Monthly Archives: February 2011

Ten Super Sexy Battery Designs With Functionality

The quest to make batteries last longer has led to some interesting concepts. The focus haa narrowed mainly to two areas: capacity and recharge. Here is a look at 10 paradigm shifting battery concepts, many with some added whacky functionality.

10) The Wind Up Battery by Qian Jiang

As the name suggests, the Wind Up Battery includes a hand crank to rev it up with juice. Just in case you dont have the electric point in handy to do the honors.

9) Pushup Mint Battery #2 by mintselect @ mintpass

Mintpass is know for their realistic life form products and this cute Pushup Mint Battery #2 is another fine example. It recharges via a USB port or with winding.

8 ) Hungry Batteries by Mac Funamizu

As their power dwindles, the Hungry Batteries change their form and reduce in size. The new svelte look is easier to pop out and act as a visual indication that their juice has run out. Clever!

7) IF Battery Concept by Qian Jiang & Yiying Wu

The IF Battery doesnt require a charging station like traditional rechargeable batteries. It has a two-pin prong concealed to one side that pop out when you need to recharge it.

6) DAB Digital Radio by Anton Webb

Technically this is not a battery but a kitchen radio under guise, nevertheless its a clever design with Dieter Rams principles kept in mind. Good Design is as little design as possible!

5) Salt&Pepper Cell by Antrepo Design Industry

A part of the Im not product series, the D size battery Salt&Pepper Shakers are a playful take on the real thing. It is a very clever design that includes minute details like the indicative power strip on the sides, which correlate to the amount of spices left in the shakers.

4) AtoD Rechargeable Battery by Pyeong Joo Goh, Jong Seung Choi & Ji Soo Hong

One size fits them all, presenting the AtoD Rechargeable Battery, which goes from AA to C to D sizes in a jiffy! The body is constructed out of Memory Foam and can be squeezed to any size. I simple adore its versatility.

3) Switch Battery by Ren Tong & Luo Jie

We all know that unused batteries lose their charge overtime, although its a slow process. Nevertheless, if we were to add a switch to the battery just to prevent the current loss, wouldnt the planet be a happier place? Of course, it would!

2) Lighting Battery by Lu Yi

Innovative AA & AAA batteries that include a minitype LED within the body, that converts it to a handy flashlight! Id love to see a working prototype of this.

1) Icon Battery by Essential TPE

What can I say about this iconic battery for the iPhone; its a real product and I sure its feels as groovy as it looks in these images!

Source:yankodesign.com

Tau Speakers By Andrej verha Of HANGAR DESIGN FORGE

Tau Speakers By Andrej verha Of HANGAR DESIGN FORGE

Check out the TAU speakers; made from recycled cardboard and paper finished in epoxy, the exotic shapes are an exploratory exercise in finding the simplest shape to provide maximum audio fidelity. The result is an organic form suspended on rods designed to hide the cables. I applaud the designer for pushing the envelope to create speakers that audiophiles and designers alike can appreciate.

Designer: Andrej verha of HANGAR DESIGN FORGE

Tau Speakers By Andrej verha Of HANGAR DESIGN FORGE

Tau Speakers By Andrej verha Of HANGAR DESIGN FORGE

Tau Speakers By Andrej verha Of HANGAR DESIGN FORGE

Tau Speakers By Andrej verha Of HANGAR DESIGN FORGE

Tau Speakers By Andrej verha Of HANGAR DESIGN FORGE

Source:yankodesign.com

05L By Pieter Bostoen

05L By Pieter Bostoen

The 05.L, named after the repurposed can that makes up it’s shade, is a lamp with a really straightforward design; a 9W energy efficient lightbulb, recyclable shade, and bulky red cord. With only 3 major elements the 05.L is for the user who wants to keep things uncomplicated. ‘Nuff said!

