When I travel to a new place, one of the things that I always want to try out are the local coffee places. However, not all places have really great original beans and not all coffee addict travelers would trust coffee shops especially if there are not a lot of recommended places. So I know some people who are picky with their caffeine fix who actually travel with all sorts of coffee paraphernalia. Of course this adds to their luggage so it’s not always that convenient. So having paraphernalia that’s handy and at the same time gives you that kick that you need is a must.

Designers: Vanshika Singhal and Yashi Jivnani

BrewPin is a portable coffee machine using the moka pot brewing method that was developed as a concept for coffee brand Bialetti. It is meant for those picky travelers that need to have their espresso shot when they want a caffeine boost and there isn’t any local coffee shop that would suit their taste or if there aren’t any coffee shops in general, like in the mountains or in rural areas. It looks like your typical portable coffee tool but it looks like it’s much easier to use.

The bottom part has a silicone cover with power coat and above it, you find the stainless steel water tank. There’s also a funnel filter and a coffee pod tank as well as a perforated plate where the moka magic happens. There’s a borosilicate glass on top where you pour your coffee in and a nozzle to pour the coffee from. Basically you just plug in the BrewPin, let the coffee brew your espresso shot and then flip it, twist off the cup, and enjoy your caffeine boost.

As someone who often complains that the hotel coffee is almost always no good, this can be a great tool to tide me over until I’m able to get to a proper coffee shop. The only downside to this is that you need to plug it in but if they’re able to create something that would harness energy from somewhere else to get that espresso shot, it would be perfect.

The post Portable moka pot lets you get that espresso shot boost while traveling first appeared on Yanko Design.

How many people does it take to turn on an air dryer? It may sound like the beginning of a joke but actually this is a real question and the answer is around a hundred people make up the team that has created one of the most high-tech hair dryers. But there’s also a surprising twist with this team as it’s actually made of engineers and scientists that used to create drones. Your hair dryer will not fly in the sky but you’re getting something pretty high-tech.

Designer: Zuvi

The Airlight Pro was unveiled last month at the Consumer Electronic Show and is considered a “next-generation hair drying tool” that can be for professional hairdressers, stylists, and ordinary consumers at home. This was developed by L’Oréal in partnership with hardware startup Zuvi. The latter was created by drone engineers and scientists, most of whom came from technology company DJI, so you know that this is definitely a device that comes with good tech. It uses infrared-light technology and wind to have the hair dry faster and also use 31% less energy consumption.

The hair dryer uses a special 17-blade, high=speed motor, and patented infrared technology as well as tungsten-halogen bulbs so that you don’t use excessive heat when drying your hair. This also means that your hair is properly (or naturally) moisturized since the water is dried on the hair surface and the heat will not excessively dry it. Design-wise, it looks like a typical, high-tech hair dryer so there’s nothing really extra special there. But the fact that its technology can dry your hair quicker and still keep it shiny and smooth is the selling point.

The AirLight Pro has a small display in the handheld grip and can also be connected to an app so you can customize the settings depending on your hair type, length, and style. There isn’t a price tag announced yet although they may be looking at something below $400.

The post L’Oreal’s high-tech hair dryer will dry hair faster and use less electricity first appeared on Yanko Design.

After years of doing video conferencing while we were working or studying remotely, you would think that people have gotten used to using our computers’ and devices’ webcams already. But there are still those that are not used to turning on their cameras to participate in video calls whether for work, school, or personal reasons. It’s something that will probably be around for the foreseeable future so we still need all kinds of video conferencing tools.

Designer: Soohyun Lim, Designer Dot

Seesun is a concept for a webcam and lighting tool that can be utilized by those who are concerned with privacy but also need something to help them out for times when they have no choice but to turn their cameras on. It’s basically a display that can cover the camera if you don’t want to use it but if you need to actually use it, a smiley face will help you become more accustomed to the camera.

When you turn on the camera, you’ll see a countdown to help you prepare for when it begins showing you to whoever it is that you’re meeting with. There is a smiley face on the display that will supposedly help put you at ease and make you stare directly into the camera and make you look more trustworthy. It can also serve as a light stand if your room needs it to give a better video quality. There is also a small remote to help you control the device.

The design basically is that of a light stand but with a web camera on top. The smiley face may actually help in putting people not used to appearing on webcams at ease. As someone so used to video calls, it may not be much of use to me but there are still a lot of people out there who need tools like this to become a video calling pro.

The post Light stand with webcam can make people more comfortable on video calls first appeared on Yanko Design.

