the design industry by storm, they’re a step towards making our homes and our daily lives more eco-friendly and sustainable. They’re an attempt to cast aside toxic materials, and instead, add furniture designs to our home that won’t rot away on Earth for years once we’re done with them. We’ve curated a collection of furniture products created from cork, bamboo, and even a sea plant! The options are endless, and the end result is the same – a greener, healthier, and happier Mother Earth!

1. 3D-printed Chairs

Designed by Johannes Steinbauer Office For Design, these 3D-printed chairs are produced using additive manufacturing and are created without using fabrics, springs, and foam! And they still manage to be super functional and comfortable. These chairs utilize rigid parts, instead of the typical racks from chairs.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design is simple enough with four legs, a round seat, and a single bar at the back. But if you want to add other components like more racks or textiles, these can be added through 3D printing. The different parts are easy to assemble and disassemble and once it reaches the end of life, you can dispose of the different parts separately and recycle them accordingly.

What we like

  • Super easy to assemble and disassemble
  • Sustainable design

What we dislike

  • No instruction on having a space-saving version of this design

2. The Bündner Side Table

Designed by the Portuguese architecture and design studio Joana Vilaça Studio, the Bündner Side table is a solid wood table that is artfully inspired by the Swiss Alps lifestyle. It’s a rather interesting muse for a meager table, and not a very common one either.

Why is it noteworthy?

Joana drew inspiration from her own experience of living in Switzerland, where her studio is located. “Having lived for five years in the beautiful Graubünden canton of Switzerland, the collection is inspired by the art of living in the Swiss Alps,” she said.

What we like

  • The self-assembly design is ideal for residential or public interiors, where it can be utilized as a bedside, coffee, or side table

What we dislike

  • Would be great if there was a folding/space-saving version of it as well

3. The Chatpod 700

There are quite a few versatile options on the market when it comes to office booths, but have you come across the most sustainable one yet? Yup, called the Chatpod 700, this sleek and minimal office booth claims to be “the most sustainable office booth on the market”.

Why is it noteworthy?

Made entirely from recycled materials such as post-consumer cardboard, sawdust, rubber, and plastic bottle, the Chatpod 700 is quite proud of its sustainable composition, and with reason. Designed by Jeffrey Ibañez for Impact Acoustic, the office booth was ideally created for team meetings.

What we like

  • Built using recycled materials
  • Great space to hold casual informal meetings

What we dislike

  • Large space-consuming design

4. Oceanides

Designed by Alexia Mintsouli for UK studio Alexa Mint, Oceanides is a collection of tables made from sea plants and marble. The innovative collection includes a square coffee table and two round side tables. One of the side tables features four legs, while the other features a solid base.

Why is it noteworthy?

Peloponnesian Tortora marble was used to craft the base and legs of the table, while the brown-colored tabletops were built using a sea plant that imparts the table with a natural pattern variation.

What we like

  • The local Greek craftsmen were involved in the process, hence giving the local economy a boost as well
  • Designed to promote sustainability + earth preservation

What we dislike

  • No option for customization

5. The Drum Stool

The Drum stool is minimal, elegant, stackable, and not to mention sustainable! At first glance, the Drum stool looks like a cute little wine cork to me. But when you dig deeper, you realize it has much more to offer than its adorable good looks.

Why is it noteworthy?

Teixeira picked materials such as cork and wood to build the stool, instantly rating it high on sustainability. Cork was used to create the seat, while wood was the material of choice for the legs.

What we like

  • The cork seat is comfortable and inviting and provides a grip while handling, so the stool is quite easy to move around and place in different positions

What we dislike

  • The wave pattern of the trimmed cork seat seems uncomfortable to sit on for long durations

6. Stackabl

More than just a collection of designer furniture in the form of chairs, lounges, and benches, Stackabl is actually a new system that mixes machine precision with human creativity. In a nutshell, a specialized configurator software analyzes choices made by a user or a designer, like colors or dimensions, and selects high-quality felt offcuts that are then cut by robots for use in making furniture.

Why is it noteworthy?

The demand for clothing and furniture upholstery has probably gone up in the past few years, as more people become more attuned to well-designed products. That means more materials are used for production, which unfortunately also means more scraps are left on the cutting room floor, quite literally. While some of these materials are biodegradable or at least recyclable, one design firm is putting them to good use to create furniture that not only looks comfortable but artistically striking as well.

