In the ever-evolving world of technology, 2024 has ushered in a wave of groundbreaking designs that push the boundaries of innovation and redefine our relationship with devices. From futuristic smartphones to compact computing solutions, this year’s tech landscape is rich with creative concepts that challenge conventional norms. In this 2024 Wrapped, we have curated five exceptional tech products that blew our minds this year.

Each tech product offers a unique perspective on functionality and design, showcasing the creativity and forward-thinking that drive the tech industry. Whether it’s a smartphone with an unconventional shape or a mini PC that fits in your pocket, these innovations promise to change how we interact with technology. Dive in!

1. Nokia Infinity Pro

The Nokia Infinity Pro Concept Phone transforms the smartphone design with a unique pill-shaped form, which challenges the conventional “candy bar” design. The device merges the elements of foldable clamshells and smartwatches, providing an ergonomic fit with its curvaceous shape.

The phone features a full-surface screen, which wraps around the front, creating an immersive display experience. The back features a dual-camera system and a circular display for notifications and control when placed face down. The concept isn’t simply about aesthetics, it also redefines functionality and ergonomics in smartphone design.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Nokia Infinity Pro demonstrates a bold departure from traditional smartphone designs. By eliminating sharp corners, it promises a more comfortable grip, addressing a common ergonomic issue. Its innovative screen design maximizes display area, enhancing user interaction. The dual camera and secondary display setup offer new ways to engage with the device, providing functionality without distraction. This concept represents a step forward in smartphone evolution, merging practicality with futuristic design, making its mark in 2024.

What we like

• Ergonomic, corner-free design for comfortable handling.
• Full-surface screen for an immersive display experience.

What we dislike

• Potential concerns about grip and slipperiness.
• Conceptual stage with unknown durability and feasibility.

2. Nothing Phone (3)

Called the Nothing Phone 3 Concept, this design showcases a creative leap in smartphone design. It redefines the brand’s iconic Glyph interface. It is designed by AndroidLe, and the Glyph’s G-shaped arc has been transformed into an O shape. It elegantly encircles the wireless charging coils.

The design also includes a revamped LED array around a new three-camera setup, which integrates a clover-meets-fidget-spinner aesthetic. The top-right glyph light, battery, and charging indicators remain intact. The concept successfully embodies Nothing’s commitment to consumer-focused innovation, and it maintains a distinctive visual identity that sets it apart.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Nothing Phone 3 Concept showcases a bold design evolution, demonstrating the brand’s dedication to consumer engagement and innovation. By reshaping the Glyph interface, it offers a fresh aesthetic while enhancing functionality, particularly around the camera system. As a visual exercise, this concept hints at exciting possibilities for future Nothing products, keeping the brand’s design trajectory intriguing and unpredictable, making it one of the groundbreaking designs we witnessed this year.

What we like

• Innovative Glyph redesign enhances aesthetics and functionality.
• Three-camera setup promises improved photography options.

What we dislike

• The conceptual design may not reach production.
• Changes might not appeal to all existing users.

3. Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart

Another tech revelation we witnessed in 2024 is the Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart Projector. The appliance is a worthy addition to our homes and entertainment arsenal. It is designed to be a budget-friendly ultra-short-throw projector that creates a captivating viewing experience without a TV. The projector measures over 8 inches long, 3.7 inches wide, and 3.4 inches tall.

It can project a 100-inch screen from 20 inches away, transforming any room into a mini-theater. It boasts Full HD 1080p resolution, and a vibrant color output, on account of a DLP chip and triple-laser light source. It creates budget-friendly movie experiences in the comfort of your own home.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Philips Screeneo UL5 Smart Projector offers an exceptional cinematic experience without breaking the bank. Its standout feature is the 0.23:1 ultra-short throw ratio, which allows it to project a large image from a short distance, making it ideal for compact living spaces. With automatic keystone correction and focus adjustment, setting up the projector is a breeze, letting users dive into their favorite content with ease.

What we like

• Its compact size and ultra-short throw capability make it perfect for small spaces.
• Comes with its operating system for streaming services, eliminating the need for extra devices.