Since time immemorial, candles have been used to track time, with the burning of the wick and the disintegration of the candle being used to calculate minutes and hours. Seokoo Yeo’s ‘Candle Go’ brings back that particular feature, but in a unique format. The Candle Go is a wax-warming apparatus that uses disc-shaped candles, melting them almost like a timer. The wax melts radially, sort of like hands of a clock, while gravity allows the candle disc to rotate. The result is a candle experience that’s distinctly unique, allowing you to visually measure time passed. Yeo designed the Candle Go to help you track goals and time spent being productive (sort of like a wax-based Pomodoro timer). At the end, the disc melts away to reveal a medal that rewards you for time spent pursuing your goals.

Designer: Seokoo Yeo

What the Candle Go explores so beautifully is a new way of burning wax. Traditional candles feature a standing design, with a vertical wick that lights at the top, gradually moving downwards as the wax melts away. Historically, markings on the side of the candle would then tell how much time had passed, helping people track minutes and hours. The Candle Go doesn’t do that – instead, it mounts a flat disc of wax on an axis, quite like a vertical CD player of sorts. Rather than having a wick on fire, the Candle Go uses a warming element that melts away parts of the wax in a radial style. The melted wax creates a weight imbalance, getting the disc to rotate on its own. This clever technique uses gravity to its advantage, allowing the entire disc to melt at the end. You can easily track the time just by staring a the shape of the disc. It visually represents a pie-chart of sorts, allowing you to easily and intuitively understand ratios and fractions, therefore figuring out how much time has passed.

The melted wax gathers in a chamber at the bottom, ensuring your tabletop doesn’t get covered with melted wax (the way you’d otherwise face with regular candles). There’s no fire involved too (which could be a safety hazard), although the candle does emanate a warm light that is diffused by the natural properties of the wax.

Once you’ve exhausted your candle disc (and received the reward inside), simply load another disc to keep tracking your goals, and the amount of time dedicated towards achieving them!

The post One-of-a-kind ‘Candle Disc’ tracks the passage of time by melting wax in a different way first appeared on Yanko Design.

For casual or even regular beer drinkers, how or where you drink it is not that much of a priority. The important thing is to have a preferably ice cold glass or can and just drink it straight or casually while talking to friends or just relaxing at the end of the day. But for beer connoisseurs, there are a lot of factors that may go into their enjoyment of their drink of choice, particularly the glass that holds this amber liquid.

Designer: Nendo

For draft beer drinkers, the Kuro Label variant of Sapporo is a particular favorite. And Japanese design firm Nendo has come up with the perfect glass to savor and maximize the flavor and aroma of this variant and probably other draft beers that you will drink out of it. The Perfect 3Way Glass is an assymetrical creation that has three different mouthfeels that you can use and get three different experiences with the beer.

The front and back part of the glass is the “straight side” which is where you should drink the beer first. The beer should trickle down to the center of your tongue and straight to the back of your mouth, giving you the initial crisp finish of your drink. Then you can move over to the left side that has a curvaceous finish to fill your mouth with a “mellow, rich aroma and bouquet of liquid” since you’re drinking from a wider rim. Lastly, go over and drink from the bulbous shape on the right side which hits the middle of your tongue and control the flow of the beer.

If you’re like me, you probably will not remember to drink the beer in that order and will most likely just gulp it down any which way I want. But the asymmetrical design of the glass will definitely catch my interest even if I may not be able to distinguish the different flavors and aromas on each side, being the casual beer drinker that I am.

The post Perfect 3Way Beer Glass may be the perfect way to enjoy Sapporo’s Kuro Label first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you are inclined to woodworking, sculpture, or an appreciation for abstract geometric forms, the creations of sculptor Aleph Geddis are sure to captivate your imagination. Geddis’ work is a harmonious blend of traditional craftsmanship, modernist aesthetics, and a deep-rooted fascination with the fundamental structures of our world.

Designer: Aleph Geddis

Aleph Geddis’ artistic roots can be traced back to his upbringing on Orcas Island in the Pacific Northwest. Immersed in a creative environment shaped by his stepfather’s expertise in sculpture, carving, and boat building, Geddis found inspiration in the stylized naturalism of Northwest Coast Native carvings. His early works reflected this influence, evolving over time to incorporate diverse cultural experiences, such as a transformative family trip to Japan.

His sculptures beautifully straddle the intersection of different cultures and artistic traditions. Drawing upon the rich traditions of wood carving and totems from the indigenous people of the Pacific Northwest, as well as the intricate woodwork of Bali, Geddis merges these influences with the familial impact of his stepfather’s similar craft. The result is a collection of hand-carved pieces that resonate with a global and timeless aesthetic.