What we like

  • Reduces carbon footprint while also enriching and empowering local economies

What we dislike

  • May not suit modern contemporary homes

7. The Flying Saucer Coffee Table

This table is made up of three large UFO shapes in tasty candy colors holding aloft an even larger glass disc that serves as the tabletop, and it is called the Flying Saucer Coffee Table.

Why is it noteworthy?

The combination, especially if viewed from the top, is reminiscent of those glass jars holding innumerable gobstoppers that make our mouths water at the mere sight of them. Beneath the UFOs is a steel base plate that creates a perpetual shadow for the flying candies, regardless of the light source.

What we like

  • Thermoformed plastic used in the product is sourced from recycled materials, particularly from food packaging that makes up about 75% of London’s domestic plastic waste

What we dislike

  • The edges of the UFOs could easily cause us to stub our toes

8. in.water

This desk is striking in its minimalist beauty. The piece of furniture is flat-packed and easily assembled, composed of nothing more than two pairs of aluminum legs and a plexiglass tabletop.

Why is it noteworthy?

The table has a translucent gradient that goes from blue to frost white, creating an interesting visual even when it’s devoid of anything on top. The choice of color is, of course, intentional, and it is meant to convey the image of a clear body of water partially reflecting the blue sky.

What we like

  • It can be made from 100% recycled plexiglass and aluminum, and its flat-pack design produces less carbon footprint during transportation

What we dislike

  • Showcases no way to add drawers, cable management setup, or any accessories to the glass top

9. Vis-à-vis and Rendez-vous

I’ve realized that filling up your bathroom with thoughtful designs, only makes your time in it much more comfortable and smooth. And this collection of bathroom seating by Italian bathroom brand Agape strives to be exactly that! Designed by Marco Carini for Agape, the collection includes two seating designs created from recycled cork.

Why is it noteworthy?

The first design is called Vis-à-vis, and it is a light and sturdy stool that also doubles up as a tiny side table. The second design is Rendez-vous, and it’s a bench that serves as an extensive seating option for bathroom users. Both designs function as comfortable spots to sit and relax in the bathroom.

What we like

  • Crafted from recycled cork
  • The curving form resembles someone smiling

What we dislike

  • Not suited for bathrooms with a smaller footprint

10. The 4PM Chaise Longue Chair

Comprised of flat and curved features, the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair is designed to create comfort out of hard material. Constructed in either Douglas fir or cherry wood, the only upholstered component of the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair is the leather headrest. Balanced on top of the backrest, Massproductions held the headrest in place with a steel weight.

Why is it noteworthy?

Massproductions is a slow furniture company, don’t let the name fool you. Since the furniture company only develops a few pieces every year, the ones that go into production guarantee a top-quality build and durable life span. Boasting an efficient, sustainable, and high-quality industrial production process, the company’s designers ensure the integrity of Massproductions’s vision. The company’s founder, Chris Martin, developed the 4PM Chaise Longue Chair to reinforce the company’s commitment to quality and produce an ergonomic, long-lasting chair for much-needed R&R.

What we like

  • Sustainable production and design process
  • Ergonomically designed

What we dislike

  • It doesn’t seem very comfortable to sit on for long hours

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This stool and side table set can be interlocked together like a pair of LEGO blocks

There’s just something about a smartly designed piece of furniture, that can meet a number of needs, that ticks all the checkboxes of me. And if they also manage to be space-saving, and somewhat transformative, that’s some additional brownie points for them. Since space constraint is a legitimate real-time issue in most modern apartments today, it’s become almost imperative to search and seek out functional, ergonomic, and compact furniture designs for our homes. And a furniture design that I recently came across, that would be an excellent addition to your contemporary homes is ‘The Cube’.

Designer: Mirlay Özlem ER

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Designed by Mirlay Özlem ER, the Cube or the Cube Hobby Space is an ingenious design that comprises of a stool and side table, that have been craftily interlocked together, and can be separated to use individually. The design basically consists of two furniture pieces – a stool, and a side table. The two pieces have been configured together to function as small and cozy nooks for users to engage in their hobbies, or even get some work done. Both the pieces can be nested together, or placed on top of each other like LEGO blocks – making it super easy to store them away, assemble and disassemble them.

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The stool is rather small and compact but seems comfortable enough. Besides functioning as a seating space, it has been integrated with a storage section below and on the left-hand side as well, these can be used to store magazines, books, stationery, and any other equipment you may require for work, or carrying out your hobbies. The side table or small desk on the other features a simple tabletop that seems suitable for a couple of hours of work. When you’re in the mood to work or engage in some arts and crafts, you can simply remove the Cube from storage and set it up. Once you’re done using it, you can glide the table on top of the stool, fitting them together, and keeping them away as a single piece of furniture.

