Wheelchair users cannot bring their personal wheelchairs onto airplanes. Instead they must check them as luggage, a logistics hassle that means they must be transported onto and off of the airplane in an additional wheelchair provided by the airport. It also leaves the risk that the personal wheelchair will be damaged or worse, lost in transit.

Andrea Mocellin, a Munich-based transportation designer who’s worked on everything from cars to jets, learned of this inconvenience. He subsequently designed this Revolve wheelchair, which can be folded down to fit into the overhead bin on an airplane:

“I started with the development of the folding wheel, which I personally financed and prototyped over several years of tests and trials,” Mocellin writes. “The resulting foldable wheelchair [can make] a significant impact on the lives of people with mobility impairments, providing them with greater freedom and flexibility when traveling by air.”

Mocellin founded a company, Revolve, to commercialize the design, and it was successfully crowdfunded last year; however, the campaign was subsequently canceled, in order for the company to “explore different avenues to offer our product to the world.”

At press time the company’s website was still active, but offers little more than a product description and a contact button, with no mention of production plans. Just a reminder that industrial design is always lashed to the complexities of the business world.

We’re quite used to buying gifts for our loved ones – from our romantic partners to family members and our beloved friends. We spend precious time picking out the perfect present for them, ensuring they don’t get disappointed, and truly like what we select for them. But how often do we actually spend time and money picking thoughtful little presents for ourselves? Not a lot of time, right? Well, it is time you pamper yourself, and if you don’t have plenty of free time on your hands, worry not, we’ve curated a collection of functional and fulfilling products for you! These well-designed and clever products will make for wonderful self-gifts. Not only are they high-value, but they’re also well-priced, and visually appealing.

1. LEGO Tetris

Sometimes the best form of self-care is taking some time off from your hectic day, and indulging in a whimsical game or two. This LEGO Ideas set is a tribute to the world’s most influential digital game – the Tetris. Designed by LEGO builder ‘victorvey300′, the LEGO set celebrates Tetris’ 40th anniversary and features a box with a lid that serves as the game’s screen. It takes you back down memory lane, with a container filled with bricks, controls on the bottom right, and a leaderboard on the top right.

Why is it noteworthy?

This unique LEGO build has a lot of attention to detail on it. It is a vault-shaped kit with cool Tetris graphics and branding on the outside, while the inside is filled to the brim with features and various details which allow 6 players to game a whole game of Tetris. The box also features brick generators which tell you what the next brick should be.

What we like

• Lets you play a refreshing version of the iconic game

What we dislike

• You need to select each brick’s orientation and position yourself before you drop it into the channel

2. Elevate Stand (For CD Cover/Jacket Player)

If you own the Portable CD Cover Player or CD Jacket Player, then you may want to get your hands on the Elevate Stand as well. The minimal and compact stand is designed to hold your Portable CD Cover Player or CD Jacket Player. You can use the stand to display these products in an effortless and timeless fashion. It is essentially a sleek L-shaped aluminum stand with an elegant silver finish.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The classy-looking stand will add an element of contemporary elegance to your home. It is ideal for windowsills, shelves, or any spot where you can’t wall-mount the players. It serves as a clever product that adds flexibility and style to how you choose to enjoy your music.

What we like

• Has a chic and contemporary look that suits modern homes

What we dislike

• It is only available in one finish option, and there is no scope for personalization

3. Japanese Lantern Candle

After a long day at work, sometimes I just love to sink into a warm bath, with a lovely little candle giving me company, and offering illumination. If this sounds like the perfect experience for you, then you may want to add the Japanese Lantern Candle to your self-care session. This pretty little lantern is inspired by the traditional Japanese ‘chouchin’ lantern, and has a lovely pillar form.

Click Here to Buy Now: $69

Why is it noteworthy?

The candle is designed to be a modern and elegant version of an age-old iconic Japanese lantern design. It radiates a surreal and calming glow while showcasing a minimal and compact design language that will complement different interior styles. The Japanese Candle Lantern is handcrafted by artisans in Kurashiki, Japan.

