Dezeen School Shows: an installation that aims to make visitors feel like sea creatures in a plastic-filled ocean is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at Swinburne University of Technology in Australia.

Also included is a tattoo machine that allows for greater control and an item of headgear that aims to help sports players recover from concussions.

Swinburne University of Technology

Institution: Swinburne University of Technology
School: Swinburne School of Design and Architecture
Course: Department of Communication Design and Department of Architectural and Industrial Design
Tutors: Professor Blair Kuys (Dean of Design), Dr Charles Ranscombe, Morganna Magee, Anna Caione, Dr Phuong Quoc Dinh and Anthony Elliott

School statement:

“Swinburne’s School of Design and Architecture leads the world in high-quality, industry-relevant, technology-led design education and research.

“We pursue future production and interaction technologies, design for health and wellbeing and sustainable urban ecologies.

“Our innovative courses are grounded in design history, theory, culture and diversity with our undergraduates, postgraduates and researchers embracing global challenges and spanning disciplines.

“Our graduates are renowned internationally for their creative leadership.”

The Satellite Tattoo Machine by Tori Hendy

“The Satellite Tattoo Machine marks a substantial advancement in the tattoo industry, with a primary focus on user wellbeing and convenience. Utilising innovative technologies it provides a high level of adaptability for tattoo artists.

“Key features include the ability to customise needle speed and stroke as well as needle depth, offering artists exceptional control over a wide range of tattooing applications.

“Safety is a paramount concern, achieved through the integration of an advanced electromagnetic linear actuator and vibration isolation technologies.

“These measures effectively reduce the risk of long-term musculoskeletal issues. The Satellite Tattoo Machine stands as a versatile, safe and user-centric innovation within the tattooing industry.”

Student: Tori Hendy
Course: Product Design Engineering
Tutor: Dr Charles Ranscombe
Email: torihendypd[at]gmail.com

Anthos by Mary Gavrilidou

“Anthos is a representation of growing up and trying to find the self. It is an abstract story, where a poem takes place alongside the imagery as it inflicts questions about identity and ongoing change.

“Anthos illustrates the physical and mental growth of the self, having a strong focus on important life events such as birth, bringing family together, falling in love, experiencing grief and having free will.

“A key message in this story is that uncertainty and change should not be feared, as well as not limiting the self nor putting it in a metaphorical box.”

Student: Mary Gavrilidou
Course: Photo Media
Tutor: Morganna Magee
Email: 103590559[at]student.swin.edu.au

Fluid Sense by Simone Clamp

“In a world that is obsessed with the overconsumption of plastic goods, this exhibition focuses on how we might consider limiting the use of plastic in our day-to-day lives.

“I have intended to evoke a sense of overwhelm and contemplation within the space to create a sense of urgency.

“The organisation 4Ocean has heavily inspired the philosophy behind my exhibition – they focus on cleaning up massive amounts of plastic that have made their way into bodies of water.

“Unfortunately, plastic is destroying plant and marine life and is disturbing ecosystems, microbiomes and the biodiversity of our land.

“As the audience walks into the space this concept is reflected, allowing spectators to feel as if they are a small sea creature amongst a large plastic-filled ocean.

“I have explored how plastic items and netting that have been collected within our oceans can be curated up and around the walls of the interior.”

Student: Simone Clamp
Course: Branded Environment
Tutor: Anna Caione
Email: simoneclamp[at]outlook.com

Voglio Caffe by Gabrielle Versace

“Responding to the question of ‘how might we use food to engage people with Italian immigrant culture in Australia?’, Voglio Caffe was created as a culturally immersive coffee brand to preserve Italo-Australian history.

“The product packaging utilises traditional drinking customs to craft history transfer through a tangible, sensory journey.

“Voglio Caffe – meaning ‘I want coffee’ – tells stories of diversity and multiculturalism through a ritualistic, lived experience of ‘Italianita, Italian Spirit.”