Designer: Pieter Bostoen

05L By Pieter Bostoen

05L By Pieter Bostoen

05L By Pieter Bostoen

Source:yankodesign.com

Coffree Disposable Coffee Cup Package Design By Young-an Seok Young-woo Choi amp Se-ryung Nam

Coffree  Disposable Coffee Cup Package Design By Young-an Seok Young-woo Choi amp Se-ryung Nam

All it takes is clever packaging to eliminate wasteful excess. The Coffree is one such smart thang; its a foldable disposable cup that comes sealed with the coffee mix. Simply tear off the seal, mix in hot water and your cuppa is ready. If the cup is made from biodegradable materials, then I think we have a winner in our hands!

Designers: Young-an Seok, Young-woo Choi & Se-ryung Nam

Coffree  Disposable Coffee Cup Package Design By Young-an Seok Young-woo Choi amp Se-ryung Nam

Coffree  Disposable Coffee Cup Package Design By Young-an Seok Young-woo Choi amp Se-ryung Nam

Coffree  Disposable Coffee Cup Package Design By Young-an Seok Young-woo Choi amp Se-ryung Nam

Source:yankodesign.com

Diamove Urban Folding Bicycle By David Damshek

Diamove  Urban Folding Bicycle By David Damshek

Diamove is yet another folding bicycle concept but with its own innovations. Its an easy folding bike featuring front wheel drive to support better posture. While riding, the weight of your body is totally on the pelvis rather than your wrists and feet. It sports a wheel-in-wheel folding scheme with a “single- motion” swoop. The awesome part is that when folded, it’s just a single wheel body that you need to stack-up in a cozy corner, but don’t call it a unicycle!

Designer: David Damshek

Diamove  Urban Folding Bicycle By David Damshek

Diamove  Urban Folding Bicycle By David Damshek

Diamove  Urban Folding Bicycle By David Damshek

Diamove  Urban Folding Bicycle By David Damshek

Diamove  Urban Folding Bicycle By David Damshek

Diamove  Urban Folding Bicycle By David Damshek

Source:yankodesign.com

MX-0 By Mazda

MX-0 By Mazda

The MX-0 is Mazda’s aesthetically predatory but eco-gentle entry for the LA Auto Show design challenge. This year’s challenge was to envision an efficient, four-passenger vehicle that also addressed society’s shift toward minimizing consumption of the earth’s resources. With the MX-0, Mazda has met consumer demand without sacrificing style.

Mazda has always been the frontrunner on lightweight transportation, but lightening the load to less than the 1000 Lb maximum was no easy task. By systematically reducing and consolidating the framework of the existing MX-5 model, they have replaced numerous components with fewer, simplified, multi-funtional parts, drastically reducing the heaviness of the MX-0.

The MX-0 minimizes the use of raw materials by utilizing sustainable, inexpensive composites matched with clean-running, high-torque electric motors.

Designers: Derik Jenkins, Tim Brown, Minyong Lee, Carlos Salaff, Jacques Flynn, Greg Lee, Paul Muzio, Dave Coleman, Julien Montousse for Mazda

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MX-0 By Mazda

MX-0 By Mazda

MX-0 By Mazda

MX-0 By Mazda

MX-0 By Mazda

MX-0 By Mazda

MX-0 By Mazda

Source:yankodesign.com

Random8 By Pitaya Design

Random8 By Pitaya Design

Few things make me all giddy inside like this chair. The symmetrical faces that make up the Random8′s octogonal form display a spectrum of colors that shimmer & change by interfering with light wavelengths passing through. Similar to iridescent bubbles, light is not only reflected, but refracted into a prismatic display of color that changes as the viewer’s perspective shifts.

The dichroic treatment of the Plexiglas provides the ambient floors and walls with original lighting effects dependent on the incoming light and surfaces on which the refracted light is cast. This chair is definitely unique in that it looks different from one room to the next, reflecting and changing as it takes in surrounding elements.

Designer: David Lesort and Arnaud Giroud of Pitaya Design

Random8 By Pitaya Design

Random8 By Pitaya Design

Random8 By Pitaya Design

Source:yankodesign.com

Starrynight Lamp By Dr Lin Hui-Hsiung Huang Shao-Wei Yang Wen-Hsun amp Chiang Chung-Kai

Starrynight Lamp By Dr Lin Hui-Hsiung Huang Shao-Wei Yang Wen-Hsun amp Chiang Chung-Kai

Starrynight is a combination light and nightlight that recreates the starry night sky while being energy efficient.A transparent light-collecting module (provided by Mechanical and Systems Research Laboratories [MSL]/Industrial Technology Research Institute [ITRI]) serves as an exterior lampshade. There’s a photovoltaic layer that charges a battery to power the night light function which is when the “stars light up.” Beautiful idea. Do want!

