Dezeen Showroom: Indian lighting company Naaya Studio combined style and functionality in its series of ceramic flush-mount ceiling lights, which are made of natural clays.

The ceramic flush-mount ceiling lights intend to provide elegant ambient lighting option in spaces with low ceilings, for which it can be difficult to find stylish light fittings.

The lighting designs include several with large openings that allow plenty of illumination for spaces that require high visibility, including kitchens, wardrobes and shops.

There is the simple, globe-shaped Orbic, as well as the large drum-like Canista and the more ornamental Ridges, which has ridged edges that create a sculptural gradient of light and shadow.

Alternatively, the Eclipse design features indirect illumination from a concealed light source that creates an eclipse-like effect across the ceiling and provides more gentle lighting in spaces where a relaxing ambience is desired.

Naaya’s ceramic flush-mount ceiling lights are available in a choice of four clay types, and some come finished in painted colours.

Product details:

Product: Ceramic flush-mount ceiling lighting
Brand: Naaya Studio
Contact: sales@naayastudio.com

Material: ceramic

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PROS:

• More elegant, minimalist, and mature design
• AniMe Vision display and AniMe Play features add a unique charm
• Unbeatable performance and cooling system
• Decent cameras for a gaming-centric smartphone

CONS:

• Incremental upgrades only over the previous generation
• 13MP ultra-wide camera feels a bit dated

RATINGS:

AESTHETICS

ERGONOMICS

PERFORMANCE

SUSTAINABILITY / REPAIRABILITY

VALUE FOR MONEY

EDITOR’S QUOTE:

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro offers great value, balancing advanced gaming features with an elegant and mature design.

Mobile gaming remains a lucrative industry, with millions of gamers worldwide seeking the best devices to enhance their gaming experience. However, as mainstream smartphones improve their performance, the allure of dedicated gaming phones has diminished. Yet, a niche market persists for devices specifically designed for gaming enthusiasts. The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro emerges as a contender in this space, promising speed and flair. But does it meet the expectations of pro gamers?

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro launches at a rather critical time for gaming smartphones and it seeks to carve out its niche by offering features tailored to gaming. Packed with high-performance specs and unique design elements, it targets those who demand more from their mobile devices. This review delves into whether the ROG Phone 9 Pro truly delivers on its promises and whether you should upgrade from the brand’s previous model if you already have it in your hands.

Designer: ASUS Republic of Gamers

Aesthetics

Just like its predecessor, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro’s design marks steps away from the overtly flashy aesthetics typical of gaming phones. It adopts a minimalist approach that exudes maturity, appealing to both gamers and non-gamers. The geometric camera bump and off-center design elements subtly nod to its gaming roots, maintaining a distinct identity.

The back cover, crafted from a single piece of glass, showcases precision etching for added texture. This design choice not only enhances the phone’s visual appeal but also provides a tactile experience. The matte finish employs a crystalized nano-texture, ensuring a silky touch while resisting fingerprints, keeping the device pristine.

A standout feature for gamers is the AniMe Vision display that gives the smartphone a unique flair. The ROG Phone 9 Pro model utilizes 648 mini-LEDs to display icons, text, and even GIF animations, adding a dynamic element to the phone. Hidden animations can be unlocked when two ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro devices are near, using NFC technology, offering a novel interactive experience that creates a community of ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro owners.

Exclusive to the Pro model as well, the AniMe Play feature brings retro mini-games to the AniMe Vision display, further emphasizing the phone’s gaming focus. This playful addition caters to gamers seeking entertainment beyond traditional mobile games, enhancing the device’s appeal. Overall, the design balances sophistication with gaming-centric elements.

Ergonomics

Despite its large 6.78-inch display, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is designed for comfort. The textured finish provides a secure grip, making it easier to hold during long gaming sessions. This ergonomic consideration is crucial for gamers who prioritize comfort and usability.

However, the phone’s thickness, primarily due to its substantial battery, might be a drawback for some users. While it ensures extended gaming sessions, it adds bulk to the device. Balancing battery life with portability remains a challenge in gaming phone design.

The dual USB-C ports are a thoughtful addition, allowing users to charge the device without interrupting gameplay. This feature is particularly beneficial for gamers who engage in prolonged sessions, ensuring an uninterrupted power supply. Such practical design choices demonstrate ASUS’s commitment to enhancing the gaming experience.

Performance

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is a powerhouse, boasting the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Elite processor. Coupled with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage in the Pro Edition, it ensures high-performance gaming and multitasking capabilities. This setup positions it not only as a formidable contender in the gaming phone market but also as a reliable everyday mobile device.