Mirlay recommends using the Cube to conduct your hobbies, however as mentioned, it can be used to work, but I don’t think it would be suitable for long durations. It seems okay to use if you have to finish up a small task that doesn’t require much time, or else it could become uncomfortable to sit on the Cube for longer.

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The fanciest tap I’ve ever seen is built from bamboo & is super sustainable…

One of my favorite times of the day is bathtime! As we’ve grown older and life has gotten super hectic, bathtime is that precious hour of the day when we can fully indulge in self-care, and pamper ourselves – whether that’s in the form of a bubble bath or a long warm shower, having a beautifully designed bathroom with thoughtful designs will only amplify this special time of the day. The right selection of bathroom fixtures and products makes a huge difference to your everyday bathroom experience. And one such design that would make an excellent addition to your bathroom is the Jacqueline tap by Gessi.

Designer: Gessi

Now let me tell you why the Jacqueline tap by Italian bathroom and kitchen brand Gessi caught my eye – because it’s made from bamboo! As a part of its Gessi Spa Collection, the Jacqueline tap is made from segments of bamboo. The tap is created with immense precision and attention to detail, quite similar to the care and concern given in the manufacturing of high-end fashion accessories, which Gessi attempted to capture in the form of a faucet.

“[Jacqueline] allows a natural material to be brought to a functional use and not just an aesthetic one,” said Gessi. Bamboo roots were hand-selected by Gessi and then curved into shape using hot bending techniques. After that, it is treated to become waterproof, and then the functional plumbing elements are integrated into the hollow bamboo tube.

The spout is available in an option of ten metallic and colored finishes – such as nickel, brass, copper, bronze, and black. It also comes in a range of mounting formats. The other taps in the collection draw inspiration from the shapes of handbag fastenings and are available in metal with a leather effect or imitation horn details. But the Jacqueline tap definitely stands out to me, because of its choice of material. Bamboo is a sustainable, flexible, weather-resistant, and strong material that is a boon to the planet. It is a great alternative to the marble or concrete faucets we usually install in our bathrooms, and not to mention that Gessi left no stone unturned, to ensure that Jacqueline is also super beautiful.

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These new-generation candles add a calming process to your bedtime routine

Don’t we all fall asleep every night while scrolling through our phones? Attending to all of the notifications received throughout the day feels like a responsibility. However, responding to any of these notifications opens up an entire thread of messages, causing you to lose track of time and fall behind on your sleep routine.

People in the pre-tech era had better sleeping habits. Blue light is harmful to the eyes and affects one’s circadian rhythms (aka sleep-wake cycle) which is why it is recommended that one does not look at any screen till two hours before sleeping in order to have a good and well-rested sleep.

Designer: Pelin Özbalcı

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Candles were utilized for purposes other than fragrance in the past. Candle timers are thin candles with evenly spaced markings that, when lighted, represent the passage of time. They also provided a soothing environment to promote one’s circadian rhythms but lacked the ease and dependability of modern technologies. Many people find it difficult merely to lie down and sleep. Our minds are glued to the distractions that the screens offer. We wait till our eyes fatigue and dry out and we can no longer stay awake. This one-of-a-kind method for truly unwinding and relaxing your mind is exactly what you need to incorporate into your everyday sleep regimen.

CClock is a modern-day candle timer that incorporates simple mechanic controls while retaining the simplicity and tranquility of traditional candle clocks. This product allows one to reap the benefits without having to worry about running out of wax.

The clock features an adjustable lever and a darkened timer, allowing customers to personalize their experience and adapt it to their preferred ambiance. This keeps a person preoccupied and disconnected from the screen one can zone out and eventually fall asleep by watching the candle burn out. The approach encourages a healthy sleep cycle. However, the use of yellow light as an alternative to the currently recommended white light can be looked into it. Yellow light is better suitable for resting eyes and would improve the peaceful experience by proving beneficial for circadian rhythms.

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The body of the battery-operated CClock has a sleek and modern appearance and is accented with six orange dots, each signifying 10 minutes of total timer capacity for a maximum of 60 minutes. This allows customers to set their desired relaxation time easily and correctly, with clear and easy indicators that improve usage and convenience.

