The trend of having a fusion of analog and digital photographs doesn’t seem to be just a trend anymore as we’re seeing a lot of brands still thriving. There is a certain joy in having printed photos adorn your wallet, journal, or wall, no matter if you’re Gen X or a Millenial or Gen Alpha. It’s not just about memory keeping or photography sometimes as it’s also an expression of creativity when you use various other things to decorate it or you use it as actual decoration. We see brands also embrace the creative aspect that collectors get from tangible photographs and this latest collaboration between two giants of creativity is one that you have to watch out for.

This exciting new partnership sees Polaroid, a brand synonymous with instant photography, joining forces with the prestigious Museum of Modern Art (MoMA) to create a truly unique and collectible item. At the heart of this collaboration is a limited-edition iteration of the highly sought-after Polaroid Now Generation 3 Instant Camera. This special MoMA Edition stands out with its visually arresting monochrome blue finish, a sleek and modern aesthetic that perfectly complements the iconic MoMA logo, which is prominently displayed as a mark of this creative union.

Designer: Polaroid and MoMA

Adding a touch of personalization and style, the camera is accompanied by not just one, but three interchangeable neck straps. Each strap boasts a distinct color-blocking design, allowing users to switch them out to match their personal style or mood, making this camera as much a fashion statement as it is a tool for capturing memories. There is also a limited-edition i-Type Film MoMA Edition pack that has 8 of the 12 designed special frames. They are either marked with the MoMA logo or it has quotes from famous artists like An-My Lê, Betye Saar, Carmen Herrera, Meret Oppenheim, Milton Glaser, and Vincent van Gogh. This adds another layer of creativity and inspiration as the quotes from these groundbreaking artists can challenge new creatives to defy convention and tread their own path.

This exciting collaboration between Polaroid and MoMA beautifully illustrates the enduring appeal of tangible photography and the boundless power of artistic inspiration. By offering a unique camera and film adorned with iconic imagery and thought-provoking quotes, they’re providing a catalyst for creativity, encouraging individuals to capture their world through an artistic lens, one instant photograph at a time.

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The return of the Beosystem 3000c is a moment that vinyl lovers and collectors can savor. This system revives the legendary Beogram 3000 series, a name that once transformed the landscape of high-fidelity listening in the 1980s. The new Beosystem 3000c is a sophisticated blend of past and present, restoring the signature Bang & Olufsen experience with contemporary craftsmanship and technology.

Taking a closer look, the Beosystem 3000c is not simply a tribute but a genuine resurrection of the original. Each unit begins with authentic Beogram 3000 turntables from the 1980s, meticulously restored and upgraded by skilled craftspeople. Paired with the crisp, modern sound of Beolab 8 speakers, this set bridges decades, offering a seamless connection between analogue warmth and digital clarity.

Designer: Bang & Olufsen

The Beogram 3000 series has long been a benchmark in turntable design, particularly for pioneering the tangential tracking tonearm. Unlike traditional arms that swing in an arc, this linear approach keeps the stylus at the perfect angle for high-fidelity playback. The result is a listening experience that remains faithful to the original recording, immersing you in the depth and richness intended in the studio.

When first released in 1985, the Beogram 3000 was a revolution in both form and function. Its slim profile broke away from the bulky silhouettes typical of the era, introducing a sense of elegance and modernity to the turntable world. Today, the Beosystem 3000c translates that vision into the present, with solid walnut and cool aluminum finishes that feel both timeless and undeniably luxurious.

One of the most striking visual details is the signature patterned platter, which serves as the centerpiece of the design. The raised base beneath the turntable creates the impression of the system floating gracefully above its surface. Designer Steve McGugan’s intent was to evoke a sense of weightlessness, a hallmark of Bang & Olufsen’s design language that continues to inspire.

The Beosystem 3000c offers the tactile pleasure of spinning vinyl as well as the convenience of streaming. With Beolab 8 speakers by its side, you can enjoy the crackle of your cherished albums or switch to your favorite digital playlists without missing a beat. This system is crafted for music lovers who appreciate both tradition and technology.

For those who value exclusivity, the Beosystem 3000c is offered as a limited edition with only 100 units available worldwide. Each piece is engraved with its own edition number and comes with a certificate of authenticity, making it a true collector’s item. The Beosystem 3000c transforms a music system into a rare opportunity to own a masterfully remastered icon, destined to become the centerpiece of any refined audio collection.

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Electric bicycles have surged in popularity as more people seek eco-friendly transportation alternatives that still provide the convenience and speed needed for daily commutes. However, the hefty price tag of most quality e-bikes, often ranging from $1,500 to $3,000 or more, puts them out of reach for many cycling enthusiasts. This barrier has created a growing demand for conversion kits that can transform standard bicycles into electric-assisted rides, offering an affordable upgrade option for beloved bikes without the need for expensive purchases.

The LIVALL PikaBoost 2 e-bike conversion kit enters this market as a standout solution. Unlike conventional conversion kits, it doesn’t require a DIY master to install, disassemble, and reassemble as needed. This sleek design attaches to virtually any bicycle in minutes, providing instant electric capabilities that can be engaged or disengaged at will. And unlike conventional conversion kits, it doesn’t require a DIY master to install, disassemble, and reassemble as needed. It preserves your bicycle’s original character while adding powerful electric assistance whenever you want it, creating the perfect hybrid experience for riders who value both tradition and innovation.

Designer: LIVALL

Click Here to Buy Now: $369.

1. Four Riding Modes for Any Scenario

The versatility of the LIVALL PikaBoost 2’s four distinct riding modes tops the list of reasons cyclists are falling in love with this conversion kit. Standby Status keeps the unit attached but inactive for traditional riding, while Assist Mode provides intuitive power that responds to your pedaling effort. Based on user feedback, LIVALL’s latest firmware upgrade delivers a smoother, more natural e-bike experience with two adjustable assist levels for customized riding. For those long stretches of road, Cruise Mode maintains a steady speed without constant pedaling, and the innovative Workout Mode actually adds resistance to your ride for fitness training. It can even reverse charge the bike, generating power while you exercise. LIVALL’s patented AAR2.0 algorithm intelligently syncs with your pedaling rhythm, delivering up to 500W peak power assistance that naturally matches your riding style while reducing knee strain.

2. Effortless Installation, Easily Switch Between Bikes

LIVALL PikaBoost 2’s thoughtful design emphasizes simplicity and adaptability, with a quick installation process that requires no permanent modifications or additional wiring. The compact unit attaches securely to your seat post, maintaining your bike’s aesthetic while adding powerful electric capabilities. The mobile app features automatic calibration that ensures a secure and accurate setup. Perhaps most impressively, transitioning between electric and traditional riding requires just a tap on the app’s standby button, no tools or disassembly needed. And if you get the extra seat clamp, you can quickly transfer and install the kit across multiple bikes.

