Hasta La Ideas

Dezeen Events Guide is creating its annual guide to Stockholm Design Week, which takes place from 3 to 9 February in 2025. The guide spotlights all the key events taking place during the festival.

If you’re hosting an event – such as an exhibition, installation, talk, tour, open showroom or product launch – you can be listed in the guide.

Stockholm Furniture Fair returns as one of the week’s largest events during the festival, running from 4 to 8 February at Stockholmsmässan, with this edition appointing British designer Faye Toogood as its guest of honour.

To help you navigate the festival, the 2025 guide will include a dedicated map to highlight all the featured events.

Get listed in Dezeen’s digital Stockholm guide

Dezeen offers standard, enhanced and featured listings in its Stockholm guide.

Standard listings cost £100 and include the event name, date and location details plus a website link. These listings will also feature up to 50 words of text about the event.

Enhanced listings cost £175 and include all of the above plus an image at the top of the listing’s page and an image in the listing preview on the Dezeen Events Guide homepage. These listings will also feature up to 100 words of text about the event.

Featured listings cost £350 and include all elements of an enhanced listing plus a post on Dezeen’s Threads channel, inclusion in the featured events carousel on the right hand of the festival guide homepage for up to two weeks and 150 words of text about the event. This text can include commercial information, such as ticket prices and offers and can feature additional links to website pages such as ticket sales, newsletter signups and more.

For more information about partnering with us to help amplify your event, contact the team at eventsguide@dezeen.com.

About Dezeen Events Guide

Dezeen Events Guide is our guide to the best architecture and design events taking place across the world each year.

The guide is updated weekly and includes virtual events, conferences, trade fairs, major exhibitions and design weeks.

For more details on inclusion in the Dezeen Events Guide, including in our guide to Stockholm Design Week, email eventsguide@dezeen.com.

The illustration is by Rima Sabina Aouf.

The post Get listed in Dezeen’s digital guide for Stockholm Design Week 2025 appeared first on Dezeen.

So, I caved and bought the Meta Ray-Bans 2 this year. I desperately needed something to record hands-free video and this seemed like the best option possible. The problem, however, was the same problem I’ve had with Meta all along – they’re notoriously data-hungry. I’ve deliberately disabled Meta’s AI assistant features on the glasses ONLY because I don’t want to give the company more information than it already has on me. Then an email emerged in my inbox – from a company that was building exactly the kind of smart glasses I needed.

Looktech’s pitch is rather simple – wearables are great, AI is great; but we already have a phone that harvests our data, a watch that tracks our health, a smart speaker that listens to everything we say. It’s time we had a gadget that let us use powerful features without sacrificing our privacy. The AI-powered smart glasses let you capture the world around you thanks to built-in cameras, while Looktech’s AI agent takes things one step further by letting the AI analyze what you see for a more meaningful, personalized experience. That means being able to use your smart glasses to read different languages, translate signs/menus, scan your food to get an approximate calorie count, or even identify plants with a simple command. The AI aside, you still have a pair of stylish glasses that let you take photos and videos of your POV, something I’ve come to absolutely love. Notably, the Looktech records media in landscape mode, while the Meta glasses opt for vertical content.

Designer: Looktech

Click Here to Buy Now: $209 $349 (40% off). Hurry, only 25/309 left! Raised over $190,000.

Styled to look like a pair of regular Wayfarer-style glasses, the Looktech hides an impressive amount of tech underneath the hood. You’ve got a 13MP camera capable of recording hi-res photos and 2K videos, a set of superlinear speakers that fire audio directly into your ear, helping you hear music or take calls privately without others hearing what you hear (while still allowing you to hear the world around you), and finally an AI capable of performing a variety of tasks like talking to you, analyzing what you see, or even summarizing/transcribing your calls. Finally, Looktech’s app gives you access to media from your glasses, allowing you to edit videos and photos, and do unique things by bringing the AI into the mix like counting calories or identifying items.