CClock can also be used as part of the ambient lighting in a room. To illuminate the entire product, flip the lever upwards once it has reached its maximum position and has darkened entirely. This operation will disable the timer and allow the candle to burn completely and indefinitely. This function gives users more freedom in how they use the device by allowing them to switch from timed relaxation to full candlelight as needed.

The design can be upgraded by adding a feature of the sunlight alarm. Sunlight alarms are lights that progressively brighten up at a set time allowing you to gradually experience and wake up as the sun rises. Combining the 2 products would undoubtedly upsell this thoughtful design.

The candle’s framework is intended to be versatile. In addition to serving as a stable platform for the electronic candle and lever mechanism, the base has a small compartment for rings or other small things. This enhanced functionality allows consumers to store jewelry, hair accessories, chains, earphones, or any other valuables while using the device in a convenient and secure location.

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Unique Reuleaux triangle-shaped wheels on this bike is far more comfortable than you’d imagine

If you thought the square-wheeled bicycle was a logically impossible build, a Reuleaux triangle cycle ride is even bonkers. Sergii Gordieiev, who’s an engineer by profession and inventive fabricator by nature, bamboozled us with his earlier creation and now, another fresh DIY has left us yearning for more.

Just like the square-wheeled bicycle that seemed logically impossible to move – but still, it did smoothly – this ingenious build too surprises with its nifty engineering. The ingenious bicycle riding on wheels with rollers move in a linear manner, forming adjacent lines between each one of the rollers and the flat surface it’s riding on. This enables the triangle wheels to overcome their limitation and roll more comfortably than presumed.

Designer: Sergii Gordieiev

Even more so, the bicycle can traverse and maneuver uneven terrain like dirt trails with equal dexterity. If we think based on the laws of physics, for the Reuleaux triangle-shaped wheels it is the “simplest and best-known curve of constant width other than the circle.”

The DIY bike is ridden like any other pedal-powered bicycle even though it looks highly improbable. Also, the rider doesn’t feel as much discomfort as one would assume. Articulated arms soak up most of the wheel’s movement and don’t transfer it to the rider. Truly a feat of engineering that’s a cakewalk for Sergii, given his previous builds.

Although it doesn’t ride as smoothly as the square-shaped version, still the dampening of all that lateral movement is an achievement. Just seeing those wheels and the noise coming from them will grab anyone’s attention.

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How to stay cool and refreshed anywhere with this revolutionary wearable air conditioner

Escape the scorching heat of summer and discover the ultimate solution to stay cool wherever you go! Hot days are just around the corner, and while some are dreaming of beaches, tans, and ice cream, many are just hoping to survive the unbearable and uncomfortable heat. It’s hard to deny that our days and even our nights have now become warmer than ever before, and conventional ways of staying cool just aren’t cutting it anymore. We’ve all experienced those sweltering summer days when even the slightest breeze feels like a blessing, making us wish we could carry our air conditioners with us everywhere. Of course, that isn’t going to happen, at least not with these conventional boxes. Fortunately, some people have thought outside the box to make that dream come true with a neck-worn device that lets you keep cool anywhere and also look cool at the same time.

Designer: Torras Design

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $299 ($100 off total with coupon code “yankocool”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

There are a few products out there that claim to be portable air conditioners, but most of them are just fans that push the same hot air toward your face. TORRAS, however, isn’t cutting corners to deliver you unprecedented comfort anywhere you go, and its Coolify 2S wearable cooling device brings an honest-to-goodness air conditioning experience even when you’re outdoors under the blazing heat of the sun.

Unlike simple fans and water-cooled devices, the Coolify 2S utilizes high-efficiency semiconductor cooling plates to really pull the temperature down by as much as 30°F in just a second. This TORRAS Coology technology works in tandem with targeted airflow to blast that icy-cool air in four directions, making sure that your temperature-sensitive neck and face are kept at a comfortable temperature anytime, even while you’re out for a run. And since each person has different cooling needs and preferences, the Coolify 2S offers three optional speed modes to tailor the experience to their personal comfort. Enjoy a gentle 1.0m/s wind speed in first gear, a more discernible 1.3m/s speed in second gear, or a gusty 2.0m/s wind in third gear, depending on your preferences.

Air conditioners are commonly seen as power-hungry machines, but Coolify 2S pulls off a miracle by sipping only 6W from its 5,000 mAh battery, allowing you hours of use on a single charge. Using the fans alone can last you as much as 28 hours on first gear, but even when using both cooling and fan at the same time, you can still squeeze out 6 hours before needing to top up the portable air conditioner again. Along with its quiet operation, this freedom from cables allows you to enjoy refreshing, cool air anywhere, whether outdoors on your own or indoors with other possibly jealous people.