Starrynight Lamp is a 2010 Red Dot Concept Award Winning Entry.

Designers: Dr. Lin Hui-Hsiung, Huang Shao-Wei, Yang Wen-Hsun & Chiang Chung-Kai

Starrynight Lamp By Dr Lin Hui-Hsiung Huang Shao-Wei Yang Wen-Hsun amp Chiang Chung-Kai

Starrynight Lamp By Dr Lin Hui-Hsiung Huang Shao-Wei Yang Wen-Hsun amp Chiang Chung-Kai

Starrynight Lamp By Dr Lin Hui-Hsiung Huang Shao-Wei Yang Wen-Hsun amp Chiang Chung-Kai

Starrynight Lamp By Dr Lin Hui-Hsiung Huang Shao-Wei Yang Wen-Hsun amp Chiang Chung-Kai

Starrynight Lamp By Dr Lin Hui-Hsiung Huang Shao-Wei Yang Wen-Hsun amp Chiang Chung-Kai

Source:yankodesign.com

Lamp No 4 By Meidad Marzan

Lamp No 4 By Meidad Marzan

I love the name. Lamp No. 4 brings water and light together to create an ever-changing glow. Vibrating the string creates ripples of light that keep the space tranquil and relaxing. The contrast between the tension in the base and the softness of the H2O filter is something only bare walls could appreciate.

Designer: Meidad Marzan

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Lamp No 4 By Meidad Marzan

Lamp No 4 By Meidad Marzan

Lamp No 4 By Meidad Marzan

Source:yankodesign.com

Friday Giveaway Beyza Cases For IPhone IPad And MacBook

Friday Giveaway Beyza Cases For IPhone IPad And MacBook

YD’ers, you are a lucky bunch and I’m flushed with envy! Here is an amazing opportunity to win classy Beyza Cases gear for your Apple goodies. To win an iPhone 4 “ID Slim” Case, iPhone 4 SlimLine “Classic” Case, iPad “Slim Bag” Series Sleeves & Slim Messenger Bag – collectively worth 500, simply tell us two words that describe this collection. Elegant and uber-chic come to mind but unfortunately I cant participate in this giveaway; YOU CAN!

Contest Rules

  • Contest Open Worldwide.
  • To Win Beyza Cases Hamper tell us two words that describe their collection.
  • Contest Closes 27th February 2011, 11:59 pm PST

The Beyza Cases Collection can also be found on Facebook , it will be great if you can visit them there.

Apple iPhone 4 “ID Slim” Case

Friday Giveaway Beyza Cases For IPhone IPad And MacBook

The elegant ID Slim Case pays attention to detail and features this eye-catching red stitch pattern across its body. Sporting a slim and padded design, the case has this cool slot at the rear to hold your ID card. Choose from red on black, yellow on tan, light blue on brown and ecru on red variations.

Price: 41.95

Apple iPhone 4 SlimLine “Classic” Case

Friday Giveaway Beyza Cases For IPhone IPad And MacBook

The SlimLine Classic Case is the flagship design of Beyza and comes in an array of colors. Its the perfect choice for your iPhone 4 and cocoons it with complete protection. It slips into your pocket with ease and fits beautifully into bags and purses.
Price: 34.95

Apple iPad “Slim Bag” Series Sleeves

Friday Giveaway Beyza Cases For IPhone IPad And MacBook

The very innovative iPad “Slim Bag” exudes confidence and power. Take it across your body or wear it around the shoulder, any which ways its going to take care of your “precious.”

Price: 179.95

Slim Messenger Bag

Friday Giveaway Beyza Cases For IPhone IPad And MacBook

The Slim Messenger Bag is the perfect ode to Apples design philosophy of minimal styling. Its big enough to hold in your MacBook, charger, iPhone, iPod, documents, accessories and more, without compromising on the safety of your notebook. A stellar example of extraordinary craftsmanship.

