Tag Archives: YD Design Storm

Top 10 smart storage solutions designed to perfectly organize + de-clutter your home

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One problem that never seems to leave us, especially if you’re living in a major city – is the lack of space! If you’re an independent millennial who recently moved out of their family home and into their own, then a major issue that you may be dealing with almost every day…is space constraints in your own home. Our modern millennial homes have many virtues, but one thing they lack is space! Space constraint is something most of us end up dealing with every day. Smart storage solutions can be lifesavers in such tricky and compact situations. And to make your lives easier, we’ve curated a whole collection of storage solutions that come in the form of furniture designs that, to be honest, are going to completely organize your home. Not only do these products comfortably store your belongings, but they’re also perfect for displaying those special items that you don’t feel like shutting away in a dusty cabinet. From a Wolf stool concept to shelves that look like abstract art of faces gazing at you – these innovative storage and display solutions are the additions your home needs.

1. Allieva

There’s always been a need for compact and functional workstations. But this necessity is further compounded by the growing trend of distance learning and working from home, especially after the pandemic. To address this problem, Whynot Design has introduced a unique and innovative solution called the Allieva. This foldable wooden workstation is designed for Foppapedretti, one of the most well-known Italian brands for baby products and wooden furniture since 1945.

Why is it noteworthy?

This sleek, foldable work desk is meant to fit in any space, making it perfect for small houses and dorm rooms. Despite compromising on size, Allieva is aesthetically pleasing. It takes up as little space as possible and measures only 7 inches deep when folded.

What we like

  • The workstation can be set up easily with a simple gesture
  • Comes with a large compartment at the base of the table that allows you to keep everything

What we dislike

  • The folding and unfolding mechanism could be considered tedious by some

2. The Cheft Bookshelf

Maryam Pousti is the founder of the design and architecture practice Studio Pousti, and she put together a geometric bookshelf that is crafted from interlocking sheets of wood. The Cheft Bookshelf can be assembled without utilizing nails, screws, or glue.

Why is it noteworthy?

Besides functioning as a practical bookshelf, it can also be used as a room divider, or as a form of shelving for other items in your home. To be precise twelve interlocking sheets of wood were used to build Cheft. The bookshelf is also accompanied by a table and bar stool which all together form the Cheft furniture collection.

What we like

  • All three furniture pieces are inspired by the geometrical patterns of traditional Persian architecture
  • The bookshelf’s warm wooden aesthetics allow it to merge with the interiors of any modern contemporary home harmoniously

What we dislike

  • Extremely space-consuming design, not suited for smaller homes

3. The ZooZoo Collection

Adding an element of warmth will surely help employees to ease into their new work routine, after spending more than a year working from home. And a great collection of furniture could really help with that – such as the ZooZoo collection by Narbutas.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed by Annie Lee for the workplace furniture brand Narbutas, the ZooZoo collection includes an intriguingly high coffee table and a complementing pouf. The sleek coffee table is 27.2 inches tall and features a metal base, as well as a smooth top. The coffee table is available in two sizes, and the metal base can be customized to the color of your choice. The collection also includes a series of matching poufs available in a variety of colors and textiles. The poufs are accompanied by cushioned seats.

What we like

  • The entire collection is available in a single color, or a two-toned option, hence allowing it to suit diverse interior spaces
  • The poufs can be neatly stowed under the coffee tables, and also boast handy storage nooks to hold books, folders, and other miscellaneous items

What we dislike

  • Not ergonomic for working long hours

4. The Altura

Patricia Perez designed the Altura, a minimal and sturdy step stool, for Case Furniture. An interesting fact about the stool is that it doubles as up as a side table and a plant stand.

Why is it noteworthy?

Described as a “sleek yet sturdy design”, the stool has been equipped with two stepped tiers that serve extremely handy in holding and storing all kinds of items – from lamps, and books, to an entire person!

What we like

  • It enables users to reach those high-up places in their homes that they usually aren’t able to reach
  • Altura’s minimal and neutral aesthetics make it a great addition to any modern living space

What we dislike

  • There are similar designs on the market, nothing to really help it stand apart

5. The Fréquence Shelf

Designed by Jean Couvreur for Kabata, the Fréquence shelf is a minimal and sophisticated shelving design that functions as a multifunctional piece of modular furniture. It was also presented at Maison& Objet 2021.

Why is it noteworthy?

Boasting clean aesthetics, in a stark white color, what makes Fréquence special is the fact that it functions as a bookcase, base unit, or room divider. It comprises of a couple of geometrically shaped modules that can be combined, mixed, and matched to create a variety of designs, in accordance with your personal taste and the requirement of your home.

What we like

  • You can configure the modular elements to create a small bookcase that stands close to the ground or even a large room divider for a larger living space
  • This construction principle is a pretty significant one, since it, reduces the loss of material in the manufacturing process by 10 percent

What we dislike

  • Not suited for tiny/smaller homes

6. Spectator

Named ‘Spectator’, this intriguing bookshelf definitely looks as if it’s staring right back at you! It seems to be made of interlocking jigsaw puzzle pieces, and each piece looks like a distorted human face!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Spectator Series of shelves is as much a psychological art piece as it is a piece of furniture. In its small way, it demonstrates the wonder of our brains that try to fill in the gaps to complete forms and ideas, like how it is able to see faces in shapes that are so far removed from human heads. With so many faces hiding in plain sight, the roles of observer and observed are also reversed, at least in our mind’s eye again.

What we like

  • The shelf adheres to minimalist design principles despite the odd shapes of its pieces

What we dislike

  • Not everybody would like the aesthetics of this piece

7. Wolf

Are you the kind of person who would look at clouds and try to see what shapes or creatures you can see there? If yes then you’re probably a pretty creative person who can see all sorts of things in different figures and structures even without hearing the name of the product concept. So even though there’s no description or explanation, you probably understand why this new product concept for a stool is called Wolf.

Why is it noteworthy?

The German-based designer is making a name for himself with his unique takes on simple furniture like bookshelves, lamps, and chairs. This new concept for a stool is called Wolf and if you let your imagination run a little wild, you’ll be able to see a wolf in the shape of this minimalist piece of furniture. In fact, the shape of the stool looks like a logo for a new video game or a brand that gives off a scary, wolf vibe.

What we like

  • The triangular middle part can actually be turned into a small storage area

What we dislike

  • Doesn’t seem like a very cozy seating space

8. The Stair Cubby

The Stair Cubby, as it was christened, can be assembled without the use of tools, with tabs simply going into slots and held down with pegs. The cubby is designed to sit on two steps of stairs, but the panel on the back can slide up and down to adjust to different stair heights. The storage has five open-access cubbies for shoes, books, and any other item that can fit inside, keeping things organized and out of harm’s way.

Why is it noteworthy?

Staircase bins need to take into account the particular shape of stairs, but not all stairs are made equal, so they have to be a bit more flexible or at least configurable. Given how in-demand these storage solutions might be, they also need to be durable and sustainable. These two product design students from Nottingham Trent University in the UK hit both birds with one sheet of plywood.

What we like

  • Can be assembled without the use of tools
  • Great for homes with space constraints

What we dislike

  • We’re not sure how well it would hold heavier objects

9. The Axis Concept

With this more mechanical standing desk concept, you can enjoy the benefits of a healthier working lifestyle without breaking your back or your bank.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Axis Concept uses a simple axis mechanism, hence the name, to move the larger desk surface up or down as needed. As a bonus, part of the desk actually remains in position and is a good place to put items you’re less likely to move, like supplies or desk organizers. It can even be a temporary bookshelf that stays in the back of your desk when sitting or beneath the table when standing.

What we like

  • The simplicity of this system means that manufacturers can keep the number of parts and materials down to a minimum
  • Sustainable materials can be used since it has no need for electronics or even plastics
  • Replacement parts could be easier to purchase, too, presuming owners themselves can’t make those out of standardized design

What we dislike

  • The setup remains difficult to maintain in case of a multi-monitor setup that requires more wires and connectivity

10. The Plot Twist Bookshelf

PLOT TWIST Bookshelves

PLOT TWIST Bookshelf Details

Prolific German furniture designer Deniz Aktay has recently introduced the Plot Twist Bookshelf. It’s a piece of furniture that features four separate twisted wooden elements. They are connected to each other, shaping and creating a stable form.

Why is it noteworthy?

The bookshelf’s design allows it to be accessed from every side. As with most of Deniz Aktay’s product designs, this bookshelf is oddly satisfying. The curves are present as with the designer’s other projects. In addition, most of Aktay’s works have undergone some bending or twisting, as with the Wavelet, the Tie Stool, and The Pet Table.

What we like

  • The shelves can accommodate similarly sized books for a clutter-free look
  • The bookshelf is stable and stands on its own

What we dislike

  • Space consuming design

The post Top 10 smart storage solutions designed to perfectly organize + de-clutter your home first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Apple MagSafe accessories every tech head needs for their iPhone

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The reinvention and return of MagSafe were an instant hit! There is a great sense of satisfaction, in my opinion, to have things just stick to your phone. Be it a pair of earphones (maybe that’ll be the next generation of AirPods) or have your phone just conveniently stick to a charging pad – it’s almost like magic. The reintroduction of the MagSafe led to a whole new world of accessories being unleashed. Designers and creatives were racing to create a whole range of products for the repurposed MagSafe. And we’ve been loving every bit of it! From an aramid fiber MagSafe iPhone case to a minimalist 3-in-1 MagSafe charger that defies the laws of physics  – there’s a MagSafe accessory out there for your every need. And, we’ve curated many products that we truly believe are worth buying and investing in. This army of accessories will truly amp up your Apple experience!

1. The G4 Charger

The G4 charger is a wonderful throwback accessory that reminds me of that Elago charger that turned the Apple Watch into the Macintosh. Its design, however, doesn’t seem to have aged the way the Macintosh has. Even by today’s standards, the iMac G4 is an incredibly eye-catching device that you’re sure to be amazed by. The charger condenses that beauty down into a small device that is equally good at drawing your attention to the iPhone that sits on it.

Why is it noteworthy?

Eponymously named the G4, this quirky little charger pays a hat-tip to its 20-year-old predecessor. It sports the same dome-shaped base and chrome-plated stand which sits the MagSafe wireless charging element that lets you snap your iPhone to it. Once the iPhone comfortably nestles in place, it transforms almost into a miniature computer, hovering above the ground in a way that makes its display easy to view as well as to use, by allowing you to tap and swipe away!

What we like

  • The dual joint system on the back of the charger lets you angle and position your phone however you please
  • A nifty light within its domed front lights up when your phone begins charging

What we dislike

  • Needs to be kept standing on a surface, always taking up a fixed space

2. Ice Speed Freezemat Magsafe Wireless Charger

Christened “Ice Speed Freezemat Magsafe Wireless Charger” this proposed Apple accessory uses a very interesting method to dissipate heat, keeping the innards at optimum temperature while gaming or during fast charging rituals.

