Up Is The Down Is The: Dawn

From the genre-defiant avant-rock quartet Up Is The Down Is The (aka Andrew Martin, Zach Sherwood, Cameron Brizzee and Casey Cathy), the track “Dawn” casts an entrancing sonic spell. Inspired by situations where people feel overwhelmed about the inevitable, the slow-burning single is the first to be revealed from Pulling The Wool, the brand’s forthcoming full-length album. It debuts with an eerie official music video, wherein a rabbit-headed figure flees from a bird-like stalker.

A Laptop With No Screen, Just a Built-In Projector

Here’s an interesting concept designed by Lenovo’s in-house industrial design team: A laptop with no screen—but a built-in projector:

MOZI is a smart notebook that displays the image by projection with a low ratio of blue light. It consists of the computer unit with a fully extendable keyboard and a separate screen onto which the content is projected. Alternatively, another suitable surface, such as a wall, can be used as projection area. At the end of use, the keyboard is pushed into the computer unit where it is safely stored thanks to magnets.”

That’s the only image available; this is most certainly the design team having a bit of fun.

Crescent turntable concept brings more modern design to vinyl players

Vinyl record players have become more than just a piece of nostalgic device to play music. It probably started out as a way for people who were able to experience vinyl players during their heyday to reminisce and still listen to music in their analog format. But now even those who have never seen original record players, let alone CD players, are getting in on this analog trend for various reasons. But the record players that are in the market aren’t necessarily the best designed ones and may not appeal to the younger generation and may also not always be convenient.

Designer: Aromal TR

This Crescent turntable and record collection concept tries to address two main problems that young users have with current (and older) vinyl players: the design and taking care of your records. The designer wants to integrate modern technology without necessarily lessening the amazing analog aspects that people love about record players. What they came up with is a vertical turntable that can be placed on the table or mounted on the wall. It also has a linear tracking capability so you can find out which of the records you’re playing needs cleaning.

The Crescent record player also has a unique shape that stands out from the regular circular player in a square case that we see. It looks like a letter P lying down, with the record player itself still in its circular shape but with the controls located in the “tail” part. There are actually only two buttons that you need to touch: a start/stop button that will let you scroll through different settings and a reject / erase button that will let you toggle between the different options.

When you play a record that needs to be cleaned, the player will detect the noise and show you the distortions caused by the dirt on the display. It will then move this record that you’re playing to a list of albums that you need to clean. It’s important that records be cleaned as it will cause distortion to the sound and it may also damage the stylus on your record player. So having a player that detects dirt and gives you a list is a plus, especially if you have a growing number of records to collect.

I’ve been dreaming of getting a vinyl record player soon but the ones currently on the market are either too expensive or not that great looking. If this becomes real and if the analog sound quality is not affected by the modern design and technology, it will become a dream purchase so I finally have an excuse to get that BTS Butter record I’ve been eyeing.

The post Crescent turntable concept brings more modern design to vinyl players first appeared on Yanko Design.

Hyundai Reveals "Electrified Streamliner" Design Language for the Ioniq 6 EV

Hyundai has revealed their Ioniq 6 EV, with a design language they’re calling “Electrified Streamliner.”

The company’s design department has continued to deliver on their promise of “no visual consistency between models;” where the IONIQ 5 is all angles and facets, the IONIQ 6 is more used bar of soap.

At first blush the design of the IONIQ 6 looks somewhat bland and derivative—if it was a wine, you’d taste notes of an older Passat with an E-class finish—but the more I look at it, the more I’m impressed with the designers’ focus on form and notable lack of needless body creases.

The tail, in particular, is one area where a lot of different surfaces could have come crashing together messily, but I think the designers did a great job of reconciling all of the junctures in a clean, intentional-looking way.

What’s most interesting to me about the form is that its look serves an actual purpose: Because this is an EV and the drag coefficient affects the range, the designers and engineers tuned the form to return a super-low drag coefficient of just 0.21. (For contrast’s sake, a C8 Corvette has a drag coefficient of 0.32.) This provides some hope that drivers’ range anxiety can continue to push aesthetic design in a less-is-more direction.