What we like

• The outer wax is quite a handle and doesn’t melt easily, forming a clear body on the candle

What we dislike

• Since it has an open flame, it is a fire hazard and must be used around kids and pets with care and caution

4. Sony Walkman MW-A306

Meet the Sony Walkman MW-A306, a neat Walkman device that delivers high-quality digital music in dynamic range, with original records guaranteed. It is designed to upscale compressed music files from streaming services in real time to provide CD-like audio playback that you can enjoy in your leisure time.

Why is it noteworthy?

You can enjoy CD-like music through headphones or wireless earbuds, creating a music-listening experience that feels authentic and seamless. It features Edge-AI and DSEE Ultimate technology, which allows the Walkman to compress files with complete accuracy and in real-time.

What we like

• Has a richer and more dynamic music playback
• Elevates the user experience on any streaming service of your choice

What we dislike

• Equipped with only 18GB available space to store your favorite tracks

5. Unfiltered Titanium Whisky Glass

This beautiful glass is called the Unfiltered Titanium Whisky Glass, and it is inspired by metallic hues, creating a rather mesmerizing light and color interplay. The glass offers a lovely visual experience since it has a 1/f fluctuating pattern that resembles a murmuring stream. It is built from pure titanium, enhancing your drinking experience, and making for the perfect self-gift.

Click Here to Buy Now: $65.00

Why is it noteworthy?

It is made using cutting-edge technology which builds an interesting color play. The glass is biocompatible and safe, in fact, even more than platinum or glass. It is resistant to odors and stains and maintains long-term hygiene.

What we like

• Utilizes advanced space development technology

What we dislike

• You cannot see how much you’re pouring, or how much liquid is in the glass from far, as it is a solid glass

6. MagSnap Wallet

Called the MagSnap Wallet, this wallet has a magnetic and modular design, that lets you attach extra modules, allowing your wallet to hold more cards, cash, or even EDC tools. It is sleek and can be docked on the back of your iPhone, to enable easy carrying. It features an all-metal design and is RFID-blocking as well, something that Apple’s MagSafe wallet doesn’t have either.

Why is it noteworthy?

However, the MagSnap Wallet isn’t MagSafe compatible, it comes along with a magnet-enabled iPhone case or an adhesive MagSnap plate which you can attach to your phone. “Our magnet array and locking pin are much stronger than MagSafe”, say the designers at OhSnap.

What we like

• You can attach extra modules giving your wallet a cool storage upgrade
• A digitally secure product, owing to its RFID-blocking abilities

What we dislike

• Has a slightly less streamlined approach than Apple, which may not be preferred by some users

7. Couch Console

We’ve found the perfect gift for you – to gift yourself! This is the Couch Console the perfect product to hold your snacks and drinks and ensure they remain intact, as you sit and binge-watch your favorite show. There is something so comforting, wholesome, and yet extremely functional about this clever design. You need it in your living room!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Couch Console includes a cupholder that contains a mechanical gyroscope with a counterweight to keep your drinks safe and secure on different surfaces. It also features a clever little compartment to store knick-knacks, as well as a phone stand, snack holder, charging dock, and a dedicated remote tray.

What we like

• Features a modular design, letting you customize the layout according to your needs
• Features a USB C hub to hold the battery and juice up your phone

What we dislike

• The design is quite bulky and space-consuming, we would have preferred smaller and more compact configurations as well

8. Bookish Bookmark

Named the Bookish Bookmark, this clever little product lets you enjoy a hands-free reading session, keeping your book open, without you resorting to any uncomfortable workarounds. Since it keeps your book open and accessible for you, you don’t need to hold your place using something heavy and bulky. It features a transparent design for anyone who likes to follow cookbooks or has a constant vision of their favorite books.

Click Here to Buy Now: $65

Why is it noteworthy?

The Bookish Bookmark is ideal for you if you also like to showcase your prized books in your home. Since it has a transparent form, you can keep your book wide open, and let it serve as a visually appealing component to your desk, bookshelf, or coffee table.

What we like

• You can display your favorite books in a visually appealing and tidy manner

What we dislike

• The bookmark may be too big for small books, and not preferred by people who like discreet and subtle bookmarks

9. OutIn Nano

Dubbed the OutIn Nano, this little flask-shaped product helps you prepare a hot cup of coffee anywhere, and anytime. The espresso maker can be used indoors, outdoors, or even up in the sky! You simply need to pull out a shot of espresso, prepare a cuppa, and enjoy a steaming cup of coffee without any worries.

