Hasta La Ideas

You can’t blame some dog lovers for spending a lot of money on food and stuff for their pets. So if you have that mindset that it’s okay to spend for pets, you’d love this Dome-Home from Foster + Partners.

The Dome-Home is not exactly expensive, but it looks like something that you would spend a lot of money on. The design is cutting-edge, something that we don’t usually expect from a dog kennel. But then again, when there is the topic of design, any object can be given a new iteration.

Designer: Foster + Partners

Foster + Partners has submitted an entry into the Barkitecture competition at a major pet event. The Dome-Home features a geometric form that creatives and design enthusiasts will love even if they don’t exactly love dogs. At the Goodwoof pet event held over the weekend, Norman Foster proudly showcased the plush kennel to dog owners. Foster described the product with a geodesic shell structure. He also noted, “it is like architecture in miniature,” and we can agree that it is a sight to behold.

Canine luxury seems to be a thing now, and there is no stopping pet owners from spoiling their babies. This time, Foster + Partners reimagines such pet luxury by introducing the handcrafted cherry wood dog kennel. Great design and craftsmanship always go together, and we love what we’ve seen from the designer and English furniture maker Benchmark.

The Dome-Home is made of engineered cherry wood and fine timber. A flexible padded fabric liner complements the bowl-shaped interior for your dog’s comfort. The liner is even removable for easy washing as described.

We can already imagine the Dome-Home in homes of minimalist pet lovers. The geodesic shell form isn’t exactly a simple design, but the wood material gives it a more natural and earthy feel. It’s modern contemporary that we believe can be timeless.

Over the weekend, the Goodwoof held at the Goodwood House was filled with numerous dogs of all breeds, sizes, and shapes. It’s a special event that celebrated man’s best friend. Several special activities for dogs and their humans were featured. In addition, lots of products were presented, including the Dome-Home.

We’re no stranger to kennel designs, as we’ve featured several here before. However, not all are exclusive for our paw-friends as kennels can both be for cats and dogs. That DIY Feline Digs was a cool cat crate, while that PaiPai Pets doubled as a cat tower and storage area. We once thought the Fetch House could be the best dog house for your best boy.

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Phone designs have become increasingly common these days, so it’s not surprising to see some try to set themselves apart, one way or another. Some are met with much success, like the OPPO Find X5 Pro’s futuristic minimalism and the Realme GT2 Pro’s fashionable Paper Tech design. Others seem to still be trying to come to terms with their design language, while still others are apparently stumbling in their efforts to stand out from the crowd. Xiaomi’s next flagship will attempt to flaunt Leica’s massive brand to appeal to mobile shutterbugs, but it might be doing the camera maker a slight disservice considering how controversial the Xiaomi 12 Ultra’s camera design is so far turning out to be.

Designer: HoiINDI

Smartphone designs have mostly gravitated towards emphasizing the most important part of a smartphone next to its display. Trends come and go, but the importance of cameras in our smartphone-centric culture has never wavered. But as those camera sensors become more powerful and bigger, the space they occupy has also become larger, forcing designers to think of ways to balance looks and function. In the Xiaomi 12 Ultra’s case, it seems that only one side won, at least based on renders made from leaked information.

This isn’t the first phone that uses a circular enclosure to house the camera in a group, with the Huawei Mate 30 coming out with that design back in 2019. It might, however, be the biggest by a wide margin, occupying nearly a third of the phone’s height and leaving little room on its sides. If Xiaomi intended to call attention to the Xiaomi 12 Ultra’s cameras, this definitely does it, but not in a flattering way. Despite marketing materials, Leica’s iconic circle logo might not even be immediately visible, which is probably the best for the brand.

The Xiaomi 12 Ultra is in the running for the most divisive camera design this year, going head-to-head with the Honor Magic4 Ultimate from March. Xiaomi’s camera bump doesn’t feel like it’s about to jump out at you, sitting on the phone’s back in a static manner. In contrast, Honor’s design has the entire phone’s rear elevated from four directions to meet the height of the larger circular camera bump, potentially creating some unevenness that would affect the phone’s stability on a flat surface or even in your hand.

Designer: Parvez Khan (Technizo Concept) for LetsGoDigital

That said, Honor arranged its camera lenses in such a way that they look a bit more symmetrical and balanced. Most likely due to technical considerations, Xiaomi’s lenses are all over the place, creating an almost disorganized appearance. It could even trigger certain psychological conditions in people because of the clearly visible and uneven holes. It’s definitely going to be a head-turner, but not everything that calls attention does so in a good way.

Admittedly, smartphone design is a delicate balancing act between opposing forces and directions. At the same time, it’s a problem created by manufacturers themselves. As they cram more and larger hardware inside phones, they will be forced to figure out a smart design for them. More doesn’t always mean better, especially from a design perspective, and the Xiaomi 12 Ultra proves it.

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There is nothing more natural than breathing, so this inhaler uses that to make it easier to take a puff of medicine.

Compared to diabetics that have to routinely inject themselves with insulin, asthmatics have it easier with their inhalers. Despite that, a lot of people afflicted by this chronic lung disease are still unable to administer their medication properly themselves. Despite advancements in medical science and technology, the asthma inhaler’s design has remained the same for decades, and so has the inability of people to use them in the correct way. Fortunately, there are some designers who are able to think outside the box and utilize simple modern technologies to design an inhaler where you wouldn’t even have to think hard or silently count down to make sure you’re actually getting an effective dose of that medicine that could be a matter of life or death for the patient.