What we dislike

• Does not offer the 4K resolution found in higher-end models.
• At 550 ANSI lumens, it might struggle in brightly lit environments.

4. Lunar Mini PC

Named the Lunar Mini PC, this design revolutionizes portable computing with its clever design. It is a foldable keyboard that holds a powerful AMD Ryzen 7 Processor. The compact device provides a complete PC experience in a portable form. It doesn’t include a built-in screen, thereby allowing users to connect to external displays for a tailored setup.

This solution saves battery life and aligns with modern work habits, where connectivity and flexibility are required. This mini PC is an excellent option for those who are often on the go. It gives them the power of a full-sized PC, and it will seamlessly fit into your routine, giving you access wherever you like.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Lunar Mini PC showcases an innovative design that merges portability with high performance. Its design caters to modern work styles, enabling seamless transitions between various environments and display setups. This mini PC is a game-changer for those seeking a powerful yet portable computing solution, making it a standout innovation in 2024’s tech landscape.

What we like

• High-performance AMD Ryzen processor in a compact form.
• Flexible connectivity with external displays enhances usability.

What we dislike

• The lack of a built-in screen may not suit all users.
• Requires external components for full functionality.

5. Google TV Streamer

Say hello to the Google TV Streamer! This is Chromecast’s successor, and Apple TV’s natural rival, and one of the designs that impressed us this year. It features a slanted top and a firm block base. The gadget showcases a minimal white color theme, distinguishing it from the small dongle Chromecast. It does maintain the Google TV branding though.

It is the latest 4K streaming device from Google, and it is great for your movie-watching marathons. It is paired with a remote led by a D-Pad on the top and the back, and a gray-colored home button. The volume buttons are on the front below the home button, and not on the side.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Google TV Streamer boasts a refreshed design and comes with an upgraded remote control. The new remote is longer than its predecessor the Chromecast, offering notable improvements in both design and tactile feel. The streaming box itself connects via two cables at the back, likely for power and HDMI connectivity.

What we like

• Features a sleek, flat tabletop form factor.
• Comes with enhanced and upgraded smart home controls.

What we dislike

• Utilizes Wi-Fi 5, missing out on newer standards like Wi-Fi 6E or Wi-Fi 7.
• It carries a higher price tag compared to the Chromecast with Google TV.

The post 2024 Wrapped: Unveiling The Top 5 Innovative Tech Designs first appeared on Yanko Design.

For content creators and influencers, inspiration can strike at any moment. Whether it’s scribbling down ideas for a video script or perfecting that flat-lay shot, every tool on their desk plays a role. Yet, pens—simple, essential tools—have remained uninspired for decades. They’re practical, yes, but they rarely spark creativity or stand out visually in a workspace designed to impress.

This levitating pen breaks that mold, defying gravity and expectations to become more than just a writing tool. It’s a visual centerpiece, a fidget-worthy marvel, and a story-worthy addition to any creator’s setup. It transforms the mundane act of writing into an experience that feels futuristic, engaging, and effortlessly cool.

Click Here to Buy Now: $399

If you’ve ever seen content creators at work—livestreaming a brainstorming session, capturing aesthetic desk shots for Instagram, or filming their creative process—you’ll notice that every detail matters. Their tools are props, accessories, and functional companions rolled into one. This pen isn’t just for writing; it’s for spinning hypnotically during moments of creative block, floating elegantly mid-air as the camera rolls, or sitting weightlessly on a desk like it belongs to a sci-fi movie set.

The Levitating Pen 2.0: Cosmic Meteorite Edition achieves this stunning illusion through precision engineering. Inspired by iconic spacecraft designs like the USS Enterprise, its futuristic pedestal suspends the pen at a 23.5-degree angle, creating a gravity-defying effect that stops viewers in their tracks. A simple flick sets it spinning gracefully for up to 20 seconds, offering a calming escape and tactile satisfaction to keep busy minds focused and hands engaged.