Why is it noteworthy?

Crafted out of aviation-grade cooling material, Ice Speed Freezemat has an interesting cooling mechanism inspired by the way the human body sweats to dissipate heat. Unlike other similar accessories on the market that makes use of fans drawing power from the source, this one has a greener, low-noise cooling material mode.

What we like

  • As the iPhone 14 gets heated, the water content in the hydrogel is evaporated, then heat dissipation happens, and ultimately the water is again absorbed by the layer

What we dislike

  • Can have better charging versions than the current 15W charging speed
  • Not available yet

3. The Native Union Profile Fox Cases

These bad boys from Native Union and Maison Kitsuné come crafted from premium Italian leather. They’re perfectly made for your iPhone 14, are designed with drop-protection and lips around your screen and camera bump, and the case has its own set of magnets to reinforce the attachment of its companion MagSafe wallet, which holds two cards.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Native Union Profile Fox cases feature a premium leather construction, and both the case and the wallet are emblazoned with Maison Kitsuné’s signature fox logo. The cases and wallets are available in ‘Wine Lees’ brown and ‘Medium Blue’, and are designed to age and patina beautifully with time, creating a product that’s more unique to look at as time goes by.

What we like

  • The case guards your phone, protecting it from drops of up to 6 feet
  • The Profile Fox case and wallet come with a 2-year warranty on construction and manufacturing defects

What we dislike

  • Roughly the same price as Apple’s own cases and comes with only 2 colour variants

4. The Zens 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger

Designed to provide you with an organized desk, the Zens 4-in-1 Modular Wireless Charger enables you to charge all your precious Apple Devices in one go, and in the exact same locations. It helps you maintain a neat and tidy desk or nightstand.

Why is it noteworthy?

The main station of the Zens charger can power your iPhone, iPad, and AirPods, and you get a magnetic attachment for fastening the Apple Watch charger to the main system. This magnetic Apple Watch extension is actually what makes the wireless MagSafe charger “modular.”

What we like

  • A convenient solution for a quick and fast charge to all your Apple devices

What we dislike

  • Exorbitantly priced at $180

5. SHARGE

Portable power generators have become en-vogue because of that new outdoor lifestyle, but if you need something more portable and more stylish, this SHARGE concept is something you’d wish was an actual product already.

Why is it noteworthy?

The opposite face of the power bank has some ridges but are finer ones compared to the backside. The most important detail here is the large circle that today has become associated with Apple’s MagSafe charging tech for iPhones. It often indicates where the magnet is located on a charging accessory, though the magnets are also meant to align charging coils anyway. When attached to an iPhone, SHARGE gives the stylish phone a more rugged, outdoor personality, even if only for a brief period.

What we like

  • Rugged + outdoor aesthetic

What we dislike

  • The battery level indicator still uses the same old 5 LED indicator instead of giving a specific battery level.

6. Oakywood MagSafe Collection

This Oakywood MagSafe collection offers solid and multi-functional bases that not only keep your iPhone or Apple Watch in place but also add some life to your desk. With a mix of wood and matte aluminum materials, these stands and mounts look handsome on any motif you might have going for your desk, providing eye-catching ornaments without being distracting.

Why is it noteworthy?

One actually mounts onto an edge of a shelf, preferably one on or near your desk, while another sticks to a wall. In all cases, the MagSafe charger they hold can be removed and used as normal, just in case you prefer not to see the device’s screen but still want the beautiful presence of these wood and metal ornaments.

What we like

  • The stands and mounts themselves don’t have any non-sustainable components, which also helps prevent more e-waste in the long run

What we dislike

  • Lack of material/color options
  • The design could have been modular as well

7. STRICKERS

Now there are dozens of magnetic wireless charging accessories, including those certified for Apple’s MagSafe branding, that take advantage of this development. Unsurprisingly, some are better designed than others, especially when it comes to both appearance and usability. This power bank concept, for example, is designed not only to keep your phone alive before you reach home but also to keep it standing so you can watch your favorite videos in comfort.

Why is it noteworthy?

This STRICKERS concept, for example, utilizes an ultra-thin power bank that magnetically attaches to the back of a phone, most likely an iPhone. Current technologies do allow such a small pack to have a 10,000mAh battery capacity so that it won’t add too much bulk to your phone’s back.

What we like

  • What makes STRICKERS really special is the sheet of bendable silicone material that turns the power bank into a smartphone stand

What we dislike

  • Since this is a concept, the design may turn out thicker in reality

8. MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Product Designer

 

MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank 10000mAh Product Design

There are plenty of MagSafe-compatible products, but there are few power banks available. We may have seen a few already but nothing like this MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank with its 10000mAh capacity. Introduced by Neo Bie and Leigui Lui for Stylepie, this thing aims to improve the wireless charging and power bank experience for anyone.

Why is it noteworthy?

The MAG.L MagSafe Powerbank will remind you of an old Gameboy for its shape and design. It features the usual four operation buttons: SELECT, START, A, B, and a d-pad (directional pad). The lower part of the yellow power bank has a cover that slides to work as the stand of the power bank. There is also an LCD screen that shows basic information like date, time, battery level, or charging status.

What we like

  • Has a fun Gameboy-inspired aesthetic

What we dislike

  • The stand comes with a set angle that cannot be adjusted as per the users liking

9. The Rmour Candy Corner Protectors

Rmour’s candy-inspired corner protectors give your iPhone an understated bling upgrade while protecting the most vulnerable areas of your gadget. The best part? They don’t interfere with your iPhone’s MagSafe or wireless charging abilities.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed to be protective jewelry for your iPhone, the Rmour Candy Corner Protectors come made from 925 silver with a decorative enamel inlay to match your iPhone’s color. Made to fit comfortably on iPhone 12 and newer models, the Rmour Candy Corner Protectors attach to the 4 corners of your iPhone using a strong-yet-non-destructive adhesive tape that keeps them firmly in place. When attached, the corner protectors create a 1mm lip around your iPhone, safeguarding the edges, back, camera bump, and screen from damage if you drop your iPhone on any flat surface.

What we like

  • Serves as functional jewelry for your iPhone

What we dislike

  • It becomes useless if you switch up and get a newer model

10. The MagEZ Case 2

Determined to make some of the best Apple accessories your gadgets could ever wish for, PITAKA’s back with an aramid fiber iPhone case that protects your smartphone without sacrificing sleekness. The Fusion Weaving MagEZ Case 2 is available for all iPhone 13 makes and comes constructed from Aramid fibers (which are as tough as carbon fibers, but more flexible too) with an overall thickness of 0.055 inches or a mere 1.4 millimeters.

Why is it noteworthy?

The case wraps right around your phone, with cutouts that let you access the buttons and the ports, as well as a camera cutout with a protective lip to prevent your iPhone’s camera from any physical impact. Moreover, the Fusion Weaving MagEZ Case 2 is also MagSafe compatible and works with virtually all of PITAKA’s own MagEZ 2.0 accessories, from the MagEZ Slider to the wireless charging car mount MagEZ Car Mount Pro, and even the MagEZ Wallet 2.

What we like

  • The criss-cross black pattern provides a nice visual element
  • The MagEZ Case 2 comes with PITAKA’s proprietary Fusion Weaving technology – a composite aramid fiber material that has an incredibly high strength-to-weight ratio

What we dislike

  • Its slightly more expensive than Apple’s own cases as well

The post Top 10 Apple MagSafe accessories every tech head needs for their iPhone first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 modern stationery designs you need to add to your work desk

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What really makes a desk stand out to me is the collection of stationery items placed on top of it (and also the manner in which they are placed). The true value and efficiency of your desk lie in the smart assortment of designs you adorn it with – these are after all the objects that are gonna help you get through your workday, and directly or indirectly affect your productivity. It’s imperative to have a collection that really lets you work easily, efficiently, and effectively. And, we’ve curated a collection of innovative and nifty stationery designs that you must own! From a wobbly penholder to a note-taking desk accessory – these are the modern stationery designs you need to meet your modern stationery needs.

1. Note

Paper can be simple, and apps can be quick, but not everyone needs all the commitment that these two different note-taking methods sometimes require. There are those that just need to jot down quick notes or even draw a diagram that can be discarded before the day is over. Note, which is the most generic name ever, is pretty much a small desk whiteboard that lets you do that with efficiency, but it has a few tricks up its sleeve that a bit of spice and fun to your work.

Why is it noteworthy?

The “whiteboard” twists or rather flips over, giving you twice the space to write your notes down. One side can have a dotted grid surface to help with diagrams, while the other can be plain, or they can have the same design on both sides. As with any vertical slate, you can also place sticky notes on it, in case scribbling notes down on paper is quicker for you.

What we like

  • What makes Note unique is the addition of a multi-purpose vertical screen to its left side, this allows you to also have a view of the time, the calendar, and your appointments which are synced from your phone

What we dislike

  • The screen doesn’t show videos, a function that some people may need for their work

2. The Slope

The Slope is a “personal desktop whiteboard with pen” that you can slot right in between your monitor and your keyboard. So yes, it is simply a magnetic dry-erase whiteboard but instead of being on your wall or on the side, it is right in front of you and angled in such a way that it is perfect for your list-making or reminder-listing writing needs.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is made from bent steel sheets and is powder-coated so it’s pretty smooth and easy to use as well as giving you a premium dry-erase surface. It is also magnetic so you can attach your whiteboard markers if they’re magnetic. If not, there’s a space at the top to place them as well as space at the back to store your separate eraser. There’s a silicone phone holder if you need to have your mobile device in front of you and there’s also an opening in it so you can place your charger.

What we like

  • If you’re not using your keyboard, you can slip it under the sloped whiteboard
  • Smooth and easy to use

What we dislike

  • You can’t save what you were writing into the cloud nor can you digitize it if you need to save what you wrote

3. Colored Curve Pens

Dual-tipped pens are something that has been around for a while and are quite universally liked. However, these Colored Curve Pens from Aechy go beyond your usual dual-tipped pens! On one end of these pens lay down patterns to help decorate your notebook – patterns such as waves, heart-roses, flowers, dots, and dashes.

Why is it noteworthy?

Basically what you get is a stamp-like roller that you can use for your journaling, doodling, drawing, scrapbooking, or any other paper-related tasks. The dual-tip markers come in 8 different colors and five mark line types.

What we like

  • Helps the artistically challenged with drawing
  • 40% more ink than the brand’s regular pens

What we dislike

  • You can’t choose a specific color for a specific pattern so you’ll have to make do with the options that they have

4. The Levitating Pen

Much like its name, the Levitating Pen actually does seem to be levitating! It looks as if the pen is suspended in its holder at a 23.5-degree angle. Designed to be a grand writing instrument, the pen features a Schmidt ballpoint cartridge, which makes the pen rigid and super easy to hold and creates a smooth and luxurious writing experience. And once you take a break from writing, the pen doesn’t go back to a boring old pen stand, it goes back to levitating!

