Hasta La Ideas

Smartphones are one of the most ubiquitous pieces of consumer electronics in the world today. An overwhelming number of people have one, some might even have two, and millions of phones are shipped every quarter. In fact, there might be too many smartphones out there in the world, and not all of them are actually in use or even in one piece. As wonderful as smartphones are, their production and disposal contribute to the worsening state of our environment, especially because of how many they are. Smartphone manufacturers have thankfully started to be more aware of their critical role in this broken ecosystem and, even better, are starting to take action. As one of the world’s biggest smartphone makers, Samsung is thankfully taking that responsibility seriously and is boasting the achievements that take it closer to its grand goal in 2025.

Designer: Samsung

From the cradle to the grave, a smartphone’s life is filled with materials and processes that harm the environment or even people. From the plastics used in electronics to the chemicals for treating different parts to the materials used in packaging, these powerful computers in our pockets and hands are almost like death traps for the planet. It’s too late to turn back, of course, so smartphone manufacturers are instead trying to reduce their negative impact little by little on all fronts. Samsung’s “Galaxy for the Planet” initiative tries to cover those different fronts, and the newest batch of devices it just announced demonstrates the progress it has made since the program was announced last year.

Samsung started with the Galaxy S22 earlier this year by using plastics made from recycled fishing nets that would have otherwise ruined our oceans and aquatic life. Since then, Samsung has expanded the use of that material to other Galaxy devices, including the Galaxy Book 2 Pro laptop and the Galaxy Tab S8 tablets. The new Galaxy Z Fold 4 and Galaxy Z Flip 4 continue that tradition and are even joined by the Galaxy Buds 2 Pro. In fact, Samsung boasts that 90% of its new pro earbuds are made using recycled materials. Given its smaller size and fewer components, that is admittedly not that hard to pull off.

The company has also been trying to improve its packaging, and no, it’s not just about removing the charger. The company now uses 100% recycled paper for the packaging of its flagship phones, which does raise questions about the state of its non-flagship phone packaging. Samsung is also trying to reduce how much single-use plastic it puts inside the box, though it’s not yet ready to get rid of them entirely. Both the Galaxy Z Fold 4 and the Galaxy Z Flip 4 boxes are less than half the size of their original models, which results in more efficient transport and reduced carbon emissions overall.

Sooner or later, phones do reach their end of life, mostly because they no longer meet the needs of their owners. That doesn’t mean they’re completely useless, though, especially if they’re actually still functional. Rather than simply breaking these down and having them undergo recycling processes that consume a lot of water and energy, Samsung is proposing upcycling phones to serve other needs, like acting as smart home hubs or cameras. In one specific case, old Galaxy devices even become eye diagnostic tools used in underserved communities.

These small steps forward take Samsung closer to its ambitious goal for 2025, but it might still be quite a ways away from that milestone. In three years, Samsung envisions itself as having eliminated all plastics in packaging, achieved zero waste to landfill, and used recycled materials on all mobile products, not just the flagship ones. Those are lofty goals, indeed, and some might say almost impossible to reach by 2025. When it comes to sustainability, however, every step, no matter how small, counts toward healing the planet and making sure there will still be people around to buy those fancy smartphones in the future.

The post Samsung sustainability initiative takes a step forward with Unpacked 2022 devices first appeared on Yanko Design.

Following Who Cares?, the second studio album of Rex Orange County (aka Alex O’Connor), “Threat” is a breezy and synth-laden departure from the English recording artist’s previous oeuvre of quirky, jazz-tinged bedroom pop. The one-off single marries relaxed percussion, easygoing melody and uplifting guitar with lyrics of insecurity, paranoia and vulnerability. Despite the somber themes, the song’s laidback yet cheerful energy makes for a quintessential summertime bop.

A great stationery design is extremely critical for any product designer. Stationery is the tool that helps and supports you through your creative process. It can either make or break your entire design process, so it’s imperative to have products that really let you work easily, efficiently, and effectively, and enhance your overall system. One such phenomenal stationery design that we recently came across was the ‘Hexagonal Ruler 2.0’.

Designer: Yuan Design Studio

First and foremost, this stationery design is actually 3 rulers coming together to form a sleek and stylish kit. It instantly catches your attention with its metallic form and matte black finish. But hey, we’re not the superficial type to be impressed by mere good looks, as the Hexagonal Ruler has also been power-packed with immense multi-functionality.

Created from electroplated stainless steel, all three rulers boast a compact form, making them extremely easy to carry around! After all, inspiration can strike designers almost anywhere, and the regular sketching tools are pretty hefty (in comparison to the Hexagonal Ruler 2.0) to be carried by your side. So, the next time an ingenious idea strikes you, you don’t need to wait till you get home to start drawing it to life, you can do it on the spot with the help of this set. The ruler was designed to lay an “emphasis on freedom, quick edits and free flow of ideas that are hard to reach in computers.”