At its core lies a piece of the cosmos itself. The genuine Muonionalusta meteorite tip is a tangible relic of space, over 20 million years older than Earth. Each meteorite tip undergoes a meticulous acid-etching process, revealing one-of-a-kind cosmic patterns that make every pen truly unique. A numbered certificate of authenticity accompanies each pen, celebrating its exclusivity and elevating it to collector’s status.

Its form, however, is just as impressive as its story. Precision-crafted from aircraft-grade aluminum, the unibody design offers a luxurious satin finish that feels smooth and balanced in your hand. Combined with D1 refill compatibility, this pen isn’t just about aesthetics—it’s a tool designed to last a lifetime. Smooth, German-engineered Schmidt ink cartridges ensure every stroke is flawless, free from spills or smudges, so your ideas flow effortlessly onto the page.

For creators, this isn’t just a pen—it’s a statement piece. Whether featured in close-up shots for YouTube, styled for a flat-lay photo, or quietly spinning during a livestream, it demands attention. Its futuristic design, combined with tangible cosmic history, turns it into more than just a writing tool. It’s a creativity-boosting catalyst, clearing mental clutter and sparking your next big idea.

The perfect gravity-defying pen isn’t just about writing down ideas—it’s about sparking them. It transforms the creative workspace into something extraordinary, reminding content creators and influencers that inspiration can come from anywhere—even a pen that floats.

Click Here to Buy Now: $399

The post The perfect gravity-defying pen for content creators and influencers is from space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Local practice Studio Ellsinger has topped a small holiday cabin on Sweden‘s west coast with a hat-shaped aluminium roof to “trigger curiosity” and offer protection from its wild surroundings.

Called Hee House after its location near the beach at Heestrand, the cabin was designed as a second home for a young family willing to experiment with a design that would make the most of its small plot.

While the cabin measures just seven metres by seven metres, it is designed to “grow upwards” from its tiny footprint with a steep-pitched roof and gables clad in untreated aluminium sheeting to protect it from wind and rain.

The cabin’s clients wanted a house that would follow similar design principles to the founders of Studio Ellsinger‘s own house, Villa Ellsinger, an aluminium-clad structure that teeters above rocks on skinny stilts in southwest Sweden.

“Our house aimed to leave the ground and its surroundings as untouched as possible, as well as triggering curiosity,” said studio co-founder Mikael Ellsinger.

“The clients had bought a very rural and wild plot on the west coast of Sweden, and they wanted a similar approach,” he continued. “This resulted in a home with a tiny footprint where the spaces were allowed to grow upwards, making it possible to fit a lot of surprises in a very small building.”

Inside, the cabin’s seven-metre-high roof creates a large living space, which is divided by a loft on one side. This level includes a children’s sleeping area, a sofa bed and a workspace that can be screened off with a large curtain.

On the ground floor, the living and kitchen area is open to the ceiling with large windows looking out over the pines. An oversized bookshelf, which acts as a room divider and support for the loft above, frames a custom-built wood-burning stove.

The roof is composed of two parts, with one narrow and high section and one wide and low, giving it a hat-like appearance and creating a cantilevered canopy that provides protection from sun and rain.

To avoid detracting from the cabin’s ceiling with beams or bracing, Studio Ellsinger put the roof loads into a horizontal glue-laminated timber (glulam) frame that sits on top of the exterior walls.

“One of the challenges was to solve the steep roof construction without any beams that normally stop the outer walls from falling out,” added Ellsinger.

“This was solved with a giant glulam frame that lies on top of the outer walls and that is visible from the outside.”

Hee House’s interiors are clad in untreated pine, bringing simplicity and warmth to the cabin, while contrasting red tiles cover the floors of the kitchen. All the furniture including its sofas and tables and chairs were custom-made for the cabin.

The cabin’s loft windows and its front door are punched with circular “prisms”, a maritime reference added by the architect as a nod to the cabin’s seaside location.

“On the old sailing ships, they used glass prisms in the deck to spread light before electricity. The prisms in the door are the same sort that spreads light into the otherwise dark entrance hall,” said Ellsinger.

Based in Gothenburg, Studio Ellsinger was founded in 2010 by husband and wife duo Mikael and Fanny Ellsinger. Their first project was Villa Ellsinger, the couple’s own home, which was completed in 2017.