Price: 239.50

Source:yankodesign.com

Freecutter Scissors With Integrated Cutter By Junho Jin

Freecutter  Scissors With Integrated Cutter By Junho Jin

Meet Freecutter, a clever little peripheral for your home and office. Its a marriage between a cutter and scissor, where the cutter blade retracts into one of the scissor blades. A fine example of how to make things more multifunctional and of course, more than one way to accidentally cut my finger now.

Designer: Junho Jin

Freecutter  Scissors With Integrated Cutter By Junho Jin

Freecutter  Scissors With Integrated Cutter By Junho Jin

Freecutter  Scissors With Integrated Cutter By Junho Jin

Freecutter  Scissors With Integrated Cutter By Junho Jin

Source:yankodesign.com

Piastra By Flussocreativo

Piastra By Flussocreativo

I have always wanted to put my favorite books on display, hoping someone else would see and enjoy them, but I have struggled with finding a solution that doesn’t look too deliberate… until now. The Piastra is a wall mounted book shelf that brings home the functional simplicity of the magazine rack to create an all-around dynamic interior object that allows quick and intuitive access to reading.

Designer: Flussocreativo

The satin stainless steel and hidden LED lighting make for a super clean way to show off your favs.

Piastra By Flussocreativo

Piastra By Flussocreativo

Piastra By Flussocreativo

Source:yankodesign.com

DUO – Double Cabinet By Maak Creativity

DUO - Double Cabinet By Maak Creativity

There’s a natural human desire to forge ahead into the future but our ideals are shaped by the nostalgic past. Maak Creativity translates this dichotomyinto a modern cabinet called DUO. The juxtaposition is played out in a modernist piece harboring an old cabinet. It’s slightly jarring to look at, but like someone with split personalities, you can’t help but look.

Designer: Maak Creativity

DUO - Double Cabinet By Maak Creativity

DUO - Double Cabinet By Maak Creativity

DUO - Double Cabinet By Maak Creativity

Source:yankodesign.com

Dala Vinyl Player By Bradley Paulet

Dala Vinyl Player By Bradley Paulet

Wait, no… it’s just your old stereo running for it’s life. I’m not going to school you about vinyl VS digital, but seriously, could it get any better? The Dala vinyl player’s physical form has been adapted to incorporate new flat membrane speaker technology. The speakers or “fins” make up the wing-like structure on either side of the platter. The Dala is sure to be the center of attention in any room, but if you are going vinyl- go big or go home.

Designer: Bradley Paulet

The “fins” or thin membrane speakers are of varying size; each one calculated perfectly to fully attain the scope of frequencies. Each fin is also followed by an acrylic reflector plate that is tapered in three directions, propagating the sound outward and left and right of the unit. Sound is radiated 180 degrees in vertical and horizontal axes, achieving the best possible sound output no matter the location of the listener.

Each component has it’s own dedicated vibration dampening wall mount and suspension to ensure the best possible sound output.

Dala Vinyl Player By Bradley Paulet

Dala Vinyl Player By Bradley Paulet

Dala Vinyl Player By Bradley Paulet

Dala Vinyl Player By Bradley Paulet

The wireless control is minimal and can be housed in the main unit as a volume control knob or released and used remotely.

Dala Vinyl Player By Bradley Paulet

Source:yankodesign.com

Crane Lamp By Benjamin Hubert For Orsjo

Crane Lamp By Benjamin Hubert For Orsjo

Crane is an architectural adjustable task lamp with a new typology for Swedish lighting manufacturer Orsjo designed by Benjamin Hubert.The lamp is inspired by industrial engineered metal structures and equipment. A bank of high power LEDS is shrouded in an industrial perforated aluminum casing to create a tube that is uninterrupted by openings. A simple clamp base supports the articulating horizontal arm. The adjustment features are finished with tactile industrial knurled detailing. The material selection and details reference Orsjos history of metal work and production.