Why is it noteworthy?

When done writing, you close the pen’s magnetic cap with a satisfying click and position the pen in its holder that has been magnetized to keep the pen floating in that position. To add to the fun, a simple twist leaves the pen spinning in its place for a good 20 seconds, allowing you to interact with the pen on a whole new level!

What we like

  • The pen is super fun to interact with
  • Quite easy to hold and write with
  • Spinning the pen in certain intervals can be a stress buster

What we dislike

  • No option of personalisation or custom colour variations are available

5. The Japanese Paper Memo Block

The Japanese paper Memo Block comes in to provide a temporary shelter for those itinerant thoughts of yours.

Why is it noteworthy?

There is nothing more welcoming and more freeing than a blank sheet of paper that’s ready to record those fleeting thoughts, flashes of inspiration, or even tasks that were suddenly dumped on your lap. With no other markings, not even grids or lines, this white Memo Block lets you focus on the simplest task at hand, jotting that note down before you get distracted again. And with its smaller footprint, it’s easy to put a block of paper anywhere on your desk, in any position or orientation, so that it will always be within easy reach when your Muse or your colleague visits you.

What we like

  • Its pure black surface challenges the mind as if daring it to put an unconventional and exciting new thought on paper
  • Uses high-quality Japanese paper revered by many stationery connoisseurs

What we dislike

  • The pad lacks any cover or label that showcases its design qualities

6. The Trisqucle Scissors

If you’re looking for a pair of scissors that will do their job, while looking pretty on your workdesk then you’ve found the right product. The Trisqucle scissors come in really different and interesting shapes and sizes, in comparison to the regular scissors we see. There is a triangle, square, and circle-shaped pair of scissors, which is probably where the name trisqucle comes from!

Why is it noteworthy?

Aside from cutting things, the accessories can also be used as shape templates with various sizes of circles and as a ruler and compass in case you need it for your office work or school work. The items are made from steel and have various colors for some parts like the holder, circle shapes, etc.

What we like

  • Revamps the traditional scissor
  • Functional + good looking

What we dislike

  • The design may be too complicated to use for some people, in comparison to a traditional scissor

7. The Wooden Pen Holder

There’s something almost poetic about the act of picking up a brush or a fountain pen from an inkwell, drawing your strokes, and dipping it back in to be ready for when the next inspiration strikes, a feeling that’s almost lost even with the most elaborate and extravagant pens today. Not unless you have a pen holder that brings back that atmosphere, like a block of wood that could be the most Zen pen holder to ever adorn your desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

This wooden block is both unassuming and, at the same time, beautiful in its simplicity, as many minimalist products are wont to be. Made from genuine maple wood, each piece has grains and patterns that make it unique and special. Without saying explicitly, it’s an assurance that each black will be one of a kind, giving you the feeling that this pen holder was crafted just for you. Together with an equally stylish pen, this block transforms any desk into a thinker’s workbench, where the tools of the trade are just at an arm’s reach.

What we like

  • The Wooden Pen Holder has a gently curving depression that can accommodate any pen with a standard size
  • When you pick the pen up, you almost believe that the ink will also follow it up from an invisible well of ideas

What we dislike

  • It occupies precious real estate on a bench that cannot be adjusted/reduced

8. The UFO Desk Pen Holder

This innovative pen holder looks out of this world, and with reason! It holds your pen and suspends it in mid-air, making it look as if aliens are coming to kidnap your pen. The pen stands upright and straight in the holder, allowing you to easily grab it when you need it.

Why is it noteworthy?

The top of the pen holder is your stereotypical alien spaceship in the shape of a flying saucer. You could put the USS Enterprise or a Star Destroyer, too, but its irregular shape would break the illusion and remove a bit of the eerie atmosphere surrounding this design.

What we like

  • Adds an element of fun to your workdesk
  • The saucer provides illumination

What we dislike

  • As a single pen holder, it takes up a lot of space on the desk

9. Cyl

Desk organizers are a dime a dozen, but they themselves can actually be a source of headaches when they take over your workspace. No one can perfectly predict how much stuff we’ll accumulate over the years, and traditional organizers aren’t designed to grow with you and your clutter. You can buy more of them, in different designs even, but there’s a limit to how much room you have on the table. In contrast, Cyl uses the age-old stacking trick to free up horizontal space by utilizing often unused vertical space.

Why is it noteworthy?

This desk organizer concept doesn’t discriminate or put limits on what you can put inside. More importantly, you can easily see what’s inside and quickly get them without having to unstack the ones above. In theory, you can stack the containers as high as you can, presuming gravity doesn’t cause them to topple over.

What we like

  • You can easily see what’s inside and quickly get them without having to unstack the ones above
  • Organizers come in different sizes

What we dislike

  • No option to close the organizer when not in use

10. Wobbler

Wobbler is a product concept for a penholder that looks the way it sounds. It’s a thingamajig to hold your pens and other small pieces of stationery and supplies. But instead of being stable and actually stationary, it wobbles around in order to amuse or distract you

Why is it noteworthy?

The cylindrical part that looks a bit like an hourglass is where the pens are placed. It’s transparent so you’ll still be able to see the various colors and designs of your pens, scissors, or whatever long office item you want to put there. There’s also space underneath that to put paper clips, staple wires, rubber bands, or other small items you want to keep nearby.

What we like

  • There’s a section underneath that opens up as a small storage compartment to put erasers, small staplers, and other small items

What we dislike

  • Given the narrow neck of the design, it can hold not more than 3-4 pens

The post Top 10 modern stationery designs you need to add to your work desk first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 innovative watches to inspire you from the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub

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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 watch designs from the Inspiration Hub. These unique and uber-cool watches 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 a full Pro + KeyShotWeb trial) to take your sketch from concept to render!

1. Casabo’s Casio Concept

Casio’s reputation in the watch industry is impeccable, and it has impressed us with amazing timepieces amped with mind-blowing form and functionality through the years. Casio’s design language and philosophy have been well-cemented and easily identifiable by now. However, industrial designer Alex Casabo decided to play around with that, but only just a little. Alex Casabo’s stunning translucent watch render is defined by a transparent ice-like dial and a sturdy stark-blue strap. Hints of blue run through the uber-cool watch. Casabo has managed to retain the essence of Casio’s design language, with his own fresh twist.

2. Diesel Hybrid Watch

Elia Pirazzo designed this stunning Diesel hybrid watch to perfectly capture Diesel’s design language and philosophy through the means of a powerful icon. He picked up cues from the watches Diesel created during the 80s and created a contemporary and stylish timepiece that truly reflects Diesel’s vision. The brown leather strap and the navy blue dial deftly complement one another, producing a watch that will elevate the user’s confidence and sense of self.

3. Just Another Watch

Roger Bartra designed what he likes to call ‘Just another Watch’. This quirky little watch is simple and unassuming, and its very simplicity makes it stand out so beautifully. Bartra chose a bright yellow color for the look, and a stark white dial to complement it. The ‘Just another Watch’ lets the true elements of a watch simply shine through you, without any extra or unnecessary bells and tassels. The knobs and buttons on the watch are big and chonky, giving the watch a rather playful aesthetic.

4. Cheong’s Apple Watch Ultra 2022

The Apple Watch is probably one of the most popular smartwatches globally, and it’s not much of a shocker when you consider the number of people you see walking or jogging on the street with their Apple Watch wrapped around their wrists. Apple is constantly innovating on the go, and its Apple Watch Ultra was one of the latest addition to its arsenal of techy goodies. Industrial designer Tommy Cheong designed his version of the Apple Watch Ultra 2022. The watch was crafted with precise attention to detail, which is reflected in the intricate and colorful elements on the screen. He maintained the Ultra’s quintessential strap, hence preserving the look and feel factor of the original Apple Watch Ultra.

5. Focus

This stunning watch is defined by interesting bezels! While manufacturers are trying to banish bezels, Focus embraces them wholeheartedly. Taking inspiration from traffic signs, particularly the circular ones, the smartwatch uses thick bezels to increase the visual focus of the small screen in the middle. There are no other extra markings around that screen, be it a rotating bezel or even a crown.

6. The Vessel

Called the Vessel, this conceptual watch design turns the charging upside-down. The smartwatch isn’t charged via a charging pad, but it has a charging module that attaches to the smartwatch even when you’re wearing it. It features a pebble-shaped battery that magnetically attaches itself to the face of the smartwatch. It doesn’t charge the smartwatch wirelessly, as you might assume but instead uses pogo pin contacts like those from the early days of smartwatches.

7. The Huawei Watch GT Cyber

Say hello to Huawei’s most ambitious and innovative smartwatch! The watch features a circular face and a detachable dial that pops out of the strap. This allows you to swap the outer body designs in no time. The majestic smartwatch comes with a wide range of straps, that you can switch between, giving your smartwatch the look you’re in the mood for – classy, minimalist, sports, or premium. The Huawei Watch GT Cyber allows you to log your workout with a variety of 100+ sports modes, and GPS tracking lets you keep tabs on your route.

8. Orb

Featuring a contoured watch face, Orb is a concept smartwatch that’s been equipped with all the important features you would expect from a watch – timekeeping, health tracking, real-life notifications, as well as video calling. It is designed for people of all age groups since it has a rather optimized size. It’s not too big for users who are young, and nor is it too small for adults. The contoured watch face can be customized with any number of digital dials, but the inherent dial comes with a monochromatic hour and minute hands.

9. The Beads of Time

Say hello to the Beads of Time! This innovative and unusual wristwatch was inspired by an abacus, and it combines an abacus, a digital watch, and a day calendar. Designed by industrial designer Eshaan Kothari, the Beads of Time is the perfect culmination of tradition, technology, and timekeeping. If you’re looking to read the time, the ‘beads’ in the upper row have a value of 5, while the lower row beads are valued at 1. To read the time, all you need to do is see the position of the beads.

10. QLOCKTWO W

This watch by Biegert and Funk requires you to read the time…quite literally! The intriguing watch features a uniform grid of 110 letters. You press the button on its side, which causes some of the letters to light up, and tell you the time! It spells out the time for you. In 2019, the watch won the iF DESIGN AWARD for its unique design. It’s available in two different sizes, making it suitable for all wrist sizes.

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

The post Top 10 innovative watches to inspire you from the YD x KeyShot Inspiration Hub first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 cabins you need to visit for your next weekend getaway

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If you’re looking for a stunning little cabin in the woods to get away to and simply relax, then you’ve reached the right place. Cabins are by far the best type of vacation I’ve come across. They’re a peaceful and tranquil option to abandon your urban life and woes, and simply unwind in nature. If you’re wondering where to head for your next cabin retreat, then you can refer to this collection of beautiful and super cozy cabins that we’ve gathered. They’re the perfect safe haven nestled in the midst of nature, providing you a break from your everyday hectic life. From an off-grid cabin in the Italian mountains that doubles up as a yoga retreat to an all-black cabin in the woods that support a slow-paced life – these mesmerizing and surreal cabins are the ultimate retreat, you’ve been searching for. Plan your next vacation in one of them!