Student: Gabrielle Versace
Course: Communication Design
Tutor: Anthony Elliott

2 + 2 by Katerina Hionis

“2 + 2 is an interactive website that explores the manipulation of privacy, politics and facts in George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four (1949) through a contemporary lens.

“Quotes from the novel are submitted to redaction and layering to convey the effects of propaganda and surveillance in ways relevant to 21 to 30-year-olds.

“Motion typography illustrates data falsification in real time, reinforcing how misinformation and propaganda overpower truth.

“To access the privacy section, the user’s ID number is identified. The website opens the intrusive data profile of a 23-year-old, comparing Nineteen Eighty-Four’s telescreens to data collection today.”

Student: Katerina Hionis
Course: Communication Design
Tutor: Anthony Elliott

TBI-RD+ by Sam Simms

“Concussion awareness is increasing, especially in sports-related contexts. Recognising and effectively managing concussions is crucial for long-term health.

“After a concussion, external factors like light and sound sensitivity can worsen symptoms and impede recovery – sports-related concussions happen in settings where controlling these factors is especially challenging.

“The proposed concept called TBI-RD+ introduces a device for immediate use after a significant head injury, offering timely care and support.

“The device includes a removable visor to manage light sensitivity and ear protectors for sound sensitivity and control. Modular and adjustable construction caters to the patient’s needs, gradually returning them to their daily routines.”

Student: Sam Simms
Course: Industrial Design
Tutor: Dr Charles Ranscombe
Email: 101043132[at]student.swin.edu.au

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Swinburne University of Technology. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Six design projects by students at Swinburne University of Technology appeared first on Dezeen.

If you paid attention in your History of Industrial Design class, you’ll remember that the iconic Genie telephone was designed by Henry Dreyfuss Associates in the 1970s. Designed for the American Telecommunications Corporation, it was meant to resemble a genie’s lamp. The device sold well and into the ’80s.

I’ve seen a few Genies over the years, all in plastic. Until today, I never realized they offered a version in leather:

You can find them on vintage sites like this one, where they’re asking an eye-watering $1,200 for it:

I have to say, the leather’s actually held up better than I’d have thought it would.

Promotion: vibrant colours characterise One Soho, a community space designed by architecture and design studio Via, which property developer Sino Land has added to a residential block in Hong Kong.

Comprising a lightly curving form shrouded in a facade made from vertical timber and aluminium slats, the building designed by Via is a new addition to Hong Kong’s Mongkok neighbourhood – a vibrant and creative district.

One Soho aims to act as a relaxed social hub and sees leisure spaces, wellness facilities and workspaces combined in a series of interconnected rooms as well as outdoor spaces designed to be seamlessly connected to the interior.

“One Soho has always been conceived with our motto ‘Creating Better Lifescapes’ – in a mixture of green living, innovative design and community spirit,” Sino Land project manager Louis Yu told Dezeen. “We wanted to create a vibrant, comfortable and relaxing environment for the residents.”

“It is always our goal to create a little bit of a paradox – while located right at the centre of happenings and a stone’s throw away from Langham Place, once inside you would feel a sense of tranquillity that one cannot fully grasp from the outside,” Yu continued.

The social facility connects to a tall residential tower, wrapping around a streetside courtyard that connects to the pavement and features a plant-filled sunken plaza.

“The sunken courtyard at the basement level with meandering steps is strategically located to promote green living and help One Soho integrate into the community seamlessly,” said Yu.

“The tree-lined frontage and large vertical green wall gives a soothing effect. We have always wanted to create a clubhouse that is elegant, comfortable, tranquil and relaxing.”

Featured throughout the design are references to Midtown Manhattan, which Sino Land included to nod to the energetic, urban nature of the local area.

“Part of the charisma of the Big Apple is its constant regeneration and being relevant and contemporary, and Soho is synonymous with Manhattan and New York City,” designer and founder and principal of Via, Frank Leung, told Dezeen.

