Three Cool Ways To Break The Ice At A Party

So the party season is here and you are all geared up to go out and have a good time. Perhaps even entertain at home! While many of you may be as suave as Leonard, a few of us belong to the Rajesh Koothrappali category and can do with a little help in breaking the ice. Oh well, we are in luck! Product design is one ammo that always comes to our rescue and here are three cool ways to get a conversation started. Have a look and tell me what you think!

Wear The Brass Sometimes Watch by Dennis Guidone [ Available @ YD Store for $140 ]

The palette of Sometimes is both contemporary and classic, with elongated hands juxtaposed against the black dial. The second hand aligns with the minute and hour for but a moment. The independent movement of the seconds appear to be out of sync with time itself.

Play Music On The Pulpop MP3 Speaker by Balance Wu [ Available @ YD Store for $56 ]

Other than its unique donut shape, this USB rechargeable MP3 speaker is made of recycled pulp. It is ultra light despite its look and size. The vibration inside the hollow space of the speaker amplifies the sound. After a series of trial and error processes, this speaker was born with unexpected potency of sound volume and quality. Environmentally and design conscious!

Sip Tea With The Fish Cups and Heat Pads by Inno.park [ Available @ YD Store for $50 ]

Put on a show! The way this beautiful set works is that you place your warm tea cup on the pads and when you lift it up to sip your drink…vola! There is a bight orange fish swimming on the pad. The metal plates on the bottom of the cups allow you to place fishes anywhere on the pads when the cup reaches 68°C. Create your own school of fish, sit back, start a conversation and enjoy.


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(Three Cool Ways To Break The Ice At A Party was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Reclaimed Wood For A Better Watch

“The best time to plant a tree was twenty years ago. The second best time is now.” I love this tagline and the simple truth behind it. Essentially this is a direct lift from WeWOOD Watches and they are compelling me to think about what I can do for my planet, even if it’s through Product Design. Sure, haute horology is something everyone craves, but how many can truly say that what they are wearing is something that reminds us of a tree’s powerful way of life; rooted, yet reaching.

WeWOOD Watches follow the mantra of “You Buy a Watch, We Plant a Tree”. Crafted from 100% natural wood, which is not treated with chemicals; the makers use recycled and reclaimed woods so that no trees are hurt in the process. Yes, they plant a tree for every watch sold!

WeWOOD Timepiece is as natural as your wrist. It respects your skin as you respect nature by choosing it. One Watch – One Tree – One Planet.

WeWOOD Watches are available online. [ Buy it Here ]


Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
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(Reclaimed Wood For A Better Watch was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Adonit – Create, Empower and Excel With The Perfect Tools!

The uncanny thing about the perfect gift is that the receiver will never want to part with it. So be honest, this holiday season do you want to shop for gifts that people may end up returning or exchanging? Or do you want to get the Perfect Gift!

Adonit is perfect. They have creative solutions for an iPad friendly person. If you know someone who owns a touchscreen smartphone or a tablet; then Adonit has you covered.

As a special gesture to empower our lovely Yanko Design readers, Adonit is offering a 10% off on its range of products. This offer runs from 12th Dec 2012 to 14th Dec 2012. Redeem with the promo code: EGGNOG


Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store – We are about more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the YD Store!
(Adonit – Create, Empower and Excel With The Perfect Tools! was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Ceramics We Love

There is something earthy about using porcelain mugs and ceramic containers versus sterile cold glass and unemotional plastics. So if this Christmas season if you are getting rid of the old or firing up the décor with new fancy stuff, then give this exclusive ceramic collection a good thought, handpicked by me!

Tissue Storage by MollaSpace [ Available @ YD Store for $28 ]

Here is a ceramic alternative to replace those bulky paper tissue boxes that are just an eye sore. A simple, clean style complemented with a wooden lid is sure to brighten up your interior. Simply pull the wooden lid off to refill with tissue paper.