3. Ride Safer with 5 Layers of Protection

Ever since its founding, LIVALL has always prioritized rider safety, so it’s no surprise that the PikaBoost 2 boasts five integrated protection systems that provide peace of mind during every ride. The intelligent Fall Detection immediately cuts power if the bike tips over, while Slip Detection prevents wheel spin on wet or loose surfaces. LIVALL PikaBoost 2 also features fall tilt detection that stops the assistive motor when it tilts more than 30 degrees and starts an emergency contact countdown if the tilt exceeds 60 degrees. Rounding out the safety package, a bright LED taillight increases visibility to other road users, especially during turning and braking, making the PikaBoost 2 as safety-conscious as it is performance-oriented.

4. Travel Anywhere with Airline-Friendly Batteries

A flexible power system is another compelling reason to choose the LIVALL PikaBoost 2, with two battery options tailored to different riding needs. The robust 220Wh model delivers impressive range, up to 70km (43 miles) on a single charge, making it ideal for longer commutes or weekend adventures. For frequent travelers, the 158Wh version is airline-approved while still providing up to 50km (31 miles) of assisted riding. Both models feature replaceable batteries for extended journeys and offer convenient charging options, either through the integrated tail port or by removing the battery entirely for charging elsewhere. Even better, those batteries can serve as emergency power banks so you can stop worrying about your phone running out of power during long rides.

5. Smart Riding at Your Fingertips

Complete control comes standard with the PikaBoost 2 through its companion app and the included remote controller. The handlebar-mounted remote lets you adjust settings on the fly without removing your hands from the bars, while the intuitive app interface provides mode selection, detailed ride statistics, battery status, and even a way to share your riding content within the community to exchange ideas and experiences. With this dual-control system, you can always access the LIVALL PikaBoost 2’s features safely and conveniently, whether you’re navigating busy city streets or enjoying scenic country roads.

The LIVALL PikaBoost 2 represents a thoughtful approach to bicycle electrification that respects both tradition and innovation. By offering an effortless installation process, easy switching between modes that make riding less strenuous, comprehensive safety features, flexible power options, and intuitive controls, it provides a more enjoyable and safer riding experience without abandoning their existing bikes. Whether you’re looking to extend your commuting range, tackle challenging terrain with less effort, turn every ride into a smart fitness session, or simply enjoy the option of electric assistance when needed, the PikaBoost 2 delivers a balanced solution that enhances rather than replaces the cycling experience you already love.

Click Here to Buy Now: $369.

The post Top 5 Reasons the LIVALL PikaBoost 2 E-Bike Conversion Kit Will Transform Your Cycling first appeared on Yanko Design.

Let’s be honest, the tech world hasn’t felt this electric since Steve Jobs pulled the original iPhone from his pocket. Sure, we felt a few sparks fly in 2024 when Rabbit and Humane announced their AI devices, but that died down pretty quickly post-launch. However, when news broke that OpenAI had acquired Jony Ive’s mysterious startup “io” for a staggering $6.5 billion, the speculation machine kicked into overdrive. What exactly are the legendary Apple designer and ChatGPT’s creators cooking up together? The official announcement speaks vaguely of “a new family of products” and moving beyond traditional interfaces, but the details remain frustratingly sparse.

What we do know with certainty is limited. OpenAI and Ive’s company, io, are building something that’s reportedly “screen-free,” pocket-sized, and designed to bring AI into the physical world in a way that feels natural and ambient. The founding team includes Apple veterans Scott Cannon, Evans Hankey, and Tang Tan, essentially the hardware dream team that shaped the devices in your pocket and on your wrist. Beyond these confirmed facts lies a vast expanse of rumors, educated guesses, and wishful thinking. So let’s dive into what this device might be, with the appropriate grains of salt at the ready.

The Design: Ive’s Aesthetic Philosophy Reimagined

If there’s one thing we can reasonably predict, it’s that whatever emerges from Ive’s studio will be obsessively considered down to the micron. His design language at Apple prioritized simplicity, honest materials, and what he often called “inevitable” solutions, designs that feel so right they couldn’t possibly be any other way. A screen-free AI device presents a fascinating challenge: how do you create something tactile and intuitive without the crutch of a display?

I suspect we’ll see a device that feels substantial yet effortless in the hand, perhaps with a unibody construction milled from a single piece of material. Aluminum seems likely given Ive’s history, though ceramic would offer an interesting premium alternative with its warm, almost organic feel. The absence of a screen suggests the device might rely on subtle surface textures, perhaps with areas that respond to touch or pressure. Ive’s obsession with reducing visual complexity, eliminating unnecessary seams, screws, and buttons, will likely reach its logical conclusion here, resulting in something that looks deceptively simple but contains remarkable complexity.

Color choices will probably be restrained and sophisticated, think the elegant neutrals of Apple’s “Pro” lineup rather than the playful hues of consumer devices. I’d wager on a palette of silver, space gray, and possibly a deep blue, with surface finishes that resist fingerprints and wear gracefully over time. The environmental considerations that have increasingly influenced Ive’s work will likely play a role too, with recycled materials and sustainable manufacturing processes featured prominently in the eventual marketing narrative.

Technical Possibilities: AI in Your Pocket

The technical challenge of creating a screen-free AI device is immense. Without a display, every interaction becomes an exercise in invisible design, the device must understand context, anticipate needs, and communicate through means other than visual interfaces. This suggests an array of sophisticated sensors and input methods working in concert.

Voice recognition seems an obvious inclusion, likely using multiple microphones for spatial awareness and noise cancellation. Haptic feedback, perhaps using Apple-like Taptic Engine technology or something even more advanced, could provide subtle physical responses to commands or notifications. The device might incorporate motion sensors to detect when it’s being handled or carried, automatically waking from low-power states. Some reports hint at environmental awareness capabilities, suggesting cameras or LiDAR might be included.

The processing requirements for a standalone AI device are substantial. Running large language models locally requires significant computational power and memory, all while maintaining reasonable battery life. This points to custom silicon, possibly developed with TSMC or another major foundry, optimized specifically for AI workloads. Whether OpenAI has the hardware expertise to develop such chips in-house remains an open question, though their Microsoft partnership might provide access to specialized hardware expertise. Battery technology will be crucial; a device that needs charging multiple times daily would severely limit its utility as an always-available AI companion.

The User Experience: Beyond Screens and Apps

The most intriguing aspect of this rumored device is how we’ll actually use it. Without a screen, traditional app paradigms become irrelevant. Instead, we might see a return to conversational computing, speaking naturally to an assistant that understands context and remembers previous interactions. The “ambient computing” vision that’s been promised for years might finally materialize.

