Hasta La Ideas

The StarSpeeder 3000 attraction of the Star Tours at the Disney theme parks takes riders on an exciting journey of the Star Wars universe. For those who have experienced the thrill of this intergalactic ride, the limited-edition Star Tours StarSpeeder 3000 makes complete sense.

The play set limited to just 3,000 units debuted at the D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and for Star Wars fans the set will be available for purchase at Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Walt Disney World starting 13 September. This set will be available via Tatooine Traders and interested buyers will have to get the park reservations to get one. Those who’ll go with the online purchase option can buy the StarSpeeder 3000 set exclusively from the Disney Store for $300 starting today.

Designer: Disney

The limited edition set comes with an LCD screen to play the original attraction footage with matching audio. The real ride is emulated with the scale seats having seat belts and opening doors that are activated with a chime sound. It comes with blasters, cannons and thrusters that have sound effects. To display it on your shelf, the set comes with a light-up display stand, along with the 3.75-inch minifigures of Captain Rex and R2-D2.

There’s an extendable landing gear that retracts when it’s time for action and locks in place. Those side panels are removable, and so are the rooftop carrier and roof panel. To keep the realism effect going, the set has exterior light effects too. This Star Wars playset requires six AA batteries to run and it would have been better off with an internal battery charged via a charging cable. That said, the batteries should last a long time unless you’re obsessed with playing around with the play set.

The post Star Wars StarSpeeder 3000 set recreates the thrill of Disney’s iconic theme ride first appeared on Yanko Design.

Flip Phones? How about we introduce an era of Flip Consoles!

Meet the Game Boy Flip, an audacious fan-made console concept that features a flip-type gadget with joy-cons. In its shut mode, you’ve got a handheld device that can be used to play Game Boy Advanced or Color games, but open the foldable and you’ve got a larger screen for a more immersive landscape-style game a la Nintendo Switch. I don’t see any cameras on this device but slap a couple and you quite literally have a flip phone that can be used for stuff other than just gaming… not bad, huh??

Designer: Abdelrahman Shaapan

The idea of a foldable gaming console seems like an absolute winner, truth be told. Flip phones are currently in a spot where they’re searching for a problem to solve – but the Game Boy Flip has no such problem. It’s a dedicated gaming device that takes its reputation seriously, offering multiple gaming modes ( we counted as many as three).

The first is just straight-up handheld touchscreen gaming. Use it in the closed mode for more retro old-school games, or open it up for a more expansive contemporary console experience. The dual touchscreens are perfect for immersing yourself in games, although there are arrow buttons on both the left and right side just in case you want some analog action.

If touchscreen gaming isn’t your jam (and a lot of bonafide gamers would feel so), the Game Boy Flip comes with snap-on Joy-Cons that let you play games with advanced controls, just like you would a GBA or Nintendo DS. The closed-display format offers the perfect size and aspect ratio for such games, making it perfect to relive old classics from years ago.

However, open the console up and you’re presented with a modern-day beast. The Joy-Cons snap to the open-screen device, now giving you a larger landscape display that’s perfect for newer games like the ones on the Switch. In fact, I’d go a step further and say the Game Boy Flip looks better than the Switch just given how slick and gorgeous that bezel-less screen is.

The only real difference is that the Joy-Cons don’t exist independently. They’re part of an armature that holds the phone in between (sort of like the Razer Kishi or the Backbone controller) with a USB-C jack plugging into the device to create a ‘wired’ connection, so you can’t detach the Joy-Cons and play with them independently the way you would on a Switch. However, that isn’t really what this concept is all about – it’s more about providing a novel template for the clamshell-style foldable phone, turning it into a Game Boy from the future that’s backward compatible, allowing you to play old classics on a small screen, and modern-day titles on the larger, landscape screen.

Now sure, this is just a fan-made concept of a Nintendo device that will probably never exist… but if anyone there can build a controller prototype for the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip6 or even the Xiaomi Mix Flip, I’m sure there’s definitely a gamer market out there willing to rock a flip phone just for the experience of being able to play games on it effectively!

The post Foldable Game Boy console lets you go from Classic to Nintendo Switch-style Landscape gaming in seconds first appeared on Yanko Design.

For our latest lookbook, we’ve put together a roundup of contemporary takes on the classic conversation pit, installed into projects ranging from houses to retail spaces to create places for gathering.

