If you work in a business that needs to transport cargo but not that heavy that needs an actual truck, there are few options in the market that can fit that need. And of course if you’re looking for something that is eco-friendly and easy to manage and maintain, then of course the options become fewer. A German startup is offering something that operate like a mini HD truck but also seems like a pedaled dump truck.

Designer: Dynamic Drives Giessen

The Intelectra E-cargo bike is a four-wheeled, pedal-based tool that can work in cargo transport in urban areas. It is also easy to drive around in as it uses the INTELECTRIC drive system (iSHS) that turns your pedaling power into up to 250 Watts of electrical power to drive the 270-lb truck-cycle forward. So the driver will not be so stressed in “carrying” the cargo even as they pedal to their destination.

It actually looks like a regular bike or trike but with a rear cargo box with an aluminum frame at the back that is 4-foot-long, can carry up to 450kg (driver included) and can load up to 12 euro boxes. The square aluminum tubes are supported by tall, plastic-rimmed wheels. The pedal drive that extends past the wheelbase lets the driver sit upright as they power the bike through their pedaling.

The purely electric drive technology gives the Intelectra a maintenance-free system so there’s no need for things like oiling and less wear and tear. The drive system can go for 30,000 km without needing any maintenance. It can travel up to 93 km per charge while the battery can charge for an hour and a half. There are L and XL options with the latter being one euro crate width longer.

The post E-cargo bike lets you transfer cargo without much effort first appeared on Yanko Design.

Dezeen School Shows: a board game intending to preserve the traditional language of an indigenous Mexican community is included in Dezeen’s latest school show by students at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.

Also included is a table which is 3D-printed, made using coffee-based biomaterials. This school show also features a fashion collection which explores gender identity.

Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey

Institution: Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey
School: Architecture, Art and Design (EAAD)
Course: Final Design exhibitions, Tecnológico de Monterrey Design School
Tutors: José de la O, Miguel Arjona, Aldo Cañedo, Gerardo Osio, Daniel Zurita, Marcelo Ramírez, Hilda Varela, Sonia Yuruen Lerma, Romain Roy-Pinot, Montserrat Castañón, Joel Olguín, Miguel Jiménez González, Diana Jimenez, Nathalie Cortes, Jaime Solórzano, Rene Corella, Luis Franco, Edgar Ludert, Hugo Martínez, Marcela Méndez, Ana Paula Sánchez, Dania Navarro, María José Yañéz, Alejandra Alfaro, José Miguel Tejera Farias and Christiam Iván Mendoza

School statement:

“EAAD is conformed by students all over the country at Tec de Monterrey Institution and it focuses on training professionals capable of facing contemporary challenges in these fields through innovation, creativity and sustainability, by supporting the students’ initiatives and giving visibility to their work.

“Since the founding of our school, it has been a member of prestigious organisations such as the International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media (CUMULUS), the World Design Organisation (WDO), the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), UN-Habitat and the Association of Institutions of Architectural Education of the Mexican Republic (ASINEA) and it has stood at the top 50 according to the QS World University Ranking by Subject, 2024.

“Each exhibition showcases the best projects created by design students. All the selected projects stand out for their high conceptual and execution quality, as well as their alignment with the principles and DNA of the Tecnológico de Monterrey School of Design. Every end of the semester our students put on a final exhibition on each of their campuses. This is a small sample of ten of the most significant collections and projects of the Tecnologico de Monterrey School of Design.”

Puros Circuiots by Jimena Acosta, María Fernanda Arellano, Balkis González, Giovanna Vega, Isabella Rincón, Daniela Tinoco, Irlanda Chávez, Fernando Ayala, Jimena Acosta and María Fernanda Arellano

“T-23 is a printed circuit, inspired by tarot and that provides a combination of messages related to fortune or words of wisdom, intending to encourage dynamism within our interactions and entertain; an atypical fusion that seeks to start a dialogue.

“Leaving notes: what gives life to the piece is a microcontroller that works as a voice recorder and a microphone, with a button to record and a speaker to another to play messages.

“Auora: a luminaire composed of two printed circuit boards that are in tune with the golden ratio, representing the passage of time with subtlety, contemplation and poetry.

“Luminary starlight: a visual timer formed by the union of two printed circuit boards, inspired by the stars and constellations of star charts, for their historical use as a reference for maritime navigation.

“0-22: an exploration of the convergence between two opposing forces, representing a meeting point between technology and esotericism.”