I imagine a device that feels less like a gadget and more like a presence, something that fades into the background until needed, then responds with uncanny intelligence. Perhaps it will use subtle audio cues or haptic patterns to indicate different states or notifications. The lack of a visual interface could actually enhance privacy; without a screen displaying potentially sensitive information, the device becomes more discreet in public settings. Of course, this also raises questions about accessibility, how will deaf users interact with a primarily audio-based device?

Integration with existing ecosystems will be crucial for adoption. Will it work seamlessly with your iPhone, Android device, or Windows PC? Can it control your smart home devices or integrate with your calendar and messaging apps? The answers remain unknown, but OpenAI’s increasingly broad partnerships suggest they understand the importance of playing nicely with others. The real magic might come from its predictive capabilities, anticipating your needs based on time, location, and past behavior, then proactively offering assistance without explicit commands.

Market Positioning and Price Speculation

How much would you pay for an AI companion designed by the man behind the iPhone? The pricing question looms large over this project. Premium design and cutting-edge AI technology don’t come cheap, suggesting this will be positioned as a high-end device. Looking at adjacent markets provides some clues, Humane’s AI Pin launched at $699, while Rabbit’s R1 came in at $199, though both offer significantly less sophisticated experiences than what we might expect from OpenAI and Ive.

My educated guess places the device somewhere between $499 and $799, depending on capabilities and materials. A lower entry point might be possible if OpenAI adopts a subscription model for premium AI features, subsidizing hardware costs through recurring revenue. The target market initially appears to be tech enthusiasts and professionals, people willing to pay a premium for cutting-edge technology and design, before potentially expanding to broader consumer segments as costs decrease and capabilities improve.

As for timing, the supply chain whispers and regulatory tea leaves suggest we’re looking at late 2025 at the earliest, with full availability more likely in 2026. Hardware development cycles are notoriously unpredictable, especially for first-generation products from newly formed teams. The $6.5 billion acquisition price suggests OpenAI sees enormous potential in this collaboration, but also creates substantial pressure to deliver something truly revolutionary.

The Competitive Landscape: A New Category Emerges

The AI hardware space is still in its infancy. Early entrants like Humane have struggled with fundamental questions about utility and user experience. What makes a dedicated AI device compelling when smartphones already offer capable assistants? The answer likely lies in specialized capabilities that phones can’t match, perhaps always-on contextual awareness without battery drain, or privacy guarantees impossible on multipurpose devices.

OpenAI and Ive are betting they can define a new product category, much as Apple did with the iPhone and iPad. Success will require not just technical excellence but a compelling narrative about why this device deserves space in your life. The competition won’t stand still either, Apple’s rumored AI initiatives, Google’s hardware ambitions, and countless startups will ensure a crowded marketplace by the time this device launches.

The most fascinating aspect might be how this hardware play fits into OpenAI’s broader strategy. Does physical embodiment make AI more trustworthy, useful, or personable? Will dedicated devices provide capabilities impossible through software alone? These philosophical questions underpin the entire project, suggesting that Ive and Altman share a vision that extends beyond quarterly profits to how humans and AI will coexist in the coming decades.

What This Could Mean for the Future of Computing

If successful, this collaboration could fundamentally reshape our relationship with technology. The screen addiction that defines contemporary digital life might give way to something more ambient and less demanding of our visual attention. AI could become a constant companion rather than an app we occasionally summon, always listening, learning, and assisting without requiring explicit commands for every action.

The privacy implications are both promising and concerning. A device designed from the ground up for AI interaction could incorporate sophisticated on-device processing, keeping sensitive data local rather than sending everything to the cloud. Conversely, an always-listening companion raises obvious surveillance concerns, requiring thoughtful design and transparent policies to earn user trust.

For Jony Ive, this represents a chance to define the post-smartphone era, potentially creating his third revolutionary product category after the iPod and iPhone. For OpenAI, hardware provides a direct channel to users, bypassing platform gatekeepers like Apple and Google. The stakes couldn’t be higher for both parties, and for us, the potential users of whatever emerges from this collaboration.

Waiting for the Next Big Thing

The partnership between OpenAI and Jony Ive represents the most intriguing collision of AI and design talent we’ve seen yet. While concrete details remain scarce, the ambition is clear: to create a new kind of computing device that brings artificial intelligence into our physical world in a way that feels natural, beautiful, and essential.

Will they succeed? History suggests caution; creating new product categories is extraordinarily difficult, and first-generation devices often disappoint (raise your hands if you own a bricked Humane AI Pin or Rabbit R1. Yet the combination of OpenAI’s technical prowess and Ive’s design sensibility offers reason for optimism. Whatever emerges will undoubtedly be thoughtfully designed and technically impressive. Whether it finds a permanent place in our lives depends on whether it solves real problems in ways our existing devices cannot.

For now, we wait, analyzing every patent filing, supply chain rumor, and cryptic statement for clues about what’s coming. The anticipation itself speaks volumes about the state of consumer technology: in an era of incremental smartphone updates and me-too products, we’re hungry for something genuinely new. Jony Ive and Sam Altman just might deliver it.

The post Everything We Know About Jony Ive’s $6.5 Billion Dollar ‘Secret’ AI Gadget first appeared on Yanko Design.

A century-old warehouse on Rotterdam’s Katendrecht peninsula has found new life as the Fenix Museum of Migration, designed by MAD Architects. The transformation of this 1923 structure into a vibrant museum addresses both the city’s multicultural history and today’s need for resilient, energy-conscious buildings. With its double-helix “Tornado” staircase spiraling to a rooftop platform, Fenix is more than an architectural showpiece—it’s a statement about how heritage buildings can adapt to contemporary urban needs.

The Fenix project demonstrates that historic architecture need not remain frozen in time. Instead, layers of history are preserved alongside new interventions, combining exposed concrete and original walls with the luminous, reflective staircase. By retaining much of the warehouse’s industrial character, the design honors the building’s past while introducing elements that support modern life, like new public gathering spaces and efficient infrastructure.

Designer: MAD Architects

Energy efficiency and sustainability are increasingly essential in urban redevelopment, and Fenix responds with thoughtful adaptation. Adaptive reuse avoids the significant emissions and waste generated by demolition and new construction. The museum’s design leverages the existing structure, reducing the project’s ecological footprint while integrating up-to-date systems for lighting, climate, and accessibility. This approach shows how old buildings can be part of a city’s sustainable future. It also features a thermal energy system with a heat pump, as well as a lovely green roof.

MAD Architects’ intervention doesn’t simply layer new atop old; it weaves the story of migration and movement into every visitor’s journey. The Tornado staircase, with its mirrored skin, reflects both the Rotterdam skyline and the people who ascend it, making visitors conscious of their role in the ongoing story of migration. The rooftop platform offers a literal and metaphorical vantage point, connecting past departures to present-day arrivals.

