Acer’s Predator Monitor lineup for CES 2024 includes a GORGEOUS 57-inch curved MiniLED Display

Acer’s latest announcement at CES 2024 has quite a bit in store for gamers. From game-ready 5G Wi-fi 7 routers to some rather whopping displays (including even a 3D one), the company is making some significant strides forward. The unveiling of its new lineup of Predator gaming monitors introduces a series of models designed to cater to a diverse range of gamers’ needs, each combining innovative technology with high performance.

Designer: Acer

Acer Predator Z57

Let’s begin with the crown jewel, the Predator Z57 – a 57-inch behemoth, curved to wrap your vision in a MiniLED display. But Acer didn’t stop at size. They doubled down with a dual UHD resolution of 7680×2160 at a smooth 120 Hz. This colossus offers a 32:9 aspect ratio, making it feel like you’re not just observing the game; you’re part of it. With VESA DisplayHDR™ 1000, the colors and contrasts are so vivid they’ll make reality seem dull. And if the immersive experience isn’t enough, its 1000R curvature, picture-by-picture, and picture-in-picture modes ensure multitasking is as seamless as your gameplay.

Acer Predator Z57

But perhaps you’re seeking something a bit more traditional, yet no less groundbreaking. Enter the Predator X34 V3. This 34-inch curved MiniLED display brings you an ultra-wide QHD resolution of 3440×1440. Its 1500R curvature is like a gentle embrace, ensuring no enemy lurks just out of sight. With a 180 Hz refresh rate and a 1 ms response time, every moment is a fluid transition, with no room for lag or ghosting. It’s not just about speed; it’s about experiencing every detail in a symphony of colors with its DCI-P3 94% color gamut and VESA DisplayHDR™ 1000.

Acer Predator X34 V3

Now, for those who live in the fast lane, Acer’s OLED models, the Predator X39 and Predator X34 X, are the perfect pick. These 39-inch and 34-inch titans offer UWQHD resolution at up to 240 Hz refresh rates. But it’s the 0.01 ms pixel response time that makes these monitors a dream for the fast and the furious gamer. Their 800R curvature and DCI-P3 99% color gamut deliver a visual feast, while the VESA DisplayHDR™ True Black 400 ensures the darkest blacks and brightest whites. And for the marathon gamers, they’re Eyesafe 2.0 Certified, so your eyes are protected even during those all-night campaigns.

Acer Predator X39

Across this lineup, Acer integrates features like AMD FreeSync Premium™ to address screen tearing and stuttering, ensuring smoother gameplay. The inclusion of a USB Type-C 90W PD port and a built-in KVM switch reflects a thoughtful design, aimed at providing convenience and flexibility to users.

Let’s talk brass tacks – pricing and availability. The Predator Z57, the flagship of this fleet, will start at USD 2499.99. For the OLED aficionados, the Predator X39 and Predator X34 X are priced at USD 1499.99 and USD 1299.99, respectively. And for those seeking that perfect balance of performance and price, the Predator X34 V3 is an enticing option at USD 899.99. These technological marvels will start gracing desks in North America and EMEA in Q2 2024, with China getting a head start in Q1 2024.

Acer Predator X34 X

The post Acer’s Predator Monitor lineup for CES 2024 includes a GORGEOUS 57-inch curved MiniLED Display first appeared on Yanko Design.

Acer Aspire and Swift laptops at CES 2024 double down on AI and sustainability

Technology has become ingrained in almost every aspect of our lives, especially the AI revolution that’s gripping all industries, including consumer electronics. While these technologies definitely allow us to enjoy modern comforts and conveniences, they also empower us to do more and create more by giving us the tools to shape this technology-centric world of ours. Documents, videos, images, 3D models, games, and virtual experiences don’t just pop out of thin air and someone has got to do the hard work of creating these digital artifacts. At CES 2024, Acer is revealing its latest fleet of laptops that showcase the latest tech innovations while also pushing for a more conscientious approach to creating the tools that we’ll be using to build a better tomorrow.

Designer: Acer

Acer Swift Go – AI in a Sleek Design

As the name implies, the Acer Swift line has always valued portability through thin and light bodies that allow people to take their work or entertainment wherever they go. Thanks to advancements in this space, that slim design no longer means having limited power. The new Acer Swift Go 14 and 16 are the embodiment of this duality, powered by the latest powerful Intel Core Ultra processors while still being certified with the Intel Evo mark that guarantees its lightweight and compact design.

Everything about the Acer Swift Go screams premium power in a svelte style. The thin, light, and sleek aluminum chassis gives the laptop an elegant flair while offering plenty of flexibility for productivity, like how it can open up to 180 degrees for maximum collaboration. The OceanGlass touchpad feels just as smooth as it looks, and the Acer Swift Go 14 even offers the option to add multi-control lighting so you can directly control media playback by tapping the highlighted icons.