First rising to popularity in the middle of the 20th century, conversation pits are sunken areas lined with seating that often feature small tables or inventive steps that give access to the space.

This architectural furniture can come in many shapes and sizes, and many studios are taking unique approaches to the mid-century look, choosing material palettes and forms that better suit contemporary spaces.

From a stark-white conversation pit for a modelling agency to use as a backdrop, to angular variations that fit into limited spaces for urban renovation projects, these seven projects push the limits of the form.

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring member’s clubs, sculptural coffee tables and pull-out furniture.

Clay House, UK, by Bureau de Change

This conversation pit fits the contours of a portion of a house extension in London and features a small set of stairs.

It has tile floors and a small ledge against the windows with a larger ledge covered in upholstered cushions. The angular pit was designed to reference Victorian boxing rings.

Find out more about Clay House ›

Magnum Opus, USA, by Kelly Wearstler and Masastudio

This rectangular conversation pit was included in the pool house of a sprawling residence in California.

It sits below a skylight in a black-plaster ceiling and features plush grey cushioning hemmed in by a concrete ledge. Lamps decorate its concrete ledge, while a brass coffee table sits in the middle.

Find out more about Mangum Opus ›

Casa Alférez, Mexico, by Ludwig Godefroy

This conversation pit brings a pop of colour to the otherwise stark interior of a brutalist house in a pine forest outside of Mexico City.

The pit itself is quite shallow and has cushions spread completely around its base, with cylindrical cushions pushed up against the edges.

Find out more about Casa Alférez ›

Madhappy, USA, by PlayLab Inc

Located in a retail space in Los Angeles, this conversation pit sits in front of a display with speakers. Its steps and floor are a continuation of the carpet in the rest of the space.

Sky-blue couches line the circular space, which has aluminium side tables placed on the inside.

Find out more about Madhappy ›

The Pinky Ring, USA, by Bruno Mars and Yabu Pushelberg

This cocktail lounge in Las Vegas has a large sunken area in the middle that resembles a massive conversation pit lined with plush green upholstery.

It creates a separate level from the bar and circulation areas and even has smaller table-and-chair setups spread throughout.

Find out more about The Pinky Ring ›

The Plaster House, UK, by Sonn

Another rear extension to a residence in London, this seating area takes cues from the conversation pit, such as the plush cushions and recessed placement, but has an L-form that wraps around only halfway.

The primary purpose for the placement was for users of the couch to sit level with the garden and for the windows to let in as much light as possible.

Find out more about Plaster House ›

The Blow Models office, Spain, by Isern Serra

This office for a modeling agency in Spain offers not one but two conversation pits, organised on either side of another pit that holds plants.

The recessed seating has soft, white cushions to match the paint that covers nearly all the interior, and was meant to create interesting landscapes for photoshoots.

Find out more about the Blow Models office ›

This is the latest in our lookbooks series, which provides visual inspiration from Dezeen’s archive. For more inspiration, see previous lookbooks featuring member’s clubs, sculptural coffee tables and pull-out furniture.

The post Seven conversation pits that bring people and rooms together appeared first on Dezeen.

Smartphones are getting more durable every generation, but there’s no escaping the fact that a single wrong fall could render it useless. Protective cases increase their chances of survival at the expense of hiding their beauty, and even those clear silicone ones can sometimes make otherwise luxurious phones look cheap. If you’re going to cover up your phone anyway, you might as well make a big splash by adopting a design that’s going to upgrade your device’s looks as well. For years, PITAKA has been pushing the envelope of phone cases by focusing on quality material that not only looks good but also feels great in your hand. With the new Apple iPhone 16 series, it is launching its next-generation woven cases to offer upgraded protection and welcome a new style that will be a feast for the eyes, even in the dark.

Designer: PITAKA

PITAKA x Aries x NoProblemo Collaboration: Light in the Darkness

A phone case’s beautiful design becomes meaningless if you can’t see in the dark. Not so this collection of luminous designs that cast an eerie glow after the lights go out, giving them an alien, artful, and rebellious character. It’s the perfect combination for a design made in partnership with trendy UK fashion brand Aries, delivering cases that delight the eyes and the hands any time of the day. It’s a refreshing new style that adds a bit of youthful vigor to an iPhone case that’s already brimming with life.