The ground floor, conceived as an indoor city square, brings a sense of openness and connection that’s rare in former industrial sites. Fenix’s inclusion of cafes, bakeries, and community spaces shows that these projects are about more than preserving bricks and mortar—they’re about making places where people want to gather, learn, and interact. In doing so, the museum becomes a civic anchor, inviting Rotterdammers of every background to engage with their city’s layered history.

The transformation of Fenix also brings new opportunities for education and engagement around sustainability. Visitors encounter stories of migration and also learn how thoughtful renovations can reduce environmental impact and extend the lifespan of existing buildings. By showcasing modern systems discreetly woven into the historic fabric, the museum offers a living example of how energy efficiency and heritage preservation can go hand in hand. This approach encourages both architects and the public to see old structures as valuable resources for creative, sustainable city-making.

Fenix’s transformation signals a broader trend in how cities approach their architectural heritage. Instead of viewing aging buildings as obstacles to progress, projects like this show how they can become catalysts for social and environmental renewal. Through careful design, technical upgrades, and public programming, the Fenix Museum of Migration is both a reminder of the journeys that shaped Rotterdam and a model for the ways historic spaces can support thriving, sustainable urban life.

The post How Historic Buildings Like The Fenix Warehouse Become Modern, Energy-Efficient Landmarks first appeared on Yanko Design.

You know something extraordinary is happening when a single company wins 41 Red Dot Design Awards across five completely different categories in one year. ASUS didn’t just collect these awards like trading cards; they earned recognition from 43 international design experts for solving real problems across smartphones, laptops, displays, and even backpacks. The Zenfone 12 Ultra alone would have made headlines with its gimbal-stabilized camera that turns shaky vacation videos into smooth cinematic footage. But that’s just the beginning of this story. We’re talking about gaming phones that survive military testing while looking sophisticated enough for boardrooms, OLED monitors calibrated specifically for photographers who can’t afford color shifts, and mini PCs powerful enough to replace full towers yet small enough to hide behind your monitor. The real question isn’t how ASUS won so many awards, but rather how they managed to excel in categories where specialized companies usually dominate. How does the same company that makes RGB gaming keyboards also create color-accurate displays that professional photographers trust?

Designer: ASUS

Three Smartphones That Each Solve Different Problems

The smartphone wins perfectly demonstrate ASUS’s understanding that different users need fundamentally different devices. Take the Zenfone 12 Ultra, which tackles the universal problem of shaky photos and videos with actual hardware rather than just software tricks. Its 6-Axis Hybrid Gimbal Stabilizer 4.0 sounds like technical overkill until you see the results. Walking videos that normally resemble earthquake footage suddenly become smooth, tracking shots. Low-light photos that would require a tripod become possible handheld. The 50MP Sony Lytia 700 sensor benefits from this stability in ways that go beyond specs, paired with a 32MP telephoto offering 3x optical zoom and a 13MP ultrawide for versatility. ASUS wrapped this technology in a 220g body featuring 100% recycled aluminum and silky matte glass that actually resists fingerprints, addressing another daily annoyance we’ve all accepted as inevitable.

The ROG Phone 9 and ROG Phone 9 Pro approach mobile design from a completely different angle, prioritizing gaming performance without sacrificing daily usability. Both models feature IP68 water resistance, which you rarely see in gaming phones because manufacturers assume gamers baby their devices. The 185Hz E6 AMOLED display with 720Hz touch sampling delivers response times that competitive mobile gamers need, while 2500 nits peak brightness means you can see the screen outdoors. The Pro model goes further with up to 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage, as mobile games are becoming increasingly large. What’s clever here is the integration of Dirac Virtuo spatial sound and Qualcomm aptX Lossless, recognizing that hearing enemy footsteps matters as much as seeing them. The 5800mAh battery with 65W charging keeps sessions going, while the customizable AniMe Vision display on the back adds personality without going full RGB circus.

Gaming Laptops That Don’t Scream “I Live in My Mom’s Basement”

The laptop category reveals that ASUS is solving a problem many professionals face: wanting gaming performance without looking like they’ve brought a spaceship to the office. The TUF Gaming A14 represents their first 14-inch gaming laptop, and at 1.46 kg, it fits in a standard laptop bag. Running AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 processors with RTX 4060 graphics, this machine delivers legitimate gaming performance through a 165Hz QHD+ (2560×1600) display that’s sharp enough for spreadsheets and fast enough for shooters. The military-grade durability means it survives daily commutes, addressing the reality that gaming laptops need to handle more than just desk duty.

The ROG FLOW Z13 takes versatility to extremes as a 2-in-1 gaming tablet that sounds impossible until you use it. The 13.4-inch 2560×1600 touchscreen runs at 180Hz, powered by AMD Ryzen AI Max+ 395 processors with up to 128GB RAM. At $2,099, it’s not cheap, but it replaces multiple devices. Use it as a tablet for digital art, prop it up for gaming sessions, or connect an external GPU for desktop performance when needed. The form factor solves real problems for creators who game and gamers who create, eliminating the need to choose between specialized devices.

Meanwhile, the ROG Strix Scar 16 and 18 embrace traditional gaming laptop design but elevate it with ROG Nebula HDR Display technology. These machines pack Intel Core Ultra 9 275HX processors and up to RTX 5090 Laptop GPUs, delivering 2.5K resolution at 240Hz through Mini LED backlighting. The tool-less upgrade design acknowledges that gamers want to upgrade components over time, while up to 64GB DDR5 RAM ensures these laptops won’t become obsolete next year.

Consumer Laptops That Understand Consumer Needs

ASUS’s consumer laptop wins show they’re paying attention to how people use computers. The Vivobook 14 and 16 Flip models embrace the 2-in-1 concept with 360-degree hinges and OLED touchscreens, powered by Intel Core Ultra 7 processors. At 1.69cm thick and 1.5kg, these machines prove that convertibles don’t need to be chunky. The Vivobook Classic Series strips away gimmicks to focus on reliability and value, while the ASUS V16 provides 16-inch productivity without the bulk typically associated with larger screens.

The Zenbook S 14 and S 16 represent ASUS’s premium ultrabook vision, featuring Intel Core Ultra processors with Copilot+ PC capabilities. These machines balance performance with portability, using premium materials and finishes that justify their positioning. But the real standout is the Zenbook A14, which earned recognition as the world’s lightest 14-inch Copilot+ PC at just 2.18 pounds. Powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon X processors, it delivers up to 32 hours of battery life thanks to ARM efficiency. The 14-inch OLED display (1920×1200) with 100% DCI-P3 coverage provides color accuracy typically reserved for much more expensive machines, while the Ceraluminum construction creates a premium feel in the $899-$1,099 range.