A significant upgrade over Meta’s Ray-Bans 2, the Looktech packs a 13MP camera that records 2K video, measurably higher than the Ray-Bans’ 720p output. This makes your spectacles about as powerful as your phone’s own camera. Record your POV, use the camera as your personal dashcam while driving/riding, take photos quickly before moments pass, or capture images for the AI to analyze, the glasses give you a discreet personal camera that sees what you see. Looktech’s Super Anti-Shake technology digitally fixes any jitter or movement while you record – something that tends to happen while you’re walking/running. Images also get automatically horizontally calibrated just in case your head’s slightly tilted while clicking a photo – something that almost always happens fairly unconsciously because your brain always sees the world straight.

Meanwhile, two superlinear speakers sit right within the glass stems, focusing audio directly into your ears. The beam-forming speakers guide the sound into your ears and keep them from leaking out. So even though you’re not wearing headphones, you can hear music playing directly in your ears… and others can’t. The open-ear design means discreet music playlists, podcast sessions, or calls. I don’t condone it but you could totally listen to music during a boring lecture. Sure, you’ll still be able to hear the world around you, which means you’re aware of traffic while crossing the road, etc.

The speakers are supplemented by a microphone that has powerful noise cancelation built right in so that your voice is transmitted crystal-clear to the people you’re talking to. The glasses automatically adjust mic gain too, and even account for echo if you’re in a reverb-y place. Think AirPods, but built right into your glasses. And as someone who’s worn the Ray-Bans before, the audio quality can often surprise you by how good it is.

The glasses come with strictly hardware buttons, ditching capacitive touch surfaces that can often accidentally register input while you’re adjusting the glasses. A capture button on the right stem lets you activate the camera, with a press for photo and a long-press for video. Meanwhile, a dedicated AI button on the left lets you summon the AI assistant, and a rotating media crown lets you control volume.

The secret sauce lies in the Looktech’s AI chops. The AI assistant can be summoned right through the glasses through its dedicated button, or can be used within the Looktech app. The words “Hey Memo” summon the AI, allowing you to remotely capture moments, get driving directions, set and take account of daily tasks, and answer calls. The app gives you extra features, allowing the AI to analyze specific images from your camera roll. You can have the AI help you with activities like capturing a parking spot and reminding you where you parked your car, or something more uniquely powerful like translating signs or a food menu card in a foreign country. Then have the AI tell you how to say Thank You in the local language that the waiters will appreciate. The AI handles tasks, summarizes conversations, creates transcripts of phone calls (if you ask it), and even has past recollection, so you could literally ask it about the meal you had a week ago, or whether you’ve got any engagements next month.

Going beyond something as simple as the ChatGPT app, the Looktech app has diverse set of features. For starters, it helps edit videos that you take from the glasses (doing something even the Meta View app doesn’t). Aside from clipping and cropping your media, the AI on the app can identify key moments in a video, add music, create captions, and turn simple recordings into post-processed videos to share online. Moreover, it also comes with its own set of mini-apps that perform specific activities like transcribe meetings/calls, track calories from food images (to a fairly accurate degree), and identify plants, with more mini-apps coming along the way.

Looktech’s AI is operating on the latest leading AI models like GPT-4o, Claude, or Gemini. The AI intuitively relies on different LLMs to get the best possible result, being effectively greater than the sum of its parts. Notably, it also anonymizes data going to any of the LLMs, so the AI can’t build a data profile on you. This is a stark contrast to Meta’s glasses, which only rely on Meta AI. The data is directly tied to your Meta profile, which in turn already aggregates information from Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Needless to say, this means your data overwhelmingly belongs to one company – something that the Looktech changes. Along with anonymized processing, TLS and AES encryption ensure that your data isn’t harvested by a third party. Essentially, you’re never the product, and your information isn’t a commodity.

The glasses themselves are undoubtedly sleek, adding all that tech without compromising on style one bit. Most smart glasses from not too long ago ended up being clunky, but the Looktech looks exactly like you’d expect a slick pair of acetate frames to look. They’re fairly lightweight at just 37 grams, which addresses a problem I’ve had with the Meta Ray-Bans that weigh over 50 grams and keep sliding down my nose. This is thanks to the use of TR90 plastic for the frame’s outer body, and titanium hinges that add robustness without the weight. The frames come in a single style for now, with 4 different color options ranging from opaque to gradient and transparent. You can buy them as-is, or if you’re like me, have Looktech fit prescription lenses in before shipping.