1. The Forest House

Called the Forest House, this beautiful cabin in Bowen Island, British Colombia is designed by SM Studio. It is heavily inspired by SM Studio’s philosophy of building low-energy and sustainable homes – and they have achieved it by creating a bridge-like structure that connects the home foundations. The result is a design that does not impact the surroundings negatively while allowing the user to enjoy the serenity, peacefully.

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed by the Vancouver-based SM Studio, the Forest House is surrounded by Douglas firs, and elevated above the rocky landscape. To reduce the impact of the home on the forest floor, SM Studio designed it like a bridge connecting two massive outcrops, leaving the space below quite clear, and minimizing the need to create a foundation on the rocks.

What we like

  • Built while maintaining a serene relationship with the landscape around it
  • Supports a more slow-paced life
  • Causes minimum disturbance to the site

What we dislike

  • The home can accommodate only 3 people, hence it can be considered a small space for certain families

2. Cabin Anna

Located in the De Biesbosch National Park in the Netherlands is a modular cabin called the Cabin Anna. Designed by architectural designer Caspar Schols, this cabin is the latest iteration of the flatpack Cabin Anna, which created waves in 2016. Schols had built it as a prototype garden room for his mother, in their home in Eindhoven.

Why is it noteworthy?

The latest cabin in the De Biesbosch National Park is designed to be utilized as a small compact home. It features a ground floor, mezzanine sleeping areas, a kitchen, a bathroom, and an outdoor shower. “In wintertime, Anna’s insulated wooden shell keeps the warmth inside like a thick winter coat. In spring or autumn, the glass keeps the rain outside or lets the sun in to warm up the space,” said the architect.

What we like

  • All the sliders have been designed to be manually operated, to allow the residents to feel a sense of closeness with the surrounding environment

What we dislike

  • They don’t offer an electronic opening version of Anna

3. The Iwi Cabin

Designed to be an accordion-shaped shed, the Iwi Cabin is an innovative space-maximizing design that can be compressed and expanded. It provides city dwellers with a nifty solution to expand space in urban apartments and living spaces.

Why is it noteworthy?

When the Iwi Cabin is fully expanded, it unfolds and occupies almost 91 square feet, and when it is folded and compressed, it occupies only 26 square feet. The Iwi Cabin is super easy to operate since owners can push and pull the shed, owing to the wheel system that allows it to be swiftly and efficiently handled and stored away.

What we like

  • The exterior of the cabin is resistant to wind, rain, and sunshine
  • The interiors have been outfitted with cork and sheep’s wool to keep the residents warm during cold weather

What we dislike

  • There being only one door/window, it is the only source of ventilation in the cabin

4. Kjerringholmen

This is the Hvaler archipelago, a true island paradise in Norway where you will find the ‘Kjerringholmen’ cabin. With just 63 square meters in size, the plan/design of the cabin still showcases plenty of space to give a very spacious and airy effect.

Why is it noteworthy?

Kjerringholmen is proof “that large houses don’t necessarily mean more quality of life. In just 63 square meters, with smart planning, it still has plenty of usable space,” said the studio. Occupying 63 square meters, the cabin is supported by steel pillars and surrounded by a dusky rocky landscape.

What we like

  • Blends perfectly with the natural landscape
  • Designed extremely efficiently to support a smart way of living

What we dislike

  • Birds may not notice the home and could crash into it since it merges so perfectly with its surroundings

5. Cabins in Farouche Tremblant

Nestled within the Devil River’s Valley, with the Mont-Tremblant National Park in the backdrop is a series of A-frame buildings in the ‘Farouche Tremblant’ agrotourism site that includes a cafe, farm, and four rental micro-cabins. “The cabins, though minimal, are designed for visitors to comfortably experience the changing beauty of the site throughout all four seasons,” said Atelier l’Abri founding partner Nicolas Lapierre “The structures’ organization and proximity really bring in a more social and communal experience which is great.”

Why is it noteworthy?

Designed by the Canadian architecture studio Atelier l’Abri, the buildings are meant to “recede in the landscape”. The studio designed that function as a basecamp for visitors who want to visit Devil’s River and valley.

What we like

  •  Amped with outdoor decking and a glazed gable end which allows the visitors to enjoy stunning views of the surrounding natural landscape

What we dislike

  • The aesthetics of the cabins are a bit old-school

6. “3 Scenes of Homes”

The ‘3 Scenes of Homes’ is a conceptual design by Studio Supra-Simplicities that was created as a proposal for Buildner’s 2023 MicroHome Competition Edition. The micro-cabin is placed on a rapidly rotating display, allowing it to swiftly switch between three varied rooms or scenes of living.

Why is it noteworthy?

The micro cabin seamlessly integrates three spaces – for sleeping, dining, and washing. It rotates swiftly, utilizing the theatrical function of a stage, to bring the bedroom, dining area, and washroom into the limelight turn by turn. The structure, in turn, occupies a minimum footprint, eliminating the need for unnecessary circulation spaces, and providing the space with a flexible style of living.

What we like

  • It covers only a small amount of space on the site
  • Recycles rainwater for daily usage via its rooftop harvesting system

What we dislike

  • It’s not the best and most functional living situation realistically speaking

7. Bathhouse

Norwegian architecture studio Handegård Arkitektur designed Bathhouse, a bright red cabin on the seafront in Hankøsundet, Østfold. Inspired by the traditional Norwegian boathouse aesthetics, the cabin uses the red color exterior as an homage to the same. The cabin sits right at the waterfront and is elevated using stacks of granite. This design gives it an almost fairytale appeal, with the little red cabin looking like it’s almost floating in the air.

Why is it noteworthy?

The cabin was built for a client who lives near the coast and aims to be a ‘modern reinterpretation’ of traditional Norwegian boathouses. The studio used contemporary materials and techniques to create this lively-looking cabin since the client wanted a space that was both modern and traditional.

What we like

  • The cabin’s red-painted finish, tin roof, and thick granite stacks in the water give the impression of a traditional boathouse quite accurately
  • The cabin’s living area is covered by a second layer of timber planks, angled at 45 degrees, which aim to create a sense of privacy

What we dislike

  • The open panels in the living room may cause discomfort for those who would rather have an option in arranging the angle and the privacy of their windows

8. A House

Nestled in the beautiful wooded region of Lilla Kilskäret, an island of the Swedish archipelago near Stockholm is a minimalist Nordic cabin called ‘A House’. Designed by emerging Studio Nāv, the idyllic cabin was designed for a young couple as a cozy summer home to escape to during the warm season.

Why is it noteworthy?

‘A House’ beautifully captures minimalist Nordic architecture, and its picturesque surroundings help to create a space that is truly calming and peaceful. However, despite its pristine and awe-spiring location, building the home wasn’t simple child’s play. The site and local building regulations were quite challenging, and hence the home needed to occupy a tiny footprint, and perfectly blend in with its surroundings. In a quest to do so, the interiors of the home were made to be open, free-flowing, and extremely flexible.

What we like

  • The interiors are marked by a single open room, encapsulated in shrouds of glass, allowing the home to harmoniously merge with its surrounding landscape, and creating the sensation of being at one with it

What we dislike

  • The home may not be private enough with its 3 walls being made of glass

9. The Buck Mountain Cabin

Situated on Orcas Island, which is part of an archipelago called San Juan islands, is the Buck Mountain Cabin. The beautiful cedar-clad cabin was built by embracing the original site and its conditions, and by ensuring that minimal disturbance was caused to it. A steep grade and a narrow clearing created by a rock outcropping were a few of the challenges faced by the architects, but they encouraged the clients to focus on these features as they are unique to San Juan.

Why is it noteworthy?

The grassy basalt-rock outcroppings set within a Douglas fir and Pacific madrone forest were used to enhance and elevate the cabin. The east side of the 1527 square feet cabin is anchored to an outcrop, while the west side interestingly cantilevers over the entire site, almost 22 feet above the ground, and provides beautiful views of the surrounding landscape. The large trees around the site weren’t torn down which also ensured that the site was minimally disturbed. The addition of cantilevers and point-load wooden columns with small footings helped this cause as well.

What we like

  • Large protective overhangs and south-facing clearstory windows allow sunlight to generously stream in, especially during winter
  • A stunning patio floats over the site and can be accessed via a glass door
  • Ensures minimal disturbance is caused to the original site

What we dislike

  • The designers avoided precious or complicated materials and systems, taking away from the luxury element the interiors could have

10. The Hermitage Cabin

Positioned on the edge of a hill, surrounded by the Apennine Mountains, and overlooking the Trebbia Valley near Genoa, is a minimal off-grid cabin called the Hermitage Cabin. This beautiful wooden cabin was built for “contemplation and introspection”, and occupies only 12 square meters. It can function as a secluded little home or even a cozy yoga retreat!

Why is it noteworthy?

Italian architecture studio Llabb drew inspiration from Scandinavian cabins and Japanese teahouses while designing the Hermitage. The cabin is raised on four wooden and steel supports, which stand on a base of sandstone beds. It features an intriguing modular form created from Okoume marine plywood in Llabb’s carpentry workshop!

What we like

  • Inspired by Scandinavian cabins and Japanese teahouses
  • Creates a minimal impact on the land
  • Doubles up as a yoga retreat

What we dislike

  • Can be considered a small space for a yoga retreat

The post Top 10 cabins you need to visit for your next weekend getaway first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 essential gear you need when you embark on your next outdoor adventure

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Getting back to the basics is always fun, especially if it involves heading outdoors, soaking up some sun, and enjoying the best of what nature has to offer. If you’re someone who loves camping and embarking on outdoor adventures, then you definitely need a few outdoor essentials by your side once you leave your house! You need products that help you get down and dirty, live life on the road, and tackle the moodiness of the elements. And, we’ve put together a collection of handy, reliable, and trustworthy outdoor gear that are the sidekicks you need next time you go on an outdoor adventure. From an Edison bulb-inspired flashlight that emits a warm glow to Sirius OUTDOOR AR-enabled smart ski goggles that are designed to change the world of snow sports – these fun and functional outdoor designs are all you need for your next adventure trip!

1. Sirius AR Goggles

Stepping in with a heads-up display of sorts, Zurich-based Ostloong has designed and developed the Sirius smart goggles that incorporate AR and AI in one successful unit. This brings smartphone notifications, slope details, and other vital information right in front of the skier’s eyes without impacting their field of view.

Why is it noteworthy?

As the first-ever advanced ski goggles that offer the adventurist an augmented reality experience with rich color display and detailed output, Sirius is the only eyewear combining AR and AI for outdoor sports.