Designer: Benjamin Hubert for Orsjo

Crane Lamp By Benjamin Hubert For Orsjo

Crane Lamp By Benjamin Hubert For Orsjo

Crane Lamp By Benjamin Hubert For Orsjo

Crane Lamp By Benjamin Hubert For Orsjo

Crane Lamp By Benjamin Hubert For Orsjo

Source:yankodesign.com

WAT Ambient Lamp By Manon Leblanc

WAT Ambient Lamp By Manon Leblanc

MeetWAT, a lamp powered by water. Wait what!?!A few drops of water kick starts the process where it combines with a hydroelectric battery (composed of a carbon stick coated with magnesium powder) to generate an electro chemical reaction to create power. No idea how efficient it is but color me intrigued.

Materials: Sanded blow glass , Steel switch, bioplastic, Warm white LED stripes

Designer: Manon Leblanc

WAT Ambient Lamp By Manon Leblanc

WAT Ambient Lamp By Manon Leblanc

WAT Ambient Lamp By Manon Leblanc

WAT Ambient Lamp By Manon Leblanc

Source:yankodesign.com

Light Catcher Solar AA amp AAA Battery By Yung-Hsaing Chang

Light Catcher  Solar AA amp AAA Battery By Yung-Hsaing Chang

The Light Catcher is a simple photoelectric battery where a transparent body coated with an antireflective layer houses solar cells. So every time your battery dies, just pamper it with some good ole’ fashioned sunshine to recharge. Comes in AA and AAA variants, both capable of powering another device via a 3.5mm jack, though I had no idea those could provide power.

Designer: Yung-Hsaing Chang

Light Catcher  Solar AA amp AAA Battery By Yung-Hsaing Chang

Light Catcher  Solar AA amp AAA Battery By Yung-Hsaing Chang

Source:yankodesign.com

FEZA Crane Cabinet Concept By Fatih Evyapan

FEZA Crane Cabinet Concept By Fatih Evyapan

Crane operators spend countless hours in position with limited break time; a dangerous combination for a job with many risks. The FEZA tower crane cabinet seeks to minimize discomfort and increase efficiency with it’s ergonomic interior. Versatile design provides panoramic views, user-friendly controls, and advanced security features for work action, while comfort settings like AC and electronic seat adjustment are available at the push of a button. Other creature comforts include food refrigeration, custom shelving, electronic curtains, and extendable leg room for kicking back on those extra long shifts.

Designer: Fatih Evyapan

FEZA Crane Cabinet Concept By Fatih Evyapan

FEZA Crane Cabinet Concept By Fatih Evyapan

FEZA Crane Cabinet Concept By Fatih Evyapan

FEZA Crane Cabinet Concept By Fatih Evyapan

Source:yankodesign.com

Loom Lamps By Benjamin Hubert For Zero

Loom Lamps By Benjamin Hubert For Zero

Loom is a collection of organic textile pendant lamps utilizing a new 3d woven polyester material designed by Benjamin Hubert for Swedish manufacturer Zero.Originally used as a source of comfort in the bedding industry the 3d textile has never before been used in the lighting industry.The textile can be stretched around complex forms and diffuses the light through its dense network of warp woven polyester fibers. The textile is offset and contrasted with a brightly lit polymer lens at the heart of each pendant.

Designer: Benjamin Hubert for Zero

Loom Lamps By Benjamin Hubert For Zero

Loom Lamps By Benjamin Hubert For Zero

Loom Lamps By Benjamin Hubert For Zero

Loom Lamps By Benjamin Hubert For Zero

Source:yankodesign.com

Wii Robot Concept By Florence Boob

Wii Robot Concept By Florence Boob

Now that everybody and they momma are doing motion controls, what’s Nintendo to do next? Ask designer Florence Boob (yes for serious) and you’ll get the Wii-Robot. OMG Wii-bot! Working under the assumption that everybody and they momma loves robots (true), the Wii-Robot is the little R2-D2 companion you’ve always wanted. It flies and follows you around, inviting you to play games it projects onto any flat surface. The controller is a sphere laced with motion controls. Loves!