Why is it noteworthy?

The OutIn Nano also includes its own water heater, so it warms up the water while brewing your coffee. This simplifies the process for you, and you don’t need to prepare anything except an empty cup, and your wish to make some freshly brewed coffee!

What we like

• It is a portable espresso maker, so you can carry it wherever you like
• Equipped with an easy-to-use single-button interface to prepare your coffee

What we dislike

• The product takes a while to heat up between shots

10. Wooden Pen Holder

Called the Wooden Pen Holder, this block of wood is the perfect little holder to store your powerful pen. There is something truly fascinating and satisfying about picking up a pen and putting your thoughts and ideas on paper. This pen holder adorns your desk, adding an element of tasteful elegance to it while storing your pen.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45.00

Why is it noteworthy?

The pen holder is essentially a wooden block, and it is quite simple and unassuming, yet quite beautiful, as minimal designs tend to be. It is built from genuine maple wood, and each piece is marked with unique grains and patterns, making them all special, and of course one-of-a-kind.

What we like

• Features a gently curving depression that can hold any pen with a standard-size
• Minimalist and compact design ethos

What we dislike

• It occupies precious real estate on a bench that cannot be adjusted/reduced

The post 10 Best Self-Gifts You’ll Love: From Tech to Wellness first appeared on Yanko Design.

The world is filled with many things that have the potential to become materials for creating products, and yet we still prefer typical materials like plastics, metal, or wood. Not all of these are sustainable, and those that are sustainable aren’t always easily renewable or require a lot of energy to process or recycle. Admittedly, looking for alternative sources of materials isn’t an easy task, but once in a while, we come across a promising solution both in terms of sustainability and beauty. This rope light and Ikebana vase, for example, are already quite striking in their unique shapes, but they are made even more significant by the fact that they are made using a biodegradable material based on one of the most common and simplest kind of plant on the planet: algae.

Designer: Su Yang Choi

One of the problems with supposedly more sustainable or recyclable materials is that the process of making or treating them isn’t always sustainable, requiring more energy and water than usual. In contrast, this algae-based material isn’t treated with harmful chemicals, has reduced energy consumption during manufacturing, and can easily be shaped using heat. Even better, leftover scraps from the production process can be collected and recycled to reduce material waste at every step.

While the material itself is quite impressive, putting it to good use is the real test. For this purpose, a pair of everyday objects were made not just to demonstrate the usability of this algae-based material but also to show off the complicated designs that can be made with it. And nothing can perhaps be more complicated than knots, especially the beautiful traditional Korean knots known as Maedeup.

This knotting is best exemplified in this Ikebana vase that loops around itself a couple of times in an almost random fashion, symbolizing the unpredictability and cyclical nature of life. In addition to this rather intriguing structure, the biodegradable material used here is mixed with coffee grounds, another sustainable material, to give it that earthy brown color.

On the opposite end of the color spectrum is a long string lamp that uses the algae-based material in a four-faced linear braid that wraps around a flexible LED strip. This segmented structure was inspired by Korean stone pagodas that rise in majesty and grandeur, characteristics carried by this string lamp. These two objects, part of the Slow series of artworks, embody the ingenuity and creativity that spring from combining modern material science and traditional craftsmanship to produce breathtaking designs that do no harm to the planet in return.

The post Algae-based material and traditional Korean braiding turn into striking lights, vases first appeared on Yanko Design.

A flavorful liquid from a brand on a mission to redefine the category

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Food + Drink

Interview: Sake ONO’s CEO, Lana Buchanan

A flavorful liquid from a brand on a mission to redefine the category

Mike Tommasiello

2 July 2024

Rarely, outside of Japan and other Asian nations, do people consider sake as something to be enjoyed casually or even outside of a culinary or omakase experience—let alone as a mixer for a cocktail. Enter Sake ONO and their debut Junmai Daiginjo. On a mission to redefine the alcohol category, Sake ONO has set out to create the first international “modern lifestyle” sake brand while introducing new consumers to the world of this versatile liquid. We sat down with Lana Buchanan, the CEO at Sake ONO, who is steering the brand toward their mission to make sake everyone’s favorite drink.

What differentiates Sake ONO from other premium sakes on the market? 