Best of all, the TORRAS Coolify 2S is designed to be comfortable to wear and stylish to look at. Thanks to smart engineering, it can fit any neck size, and its upgraded IMD material and premium texture give it some class. Whether you’re doing outdoor workouts, going for a leisurely walk, or just trying to survive a stuffy office, this wearable air conditioner is going to be your best friend and life saver. So, why waste energy fretting about how to stay cool this summer? Embrace the great outdoors and experience true innovation with the TORRAS Coolify 2S neck-worn air conditioner, available exclusively for Yanko Design readers at a discounted price of $199 (originally $299). Stay cool, refreshed, and stylish with the Coolify 2S – your ultimate companion for beating the heat!

Click Here to Buy Now: $199 $299 ($100 off total with coupon code “yankocool”). Hurry, deal ends in 48 hours!

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Who Owns AI-Generated Content? Understanding Ownership, Copyrighting, and How the Law interprets AI-generated Art

Disclaimer – This article was written considering current United States intellectual property laws as of May 2023. If you’re interested in knowing more about your country’s IP laws and view on AI, I recommend consulting a lawyer or doing some research online.

Little did Mark Zuckerberg know back in October of 2021, that the future wasn’t, in fact, the metaverse. Just months after he rebranded his entire company as Meta, putting all his bets on a virtual universe, something completely shook the foundations of that reality. OpenAI and StabilityAI both debuted their text-to-image AI art models, allowing pretty much anyone to create stunningly realistic images with just a simple text prompt. Stable Diffusion, Dall-E 2, and MidJourney suddenly became all the rage, completely creating new professions and destroying existing ones overnight. If that wasn’t enough, on roughly the 1-year anniversary of Meta’s rebrand, OpenAI unveiled ChatGPT, the all-powerful AI chatbot that even had legacy companies like Google wetting the bed.

It’s now difficult to imagine a world before AI tools, and there’s obviously no going back to those days now that this Pandora’s box has been opened. The world’s changed so much in the past few months, as people have used AI-based tools to become artists, writers, coders, etc. overnight… but there’s a fundamental question to be asked and answered here – When Machines Create, Who Gets To Own It??

When Machines Create, Who Gets To Own It??

This question, like the actual origin of AI-generated content, isn’t new. Machine learning has been around for more than a decade at this point, with computers gaining intelligence through the act of data-gathering, parsing, ‘thinking’, and ‘creating’. As early as 1996, Deep Blue defeated grandmaster Garry Kasparov in a game of chess – a first for any computer. Then in 2011, IBM’s Watson supercomputer beat humans in a game of Jeopardy; and in 2015, AlphaGo beat European Go champion Fan Hui with a score of 5 to 0. Is it safe to say that computers defeated their human counterparts? Or that the engineers who created the computers were the actual victors? What about when a self-driving Tesla kills a pedestrian? Does the blame go to the AI? Or the human behind the wheel? Or Tesla’s team of engineers who built the self-driving algorithm? We’re still figuring out the answers to all those nuanced questions, although Tesla’s terms and conditions clearly outline that the company isn’t liable for anything its self-driving AI does. The liability falls upon the driver, who probably scrolled right past the terms and conditions to click on the ‘Accept’ button.

Needless to say, AI-generated accidents and AI-generated artworks are viewed differently under the law. As far as art goes, be it a video, an image, a script, a song, or any medium that the AI can work with, the (US) law is pretty straightforward – According to copyright law, only humans can be granted copyrights. If it’s created by AI, nobody can claim ownership of it or copyright it.

Interestingly enough, in 2018, the USPTO (United States Patent and Trademark Office) denied copyright to AI expert Dr. Steven Thaler for his AI-generated artwork titled “A Recent Entrance to Paradise”. Why? The examiner found no human authorship. According to the Office: “…The work could not be registered because it was made ‘without any creative contribution from a human actor.’” However, in February of 2023, graphic-novel artist Kris Kashtanova was granted copyright for their AI-generated comic book “Zarya of the Dawn” for the simple reason that there was human input in creating the entire comic book and its underlying storyline. The entire comic book was “AI-assisted” and not “AI-generated”, which is why it was eligible for copyright. The individual AI-generated images within the comic book, however, were not subject to copyright.