“The design language takes reference from Midtown Manhattan aesthetics, blending influences with vibrant colours to reflect the energy of the neighbourhood,” said Leung.

Inside, the studio finished each room with a rich colour palette, including a bar with golden walls, upholstered furniture, and a stone bar table.

With glass walls divided by black frames offering views into a covered garden, a casual entrance hall welcomes residents into the social centre. The room opens onto a hallway, which connects to other spaces in the complex, including a mailroom.

Named The Roastery, the main office and living space, features a central seating area furnished with a selection of dark-coloured armchairs. Textural, light pink walls contrast the dark timber panelling in the neighbouring rooms.

“The Roastery is an all-day salon for both work and relaxation,” said Leung. “In a signature salmon colour, it is anchored by a central seating group with a hand-crafted red copper and carved glass chandelier above.”

“It offers relaxed seating in a variety of grouping for the individual, small or larger groups, cabinetry and bookshelves, and as the name suggests, a coffee bar.”

A spacious library with outdoor access leads guests into a residents’ lounge and restaurant named the Great Room, which features a kitchen, fireside seating, a bar and dining areas.

Here, large windows and skylights invite light into the space while framing views of the surrounding city, while bi-fold glass doors open onto a plant-filled roof garden as well as a patio finished with outdoor seating.

“Complete with a catering pantry, fireside seating, a bar and dining table, the lavish set-up is styled with colourful accent materials,” said Leung.

“Painted in a neutral bone colour to receive daylight, the great room features large windows and skylights that embrace city views while bringing the outside in.”

One Soho is the latest addition to property developer Sino Land’s Lifescape Collections, which aims to enhance the lives of building residents by offering communal, green spaces.

“I believe it is our endless pursuit of innovative solutions to build a healthier and more sustainable community, especially in our case, in response to such an urban, accessible and diversified context that makes One Soho stand out among the Lifescape Collections,” said Yu.

To find out more about Sino Land, visit its website.

Partnership content

This article was written by Dezeen for Sino Land as part of a partnership. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Via designs Manhattan-style clubhouse in the heart of Hong Kong appeared first on Dezeen.

EV startup Canoo has revealed their American Bulldog, the company’s second pickup truck concept. It’s more utilitarian than their first pickup concept, perhaps because this one is derived from a military version they’ve been testing with the U.S. Army.

Details from the press release are scant, filled with marketing bluster like “It combines striking design with world-class performance while emphasizing minimalism with maximum functionality for work, adventure, and service.” I’d have preferred some details about the vehicle’s features, but all we can gather is what’s shown in the images.

First off, the renders resemble concept art for a sci-fi movie:

That being said, they have developed an actual working prototype:

The interior is pretty sci-fi-looking, and appears to have a vent that runs nearly the width of the dashboard:

Here we can also see a trade-off of the extreme cab-forward design: Visibility. Those A-pillars are going to get annoying, particularly if you’re driving on a windy road.

The marketing-driven images reveal that this vehicle would target a somewhat romantic vision of existing pickup truck owners:

While I like the way the truck’s exterior looks, I do think the design needs to be tested with actual pickup truck owners. For example, the designers have borrowed a potentially useful trick from Japanese kei-trucks, where the tailgate and sidewalls can be flipped open to provide a flatbed:

However, they’ve missed an important aspect of this feature. Here’s the tailgate on my own kei truck (a ’99 Daihatsu HiJet, thanks for asking), which gets good use on the farm:

Notice that the swung-down panel (whether the tailgate or sidewall) sits as close to the truck as possible. This is to make unloading easy. For instance, if you’re hauling wood chips, gravel, hay, etc. and raking it out of the bed, you want it to fall directly onto the ground, or into whatever waiting vessel you have.

In contrast, look again at the flip-down sidewalls on the Canoo:

The bed has a bevel, and the panel protrudes even further than that–look at the offset on those orange hinges. Anything you’re raking out of the bed is going to hang up on the top of the panel. Furthermore, because the panel protrudes, it reduces your reach into the bed by what looks to be several inches. This appears to be all downside, with no benefit that I can see.