Their designers have also been pushing the interiors towards minimalism:

Hyundai, for their part, describes the design with decidedly more flowery language:

“IONIQ 6 is characterized by clean, simple lines and a pure aerodynamic form that Hyundai designers describe as Emotional Efficiency. IONIQ 6’s electrified streamliner typology and mindful cocoon-like interior embody a silhouette for the new era of electric mobility, while the overall design theme of Ethical Uniqueness reflects Hyundai’s customer-centric commitment to energy efficiency and environmental responsibility.”

I guess the last place that less-is-more will make inroads will be in marketing language.

A customizable racing wheel that’ll fit future hypercar consoles like a charm

Racing games have evolved from the initial pixelated versions to the surreal graphics treat with amazing physics for avid gamers. So have the other simulated inputs such as force feedback. Racing gaming cockpits such as Next Level Racing Challenger, Playseat Challenge or Trak Racer TR80 quench the thirst of the most demanding racing game lovers. But for ones who are short on space and constricted by budget, a sim racing wheel is the next best option.

The ones by Thrustmaster, Logitech Fanatec rule the market currently, and just like every other racing game fan, I’m always on the lookout for the best new options. While most of the products in their lineup come with a racing wheel and separate pedals, won’t it be great to own a wheel that has it all? And what better if it could perfectly fit inside your future racing car.

Designer:  Mitja Borkert

Check out the TRZ-Y racing wheel concept inspired by the Lamborghini Terzo Millennio concept designed by Mitja Borkert. This sim racing wheel is ideated keeping in mind the needs of the most avid racing simulator fanatics who want everything to be perfect. TRZ-Y is for gamers who are pinned down from having a good experience due to the lack of available space for a full-fledged racing simulator setup. It is meant to be used without a dedicated pedal setup, thereby saving even more space on your desk.

The ergonomic shape of TRZ-Y replicates the interior design language of conceptual hypercars which is understandable given its Lamborghini concept inspiration. The concept racing wheel is also meant to be a plug-and-play input for concept hypercars, thanks to the future-forward design language. Force feedback on this one comes courtesy of the high-performance responsive motor located on the rear, and the customizable controls give the user a plethora of options when being used.

Since a racing wheel is going to be used for extended hours of gameplay, the designer incorporates ergonomic grip and tactile feedback from the paddles for an immersive gaming experience. This also ensures able hand and arm support for long hours of gaming fun. The customizable controls on both front sides of the racing wheel can be set up for elements like the real-time map view of the lap, the currently selected gear, or the RPMs. They can also be toggled for physical buttons just like on circuit racing cars.

This article was sent to us using the ‘Submit A Design’ feature.

The post A customizable racing wheel that’ll fit future hypercar consoles like a charm first appeared on Yanko Design.

Test Ride: Specialized Crux Pro Gravel Bike

This bicycle handles beautifully on- and off-road

Taking the Crux Pro from the revered cycling innovators at Specialized out for a ride requires factoring in some extra time. Sure, you’ll log personal bests on steep segments and surprise even yourself with the speed of the bike. This is a bike that simply wants to go fast, whether you’re hopping roots on a dusty single track or hammering on the tarmac with your skinny-tired road riding friends. That extra time is for agreeing with the many suddenly vocal onlookers that it’s as fast as it looks.

by Hans Aschim

The Crux line-up traces its roots to cyclocross racing, where riders rip short but technical laps around multi-surfaced (think dirt, mud, grass, sand and even snow) courses with the occasional dismount to leap over an obstacle. For 2022, Specialized tweaked the geometry and tire clearance to better suit the needs of the fast-growing gravel race scene where riders are still seeking speed over variable terrain without the tight confines of a cyclocross course. That means wider tire clearances (up to 47 millimeters wide with road-standard diameter 700c wheels or 2.1 inches wide with the smaller in diameter 650b wheel popular for more technical trails) and a geometry that blends quick handling and greater stability at high speeds.

<img data-attachment-id="290015" data-permalink="https://coolhunting.com/design/test-ride-specialized-crux-pro-gravel-bike/attachment/1-lead/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1-lead-scaled.jpg?fit=2560%2C1847&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1847" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"","camera":"RICOH GR III","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1656397374","copyright":"Hans Aschim","focal_length":"18.3","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="1-lead" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="

by Hans Aschim

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by Hans Aschim

Gravel bikes, especially at the performance level of the Crux Pro, are versatile. Swap the stock knobby gravel tires with skinny road tires and you’ve got a speedy steed that can hold its own among dedicated road bikes. Max out the clearance on the tires and you can tackle rugged single-track like you’d pedal into on a hardtail mountain bike.