What we like

  • Ensures safety and allows one to communicate while moving on the snow mountain, skiing or snowboarding

What we dislike

  • Given the size of the goggles, it may be difficult to keep them in place for users with smaller facial features

2. The Microtech Exocet Dagger

With a tiny 1.94-inch blade, the Microtech Exocet Dagger is actually legal to carry in most states, making it the perfect EDC to have on you at all times. The dagger features an OTF-style (out-the-front) drop-point blade made from CTS 204P steel that’s perfect for piercing and carving outdoors and doing things like opening boxes indoors.

Why is it noteworthy?

The blade retracts into the Exocet’s rather comfortably compact aircraft-grade aluminum handle, which also has a pocket clip on one side that doubles up as a money clip, letting you carry your cards and cash with you. I imagine taking out your money for a mugger would be a pretty interesting event, given that your de facto wallet also doubles as a blade!

What we like

  • It’s also the relatively wide pocket clip on its side, which Microtech designed to also double as a money clip, giving you a safe and secure place to store your Benjamins

What we dislike

  • We wish it had at least one additional function to make a multitool EDC

3. The Quasar Portable Lamp

A pretty cool and unique lamp design I recently came across is the Quasar portable lamp. Designed by Samy Rhio and Petite Friture, the Quasar portable lamp, is designed to be a ‘nomadic lamp’.

Why is it noteworthy?

French designer Samy Rhio designed this nomadic lamp to enable users to carry it around, allowing it to illuminate any space they go to. They can hang the nifty lamp using a multicolored strap that will remind you of a climbing rope.

What we like

  • The lamp has been equipped with a five-meter-long woven rope that is attached to the top of the lamp, making it a portable design that can be transferred from one location to another

What we dislike

  • Not sure if the lamp is durable enough to withstand extreme weather conditions

4. The Edison Light Stick

Inspired by the vintage lantern, the Edison Light Stick from Barebones is a multifunctional flashlight on Huckberry, that would be super helpful on all your outdoor adventures. It emits a warm glow that is great in emergencies and functions as a direct light for essential tasks like preparing food or fetching water.

Why is it noteworthy?

The lantern-inspired light glows warmly is multifunctional and can instantly uplift the mood in the camp or double as a reading light for those who still love catching on some good old reading during their camping trips. The glass tube body of the Edison Light Stick features brass and copper construction on top and bottom, while leather accents complete its handsome look.

What we like

  • Equipped with seven different light modes so you can have your ideal ambiance anytime, anywhere!
  • Exquisite brass and copper construction accentuated with leather accents

What we dislike

  • The price tag is a little hefty compared to similar products on the market

5. Supernova

GravaStar who’ve surprised geeks with mecha-inspired Bluetooth speakers in the recent past have added another sci-fi speaker cum LED lamp to their line-up. Dubbed Supernova, the accessory looks like a three-legged robot, something anyone would want to sport in their geeky den.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Bluetooth speaker besides looking really inviting to own, fairs well when it comes to the overall build quality, functionality, and hardware specifications. It is crafted out of a solid zinc alloy metallic body standing on GravaStar’s iconic tripod legs that we saw in their previous designs. The accessory with a 3-inch full-range speaker has 25 watts of power, 90db of output, and half-inch high-frequency tweeter for rich, crisp sound delivery.

What we like

  • In the music-playing mode, this light can synch to the rhythm of the audio for partygoers

What we dislike

  • Could get easily damaged in the outdoors

6. The Gerber Stake Out

The Gerber Stake Out is a nifty multitool that’s perfect for all the outdoor adventures you undertake! It measures just 4.5 inches in the closed position and a maximum of 6.6 inches when the knife is being used. The super cool multi-tool conceals 11 tools and helps you with almost everything – from setting up a campfire to cooking a meal in the wilderness. The Scandi grind blade features a bottle opener, awl, Ferro rod striker, saw, file, and a pair of scissors.

Why is it noteworthy?

There’s a tent stake puller for packing and getting the gear ready after setting camp during the nighttime. This is a very useful tool for campers as they can pack up tents in a way quicker time than normal. So, in a way, this utility is the USP of this multitool without any question. Add to the mix a ruler and pop-out tweezers, and you’ve got an all-purpose multitool convenient enough to carry with you all the time.

What we like

  • 11 tools concealed in 1 multi-tool
  • Economically priced

What we dislike

  • Made from Graphite, we would love to see more material options in this multitool

7. The Batch #003: PARTS Multipurpose Tool

The Leatherman knives have been widely loved by outdoorsmen for ages galore! The knives’ durability and ability to stay sharp for life make them an absolute fan favorite amongst adventure lovers.  And their latest interesting launch is the Batch #003: PARTS multipurpose tool with its unique set of features. A folding knife at heart, the multitool ventures into the world of interchangeable blade options for an EDC.

Why is it noteworthy?

According to Leatherman, their motive is to create the best folding knife out there from the current inventory of products in-house. The result is a multipurpose tool crafted out of 26 parts. It gets an innovative interchangeable blade system to swap compatible blades for the needed task at hand. All this while being ergonomically comfortable and highly functional to the last bit. The EDC gets the G10 handle for a better grip.

What we like

  • The knife can be swapped between the premium S30V stainless steel work blade for hardcore tasks or the 154CM blade tailored for normal household tasks
  • Crafted from 26 parts

What we dislike

  • Has a rather hefty price tag

8. The Tomori Lantern Kit

The Tomori Lantern Kit is really quite interesting because rather than providing us with a ready-made lantern, it functions as a kit that lets you create and set up your own lantern, and then swiftly put it aside when you’re done using it. Once the lantern collapses, it barely occupies any space, and you can fit a conventional flashlight inside it!

Why is it noteworthy?

The base of the kit is a foldable cardboard piece that serves as the flashlight holder and stable structure of the lamp. The kit comes with a rather nondescript LED flashlight that you can use on its own when not docked inside the lantern. In fact, the cardboard base can hold any cylindrical flashlight that is less than 30mm in diameter and 160mm in length. This means that you can use the same flashlight for the lantern as well as for typical uses, or you can have a set of backup flashlights when one’s battery goes empty.

What we like

  • The entire kit, excluding the flashlight, folds down to a flat A4-sized package, perfect for stashing in bags or drawers, ready for use in an emergency
  • Quite fun to put together and set up your own lantern

What we dislike

  • Cannot withstand rain

9. The SHARGE Concept

If you’re someone who loves embarking on adventures in the outdoors but are tired of always carrying portable power generators that sometimes can be more like excessive baggage than functional essentials, then the SHARGE concept is what you need!

Why is it noteworthy?

If you’re a camping fan, for example, you might want something that doesn’t exactly look like rugged tanks but at least has ties to your favorite hobby. It’s not by coincidence, then, that the SHARGE was designed to mimic the ridges you’d find on camping boxes. While the design is already visually appealing in itself, the structure also helps diffuse the force of impact, giving it a bit of ruggedness as well.

What we like

  • MagSafe-compatible
  • Rates high on aesthetics

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

10. The EcoFlow River 2

As with any second-generation product, the EcoFlow River 2 has been able to learn from the lessons of its predecessors. Given the gap between the first and second EcoFlow Rivers, there has definitely been plenty of lessons to serve as the foundations of a better product. Fortunately, EcoFlow did seem to have benefited from hindsight, allowing it to turn the River 2 into a sleeker and more compact power station that no longer looks like a car battery.

Why is it noteworthy?

The biggest change you will notice comparing the two generations is that the River 2 has a more refined appearance thanks to its dual-tone color scheme and flat top. The large carrying handle no longer arcs over the top but instead juts out from the back. That makes it easier to stash the power station away in cramped spaces and put things on top of it. Having the handle extend to one side only also reduces the space it needs to occupy. This helps give the box a cleaner look, but relocating the carrying handle does have its share of consequences as well.

What we like

  • It will take more than 3,000 charging cycles (zero to full) before it starts to lose its full capacity

What we dislike

  • No wireless charging
  • Carrying the EcoFlow River 2, however, might be difficult for some other purpose. With the carrying handle now at the back, the box’s center of gravity is changed when you lift it up

The post Top 10 essential gear you need when you embark on your next outdoor adventure first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 product designs all hardcore coffee lovers need in their kitchen

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As much as I hate to admit it, I absolutely cannot start my day without a freshly brewed cup of coffee! It’s the boost of energy, dose of motivation, and rush of serotonin that I need every morning. And, I’m pretty sure that’s the case for most of us. However, brewing coffee is an intimate and intricate process by itself, and a few handy products are always needed to peacefully create and enjoy our much-needed cup of coffee. So, we’ve curated a collection of product designs including unique coffee machines, pour-over brewers, sustainable to-go cups, and more to make your morning coffee routine just a little bit more enjoyable. From reusable coffee cups made from recycled coffee waste to an old-school espresso machine – these products are a must-have for all coffee lovers.

1. The Kreis Cup

Meet the Kreis Cup, a sustainable, durable coffee cup designed to enhance your coffee-drinking experience! The Kreis Cup is a reusable cup made from used coffee grounds and plant-based materials, free of petroleum-based plastics, and available in a cup and travel-mug styles.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is heat resistant and designed to keep your coffee hot longer. That being said, the Kreis Cup is still ultimately biodegradable, unlike the plastic-based to-go mugs you get at your local cafe or the breakable ceramic mugs you use at home. Once it reaches the end of its lifespan, the Kreis Cup disintegrates quickly into the soil, leaving absolutely nothing behind.

What we like

  • Made from spent coffee grounds that have been dried, treated, and then suspended in a natural, plant-based polymer
  • It has the faint, unmistakable scent of coffee

What we dislike

  • There is currently no scope for personalization

2. Breeze

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

Why is it noteworthy?

A ridged surface wraps around the base, contrasting with the smoother texture of the head. Another point of contrast is the tall water tank at the back, a transparent container that projects an image of clarity that, when taken together with the more subdued hues of the machine, seems to send a message of calm.

What we like

  • The design includes a more tactile interface to operate the machine, using clearly marked LED-backlit buttons at the top of the head

What we dislike

  • It’s a capsule-based coffee machine but there is no knowledge shared on how to make the process reduce wastage or make it more sustainable

3. The CJ

Espresso machine manufacturer Moak commissioned the Italian industrial designer to create a machine that are modernist and minimalist and is actually brutalist in its final render.

Why is it noteworthy?

 The CJ (Coffee Jockey) is made up of various geometric shapes that are put together into something simple and beautiful that produces something beautiful as well for caffeine-addicted users. The soft, pastel color shown in the renders adds to the simple but classy look of the espresso machine.

What we like

  • You can actually put two coffee cups in front and get two sizable espresso shots out of one process

What we dislike

  • The design is for Moak, and promises a new coffee blend and capsule system that is not shown yet, so we cannot speak on its functionality

4. The Polaroid Express

Who knew Polaroid and espresso were unlikely companions? This concept rather cleverly combines the two into the ‘ultimate coffee machine for amateurs’. If Polaroid brought great retro photography (and photo development) to the masses, the Polaroid Express does the same for instant coffee.

Why is it noteworthy?