The GameCool thermal management system effectively dissipates heat, preventing build-up and ensuring sustained performance. This feature is crucial for maintaining optimal performance during intense gaming sessions, where overheating can be a concern. If you need even more cooling, the Pro Edition ships with the AeroActive Cooler X Pro which enhances cooling with a Pelter chip for passive cooling and larger fans for active cooling. It also includes physical left and right buttons, providing additional functionality similar to popular game controllers.

The 2400×1080 6.78-inch AMOLED display offers vibrant colors and exceptional brightness. It also comes with a 2400×1080 resolution and a 185Hz refresh rate that’s boasted to be the highest on a phone. This display quality elevates the gaming experience, providing immersive visuals. The phone’s performance is further enhanced by AI features, including automatic item pickup and moment recording. That said, these AI features are limited to a few titles like Genshin Impact, Honkai: Star Rail, and Mobile Legends Bang Bang so they might not be generally useful.

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro is equipped with a robust 5,800 mAh battery, ensuring extended gaming sessions without frequent recharges. It supports fast 65W charging and can go from zero to full in less than 50 minutes, a boon for gamers on the go. Additionally, the phone offers 15W wireless charging, providing convenient and flexible power options to suit various user needs.

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro surprises with its competent camera system, featuring a 50MP Sony Lytia 700 sensor at the helm. This primary camera delivers detailed images, a pleasant surprise for a device primarily focused on gaming. It challenges the notion that gaming phones must compromise on camera quality.

The 32MP telephoto camera with 3x optical zoom and 13MP ultra-wide-angle lens provide versatility in photography. While not extraordinary, they offer decent performance for everyday use. This well-rounded camera setup adds value to the phone, catering to users who appreciate photography.

Features like Photo Vibe enhance the photography experience, offering color and temperature presets. AI Object Sense provides auto-correction, optimizing photos based on scene elements. The AirTrigger Capture function utilizes the same capacitive side buttons used for gaming as a dedicated shutter button, adding a unique touch to mobile photography. The ROG Phone 9 Pro is not a pro camera phone by a long shot, but this powerful camera system at least adds to its versatility and usefulness outside of games.

Sustainability

In terms of sustainability, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro follows the conventional smartphone formula, utilizing plastic, metal, and glass. Unfortunately, it does not incorporate recycled materials, a growing trend in the industry. However, it boasts an IP68 dust and water resistance rating, enhancing its durability and longevity.

While sustainability may not be its strongest suit, the phone’s robust build quality ensures it can withstand everyday challenges. This aspect is crucial for gamers who demand reliability and resilience from their devices, particularly during intense gaming sessions.

Value

The ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro offers impressive performance and a suite of features tailored for professional mobile gaming. Its beautiful screen and additional side charging port are standout features. These elements cater to gamers seeking a device that prioritizes performance and practicality.

However, for existing ROG Phone 8 Pro users, the upgrades may seem incremental, providing little incentive to switch. This aspect may affect its appeal to loyal ASUS customers seeking significant improvements. Nonetheless, the ROG Phone 9 Pro remains a compelling choice for new buyers.

Despite the incremental upgrades, the ROG Phone 9 Pro represents good value for those seeking a dedicated gaming phone. It combines high-end specifications with thoughtful design elements, appealing to gamers who value not only performance but also aesthetics. The phone’s value proposition lies in its specialized features, from ROG’s famous Armory Crate to the phone’s invisible AirTrigger buttons. Even the animated AniMe Vision display is a treat for mobile gamers who want to brag about their gear.

Verdict

Gaming smartphones are evolving, adopting more refined designs while maintaining their core gaming features. However, with regular flagship phones matching their performance, the reasons to invest in a dedicated gaming device are dwindling. Nevertheless, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro continues to offer great value, balancing advanced features with a mature design.

For gamers who demand the best, the ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro stands out as a worthy contender. It combines speed, style, and substance, making it a compelling choice for those who want a device tailored to their gaming needs. Despite the shrinking market for gaming phones, ASUS’s offering remains a testament to innovation in the mobile gaming arena.

The post ASUS ROG Phone 9 Pro Review: The Ultimate Gaming Smartphone Experience first appeared on Yanko Design.

A monumental tribute to one of the most impactful art movements

At Fondation Louis Vuitton, Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann &… unfolds as an exuberant celebration of Pop Art’s vibrant legacy and its profound influence on the art world. Marking the Fondation’s tenth anniversary, this exhibition is a monumental tribute to one of the most impactful art movements of the 20th century, showcasing how Pop Art has transcended its origins to inspire contemporary culture.