Each ruler is 72 x 62 mm, and can be used as a compass, protractor, and template ruler! It basically features all the tools you need to sketch. The deeper you look into the little intricacies of the ruler, you’ll find a number of interesting hexagonal shapes – from honeycombs to bubbles. It aims to provide more functionality as compared to a regular ruler.

A tailor-made leather case can be used to protect, and carry the rulers along with you…in style. The Hexagonal Ruler 2.0 is a simple yet complex product, that manages to enchant you with its unique aesthetics, compact size, and impressive multifunctionality. It is easy to use, easy to carry, and easy to create with!

The post This hexagonal ruler set packs some impressive multifunctionality in its matte black body first appeared on Yanko Design.

Birds are usually associated with being around nature, de-stressing, and relaxation. But if you don’t spend a lot of time outdoors or you live in an area where birds are rarely seen around your area, you probably will have to settle for watching bird videos or looking at their pictures. The other option would have to be placing accessories or bird-like things around your workspace so you’ll be reminded that there are still living things outside of your screen.

Designers: Junyoung Jang and Joonhyeok Heo

For bird lovers out there who miss having actual birds around them, Clippy is right up your birds nest. Well, it’s still a concept for now but I wouldn’t be surprised if it becomes an actual product soon. It’s a clip on mood lamp that’s, you guessed it, shaped like a bird. So when you clip it to your table or couch or wherever it is that you need a bit of mood lighting, you’ll get the feeling like a bird is hanging out with you but without all the chirping that may be annoying at times.

The design is of course, inspired by actual birds. Since we’re all sort of creating our own nests of sorts either at home or in our cubicle at work, then it makes sense that we get birds to adorn them. And since we can’t get actual ones to stay there, this mood lamp may be the next best thing. Clippy is also pretty easy to bring around since it’s just meant to be clipped to a surface and there are no other things needed to make it work (well, of course, batteries).

The product renders also show Clippy in a variety of base colors like yellow, pink, orange, white, and black, with all of them having a white body where the light comes out. They can be clipped onto shelves, tables, chairs, and other furniture where a clip on can work. Just for a moment, you can fool yourself into thinking you’re outside and enjoying nature instead of being stuck indoors, working or staring into space.

The post Clippy mood light lets you have “birds” around you first appeared on Yanko Design.

Summer is a big, prosperous time for seaside cities, but all that sudden activity and tourism can be a drain on resources. The pace and demands of summer put pressure on a city’s energy grid, which can cause rolling blackouts and worsen air quality. Coastal Italians are intimately familiar with this struggle, and this year’s record-breaking heat in Europe has only made the problem feel more urgent. Thankfully, resourceful designers and engineers are coming up with exciting solutions, like the solar-powered beach umbrella Parelio.

This clever lawn accessory by CRA-Carlo Ratti Associati and the Italian dessert company Sammontana converts leisurely outdoor scenes into sustainable energy. It uses foldable, photovoltaic panels to collect sunlight that can then be used for a variety of purposes, including cooling the immediate environment, refrigerating refreshments, charging phones, and powering machinery. Parelio’s attached coolers, sprayers, and refrigeration capabilities make it perfect for providing comfortable seating at restaurants, cafes, or park events.

The design resulted from a collaboration between architect Italo Rota and inventor Chuck Hoberman, who specializes in building retractable structures. Together, they created a modern, multi-talented take on the beach umbrella with a charismatic look that takes inspiration from origami. Parelio’s subversive design turns the classic umbrella quite literally on its head, folding upward toward the sky so its photovoltaic layer can absorb as much sunlight as possible. Despite its immediate visual contrast with typical beach accessories, Parelio’s top is still flat enough to provide plenty of shade.

While one umbrella is powerful on its own, a network of Parelios packs an even bigger punch. The product’s modular system design allows multiple umbrellas to pool electricity that can provide power for an impressive variety of structures, from ice cream refrigerators to an entire resort. This means increased traffic at bar patios, restaurants, and hotels doesn’t have to translate into huge electricity bills, and the accumulated power can even provide a boost of energy during busy nights or off seasons.

Parelio’s benefits have already been measured in the design’s home of Milan, where the team conducted a successful eight-week prototype test last summer. Sustainable nonprofit The Riccardo Catella Foundation helped them install a free public lounge of several umbrellas in BAM Park-Tree Library that provided relief to locals and visitors while simulating the outcomes of single and aggregated setups.

This is just one great example of how the device could immediately benefit not just small businesses, but entire cities. Parelio’s high wattage talents are coupled with flexibility, scalability, and simple installation that would make it easy to adopt in small or large environments. The clever design is especially noteworthy for providing an eco-friendly alternative to increasingly hot summers, and proves that a luxurious vacation scene can be environmentally sustainable.

Parelio is the Professional Notable in the Speculative Design category of the 2022 Core77 Design Awards. You can check out all of the 2022 winners now on the Core77 Design Awards website.