Other cabins that have recently been featured on Dezeen include a group of off-grid structures in the Helsinki archipelago and a concrete dwelling with a steep gabled roof in Mexico.

The photography is by Christopher Hunt.

The post Hat-shaped metal roof shelters Hee House by Studio Ellsinger appeared first on Dezeen.

Northern Soul Returns to Cologne: The Cologne Soul Weekender 2025

From March 28th to 30th, 2025, the vibrant city of Cologne will once again become the beating heart of the Northern Soul movement. The Cologne Soul Weekender 2025 (CSW25) promises an unforgettable weekend packed with soulful music, dynamic rhythms, and unparalleled culture across four top-tier venues.

Ticket Special – Give the Gift of Soul This Christmas

Celebrate the holiday season with a special CSW25 ticket offer! Enjoy 15% OFF under the theme “Gift Soul to Your Loved Ones”. Use the code KTFXMAS to grab your tickets now: Get Your Tickets Here

Cologne Soul Weekender Schedule 2025

Friday, March 28th – The Grand Opening Night

The festival kicks off on Friday with an electrifying Allnighter at the iconic Stadtgarten Concert Hall, starting at 7:00 PM. Expect a night of soulful grooves to set the perfect tone for the weekend.

Saturday, March 29th – Alldayer and Allnighter Extravaganza

• The Alldayer: From 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM, the celebration continues at Die Wohngemeinschaft. Daytime party vibes meet top-tier soul music, with a vinyl record fair to delight collectors and fans alike.
• The Main Event: On Saturday evening, the festival reaches its climax with the Northern Soul Allnighter at GLORIA. Starting at 7:30 PM, ten of the finest Northern Soul DJs from across Europe—including England, Sweden, and Germany—will ignite the dance floor. The first 25 guests will even receive a special welcome gift!

Sunday, March 30th – The Soulful Farewell

Wrap up the weekend in style on Sunday at Die Wohngemeinschaft from 1:00 PM to 5:30 PM. Enjoy soulful sounds, coffee, and cake as you bid farewell to an incredible festival.

Stellar Line-Up of International DJs

CSW25 features an extraordinary roster of DJs, bringing together some of the brightest talents from the global Northern Soul scene:

• Gerd Baum (Düsseldorf)
• Mick Heffernan (UK)
• Matt Fox (Cologne)
• Oliver Korthals aka The Original Jazzrocker (Cologne)
• DJ Richard Lodge (Lodgie) (UK)
• Mr Cat (Czech Republic)
• DJ Path (Czech Republic)
• Sir Faulker Fuller (Cologne)
• Alexander Brassel aka Mr. Buzzpop (Düsseldorf)
• Dynamic Eric Kursiefen (Cologne)
• Dirty DJane (Berlin)
• Magnus Räms (Sweden)
• Alena Arpels (UK)
• Marcus Kaffenberger (Darmstadt)
• SoulCruise Team – Capt. Blake & Monsieur Discothèque (Düsseldorf)
• Michael Peltzer (Cologne)
• Ashley Fellows (UK)
• Patrick Stölzel (Hamburg)
• Northern Grooves (UK)

What is Northern Soul?

Northern Soul is more than just a genre—it’s a passionate cultural movement. Born in the late 1960s in Northern England, it was a response to the social, economic, and political challenges of the time. Youth in cities like Manchester, Wigan, and Stoke-on-Trent came together in dance halls to escape reality, expressing themselves to the energetic beats of rare American soul and R&B records.

Over the decades, Northern Soul has become synonymous with dynamic dance styles, a thriving vinyl culture, and a distinct fashion sense. Today, this movement remains a global phenomenon, offering connection, inspiration, and community to fans worldwide.

Check out the growing Northern Soul revival in this recent report from the Heute Journal: Northern Soul Revival

Join Us at Cologne Soul Weekender 2025

Be part of the magic as Cologne transforms into a soulful paradise. Whether you’re a seasoned Northern Soul fan or a newcomer, CSW25 promises an experience like no other.