Students: Jimena Acosta, María Fernanda Arellano, Balkis González, Giovanna Vega, Isabella Rincón, Daniela Tinoco, Irlanda Chávez, Fernando Ayala, Jimena Acosta and María Fernanda Arellano
Course: Emerging Technologies and Digital Transformation
Tutors: José de la O, Miguel Arjona and Aldo Cañedo

Quality Time by Emiliano Sánchez, Lucía Hernández, Hellen Castillo, Astridd Huerta, Stephany Pacheco, Mayalen Ramírez, Ximena Irazaba and Regina Contreras

“This collection comprises five meticulously conceived pieces, each designed to emphasise the time and dedication invested in every stage of their creation.

“Incorporating both traditional and contemporary elements that reflect our history and identity, each piece represents a fusion of Mexican heritage with a contemporary aesthetic language, inspired by Scandinavian and Brazilian design.

“From the selection of wood to the finishing touches, every detail reflects the students’ passion and commitment to creating furniture that transcends mere practical use, evolving into an expression of art and culture.

“By integrating the finest aspects of our national heritage with international design influences, this collection not only appeals to the contemporary luxury market but also celebrates diversity and innovation in design. The collection is integrated by: Ecos de la calle, Xylocopa, Calli and Alabeo.

“Luxury, beyond opulence, should be perceived and celebrated for the time and effort invested in what provides us with wellbeing; the small details matter the most.”

Students: Emiliano Sánchez, Lucía Hernández, Hellen Castillo, Astridd Huerta, Stephany Pacheco, Mayalen Ramírez, Ximena Irazaba and Regina Contreras
Course: Form, Function, Sense and Value
Tutors: Montserrat Castañon, Joel Olguín and Miguel Jímenez-González

Dreams of Lightness by Ana Llanderal, Dulce González and Melissa Zamudio, Patricio Serrano, Gabriela Sofía Galaviz, Sebastián Ríos, Perla Jaramillo, Juan Diego Lira, Alfredo Carrillo, Alejandra Lamas, Ximena Guzmán, Fernada Sosa, Andrea Romo and Ana Hurtado, José Luis Gómez, Ian Cabrera, Christa Estrada and Itzel Gálvez

“Maintaining coherence with the environment and social context in which students operate, the project seeks to generate proposals that reflect and offer reflections on a theme with which they deeply identify.

“This semester, the focus is on exploring the challenges and difficulties faced by creative individuals in Latin America.

“These challenges arise from limited opportunities for growth and global recognition in geographically distant spaces, times and forums.

“Issues such as high transportation costs, economic disparities with the European context and lack of support from local entities have led designers and creatives to take measures that over-optimise the experience of presenting their work at design events.

“The collection is integrated by: Ausente, Comodín, Diáfano, Fog, Gami, Hidden Talent Tote, Innotrek Essentials, Luce, Milano Rover, The Unit, Wearable Suitcase and New Romantics.”

Students: Ana Llanderal, Dulce González and Melissa Zamudio, Patricio Serrano, Gabriela Sofía Galaviz, Sebastián Ríos, Perla Jaramillo, Juan Diego Lira, Alfredo Carrillo, Alejandra Lamas, Ximena Guzmán, Fernada Sosa, Andrea Romo and Ana Hurtado, José Luis Gómez, Ian Cabrera, Christa Estrada and Itzel Gálvez
Course: Collection Exhibited at Base Milano
Tutor: Miguel Arjona

Éternité by Tayanna Valerie Arfeuille

“Open Room is the vibrant exhibition of the race of Design at the Tec de Monterrey campus Guadalajara, which comes to life at the end of each semester.

“This event brings together and exhibits the works most notable, innovative projects, prototypes avant-garde and impressive designs created by our talented students during the period school.

“Éternité is a three-piece jewellery collection in 925 silver, two charms and a pin.

“The movable system that the pieces have works with layers of metal, which help give depth and hierarchy to the pieces.

“Each section, and are part of the story that the pieces seek to tell through interaction.”

Student: Tayanna Valerie Arfeuille
Course: Development of Strategic Design Projects
Tutor: Alejandra Alfaro

Metanoia by Paola Haro

“This piece is a coffee table with a surface made of modular pieces of 3D-printed coffee-based biomaterial, as part of the Open Room exhibition.”

Student: Paola Haro
Course: Development of Strategic Design Projects
Tutor: José Miguel Tejera

Vita by Gracia Altamirano

“This piece is a comprehensive solution for the effective monitoring and support of young adults with chronic diseases as part of the Open Room exhibition.”

Student: Gracia Altamirano
Course: Development of Strategic Design Projects
Tutor: Christiam Ivan Mendoza

Ignea by Marcela Méndez and Ana Paula Sánchez

“From the Central Western region we seek a focus on social innovation, sustainability and responsible design. Our vision as a design major is to answer the question: how are we educating the designers of the future?

