Australian artist/designer Elliat Rich has a very different take on cabinet doors. This is her Weaver Cabinet: The shelves are solid oak, and the "doors" are UV-stable nylon fringe. An earlier iteration of Rich's design was ceiling-suspended.The Weaver Cabinet is in production b … | Continue reading
Years ago we looked at Aquor Water Systems' intelligent design for a hose bib. Their flush-mounted House Hydrant is a damn sight better-looking than your standard spigot, and won't freeze. They offer a number of attractive debris cover options.The company has also developed this … | Continue reading
In the 1940s, architect Gregory Ain designed one of the first Modernist neighborhoods in America, in Altadena, California. Called the Park Planned Homes, it was a community of 28 single-story homes laid out in a cul-de-sac and utilizing shared green spaces between the homes. That … | Continue reading
Tragically, Los Angeles resident Brandon Sanders found his home had burned to the ground in the Eaton fire. There was one good piece of news: His Tacoma had been parked far enough away from the burning structure that only the front of the vehicle was scorched. To his surprise, wh … | Continue reading
The Core77 Design Awards Apps & Platform category features software applications that perform a specific task, such as writing documents, playing games, or watching videos. Web or mobile screen-based software programs designed for user-friendliness. Examples include community pla … | Continue reading
A California-based company called MarsCharge is dedicated to developing EV infrastructure. To design their flagship product, a freestanding commercial charger that can top off two EVs at once, they turned to industrial design consultancy DesignStein Studios. After extensive indus … | Continue reading
Here's what we looked at this week:Dremel's new Blueprint Multi-Drill is designed with innovative features that consumers can use. AI-designed footwear is here, with a new "influencer" business model.Industrial design case study: Modern Weave 3.0, by KEM Studio, is an experim … | Continue reading
A startup called HEYii claims they've developed infinitely reusable tracing paper. Called HEYtrace+, it's not actually paper at all, but a 0.5mm-thick silicone sheet with some type of proprietary coating; the company says it's nontoxic and allows you to erase the sheet using wate … | Continue reading
Here's an example of design research that does not (in my opinion) consider larger societal consequences. Researchers at Canada's University of Waterloo are experimenting with the ability to control smartphone apps with your feet, as you walk.You could argue that this isn't "desi … | Continue reading
The Community First! Village in central Texas provides affordable housing to Austin's homeless population. Developed by Mobile Loaves & Fishes, an Austin-based nonprofit, it currently houses 370 formerly homeless people in tiny-house-style accommodations. Now they're getting an a … | Continue reading
This Stöker product is referred to by its manufacturer, Idaho-based camping supply company Überleben, as an "ultra minimalist flatpack twig stove." It's five sheets of 304 stainless steel, with tabs and slots for easy assembly. The grate you place on top is also 304 stainless. B … | Continue reading
Oceanus Brass, a company that creates high-quality nautical tools, decided to machine a 20-pound tankard out of a bar of 304 stainless steel. They posted it on Kickstarter as a drinking mug, and wouldn't you know it, it's taken off. "The Oceanus Brass Tankard is crafted on a stat … | Continue reading
The Core77 Design Awards Emerging Technologies category features systems, services, hardware, or software products created with the aid of recently created or developed software and hardware technologies. Examples include projects that incorporate the use of artificial intelligen … | Continue reading
This innovative, solidly-built Modular Tote is by ToughBuilt. Aimed at tradespeople, it's an open-top tool bag with no less than 68 pockets and loops.It comes with two removable, zippered soft-sided bags and three removable, pocket-laden dividers that can be slotted within ribs i … | Continue reading
LG, Samsung and Lenovo have all been working on stretchable screens for at least two years. It looks like Lenovo will be the first to market; they've announced their ThinkBook Plus Gen 6, a laptop whose screen expands from 14" to 16.7". While that doesn't sound like much, the com … | Continue reading
Remember the pre-smartphone era, when cell phone design was fun and experimental? When phones had actual buttons?Here's a chance to revisit some of those designs: Today Finland's Aalto University launches the Nokia Design Archive. Freely accessible to all online, it contains "ske … | Continue reading