The frames come with 32 gigabytes of on-board memory, and the Looktech automatically overwrites data once it gets transferred to your phone. The device boasts a stellar 14-hour battery life, and charges via a magnetic cable that snaps to contact-points on the spectacles. Each pair of glasses also come with a carrying case, a cleaning cloth, and a 1-year warranty. The app is free to install, and Looktech isn’t charging anything extra for the AI features… for now. The company also promises to keep updating its LLMs based on new models and launches, so you’re always using the latest AI models out there.

Click Here to Buy Now: $209 $349 (40% off). Hurry, only 25/309 left! Raised over $190,000.

The post Forget Meta Ray-Bans, these AI Smart-Glasses Let You Capture The World Without Stealing Your Data first appeared on Yanko Design.

Banksy’s latest work, revealed on December 16 via Instagram, brings a familiar theme back into the spotlight—the Madonna and Child. The black-and-white stencil depicts a mother breastfeeding her baby, with classical undertones that immediately echo Renaissance-era iconography. Unlike traditional renderings, however, the piece introduces an unsettling detail: the woman’s breast appears punctured by the corroded rust of the metal sheet it sits on. The baby’s expression adds to the unease, its distressed gaze amplifying the sense of vulnerability and suffering that radiates from the composition.

Artist: Banksy

The Instagram post, which surfaced without location details or accompanying context, offers Banksy’s signature ambiguity. It leaves room for interpretation, allowing the public to form their own connections to the work. Social media, unsurprisingly, was quick to fill that gap. Many commenters noted the mural’s religious undertones, connecting the Madonna-and-Child imagery to Bethlehem—a city synonymous with the Nativity story. Banksy’s choice to depict such a scene on a rusted surface may evoke a broader narrative of resilience and struggle, themes that often resonate deeply in his works. It’s a reminder of how place, texture, and subject can intertwine to amplify meaning, inviting viewers to reflect on the contrast between tradition and modern hardship without anchoring the interpretation to one specific event or location. The suggestion isn’t without weight. Banksy has frequently highlighted conflict zones, particularly through his work in the West Bank, where his art has often blurred the line between activism and visual commentary.

Nursing Madonna by Leonardo da Vinci, circa 1490, Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg

Others on social media posited a more personal interpretation. One user speculated on maternal choices and how they might impact the child, writing: “Could this imply a mother’s lifestyle choices affect the milk she feeds to her baby who has no choice but to accept it?” Another raised the issue of food systems and environmental contamination, suggesting the mural comments on the transfer of chemicals from mother to child through breastfeeding. While the work refrains from offering answers, it invites the viewer to wrestle with questions—a hallmark of Banksy’s approach.

The artist’s choice of material plays a significant role in amplifying the mural’s message. The rusted metal sheet, punctured and weathered, creates a sharp juxtaposition to the serene expression on the mother’s face, amplifying the emotional weight of the mural. This contrast transforms the nurturing act into something unsettling, a visual reminder of how tenderness and suffering often coexist in harsh realities. The hole itself becomes part of the art, uncomfortably aligning with her breast and turning the nurturing act of breastfeeding into a symbol of intrusion or decay. This deliberate use of a rough, industrial surface introduces tension that contrasts the gentle intimacy of the figures. Banksy has often used urban textures to reinforce his themes, whether it’s the crumbling walls of Gaza or derelict buildings in London.

This isn’t the first time Banksy has explored Madonna and Child imagery. His 2003 piece “Toxic Mary” depicted a similarly maternal figure feeding an infant from a bottle marked with a skull and crossbones. The message was stark—a direct critique of societal toxins or corrupted systems infiltrating innocence. In this new work, the commentary feels subtler yet no less pressing. The baby’s upward gaze and the pierced breast create a layered dialogue that bridges personal suffering and broader societal dysfunction.

Banksy’s “Toxic Mary”

Design-wise, Banksy’s technique remains meticulous. The stencil work is precise, from the soft gradients on the mother’s cheeks to the baby’s expressive features. These fine details pull viewers in, lending a sense of tenderness to an otherwise stark and unsettling image. The composition itself follows a classic triangular structure reminiscent of Renaissance paintings, yet stripped of color and placed on a decaying backdrop. This interplay between the traditional and the raw adds to the mural’s emotional impact, drawing on familiarity while subverting expectations.