Sake is truly an art form; we believe that each brewery and sake is unique in its offering. For our core offering, we partnered with Yoshi No Gawa, a brewery from Niigata, Japan that was founded in 1548. They kindly created a Junmai Daiginjo for us that delivered on the key profile expected of the style—honeydew, lemon peel, white flower and green apple—notes with an umami backbone. There’s also our unique twist, a crisp and clean finish without any residual sweetness. It creates a liquid that pairs beautifully with everything from oysters to charcuterie. That same finish is what allows for Sake ONO to stand out in classic cocktails like a Martini or a Negroni.

What type of emotions are you trying to evoke in enthusiasts and what’s your favorite way to drink it?

We want to be a nice surprise. There is nothing more exciting than seeing someone try our product neat in a white wine glass or in a cocktail. The moment they taste and say “I never thought of sake like this” is one of the best reactions we can have. To be part of a moment of discovery is rare, and something that connects you to the consumer. My favorite way to drink it is chilled in a white wine glass. The tapered shape concentrates the aromas, so you get the full impact of the notes as well as a great way to experience the color and clarity of the sake. 

What does it mean to create the first “modern lifestyle” sake brand?  

Our goal is to build a brand that connects. It’s every brand’s mission to mean more to their consumer than just the basic offering, to become something they are proud to share with friends and think of as part of their repertoire. This takes time, consistency and dedication. You have to show up across your consumer’s ecosystem in both expected and unexpected ways and deliver a great experience each time. So, our focus right now is offering an award-winning product, surprising consumers with great cocktails and pairings, and overall bringing our sake to a new audience across our markets.

How do you see sake continuing to expand across the world? 

Sake already has a global presence driven by the popularity of Japanese cuisine. What we see is an evolution of sake beyond the traditional sushi bar, driven by the popularity of fusion concepts and trade interest in lower ABV alternatives for white spirit-based cocktails. This opens the door for sake to enter new restaurant concepts and bars. While growth continues in developed markets outside of Asia—like the US, Canada and the UK—we believe that there will be more opportunity in Europe and South America in the future.

Tell us a little more about the history of the brand and how you came to be involved. 

The brand was the dream of our founding families for over 10 years. They spent a lot of time thinking about the opportunity and how they could bring the amazing experiences that they had in Japan to a broader audience in the US. I was introduced to the founders several years ago through a former colleague and we proceeded to talk every few months about their progress and ideas. With every conversation, I grew more and more excited about the idea and their vision. After 17 years in the industry, to be part of something that can redefine a space or bring innovation is rare. Last fall, we decided that I would join the team to lead the company and develop the launch—which finally happened this April. It’s been a fast paced nine months, but we are all very excited for the brand to finally be in front of consumers and for the team that we are building at Sake ONO.

What can we expect from Sake ONO in the future?

We are going to stay focused on driving trial with our consumers across top bars and restaurants across our markets this summer. From The Lobster Club in New York to the Mayborne in Los Angeles. We are working on some great events and brand partnerships where we plan to pour Sake ONO for guests and surprise them with frozen serves that my team has been developing. In the coming year, we hope to bring another one or two styles to our portfolio that will continue to build on the Sake ONO experience. 

Your website has many strong cocktail recommendations. Which one is your favorite? 

Our team loves creating new cocktails. Would you believe we have over 50 more developed that aren’t up yet? I am a martini girl, so the Crisp Wit is definitely a personal favorite. It pairs perfectly with a steak or oysters and has approximately half the ABV of a classic martini, a perfect alternative for after work.

This year’s Glastonbury festival debuted stages constructed using reclaimed materials, from storm-felled trees and helicopters to pieces of Heathrow’s defunct Terminal 1. Here are five of the most interesting.

Budget constraints and tight deadlines have long meant that festivals reach for cheap plastics like polystyrene to decorate their stages – materials that are often difficult to recycle and live on in landfills for hundreds of years after fulfilling their purpose.

However, as the industry grapples with its impact on the planet, set designers are increasingly starting to reach for reused and reclaimed materials, which offer similar cost savings.

“With the festival now being powered entirely without the use of fossil fuels since 2023, it fosters an environment where it’s not just encouraging festivalgoers to leave no trace but stages and installations, too,” Pip Rush and Bert Cole, founders of Glastonbury’s Arcadia area, told Dezeen.

