Whenever I visit a new international city for the first time, I try to look if they have a giant ferris wheel and if I can, I take a ride on it to get the best view of the city. So far, the best ones I’ve been on are the Singapore Flyer and the Budapest Eye. Of course I have a lot more to go as I haven’t been to places like the London Eye, High Roller, Dubai Eye, etc. It looks like I’ll be adding something new to my list in one of my favorite cities in the world: a landmark giant ferris wheel is coming to Seoul soon.

Designer: UNStudio

The Seoul Twin Eye will start construction sometime in 2025 and when finished, it will be the world’s tallest spokeless one with its planned 180 meters high structure. Aside from its height, it has a pretty unique design as it will have two intersecting rings that will carry pods going around both tracks. It can hold as many as 1,400 tourists at the same time, with 20-25 people fitting in each of the 64 capsules. This is actually double of what the London Eye is able to accommodate and currently it is one of the largest in the world.

The planned ferris wheel will be located on the edge of the Han River as part pf a 40-meter high cultural complex which Seoul is hoping to develop as part of public spaces for residents and tourists. Not only will you be able to ride such a huge ferris wheel but you’ll also get the best panoramic views of the city. The design is actually inspired by the Honcheonsigye, an astronomical clock that represents celestial objects moving through time.

Aside from the Seoul Twin Eye, there’s a proposal to also construct a monorail to have a direct connection from the subway station to the ferris wheel site. There is also a proposed zip line within the complex for those who prefer a much more adventurous experience, although it’s unclear if it will be connected to the ferris wheel directly. One thing’s for sure, once it is launched, it will add to the beauty and charm of Seoul and will become a must-see destination for locals and tourists alike.

The post Tallest spokeless ferris wheel to be constructed in Seoul first appeared on Yanko Design.

Wireless chargers are all the rage these days, taking on different shapes, sizes, and functions. Some are simple flat beds for your phone and accessories to lie on, while others raise the design a bit higher, literally, with stands that magnetically hold your devices up. The one common trait that these products have is that they mostly lean towards minimalist design trends, which is good for keeping a clean and tidy look but bad for missed opportunities. Minimalist or not, that wireless charger will still take up some space on your desk or shelf, so why not let it serve another purpose, like this rather simple yet elegant desk clock that does more than just charge your phone; it also tells you to take a break and charge yourself as well.

Designer: Nihoy Lahiri

Although they still need to make contact with a flat surface, wireless chargers, especially the magnetic variety, opened up new possibilities for designs. No longer tied down by charging cables, the only limits are creativity, imagination, and, of course, the laws of physics and electronics. Transforming a charging pad into something that has use even when it’s not charging a phone is a smart way of making use of space, which is what Zenith tries to offer with a subtle spiritual purpose behind its design as well.

Even without a phone, Zenith already looks like a decorative piece that calls your attention not just to the actual clock but also to its design. The gentle curves of its body convey a more organic and less daunting image compared to something that looks completely angular and mechanical, like what many desk clocks look like. The translucent material makes the entire structure look ephemeral and almost mystical, adding to the spiritual character of the design.

The arch-shaped void at the bottom is where you will let your phone lie while it charges. The empty space is a perfect contrast to the roundness and whiteness of the clock above it. It’s a small version of a Yin Yang composition that further enhances the design’s otherworldly appeal. Zenith’s deeper message, however, goes beyond its aesthetic.

By combining a wireless charger with a timekeeping piece, people will be forced to look at the clock every time they lay down the phone to recharge. It visually nudges their mind to take stock of their own internal battery levels, giving them pause and practicing a little bit of mindfulness. With the clock positioned above the smartphone rather than the other way around, it gives a subtle reminder that time should have a higher importance in our lives than tools. It is the zenith, so to speak, that guides our lives, not the phones that, more often than not, send us on a downward spiral of distractions.

The post Beautiful wireless charger concept reminds you to take some time off first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dezeen School Shows: the rebranded identity of a sushi restaurant that was impacted by closures during the Covid 19 pandemic is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at The Graphic Design School.

Also featured brand identity scheme for a company specialising in outdoor footwear and a campaign that aims to help raise awareness about dwindling bee populations.

The Graphic Design School

Institution: The Graphic Design School
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

School statement:

“The CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design course is a comprehensive graphic design qualification designed for those who aspire to become skilled designers.

“This online and intensive course covers 12 modules, focusing on a blend of ‘old school’ and ‘new school’ techniques, ensuring a deep understanding of design culture and practical skills.

“Whether you seek a formal qualification or prefer to enhance your skills, this course offers flexibility.

“The course is self-paced, allowing students up to 15 months to complete.”

Good and Tasty by Zoe Morton

“In an ever-growing non-alcoholic drinks industry, I embarked on a journey to craft something that truly captures the essence of enjoying life without the need for alcohol.

“This project is all about communicating the idea that choosing non-alcoholic beverages allows you to have the best of both worlds – having fun in the evening and waking up early in the morning for activities like surfing or hiking without the burden of a hangover.

“To bring this concept to life, I employed bold and playful hand-drawn elements throughout the branding, aiming to convey the feel-good experience of consuming non-alcoholic drinks.”

Student: Zoe Morton
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

Hakata Gensuke by Aimee Li

“The goal for this project was to create a contemporary logo for an established ramen restaurant. The bold pictograph logo aims to attract new customers while retaining the restaurant’s Japanese origins and authenticity.

“The imperfect noodle spacing in the logo reflects homemade and authentic qualities. I chose appetite-stimulating colours for vibrancy, nodding to Japan’s cultural symbolism.”