The timing of this release is notable. Banksy’s last post was in August, where he unveiled a series of animal-themed works—playful and dynamic depictions of creatures like elephants, monkeys, and a gorilla breaking free from London Zoo. In contrast, this mural marks a tonal shift back toward social and political commentary, which has long been Banksy’s most impactful territory. Whether intended or not, the release of this Madonna-and-Child mural during the holiday season highlights the piece’s resonance. It engages with themes of birth, suffering, and survival—concepts deeply tied to both the Nativity and contemporary struggles.

From a design perspective, Banksy’s use of grayscale aligns perfectly with the mood of the mural. The monochromatic palette eliminates distractions, sharpening the focus on the emotional weight of the figures. It’s also a technique that feels uniquely Banksy—visually minimal but layered with meaning. The contrast between the figures and the rusted void gives the piece depth, a dynamic relationship between subject and medium. The metal itself becomes part of the narrative, its imperfections reflecting the realities of hardship and decay. I particularly appreciate how this choice resonates with Yanko Design’s own thematic approach to monochromatic imagery. The raw simplicity of grayscale, when paired with thoughtful design, often elevates emotional depth while maintaining visual clarity—a principle we hold close in the way we capture and present our work here. It’s art that speaks volumes without saying too much, a balance of restraint and impact that mirrors the very ethos of great design.

Banksy’s strength as an artist is his ability to merge visual simplicity with complex storytelling. This mural speaks to multiple audiences at once. For some, it’s a commentary on war and suffering. For others, it’s a personal reflection on motherhood, environmental degradation, or systemic failure. Banksy leaves the door open—an approach that turns art into a conversation rather than a definitive statement. That openness is what gives this work its staying power, allowing viewers to project their own experiences and concerns onto the imagery.

Viewed through the lens of modern design, Banksy’s ability to adapt his art to found surfaces is particularly noteworthy. The rusted metal panel, punctuated and scarred, transforms into an active participant in the composition. It’s not a passive backdrop but a critical element that shapes how the figures are perceived. This blending of subject and medium aligns with contemporary design principles that celebrate material honesty and storytelling through texture. It’s a reminder that design—like art—is as much about what you include as what you leave exposed.

Shredding the Girl and Balloon

Banksy’s mother-and-child mural lingers with its contradictions. It is tender yet brutal, serene yet distressed, timeless yet urgent. The piercing through the breast might symbolize harm, but it also forces the viewer to confront resilience—a mother who carries on despite the intrusion. That duality mirrors the struggles we see across the globe, where hope persists amid destruction. Themes of maternal strength, innocence under siege, and societal decay converge into a single powerful image that refuses to fade from memory. Banksy doesn’t hand us solutions, but he compels us to look closer, to sit with discomfort, and to consider our role in perpetuating or alleviating these struggles. Whether interpreted as a political critique, a personal reflection on motherhood, or a commentary on environmental and societal erosion, the mural carries a weight that feels impossible to ignore. Its quiet power stays with you long after you’ve looked away, demanding reflection and offering no easy answers. That is where Banksy’s brilliance lies—in his ability to ask the hardest questions through the simplest forms, leaving us to wrestle with the uncomfortable truths he reveals.

The post Banksy’s Madonna and Child: A Haunting Vision of Resilience and Decay first appeared on Yanko Design.

I guess the best metric of success is to measure how many brands are copying you. It seems like Nothing has been getting quite a few wins, with companies leaning into the transparent aesthetic – but the Glyph Interface has always been Nothing’s signature flex… Not anymore, though. A suspiciously-familiar design just emerged out of Doogee’s catalog, featuring a series of flashing LED strips on the back that Doogee calls their ‘Light Elf’. Say hello to the Blade GT, a smartphone that suggests the company is ready to trade in its rugged reputation for something flashier. With a back panel lit up by LEDs and a translucent design, the Blade GT feels like it’s auditioning for a role in the Nothing Phone lineup. Whether it earns the spotlight or ends up being a quirky sideshow remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Nothing’s clearly doing something right with their Glyph Interface.