Business Laptops Built for Real Business Use

The commercial wins reveal ASUS’s understanding of what IT departments and business users need. The ExpertBook P5 represents their flagship business machine, powered by Intel Core Ultra processors (Series 2) with up to 120 total platform TOPS of AI performance. Weighing just 1.29 kg, it packs a 2.5K 144Hz anti-glare display and offers up to 28 hours of battery life. The inclusion of ASUS AI ExpertMeet provides intelligent noise cancellation and real-time transcription with on-device processing, addressing privacy concerns while adding genuine utility for remote workers.

The ExpertBook B3 takes a different approach with its 16-inch display and connectivity focus. At 1.78kg, it includes features business users request: optional 5G LTE, Wi-Fi 6E, dual Thunderbolt 4 ports, and smart card readers. The 85% screen-to-body ratio maximizes working space, while MIL-STD-810H durability testing ensures it survives the reality of business travel and daily office use.

All-in-Ones and Desktops for Different Tribes

The desktop category spans from space-saving all-in-ones to gaming powerhouses. The AiO VM6 Series and ExpertCenter AiO P4 series represent ASUS’s approach to integrated computing, ideal for reception areas, home offices, or anywhere cable management is a concern. These systems prove that all-in-ones don’t need to compromise on performance or upgradeability.

Gaming desktops are split between the TUF Gaming T5 series, which emphasizes durability and value, and the ROG G7 series, designed for enthusiasts who seek maximum performance with premium aesthetics. These systems recognize that not everyone wants to build their own PC, offering pre-configured options that cater to their target audiences.

The Mini PC Renaissance Nobody Expected

Perhaps the most interesting wins come from ASUS’s commitment to mini PCs, a category that most companies abandoned. The ExpertCenter PN54 packs an AMD Ryzen AI 7 350 processor with 45+ NPU TOPS in a 0.5L chassis, complete with six USB ports, dual 2.5G LAN, and Wi-Fi 7. This isn’t a streaming box; it’s a legitimate workstation that happens to fit in the palm of your hand.

The NUC 15 Pro and NUC 15 Pro+ take it a step further with Intel Core Ultra 7/9 processors (Series 2), up to 96GB of DDR5 RAM, and support for four 4K displays simultaneously. The tool-less upgradability means these systems can evolve with your needs, while thoughtful port selection eliminates the dongle mess that plagues other compact systems. What earned recognition was the thermal management that keeps these systems quiet under load, solving the jet engine problem that traditionally plagued small form factor PCs.

Displays That Serve Their Actual Users

ASUS’s monitor wins reveal a deep understanding of different user needs. The ProArt Display PA27UCGE and PA32UCE are designed exclusively for color accuracy, featuring built-in motorized colorimeters and hardware calibration. These displays deliver 98% DCI-P3 coverage with Delta E<1 accuracy at 160Hz refresh rates and 600 nits brightness, specifications that matter to photographers and video editors who can’t afford color shifts between devices.

The ProArt Display OLED series brings OLED technology to professional workflows where perfect blacks and infinite contrast translate to better creative decisions. ASUS prioritized burn-in protection and color accuracy over gaming features, showing they understand professional priorities.

Gaming gets serious attention with the ROG Swift OLED series. The PG32UCDM features a 32-inch 4K QD-OLED display with a 240Hz refresh rate and 0.03ms response time, while the PG27AQDP achieves refresh rates of up to 480Hz at 1440p. Custom heatsinks and OLED Care+ features address burn-in concerns, proving ASUS understands the hesitation around OLED for desktop use.

The ZenScreen Duo OLED MQ149CD offers dual portable screens in one device, ideal for presentations where you need to display content while keeping notes private. The ZenScreen Smart MS27UC and MS32UC build smart TV functionality directly into monitors, eliminating streaming device clutter in small spaces.

Graphics Cards and Components That Know Their Lane

The GPU wins demonstrate clear market segmentation. The ROG Astral RTX 50 series targets enthusiasts wanting maximum performance with premium cooling solutions. The liquid-cooled ROG Astral LC RTX 50 series pushes further for users prioritizing silence over everything else. Meanwhile, the TUF Gaming RTX 50 series offers military-grade reliability at more accessible price points, demonstrating that durability doesn’t require premium pricing.

The ProArt Z890-CREATOR WIFI motherboard shows ASUS understanding that creators need different features than gamers. Instead of overclocking potential and RGB zones, this board focuses on stability, Thunderbolt connectivity, high-speed storage options, and professional-grade audio interfaces that actually matter for content creation workflows.

Accessories That Solve Actual Problems

The peripheral wins aren’t just about RGB and aggressive styling. The ROG Azoth Extreme earned recognition as a 75% gaming keyboard with a full aluminum alloy chassis, a carbon fiber positioning plate, and an OLED touchscreen that actually serves a purpose for customization. The ROG Harpe Ace Extreme mouse weighs just 47 grams thanks to carbon fiber construction, while packing a 42,000-dpi ROG AimPoint Pro optical sensor for users who need that level of precision.

The ASUS Master Thunderbolt 5 Dock DC510 addresses the cable chaos plaguing modern desks with enough bandwidth to run multiple 4K displays, storage arrays, and peripherals through a single cable. The thoughtful port placement and clean design demonstrate an understanding of how these devices are actually used in real workspaces.

Even the ROG SLASH Backpack series has earned recognition for solving specific problems that gamers face when transporting expensive hardware. These aren’t just bags with gaming logos; they feature dedicated compartments, actual protection systems, and thoughtful organization for cables and peripherals. The RT-BE58 Go router, ProArt PA401 PC case, and ASUS Cobble Enclosure storage solution round out the accessories, each addressing specific user needs rather than just filling product categories.

What This Design Sweep Actually Tells Us About Technology’s Future

Looking at these 41 wins collectively reveals something important about where technology design is heading. ASUS succeeded by recognizing that one-size-fits-all products satisfy nobody in 2025. A professional photographer needs fundamentally different display features than a competitive gamer. A business user values different laptop attributes than a content creator. A student needs different price points than an enterprise customer.

The sustainability angle running through many products also matters more than the press releases suggest. When premium products lead with 100% recycled aluminum frames and FSC-certified packaging, it normalizes these choices across entire product lines. Environmental consideration is becoming integral to good design rather than a marketing checkbox.

AI integration across categories shows ASUS betting on intelligence over raw specifications. The Zenfone 12 Ultra’s AI Transcript 2.0 converts meeting recordings to searchable documents without cloud processing. The ExpertBook P5’s AI ExpertMeet handles noise cancellation and camera framing locally. These features address real productivity needs while respecting privacy concerns.

Perhaps most importantly, these awards suggest the industry is moving past the era of spec sheet battles. ASUS won by solving specific user frustrations: shaky videos, gaming laptops that look unprofessional, mini PCs that throttle, displays with inconsistent colors, cable management nightmares. Each product addresses real problems people face daily rather than inventing new features nobody requested.