As fires continue to devastate the Los Angeles area, designers are stepping up to help. UX designer and design writer Hang Xu and writer Lex Roman have created a series of livestream events, running through Friday, to raise money for those who have lost their homes in the fire."V … | Continue reading
These are umbilical cord scissors: These are PEX cutters: Both are made to cut through tubing, but their forms are obviously quite different.The outer edges of the umbilical cord scissors are rounded, to prevent any accidental injuries. The tool is monomaterial (stainless steel, … | Continue reading
This g.stand, by Seoul-based industrial design firm grape lab, is made from a single sheet of recycled paper. It weighs just 45g (1.5oz), but is sturdy enough to hold "even the heaviest laptops," the firm writes. "The carefully designed origami structure has the perfect angles fo … | Continue reading
In this age of EDC, objects claiming to be mil-spec are prized. But that label is easy to slap onto an object; what does it take to actually design a military-grade product? SGW Designworks, an Idaho-based industrial design and engineering consultancy with defense and military cl … | Continue reading
Here's what we looked at this week:The Travel Heavy, an aluminum 12" LP carrier for traveling DJs, is an upgrade from milk crates. Nifty tool: A tiny universal workholding device for watchmakers.Now available in the U.S.: This electric-assist screwdriver from Japan. An impres … | Continue reading
For decades, power tools have fallen into two categories: Those designed for tradespeople, and wimpier versions for consumers. As with the "pink it and shrink it" approach to making products supposedly appeal to women, designing a consumer-grade power tool was about removing feat … | Continue reading
For better or worse, AI-designed footwear is here, and I suppose it was only a matter of time. Entrepreneur Ben Weiss, backed by Reebok co-founder Joe Foster, has set up a company called Syntilay that will leverage both the technology and the influencer economy to shift product. … | Continue reading
This experimental Modern Weave 3.0 chair is by KEM Studio, an industrial design and architecture firm based in Kansas City, Missouri. The idea was to produce a non-molded outdoor chair with a modicum of cushioning, using rope. Modern Weave is a continued exploration of reinterpre … | Continue reading
Two years ago we spotted this gimmicky-looking MagicH chair, an "ultra adaptive support home office chair" by Chinese manufacturer Newtral. People went bonkers for it on Kickstarter; it landed $1.8 million. Now the company's back with a new offering, the Freedom-X, a "multi-posit … | Continue reading
Angelo Lelii's classic Polifemo lamp, from 1956, was a torchiere that featured a secondary adjustable mood light. The feature was a flight of fancy on Lelii's part. Now, 68 years later, technology has advanced to the point where more sophisticated functions can be crammed into a … | Continue reading
The Core77 Design Awards Design for Social Impact category features projects designed to directly benefit social, humanitarian, community, or environmental needs. Examples of social impact work include community or environmental impact initiatives, products for underrepresented c … | Continue reading
At first blush this might seem silly, but I say the thinking behind it is good. Inventor Charles Harris reckoned that a spatula would be more useful if the angle between blade and handle could be adjusted. To realize the design, he bent the handle so that it comes into the blade' … | Continue reading
Construction Specialties, Inc. designs and manufactures specialty architectural products, particularly healthcare facilities. They make this unusual door, which has a second door within it: So what's the application? "Our barrier-resistant doors offer a unique solution for behavi … | Continue reading
In 1930s Czechoslovakia, the Central Social Institution (CSI) of Prague developed a massive archive of social welfare data. They used cutting-edge (for the time) punch cards to record personal and social data of citizens receiving assistance. Researchers used this data to study p … | Continue reading
With its deep portfolio, global tractor manufacturer New Holland produces a wide variety of specialty models for different agricultural businesses. A subset of French vineyards, however, presents a unique challenge: The terrain forces them to utilize a narrow style of planting th … | Continue reading
This is a strange invention that demonstrates outside-of-the-box thinking. A startup called Swippitt has developed this Instant Power System, a way to fully charge your smartphone in just two seconds. The system requires you sheathe your phone in their Swippitt Link, a phone case … | Continue reading