The LEDs on the back are impossible to miss. They flash and flicker, drawing immediate comparisons to the LED matrix that pretty much define Nothing’s phones. For a brand like Doogee, which usually emphasizes toughness over trendiness, this design choice feels like an unexpected pivot. Yes, the Glade GT is still an undeniably rugged device (Doogee doesn’t ditch that), but the Light Elf tries to give the device a bit of character beyond the ruggedness. If you look closely enough, you’ll see a winking elf on the phone’s back, with a smile, a round nose, and a personality that apparently comes to life when the phone’s in use.

Designer: Doogee

Turning to the front, the Blade GT offers a 6.72-inch IPS TFT display with a Full HD+ resolution, which may be a bit of a drag for people used to high-resolution displays. The 120Hz refresh rate ensures smooth performance for scrolling and gaming, which has become a standard expectation for phones in this price range. It’s not an OLED display, so you’re not getting the deepest blacks or the most vibrant colors, but for its category, it does the job. After all, if anyone splurges on a military-grade rugged phone, they’re really not going to nitpick when it comes to display contrast, are they now?

Internally, the Blade GT is powered by MediaTek’s Dimensity 7050 chipset, paired with 12GB of RAM and 256GB of internal storage. This configuration positions the phone firmly in the mid-range segment, capable of handling most daily tasks, streaming, and gaming without too much fuss. It also includes a microSD card slot, which is a nice practical touch even if it feels like a relic in the modern smartphone world. The chipset isn’t anything worth writing home about, given that the budget Nothing Phone (2a) has a better Dimensity 7200 chipset manufactured on the 4nm process.

The elephant in the room, however, is the Light Elf on the back, featuring 6 glyphs, ahem, light strips. The back panel features LED strips that light up for notifications, calls, music sync, and charging indicators, offering some customizable options for users who enjoy a bit of flair. The glyphs actually emote too, with their own happy, sad, and excited expressions, although why I’d want my phone to have emotions is sort of beyond me. While undeniably eye-catching, the Light Elf doesn’t introduce anything particularly innovative—it’s essentially a rehash of what Nothing popularized, minus the ecosystem integration or finesse. There are a few borrowed features, like battery charging being displayed on the glyph (or loop), or different apps triggering different light strips – but nothing as expansive or customizable as the kind seen on Nothing’s phones.

The camera setup is headlined by a 100MP main sensor, which is accompanied by an 8MP ultrawide lens and a 2MP macro shooter. While the high megapixel count sounds impressive on paper, the actual performance will likely hinge on the phone’s image processing software. In good lighting, you can expect decent shots, but don’t be surprised if low-light performance falters. Up front, the 32MP selfie camera handles casual snaps and video calls reasonably well. Riding the GenAI train, the phone comes with a few AI photo editing features too, including a Google-esque Magic Eraser, as well as background removal or changing tools. There’s even a speech-generation feature that can make your existing photos talk in more than 50 languages.

For all its flashy design choices, the Blade GT doesn’t entirely abandon Doogee’s rugged roots. It offers IP68 water and dust resistance, and is certified MIL-STD 810G (a military standard for durability) so it can handle all kinds of weather and impact without really showing signs of wear and tear. The 5000mAh battery functions in conditions as low as -40°C and as high as 70°C, delivering all-day endurance in the harshest weather.

The Blade GT is an odd device, caught between Doogee’s rugged past and its apparent desire to break into the design-conscious mainstream. The LED-lit back and translucent panel attempt to inject personality into a phone that’s main feature is still its rugged design and durability. At $359, it still does a fair bit to impress for a low-mid-range device, although this won’t be the phone that pushes Doogee to the mainstream. Or maybe it will, if Nothing decides to lawyer up…

The post This Isn’t the Nothing Phone (3), But the Doogee Blade GT Wants You to Think So first appeared on Yanko Design.

It’s Mobile Monday, a day dedicated to celebrating all things mobile, and what better way to honor it than by announcing the 2024 App Store Awards? Apple has revealed the winners, honoring 17 remarkable developers whose creations have redefined how technology can serve personal and societal needs. These accolades celebrate apps and games that have achieved excellence in design, innovation, and user experience while making a lasting cultural impact.