Thabto’s Lex, Seth & Carrie by Steven Smith & James Wosiek [ Available @ YD Store for $50 ]

Lex, Seth & Carrie are kitchen storage canisters with a dark side. They’re designed to hold tea, sugar and coffee. However they also really love to store those sinful treats like biscuits and sweets. Designed with an evil glint in their eyes to tell you what’s inside (T: tea, S: sugar & C: coffee), and their heads have room to fit the handle of a spoon.

Thabto’s Cheeky and Hungover Mood Mugs by Steven Smith, James Wosiek [ Available @ YD Store for $16 each ]

Mood Mugs are beautifully designed hand made; insulated porcelain mugs each having a simple facial expression to reflect the mood. They have double wall insulation, which ensures that the beverage is kept hot but the hands are kept cool. It eliminates the need for a handle and creates more cupboard space.

Mood Mugs; Horribly Hungover, Cheeky Chappie and Severely Stressed to join Happy as Larry, Monstrously Moody & Seriously Sleepy.


Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
Yanko Design Store – We are about more than just concepts. See what’s hot at the YD Store!
(Ceramics We Love was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Dressing Up The MacBook

The thing with buying Apple products is that you can’t dress them up in just any old accessories. Whatever you use has to be of top-notch quality, befitting the Jobs legacy. For example, the new MacBook Pro with its shimmy new features deserves a sleeve from the Carga Sleeve Collection. Basically these hand-assembled sleeves are done in small batches using single-piece vegetable tanned leather. Elastic and leather closures add a dash of panache.

The Sleeves are designed for the Apple portable range:

  • 13″ MacBook Pro and MacBook Air
  • 15″ MacBook Pro
  • The Sleeves are unpadded / unlined leather, offering scratch resistance while maintaining a slim, elegant profile.
  • The ‘old-school’ envelope look and high quality leather provide an understated counterpoint to high-tech devices.
  • No chemicals were used to treat the bag.
  • Carga Leather MacBook 15″ Sleeve is available @ YD Store $215.00 Special Price: $193.00
  • Carga Leather MacBook 13” sleeve is available @ YD Store $205.00 Special Price $184.00

Designer: Mauro Bianucci [ Available @ YD Store at Special Price ]

Available @ YD Store at Special Price


Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
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(Dressing Up The MacBook was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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With Click & Grow Everyone Can Become A Gardener

When Click & Grow became a part of the YD Roadshow in Chennai, I was both ecstatic and weary. Ecstatic that YD will be showcasing such an innovative product and weary that I was to nurture and grow the plant for the event. A beautiful Basil and Cockscomb smartpot arrived at my doorstep and I got started almost immediately. I’ll skip the details on how-to-grow, as it is explained adeptly in the video after the jump and get to more about the experience of growing my first plant ever!

If I were to sum it up in a phrase, then the experience of growing a Click & Grow Plant was ‘the easiest thing I have ever done!’ I don’t have a green thumb and zero knowledge of fertilizing a plant; however this did not hamper the progress of my baby.

Basically the Click & Grow smart garden is the combination of a water reservoir and a smart cartridge. The cartridge houses the seeds, sensor, soil and fertilizer for the plant and draws in water from the reservoir. A small pump draws in the required water at regular intervals so that the plant doesn’t suffer from under or overwatering.

All you need from your end is water and four AA batteries; that is it! You can literally fill-it, shut-it and forget-it. In addition to the sleek white smartpot, which is a brilliant addition to a modern apartment, there is the award-winning starter kit package, which is an example of astute design and makes Click & Grow an ideal gift.

Click & Grow has a special offer for Yanko Design readers!

The Click & Grow plants are for those who have a green thumb but no time for nurturing their plants as well as for those who love plants but don’t know musch about them. Here is a special offer for all Yanko Design Readers, so that they experience the convenience of a Click & grow plant.

  • Click & Grow starter kit with cockscomb 25% off with the following voucher code: YANKODESIGN
  • Offer expires on the 9th of December 2012, midnight PST.


Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
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(With Click & Grow Everyone Can Become A Gardener was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Destroying Violence Through Peace

The grenade, revolver and the nunchucks are instruments of violence and destruction. Playing on the maxim of the pen being mightier than the sword, a selection of notebooks bearing this symbolic gesture encourages us to convert violence to a tool of peace. Our creativity and knowledge expressed through words and sketches are the best means to get our points across, not through force and/or violence.