I do think kinks like this would be swiftly discovered with user testing–if the vehicle makes it that far. The intro video resembles one of those Superbowl commercials that’s supposed to make you feel patriotic, and offers little practical information:

In short, the way this concept is presented makes me think it’s targeting investors rather than actual end users. But I suppose that for startups, that’s the nature of the game these days.

The bathroom forms one of the smallest areas of the home in terms of square feet and is usually one of the only areas that allows some ‘me time’, hence the décor must appeal to the user’s taste and requirements. The bathroom décor can be broadly classified into different décor styles, but one can easily mix and match different décor elements to create a unique space. Each décor style exudes elegance and style while ensuring functionality and comfort. Take a look at the most popular bathroom décor styles and choose the one that is best suited for your home.

Contemporary Décor Style

Designer: Tanzeel Amjad

• A contemporary bathroom décor integrates the design elements of classic and modern design. It incorporates the latest technology, materials, and the latest design trends. The focus is on clean lines, minimal embellishments, and a clutter-free space to create a unique aesthetic.
• The colors of a contemporary décor include polished hardwood, metal accents, and symmetrical geometric patterns. Its clean and simple color palette pays attention to fine details, sleek materials, and simple lighting.
• Contemporary bathrooms include a combination of light and dark shades in contrasting hues and one of the most popular color palettes of contemporary décor includes the combination of black and white.
• The key features of a contemporary bathroom are the integration of a sleek vanity, sleek faucets, glass shower enclosure, slim mirrors, and statement tiles. The materials include the use of natural materials like stone and granite contrasted with man-made materials like stainless steel.
• Technology can be integrated into the bathroom via digital shower controls, and smart mirrors.

Eclectic Bathroom

Designer: Thanh Nguyen

• The eclectic bathroom is a free décor style that does not follow any specific design style and is a curated collection of design elements.
• One can easily opt for unexpected colors and patterns in the bathroom décor combined with a mix of textures, materials, and various finishes.
• Additionally, an eclectic décor effortlessly mixes the design elements of different eras and allows one to express their individual personality.

Modern Bathroom

Designers: Elena Sedova, Sergey Sedov

• A modern bathroom features simple and clean lines alongside a sleek and streamlined look.
• The décor emphasizes strong horizontal lines which are usually visible in the design of the countertops, sinks, mirrors, and accessories.
• Some of the materials that are used in a modern bathroom include stone, teak, and porcelain.
• The color palette includes white, subtle neutrals, or black while pops of color are incorporated into the bathroom décor via artwork, accessories, bath towels, and fresh greenery.
• The design elements include a floating vanity, a glass shower enclosure, sleek faucets, a frameless mirror, and layered lighting.

Transitional Bathroom

Designer: Decorating Den Interiors

• A transitional-style bathroom finds a balance between traditional and contemporary. It is a combination of old and new design elements that are functional as well as practical.
• Some of the materials for the floor and wall treatments include marble, stone, and quartz along with light-hued countertops.
• Transitional style bathrooms may include a shaker-style vanity, an under-mount sink, patterned floors, dark-finish metals, a pedestal bathtub, a glass shower enclosure, subway tiles, and decorative door handles.
• The lighting scheme incorporates drum pendants, beautiful chandeliers, and sleek wall sconces.
• A transitional style bathroom exudes a soft and subtle vibe in both warm and cool hues. For a richer look, one can opt for hues of blue, brown, grey, or wood.

Tropical Bathroom

• A tropical-style bathroom incorporates materials like stone, wood, plenty of greenery, and a nature-inspired aesthetic.
• The overall interiors and décor bring in plenty of natural light and incorporate an open-plan layout.
• Tropical bathrooms focus on lush green foliage.