At the heart of this luminescent innovation is PITAKA’s Lumintex, combined with the brand’s advanced Floating Weave technique. This pairing elevates the design potential of aramid fibers, offering users a richer and more dynamic visual experience. Unlike conventional methods that simply print or paint luminous patterns that fade over time, PITAKA’s approach intricately weaves luminous fibers into the case. Lumintex is an ultra-thin, flexible polymer fiber, modified at the molecular level for enhanced weavability and luminescence. After absorbing light, the case emits a soft green glow for up to 20 minutes, providing a high-grade, fashionable luminescence at class D brightness.

Like any other PITAKA case, the PITAKA x Aries X NoProblemo series is made from hi-tech aramid fibers that are also used in the aerospace and military industries, giving it unbeatable protection against scratches and corrosion without weighing the phone down. PITAKA’s proprietary Fusion Weaving technology interlaces multiple colored fibers on a single loom to create eye-catching patterns that your fingers will also be able to touch and appreciate. These PITAKA iPhone 16 cases bring long-lasting beauty that shows even in the dark.

Click Here to Buy Now: PITAKA x Aries x NoProblemo Glow in the Dark Cases at $69.99

PITAKA iPhone 16 Tactile Woven Cases: Skyward Bound

Many smartphone cases try to be beautiful and stylish but tend to go overboard and end up looking gaudy and over-the-top. Nothing wrong with that if that’s exactly what you’re after, but those who want striking yet subtle designs might want to turn their eyes toward PITAKA’s heavenly Tactile Woven cases instead. Durable and elegant at the same time, these cases bring a touch of the heavens to your phone in ways that your hand can feel as well.

Utilizing aramid fibers known in aerospace and military circles for their light yet strong properties, PITAKA’s Fusion Weaving technique creates sophisticated patterns of colors that tell a story more than just displaying art. The alternating lines of orange or blue, for example, try to depict the magic moments during Sunset and Moonrise, while the trail of yellow dots across a field of blue tries to paint the Milky Way on the back of your phone. Finally, the rocky split between dark and light azure hues depict that enchanting view of mountains disappearing Over the Horizon.

For the iPhone 16 series, PITAKA upgraded its design to offer additional protection, especially for one of the most important parts of smartphones today: the cameras. The new camera ring not only prevents scratching by raising the lenses away from surfaces, its new titanium color also helps reduce the exposure that could ruin those perfect and ephemeral shots. Beautiful and tactile, these woven cases give your iPhone 16 some character that will surely make it stand out from the crowd.

Click Here to Buy Now: PITAKA Tactile Woven Cases at $59.99

PITAKA Military-Grade Protective Cases: Rugged Beauty

If you want some extra peace of mind, then PITAKA’s line of tough cases delivers that added layer of durability your phone needs to survive those nasty accidents with very little additional weight. It integrates light yet durable aramid fibers with shockproof TPU material, offering protection from drops that pass even MIL-STD-810G tests. And it doesn’t stop there either.

The soft Nappa leather lining inside the case also helps cushion the back of the iPhone in case of unfortunate incidents, while metal button covers minimize abrasions and damage to these crucial buttons. The subtle screen lip mitigates the effects of dropping your phone face first on the ground, while the raised camera ring protects the camera lenses from scratches when you place the phone on rough surfaces.

Despite these added layers of protection, the PITAKA military-grade iPhone 16 cases remain slim, light, and most importantly, compatible with MagSafe chargers and accessories. In fact, the new iPhone 16 line of cases boasts a 0.1-0.2 kg increase in magnetic strength, allowing it to cling securely to any MagSafe-compatible surface. Plus, these military-grade cases are now also available in PITAKA’s signature Sunset and Moonrise designs, delivering not only protection but also style in a single package.

Click Here to Buy Now: PITAKA Military-Grade Protective Cases at $79.99

PITAKA Ultra-Slim Cases: Slim, Simple, Sublime

If your priority is keeping an already slim iPhone 16 as slim as it can be, then PITAKA’s selection of ultra-slim cases delivers that mixture of style and substance in a subtle design. Utilizing the brand’s MagSafe SlimBoard 2.0 technology, each case measures a mere 0.84 thick and weighs only 17.84g (0.63oz). Inside that thin body are 0.1mm thicker magnets that add 0.1kg more magnetic force, ensuring even better compatibility with MagSafe chargers, docks, wallets, and other accessories.