The Core77 Design Awards Home & Living category features consumer products or services designed to enhance comfort, convenience, security, and sustainability in residential spaces. Products and services can integrate digital tools, smart devices, and automation systems, making ev … | Continue reading
This eye-catching Nyala Chair is by Jomo Tariku, an Ethiopian industrial designer based in Virginia. "Inspired by the shy and elusive mountain antelope from the Bale Mountains of East Africa, the hand-carved armrests and legs of this chair echo the Nyala's distinctive soaring hor … | Continue reading
This Stupid Car Tray is something that will never make it into the MoMA, but which will probably make a lot of peoples' lives easier. And some good design thought has been put into it. It's a simple tray with legs on one end, allowing you to turn your car's passenger seat into a … | Continue reading
This attractive acrylic Annabell pendant lamp is by Mottoform, a/k/a industrial designer Elizabeth Salonen. "Light and darkness are a big part of life in Finland," says Salonen. "I'm inspired by light. When it's cold and dark in the Finnish winter, you stay inside. Fire and light … | Continue reading
Here's a small, thoughtful detail on ski accessory manufacturer Yardsale's poles: They contain embedded magnets, making a pair of them easier to carry. Their P1 Poles, aimed at the casual skier, run $149 and are available in several different fixed lengths. Their $189 P2 Poles fe … | Continue reading
I am all for floor-cleaning robots ; they can't do you much harm from down there. But Australian manufacturer Roborock decided to give their Saros Z70 robo-cleaner a freaking five-axis arm and a claw.The idea is that when it encounters an obstacle blocking its path, it lifts it o … | Continue reading
Canadian inventor Mitch Krahn suffers from a herniated disc. He finds that leaning far back in his chair helps to alleviate the pain, but finds it difficult to work from that position. He thus conceived of this Ergo Desk, a sitting and standing desk that can also recline, in the … | Continue reading
While milk crates are good enough for ferrying records to local gigs, these Travel Heavy cases are aimed at the professional traveling DJ. The London-based manufacturer, also called Travel Heavy, says they qualify as hand luggage "on most airlines." The aluminum cases are lined … | Continue reading
This strange-looking object… …is a universal vise for holding diminutive workpieces.They're used by watchmakers to hold movements in place while they're being worked on. A demonstration of how it works: I couldn't find any examples from reputable manufacturers. (These are being … | Continue reading
A bestseller in Japan, this electric-assist screwdriver with a ball-shaped handle is by Japan's Vessel Tools. (That company, formed in 1916, was Japan's first mass-manufacturer of screwdrivers.)Aimed at installers and tradespeople working in tight spaces, it offers the convenienc … | Continue reading
Here's an impressive demonstration of investigating a material, the kind of thing ID students ought be doing in the studio. The unknown craftsperson behind this Bamboo Art YouTube channel has perfectly exploited the properties of bamboo to create this projectile weapon:You can se … | Continue reading
In the dynamic world of industrial design, where innovation meets practicality, recognition can serve as a vital catalyst for growth. Entering the Core77 Design Awards offers designers, teams, organizations and students an unparalleled opportunity to showcase work, gain credibili … | Continue reading
The Core77 Design Awards Toys & Play category features consumer products designed for children or adults for the purpose of activating play and creative exploration. Examples include children's toys, board games, art supplies, DIY kits, educational toys, electronic toys, musical … | Continue reading
Sony is now taking reservations for the Afeela 1, a blandly-styled sedan they've been developing with Honda. An all-wheel-drive EV with a 300-mile range, the car is laden with over 40 sensors to support semi-autonomous driving; the vehicle's abilities will be between Level 2 and … | Continue reading
Sketchers and writers, look around your desk: Could you never buy another pen? If your cup is filled with G2 rollerballs or disposable ballpoints, the answer is no. But some of us have "forever" pens where all we need to buy are the refills, and there's something satisfying about … | Continue reading
Standard hardwood flooring features a tongue-and-groove arrangement to lock each piece into place. However, the interlocking set-up means that should you need to remove a damaged piece, or access the subfloor for some maintenance reason, you must take up the entire floor until yo … | Continue reading