<img data-attachment-id="290033" data-permalink="https://coolhunting.com/design/test-ride-specialized-crux-pro-gravel-bike/attachment/004_road-3887_crux-p/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/004_ROAD-3887_Crux-P.jpg?fit=1440%2C810&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1440,810" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="004_ROAD-3887_Crux-P" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="

Courtesy of

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Courtesy of Specialized

The brand believes in gravel as a category that can hold up more than one bike model. The Diverge line-up of bikes features more bells and whistles, like in-frame storage and shock-absorption above the head tube. If the Diverge is for the maximalist looking to tack on bike-packing trips, the Crux is on the opposite end of the spectrum. The result is a singular focus on the ride, and it’s felt the moment you turn the pedals of the Crux Pro. From the jump, the bike is incredibly quick to accelerate. That’s partly due to its paltry 825-gram frame weight (about 20% lighter than all other bikes in its class) and the flex pattern of the carbon frame. It’s stiff in all the right places, so you’ll get the most out of every pedal stroke. A significant benefit of the weight is evident during climbs: riding uphill is a breeze and technical off-road climbs and descents are easily navigated thanks to the nimble handling.

<img data-attachment-id="290017" data-permalink="https://coolhunting.com/design/test-ride-specialized-crux-pro-gravel-bike/attachment/2-a/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2-A-scaled.jpg?fit=1707%2C2560&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1707,2560" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"2.8","credit":"","camera":"RICOH GR III","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1656397670","copyright":"Hans Aschim","focal_length":"18.3","iso":"100","shutter_speed":"0.016666666666667","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="2-A" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="

by Hans Aschim

” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2-A-scaled.jpg?fit=200%2C300&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2-A-scaled.jpg?fit=683%2C1024&ssl=1″ loading=”lazy” class=”wp-image-290017″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/2-A-scaled.jpg?resize=1024%2C1536&ssl=1″ alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”1536″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />

by Hans Aschim

The Crux Pro frameset (and the rest of the Crux family including the S-Works Crux) is the product of extensive research and development, building on the carbon materials, construction and design innovation of the road-focussed Aethos—the lightest factory disc frameset ever made. Like the Aethos, the Crux frameset utilizes longer continuous plies of carbon to create an unprecedented stiffness-to-weight ratio.

<img data-attachment-id="290014" data-permalink="https://coolhunting.com/design/test-ride-specialized-crux-pro-gravel-bike/attachment/1-lead-alt/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1-lead-alt-scaled.jpeg?fit=2560%2C1920&ssl=1" data-orig-size="2560,1920" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"1.6","credit":"","camera":"iPhone 13","caption":"","created_timestamp":"1656069386","copyright":"","focal_length":"5.1","iso":"125","shutter_speed":"0.01063829787234","title":"","orientation":"1"}" data-image-title="1-lead-alt" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="

by Hans Aschim

” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1-lead-alt-scaled.jpeg?fit=300%2C225&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1-lead-alt-scaled.jpeg?fit=1024%2C768&ssl=1″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-full wp-image-290014″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/1-lead-alt-scaled.jpeg?resize=1088%2C816&ssl=1″ alt=”” width=”1088″ height=”816″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />

by Hans Aschim

We spent as much time off-road with the Crux as possible. It really shines when ditching smooth pavement for gravel, dirt roads and winding singletrack. For years riding fast and far on rougher terrain with drop bars and road-inspired geometry meant constant bone rattling chatter. The contemporary class of gravel bikes dampens the rattle thanks in part to improvements in carbon frame and component construction and the ability to run much lower air pressure with tubeless tires. The Crux seemingly floats over miles of steep gravel mountain roads and tears through flowing single track trails popular with mountain bikers.

Of course accessing rough roads presents a unique challenge in New York City. Taking the train or riding to the mountains requires logging miles on tarmac. While this could be cumbersome on heavier, less lively gravel bikes, the Crux Pro behaves like a competitive road bike, making these smooth roads a joyful warm up or pleasurable dedicated ride, rather than a slog.