Designer: Roger Bartra Baron

Hollywood has probably made taking a puff from an inhaler look too easy. A hyperventilating character simply presses the canister and holds his or her breath, and that’s it. In reality, however, multiple things have to happen all at once, and certain steps have to be taken carefully; otherwise, a precious puff is wasted. Patients have to be sure to empty their lungs fully before they start, and they have to time their inhalation right when they press the canister. Then they have to hold their breath for the right amount of time, or else they have to repeat the steps all over again.

Although it sounds simple, imagine having to keep in mind and do all of those when you’re already stressed and deprived of oxygen. Unfortunately, almost all inhalers aren’t designed to make life easy for asthmatics, which makes this concept design a life-saving grace. And it utilizes that action that comes so naturally to humans, even those under an asthma attack.

Mae is an inhaler that integrates some electronics to make sure a user gets the exact right dosage they need. It also includes a display that guides them throughout the process so they won’t have to stress over forgetting a step. The most important part, however, is that it is driven by the natural breathing cycle of the person. They don’t have to make sure to time everything perfectly. They just need to inhale, and the electronics detect that and administer the dose as necessary. You’ll still have to hold your breath after, but now there’s a timer on display for your convenience.

The concept is also quite creative in making sure that it doesn’t make conventional cartridges or canisters obsolete. It can easily be replaced by any cartridge that fits inside the inhaler because it actually works the same way as traditional manual inhalers. The canister is still depressed, except it’s automated in Mae’s case. In fact, if the inhaler runs out of battery, you can still use it in the old-fashioned way. And, yes, Mae is battery powered, but it charges over USB-C, so you won’t have to worry about carrying spares.

Mae also has a bit of customizability in its design, at least as far as colors are concerned. This should make the idea easier to sell to pharmaceutical companies that distinguish their brands through colors. Sadly, Mae remains just a concept, but it is one that could definitely change people’s lives for the better if some company tries to make it happen.

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We’ve wanted to say the pandemic is over, but it isn’t, at least not yet. So don’t let your guard down because the dreaded virus still lurks, although the situation is not as scary as before. People all over the world still need to be careful. Even with the covid vaccination drive being deemed successful and herd immunity is about to be achieved, you must remain cautious, safe, smart, and alert.

Keep that face mask on at all times if possible. Even if some governments no longer require it, it is still wise to wear one. For at least another year maybe, we recommend you to wear a mask whenever you are going out or socializing with people.

Designer: SUNRIU Design

But yes, we understand that facemasks can be annoying, especially after wearing them for a long time. A facemask is no longer just for those in the hospitals; it’s for everyone now. However, prolonged wearing of masks has some not-so-good effects, like marks on your face. Some people even develop rashes, pimples, or minor wounds, especially on the ears.

To prevent those unpleasant effects, ear savers are recommended. We’ve only featured face masks or air purifiers here for the past couple of years, but there are no ear savers or mask holders in the lineup. We’re hoping you will like at least one design from the Top 10 Face Masks we’ve listed. The NEARNESS follows as a new type of face mask holder designed to keep your ears comfortable. While plenty of mask holders or ear saves are available, this one makes an impression with its excellent design.

Some people no longer bother if they look good or not because their faces are covered anyway. That is a fair point, but it’s still okay to care about being stylish or feeling good, especially since the pandemic has brought a lot of anxieties. The Nearness Facemask Holder is something that looks good while being functional. You can use it every day, especially if you are now required to report onsite for work or school.

NEARNESS looks like a simple clip, and it comes with a minimalist design so that it won’t clash with your outfit. It also comes in different colors so you can add fun to your everyday life. The mask-holder-ear saver is adjustable so that it can fit just right around the neck or the temples of your head for added comfort and support.

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The Oura Ring on its own is already a fantastic product. But what happens when the team behind it partners with a luxury fashion house like Gucci? Well, you get a luxurious smart ring that will be much-coveted.

This is the first collaboration between the fashion brand and the Finnish health technology company. Getting fit and healthy can be stylish now with all the fun and beautiful wearable pieces available on the market. Of course, trendy smartwatches can help, but intelligent rings like the Oura Ring are more convenient.

Designer: Gucci

Of course, the Oura Ring’s features are limited, but you can never go wrong with a stylish product. The Gucci x Oura Ring celebrates self-discovery and individuality. Oura’s technology combined with Gucci’s flair for style results in an “exquisitely crafted” ring.

People won’t think you’re wearing a health tracker because the Gucci x Oura Ring looks just like a simple accessory. It works with an accompanying app which means you can enjoy the research-grade technology, insights, and personalized guidance Oura is known for. It offers the same comfort and biometric accuracy but now with the distinct Gucci style.

Oura believes that what one wears also impacts how a person feels. The Oura technology is already established, but it has become a more attractive wearable device with Gucci’s style. This is fashion and function together. Oura’s Chief Operations Officer Michael Chapp said, “Oura has always held a firm belief that wearables can be both innovative and stylish.” Indeed, the Gucci X Oura Ring is one valuable and fashionable accessory.

The luxury fashion version of the Oura Ring boasts Gucci’s iconic G monogram with a sleek, braided trim set in 18K gold. Oura’s versatile design gets an elegant twist from the Italian fashion house. The Gucci X Oura Ring can track and analyze data and provide insights when it comes to technical features. It offers activity tracking, heart rate monitoring, sleep analysis, and temperature checking, among others.

The Gucci x Oura Ring can be purchased from select Gucci stores worldwide and at Gucci.com. Expect to witness a flawless blend of function and fashion with the precise health metrics it can track and the exquisite design that is profoundly Gucci. This collaboration may seem unusual at first, but Gucci actually has origins in sports and leisure. Oura is known for its health platform and products, so the unlikely team-up is perfect. Access to personal health insights is a must these days if you want to be really fit and healthy so this Gucci X Oura Ring is definitely an ideal choice.

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