It doesn’t skimp on protection and beauty, however, using the same aramid fiber material and Fusion Weaving technique as any other PITAKA case, creating visual appeal and grip comfort at the same time. New to this iPhone 16 lineup are colors that add some life to your phone, adding Ocean Blue and Forest Green to the Black Grey colorway. The camera ring’s minimalist titanium color further adds to its elegance while offering additional protection as well as a reduction of exposure for that perfect shot.

Despite its slimmer build, the PITAKA Ultra-Slim cases still boast the same standard set of features, including exclusive NFC-driven experiences, like checking the authenticity of the case as well as access to games, music, wallpapers, and customer services. All of these are packed inside a box made from 100% biodegradable bagasse, a natural by-product of sugar cane processing, establishing PITAKA’s commitment to a greener tomorrow with every beautiful case sold. Stylish, strong, and sustainable, PITAKA’s Ultra-Slim iPhone 16 Cases has a design for every person, proving that phone protection doesn’t have to come at the cost of aesthetics, your bank account, or the health of the planet.

Click Here to Buy Now: PITAKA Ultra-Slim Cases at $49.99

The post PITAKA Launches Their Latest iPhone 16 Cases: Slim, Light, Strong first appeared on Yanko Design.

An “ergonomic chair” is designed to accommodate a wide range of individuals but must be tailored to the user’s body dimensions, workstation, and tasks for true ergonomics. Prolonged sitting, despite requiring less physical effort than demanding tasks, poses significant health risks such as back pain, stiff necks, and leg numbness, strain muscles, ligaments, and tendons, increasing the risk of discomfort and injury. Corrections are necessary for better ergonomics and to prevent discomfort or injury. Here are features to consider when selecting an ergonomic chair.

Designer: Stan Deng

1. Seat Height

An adjustable seat height is essential for comfort, allowing your feet to rest flat on the floor ensuring that most individuals can keep their feet flat on the ground, maintain horizontal thighs, and align their arms evenly with the desk height. Note that a seat height range of 16 to 21 inches is usually comfortable for most people.

The NEWTRAL MagicH chair adapts to the user with an auto-following backrest and headrest, providing support whether sitting upright, leaning forward, or reclining. It accommodates various sitting styles, ensuring comfort and promoting healthy posture. The Pro model includes a foldable footrest and 4D Extended Armrest for comprehensive support, with adjustable features tailored to individual needs, enhancing overall comfort and preventing injuries.

2. Seat Width and Depth

The seat dimensions should ensure comfort by accommodating individual height and body shapes. It should maintain a depth that leaves 2 to 4 inches between its edge and the back of your knees to avoid excessive pressure.

Designer: Yubin Lee and Minkyoung Song

The Routine Chair by Yubin Lee and Minkyoung Song is a smart, ergonomic chair that adjusts the headrest, armrests, and reclining angle based on an app-controlled schedule. Designed for optimal comfort and productivity, it offers three modes—work, chill, and rest—automatically adapting to the user’s routine. Competing with top brands like Herman Miller, this innovative chair ensures seamless comfort and support, making it ideal for professionals in a digital work environment.

3. Seat Tilt

In office chairs, the tilt mechanism plays a crucial role in maintaining a healthy, properly aligned spine and back. The tension and strength within the tilt mechanism ensure adequate support for your back.

Designer: 250 Design

The 5° Chair by Seoul-based design firm 250 Design is tailored for those who naturally lean back in chairs. With 360° rotation, forward and backward tilting, and lateral movement up to 5 degrees, it offers dynamic seating for office or home use. Designed to support prolonged sitting, its cushioning molds to the body’s contours, while angled wave springs reinforce the legs for multidirectional tilting. This compact chair, ideal for small spaces, replaces traditional wheels with a swivel and spindle mechanism, ensuring stability and support without sacrificing mobility.

4. Backrest Lumbar Support

Lower back support is vital in an ergonomic chair to maintain the natural curve of the lumbar spine. An essential feature of ergonomic chairs, lumbar support maintains the spine’s natural curve, reducing stress and preventing slumping. Adjustable backrests ensure optimal alignment for user comfort.

Designer: AMDL Circle for Mara

The Typo Office Chair by AMDL Circle, designed for Mara, excels in providing comfort, ergonomics, and aesthetics, all essential for productivity. Its playful yet ergonomic design boasts a curved timber base and backrest, complemented by a colorful metal structure. This intentional blend of materials not only enhances comfort but also adds personality to the chair, turning what might seem like a mistake into a defining feature.