Unsurprisingly, AI plays a critical role in this latest generation of Acer’s lightweight laptop family, particularly via the Acer PurifiedView AI-boosted conferencing features such as Background Blur, Automatic Framing, and Eye Contact. There’s also Acer PurifiedVoice 2.0 that utilizes AI to reduce background noise and ensure crisp and clear voices in every meeting. And to really drive home the AI message, these two are one of the first to have a dedicated Windows Copilot key that enables AI-powered optimizations.

Acer is also announcing the Swift X 14, a similarly AI-empowered laptop that’s designed with the needs of students, designers, and creators in mind. The latest NVIDIA GeForce RTX 40 laptop graphics and a Calman-verified 2.8K OLED screen work together to deliver the power and fidelity that these users need in crafting the content that will fill digital worlds today and tomorrow.

Availability

  • Acer Swift Go 16 – March in North America, starting at $799.99
  • Acer Swift Go 14 – March in North America, starting at $749.99
  • Acer Swift X 14 – February in North America, starting at $1,399.99

Acer Aspire Vero 16 – Technology with a Heart

While the proliferation of laptops does mean that more people can have access to these powerful tools, it also means that the use of plastics, production of material waste, and e-waste output are also on the rise. Fortunately, the world’s biggest PC makers have taken note and are making huge strides in rectifying the situation. Acer’s Vero line of laptops has been carrying the sustainability torch since 2021, and the new Aspire Vero 16 brings its most powerful carbon-neutral AI PC yet.

The eco-chic design isn’t just for show and boasts a chassis made with 60% PCR (Post-Consumer Recyled) materials that significantly reduce its carbon dioxide emissions during production. The smoothened surface is finished with a distinctive Cobblestone gray that uses no volatile organic compounds (VOCs), paint, or additives. Inside, the Acer Aspire Vero 16 uses an OceanGlass trackpad made from recycled ocean-bound plastic, while the entire product is shipped in 100% recycled packaging. The laptop’s stylish body and tactile finish shatter misconceptions of what recycled materials or products would look like, offering a sustainable computer that looks great and works great as well.

The Aspire Vero 16’s power comes from the latest Intel Intel Core Ultra 7 processor whose performance is, of course, optimized with Windows Copilot. The laptop is also equipped with AI-enhanced productivity features, particularly those revolving around improving the video conferencing experience. It delivers enough power to meet user’s everyday computing needs while also helping to protect the planet that we live in.

Those looking for more budget-friendly options can look to the Acer Aspire Go 15 and Aspire Go 14. With an Intel Core i3 N-series processor and an AMD Ryzen 7000 option for the Aspire Go 14, these large laptops offer the basics while keeping the price point down to make it accessible to more people. Despite those factors, these two are still equipped with Windows Copilot and a variety of AI-powered features, allowing users to enjoy greater usability and assistance with a single click of a button.

Availability

  • Acer Aspire Vero 16 – April in North America, starting at $749.99
  • Acer Aspire Go 15 – February in North America, starting at $249.99
  • Acer Aspire Go 14 – March in North America, starting at $249.99 (Intel) and $379.99 (AMD)

The post Acer Aspire and Swift laptops at CES 2024 double down on AI and sustainability first appeared on Yanko Design.

Big Kitchen Trends for the Year 2024

The kitchen forms one of the most frequently used areas of any home and it is constantly evolving in terms of design and functionality. With a dynamic shift towards contemporary trends, the new-age kitchen design highlights an interesting fusion of inventive materials, intelligent technology, and a hint of eclectic charm. Additionally, the predominant kitchen trends in 2024 focus on making the kitchen more efficient, organized, interactive and less hectic with a more minimalistic approach towards the design. If you considering a makeover for your kitchen’s design, check out the latest kitchen trends of 2024!

Image courtesy of pro_creator

1. Warm Woods

Image courtesy of Picsuite

Kitchens are embracing the warmth of natural wood tones by incorporating natural high texture and wood patterns on cabinets to infuse an organic ambiance, particularly within contemporary, midcentury, or Scandinavian designs. White oak and walnut are currently leading the trend in wood species in both modern and traditional kitchen designs.

2. Green Hues

Image courtesy of staRRush

According to the kitchen color trends for 2024, greens emerge as the leading choice. Whether it’s the soothing sage green or the vibrant emerald green, incorporating green into your kitchen’s color palette is effortlessly achievable and brings a refreshing and calming vibe to kitchen designs. Perfect for walls, backsplash tiles, countertops, or islands, green quickly adds a touch of nature. It creates a harmonious and inviting atmosphere, complementing various design styles, and is suitable especially when introducing live plants is not an option in the kitchen.