The breadth of this achievement, spanning from pocket-sized smartphones to professional workstations, demonstrates that good design principles scale across categories while respecting each segment’s unique demands. As the technology industry continues chasing bigger numbers and flashier features, ASUS’s focus on thoughtful problem-solving through design points toward a more user-centric future. Whether this translates to market success remains to be seen, but these 41 awards suggest they’re asking the right questions about what technology should actually do for the people who use it every day.

The post ASUS Dominates 2025 Red Dot Awards with 41 Wins Across Every Category That Matters first appeared on Yanko Design.

I’ve seen grunge, distressed, even hammered finishes – this is different. The Yin Mo Star Kui knives from Beijing Wang Mazi Tech are perhaps the most alluring set of kitchen knives I’ve rested my eyes on. A lot of kitchen knives resort to simple, functional design details (after all, they aren’t made for looks, they’re made for high-octane kitchen environments), but the Yin Mo Star Kui take functionality and merge it with aesthetic excellence in a way that elevates the knife’s visual DNA without taking too much from its performance.

In fact, as a winner of the A’ Design Award, one could argue that these knives are actually the pinnacle of form and function. They’re made with perfect proportions, a good ergonomic grip, a full-tang design, and that eye-catching battered finish that makes the knives look like cutting instruments that were weathered by asteroids.

Designer: Beijing Wang Mazi Technology

The set comprises 4 knives (although the images show just three) made from high-carbon steel, with a unique hot/cold forging method that results in high edge retention. Each knife is characterized by 3 unique details – first, the charred wood handles that play into the knife’s black and white aesthetic beautifully, secondly, the taotie pattern found at the tip of the handle, giving each knife its signature, and thirdly, the knife’s gorgeously weathered design that features multiple craters that give it a sense of gravitas. The texture, however, is immediately polished off as you move your eye downwards, revealing the blade’s sharp edge.

Each knife’s steel is made by hot-forging the steel at 1040°C, and then cooling it to -196°C. The hot forging process improves the overall strength and toughness by optimizing the shape and eliminating imperfections. The cooling enhances the crystal structure to increase resistance to deformation. Meanwhile, the rough texture on the top of the knives creates enough air pockets to allow the blade to glide through sticky or starchy foods without them adhering to the knife blades. Try sticking a suction pad on a textured surface and you’ll see it fails – the same principle applies here too.

Each knife set comes with a holder that allows you to put the knives on display, almost like you would a precious Katana. The holder doesn’t conceal the blade the way most knife holders do – instead, it conceals just the edge (for protection’s sake), but keeps that cratered, textured surface visible to the eye, given that it’s easily the knife’s highlight.

The post These Galaxy-Inspired ‘Cratered’ Chef Knives Look Like They Were Forged In The Cosmos first appeared on Yanko Design.

Motorola famously worked with Steve Jobs to bring iTunes to the Razr. Jobs hated the idea of having their software run on someone else’s hardware (which is why he created the iPhone), but up until Apple was ready to formally launch a phone, Jobs reluctantly partnered with Motorola. Now, for what it’s worth, there’s a Moto Razr out there, not with iTunes, but rather, with Windows XP running on it!

Shared on Reddit by Constant_Vehicle7539, this foldable Moto Razr 40 Ultra is running an emulated version of the famous Windows OS. The best part is that when opened halfway, it actually becomes a mini laptop of sorts, giving you a functional (or aesthetically functional, if I’m being accurate) Windows laptop – perhaps the smallest one ever made.

Designer: Constant_Vehicle7539

It’s crazy to actually see this in action. Constant_Vehicle7539 uses the Vectras VM QEMU emulator to run a Windows XP build on the phone. While there’s really no photo of the phone actually running an instance of the desktop (Constant_Vehicle7539 probably just didn’t take any photos), the images here show the boot screen and a few images of the OS setup. My favorite part is when the phone’s half open, looking like a miniature laptop with a touch keyboard. Apparently, Vectras VM offers different emulators, even Windows 11… but for us OG Windows users from back in the day, when we rocked Razrs, Ericssons, and Nokia N Series phones, this is a match made in heaven.

The emulator allows you to run an instance of Windows on any Android, so if you’ve got a dormant old phone lying in a cabinet gathering dust, this is a fun project you could work on. Your friends will be absolutely shocked to see Windows running on a smartphone. However, the only thing more shocking than this is the one time a crazy hacker managed to port iOS 18 onto a Nokia Lumia phone, making the operating system think it was an iPhone (with functional TouchID too!)

The post Moto Razr 40 Ultra Running Windows XP Is The Ultimate Tech Crossover We Didn’t Expect first appeared on Yanko Design.

Hermès, the iconic French luxury house known for its craftsmanship and timeless design, has stepped into the premium audio space with the unveiling of its Ateliers Horizons headphones. Priced at $15,000, this offering merges high-fidelity listening with haute couture, delivering a product that targets connoisseurs who value exclusivity as much as sound.

This move differentiates Hermès from traditional audio brands such as Bose, Sony, Sennheiser, and Apple. Rather than competing on technical specifications alone, Hermès positions its headphones as wearable art – designed not just to perform, but to signal status and taste. To signal status and taste, underscored by their mind-numbing $15,000 price tag, these bespoke headphones are not within the reach of most of us. The headphones are expected to arrive in select Hermès boutiques by summer 2025

Designer: Hermes

According to Axel de Beaufort, creative director of Ateliers Horizons since 2012, “The idea is not to be able to replicate that 10,000 times as a big headset supplier would do. The idea is to have the few that we will do made perfectly, and that has been a very long learning process. It’s about really super high-end craftsmanship.”

Luxury Craftsmanship as a Core Feature

What sets the Ateliers Horizons headphones apart is the artisanal quality of their construction. Handcrafted over two years by nearly 50 artisans in France, each pair features premium materials like Hermès’ signature saddle-stitched leather and polished metal hardware. The design draws directly from the brand’s famed Kelly bag, with five distinctive colorways available, including Rouge H and Prussian Blue.

This level of craftsmanship is absent in mainstream headphones such as the Bose QuietComfort Ultra or Sony WH-1000XM6, which are designed for mass production. While these models offer excellent active noise cancellation and adaptive sound technologies, they lack the tactile richness and bespoke quality that defines Hermès products. For those seeking a headphone that reflects personal style and heritage craftsmanship, Hermès offers something no tech brand currently does.

Even Apple’s AirPods Max, arguably the closest in terms of design appeal, rely heavily on industrial processes. They are sleek, feature-rich, and integrate tightly into Apple’s ecosystem—but they’re not handcrafted. Hermès, on the other hand, delivers a product where no two units are entirely alike, tailored to the luxury buyer’s sensibilities.