<img data-attachment-id="290032" data-permalink="https://coolhunting.com/design/test-ride-specialized-crux-pro-gravel-bike/attachment/005_road-3887_crux-p/" data-orig-file="https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/005_ROAD-3887_Crux-P.jpg?fit=1440%2C810&ssl=1" data-orig-size="1440,810" data-comments-opened="0" data-image-meta="{"aperture":"0","credit":"","camera":"","caption":"","created_timestamp":"0","copyright":"","focal_length":"0","iso":"0","shutter_speed":"0","title":"","orientation":"0"}" data-image-title="005_ROAD-3887_Crux-P" data-image-description="" data-image-caption="

Courtesy of Specialized

” data-medium-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/005_ROAD-3887_Crux-P.jpg?fit=300%2C169&ssl=1″ data-large-file=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/005_ROAD-3887_Crux-P.jpg?fit=1024%2C576&ssl=1″ loading=”lazy” class=”size-large wp-image-290032″ src=”https://i0.wp.com/coolhunting.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/06/005_ROAD-3887_Crux-P.jpg?resize=1024%2C576&ssl=1″ alt=”” width=”1024″ height=”576″ data-recalc-dims=”1″ />

Courtesy of Specialized

There’s no getting around it, quality bikes are expensive. Like just about everything else, the cost of bikes is quickly on the rise. Partly due to macroeconomic forces like inflation as well as labor and material costs, the bike industry has seen a major spike in demand since the early days of the pandemic. While this is beginning to level out, there’s still a major shortage of components, materials and shipping capacity. Thompson estimates that transporting a bike via container ship is between 10 and 20 times more expensive than it was pre-pandemic.

The Crux Pro retails at an intimidating $8,200, but the value is there. With its design and materials innovation, the frameset is in a class of its own as far as gravel bikes go. You’ll feel the difference in ride quality, speed and overall handling. Then, there are the high-quality components. The Crux Pro is kitted out with Sram’s dependable and crisp electronic Force 1 eTap AXS hydraulic disc groupset (yes, you can connect your drivetrain to your phone for firmware updates). The lightweight and tough Roval Terra CL Disc wheel-set is compatible with the widest of tires you can run on the Crux Pro. With the Crux Pro, you’re getting what is essentially the bike equivalent of a Porsche 911 lifted with off-road tires.

There are lower price alternatives to gravel riding in the Specialized line-up, even one that packs a nearly equivocal punch. The Crux Comp comes in at $4,200—which is by no means a budget bicycle. However, the bike features the same exact high-grade carbon frame and geometry as the Crux Pro with a lower tier set of components (and a tamer paint scheme). For a wider range of price points, visit the Diverge line-up, where bikes start at $1300.

Lead image by Hans Aschim

Palms Tee

SkatePal, a Palestinian non-profit organization, supports and encourages young skaters in an attempt to foster community and break down barriers between class, race, gender and age. From them comes a climate-neutral, sweatshop-free graphic T-shirt depicting the country’s palm tree-lined landscape. Printed by Awesome Merchandise and designed by Philip Joa, the shirt reads “skate” on front and  “Palestine” on the back. All proceeds go to supporting the organization. Price is in Pounds.

Top 10 indoor gardens to fulfill your modern gardening goals

Gardening is an extremely therapeutic activity, and though I may not engage in it all the time, the few times that I have, I found it really delightful and soothing. Growing, tending to, and being surrounded by plants is intensely satisfying, all your worries slowly fade away, and you are simply enthralled by nature. Indoor gardening is a modern solution that works perfectly in our modern homes. From a smart cabinet that gives you the self-sustaining kitchen you’ve always wanted to a plant-growing device that helps dementia patients improve memory – we have a myriad range of options when it comes to growing plants within the comfort of your home! These unique, innovative, and thoughtful designs promise to take care of all your indoor gardening needs. And I don’t know about you, but I’m really considering trying one of them out, I wouldn’t mind adding indoor gardening to my daily routine!

1. Paradise

Designed to reduce domestic waste, Paradise is an automated plant cultivator and compost bin that uses integrated technology to prompt users when the compost or plants need tending. Conceptualized as a rolling cart, Paradise is comprised of modular pieces that work together to provide optimal conditions for growing plants. Starting from its top, Paradise features an LED strip that pours artificial sunlight over integrated planters located on top of Paradise’s first module.