3. Clutter-free Layout

Image courtesy of archideaphoto

Streamline your kitchen by embracing a carefully crafted minimalist layout. Consider cabinets and appliances with push-to-open technology, ample pantry storage, floor-to-ceiling cabinetry, and easy-to-maintain quartz or granite countertops. These features simplify chores, making cleaning and upkeep a breeze. Also, there is a growing preference for deeper lower cabinets to optimize storage space.

4. Accent Colors

Image courtesy of archideaphoto

Kitchens are becoming more personal, shifting towards colorful choices instead of white. Dramatic color tones are coming back, showcasing interesting contrasts like combining warm, saturated hues with subtle neutrals. Add art, eye-catching wallpaper, and stylish yet functional elements to enhance the vibrancy of the kitchen design. You can elevate the overall look of the kitchen with bold accent colors, a unique backsplash, and lively light fixtures. Blues, greens, rich browns, grey, and purple can bring a cozy feel to kitchens. Also, combining light or dark-stained woods with vibrant colors is a major trend, offering both personality and warmth.

5. Eco-friendly Materials

Image courtesy of bialasiewicz

In 2024’s trending kitchens, eco-friendly practices are at the forefront. Sustainable materials such as reclaimed timber, linoleum, bamboo, cork, and recycled plastic or glass are becoming popular due to their unique aesthetics and minimal environmental impact. Whether used for countertops or backsplashes, these materials make a strong statement, highlighting a commitment to reducing the carbon footprint without compromising style. For eco-conscious design, opt for recycled materials like terrazzo which is a composite of repurposed marble, glass, granite, and quartz chips. This shift towards eco-friendly choices introduces fresh textures and palettes, revitalizing kitchen spaces.

6. Integrated Smart Technology

Image courtesy of staRRush

The best part about 2024 is that the kitchen design will be smarter than ever with the use of advanced technology. Note that culinary tasks are more streamlined and enjoyable with features like voice-controlled lighting, touchless faucets, and AI-driven ovens that auto-adjust cooking times and temperatures. Importantly, these innovations seamlessly integrate into the overall design, enhancing the kitchen’s ambiance and overall aesthetics. Additionally, in the kitchen design, quiet luxury has acquired a fresh significance, with consumers choosing appliances with lower noise levels. The popularity of soft push-to-open cabinet technology reflects a preference for sleek and streamlined aesthetics.

7. Multifunctional Kitchen Island

Image courtesy of wirestock

There is a growing preference for adaptable spaces that can serve multiple purposes, exemplified by the popularity of kitchen islands featuring integrated seating and storage. These designs transform into versatile hubs that can effortlessly accommodate cooking, dining, and social interactions seamlessly. The kitchen island forms the central focal point that can transform into a work of art with unique stones, contrasting colors, or materials. It is evolving into different shapes, enhanced by distinctive and textural cabinetry, resembling a fine furniture piece for your kitchen. With adjustable heights, built-in charging stations, and retractable workspaces, islands now accommodate various tasks like remote work, it functions as a buffet counter and can host intimate gatherings.

8. Biophilic Design

Image courtesy of Mint_Images

Image courtesy of TDyuvbanova

Biophilic design is leaving its imprint on kitchens, enhancing the connection with nature. Kitchen renovation concepts for 2024 involve integrating greenery into statement walls, countertops, and miniature greenhouses. Another ongoing trend involves seamlessly integrating indoor and outdoor spaces using large windows, glass doors, and window walls will facilitate bringing the outdoors into the kitchen, matching materials, and complementary color palettes. This design allows for enjoying fresh air while cooking and entertaining, with dedicated green spaces for growing herbs or sprouting microgreens.

9. Layered Lighting

Image courtesy of SkloStudio

In modern kitchens, opt for a versatile lighting approach that blends ambient, task, and accent lighting seamlessly. Consider under-cabinet LED strips, toe-kick lighting, island pendant lights, and subtle hidden lighting working together to create a flexible and comfortable atmosphere. This ensures that every corner and task in the kitchen gets its dedicated spotlight and enhances the efficiency of the kitchen design.

Additionally, the lighting can take on an artistic flair, featuring sizable sculptural fixtures with abstract shapes, a mix of materials, and a fusion of traditional and contemporary styles that shape the character of a kitchen space. Gold pendant lights, brass cabinet handles, or metallic bar stools infuse modern elegance into your kitchen. The interplay of light and metal creates a captivating atmosphere, making the kitchen a welcoming and stylish space where functionality meets high-end luxury and design.

