The venerable computer mouse hasn’t changed its basic format in decades, though there have been additions like the middle mouse button or scroll wheel and shifts from trackball to laser. That means that this essential tool for modern-day life still bears many of the ergonomic flaws of its ancestor, an almost literal pain point in the age of computing. There have been a few design ideas centered around fixing this problem, though many of them pretty much change the mouse to the point that it has become unrecognizable. This particular design concept, however, has none of those and is instead focused on making the mouse a little bit more sustainable, mostly by letting you reuse keyboard parts that you might already have lying around.

Designer: Hizin Joo

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There has been a surge of interest in mechanical keyboards, especially among workers and gamers that rely heavily on precision, comfort, and satisfying experiences. Because of this, there are plenty of keyboard switches and keycaps available in the market for those who not only love customizing their keyboards but also repairing them on their own. In contrast, computer mice have barely reached that point where you can easily replace broken buttons, let alone change certain parts to your heart’s content and delight.

That is the kind of limitation that the Gima mouse concept tries to overcome, and it does so in a rather curious and almost whimsical way. The typical mouse buttons are replaced by what looks like keyboard keys because they are actually keyboard keys. Underneath the keycaps are actual mechanical keyboard switches that you can mix and match with whatever spares you might be lying around.

The general idea is to offer the same level of customization and flexibility that mechanical keyboards have, but on the other computer peripheral that barely offers such features. You can, for example, use the level of resistance you prefer using different switches, or you can use different keycaps to reflect your personal style. You might settle for simple L and R letters, or you can use specially-designed caps with different graphics. This also means that should one or even both of the buttons break, you can easily replace it with any other keycap or switch.

While the design is definitely interesting, Gima, unfortunately, doesn’t address the mouse’s ergonomic problem and may, in fact, make it worse. The resistance offered by mechanical switches for keyboards might not exactly be ideal for repetitively clicking with the same finger. The soap bar shape of Gima might also lead to incorrect positioning of the hand and the wrist, and the location of the touch-sensitive slope for the mouse wheel exacerbates the situation. To its credit, Gima does touch on the need to have a repairable and customizable mouse, much like their larger keyboard partners.

The post This quirky mouse redesign reuses mechanical keyboard parts for buttons first appeared on Yanko Design.

Chairs need to be stable and comfortable, but beyond these two critical requirements, everything else is pretty much fair game. From materials to forms, there is a lot of variation possible, which has given rise to a great number of chair designs, from the most minimalist to the most sophisticated. You don’t always have to go overboard, though, when trying to come up with a distinctive design for a memorable chair. This one, for example, starts out with a simple geometric shape that evolves into something with its own personality, almost resembling an exquisite yet subtle throne that you can sit on, whether relaxing in the castle that is your home or basking under the glory of the sun in your backyard.

Designer: Matias Ferrari

It’s easy to underestimate the value that simple shapes can provide, especially when there’s so much attention paid to elaborate and complex forms, contours, and colors. Even minimalist designs sometimes pile on multiple elements, straddling the fine line that divides minimalism and everything else. There is, however, an elegant beauty to simpler forms that diverge little from their base geometries, such as the Conicent Chair concept that elevates a cone into a majestic piece of furniture.

The design takes a simple cone with its front half chopped off and then makes the top drop inside, almost like caving in on itself. This creates what looks like a smaller inverted cone inside that serves as the main surface for sitting. Adding a cushion makes it a comfortable indoor chair, though leaving it bare makes it suitable for outdoor use.

The semi-circle shape of the chair’s base gives it enough stability, but a hollow trapezoidal structure can be added underneath for support. This can be made from a different material or in a different color from the chair, such as finished wood, to give a bit of chromatic contrast. A better material has to be chosen if the Conicent chair will be made for outdoor use.

The chair’s wide base that gracefully tapers toward the top helps lead the viewer’s eyes to the one sitting on it, an effect that is widely used for giving focus to prominent people, like royals on a throne. Unlike a throne, however, the Conicent Chair is made to be comfortable and ergonomic, regardless of your preferred sitting position, thanks to gentle slopes and curves in every direction. With just a cone and, optionally, a trapezoid, this chair concept offers a simple yet elegant piece of furniture that will make you look like royalty and maybe even feel like it.

The post Conical chair gives you a majestic seat whether indoors or outdoors first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dezeen School Shows: a display case informed by the designs of Carlo Scarpa and a box that uses mirrors to help visitors explore architectural ruins are included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at YACademy.

Also featured is an integrated lighting and ceiling system to support plants in a retail space and the design of a wilderness lookout structure to shelter users during breaks from hiking.