As Geddis’ artistic journey unfolds, a consistent theme emerges—exploring the simple elegance inherent in natural forms. His recent works delve into the integral shapes of Platonic solids, conveying a sense of truth beyond human subjectivity. For the sculptor, these forms possess a magical existence that predates and will outlast humanity, offering viewers the pleasure of interacting with something timeless and profound. His Orcas Island studio serves as the birthplace of each meticulously handcrafted piece, connecting the artist’s work to the landscapes that have shaped him.

The sculptor acknowledges the profound impact of a trip to Japan on his artistic exploration. Exposed to the country’s rich woodworking tradition, he integrates Japanese craftsmanship elements into his sculptural endeavors. This influence adds depth and diversity to his work, contributing to a body of art that seamlessly weaves together figurative, abstract, and even architectural elements.

Geddis’ sculptures cross the rational realm of mathematics and Platonic solids while embracing a spiritually inspired curiosity about sacred geometry. Some of his vertical pieces evoke a softer interpretation of Brutalist forms, while others conjure visions of wondrous alien audio speakers reminiscent of Arcosanti. Each creation invites viewers to contemplate the intersection of the tangible and the transcendent, encouraging a deeper exploration of the mystical dimensions embedded in his wooden sculptures. Each of his pieces is an artwork that makes you think, learn, and build conversations. And trust me, the longer you look at them, the more there is to keep.

Aleph Geddis’ sculptures are more than mere artistic expressions; they are gateways to a world where tradition, culture, and the inherent beauty of natural forms converge. Each piece from the Pacific Northwest to Japan reflects the artist’s journey, inviting viewers to join him on a visual and conceptual exploration of warm geometries sculpted from wood—a testament to the enduring magic found within the simplicity of shapes and the richness of cultural intersections.

The post The ‘Gentle Geometry’ Of Wood Reflecting Cultures Through Sculptures By Aleph Geddis first appeared on Yanko Design.

One of the things that I have to accept as a person that’s getting older and that has bad eyesight is the fact that I can’t read books with small fonts anymore. I’m not yet at the point where magnifying glasses are actually needed but I know we’ll eventually get there. There are more convenient ways now of using magnifying lenses instead of the old school way of actually holding a lens in one hand with the reading material on the other hand. This concept for magnifying glasses is something I may eventually want or need.

Designer: Jongcheol Yang

The VAN magnifying glasses concept fixes the problem of unnecessary parts that may cause inconvenience or even dizziness to those that need to use this kind of glasses. The idea is for this to be similar to reading glasses in a sense that you only wear them when you need to use them. The magnifying part is only placed on the lower part where the magnifying lens is located. And when you’re feeling dizzy or you need to rest your eyes, you just have to look straight ahead since the lens part will not be there anymore.

The other cool thing about this concept is that if you don’t need to wear the glasses, you can just fold up the front and then the “legs”. It will then turn into the classic magnifying glass that we’re used to and then you can store it in your bag. They don’t show it in the product renders but maybe if you just rotate the lens itself away from the stem, then you can use it like a regular magnifying glass without having to wear it as actual glasses.

It’s an interesting concept for sure, particularly for people who already have a hard time reading things that have small prints. Of course it’s another thing to add to things you need to bring and to mind. But at least it solves some of the issues that come with current magnifying glasses.

The post Magnifying glasses turn into classic magnifying lens when not in use first appeared on Yanko Design.

After revolutionizing vacuum cleaners and air purifiers, Dyson has become a design language for most of us. This is aligned with the company’s philosophy of pioneering technologies that stand out for their authenticity and innovation, whether it is the bagless vacuum, air purifier, or Supersonic hair dryer.

The Supersonic is now redesigned for the professionals in the USA. The new Supersonic r hair dryer will be exclusively available for certified stylists starting April 2024, while individuals like us will have to wait a little longer to get our hands on this reworked blow dryer.

Designer: Dyson

Designed to be half the size of the original Supersonic, the r – which is symbolic of its lower case “r”-like shape – is reckoned the lightest and most precise hair dryer from the design house. To stand true to the claims perhaps, Dyson has stuck with the professional stylist exclusive offering only. After finding a sweet spot here, Dyson knows, the sales will skyrocket the moment it opens retails.

Beyond the size and design that would make the hair dryer more comfortable to use and easier to control, the Supersonic r, comes with a re-engineered heater that bends at the end of the shaft, along the hair dryer’s r shape to ensure even heat airflow. The heater tech is the first of its kind in the industry that along with Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) sensors, makes Supersonic r a special product in the category.

The RFID sensors can communicate with the Supersonic r to allow the pro stylist to adjust the heater and Hyperdymium motor to a precise temperature and airflow. On board, there are three airflow controls and four heat modes for the user to toggle. With the benefits of precise heat and airflow, the blow drying is made effortless with no heat damage to the hair, which is further ensured with a range of attachments for varied styling needs: from quick hair drying to defining curls all for an asking price of $570. The Supersonic r was unveiled recently at the New York Fashion Week.