Integrated with home automation, smart lighting systems enable homeowners to customize brightness, color temperature, and hue based on the time of day or mood. These tech-forward fixtures promote energy efficiency and provide a personalized kitchen experience, adapting the space to various moods and activities as per the choice of the homeowners.

10. Eat-in Dining

Image courtesy of archideaphoto

The kitchen is emerging as a tranquil and soothing space that can foster meaningful connections with loved ones. Families are now centering activities in the kitchen, with equal emphasis on lounging as on cooking. Hence the trending kitchen design is encouraging layouts that can encourage children and guests to stay and sit while striking meaningful conversations.

11. Dramatic Stone and Marble

Image courtesy of FollowTheFlowStudio

Rather than opting for traditional ceramic or porcelain tiles, there’s a shift towards using stone or quartz slabs for kitchen backsplashes behind the cooktop and range. Consider striking patterns in the stonework paired with pendant lights hanging low in vibrant designs. Natural materials like marble, especially particularly white marble, are favored for countertops and flooring despite concerns about stains and chips due to their unique veining patterns that create an element of dynamism. Quartzite, with its earthy undertones, is also a popular countertop material, and choosing these materials connects you to the beauty of the natural world. Another trend is to go with a matching countertop and backsplash that introduces natural veining and intriguing details that not only transform into a focal point but also create a seamless surface that is easy to clean and maintain.

The post Big Kitchen Trends for the Year 2024 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Fluted concrete encloses Menorca holiday home by Nomo Studio

Shift House by Nomo Studio

Textured concrete designed to withstand the Mediterranean climate defines Shift House, a tiered holiday home by Nomo Studio on the island of Menorca.

Shift House is formed of displaced rectangular volumes built into the hillside, finished with a facade of alternating striated concrete walls and continuous window bands.

Entrance to Shift House by Nomo Studio
Nomo Studio has created a holiday home on the island of Menorca

The home’s rough concrete facades draw on the textural quality of local sandstone while mitigating the impact of high humidity and strong salty winds in the town of Es Mercadal where it is located.

Nomo Studio‘s plan is also arranged to respond to the Balearic climate and optimise views and outdoor spaces in the home, with a series of “decks” reminiscent of those found on a boat.

Menorca holiday home with concrete exterior
Shift House is enclosed by textured concrete

“The location and its direct surroundings dictate everything from shape to choice of materials, colours and textures,” Nomo Studio founder Karl Johan Nyqvist told Dezeen.

“Shift House has a clear will to maximise sea views and outdoor spaces. Its facade is built to resist strong sun, wind and humidity conditions,” he continued.

Entrance to Shift House by Nomo Studio
The entrance is located on the top floor in line with the street

Interested in how the facades will age, the studio anticipates a patina that will enhance the building’s aesthetic over time.

“From ancient times, plot boundaries have been demarcated with walls made of staggered formless rocks,” Nyqvist explained. “This local technique called ‘dry-wall’, inspired the facade’s roughness reinterpreted with fluted concrete blocks.”

Swimming pool of Menorca holiday home
There is a terrace with a pool

The form of Shift House was developed by the studio carrying out solar studies to determine the optimal displacement and orientation of floors to protect windows from direct sun.

It is spread across four levels, with the entrance at street level on the second floor. This is given over to the living spaces, with a generous wraparound terrace that features a swimming pool.

The first floor houses three bedrooms, whilst the basement level features a sunken patio that brings light and ventilation to the bottom three floors of the home.

Internally, the house has a palette of soft, natural materials, colours and textures, combining light wood, microcement, polished white-concrete floors and off-white plaster walls.

Staircase inside Shift House by Nomo Studio
The interiors have a natural material palette

Shift House is crowned with a rooftop terrace that offers panoramic views of the Balearic Sea.

“In this island context, where the sea is part of the people’s daily life, we also drew the analogy between the architecture and navigation,” said Nyqvist.

“[We created] a 360-degree terrace that allows you to walk around the top floor as if it was the gunwale of a boat, and [connected] its rooftop viewing platform through an outdoor stair,” he continued.

Bedroom in holiday home by Nomo Studio
Windows are orientated to avoid direct sun

Nomo Studio was founded by Nyqvist with Alicia Casals, with studios in Barcelona, Madrid and Stockholm.

The studio has completed several projects in Menorca, with others including a house with stepped patios and terraces carved into it and a residence composed of stacked, angular boxes.

The post Fluted concrete encloses Menorca holiday home by Nomo Studio appeared first on Dezeen.

Ten homes with net floors for relaxation and play

SkinnyScar house by Gwendolyn Huisman

In this lookbook, we collect 10 residential interiors where net floors provide an unusual place to sit, recline or jump about.