YACademy

Institution: YACademy
Course: Architecture for Heritage, Architecture for Landscape and Architecture for Fashion
Tutors: Valerie Mulvin (Architecture for Heritage), Francesca Siger – SANAA (Architecture for Landscape) and Giuseppe Zampieri – DCA Milano (Architecture for Fashion)

School statement:

“The distinctive element of YACademy’s courses is the possibility to design a real project – from concept to realisation – under the supervision of an established architectural practice.

“Through the workshop, YACademy’s students have the opportunity to learn the processes and methodologies of their own workshop tutor.

“They also have the chance to gain notoriety through the realisation of interventions, since they will be designed for some of the most prestigious clients in the world.

“Construction is a fundamental step in architecture – for this reason, YACademy offers its students the opportunity to participate in the process of realising their own ideas.

“The students of the 2022 edition of YACademy’s courses had the opportunity not only to design and built a project for a specific topic, but also to exhibit them at the latest Fuorisalone in Milan, in a dedicated exhibition space curated by Cesare Roversi Arredamenti.”

Milanese Nature by Anna Galizia, Michela Gualano, Giorgia Santilli and Alessandro Zambotto

“The project aimed to offer new exhibition solutions for 10 Corso Como, one of the first and most iconic concept stores in the world.

“The project recalls the essence itself of 10 Corso Como, an urban jungle enclosed and guarded by the articulated and widespread system of the Milanese courts.

“The project brings into the store the vegetal explosion that is the landmark of 10 Corso Como, through a versatile and light false-ceiling system that represents a refined reinterpretation of the historic brand.

“Much appreciated by the owners as well as by the tutor, each of the students in the group has started a collaboration with David Chipperfield Architects.”

Students: Anna Galizia, Michela Gualano, Giorgia Santilli and Alessandro Zambotto
Course: Architecture for Fashion, 2022 edition
Tutor: Giuseppe Zampieri – DCA Milano

A New Green by Edouard Capel, Ceylan Cecen and Sofiia Zhadkevich

“The project was born from a reflection on the natural character of 10 Corso Como – it offers a reinterpretation of the green space enclosed in the courtyard of the concept store.

“Nature is recalled in the soft and fluid shapes of new false ceilings and display units.

“The result is a deeply metaphysical and contemporary space, capable of providing a unique shopping experience and a particularly mysterious and attractive presence on the street front.”

Students: Edouard Capel, Ceylan Cecen and Sofiia Zhadkevich
Course: Architecture for Fashion, 2022 edition
Tutor: Giuseppe Zampieri – DCA Milano

Observation Point for WWF by Sara Bottiglieri, Maryam Folath, Ruth-Adalgiza Iacob, Leona Mijić, Kritika Nema and Olga Romanova

“The project was aimed at creating a series of observation and rest points within the WWF oasis of the Bussento caves.

“The team reflected on the theme of fusion between architecture and nature – the design is reminiscent of the complex orography of the intended site.

“The space aims to define a small meditative area in which users can enjoy the views and marvel at the natural world.”

Students: Sara Bottiglieri, Maryam Folath, Ruth-Adalgiza Iacob, Leona Mijić, Kritika Nema and Olga Romanova
Course: Architecture for Landscape, 2022 edition
Tutor: Francesca Singer – SANAA

Carlo Scarpa re-make by Eleonora Di Girolamo, Isgandar Hajiyev, Ruth-Adalgiza Iacob and Anqi Pan

“Intended to be installed in Athassel Priory, Ireland, the project consists of a display case that aims to preserve the history of the site.

“The project hopes to bolster the continued use of the priory and has contrasting materials – the ancient (the stone of the ruins) and the modern (burnt wood with black tones and gold inlays).

“The result is a magnificent display case, inspired by the work of Carlo Scarpa, which can become an ingenious display product aimed at preserving precious items and telling the story of the archaeological site.”

Students: Eleonora Di Girolamo, Isgandar Hajiyev, Ruth-Adalgiza Iacob and Anqi Pan
Course: Architecture for Heritage, 2022 edition
Tutor: Valerie Mulvin, McCullough Mulvin Architects

New Perspective on ruins by Michela D’Angelo, Gianluca Gravina, Pedro Hurtado, Mariya Romanosova and Ana-Luiza Simion-Dămășaru

“Aimed at generating a new use for the ruins of the Athassel Priory in Ireland, the project plays with the theme of observation and perceptions.

“The object embodies a sort of surprise room to be inserted among the ruins, which contains an articulated game of mirrors to provide a new way of looking at the surrounding architecture.