Tim Cook, Apple’s CEO, highlighted the importance of this year’s winners, stating, “The developers we’re celebrating today are harnessing the power of Apple devices and technology to deliver experiences that enrich the lives of users and have a profound impact on their communities.” For instance, apps like Oko have revolutionized accessibility for visually impaired users, while EF Hello has broken down language barriers for millions, enabling more inclusive communication worldwide. This statement highlights Apple’s broader focus on fostering creativity and innovation within the app ecosystem.

Recognizing Excellence Across Platforms

Top App and Game Honors

At the forefront of this year’s awards were the iPhone App and Game of the Year. Kino, developed by Lux Optics Inc., earned the App of the Year title for its advanced photography tools that bring cinematic storytelling to users’ fingertips. Combining professional-grade film-inspired filters with intuitive controls, Kino empowers creators of all skill levels to elevate their visual narratives. I’m also using this app and absolutely love it for its seamless blend of professional features and ease of use.

The Apple TV App of the Year went to F1 TV from Formula One Digital Media Limited. This app brings the thrill of Formula 1 racing directly to fans, offering live broadcasts, in-depth analysis, and exclusive content for an unparalleled viewing experience. My daughter and I are big fans of F1, and this app has completely changed how we engage with the sport. It allows us to dive deep into races, connect with the stories of drivers, and revisit past seasons with ease, making it an essential part of our Formula 1 experience.

Meanwhile, AFK Journey from Farlight Games was recognized as the iPhone Game of the Year. The game blends action-packed tactical gameplay with compelling storylines, immersing players in rich adventures that unfold seamlessly across mobile platforms.

Cultural Impact Award Winners

Apple also acknowledged six applications for their societal contributions, celebrating tools that address critical challenges and foster meaningful connections. Notable winners include:

• Oko, an accessibility app designed to aid visually impaired users by providing auditory and haptic feedback for navigating urban environments, ensuring greater independence.
• EF Hello, an AI-powered language-learning platform that adapts to users’ skill levels, making global communication more accessible and inclusive.

These apps demonstrate how technology can bridge gaps and foster inclusivity in our daily lives.

Expanding Frontiers: Vision Pro and Beyond

In an exciting milestone, Apple introduced a new category this year for apps developed for the Apple Vision Pro, marking a bold step into spatial computing. These apps push the boundaries of how users interact with technology by creating deeply immersive environments.

Pioneering applications like “What If…? An Immersive Story” showcase the storytelling capabilities of Vision Pro. This app combines spatial audio and vivid visuals to craft a choose-your-own-adventure experience where users navigate through a series of narrative-driven decisions. By placing users at the center of the action, “What If…?” transforms storytelling into a highly interactive and personal journey.

Another standout, “THRASHER: Arcade Odyssey”, reinvents retro gaming with modern technology. It uses Vision Pro’s spatial tracking and 3D capabilities to create a fully immersive arcade experience. Players can interact with virtual environments in ways that feel natural and intuitive, making the gameplay both nostalgic and innovative.

These apps highlight the transformative potential of Vision Pro, blending augmented reality with storytelling to deliver experiences that are engaging, dynamic, and unlike anything users have seen before.

A Global Celebration of Developers

This year’s winners came from a pool of 45 finalists, including solo creators, small indie studios, and large development teams. App Store editors evaluated each one for design quality, ease of use, and creativity across Apple’s platforms, such as iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch, and Vision Pro.

The mix of winners shows just how wide-reaching Apple’s developer community is, spanning different cultures and continents. It also highlights how the App Store continues to be a place where innovative ideas can connect with people in meaningful ways.

Driving Transformative Innovation

The 2024 App Store Awards highlight exceptional apps and reinforce Apple’s focus on fostering a platform where developers can push boundaries. By recognizing apps like Kino, Oko, and EF Hello, Apple demonstrates the vital role of technology in addressing real-world challenges and enhancing everyday experiences.

These awards recognize how apps improve daily life, inspire creativity, and bring value to communities worldwide. As Apple continues to expand its ecosystem with innovations like Vision Pro, the App Store remains a cornerstone for creativity and impact, driving the possibilities of what apps can achieve.

Visit Apple’s official newsroom page for the complete list of winners and their stories.

The post Apple Celebrates Innovation and Cultural Impact in 2024 App Store Awards first appeared on Yanko Design.