The post Designed for professionals, Dyson Supersonic r has a redesigned heater for precise hair drying and styling first appeared on Yanko Design.

Although travel and work restrictions have mostly been lifted already, the office world is really no longer the same. It has now been proven that the work your bosses claim can only be done in the office can actually be done at home or even in a coffee shop, and so more flexible remote working conditions have started to take root in many companies. At the same time, however, the pandemic also proved that working from home is far from being the idyllic scenario that many people dreamed of in the past. Maintaining focus and motivation isn’t exactly easy to achieve, but this curious desk lamp helps develop that sense of balance between work and personal life using a very visual and tactile experience.

Designers: Pinar Aydogdu, Naren Yildirim, Nurbanu Kocak

One of the oldest productivity tricks in the book involves focusing on a single task for a certain amount of time and then taking a brief break before repeating the cycle all over again. Ironic as might sound, this technique, most popular by its “Pomodoro technique” moniker, actually helps you focus during those moments you are working. It also elevates rest to its proper place in our hectic lives, presenting it not as wasted time but as an important factor in boosting productivity.

You’d probably never think that a decorative desk lamp would be the tool to encourage that productivity practice, but the Fall concept design is exactly that. At its most basic, it is composed of a conical lamp standing on a circular base that has a rippling surface, almost like the ripples in a pond. The soft diffused light that the lamp gives isn’t going to be enough to illuminate your work, but that’s not the purpose of the lamp anyway. It works in conjunction with eight balls that magnetically attach to the top of the cone, turning this productivity practice into something like a game.

Each ball represents one hour of working time, so their total makes up an entire day’s work. At the start of your work day, you stick those balls at the top, and after an hour has passed, one ball falls down on the base. Because of the undulating surface of the base, the balls won’t roll off, but you can remove each ball as you please. In fact, you remove the ball from the base to signify that you’re taking a break and you put the ball back on the base when you’re back. If you don’t bring back the ball within a set amount of time, usually ten minutes, the lamp’s light will turn red to nudge you back to your work.

Fall is an interesting idea that encourages physical involvement in juggling those work hours, making sure you’re more mindful of your time instead of simply glancing at a clock or swiping an alarm away. The lamp itself gives a rather distinctive aesthetic, one that encourages play and interactivity instead of just looking pretty. Admittedly, it’s just a concept and one that will be rather complicated to implement in a real functioning device.

The post Tactile lamp and timer concept fosters focus and mindfulness in work-from-home arrangements first appeared on Yanko Design.

There’s something just much more universally appealing about a house party that surpasses any other outdoor social gathering. House parties are a great way to meet new people, see them in a domestic setting, and feel comfortable because you’re in a domestic setting too. Designed to help elevate these house parties, Jagyeong Baek designed the ‘Diner’, a party trolley made with precision and elegance, catering to the vibrant culture of American house parties.

Designer: Jagyeong Baek

The diner is crafted with a keen understanding of the Western culture’s inclination for social gatherings, especially in the context of American house parties. With restrictions on late-night pub operations and outdoor drinking, the culture of hosting lively gatherings at home has grown. The Diner steps in as the perfect companion for these home-centric celebrations, providing a versatile solution for both indoor and outdoor spaces.

One of the standout features of the Diner is its mobility. Fitted with a convenient handle at the top, users can effortlessly pull the trolley to their desired location, making it a dynamic addition to any party setting. The four wheels not only provide stability but also allow easy steering for direction changes, ensuring that the Diner can seamlessly navigate through different spaces.

The Diner goes beyond just being a stylish piece; it integrates functional components that enhance the overall party experience. A sliding door-style room-temperature storage compartment at the back offers ample space for storing various ingredients. Meanwhile, the front center houses a refrigerator for keeping food ingredients, alcoholic beverages, and drinks chilled to perfection.

The top of the Diner doubles as a convenient table, providing a designated space for simple finger foods and drinks. This thoughtful design element adds an extra layer of practicality to the product, ensuring that it not only moves with ease but also serves as a central hub for party essentials.

To further elevate the party atmosphere, the Diner incorporates entertainment features. A dial in the upper left corner controls the power, and by rotating it clockwise, users can adjust the volume of the integrated speaker system. This feature adds a touch of audio ambiance to the party, making the Diner a comprehensive party package. Just charge it before your party and you’re set to impress everyone!

Recognizing the importance of aesthetics, the Diner offers users the choice of multiple color variations. This allows individuals to select a design that seamlessly integrates into their existing interiors, ensuring that the party trolley becomes an extension of their personal style.

The post A Perfect Party Trolley To Stand Out As A Host first appeared on Yanko Design.