“The project is an experiment involving both visitors and the local community that aims to foster a new dimension of interaction between people and historical memory, which can be replicated and exported in any context.”

Students: Michela D’Angelo, Gianluca Gravina, Pedro Hurtado, Mariya Romanosova and Ana-Luiza Simion-Dămășaru
Course: Architecture for Heritage, 2022 edition
Tutor: Valerie Mulvin, McCullough Mulvin Architects

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and YACademy. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Five architecture group projects by students at YACademy appeared first on Dezeen.

Wearing a regular bicycle helmet on an electric bike is sort of like wearing an antique leather helmet in the NFL; the game has changed.

Helmet design is catching up, at least in Europe. Prompted by the increased speeds that electric bikes can hit, the safety-minded Dutch introduced the NTA-8776 helmet standard, which increases protective requirements from the 15-mph crashes anticipated with regular bicycles to a 28-mph crash standard. It also requires more protection for both the temples and the back of the head.

French bicycle accessories company THEBEAM has introduced their NTA-8775-compliant design, the Virgo helmet, which they’re calling “the safest cycling helmet for e-bikes.”

The beefy-looking Virgo not only covers the temples and the back of the head, but also features an integrated mandible to protect the jaw and chin. A detachable flip-up visor keeps bugs out of your eyes, and a magnetic LED taillight can be attached to the rear.

“Its design skillfully blends lightweight construction, optimal ventilation, and full facial protection in the event of a head-on collision,” the company writes. The design also features MIPS (Multi-directional Impact Protection System), the additional layer inside the helmet that helps disperse rotational forces during an impact.

And despite the extra mass, the company says they’ve kept the weight down to a reasonable 600g (1.3 lbs).

The Virgo has been successfully Kickstarted, netting $103,672 in pledges at press time, with 36 days left to pledge. Available in three sizes, buy-in starts at $98 and they expect to ship by August.

A Core77 reader-submitted case study —

A Cold January Day in 2017: The team at DesignThink was asked to visit Dorel Juvenile Group USA to review a “Special Project”. The development team at Dorel JG wasted no time introducing us to their latest infant car seat (ICS) project. They were experimenting with the idea of developing a seat that would reduce the struggles parents faced when trying to transition their baby from the car and carry their baby in the removable seat portion of the ICS. The team at DesignThink has designed several car seats over the years and we instantly recognized the unique opportunity, as well as the challenge that this project offered, and were eager and excited to get started.

Our Role as the Innovation Incubator: We partnered with Dorel to act as the innovation incubator to lead the project team through the fuzzy front-end and define the product’s overall features and characteristics of use. Upon successful concept definition, the project would be positioned under the Maxi Cosi brand and ultimately transferred to the Maxi Cosi team in Europe and a European design group to carry the innovation to production.

The Problem at Hand: By removing the seat from the base that is installed in the car, parents can take the baby with them while running errands or visiting people and places. However, a problem associated with this system is that some removable seats can weigh up to 16 lbs. and the baby can weigh up to 35 lbs. for a combined arm-crushing weight of 50+lbs.!!

We established two primary goals: 1) reduce the overall weight of the seat to lighten the load, while maintaining structural integrity as to achieve a top crash test rating, and 2) develop new methods that enable parents to lift the seat more easily when moving in and out of the vehicle and when transporting the child in the seat.

2017 Project Kickoff at Dorel JG

2017 Kickoff at Dorel Juvenile Group USA

Credit: 2017 DesignThink, Inc.

Usability Evaluation

Usability ease of install and removal evaluation

Credit: 2017 DesignThink, Inc.

Team Huddle

DesignThink concept evolution evaluation

Credit: 2017 DesignThink, Inc.

Origin of Maxi Cosi Coral XP

Early Ideation that established the final direction

Credit: 2017 DesignThink, Inc.

Handle Carry Strap

Handle Carry Strap Breadboard

Credit: 2017 DesignThink, Inc.

Maxi Cosi

Handle Carry Strap in use

Credit: Maxi Cosi

Cross Body Strap Ideation

Reduced pressure shoulder strap improves comfort when carrying the baby and reduces the perceived weight of the carrier

Credit: 2017 DesignThink, Inc.

Maxi Cosi

Cross-Body Strap in use

Credit: Maxi Cosi

Improved install and removal

DesignThink explores way to improve the ease and control when installing and removing the infant from the car

Credit: 2017 DesignThink, Inc.

Usability Evaluation

Usability ease of install and removal evaluation

Credit: 2017 DesignThink, Inc.

View the full project here