Radical Philosophy in Audio Design

While Hermès hasn’t disclosed extensive technical specifications, the headphones are expected to deliver high-end audio performance consistent with their premium positioning. The open grille design suggests the use of planar magnetic drivers, often favored by audiophiles for their clarity and precision. However, the real differentiator is not technology but philosophy: Hermès is crafting a unique sound signature described as “Hermès sound,” developed in-house rather than licensed from existing platforms.

Unlike competitors that emphasize software-driven sound adjustments, Hermès focuses on authenticity in both build and audio. The headphones eschew touch controls in favor of physical buttons – offering tactile satisfaction and durability. Both wired and Bluetooth connectivity options are available, ensuring versatility while maintaining a minimalist design ethos.

This contrasts with feature-rich models like the Sennheiser MOMENTUM 4 Wireless, which touts customizable EQ settings, multi-device support, and extended battery life. Similarly, premium offerings from Bowers & Wilkins, such as the Px8, emphasize acoustic engineering, app-based sound personalization, and cutting-edge wireless performance. Hermès chooses not to compete on those terms, instead aiming for timelessness over upgradability – prioritizing craftsmanship and aesthetic permanence over iterative tech enhancements.

For fat-pocketed audiophiles who are also collectors, the Ateliers Horizons headphones represent a new category: audio as a luxury object. Hermès isn’t trying to replace the go-to travel or studio headphones. Rather, it’s offering an accessory that hones a refined listening experience that sits outside the typical framework of consumer electronics!

The post Hermès Ateliers Horizons Headphones launch with an eye-watering $15,000 price tag first appeared on Yanko Design.

When was the last time you got excited about sitting down? I mean, genuinely thrilled about the act of planting yourself on a piece of furniture? If you’re drawing a blank, you haven’t experienced what happens when Australian design thinking meets five decades of furniture engineering. King Living just scored a hat trick at the 2025 Red Dot Design Awards, and these aren’t your average living room pieces. We’re talking about furniture that transforms at your touch, adapts to your body like it’s reading your mind, and somehow manages to look at home in both a modernist gallery and your Netflix binge-watching sessions.

The Sydney-based furniture maker walked away with three prestigious Red Dot awards for their King Cinema Recliner, Haven Sofa, and 1978 High Back Sofa. For a company that began in 1977, crafting steel-framed furniture in Australia, this triple win represents something more significant than just another trophy for the cabinet. It’s validation that furniture can be both an engineering marvel and a design statement, that comfort doesn’t have to compromise aesthetics, and that modular design can feel anything but clinical.

The Cinema Experience That Fits in Your Living Room

Let’s start with the King Cinema Recliner, because this is where technology meets comfort in ways that would make your local movie theater jealous. The star feature here is King Living’s TouchGlide technology, which sounds like something from a sci-fi movie but is brilliantly simple. Instead of fumbling for levers or buttons like you’re operating heavy machinery, you control the headrest and footrest positions with intuitive touch gestures. The recliner responds to your movements with the kind of smooth, whisper-quiet motion that makes you wonder why all furniture doesn’t work this way.

What sets the Cinema Recliner apart from the sea of home theater seating is its ability to create a genuine cinema experience without resembling the installation of actual movie theater seats in your living room. The modular design means you can configure it for intimate two-person viewing or expand it for full family movie nights. Each seat operates independently, so while you’re fully reclined and immersed in the latest blockbuster, your partner can sit upright, scrolling through their phone (we won’t judge). The genius is in how King Living has hidden all the mechanical complexity behind clean lines and premium upholstery that wouldn’t look out of place in a high-end design showroom.

 

Haven: The Shape-Shifting Sofa That Reads Your Mood

The Haven Sofa might be the most aptly named piece of furniture I’ve encountered. This isn’t hyperbole; it’s a modular system that adapts to how you want to relax at any given moment. The hidden flex mechanisms are the real heroes here, allowing you to transform the backrest from a sleek, low-profile look to full high-back support with a simple motion. However, here’s where it gets interesting: each armrest corner adjusts independently, allowing you to create asymmetrical configurations that match exactly how you prefer to lounge.

The “cloud-like comfort” description from King Living sounds like marketing fluff until you actually experience the ultra-soft seat cushions. The engineering challenge here was to create something soft enough to feel luxurious while maintaining sufficient structure to support the flexible mechanisms. The result feels like sitting on a cloud that somehow knows exactly where you need support. As a modular design, Haven can be reconfigured and rearranged without tools, making it perfect for people who can’t commit to a single furniture layout or those who regularly host gatherings that require different seating arrangements.

1978 High Back: When Classic Design Gets a Modern Brain

The 1978 High Back Sofa is what happens when you take a successful design from the 1970s and inject it with 21st-century thinking. Building on the legacy of King Living’s original 1977 Sofa, this piece manages to feel both timeless and thoroughly contemporary. The high back design addresses one of the most common complaints about modern minimalist furniture: the lack of proper head and neck support. However, instead of simply adding a taller backrest and calling it a day, King Living reimagined the entire support system.

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The real innovation lies in the balance between classic aesthetics and modern functionality. The clean lines and elegant proportions wouldn’t look out of place in a Don Draper office, but underneath that mid-century-inspired exterior beats the heart of a thoroughly modern piece of furniture. Machine-washable covers mean you can actually live on this sofa without treating it like a museum piece. The modular construction allows for multiple configurations, from intimate two-seaters to sprawling sectionals that can accommodate extended family gatherings. It’s furniture that grows with your life rather than forcing you to adapt to its limitations.

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The Future of Furniture is Already Here

These Red Dot wins, along with iF Design Awards for both the 1978 High Back Sofa and their Plateau Outdoor Sofa, represent more than just another trophy haul for King Living. They signal a fundamental shift in how we think about furniture design. David King put it perfectly: “These designs are a reflection of how people live today.” The emphasis on modularity and customization across all three award-winning pieces acknowledges a simple truth: our homes now serve as offices, entertainment centers, social hubs, and personal retreats, sometimes all in the same day. Static furniture has become an obstacle rather than an asset.

What’s remarkable is how King Living has maintained its Australian design DNA while expanding across New Zealand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Canada, the UK, and the United States. The Haven Sofa and 1978 High Back Sofa will soon join over 2,000 exhibits at the prestigious Red Dot Museum in Essen, Germany, proving that thoughtful, user-centered design transcends borders. In an era where we’re surrounded by smart technology and adaptive systems, King Living is showing that furniture can be intelligent without being complicated, adaptive without being gimmicky, and beautiful without sacrificing functionality.

The question isn’t whether other furniture makers will follow this lead. The question is how quickly they’ll catch up. Because once you’ve experienced furniture that actually responds to your needs, grows and changes with your life, and manages to look stunning while doing so, there’s really no going back to static seating. These three Red Dot winners aren’t just beautiful pieces of furniture; they’re a manifesto for what modern living should feel like.

The post King Living’s Triple Red Dot Win: When Australian Furniture Design Goes Global first appeared on Yanko Design.