Nets can be a fun way to link two storeys in the home. Featured below are examples from a New York apartment, a skinny house in Rotterdam and a small family residence in rural Vietnam, among others.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with dividing lattice screens, split-level living areas and stylish children’s bedrooms.


Haus L in Austria by Dunkelschwarz
Photo by Marcus Rohrbacher

Haus L, Austria, by Dunkelschwarz

Timber-lined living spaces create a soothing atmosphere inside this house in the Austrian Alps, designed by local architecture studio Dunkelschwarz.

To encourage relaxation, a void above the dining area was covered with netting that can be used for lounging, while an adjacent walkway leads directly to a large balcony.

Find out more about Haus L ›


Net floor in Pimeriza House
Photo by Marcos Zegers (also top)

Primeriza House, Chile, by Stanaćev Granados

Chilean architecture studio Stanaćev Granados put two large cargo nets at the centre of this seaside house in Chorrillos overlooking the Pacific.

As well as providing an easily visible children’s play space above the open-plan living area, the net allows for a subtle transition between the darker wood cladding of the ground floor and the white-painted timber of the upper level.

Find out more about Primeriza House ›


Net hammocks suspended above seating areas
Photo courtesy of No Architecture

Urban Tree House, USA, by No Architecture

To make the vast living space of this apartment in New York’s West Village feel less chasmic, No Architecture constructed two “treehouses” from a series of timber beams.

Black netting strung between the beams creates an elevated chill-out space, accessed by a spiral staircase whose balustrade is made of the same mesh material.

Find out more about Urban Tree House ›


Nets inside the HOUSE by H&P Architects
Photo by Le Minh Hoang

HOUSE, Vietnam, by H&P Architects

In this house in Vietnam designed by H&P Architects, a net floor contributes to the humble aesthetic created by its compact, open-plan layout and rough-and-ready materials like exposed brick and corrugated metal.

The net allows air to move freely through the home, helps to instil a sense of spaciousness and creates additional usable floor space.

Find out more about HOUSE ›


Atrium Townhome by Robitalle Curtis
Photo by Adrien Williams

Atrium Townhome, Canada, by Robitaille Curtis

Canadian studio Robitaille Curtis procured the expertise of famous circus company Cirque du Soleil to rig a trapeze-style net atop the high atrium inside this Montreal home.

The aim was to emphasise the drama of the space, with a tall bookcase accessed by a 5.5-metre ladder and vertical wooden slats also helping to direct the gaze upwards.

Find out more about Atrium Townhome ›


Net floor in Casa Bosque Sereno
Photo by FRAM Fotografía

Casa Bosque Sereno, Mexico, by Fábrica de Espacios

At Casa Bosque Sereno, residents can use the net floor as a place to watch movies thanks to a projector mounted opposite a white-painted brick wall.

The net also contributes to the pared-back, open-plan design chosen for the house by architecture office Fábrica de Espacios.

Find out more about Casa Bosque Sereno ›


SkinnyScar, Rotterdam, the Netherlands by Gwendolyn Huisman and Marijn Boterman
Photo courtesy of Gwendolyn Huisman and Marijn Boterman

SkinnyScar, Netherlands, by Gwendolyn Huisman and Marijn Boterman

Dutch architects Gwendolyn Huisman and Marijn Boterman wanted to avoid “harsh boundaries” between living spaces in this skinny house in Rotterdam that they designed for themselves to live in.

To that end, they strung a modestly sized net next to a large window overlooking the garden, to act as a kind of static hammock next to the first-floor living room and above the dining room.

Find out more about SkinnyScar ›


Net floor above living area in house designed by Ortraum Architects
Photo by Marc Goodwin

MK5, Finland, by Ortraum Architects

This family house in a forest near Helsinki features a number of child-friendly elements including a climbing wall, gymnastic apparatus and, of course, a net floor.

Local studio Ortraum Architects placed the net in a cut-out next to the first-floor landing, allowing light to filter down into the basement stairwell.

Find out more about MK5 ›


King Bill house by Austin Maynard Architects
Photo by Derek Swalwell

King Bill, Australia, by Austin Maynard Architects

Austin Maynard Architects installed a netted platform with a view out of a large window and into the bathroom as part of its renovation of this formerly dilapidated stable in Melbourne.

The black mesh contrasts with the white corrugated metal of the window awning, the grey tiles of the bathroom and the orange carpet on the adjacent floor.

Find out more about King Bill ›


Saigon house by a21 Studio
Photo by Quang Tran

Saigon House, Vietnam, by a21studio

The large net in this Ho Chi Minh City house, designed by Vietnamese architecture office A21studio, is visible from almost everywhere in the four-storey building.

In addition to serving as a children’s play area, it helps create an impression of the ground floor as an outdoor courtyard – particularly as a tree bursts through the textile.