The coffee machine looks like a massive camera, with the signature friendly rectangular form and the clever use of colors to create that friendly appeal associated with the instant camera company. Designed to be portable (it IS a concept, after all), the apparatus has a rather simple form factor and feels intuitive to operate.

What we like

  • The Polaroid Express’ simple design models itself on the cameras
  • The rainbow color scheme brings a certain joy to the coffee-making experience

What we dislike

  • More suited for amateur coffee makers/drinkers

5. CoffeeB

Swedish coffee brand CoffeeB has come up with a coffee machine that uses eco-friendly single-serve Coffee Balls. So basically it’s similar to the coffee pod machines except this one doesn’t have any plastic pods or capsules so you don’t contribute to the world’s plastic waste.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Coffee Balls can last up to three months at room temperature or if you store them in your ref. And after you use them, they can be turned into compost or natural fertilizer for your home plants and gardens. In case you don’t know how to use them post-coffee, the machine comes with instructions and guides on how to properly recycle them.

What we like

  • Made from partially-recycled materials
  • The coffee grounds used are certified organic and Fair Trade

What we dislike

  • No specifications were mentioned on whether the packaging could affect the flavor of the coffee

6. The Retro Modern Espresso Machine

The product concept for the Retro Modern espresso machine brings back vibes of authentic American diners, old-school muscle cars, and scooters, retro radios and toasters, and all the pastel goodness from the 60s and 70s. In fact, these are what inspired the designer to create something like this that brings together the retro design with the modern machine that supplies liquids to all the caffeine-deprived people who go to coffee shops.

Why is it noteworthy?

The pastel green and cream colors of the renders will look right at home at restaurants, coffee bars, or even kitchens that have a softer aesthetic. It’s very attractive for both coffee lovers and those that love old-school designs with a modern twist.

What we like

  • Perfect for those who love old-school designs
  • Minimal + soft

What we dislike

  • Given its aesthetics, the design should have more colour options to match our kitchen setup
  • The added functionalities or any other “bonus” application of this coffee maker is unknown

7. The SüpKüp

The SüpKüp is a travel mug that is not really a mug in itself but serves more as an alternative to the disposable paper coffee sleeves. It is able to hold the paper cups (medium and large at least) that most coffee shops provide, including the still pretty popular Starbucks.

Why is it noteworthy?

It is made from durable polycarbonate and has a pretty elegant and minimalist design that can still display whatever cup is snugly placed inside. This holder doesn’t need any liquid transfer or constant cleaning that’s why it’s more convenient.

What we like

  • Your hot drink can remain hot for longer, 50% longer, than when you just hold your paper cup
  • Has a double helix screw ejector that lets you eject the cup when you’ve finished just by twisting the rotating base

What we dislike

  • It helps retain your coffee drinkability rather than an alternative to disposable cups, leaving more scope for future improvements which we hope to see soon

8. The Apple Drip

The Apple Drip officially becomes the first Apple concept we’ve seen that’s designed for the kitchen. Truth be told, Apple’s brand of minimalism fits pretty much anywhere, after all, a HomePod looks pretty darn good in a kitchen, right?

Why is it noteworthy?

The Apple Drip has a style that’s comparable to the Ember Mug (fun fact, Ember’s lead designer Robert Brunner worked extensively at Apple) with a slick, black design that looks equal parts mysterious and approachable. Uncomplicated, yet professional. The black cylinder comes with a touchscreen interface on its upper rim, with just three buttons – a power button, a temperature button, and a coffee dispensing button. Designed to work (one assumes) with an app or even with Siri, the Drip dispenses coffee into a sleek-looking mug that sits in its designated place on a larger rectangular platform.

What we like

  • Turns an ill-received desktop computer into a tabletop brewer
  • Features a dispenser nozzle that slides out to dispense coffee

What we dislike

  • The single-body design may be difficult to clean

9. The Origin Coffee Machine

Whenever I take my first sip of coffee in the morning, I am always thankful to whoever it was that first developed coffee and the farmers who harvested this particular blend I’m drinking. While some of the world’s best coffee is generally known to come from Brazil, Colombia, and Vietnam (my country, the Philippines, will hopefully someday be included in that list), one of the unsung heroes of the industry is Ethiopia where coffee beans have been thriving since the 7th century. This concept design for a coffee maker pays tribute to the East African country.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Origin coffee maker concept wants to bring “meaningful coffee” to your cup by reminding you of its origins. The shape of the coffee maker is inspired by the map of Ethiopia, although of course it’s not in the exact shape but is modeled after the basic outline. This way, the designer is able to “honor” the origin of coffee, although historians can’t really say that the locals who grew the beans cultivated or consumed these precious beans there.

What we like

  • There are just a few buttons you need to press including the on/off and open/close buttons
  • You have the option to make an espresso or an americano and there’s also a button or level for the water and the beans

What we dislike

  • The industrial aesthetics make it a tough fit in modern kitchens

10. The Platypus Coffee Machine

Platypus Streamline Style Coffee Machine Images

Platypus Streamline Style Coffee Machine

This coffee machine concept will probably remind you of Perry the Platypus. Perry who? He’s the fictional platypus from the animated series ‘Phineas and Ferb.’ The younger generation may be quick to identify the character but don’t fret if you don’t recognize him; perhaps after having a cup of coffee, you will remember.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Platypus Coffee Machine is yet another quirky-designed kitchen appliance that can make you start the day right. Our life cannot be perfect, but coffee can be, and the Platypus will do it right for you. The streamlined style of the coffee maker starts with solid lines that make it stand out from the other coffee machines available in the market.

What we like

  • The choice of sapphire (although it looks teal to me) as color makes it another fun device that can make your kitchen countertop or coffee area cheerful
  •  Easy to maintain with the catch pan to store used grounds

What we dislike

  • The quirky aesthetics may not be for everyone

The post Top 10 product designs all hardcore coffee lovers need in their kitchen first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 products designed to give your pet a happy comfy life

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As much as I love spending time with my own cats, I’m honestly running out of ways to keep them entertained and prevent them from knocking down an item or two in my home, out of sheer boredom. If you’re pretty much in the same precarious situation as me and are always looking for new ways to keep your pet entertained, productive, and happy, then this collection of pet products promises to come to your rescue! From a Dyson pet grooming kit to a pet carrier that doubles as a bed – these product designs will take good care of your pet, and keep them active and content. You can take a little breather, while they wrestle around with these newfound fun products! These are the pet products you need in your home.

1. Sharing Joy

Rather aptly titled ‘Sharing Joy’, this award-winning chair comes with a side table for humans to place their books and cups of tea/coffee on, and a crawl space for cats to casually lounge in (complete with a suspended toy for them to play with).

Why is it noteworthy?

What I personally love about Sharing Joy is that it subscribes to a broader vision of what lounging is and who can ‘lounge’. Designed for humans and cats to cozy up in, the chair comes with a hollow, oblong backrest that’s perfectly sized for an adult cat (or a tiny dog) to crawl into and laze around in. Moreover, having the human and pet lounging together against each other sounds like absolute perfection. 10/10 will give you the happiness hormones.

What we like

  • Sports a minimalist aesthetic that fits in most contemporary homes
  • Comes with a soft design language that’s inviting to humans and cats alike

What we dislike

  • There is no option to adjust or close the opening when not in use

2. Chang’s Walking Aid

There are definitely plenty of walking aid designs, some even serving multiple functions. Some are just a step above crutches that you have to lift to move forward, while others come with wheels that increase mobility at the expense of some stability. Some come with small seats for the user, and others have baskets to hold their things. This particular walker concept combines some of these to present a more agile yet safe aid that has room for your pet when you go out.

Why is it noteworthy?

The most conspicuous part of this walker is the large box that serves as your pet’s mobile home. You can simply slide the door on top to let the little furry friend in or out, or you can keep it close so that they don’t jump out suddenly. Of course, there are vents that allow the pet to breathe easily while comfortably confined in there.

What we like

  • The handle travels in almost all directions, giving the user the freedom to grip it any way they prefer

What we dislike

  • There is no visible brake to control the walker in case their pet makes a sudden move

3. The PawMate Beacon

This concept for a pet tracker may help ease those worries and make sure that your pets are well and safe while you’re away during the day or for a longer period of time.

Why is it noteworthy?

It looks pretty much like a regular dog or cat collar but is able to do more than just be an identification for your fur baby. It’s more like an activity tracker but instead of telling you how many steps you’ve taken, it gives you insight into your pet’s activity. It is partnered with the PawMate Beacon which you place in certain areas to help in the activity tracking.

What we like

  • There’s an accompanying app that lets you enter your pet details and gives you stats and insights as well as real-time data

What we dislike

  • Without real-world testing, its difficult to verify how well and how much distance the tracker covers

4. Swelltone

Eating time can sometimes be stressful both for pets who can’t help spill food out of their bowls as well as for the humans who need to clean up afterward. Attempting to return dinnertime to its original atmosphere, this fine-looking food bowl for furry friends brings something that’s not only beautiful but also functional, utilizing human creativity and craftsmanship to make a pet bowl that delivers a pleasant experience for everyone at home.

Why is it noteworthy?

It makes “ease of eating” the focus of its design, and it does so in a simple yet effective way. The stainless steel bowl that holds the food can tilt up to an angle of 20 degrees, which makes it easy for pets to slurp every last bit without spilling their food.

What we like

  • We don’t need to clean up after our pets after meal time, owing to the bowl titling at 20 degrees
  • Posh + sleek aesthetics

What we dislike

  • The product might be difficult to integrate into the lives of pets who are used to a certain mealtime routine, and particular products

5. Dmuse

Dmuse is a sauna-like drying chamber for cats to have a comfortable place to dry themselves after a bath.

Why is it noteworthy?

While getting cats into the bathtub for cleaning can feel like pulling your own teeth, it’s only half the battle. Then comes the water and we all know how cats deal with that. Take that in addition to drying your cat in a towel and you’ll end up with scratches and tooth marks up and down your arms. Introducing Dmuse, Designer Dot created a drying chamber that doubles as a cat tower as a solution for cats to have a more comfortable way of drying themselves.

What we like

  • A collection of control options manage the device’s temperature, strength, timer, and heat fan
  • Dmuse doubly operates as a cat tower for cats to rest and play even when they’re dry

What we dislike

  • We’re not sure if cats would actually enter the chamber, knowing how cats are

6. Petpartment

Petpartment is a concept for a space for both the cat and the cat owner so you can have a “beautiful life with your beloved pets”. What differentiates it from the usual cat trees is that it doesn’t just let your cat be like Obi-Wan Kenobi and have the higher ground. It’s meant to be decorative and functional for both of you and hide those interiors you don’t want them to harm while they’re playing or going about their day.

Why is it noteworthy?

The architecture of this pet apartment is well thought out and actually has four different angles with different functions as well. The front view is a showcase of the material used which is red oak and stainless steel. It looks like a bookshelf, and you can fill it up with your books and cats!