Zarya Of The Dawn – The first “AI-assisted” comic book to be granted Copyright

What does ‘Ownership’ even mean?

The law interprets ownership a little differently than humans do. On an interpersonal level, ownership is simple. If something belongs to me through purchase, I own it – like my phone, my watch, my shoes. The ownership is limited as a matter of speaking because even though I own my phone, I can’t repair it, modify it, or hack it without breaking certain rules, but that’s for a different discussion entirely. If something belongs to me through creation, on an interpersonal level, it’s pretty clear-cut too. I made it, it’s mine. The law, on the other hand, has three broad ways of ascribing ownership through creation – Trademark, Patent, and Copyright. Here’s how they work.

Trademark – Protects branding elements, such as names, logos, and slogans, that are used to identify a specific company or product. For example, Apple’s logo is a registered trademark that identifies the company’s products and services.

Patent – Protects new and useful inventions or discoveries, such as a new technologies or overall design. Apple has numerous patents for its various technological innovations, such as the iPhone’s multi-touch interface, and even on designs themselves, like the actual design of the iPhone.

Copyright – Protects original works of authorship, such as books, music, artwork, and even written source code/algorithms. For example, Apple owns the copyright to the software used in its products, such as the iOS operating system used in the iPhone and iPad. This means that no one else can legally copy or distribute Apple’s software without their permission.
*Patent and Trademark Offices are incredibly critical of AI being used even in documentation. Remember Dr. Stephen Thaler from earlier? Dr. Thaler developed an AI system called DABUS that could write patent applications. However, the USPTO rejected all patent applications on the grounds that they weren’t written by a human, with even the Supreme Court ruling in their favor.

In short, you could copyright an AI that you built on your own… but you can’t copyright the work generated by the AI unless there’s human effort involved in the work itself. There is, however, one small catch that most people tend to overlook… and it’s often written in the fine print of the Terms and Conditions that we agree to all too eagerly. Do companies like MidJourney, OpenAI, Google, Microsoft, and Stability.AI have rights/access to the work created by us using their AI programs?

Does Midjourney or ChatGPT fully or partly own my work?

I’m guessing you didn’t think about that while accepting the terms and conditions. Here’s the hilarious bit. I didn’t too, and companies often bank on this ignorance. In 2012, Bruce Willis almost considered suing Apple because he realized that all the music he paid for on iTunes didn’t “belong” to him. In short, he couldn’t download it, listen to it outside Apple’s ecosystem, or gift it to his children. Even though he PAID for the music, he didn’t actually pay for the music. He paid for the ‘privilege’ of being able to listen to it… a fact he would have known if he had read the iTunes Terms and Conditions.

With programs like Midjourney, ChatGPT, DALL·E, and Stable Diffusion, the answer to the question really depends from program to program and company to company. Here’s what the Terms of Service are for all common AI programs/bots. Be ready for a lot of legal speak. There’s a TL;DR version down below in case you just want the summary, and do note – these terms and conditions are subject to change at any point in time.