“Ignea is a capsule collection of footwear and bags composed of five elements that challenge gender conventions by fusing elements traditionally associated with masculine and feminine into unisex designs.

“This collection does not seek neutrality, but rather to celebrate and highlight the unique nuances of each gender, challenging pre-established perceptions of fashion.

“Each piece in the collection is designed for those who want to feel represented and seen in their authenticity, with the aim of transforming the experience of walking and carrying from an inclusive and modern perspective, without leaving behind the sustainable.”

Students: Marcela Méndez and Ana Paula Sánchez, with training partner Narcisa Pichardo
Course: Development of Strategic Design Projects
Tutors: Mariano García, Rebeca Torres and Alejandro Acuña

Nexus by Dania Navarro and María José Yañez

“From the Central Western region we seek a focus on social innovation, sustainability and responsible design. Our vision as a design major is to answer the question: how are we educating the designers of the future?

“Nexus is a line of urban furniture with the intention to promote the reactivation of ignored public spaces in the city, in order to reconnect with the sense of belonging and community that has been lost over the years.

“The aim is to increase permanence in these spaces by facilitating such natural actions for citizens as waiting, resting or eating.

“The proposal is made up of a series of versatile and adaptable modules (rest, shelter, eating surface and backrest) that are interconnected through slots and flaps and are configured according to the needs of each space.

“These modules are 100 per cent manufactured in Mexico with laser cutting, bending and welding of carbon steel.”

Students: Dania Navarro and María José Yañez, with training partner Laser & Manufacturing
Course: Desarrollo de Proyectos Estratégicos de Diseño
Tutors: Mariano García, Rebeca Torres and Alejandro Acuña

Campo Lúdico x Ludicalles by Product Family Design students

“Campo Lúdico (Recreational Field) is a set of 13 urban games developed in collaboration with Ludicalles, with urban furniture which aims to integrate into the streets and meet the needs of the children in the town of Iztapalapa, Mexico City.

“The proposals are an invitation to reclaim the streets as safe spaces for play; the students designed furniture with the intention of creating a playful and safe environment that encourages family and community interaction.

“Various meetings and workshops were organised among students, professors, coordinators and children to determine the activities that guided the design of the urban games. Each piece is designed from an action related to play.

“To create ludic spaces within recovered streets repurposed for public use, our students designed a catalogue of ludic elements that were developed based on the desires and needs of children living in Iztapalapa.

“The projects intend to provide elements that promote free play and sense of community, the projects developed were: Entrelazos, Hoja, Nido, Lianas, Sendero, Escalárbol, Líneas, Ola, Constelación, Cima, Oruga, Trompa and Saltamontes.”

Students: Product Family Design students
Course: Product Family Design
Tutor: Gerardo Osio, Daniel Zurita, Marcelo Ramierz, Hilda Varela, Yuren Lerma, Romain Roy-Point and Alberto Mendoza

Cuenta Cuentos by Jazmín Regalado, Innán Rojas and Jimena Elías

“Over the past four years, faculty and students at the Sonora North Campus School of Design have focused their creative energy on two broad areas of ‘life-centered design’ and ‘design for vulnerable communities’.

“‘Life-centered design encompasses regeneration projects, ecosystem preservation and co-multispecies creation working for and with water, birds, bees and other living beings.

“‘Design for vulnerable communities’ is dedicated to improving the daily lives of vulnerable groups, positioning design not only as a tool, but as a key attitude and antidote to achieving social and environmental harmony.

“Cuenta Cuentos is a board game designed with the purpose of supporting the preservation of Cmiique Iitom, the ancestral language of the Comcáac nation, originally from Sonora.

“Through illustrations inspired by its rich worldview, the game invites players to interpret symbols, create stories and let their imaginations run wild, fostering a deep understanding and appreciation for this unique culture.”

Students: Jazmín Regalado, Innán Rojas and Jimena Elías
Course: Form, Function, Sense and Value
Tutor: Diana Jimenez, Nathalie Cortes, Jaime Solórzano, Rene Corella, Luis Franco, Edgar Ludert and Hugo Martínez

Partnership content

This school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.

The post Ten design projects by students at Instituto Tecnológico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey appeared first on Dezeen.

As workspaces evolve, both new and old objects are now entering them, to fill needs that workers didn’t use to have. There are offices that now have locker rooms, for instance. And the situation where workers no longer have dedicated desks and instead move about a space throughout the day, has given rise to objects like Vitra’s Locker Box and Drop Box, designed Konstantin Grcic.