What we like

  • Nice piece of furniture to have, even if you don’t have pets
  • Works well for humans and felines

What we dislike

  • Don’t know if we can trust cats to be around books since they have a tendency to scratch things

7. Solar

MyZoo, a cat goods company, designs modern cat furniture that caters to your cat’s every need, while not disrupting your interior design. Solar, one of their more recent designs, is a wall-mountable floating cat bed that mounts onto any vertical surface so cats rest midair in their own designated space.

Why is it noteworthy?

Shaped like the sun, Solar is a small, but sturdy floating cat bed that’s built from pinewood. In a similar fashion to their other pieces of cat furniture, MyZoo lined Solar with a slotted resting platform for safe jumping. Ideal for small spaces, Solar provides a resting spot and jumping platform for your cat and saves space in the meantime.

What we like

  • Solar doesn’t take up any ground space and easily mounts to any wall where there’s room
  • Easy to assemble

What we dislike

  • There’s no cushioning on the bed, which would make it comfier

8. The Dyson Pet Grooming Kit

If you’re a pet parent, and you’re looking for a handy product to break down and ease up your pet’s cleaning process – then the Dyson Pet Grooming Kit is the product for you.

Why is it noteworthy?

The grooming kit is specifically tailored for dogs and cats. Both species tend to shed a lot – depending on the season and the breed. Instead of constantly vacuuming your home, and getting rid of all the shed fur, the grooming kit includes nifty accessories, which let you tackle the problem at its root (quite literally).

What we like

  • Makes your pet’s after-bath ritual less noisy and jarring, hence eliminating some of the stress they often experience during these sessions
  • The kit also includes an extension hose, which provides you with more than 3 feet of flexibility

What we dislike

  • You cannot use the accessories without a Dyson vacuum cleaner, so you need to purchase that as well if you don’t have one

9. The KIVI

The KIVI is a GoPro-inspired camera that’s designed to strap directly onto a pet collar, giving you the most glorious PoV of all time. Just plug it on your dog while playing fetch or at the beach, or onto your cat while you’re at work, and you can live the good life right from their perspective.

Why is it noteworthy?

Armed with a single lens sitting in a cube-shaped form (with a built-in flashlight no less), KIVI sits on your pet’s collar, recording everything they do and see. There aren’t any details on the action camera (given that it’s a form exercise and not a professional concept), but I’d imagine that without a display (like the one on the GoPro), the KIVI has a fairly long battery life.

What we like

  • Designed to be collar-compatible

What we dislike

  • We wish the feed available for live viewing so the pet parents can check on the pet’s point of view in real time

10. Burrow

Burrow for one ousts the regular bag appearance and those sharp-edge cage aesthetics for a pleasing design with safe corners. The functional design has a convenient push-button door and comes padded with a removable mattress for the pet to cozy up in. The walls are safe and well-ventilated. Ventilation is enhanced by a mesh door that would let the little pal peek outside and breathe fresh.

Why is it noteworthy?

What really makes the Burrow pet carrier stand out for me is its detachable design. It is built in two sections: the top and bottom being separable. The sections are enclosed with loop and hook closure which makes it easy to clip and clip off. When torn separately, the base of the pet carrier doubles as a bed.

What we like

  • Multipurpose design
  • Comes in four versatile colors

What we dislike

  • No colour or print options to make the design more personalized

The post Top 10 products designed to give your pet a happy comfy life first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 Japanese designs that lovers of minimalism need to add to their daily routine

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In the past couple of years, Japanese design philosophy and principles have been discovered by the rest of us, and since then they have slowly but surely taken over the world. There’s something about products with a Japanese touch that instantly makes you feel at ease. They have a sense of warmth and tranquility to them, one that spreads in the space that they’re placed into. There’s something surreal and relaxing about Japanese-inspired products, that just makes you want to introduce some minimalism into your life.  And we’ve got you covered with a collection of innovative Japanese designs – from furniture to stationery! Whether you’re looking for a minimal folding knife or the latest G-Shock watch with Japanese elements – these beautifully designed products are all you need to introduce some Japanese zen and peace into your daily life!

1. The Levitating Pen

Much like its name, the Levitating Pen actually does seem to be levitating! It looks as if the pen is suspended in its holder at a 23.5-degree angle. Designed to be a grand writing instrument, the pen features a Schmidt ballpoint cartridge, which makes the pen rigid and super easy to hold and creates a smooth and luxurious writing experience. And once you take a break from writing, the pen doesn’t go back to a boring old pen stand, it goes back to levitating!

Why is it noteworthy?

When done writing, you close the pen’s magnetic cap with a satisfying click and position the pen in its holder that has been magnetized to keep the pen floating in that position. To add to the fun, a simple twist leaves the pen spinning in its place for a good 20 seconds, allowing you to interact with the pen on a whole new level!

What we like

  • The pen is super fun to interact with
  • Quite easy to hold and write with
  • Spinning the pen in certain intervals can be a stress buster

What we dislike

  • We wonder how ergonomic or comfortable would the pen be to use

2. The Oku Knife

Scottish artist and metal worker Kathleen Reilly designed the ‘Oku Knife’. Inspired by Japanese table settings, the Oku knife features a rather intriguing handle that is folded 90 degrees from its blade. The design was informed by chopstick resets.

Why is it noteworthy?

Oku features a unique folded shape that lets the handle 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.

What we like

  • The knife can be hooked onto the rim of a plate, creating intimacy between the two objects whilst improving cleanliness and maintaining stability

What we dislike

  • The design may seem pointless or unnecessary to some people

3. The Spectrum Workstation Round ST160

Studio Geckeler Michels designed the Spectrum Workstation Round ST160 for Karimoku New Standard. Karimoku New Standard is an offshoot of Karimoku. It was founded to easily combine the brand’s craftsmanship with design studios around the world. The studio designed the minimal workstation to bring a semblance of calm and tranquility to our hectic workspaces.

Why is it noteworthy?

The station perfectly embodies Japanese craftsmanship and German design, in an attempt to merge stunning aesthetics with efficiency and functionality. It has been crafted from solid Japanese oak wood and is designed to support a flexible and dynamic style of working.

What we like

  • Works well for both home and corporate offices
  • The workstation can seat up to six people quite comfortably, so it’s also great to sit together and interact and collaborate

What we dislike

  • Looks a bit like a dining table

4. The Furoshiki Denim Bag

Blue Ainery’s Furoshiki denim bag was created by using the traditional dyeing and weaving methods of Japan. The compact fashion storage accessory pays tribute to the history and tradition of Japan, which many still follow and apply even today. The bag is an example of how the hard-earned lessons of the past can be used to make something beautiful and sustainable in the present.

Why is it noteworthy?

Almost everything about the Furoshiki denim bag is a nod to Japan’s past culture, design, and fashion. The term “furoshiki” itself is a reference to the traditional Japanese wrapping of cloths for goods, bento boxes, and informal gifts. When worn as a bag, the Furoshiki looks more like an “Azuma Fukuro” that predated today’s modern tote bags by about four centuries

What we like

  • It has a minimalist charm to it
  • Its uncomplicated shape leaves enough room for plenty of items inside
  • Utilizes traditional Japanese methods and techniques

What we dislike

  • The design might seem basic and old-fashioned to some

5. The G-B001 Line

G-Shock recently added the G-B001 line to their collection. It features the double bezel Capsule Tough features, and these removable bezels are crafted from stainless steel and urethane. It also boasts a resin case and a sturdy structure that has been reinforced with Carbon Core Guard.

Why is it noteworthy?

The capsule design is inspired by those toy capsules that you get in vending machines in Japan you never know what is inside them until you actually open them.

What we like

  • The detachable bezels for all these models of the G-B001 let you play around with the watch’s look

What we dislike

  • It’s only available in Japan for now

6. The Japanese Paper Memo Block

The Japanese paper Memo Block comes in to provide a temporary shelter for those itinerant thoughts of yours.

Why is it noteworthy?

There is nothing more welcoming and more freeing than a blank sheet of paper that’s ready to record those fleeting thoughts, flashes of inspiration, or even tasks that were suddenly dumped on your lap. With no other markings, not even grids or lines, this white Memo Block lets you focus on the simplest task at hand, jotting that note down before you get distracted again. And with its smaller footprint, it’s easy to put a block of paper anywhere on your desk, in any position or orientation, so that it will always be within easy reach when your Muse or your colleague visits you.

What we like

  • Its pure black surface challenges the mind as if daring it to put an unconventional and exciting new thought on paper
  • Uses high-quality Japanese paper revered by many stationery connoisseurs

What we dislike

  • At first glance, it seems like an ordinary notepad

7. The Trisqucle Scissors

If you’re looking for a pair of scissors that will do their job, while looking pretty on your workdesk then you’ve found the right product. The Trisqucle scissors come in really different and interesting shapes and sizes, in comparison to the regular scissors we see. There is a triangle, square, and circle-shaped pair of scissors, which is probably where the name trisqucle comes from!

Why is it noteworthy?

Aside from cutting things, the accessories can also be used as shape templates with various sizes of circles and as a ruler and compass in case you need it for your office work or school work. The items are made from steel and have various colors for some parts like the holder, circle shapes, etc.

What we like

  • Revamps the traditional scissor
  • Functional + good looking

What we dislike

  • The design may be too complicated to use for some people, in comparison to a traditional scissor

8. The Wooden Pen Holder

There’s something almost poetic about the act of picking up a brush or a fountain pen from an inkwell, drawing your strokes, and dipping it back in to be ready for when the next inspiration strikes, a feeling that’s almost lost even with the most elaborate and extravagant pens today. Not unless you have a pen holder that brings back that atmosphere, like a block of wood that could be the most Zen pen holder to ever adorn your desk.

Why is it noteworthy?

This wooden block is both unassuming and, at the same time, beautiful in its simplicity, as many minimalist products are wont to be. Made from genuine maple wood, each piece has grains and patterns that make it unique and special. Without saying explicitly, it’s an assurance that each black will be one of a kind, giving you the feeling that this pen holder was crafted just for you. Together with an equally stylish pen, this block transforms any desk into a thinker’s workbench, where the tools of the trade are just at an arm’s reach.

What we like

  • The Wooden Pen Holder has a gently curving depression that can accommodate any pen with a standard size
  • When you pick the pen up, you almost believe that the ink will also follow it up from an invisible well of ideas

What we dislike

  • It’s not customizable

9. The Outside In

This multifunctional shape-shifting table is called the Outside In, and it integrates beautiful hand-carved grooves into its timber frames, which resemble the raked ruts of Japanese zen gardens.

Why is it noteworthy?

Japanese zen gardens have supplied ceaseless inspiration for designers. While the sheer meditative quality of zen gardens is enough to insight into some new ideas, the artful design of zen gardens rakes its own creative vision for designers. Melbourne-based furniture, lighting, and object design company Sabu Studio found its own creative vision by way of Japanese zen gardens when designing the minimalist Outside In table.