Why is it noteworthy?

While spending more time at home has brought some much-needed rejuvenation to our interior design, it has also contributed to a global increase in domestic waste. Inspired to change that, designer Robin Akira created Paradise, a household plant cultivator with integrated compost bins and an odor-sealing lid to make use of and reduce our domestic waste.

What we like

  • Integrates greenery into our interior spaces
  • An odor-sealing lid

What we dislike

  • Could be messy to have such a design in our indoor living space

2. Blume

This special planter called Blume is not just something that will house your plant or plants of the moment. It actually comes with a trellis that can be linked together according to your specifications and can “grow” alongside your plant

Why is it noteworthy?

You can link the different parts with a threaded knob and they can go in all directions that you want, upwards, downwards, sideways, etc. A design like this actually makes it look like the planter is organic like your plant and can give them space to thrive other than the usual straightforward manner.

What we like

  • Customizable and made-to-order
  • You can make it more personal

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

3. MULTO

Created in collaboration with multiple award-winning industrial designer Xavier Houy (who has a Red Dot Design Award and a Platinum A’ Design Award to his name, among others), MULTO is the result of over 6 years worth of research and development, gone towards what Prêt à Pousser calls the ultimate vertical kitchen garden, capable of growing everything from microgreens to root vegetables.

Why is it noteworthy?

Prêt à Pousser’s most significant achievement with the MULTO is its new hydroponic technology. Referred to as their ‘Ebb & Flow’ system, MULTO’s water reservoir comes with a discreet pump that periodically pumps water to the roots, and then drains it out – similar to an ocean’s tide. Working similar to a hydroponic gardening system (but engineered to be better), this enables the circulation of nutrients and allows the plants’ roots to absorb more oxygen, creating a better yield. How much better? Well, Prêt à Pousser’s founder Romain Behaghel claims that MULTO’s Ebb & Flow increases your plant’s yield by 200%, giving you twice as many fruits, veggies, or leafy greens.

What we like

  • New hydroponic technology
  • You can simply expand your produce by plugging a new tier on top to create your own vertical farm

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

4. The LUA

LUA Pet Plant Lighting Concept Image

LUA Pet Plant Lighting Concept Design

The LUA is one ideal solution for those with pet plants. But, of course, not many people will understand why you have such but don’t worry about what they think.

Why is it noteworthy?

For desk plants, you may consider getting this LUA. It’s a plant lighting solution that can further make your favorite plant stand out. We understand how it can be challenging to care for indoor plants because of insufficient lighting. But there are solutions like the LUA. Indoor plants help the surrounding by keeping the atmosphere fresh and clean. In addition, for some people, plants help in providing emotional stability. Just one look at your plants and you can already calm down and destress.

What we like

  • Boasts a clean, white tone for a simple and refreshing look
  • The design is very minimalist as no unnecessary wires are exposed

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

5. The Ocean Sun

Designed to be more than just your average USB-powered work light, the Ocean Sun Plant Light, as its name quite aptly suggests, features a calibrated set of LEDs that emit light similar to the light from the sun. Made primarily for indoor plants that don’t receive too much natural light, the Ocean Sun Plant Light provides them with the right spectrum of light to enable photosynthesis and foster growth… and unlike the sun, it can fit in your palm.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Ocean Sun sports a sleek, compact design with a precisely machined aluminum outer shell and a series of flicker-free LEDs that draw power from a USB-C port located on the back of the device. Each lamp comes along with its own adjustable USB-C stand cable that lets you position and angle the lamp however you want, although the Ocean Sun works with any third-party cable too, giving you the freedom to hook it up to your laptop, a power bank, or even a set of solar panels with a USB output!

What we like

  • Compact form that fits in your palm
  • High-end flicker-free LEDs

What we dislike

  • Not too sure how well plants would grow with this light

6. The Oasis

Not all homes are built to have gardens, but that doesn’t mean you can’t run your own mini farm where you are. This concept for a hydroponic smart farm is something that can fit in whatever space you may be staying in.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Oasis is a smart farm that’s meant for home, and it can grow your vegetables and store them before you consume them. The design is inspired by both mountains and desert oasis, hence the name. Some of the items that were used to create a concept design for it include blenders, coffee makers, smart speakers, etc. What the designer came up with is something that looks like a mini-greenhouse with a transparent cover. It kind of reminds me of a bread container, except we get plants and vegetables inside.