Herman Miller’s offering in the latter category is this OE1 Workbox, designed by Industrial Facility. It’s targeted at workers in hot-desk situations, and meant to help them shuttle their stuff from locker to desk, desk to meeting, et cetera.

Nothing on it locks, but there is an insert tray, beneath which you can tuck things you might want to keep out of sight.

The stackable boxes are made out of post-consumer ABS.

While the Workbox will be a new workspace form for knowledge workers, there are members of staff who might find it familiar: “The OE1 Workbox is an organiser based on the utilitarian janitor box-tray.”

This Lup Cable, conceived of by ex-Apple mechanical engineer John Hanna, is a self-coiling charging cable. To turn it into a finished product, Hanna and his company, Reaction Labs, tapped industrial design and engineering consultancy Design 1st.

Product Design Requirements

Aiming to revolutionize cable management with magnetic technology, the project focused on surpassing typical USB-C and Apple performance criteria while introducing a self-coiling mechanism. Product design goals and requirements included:

– Engineer a cable that automatically coils using magnets and complies with strict electrical performance standards.

– Ensure the cable supports high-speed data transfer and power delivery for a wide range of devices.

– Adapt the cable design for efficient large-scale manufacturing while maintaining consistent high quality.

– Use up to 240 ultra-fine strands per wire, each only 50 microns in diameter, to enhance flexibility and durability.

Engineering Challenges

The Lup Cable’s innovative design posed unique engineering challenges, particularly in integrating magnetic coiling with high electrical performance. The Design 1st team needed to ensure these features did not compromise the cable’s functionality or standards compliance. Challenges included:

– Solve interference from magnetic fields affecting data transmission and electrical integrity.

– Design for durability under frequent bending and coiling.

– Standardize production for consistent unit quality.

– Comply with USB-C and Apple power and speed standards.

– Use thermal imaging to assess and optimize heat management

Thermal Imaging of prototype cable

Product Results

Lup Cable’s swift transition from concept to market exemplifies Design 1st’s capacity for rapid innovation and effective execution. Released in just three months, the product quickly rose to prominence on Amazon, marking a significant achievement in the competitive tech accessories market. Its user-friendly design and powerful functionality have garnered positive reviews and robust sales figures.

– The quickest market launch in Design 1st history, under three months from concept to volume production and market

– Quickly earned Amazon’s Choice status, indicating high customer preference and satisfaction

– Utilized a novel blend of rare earth particles in the internal magnet for enhanced magnetic coiling without loss of flexibility.

– Collected extensive customer praise for delivering power capability, ensuring rapid charging for devices.

– Lup cable is available for purchase on Amazon

Magnetic Lup cable moves from concept to volume production in under four months.

You can see more of Design 1st’s work here.

Residential complexes and small communities are on the rise, and some of these areas try to provide open spaces for rest and relaxation like parks or gardens. People new to such communities might find themselves often lost in the beginning, and guests or couriers will definitely be unfamiliar with the place. Signs aren’t always visible, and those that are might not blend well with the aesthetics and atmosphere of the residential complex. This concept design tries to hit multiple birds with a single stone by providing multi-functional furniture that not only looks like an art installation but also a rather subtle navigation guide for both residents and guests.

Designer: Alice Vakhni

Unlike typical home and office furniture, outdoor furniture offers only temporary respite for people. They’re not exactly the most comfortable products to use, especially since they have to be built to withstand unfavorable weather, but they do offer a place to sit, put down their things, or maybe even work and eat even if only for a while. Ironically, this also frees up outdoor furniture design from certain requirements, allowing them to embrace more unconventional forms, as long as they get the job done.

THREADS is an example of such freedom, conceptualizing furniture that hardly looks like any typical benches or tables. They look more like giant metal thread, hence the name that snakes and loops around the complex, one segment at a time. Some have wavy structures with crests that provide stools for people to sit on, while others coil around structures like benches and tables. Some rise upward to become lamps, while others branch and loop to show directions.

That’s the second not-so-obvious function of THREADS. Just like how Theseus used threads to navigate the labyrinth, the large pipes guide your eyes and your feet in the direction you need to go. They act like railings and guidelines that bend in the direction you should be walking if you’re a bit lost. Of course, not all residential communities have the same layout, so the pipes’ modular design allows builders to combine different parts with different corners to create the navigation system they need.

THREADS is also a piece of art, like an abstract sculptural installation designed to give communities a distinct character. The almost freeform flow of the “threads” leaves each segment open to interpretation and any use. Made with powder-coated hot-rolled steel pipes, what would normally convey an industrial and impersonal appearance transforms into something playful and approachable, becoming the proverbial thread that binds communities together.

The post Tangled outdoor furniture concept provides rest and direction for communities first appeared on Yanko Design.