What we like

  • Features a sinuous timber surface that resembles the hand-raked grooves of a zen garden
  • Outside In is a crafty piece of furniture that would look right at home in hospitality common spaces or even event halls

What we dislike

  • Space-consuming & bulky design

10. The Bed Hanger Rack

Called the Bed Hanger Rack, this interesting design is an extension of the open cupboard concept. You can attach the design to your bed, and it creates space to hang your clothes, and racks to store your smartphone, remotes, game consoles, and other accessories you’d want around you while you’re in bed.

Why is it noteworthy?

In addition to the hanging storage and shelving extensions, the hanger rack gets slightly more interesting with its assembly: possible to match the layout of your room. The rack can be installed alongside the shorter front or the longer side of the bed; so that it can attach without having to change the placement of the existing bed.

What we like

  • Allows you to effortlessly store everyday wear on hangers around the bed
  •  Lets you skip the trouble of folding and sorting the clothes in a regular cupboard

What we dislike

  • Not suited for homes with space constraints

The post Top 10 Japanese designs that lovers of minimalism need to add to their daily routine first appeared on Yanko Design.

Top 10 EDC designs all multitool lovers need in their toolbox

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EDCs are the living embodiment of “big things come in small packages”. EDCs are the kind of smart little tools that are always great to have in your backpack or tool kit. You never know when one of them could come to your rescue, helping you out of the trickiest situation, or to even pop open a bottle of beer, when you need to unwind after work.  These little superheroes can make a world of difference while completing tasks – whether big or small. And, we’ve curated the best EDC designs we’ve seen in a while! From a fully-functioning balisong-style pocket knife to a titanium magnetic screwdriver that puts all the bits you need in your pocket – these are the EDC designs you definitely need by your side.

1. The Titanium Multi-Function Pry Bar

I know the term ‘forever’ can get thrown around a little loosely while discussing EDC durability, but it’s precisely what designer EDC Monster had in mind while designing the Titanium Multi-Function Pry Bar. Crafted from Gr5 Titanium, this pocket-friendly tool is lightweight, versatile, and ridiculously durable.

Why is it noteworthy?

It sports 10 different tools that cover every scenario from fixing your bicycle to escaping your car, and from cracking open a bottle of beer to writing a letter… all of which encapsulate that ‘forever’ aspect, including the last bit, thanks to the fact that the Titanium Multi-Function Pry Bar comes with its own Forever Pen – a special metallic writing instrument that can write forever, without using ink or graphite.

What we like

  • The Titanium Multi-Function Pry Bar has the unique distinction of having tools that can be used indoors and outdoors, and in casual settings or emergencies

What we dislike

  • The Pry Bar and Tritium capsules are shipped differently

2. M-20 Titanium Magnetic Screwdriver

There is now a class of screwdrivers ingeniously designed to fit in your Everyday Carry or even in your pocket. Most of these, however, still don’t cover the wide range of screws in use, but this 9-in-1 magnetic screwdriver makes sure you always have the most important ones in your pocket, ready to let you do your magic whenever and wherever your skills are needed.

Why is it noteworthy?

At first glance, the M-20 looks nothing like a screwdriver and more like a robust carrying case for screwdriver bits. In some sense, that is also correct, as the uniquely shaped tool has slots for up to nine bits, holding them in place using very strong magnets. That means they won’t get loose and get lost even if you quickly slip the M-20 into your pocket.

What we like

  • Gives you a firm and precise grip when turning the handle to tighten or loosen the screw
  • Made from titanium, making it lightweight yet also durable and resilient against corrosion

What we dislike

  • The flat design of the screwdriver makes it an ergonomically different experience/adds a learning curve for inexperienced users

3. The AirTag Holder

Most AirTag holders don’t make claims of also being able to hold your keys, open bottles, dock your smartphone, or maneuver hex bolts… the Atech Innovation AirTag Holder does. Crafted from solid stainless steel (with an ABS plastic enclosure for the AirTag), this nifty little multitool from Atech gives you seven features in its compact design.

Why is it noteworthy?

Shaped like a carabiner, the multitool has an enclosure that lets you dock a single AirTag, giving you a piece of EDC you can track easily using your Apple devices. A hole in the top lets you secure a keychain to your AirTag Holder, and cleverly oriented design details let you open screws and bottles, as well as use your AirTag Holder as a stand for your smartphone.

What we like

  • Two ABS plastic discs hold the tracking device in place without causing any interference in its signal

What we dislike

  • You can’t really control what angle your phone will stand at, and it’ll depend mostly on how slim your smartphone is, and whether it has a case or not

4. The Bali-T

The fully-functional Invictus Bali-Ti is a knife that deserves to be a part of your EDC arsenal! What makes this knife distinctive are its Terrain 365 branding and of course its construction. The sleek pocket knife features 6AL-4V titanium handles & a pocket clip and has a blade made from rustproof Terravantium. The Invictus Bali-Ti is a beautifully crafted, high-performance tool built to last in the wilderness!

Why is it noteworthy?

A Balisong aka a butterfly knife is a type of folding knife that originated in the Philippines. It has penetrated into other markets, including the US, where Terrain 365 is perfecting its design for everyday use. The Balisong has the potential to be used as a threatening weapon, which means its use is illegal in certain countries. Thankfully, there is nothing so illegal about the Invictus Bali-Ti, which draws its design cues from the Invictus folder. It measures 8.125 inches when fully deployed and folds down to roughly half that size to 4.125 inches when closed.

What we like

  • Made from rustproof terravantium blade

What we dislike

  • Hefty price tag

5. The CRKT Septimo Multi-Tool

It looks like your average pocket knife, but the CRKT Septimo Multi-Tool cleverly gives you much more than just a flipper blade. Designed to be a combination of compact, ergonomic, and feature-rich, this handy little critter was designed by Jeremy Valdez, a veteran of the 7th Special Forces Group.

Why is it noteworthy?

Modeled after his vision of the ideal EDC multitool, the Septimo (Spanish for ‘Seventh’) has a fold-out 2.86-inch long American Tanto blade with a liner-lock mechanism, a bottle opener, a flathead + Phillips head screwdriver, an adjustable wrench, and finally a glass-breaker tip for getting out of sticky situations.

What we like

A pocket clip lets you carry your Septimo Multi-Tool around, keeping it always at arm’s length

What we dislike

6. The Microtech Exocet Dagger

With a tiny 1.94-inch blade, the Microtech Exocet Dagger is actually legal to carry in most states, making it the perfect EDC to have on you at all times. The dagger features an OTF-style (out-the-front) drop-point blade made from CTS 204P steel that’s perfect for piercing and carving outdoors and doing things like opening boxes indoors.

Why is it noteworthy?

The blade retracts into the Exocet’s rather comfortably compact aircraft-grade aluminum handle, which also has a pocket clip on one side that doubles up as a money clip, letting you carry your cards and cash with you. I imagine taking out your money for a mugger would be a pretty interesting event, given that your de facto wallet also doubles as a blade!

What we like

  • It’s also the relatively wide pocket clip on its side, which Microtech designed to also double as a money clip, giving you a safe and secure place to store your Benjamins

What we dislike

  • We wish it had at least one additional function to make an outdoor-friendly or urban-friendly EDC

7. The Mbacco Wallet

In a world that’s still somehow stuck to the boring bifold or the cramped MagSafe wallet, the Mbacco Wallet offers a fun alternative. It’s compact, but still has enough space to store cards, cash, and keys… and comes with a lively accordion-inspired design that does a great job of organizing your cards and other belongings by priority or category.

Why is it noteworthy?

Although designed to hold cards, the Mbacco Wallet doesn’t have any strict rules – it’ll hold cash, keys, memory cards, and pretty much anything that’s up to 2.6mm thick and about the size of a credit card. The wallet’s fun accordion-inspired design holds anywhere from 5 to 9 cards, although it can be pushed to the limit to store as many as 12 cards without really breaking a sweat or becoming bulky like the kind of wallet George Costanza carries around.

What we like

  • A perfect blend of tradition and modernity
  • It stores them the way a book ‘stores’ pages
  • Has a secret hidden compartment

What we dislike

  • Even when lightly filled, the wallet looks thicker than many modern wallets

8. The Provoke EDC

Inspired by the hinge detail on their popular Provoke Karambit line, the Provoke EDC by Joe Caswell for CRKT brings the same opening mechanism to the traditional spear-point pocket knife. The knife features an aluminum handle with an anodized finish, a D2 steel blade, and CRKT’s signature Kinematic™ opening style that makes the Provoke such an object of beauty.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Provoke’s all-metal design instantly gives it a sense of rugged reliability. Hold it in your hand and play around with it for a bit and you soon realize it’s a highly-capable serious piece of EDC that’s designed to function really well under even demanding conditions. The Kinematic™ mechanism lets you deploy the knife with a single thumb, revealing the 2.5-inch satin-finish D2 blade that has remarkably high resistance to wear and tear.

What we like

  • Perfect for both indoors and outdoors
  • The pointed tip makes it great for piercing bags, tearing through sealed boxes, or cutting into harder materials like wood

What we dislike

  • Not economically priced

9. The Transform Pocket Blade

The Titanium Transforming Pocket Blade is a fully functional pocket blade through and through, in a sleek and compact form! In fact, it’s small enough to share space with your keys and has been blessed with some dashing good looks.

Why is it noteworthy?

This cutting tool is laser-focused on delivering the precision, quality, and safety required for something that could cut both ways while still hiding a few tricks up its sleeves for good measure. And like all other multi-functional tools from Smart & Savior Designs, it still boasts of that hardened titanium body that will stand the test of time.

What we like

  • The Transform Pocket Blade uses a threaded locking mechanism and double o-rings to transform the small blade into a longer blade that you can handle with more ease and comfort

What we dislike

  • Might be difficult to use on larger items

10. The Gerber Stake Out

The Gerber Stake Out is a nifty multitool that’s perfect for all the outdoor adventures you undertake! It measures just 4.5 inches in the closed position and a maximum of 6.6 inches when the knife is being used. The super cool multi-tool conceals 11 tools and helps you with almost everything – from setting up a campfire to cooking a meal in the wilderness. The Scandi grind blade features a bottle opener, awl, Ferro rod striker, saw, file, and a pair of scissors.

Why is it noteworthy?

There’s a tent stake puller for packing and getting the gear ready after setting camp during the nighttime. This is a very useful tool for campers as they can pack up tents in a way quicker time than normal. So, in a way, this utility is the USP of this multitool without any question. Add to the mix a ruler and pop-out tweezers, and you’ve got an all-purpose multitool convenient enough to carry with you all the time.

What we like

  • 11 tools concealed in 1 multi-tool
  • Economically priced

What we dislike

  • Made from Graphite, we would love to see more material options in this multitool

The post Top 10 EDC designs all multitool lovers need in their toolbox first appeared on Yanko Design.