Student: Aimee Li
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

Juicy Lightning by Pia Rawlins

“The Juicy Lightning product line was designed to appeal to casual energy drink consumers seeking lower sugar content and more natural flavours and ingredients.

“This target audience is health-conscious and often prefers organic products when available. The colour palette comprises bright and pleasant pastels, creating an aesthetically pleasing rainbow effect.”

Student: Pia Rawlins
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

Java Love by Angel Nicholson

“The goal of this project was to create a new, repurposed logo and identity that would enable the Kenyan coffee company, Java Love, to compete effectively in the retail environment.

“They aim to blend in on shelves with their competitors while retaining the authentic Kenyan spirit of their brand.”

Student: Angel Nicholson
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

Rizen by Cherise Vecchio

“Based on the East Coast of Australia, Rizen offers botanical solutions as a natural alternative for pain relief and comfort.

“Unlike similar brands in the market, Rizen breaks away from typical branding, aiming for an elevated, high-end presence.”

Student: Cherise Vecchio
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

Java Love by Alana Rose Mercuri

“I aimed to create a harmonious, bold, and vibrant packaging design concept for a Kenyan coffee brand.

“This concept would be applied to a range of products, including ground coffee bags, compostable takeaway cups, paper bags and coasters.”

Student: Alana Rose Mercuri
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design
Email: heynana.design[at]gmail.com

Interior Jungle by Michelle Ritchie

“This project focused on the brand identity, print and layout design for Interior Jungle, a UK-based startup offering professional interior design services.

“Like a jungle, interior design can be overwhelming. The brand identity takes inspiration from tropical jungles, reflecting the values of elegance, professionalism and fun.”

Student: Michelle Ritchie
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

Bee the Cure by Pamela Cook

“Bee the Cure is a campaign about saving the honeybee from extermination. By creating striking posters and billboards, I aimed to capture attention and spread awareness.

“Physical products like coffee cups, tote bags and t-shirts help to expand the campaign’s reach.”

Student: Pamela Cook
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

Treds by Siana Thompson

“Treds is a fresh e-commerce venture specialising in stylish and robust outdoor footwear. The logo features striking, contrasting colours and dynamic elements to symbolise movement and walking.

“I have selected an organic typeface to set the brand apart from competitors who tend to use traditional fonts.”

Student: Siana Thompson
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

The Maki House by Gib Phimong

“This project proposes a visual identity design scheme for a sushi restaurant named The Maki House. After a challenging closure during the pandemic, The Maki House is ready to welcome sushi enthusiasts once more.

“Before their eagerly awaited grand reopening, they sought a much-needed facelift to rejuvenate their brand.”

Student: Gib Phimong
Course: CUA40720 Certificate IV in Design

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and The Graphic Design School. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Ten branding schemes by students at The Graphic Design School appeared first on Dezeen.

Who knew refrigerators were so fancy in the 1960s? This is a General Electric ‘fridge, reportedly from 1963. It’s got metal shelves that pivot outwards for access…

…that are easily height-adjustable…

…and apparently plenty strong:

Additionally, there’s a deep Lazy Susan on the bottom, with the bins removable for cleaning:

As well as a bottom freezer with a sliding shelf:

Full video:

As you can see by the receipt in the video, this refrigerator retailed for $497. In 2024 dollars, that’s $4,982! These days you can buy a pretty good and feature-rich refrigerator for less than $2,000. Perhaps inflation, over the long term, isn’t as bad as we thought.

A laundry basket should be something you buy once. It should be durable, easy to use and inoffensive to look at. Here’s mine, a family hand-me-down from the 1980s made by Rubbermaid. It has stood the test of time and survived two teething puppies. But while physically intact, it appears filthy and resists cleaning; the plastic has not aged well.

Look at the handle placement, on the short sides. This basic design for a laundry basket does not take an obvious reality into account. Because most of us do not shed our dirty clothes in the same room that the washing machine is located in, we must carry laundry through doorways, often multiple ones, to get to the washing machine. At 25″ wide, if held by the handles this basket cannot be carried through a 30″-wide door opening without knuckle- and shoulder-scraping, unless one turns sideways. This is not a Herculean feat, but is a minor annoyance.

Here’s a Sterilite laundry basket from 1992, the photo having been posted on the Buy It For Life subReddit as testament to its durability:

Image: Mcgaritydotme

It has held up far better and has a more sensible four handles rather than two. Held from the handles on the long ends, it is easier to carry this basket through a doorway.

Both of the basket designs above have a central design flaw that the one below solves. This is Sterilite’s modern-day HipHold laundry basket:

The three-handled design, along with the curved non-handled side, makes it comfortable to hold the basket one-handed and braced against one’s hip.

This is a much more intelligent design because, crucially, it leaves one hand free to open doors. Other baskets, designed to be carried with two hands, require you to put the basket down for each door you must open. (Because of the way my house is laid out, I need to go through three doors to get to the laundry, so I tend to notice these things.)

Rubbermaid has a similar offering with their Hip-Hugger.

Finally, this stacking design below takes another minor laundry hassle into account: Sorting.

The handles can be pivoted inwards, and then register in grooves on the bottom of the next basket, allowing them to stack. This takes up less space in a laundry room, whether for separating whites and colors or individual family members’ laundry.

The downsides to the stacking design: It adds a level of manufacturing complexity–and thus cost–with the pivoting handles (this design retails for $15, versus the $12 for the HipHold). And it doesn’t offer the ease of holding the basket against one’s hip.

Just a reminder that there is still room for design improvement in an object that has been around for decades and that most families probably own.