Victorian Bathroom

Designer: Emma

• Victorian style bathroom features jewel tone tiles in elegant hues coupled with gold trims.
• The tiles include large floral prints, the classic claw-foot bathtubs, and pedestal sinks.
• Victorian bathrooms are further accentuated with the use of painted knobs and handles, beautiful rugs as well as a mix of colored woods and finishes.

Scandinavian Bathroom Décor

Designer: Sunny Circle Studio

• Scandinavian-style bathrooms are always the epitome of elegance, simplicity, and functionality as they are free of clutter and excessive ornamentation. It’s a modern design that promotes optimum utilization of space, focuses on functionality, and does not look cramped.
• One can easily create the Nordic feel with a combination of dark and light colors in the tile materials to create a cohesive aesthetic. This can simultaneously be achieved with the use of wood paneling in the walls and the flooring.
• Freestanding bathtubs are popular in Scandinavian bathroom decor as they offer extra space. One can accentuate the bathroom with geometric rugs and soft towels.

Mid-century Bathroom

• The midcentury bathroom is usually designed with vintage furniture and the décor includes attractive details like brushed gold metals and large mirrors to create a bright and airy space.
• In a midcentury bathroom, color is usually used to accentuate the décor and enhance its visual appeal.
• Vintage design elements are strategically introduced to enhance the overall décor of the bathroom space.

Nautical Bathroom Décor

Designer: Eclipse Design Studio

• The nautical or beach-style bathroom décor is inspired by the ocean and its natural beauty. It focuses on natural materials and exudes a calm, relaxing, and breezy vibe within the bathroom.
• The maritime theme is designed in coast-inspired colors with cool shades of ocean blue that create a casual and easygoing décor combined with colors inspired by the hues of the sun, sand, and sea. One can also opt for a vibrant color scheme in tropical colors like hues of green and bold corals.
• It is highly recommended to decorate the bathroom with durable finishes and anything that is reminiscent of the ocean like jute fabrics, seashells, pebble tiles, weathered wood, mother-of-pearl, ocean-themed art, and sand.
• The design features of the bathroom include a spacious shower, bathtub, and vanity-style sinks.

Industrial Themed Bathroom Décor

Designer: Art Facade

• Industrial-themed bathrooms are inspired by the design of warehouses that are simple and functional spaces.
• The design focuses on bold colors, and high contrast and is all about minimalism.
• The materials used in an industrial-themed décor include mixed wood, white accent, marble countertops, and hard-wearing surfaces. The raw surfaces can include materials like brick for the walling, stainless steel, corrugated steel panels, concrete, and cinderblock.
• The components of an industrial-themed bathroom décor include a glass and steel shower enclosure, trough and basin sinks, and white subway tiles. The use of exposed ducts, wire, and tubes offers a raw and unfinished design which contributes to the industrial look.
• The raw materials determine the color palette of an industrial-style bathroom with the use of an occasional pop of saturated color. One can enhance the aesthetics by hanging exposed lights, metal mirrors, and a concrete bathtub.

Traditional Bathroom

• Traditional bathrooms look timeless as they use familiar design elements that are comfortable to use.
• It celebrates classic materials, and decorative details like the use of wainscoting, wallpaper, and decorative molding.
• A lot of detail and rich character can be found in this style, which features unique tilework, calming colors, and elegant materials such as marble which is used for the floor and wall treatment and stainless steel for the vanity and sink stands. The other materials include the use of porcelain and acrylic.
• Some of the key features include a furniture-style vanity, dressing table, elegant stone countertops, and a classic claw-foot or pedestal-style bathtub.
• The lighting design includes antique-style light fixtures.
• The color palette of a traditional bathroom décor includes subtle neutrals in soft shades of blue and green. For a richer look, one can consider hues of blue, brown, grey, and dark wood tones.

Although there are endless choices when it comes to bathroom décor, you can select various décor items for each style and create a bathroom that resonates with you.

The post What are the Different Bathroom Decor Styles first appeared on Yanko Design.