Find out more about Saigon House ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration see previous lookbooks featuring homes with dividing lattice screens, split-level living areas and stylish children’s bedrooms.

The post Ten homes with net floors for relaxation and play appeared first on Dezeen.

Colour highlights the crinkled surfaces of Pao Hui Kao's paper furniture

Black and red Paper Pleats furniture by Pao Hui Kao

Taiwanese designer Pao Hui Kao has unveiled her first solo exhibition, featuring colourful furniture made out of rolls of tracing paper.

On show at Spazio Nobile Gallery in Brussels, the show – called 25 Seasons, Landscapes of Paper and Lacquer – brings together 50 objects and paintings produced by Kao.

Black and red Paper Pleats furniture by Pao Hui Kao
The Paper Pleats furniture includes benches, sideboards, stools and tables

These include new versions of her Paper Pleats furniture, which she makes by combining rolls of tracing paper into honeycomb structures and soaking them in rice glue.

Once hardened, these pieces – which include benches, sideboards, stools and tables – are surprisingly strong.

Black and red Paper Pleats furniture by Pao Hui Kao
Kao applies colour pigments and Urushi lacquer to the works

Kao recently developed a technique of coating her paper structures with colour pigments and Urushi, a type of Japanese lacquer, to highlight the crinkled surfaces.

In contrast with earlier works in the Paper Pleats series, which have a more ethereal quality, the coloured Paper Pleats pieces are highly graphic in appearance.

Kao’s choice of colours includes rich shades of red and blue, as well as black, which she applies with a self-made tool.

Pao Hui Kao adding colour to her Paper Pleats furniture
The designer has made her own tool for applying the finishes

“Alongside school, I also studied Chinese ink drawing from the age of 10, mixing it with other materials like oil in a very creative way,” the designer said.

“Urushi lacquer is similar to Chinese ink; it allows for creating thickness in successive lines like an imaginary calligraphy,” she continued.

25 Seasons, Pao Hui Kao, Solo Show at Spazio Nobile Gallery
The exhibition is one show at Spazio Nobile Gallery in Brussels

“I don’t use a brush like in Chinese ink drawing but a paper tool that I specially created to trace the colour lines or paint my pieces,” she added.

Kao’s first experimented with paper constructions while she was studying at Design Academy Eindhoven. Still based in the Dutch city, she has continued working with the material since graduating in 2016.

25 Seasons, Pao Hui Kao, Solo Show at Spazio Nobile Gallery
The exhibition includes Kao’s Lacquer Leafs and an uncoloured Paper Pleats lounge chair

She was first drawn to plant-based materials after discovering she was allergic to some of the chemical ingredients typically used to manufacture other types of materials.

In time, she learned to appreciate the sustainability and health benefits of working with natural, non-toxic materials.

Speaking to Dezeen in 2020, at her first exhibition with Spazio Nobile, she told Dezeen: “From my personal experiences of collaborating with eco-friendly industries, I was aware how a small decision made by designers could affect not only the manufacturing process but a whole recycling system.”

For this exhibition, Kao has also unveiled new versions of her Lacquer Leafs.

Similar to the Paper Pleats works, these curved paintings are made by soaking crepe paper in rice glue to create the shape, then building alternate layers of Urushi lacquer and colour pigments on top.

Process of applying Urushi lacquer and color pigments
Lacquer Leafs are also made using Urushi and colour pigments

One installation features 25 of these paintings, displaying different colours that relate to different times of the year.

They reference the lunisolar calendar used in Asian countries, with one extra season added to the standard 24.

Pao Hui Kao making her Lacquer Leafs
These works can take several months to make

“The gestation time for the work is very long, especially for the Lacquer Leafs, which require weeks or even months for the 25 successive layers of Urushi lacquer and natural pigment to solidify before being spontaneously sanded and left to dry,” said Kao.

“Depending on the climate, the result will always be different and unpredictable.”

Other recent paper installations include the Takeo packaging exhibition, which aimed to highlight the “unique sensory properties” of Japanese paper.

25 Seasons, Landscapes of Paper and Lacquer is on show at Spazio Nobile Gallery in Brussels from 24 November 2023 to 17 March 2024. See Dezeen Events Guide for more architecture and design events around the world.

The post Colour highlights the crinkled surfaces of Pao Hui Kao’s paper furniture appeared first on Dezeen.