Designer: Florence Boob

Wii Robot Concept By Florence Boob

Wii Robot Concept By Florence Boob

Wii Robot Concept By Florence Boob

Wii Robot Concept By Florence Boob

Wii Robot Concept By Florence Boob

Wii Robot Concept By Florence Boob

Source:yankodesign.com

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

In their vernacular forms the country cabin and beach house are most often envisioned as rough and woody as well as shingled and white-washed, respectively. Finding inspiration in Woodstock, NY and Fire Island, NY, Italian architect Andrea Salvini’s conceptualizations of the classics have been updated aesthetically and to the era of eco-efficiency.

Designer: Andrea Salvini

The Crab House’s updated stilt design was inspired by- you guessed it, the legs of a crab. The architectural verticality of this project is in response to an effort to preserve the existing garden area.

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

Inspired by the work of Andrew Gellar, the Hexagon beach house is striking and unique.

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

The Modern Cabin’s design was developed through minimizing and stylizing the lines and architectural elements of the classic American cabin.

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

The Crab House Hexagon House And Modern Cabin By Andrea Salvini

Source:yankodesign.com

Creo Shoe Concept By Jennifer Rieker

Creo Shoe Concept By Jennifer Rieker

The Creo Shoe Concept focuses on user integration by allowing the wearer to become a part of the production process. The footbeds, shoelaces, outer soles, and sewing pattern are sent to the user in a leather envelope that doubles as the inner part of the shoe. I am all for anything DIY or that supports local commerce and I love that the wearer can stitch the inner shoe themselves or hand it over to a local shoemaker for tailoring. The Creo’s real value is knowing exactly where it came from.

The Creo Shoe Concept is a 2011IF concept design entry.

Designer: Jennifer Rieker

Creo Shoe Concept By Jennifer Rieker

Creo Shoe Concept By Jennifer Rieker

Creo Shoe Concept By Jennifer Rieker

Creo Shoe Concept By Jennifer Rieker

Creo Shoe Concept By Jennifer Rieker

Source:yankodesign.com

Android Powered Wacom Tablet By Derick Schweppe

Android Powered Wacom Tablet By Derick Schweppe

I use a Wacom everyday and love the experience except why not just make it a screen with multitouch? I was delighted when a twitter follower tipped me off on this concept by Derick Schweppe. Let me preface by saying this is an unofficial concept. The Android OS Wacom tablet can be used as an input for fully featured software like Photoshop and incorporates a dual digitizer with both active pen and touch input. When sketching with the pen, palm rejection is activated. The tablet utilizes a high quality IPS display. Do want!

Designer: Derick Schweppe Hat tip to idsketching and @marchedesign

Android Powered Wacom Tablet By Derick Schweppe

Android Powered Wacom Tablet By Derick Schweppe

Source:yankodesign.com

Trapezium By Robert Hoffmann

Trapezium By Robert Hoffmann

This simplistic luminaire consists of two trapezoidal pieces of metal that together form a hexagonal outline. Trapezium’s exposed top and bottom each cast a soft light cone while light pushes through the narrow lateral gaps on each side to display thin streaks on the surrounding walls. The direct and indirect light contrasts to yield the simple yet surprising geometric form of a trapezium.

Designer: Robert Hoffmann

Trapezium By Robert Hoffmann

Trapezium By Robert Hoffmann

Trapezium By Robert Hoffmann

Trapezium By Robert Hoffmann

Source:yankodesign.com

Accordion Cabinet By Elisa Strozyk

Accordion Cabinet By Elisa Strozyk

Bands like Jump Little Children, Beirut, and the Arcade Fire have helped me come to appreciate the accordion, and in turn, this design. That is precisely the relationship the Accordion Cabinet hopes to build with you. Mixed wood and wooden textile combine to form a flexible skin surrounding the solid wood shelving on top of it’s long legs.Those who can make the association are sure to form a long lasting relationship with this piece.

Designer: Elisa Strozyk in collaboration with artist Sebastian Neeb

Accordion Cabinet By Elisa Strozyk

Accordion Cabinet By Elisa Strozyk

Accordion Cabinet By Elisa Strozyk

Accordion Cabinet By Elisa Strozyk

Source:yankodesign.com