Designer: Yiweishen [ Available at The YD Store for $10 ]

Grenade Notebook by Yiweishen is available at the YD Store for $10

Revolver Notebook by Yiweishen is available at the YD Store for $10

Nunchucks Notebook by Yiweishen is available at the YD Store for $10


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(Destroying Violence Through Peace was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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TouchOfModern Gives Seven Reasons To Make You Smile

Traditionally, Indians don’t exchange sharp objects (like knives, forks etc.) as gifts because it’s a symbol of discord. However recently I was gifted a beautiful knife; the only difference was that there was an emotional story and message attached to the gift, making it impossible for me to do anything else but accept with humility, grace and honor. Such is the power of giving from the heart. This festive season TouchOfModern has a special lineup to make the art of giving as special as possible.

For the cook: Ceramic Onyx Set by Edge of Belgravia

These exclusively designed chef knives are a prime example of cutting-edge designing and performance. They certainly deserve a prime spot in kitchens across the globe.

For the techie: Elecom Orime Wireless Mouse by Elecom

Putting a captivating twist on your go-to electronics, the Elecom Orime Wireless Mouse is an absolute delight to work with.

For the music lover: MicroPod SE // Red Set Podspeakers by Scandyna

Piping out the most authentic sounds with impeccable quality, the Podspeakers are bound to impress the audiophile in your life.

For the fashionable: Uno 40 Black Date by Botta Design Quartz

The multi award-winning Botta Design have an exclusive Quartz watches collection. From this lineup we have here the Uno 40 Black Date, an amazingly fashionable watch that will appeal to the uber-chic person in your life.

For the one who likes to party: Kvad by Kul Designs


The Kvad lamp will appeal to those who like to party responsibly, without overworking our resources. Basically the illuminated pedestals are environmentally friendly and every process from manufacturing to shipping has been examined and tweaked to achieve the ultimate goal of a low carbon footprint.

For the art lover: There is Always Hope Balloon Girl by Banksy

Banksy is perhaps the most famous anonymous street artist known (or unknown) today. His satirical street art and subversive epigrams combine dark humor with graffiti done in a distinctive stenciling technique. Such artistic works of political and social commentary have been featured on streets, walls, and bridges of cities throughout the world.

For the entertainer: Madison by Anywhere Fireplaces

Emanating rich heat and nothing more, these surprisingly affordable fireplaces propose an inviting atmosphere, leaving out unnecessary soot, vents or gas lines. An ideal choice for those who like to entertain a whole lot!


Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
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(TouchOfModern Gives Seven Reasons To Make You Smile was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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Skin Your Apple Keyboard in Wood

Crafty people with nimble fingers would love this. Lazerwood makes thin wood veneers that turn those slick aluminum keys into rich, tactile wood. Time consuming yes but the results look amazing. Each piece is laser cut so if anything is off, you have no one to blame but your hands. Available in walnut or cherry for all MacBook unibody models and wireless keyboards with English layouts. Would any of you do this? Maybe we can do a giveaway for someone willing to try.

Designer: Lazerwood Buy it here


Yanko Design
Timeless Designs – Explore wonderful concepts from around the world!
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(Skin Your Apple Keyboard in Wood was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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A Teddy Bear With A Smartphone Heart

Remember Teddy Ruxpin? He brought all the boys to the yard to listen to him read a story from one of his convoluted adventures aboard an airship. The Cocolo Bear is Teddy Ruxpin 2012, although I’m pretty sure they’re unrelated because Cocolo comes from Japan. Cocolo talks to you, answers questions, and plays games thanks to his smartphone heart and app but otherwise is a glorified speaker phone. Parents can even leave messages for their kids. I need a reader from Japan to send me one PLEASE!

Designer: Cube Works, $62


Yanko Design
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(A Teddy Bear With A Smartphone Heart was originally posted on Yanko Design)

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