At the heart of the exhibition is Tom Wesselmann, a pivotal figure in Pop Art whose innovative work continues to captivate audiences. Known for his audacious use of color and form, Wesselmann’s art reflects a unique blend of American consumer culture and classical artistic traditions. His pieces transform everyday objects into iconic symbols, offering a fresh perspective on the mundane. Visitors are invited to explore over 150 works by Wesselmann, each showcasing his mastery in fusing traditional art forms with contemporary culture. His renowned Great American Nudes series, with its provocative depictions of the female form, captures the essence of the 1960s sexual revolution and continues to resonate with modern audiences.

However, the exhibition is not solely about Wesselmann. It features a rich dialogue among over 35 artists, each offering unique interpretations and contributions that span generations. Iconic figures such as Andy Warhol and Roy Lichtenstein ground the exhibition in the foundational elements of Pop Art, their works epitomizing the bold, graphic style that defined the movement. Meanwhile, contemporary artists like Mickalene Thomas, Derrick Adams and Tomokazu Matsuyama offer fresh interpretations and innovations.

Matsuyama’s contributions stand out for their eclectic style which merges Eastern and Western influences, creating a vibrant synthesis of cultural symbols. His paintings often feature a kaleidoscope of colors and patterns, reflecting the globalized nature of modern identity. In the context of the exhibition, Matsuyama’s art bridges the traditional elements of Pop Art with modern digital aesthetics, offering a nuanced perspective on the movement’s cultural impact today.

Matsu, as the artist prefers to be called, shared with us during the press preview, “Living in New York and being heavily influenced by the American art scene while rooted in my Japanese heritage, I explore the evolution of Pop Art by embracing fluid identity. My work juxtaposes lifestyle magazine backdrops with traditional Japanese screens, reflecting a dialogue between cultures in this global age.”

Mickalene Thomas, with her dazzling use of rhinestones, glitter, and vibrant colors, challenges traditional representations of beauty and race, drawing upon Wesselmann’s bold aesthetic while infusing it with her distinct perspective. “Pop Art is inherently radical both socially and politically, most artists that work in this genre engage with the world by presenting ideas that critique popular culture and the political landscape formally and conceptually,” Thomas shares with us. “As a queer, Black woman creating images that celebrate the Black body in moments of repose, joy and love I’m claiming a new narrative that redefines notions of beauty within the confines of the Western art canon.  Therefore, I radically shift the conversation from traditional tropes of objectification to empowerment and validation. In short, I’m unapologetically reimagining what art can and should be: inclusive, disruptive and deeply personal.”

Her work, often exploring themes of female identity and empowerment, resonates deeply within the Pop Art discourse, creating a bridge between past and present. We ask Thomas why she chose to create a series that serves as a counter narrative to Wesselmann’s Great American Nudes and she shares with us, “To explore, challenge and align the intersections of seduction, desire and sensuality of Black and Brown bodies, reclaiming them from historical objectification and redefining them as sites of power, agency and unapologetic beauty. Through this lens, I aim to reimagine erotica not as something to be consumed or marginalized, but as a celebration of identity, intimacy and the richness of lived experience. We are no longer in the supportive role, we are the main character!”

Similarly, Derrick Adams’ Super Nudes series, created specifically for this exhibition, offers a counter-narrative to Wesselmann’s Great American Nudes. By incorporating elements from the African American flag and comic book motifs, Adams critiques societal norms and redefines the concept of heroism, challenging viewers to reconsider preconceived notions of identity and power.

The exhibition also includes a stunning array of artists who have shaped and been shaped by the Pop Art movement. Ai Weiwei adds a critical edge with works that interrogate political and cultural systems, resonating with Richard Hamilton’s pioneering explorations of consumerism and media. Njideka Akunyili Crosby brings a unique fusion of Nigerian and Western influences, weaving intricate narratives that reflect the complexities of cultural identity in a globalized world. Their works, alongside those of Frank Bowling, Hannah Höch and Jasper Johns, enrich the dialogue on identity and representation.

The exhibition’s layout across the Fondation’s expansive galleries is a testament to the curators’ vision. Dieter Buchhart and Anna Karina Hofbauer have crafted an experience that transcends mere nostalgia, employing multimedia elements like moving images and sound to enhance the sensory engagement. This approach allows visitors to immerse themselves fully in the works, offering a dynamic exploration of Pop Art’s playful yet critical aesthetic.

In essence, “Pop Forever, Tom Wesselmann &…” is a vibrant testament to Pop Art’s power to challenge conventions and provoke thought. The exhibition underscores Pop Art’s ability to reflect societal changes while remaining relevant across generations. It highlights the movement’s playful critique of consumerism and identity, making it as pertinent today as it was during its inception. For anyone seeking a vibrant and thought-provoking exploration of art, this exhibition is an unmissable journey into the heart of Pop Art’s legacy.