DON’T buy Apple’s MagSafe Wallet… This one is MUCH better and it’s half the price

I’ve always believed that tech giants are great at making devices… not accessories. You’re much better off buying an iPhone case from Spigen, hubs from Satechi, and charging gear from Anker rather than directly from Apple, Google, or Samsung. Third-party designers and makers usually take creativity and innovation much more seriously than the large companies driven by profit, which is why I’d never recommend buying a MagSafe wallet from Apple. The DuoFlip, on the other hand, is exactly the same size but is vastly better in comparison. It too holds two cards, but with a unique flippable mechanism that lets you make a card of your choice face outwards. This is great for easy-access, but also makes the DuoFlip perfect for tapping on POS devices and RFID readers without needing to take the card out of your wallet. The two cards sit in individual pockets, separated by an RFID-blocking liner. That means only the card that’s facing outside gets tapped during payments or access approval. Moreover, one of the card slots comes with a clear window, making it perfect for storing ID cards. Plus, if all that wasn’t enough to convince you, the flipping mechanism can also be used as a kickstand, giving you the ability to prop-up your phone in landscape or in portrait modes.

Designer: Stella Chang Chien of SleekStrip

Click Here to Buy Now: $28 $40 (30% off). Hurry, only 18/200 left!

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Sure, the DuoFlip presents a great alternative to Apple’s MagSafe Wallet, but take it out of Apple’s shadow and you see that it’s a pretty nifty design on its own too. It solves the problem of needing to dig around in your pockets or bag for cards, and eliminates the need for a second card to hang around your neck if your workplace demands it. The two cards slide right into the DuoFlip which snaps satisfyingly onto the back of your MagSafe-capable iPhone (or any phone with the MagSafe sticker).

Flipping between cards is easy to the point of being addictive. The magnets inside the DuoFlip offer just the right amount of resistance that allows you to flip sides in under a second. The two sides have their distinct advantages. One is completely opaque, making it perfect for payment cards, while the other one comes with a clear window that’s well-suited for ID cards. Place your cards in and you’re ready to go. The card that’s facing outwards can be used to tap on terminals, whether they’re for making payments or for registering access/entry. A liner in the middle blocks the hidden card from being read, so there’s never an accidental tap of the wrong card.

Moreover, flip the ‘flap’ halfway and it doubles as a nifty stand for your phone. Sure, it won’t rival an actual stand or tripod, but it’s honestly a perfect easter egg for the wallet, giving it a great added feature that everyone’s sure to love… and people with Apple MagSafe wallets are sure to miss…

The DuoFlip has a sleek, slim design, which means it’s easy to slide into your pocket along with your phone. However, if you’d like to have the wallet more accessible, the folks at SleekStrip also designed a lanyard that attaches to the DuoFlip, letting you wear it around your neck like your standard lanyard ID. Keep the windowed card facing outwards for ease-of-use, but the second you step out for a meal or a quick coffee, flip to the payment card to make quick tap payments.

The adjustable-length lanyard can be used with the DuoFlip wallet, or even your phone thanks to a quick attachment that sandwiches itself between your phone and case. Although I probably wouldn’t want to wear my phone around my neck, that’s an option available to people who want their smart devices to be even more accessible than being right in their pockets or as crossbody.

Each DuoFlip wallet comes crafted from vegan leather, with a plastic back that houses the wallet’s N52 rare-earth magnets in the MagSafe array. A proprietary 6-layer anti-interference partition sits between both cards, allowing for accurate tapping every time, and the wallet’s flipping mechanism is tested to last over 100,000 flips (that’s 27 years worth of flips if you flip 10 times every day).

The wallet comes in black, brown, and gray color variants, and starts at a discounted $28… that’s less than half the price of Apple’s $59 MagSafe Wallet.

Click Here to Buy Now: $28 $40 (30% off). Hurry, only 18/200 left!

The post DON’T buy Apple’s MagSafe Wallet… This one is MUCH better and it’s half the price first appeared on Yanko Design.

Nature-inspired pendant lamps add a minimalist and intricate aesthetic to your space

One of the things that can make your space look more elegant, stylish, and beautiful is to have lamps that will complement and enhance the room. There are a lot of well-designed lamps, light fixtures, and chandeliers out there that you can choose from and there’s always room for more. If you’re looking for something a bit more minimalist but still will stand out when you place it in your room, here are a couple of pendant lamps from Claymango.

Designer: Gamini Rawal for Claymango

The Lily Pendant Lamp is of course inspired by the Lily flower and is designed to represent “love, devotion, and purity”. It streamlines the six petals into just three, achieving a minimalist and simple aesthetic. It also has an eco-friendly finish as it uses rattan as its main material. It can stand alone as just one pendant lamp or you can group it together with other lily lamps if you need something bigger. It can be used for both task and area lighting.