  • Midjourney – The company states that “You own all Assets You create with the Services, to the extent possible under current law. This excludes upscaling the images of others, which images remain owned by the original Asset creators.” You retain ownership of the assets even if you cancel your membership, but there are two caveats.  The first – By using the Services, you grant Midjourney a perpetual, worldwide, non-exclusive, royalty-free license to reproduce, prepare derivative works of, publicly display, perform, sublicense, and distribute any text or image prompts you input into the Services or assets produced by the service at your direction. Secondly, your ownership of assets is subject to additional terms if you’re an employee or owner of a company that makes more than $1 million USD a year in gross revenue, and you’re using the service on behalf of the company. If that’s true, you only own the assets under Midjourney’s Pro tier. If you are not a Paid Member, you don’t own the assets you create. Instead, Midjourney grants you a license to the assets under the Creative Commons Noncommercial 4.0 Attribution International License (the “Asset License”). Read Midjourney’s entire Terms of Service here.
  • Dall·E2 – Created by OpenAI (the same folks behind ChatGPT), Dall·E2 had incredibly strict terms up until July of 2022. The company watermarked each image with five colored swatches at the bottom right, and OpenAI was incredibly strict in enforcing the fact that the generated images DO NOT belong to you and are not meant to be treated otherwise. It wasn’t up until July 2022 that they relaxed their policies, allowing creators to commercialize their creations by selling their AI-generated art… OpenAI grants you rights to the images you create using DALL·E2, however, your prompts and artworks may be used by OpenAI to improve and maintain their services. This is also the case with ChatGPT. Read ahead to know what OpenAI says broadly in their Terms of Use across all their products.
  • ChatGPT – OpenAI looks at data through two lenses – Input and Output. You may provide input to the Services (“Input”), and receive output generated and returned by the Services based on the Input (“Output”). Input and Output are collectively “Content.” The Input you provide wholly belongs to you, as does the output, with a few disclaimers. OpenAI hereby assigns to you all its right, title and interest in and to Output. This means you can use Content for any purpose, including commercial purposes such as sale or publication, if you comply with these Terms. OpenAI may use Content to provide and maintain the Services, comply with applicable law, and enforce our policies. You are responsible for Content, including for ensuring that it does not violate any applicable law or these Terms… which loosely translates to ‘with great power comes great responsibility’. OpenAI does not hold itself responsible for any input or output that violates its terms, or the law. Read OpenAI’s entire Terms of Use here.
  • Stable Diffusion – This one’s tricky, given that Stable Diffusion is open-source and multiple companies/services are using its technology. However, with their proprietary DreamStudio AI program, StabilityAI (the company) mentions that “you own the Content that you generate using the Services to the extent permitted by applicable law.” However, given that the AI bot accepts images as input too, StabilityAI holds you responsible for ‘owning’ the images you upload onto its service, including copyrights and rights of publicity. You are responsible for the content and ensuring that it does not violate any laws or intellectual property rights. Stability and its affiliates may use the content to improve the Services and store it in a “history” section of your account for easy retrieval. Read the DreamStudio Terms of Service here.

TL;DR – All programs give you some form of right to ownership (this isn’t a copyright) to the work you create, but at the same time, they also give themselves permission to use your prompts and the resulting output in any way they choose. So be incredibly careful of the material you feed into these AI programs – especially make sure nothing you share with them is confidential or intellectual property that doesn’t belong to you.

Can someone steal my work if it’s not copyrighted?

Funnily enough, even though you’re given the right to ownership with these AI ‘generations’, the court of law doesn’t recognize it in a way that’s legally enforceable. So yes, you own the works you create, as long as you can keep them a secret and prevent them from being copied/stolen. The second you put your un-copyrighted works up in the public domain, anyone can pretty much copy it all. Your only respite in that regard, is the court of public opinion… unless there’s human intervention involved, in which case your work is eligible to be protected by copyright. The inverse is true too. You can ‘steal’ someone else’s work and modify it to an extent where the law considers it ‘your own creation’. It’s what musicians do with ‘sampling’ too, although many songs have been taken to court over possible plagiarism.

If I can’t copyright my AI-generated work? What can I do with it?

To be brutally honest, trying to copyright AI work is like trying to copyright a Starbucks order because you told the barista what you want. If all you provided were instructions, you shouldn’t be claiming any sort of credit for what the AI created… even if the basic framework of an idea belonged to you. You can, however, build on what the AI creates, treating it as a collaboration… and honestly, that’s what AI tools are all about. AI isn’t meant to replace humans, it’s meant to give humans new skills to create better work faster. It’s a means to an end, just the way Photoshop and AutoCAD replaced their manual counterparts.

To summarize, here’s the question we asked at the beginning – When Machines Create, Who Gets To Own It? Well, if the machine created it based on data from the entire internet, then the entire internet collectively has a right to access it or be inspired by it. When humans create work, they’re inspired by other work. When AI creates work, it’s merely sampling and remixing things in its dataset. So if you really want to be different, and if you really want to claim work that belongs to you, give it your own, distinct human touch!

All images in this article were created using Midjourney

The post Who Owns AI-Generated Content? Understanding Ownership, Copyrighting, and How the Law interprets AI-generated Art first appeared on Yanko Design.

New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Concept Spider-Man Tourbillon is for Marvel fans

In 2021, Audemars Piguet (AP) introduced the world to a remarkable and collaborative timepiece; the first-ever Royal Oak Concept x Marvel watch. It was a sensational creation dedicated to the Black Panther. The Royal Oak presented with the fictional character appearing to elevate above the dial in 3D.

This extraordinary watch captures the attention of enthusiasts and collectors alike, resulting in a unique timepiece going out in an auction for a staggering 5.2 million dollars. The resounding success of this collaboration is a germinator of the next edition Marvel collaboration; the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Spider-Man Spider-Man Tourbillon.