What we like

  • There’s a part here called Fresh Keeper where you can store the vegetables once you’ve harvested them without needing to move them to the refrigerator
  • There’s an app that you can use to monitor your plants and your water levels

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

7. Purtler

This concept product is something that can serve as a butler for your plants that are left at home. Its name is Purtler or a combination of plant and butler.

Why is it noteworthy?

The design of the Purtler is inspired by plants and organic lifeforms to match what it’s supposed to be watching. The stand looks like a long piece of leaf with water droplets. The bottom part can even serve as a shelf for items like books and other decorations. But the main thing that you’ll notice is that there’s an “eye” at the top which is actually where the camera is placed. The device that looks like a web camera lets you take a closer look at how things like temperature and humidity affect the plants.

What we like

  • Designed to be part of your furniture as the leaf silhouette can add to the ambiance of your living room
  • Takes care of your plant babies when you’re away!

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

8. The Krado Plant Sensor

If something like the Krado Plant Sensor actually exists, then maybe my poor two plants had a better chance of survival. It’s the hardware component of the Leaflet Plant Care System, whose main purpose is to help people grow healthy plants. The sensor is something you put in the soil with your plants, and it will be able to transmit information to the mobile app so you will be able to adjust how you’re taking care of them.

Why is it noteworthy?

The plant sensor is able to monitor things like soil moisture, ambient temperature, humidity, and light. These are critical factors that will affect the health of your plants, and if you’re like me, that’s pretty clueless about these things, then it might give me helpful information. The app connected to it will also give you actionable guidance based on these factors like buying and shipping fertilizer, potting soil, pesticides, etc.

What we like

  • Different colored lights may indicate specific conditions that will alert you
  • 100% 3D printed

What we dislike

  • No complaints!

9. plan.t

This concept for a plant cultivation product is called plan.t, a play on the word plant and planning for tomorrow, something that dementia patients may have trouble doing.

Why is it noteworthy?

The designer thought of horticultural treatment as an aid to help those suffering from this condition, not as a cure but to help slow down the effects of the disease. As they grow the plants using this device, the hope is that their memories will be able to grow or improve alongside the greens.

What we like

  • The plan.t device lets the user track the progress of the plants that they’re growing in it through voice recording
  • Designed to help dementia patients improve their memory

What we dislike

  • It’s still a concept!

10. Jungle

Most commonly in homes across the world, indoor gardens are a form of biophilic design. Interpreting biophilia in a similar way, Jungle, designed by Poland-based KABO & PYDO design studio, is a planter that can hang from the ceiling and also function as a semi-flush mount light fixture.

Why is it noteworthy?

Comprised of only a few parts, the beauty of Jungle lies in the design’s simplicity. Defined by a bulbous, capsule-shaped centerpiece, Jungle is a half-planter and half-light fixture. The capsule-shaped planter emanates a warm, golden light that’s diffused with an opaque body. The opaque body softens the light and accentuates the plant life by offering an unassuming canvas for teeming greenery to drape across.

What we like

  • The simple form emphasises the beauty of the plants
  • The lamp emits a soft and soothing light

What we dislike

  • You need to stand on a stool or a little ladder to water the plants

The post Top 10 indoor gardens to fulfill your modern gardening goals first appeared on Yanko Design.

Traditional Korean Tables get a modern day interpretation with a microarchitecture inspired design that nudges conversations

Silence is an idea that doesn’t always connote something positive to a lot of people. Depending on the people you’re with or your personality itself, it can be something awkward or it can be something refreshingly comfortable. For those that might find those moments a bit unnerving, having some white noise or at least some music to fill in those silences. A new concept using microarchitecture or a combination of the fields of furniture or architecture aims to solve this problem that some people may encounter.

Designer: Reina Mun

SilenceTop is a table concept that goes away from the usual wooden materials and look that conventional Korean furniture typically use. Instead, you get something that looks like it would be at home at a steam punk cafe except that it is a bit more peaceful than the usual furniture you see in that style. It uses glass and a transparent design that shows off the mechanical workings of the table. It is able to seat three people at the most with 75cm distance between each person, using the proxemic theory which allows optimal conversation between people.