“We’ve definitely seen progress. Apart from anything, it’s just so exciting to know every single element has its own backstory to tell.”

Read on for five standout examples of new stages using old materials from this year’s festival.

Terminal 1 by Paula Clark Art Productions

Parts salvaged from Heathrow’s unused Terminal 1 were used to form Glastonbury’s newest area, where a roster of international artists have reimagined the airport experience to comment on pressing environmental and political issues from biodiversity loss to asylum policy.

Among the venues are a nightclub using the sound systems of London’s Notting Hill carnival, an air traffic control tower reimagined to marshal migratory birds and a Rwandan duty-free store, providing tongue-in-cheek commentary on the UK government’s plan to deport asylum seekers to Rwanda.

To see the contributions by artists including Turner Prize-winner Mark Wallinger, Rwandan photographer Jacques Nkinzingabo and Albanian artist Adrian Paci, festivalgoers had to answer a question from the official UK citizenship test.

Genosys by Block9

After half a decade of hibernation due to the pandemic and post-Covid budget restraints, Block9‘s towering 21-metre-tall Genosys stage has returned to the festival for the first time this year.

The structure, reminiscent of a post-apocalyptic Nakagin Capsule Tower, was meticulously rebuilt and refurbished over the course of a year in one of Glastonbury’s own recycling barns, its rotten framework replaced, facade repainted and any dead steel cut away and recycled.

Meanwhile, the salvaged 1970s coach that acted as its placeholder – first brought in for the live-streamed version of the festival in 2021 – now serves as a permanent home on site for Block9’s charitable partners, which receive all the admission fees of the area’s queer nightclub NYC Downlow.

The Dragonfly by Pip Rush and Bert Cole

Late-night arena Arcadia has retired the giant fire-breathing spider in favour of an animatronic dragonfly made from a retired Royal Navy helicopter, with digger arms for legs and lasers for wings.

The swivelling head, which holds the DJ booth, is clad in hexagonal LED panels that change colours to evoke iridescent insect eyes.

“Our goal is to reuse as much as is physically possible to create our installations, and we scour the world for parts, from jet engines to helicopters and harbour cranes,” said the Arcadia founders.

“The minute we found the decommissioned Sea King we knew we had something special on our hands. Working with repurposed materials means the design process is always led by the machines we find, and the form of the helicopter instantly fit as the body of the Dragonfly.”

 

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The Tree Stage by Lilith Piper

A knarled 300-year-old oak tree that fell during a storm in nearby Bruton was repurposed to act as the centrepiece of the open-air Tree Stage, set in the festival’s only wooded area known as Woodsies.

After being picked up by a local sawmill, the massive trunk was cut into threes so it could be transported to the site and reassembled upside down with its roots in the air to form a kind of reverse canopy.

Around the tree, 20 speakers were arranged into two concentric circles, creating a “quadraphonic audio” experience that immersed festivalgoers in the stage’s lineup of ambient and experimental music.

“Usually, a system is stereo and you stand in front of a pair of speakers,” said sound designer Jamie Harley. “With quadrophonic, the music surrounds you.”

“You can move around, and get a different sensation wherever you are.”

Assembly by Hidden Corners and Bristol Limbic Cinema

Glastonbury’s Silver Hayes area gained its first indoor venue this year with Assembly, where a dramatic dropped ceiling is animated by volumetric projections from design studio Limbic Cinema to create an intimate, sweaty atmosphere.

Creative duo Hidden Corners constructed Assembly’s entire base structure, including walls and core ceilings, using one of its former stage designs from Bristol festival Love Saves the Day.

The Wow stage, which formerly occupied the same spot, has been dismantled and its two-by-two timber battens repurposed elsewhere across the field.

“We recycle all of our sets, which actually makes our lives really hard,” said Silver Hayes creative director Rebecca Fitzgerald. “We have loads of containers of loads of sets. It’s like we’re hoarders with the biggest loft in the world, full of old timber, old flats, old everything.”

“I think Festivals 100 per cent prioritize that way more than a lot of other creative industries. It’s something that’s really important to us. We don’t use ever use glitter, we don’t use simple-use plastics.”

The post Five Glastonbury stages made from ex-military helicopters and other reused materials appeared first on Dezeen.