Designer: Audemars Piguet

Recently, Audemars Piguet released, to the enthusiastic audience in Dubai, its second Marvel-inspired watch. This time, the superhero on the timepiece is everyone’s beloved Spider-Man.

Just like its predecessor, the Royal Oak Concept Spider-Man Tourbillon showcased the Marvel character seemingly suspended within the intricate case. The watch has a 42mm titanium case, surrounded by a black ceramic bezel and crown. What sets this timepiece apart is the superhero that’s carved from CNC-milled white gold and adorned with exquisite engravings and hand-painted details.

Powering this horologically sound rendition of the Royal Oak is the hand-wound, in-house Calibre 2974, providing 72 hours of power reserve. To enhance its versatility, the watch comes paired with a black and grey interchangeable rubber strap or a rubber strap in black and red, adding an extra touch of dynamism to the overall look.

The Royal Oak Concept Spider-Man Tourbillon is a very exclusive creation. It is limited to only 250 pieces worldwide. Priced at 195,000 Swiss francs (approx. $215,000), the meticulously detailed and inclusion of Spider-Man iconic elements make the watch a highly sought-after collector’s item.

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Top 5 tableware designs to upgrade your mundane dinner table

At Yanko Design, we believe in constantly innovating, creating, and evolving. It’s a philosophy that serves as a lifeline for us, and one of the results of this lifeline is the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub! The Inspiration Hub is our ‘ever-expanding encyclopedia’ of design work for you to participate in, to inspire designers, and to get inspired by. Created in collaboration with KeyShot, the Inspiration Hub is your one-stop space for inspiration where designers like you can submit your impressive designs and be awarded to stand out in the crowd and to inspire other like-minded designers.

To kickstart your journey and send some motivation your way, we’ve curated some of our favorite tableware designs from the Inspiration Hub. These unique tableware designs will motivate you to create something spectacular and submit the design, as a gateway to sharing it with the best of the design world. Additionally, we will also be picking our favorite Design of the Week, Design of the Month, and Design of the Year – every week, month, and year from the submissions on the Inspiration Hub. Keep an eye on our Instagram page and the Inspiration Hub to see if your design gets picked. Fingers crossed!

Click here to Download KeyShot Pro (Use Code ‘KSYANKOHUB’ during installation for full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to take your sketch from concept to render!

1. The Oku Knife

Designed by Kathleen Reilly, the Oku Knife was inspired by Japanese table settings and features a unique handle that folds at 90 degrees from its blade. The innovative folded shape of the knife allows the handle to be placed on a surface, with the blade sitting perpendicularly away from that particular surface. You can even rest the knife’s blade along the edge of a cutting board or plate.

2. Joseph Joseph Salad Bowl & Servers Set

Element Studio and Joseph Joseph teamed up to create this minimal salad bowl and servers set. This smart space-saving design allows both products to be integrated into one convenient product, while harmoniously unifying form and functionality. It is quite pleasing to look at and also occupies minimum space on your dinner table and kitchen drawers.

3. Brunetti’s Ceramic Mugs

Designed by Frank Brunetti, these ceramic mugs are truly a beauty to look at! He opted for a full matte monochrome appearance, complemented by a touch of glossiness on the edge. He envisioned the mug in a wide array of vibrant color options, so they look like a wholesome and colorful pack of mugs when placed together. These would truly be a vision of your dinner table.

4. Wasteware

Viennese designer, Barbara Gollackner collaborated with Australian chef and restaurant owner Martin Kilga to create the ‘Wasteware’ collection, a range of tableware made using leftover food! The duo created a collection of bowls, plates, and cutlery using industrial and personal food waste. To bring the interesting tableware items to life, the studio utilized food waste such as pork skin, and old bread – from personal and industrial waste.

5. NEST

Designed by Mirko Romanelli, the NEST is a minimalist black and white salt and pepper shaker that draws inspiration from a bird’s nest. The shaker design was built using marble, providing it with a sophisticated yet sturdy identity. “The nest envelops, houses. and protects the egg inside. The aim is to work with marble through simple and geometric shapes such as the sphere and the toroid, enhancing the material aspect of marble and offering the user a product that gives great flexibility of use,” said Romanelli.

Click here to Download KeyShot Pro (Use Code ‘KSYANKOHUB’ during installation for a full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to start creating your own design and submit the design to us to get featured on the Inspiration Hub and the Yanko Design Instagram Page.

The post Top 5 tableware designs to upgrade your mundane dinner table first appeared on Yanko Design.