But what really makes this table stand out is that it will fill in the silence that may occur every once in a while when you’re spending some time with friends or acquaintances. The social mode is activated when there are more than one person sitting around the table. When there is silence for a certain amount of time, a kalimba, a modern interpretation of the Mbira instruments from Zimbabwe. The initial sound is low-pitch semitone tines and the only way to stop it would be to start talking again. The more silences it detects, the faster and more “aggressive” the tones will become.

It also has a lone mode which is when just one person is sitting at the table or in the vicinity. This mode “respects” your silence and helps you embrace it by generating a mist that should be relaxing and bring “serene ambience” to whatever activity it is you’re doing on your own. Unfortunately, the mist will of course bring moisture and dampen the table itself so if you’re writing or reading, you might want to put some distance between you and the table.

I am pretty much comfortable with the occasional silences in between conversations with friends but I also wouldn’t mind having the relaxing tones of a kalimba permeate that silence. Some people will find the tones annoying though and may want to start talking again just to get rid of the sound. But it is an interesting concept for a table, especially now that we’ve gone back to spending time in person with friends and new acquaintances.

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SwitchBot’s latest product turns your regular locks into IoT Smart Locks

It’s 2022, and it’s high time your smartphone or wearable could open doors for you.

Designed to retrofit onto any standard single deadbolt locks, the SwitchBot Lock comes with a rotary robotic arm that locks or unlocks your door on command. It takes seconds to install, and once put in place, lets you automatically control your door lock via an app, Bluetooth, proximity, or even voice commands.

The door lock is just one of many ‘dumb’ products that the SwitchBot team hopes to make ‘smart’. The company began its journey with the original SwitchBot Bot – a connected mechanical finger that could switch lights and fans on or off via the internet. Soon SwitchBot forayed into other smart home appliances, including smart plugs, lights, sensors, cameras, and more notably, their award-winning SwitchBot Curtain, a tiny robot that moved up and down the curtain rod, opening or closing curtains intuitively.

Designer: SwitchBot

Click Here to Buy Now: $85 $99 (15% off with coupon code “15yankodesign”). Hurry, sale ends July 2nd.

Today, SwitchBot adds yet another clever gizmo to their collection. The SwitchBot Lock is a simple, one-step device that takes your regular lock and makes it an intelligent one. It attaches to your door using a secure 3M VHB tape and comes with an adapter that rests on your door lock’s rotating knob. The lock works via Bluetooth and connects to the SwitchBot app on your smart device. If you’ve got a SwitchBot Hub Mini, you can even connect your lock to the internet and control it from anywhere, remotely opening it for friends or family without being within the Bluetooth range. Worried about being hacked? The SwitchBot Lock runs 128-bit AES encryption, an industry standard. Don’t have your phone at hand? The SwitchBot Lock can also be controlled via the Apple Watch, and can still be used manually by simply twisting the knob on the device or using the key as you normally would.

Unlock your door remotely using SwitchBot Hub Mini. Or use voice commands with SwitchBot Hub Mini and your smart home assistant will help you unlock your door.

SwitchBot Lock can also be controlled by using your Apple Watch.

See what your lock has been up to with real-time event logs.

An even faster way to unlock your door.

The SwitchBot Lock can fit onto most standard deadbolt locks, and the company is also working on 3D printed accessories that allow it to work with other designs too. Built to last, the gadget can easily withstand 50,000 locks and unlocks (that’s roughly 14 years if you lock/unlock your door a total of 10 times each day), and runs on two replaceable 3V CR123A batteries that last 6 months based on the same 10-times-a-day metric. When paired with the SwitchBot Hub Mini, the lock can be controlled via most third-party voice assistant services such as Alexa, Google Home, IFTTT, Siri Shortcuts, SmartThings, LINE Clova, etc… and SwitchBot is also working on an auxiliary keypad that lets you input access codes to lock or unlock your door, so guests and house-help can come and go whenever they want, while you receive notifications every time the door is opened or closed. Go visit the SwitchBot website and ‘unlock’ a new smart home experience!

Click Here to Buy Now: $85 $99 (15% off with coupon code “15yankodesign”). Hurry, sale ends July 2nd.

The post SwitchBot’s latest product turns your regular locks into IoT Smart Locks first appeared on Yanko Design.