Event Dates: March 28th – 30th, 2025
Get Your Tickets Now

Stay connected with us:

• Instagram: @colognesoulweekender
• Facebook: Cologne Soul Weekender
• Threads: @colognesoulweekender
• Twitter: @colognesoulweek
• Web: www.colognesoulweekender.de

Der Beitrag Northern Soul – Cologne Soul Weekender 2025 erschien zuerst auf Designspotter Creative Media.

For those still looking for Christmas gifts, we round up this year’s top architecture and design books as part of our review of 2024.

Kiosk by David Navarro and Martyna Sobecka

Simply named Kiosk, this book features photos of more than 150 modernist, modular kiosks that brighten streets across central and eastern Europe.

Authors David Navarro and Martyna Sobecka aimed to draw attention to the surviving, unusual structures that were constructed in factories in the Eastern Bloc from the 1970s to the 1990s.

Find out more about Kiosk ›

100 Women: Architects in Practice by Harriet Harriss, Naomi House, Monika Parrinder and Tom Ravenscroft

Written by academics Harriet Harriss, Naomi House, Monika Parrinder and Dezeen editor Tom Ravenscroft, 100 Women: Architects in Practice showcases the work of  architects from 78 different countries.

The book contains interviews with some of the world’s best-known architects including Liz Diller, Tatiana Bilbao, Mariam Issoufou Kamara and Lina Ghotmeh, along with numerous women who have not yet received extensive global attention.

Find out more about 100 Women: Architects in Practice ›

Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Masterpieces by Dominic Bradbury

Published by Phaidon, the Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Masterpieces is an encyclopedia featuring 450 mid-century-modern buildings from all across the world.

The book not only contains many of the key buildings created by the movement’s trailblazers but also those designed by more under-represented architects.

Find out more about Atlas of Mid-Century Modern Masterpieces ›

Humanise by Thomas Heatherwick

The book that undoubtedly drew the most attention this year was Thomas Heatherwick’s Humanise.

In the book, along with a Radio 4 series and initiative of the same name, British designer Heatherwick takes aim at “boring” buildings.

Find out more about Humanise ›

Sacred Modernity by Jamie McGregor Smith

Sacred Modernity aimed to showcase the “unique beauty and architectural innovation” of brutalist churches across Europe.

The book contains 139 photographs of 100 churches taken by photographer Jamie McGregor Smith over five years, along with essays by writers Jonathan Meades and Ivica Brnic.

Find out more about Sacred Modernity ›

Brutal Wales by Simon Phipps

Simon Phipps’ follow up to his Brutal North and Brutal London books, Brutal Wales highlights architecture in the brutalist style across the country.

Alongside photography of 60 buildings, the book has explanatory texts in both Welsh and English, as well as an introduction by social historian John Grindrod.

Find out more about Brutal Wales ›

Donald Judd Furniture by Judd Foundation

The Donald Judd Furniture book contains photos of all the furniture pieces created by the artist for his New York and Marfa, Texas, properties that remain in production.

Along with the photos, the book contains archival sketches by Judd, newly commissioned drawings of each piece and several essays by the artist.

Find out more about Donald Judd Furniture ›

London Estates by Thaddeus Zupančič

London Estates documents the modernist council housing built in the UK capital in the post-war period.

Described by publisher Fuel as “the most comprehensive photographic document of council housing schemes in the capital”, the book was photographed by Thaddeus Zupančič.

Find out more about London Estates ›

Made in America by Christopher Payne

Photographer Christopher Payne’s Made in America book contains images taken over the past decade in the USA’s factories.

Payne created the book as a way of helping to preserve the legacy of industry in America, while documenting the skill of workers who are featured in the photography.

Find out more about Made in America ›

50 Design Ideas You Really Need to Know by John Jervis

The latest book in the 50 ideas series, 50 Design Ideas You Really Need to Know contains essays tracking the evolution of design from the 19th century to today.

Written by John Jervis, the book aims to make a broad range of design concepts accessible to a wide audience.

Find out more about 50 Design Ideas You Really Need to Know ›

The post The top 10 architecture and design books of 2024 appeared first on Dezeen.