The Spiral Pendant Lamp meanwhile is inspired by the rhythmic movements that the fishes make when they’re looking for food in the ocean. Therefore you get some swirls and twisty forms but still with a minimalist aesthetic, using its bamboo weave design to blend with neutral and boho feels. The fixtures that are designed as a pair can serve both as pendant lamps and chandeliers with the light suspended through the cylindrical diffuser.

These pendant lamps are minimalist but also somehow slightly intricate in design. If you have an aesthetic that fits the lily concept or the spiral concept, these would be a pretty nice addition to the room (if ever they will come out of the concept stage) as they are both functional and decorative.

The post Nature-inspired pendant lamps add a minimalist and intricate aesthetic to your space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Jackery’s Latest Rooftop Tent for your Camper also has a set of 1000W Solar Panels for off-grid travel

In a blend of sustainable energy and outdoor adventure, Jackery is redefining the concept of off-grid living with its latest innovation: a rooftop tent that doubles as a powerful solar generator. Debuting at CES this year, this 1000W system, featuring retractable solar panels, is not just a fleeting showcase but a promising reality set to enter production in the latter part of 2024. Positioned atop a pickup, the tent unfurls to reveal a sizable solar array, angling gracefully toward the sun. The retractable panels are designed to generate up to 4.96kWh daily in the sunny western U.S., diminishing slightly to 4kWh as one travels eastward. While details about its wind resilience are pending, the focus, for now, is on its remarkable energy-harnessing capability.

Designer: Jackery

Rooftop tents equipped with solar panels aren’t novel, but Jackery’s approach is. Traditional setups often rely on lightweight, flexible panels that don’t fully utilize the available surface area, leading to suboptimal energy conversion. Jackery changes the game by covering the entire roof with solar cells and extending them outward, ensuring maximum power generation and neatly integrating the necessary wiring to feed the Jackery power station.

The concept feeds into a separate 1.26kWh E1000 Plus power station, boasting 2000W of AC output, enough to power a range of appliances from a portable air conditioner to an electric cooker. Interestingly, the E1000 Plus isn’t just sun-dependent; it can also recharge from your car or a wall jack, offering flexibility for various travel scenarios.

Beyond power, the tent promises comfort and convenience. It’s equipped with a memory foam mattress, insulation, dimmable and color-controllable lighting, and waterproof fabric with blackout windows. The promise of an “onboard charging module” in the production version adds a layer of anticipation to what’s already an exciting proposition.

As Jackery prepares to bring this concept to life, outdoor enthusiasts and tech aficionados alike wait with bated breath. The company’s innovation not only offers a greener way to travel but also promises a blend of comfort and convenience that’s often lacking in off-grid adventures. While we await more details and the eventual roll-out in Q4, one thing is clear: the future of outdoor living looks a lot brighter, and it’s powered by the sun.

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Charming hand warmer gives a very literal interpretation of a hotdog

The holidays might be over but some regions are still experiencing the bitter bite of winter or cold weather. Over the centuries, we humans have developed methods to keep ourselves warm, from layering clothing to electronic devices that generate heat. Nowadays, we even have both in the form of wearable technologies that keep our bodies warm and toasty. Sometimes, however, the best solution is one that not only actually solves the problem but also sparks joy. That’s the kind of warmth that this concept device delivers both without and within, warming our hands and our hearts by calling to mind man’s stereotypical best friend.

Designer: MUID

There are a few things in life that make us smile and feel all warm and fuzzy, things such as hot drinks, photos and memorabilia, or our beloved furry companions. Dogs aren’t just naturally warm thanks to their body heat, their companionship and sometimes even their silly antics surface feelings of happiness that can heat us up inside and out. If only we could recreate that experience anytime and anywhere we feel cold.

The Hotdog Hand Warmer is indeed designed to address that desire. Admittedly, it’s not easy to see the resemblance immediately, but once you see the cute dog’s face, you can never unsee it ever again. It doesn’t look like any of those breeds that instantly elicit oohs and aahs, but the simple, almost cartoony face has a more universal appeal. Plus, it’s something that people of all ages will actually be able to appreciate, especially kids who have little to no idea about different breeds.

Of course, it isn’t just a toy to look at, and the literal “hot dog” functions as an easy-to-use hand warmer. It can be charged via USB from a power bank or even a smartphone, making it easily portable and usable anywhere. There’s a simple slider to switch between off and two heat settings to suit your needs and comfort levels. One might wonder why the dog’s ear or nose doesn’t function as buttons for the same purpose, but that’s probably for safety reasons since you’re likely to accidentally press on them when holding the warmer tight.

This Hotdog Hand Warmer concept design isn’t exactly revolutionary, but it’s a fine example of how one can easily humanize even the most mundane or utilitarian of products. Making it resemble something most humans are universally fond of helps drive home the device’s purpose, delivering warmth that isn’t only palpable but also emotional.

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