Designer: LEVUS

The LEVUS offers a reclined work setup, perfect for reducing back pain and discomfort for those who spend long hours at a computer. Ideal for both home and office use, it features an adjustable, lightweight aluminum structure that supports multiple monitors and includes an adjustable headrest, mouse station, and keyboard table. The ergonomic design reduces vertical spine pressure, making it a comfortable choice for gamers, creators, and office workers alike. Easy to assemble and designed for ultimate comfort, the LEVUS transforms traditional workstations into ergonomic havens.

5. Backrest Recline

The backrest of an ergonomic office chair, ideally 12 to 19 inches wide, should support the natural spine curve with proper lumbar support easing pressure on spinal disks and muscles by distributing upper body weight. If the chair has a combined seat and backrest, it should offer adjustable angles and a locking mechanism to prevent excessive backward movement.

Designer: ErgoQuest

In the dynamic landscape of offices and remote work, traditional chairs and desks often strain the spine with vertical pressure, despite the advent of standing desks. The LEVUS chair offered a reclined design as a solution, but ErgoQuest’s ZGW-0b zero-gravity reclining workstation takes innovation further. Engineered to alleviate back and neck pain, it allows for customizable work angles from zero to ninety degrees, featuring the motorized ErgoQuest ZGC-1 chair and accommodating up to four monitors on a sturdy steel mast. Packed with conveniences like side tables and a padded keyboard tray, it prioritizes comfort and productivity. The ZGW-0b represents a new paradigm in work setups, blending laziness with postural wellness for enhanced efficiency.

6. Armrests

Armrests provide valuable support during typing or using the mouse by taking the weight off your arms, reducing strain on the shoulders and upper arms. Adjustable armrests allow vertical movement to position them correctly and promote shoulder relaxation.

Designer: Nouhaus Design

The Nouhaus Ergo3D is no ordinary ergonomic chair; it’s a high-back marvel with dynamic lumbar support, 4D adjustable armrests, and a class-4 hydraulic gas-lift main pillar, all for a fraction of the price of similar models. Designed to exude luxury by Nouhaus, it offers personalized spine support and cranium comfort, thanks to its unique features like the ‘Just-For-Me’ Lumbar Support System and adjustable headrest. Clad in breathable HD ElastoMesh fabric, it ensures comfort during long hours of use.

7. Headrest

Supporting the back of the head and upper neck, it alleviates tension in the shoulders and upper torso.

8. Materials

The material covering the seat and back of the office chair should be adequately padded for extended sitting comfort, with breathable cloth fabric being preferable, while options like leather or velvet are commonly found in high-end models.

Designer: Todd Bracher

The Path Task Chair by Humanscale stands out for its sustainability, using 22 pounds of recycled materials, including ocean plastic and fishing nets. Made in the USA in a solar-powered plant, it minimizes carbon emissions and water use. The chair features FormSense Eco Knit for self-adjusting lumbar support and a Gravity Mechanism that adjusts recline support without knobs or levers. Designed by Todd Bracher, it combines innovative materials and mechanics with a sleek design, fitting seamlessly into any home or office. Available in various colors, the Path Task Chair exemplifies sustainable and ergonomic seating.

9. Wheels

Soft rubber wheels are ideal for hard surfaces, while hard wheels are better suited for carpeted floors.

Designer: Volkswagen and Try

Volkswagen’s surprising venture into office furniture yields a unique mobile office chair, blending automotive innovation with functional design. Crafted by their Commercial Vehicles division in collaboration with Try, this electric chair boasts a top speed of 12.4 m/h and a range of 7.5 miles. Complete with a rear-view camera, 360-degree sensors, and an entertainment system loaded with feel-good songs, it caters to both practicality and comfort. With storage compartments for gadgets and a trailer hitch for paperwork, it’s a whimsical yet functional addition to any workspace.

10. Swivel

For proper posture, any traditional or ergonomic chair should rotate effortlessly, enabling the user to access various areas of their desk without strain.

These tips will certainly assist you in buying the best ergonomic chair for your office or home.

The post How to Choose the Best Ergonomic Chair: Top Features You Can’t Ignore first appeared on Yanko Design.