While it would be nice to always have fresh flowers adorn your homes, there are several reasons why not all of us can have that. It can either be too expensive to constantly have to replace them or if you’re like me, you have a black thumb and they may not last that long. An alternative to this would be to have artificial or plastic ones but wouldn’t it be more fun if you could “build” your own?

Designer: LEGO®

This is what LEGO® has discovered with the success of their hugely popular Botanicals collection. It’s not kids and geeks who have fun with all these builds but even those who believe plants and flowers are relaxing. It’s so popular that it now has its own logo and specific theme. For next year’s collection, they are adding four new sets: the LEGO® Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet, the LEGO® Botanicals Mini Orchid, the LEGO® Botanicals Lucky Bamboo and LEGO® Botanicals Flower Arrangement. They will be available for pre-orders at the very start of 2025.

The LEGO® Botanicals Pretty Pink Flower Bouquet includes 15 flower stems and foliage including some of the most popular pink flowers like daisies, roses, cymbidium orchids, waterlily dahlia, etc. The stems are adjustable and this set can be combined with other bouquets. The LEGO® Botanicals Mini Orchid meanwhile features five orchid flowers that are in bloom and some that are still buds. it also has a terracotta flowerpot on a wood-effect plinth so you can display it beautifully.

The LEGO® Botanicals Lucky Bamboo is for those that find it relaxing to have a bamboo plant in the room but can’t keep an actual one. This includes three green bamboo stems, pebbles, a plant pot, and a wood-effect plinth. Lastly, the LEGO® Botanicals Flower Arrangement has several flowers in the set including camellia, peonies, hydrangeas, baby’s breath, ranunculus, bouvardia and lilies. This is the ultimate collection for those who want to explore their inner florist without wasting actual flowers.

The post LEGO® Botanicals to release four new collections for your inner florist first appeared on Yanko Design.

Swiss studio Leopold Banchini Architects used natural materials when creating the interior of the Goodbye Horses bar, with the bar, chairs, lights, handrails and changing table all made from a single tree.

Located in east London’s De Beauvoir neighbourhood, Goodbye Horses is a local wine and listening bar that was designed by Leopold Banchini Architects to reference classic English pubs.

“The aim was to create a contemporary space deeply rooted in the long-lasting tradition of English pubs,” studio founder Leopold Banchini told Dezeen.

“As in most pubs, the space revolves around a central wooden bar,” Banchini continued. “In this case, the long wooden structure is a bar, a cooking counter and a table; thus, the relation between staff and customers is less constrained.”

This nod to tradition can also be seen in the other materials chosen by Leopold Banchini Architects for the 95-square-metre bar, which also has a basement of the same size.

Its walls were painted with limewash and roughcast render, while the ceiling was covered by a hand-textured lime plaster.

“The pub is mainly built with natural materials referring to the history of British pubs,” Banchini said. “The wooden elements are built using solid English oak.”

“The natural textures, imperfections and oxidations create the atmosphere of the space,” he continued. “Over time and through their usage, these materials will only become more lively.”

The ground-floor space features a ten-metre-long bar that has an unusually low design and which, together with the surrounding furniture, was built from the trunk of just one oak tree.

“In order to build the long table out of a single plank, we were looking for a tree with a circumference of about 120 centimetres,” Banchini explained.

“Once we found it, the trunk was large enough to produce all the elements of the pub – the bar, chairs, lights, handrails and changing table,” he added. “The oak tree had been cut half a century ago in Croatia and was transformed by Italian carpenters.”

The listening bar also has custom-made shelves that hold vinyl records.

Goodbye Horses’ floor was made from beaten earth – a mix of soil, straw and clay with a natural linseed oil coating. The material was chosen for both its sustainable and its acoustical properties.

“Beaten earth floors were traditionally used in rural pubs and we liked the idea to revive this amazing material,” Banchini said.

“Clay floors are not only beautiful and ecological, they also have interesting acoustical properties,” he added. “Being a listening bar, all the materials – clay, cork, wood and textured lime plaster – were selected to create good acoustical conditions.”

In the garden and the parts of the floor with the heaviest traffic, the studio added reclaimed Yorkstone slabs. The interior also features hessian curtains, which surround the space and were handpainted by artist Lucy Stein.

“Inspired by British folklore and mythology, the natural stain on the fabric filters the light entering the pub as stained glass windows in the past,” the studio said.

Other recent listening bar designs featured on Dezeen include Space Talk in London and a Sydney bar designed to feel like being “inside a giant speaker”.

The photography is by Rory Gardiner.

Project credits:

Architecture: Leopold Banchini Architects
Carpentry: DiSe

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