The term “real estate” often conjures images of market transactions, property values, and investment portfolios. Viewed through the distinctive lens of Yanko Design, the concept shifts. It becomes less about the commodity and more about the crucible of innovation where architecture, interior design, technology, and sustainability converge to shape how we experience space and how we live. While the platform covers a diverse range of design disciplines, from mood lamps to coffee machines, its exploration of property consistently prioritizes design ingenuity, user experience, and forward-thinking solutions.

Even metaphorical uses of the word, such as describing precious screen space on devices, reinforce a core idea: space is opportunity. Whether physical or digital, real estate reflects evolving interactions between people and their environments.

Living Architecture

Yanko Design consistently highlights architecture that goes beyond shelter. These are intentional environments, grounded in context and built to support life with clarity and purpose. They shape routines, stimulate senses, and adapt across generations.

Mid-century homes offer enduring examples. The Mori House in Oregon frames forested views with cedar and a folded roofline that manages rain while pulling the eye upward. In Texas, the Wine Country Courtyard uses limestone and a breezy courtyard layout to regulate heat and encourage outdoor flow. Palm Springs’ Thunderbird House embraces desert logic with terrazzo flooring, deep eaves, and selective apertures for solar control. Each structure distills the same principle: design should work with, not against, its setting.

These homes last because every decision is grounded in purpose. Form follows function and site.

Frank Lloyd Wright’s Integration

The publication frequently revisits Frank Lloyd Wright, whose work underscores what it means to build with organic awareness. His homes, from Prairie to Usonian, follow the terrain, emphasize horizontality, and integrate custom furnishings to reduce visual noise.

Fallingwater, in my view, captures this mindset. Terraces extend over waterfalls. Stone emerges from the terrain. Interiors unfold around light, proportion, and flow. Wright designed for response, not routine. His aim was to align buildings with place and season.

Nature in the Design Language

Biophilic design is a recurring theme. Yanko Design explores how homes embed nature rather than just face it. Projects like the Portland Japanese Garden extension or Singapore’s PARK ROYAL stack greenery, water, and wildlife across vertical layers.

Green roofs cool interiors, filter water, and restore ecology. Internal gardens, such as those in the Slope House, or dense plantings within urban compounds, reshape how people breathe, see, and move through space. Even structures like Easyhome, integrating over 400 trees, show how density and greenery coexist.

In these examples, form is informed by the environment. Feeling follows the light, air, and material connection to place.

Material Integrity

Material decisions tell stories. Yanko Design focuses on how selections reflect climate, purpose, and endurance. Oregon cedar, Texas limestone, recycled bricks in Shanghai, or cross-laminated timber in contemporary cabins, each reveals logic, not luxury.

Tambour wood panels used in hotels and retail interiors bring warmth and curvature to otherwise flat surfaces. Their application blends texture with acoustic and spatial fluidity. In these examples, the material is never incidental. It drives comfort, character, and continuity.

Small Spaces, Big Ideas

Compact architecture features prominently. These aren’t novelties but testbeds for new ways of living. From corner-lot micro homes in Tokyo to off-grid Scandinavian cabins, the common thread is resourcefulness.

Layouts include sleeping lofts, netted lounges, climbing walls, and rooftop decks. Interior storage tucks beneath stairs, and sliding walls reshape rooms throughout the day. These homes offer mobility, self-sufficiency, and adaptability without design compromise.

Constraints prompt clarity. Yanko Design also highlights downsides such as tight quarters and limited privacy, and treats these as factors to weigh, not flaws to ignore.

Modular and Prefab Approaches

The publication covers modular construction closely. Projects like the Folding Dream House or Octothorpe House show how pre-cut timber panels, container modules, or foldable sections can reduce waste, speed builds, and expand access.

These methods shift the building process from onsite improvisation to offsite precision. The result is scalable, reconfigurable housing that responds to shifting needs and locations.

Smart Design, Integrated Tech

Technology is featured with restraint. Yanko Design focuses on how devices integrate into space, not dominate it. Visual harmony matters: brushed finishes, neutral tones, compact profiles.

Smart lighting, climate control, and audio systems remain hidden until needed. Builders pre-plan wiring routes and system upgrades. Even garden systems such as automated irrigation planters support biophilic integration.

Good tech becomes part of the home’s rhythm. It doesn’t interrupt. It augments.

Virtual Frontiers

The future of real estate includes digital terrain. Yanko Design’s coverage of the Liberland Metaverse, designed by Zaha Hadid Architects, explores the idea of virtual plots with physical implications. These spaces propose new models of ownership, interaction, and permanence.

Concept designs extend this thinking. Visualizations depict stacked cityscapes, tunnel-access mountainside retreats, and moss-filled interiors. Some concepts riff on nature’s geometry. Others critique density, automation, or hyper-urban futures. All provoke thought.

Speculative architecture challenges the limits of what buildings can be. It introduces new ways to think about structure, ownership, and design freedom.

Looking Ahead: How Design Shapes the Way We Live

Real estate, as interpreted here, moves away from transactional value and centers on lived experience. It reflects choices in materials, layout, and environmental awareness.

From Wright’s vision to forest-integrated rooftops, tiny homes to prefabricated experiments, the thread remains the same: how we live is shaped by what we build. And what we build, when done with care, reflects the best of how we hope to live.

The post Beyond Bricks and Mortar: How Yanko Design Views the Future of Real Estate first appeared on Yanko Design.

Furniture design often walks a fine line between function and form, with couches usually settling into safe, inviting shapes. After all, sofas are made for relaxation, and their shapes tend to echo that sense of comfort. But what happens when a designer throws a little visual tension into the mix, something that stops you in your tracks and makes you look twice?

That’s exactly what this concept couch dares to do. From a distance, it might look like the perfect spot to flop down with a book or cup of tea. But then you spot it: a small wooden side table, seemingly wedged right through the plush backrest like an object that’s gotten stuck mid-motion. The arrangement is both amusing and a bit unsettling, tempting you to investigate further.

Designer: Dmitry Kozinenko

Most loungers need a spot to set down a drink, snack, or phone, which is why tables, big or small, often accompany couches. The twist here is that the table isn’t next to the sofa; it’s awkwardly inserted into the backrest, splitting the cylindrical cushion like a zipper caught halfway. There’s no denying it’s practical, but the positioning also disrupts the usual flow of the furniture.

This strange placement tugs at something buried deep in our brains. Humans are wired to want things completed or at rest, and when that doesn’t happen, it creates a low-key tension that’s hard to ignore. The Stuck collection concept plays on that mental itch, drawing the eye and keeping your curiosity buzzing. You half-expect the side table to keep sliding, or to snap back where it came from.

Rather than blend seamlessly with the couch, the table feels like it’s intruding, as if the piece were caught in the middle of transforming or breaking apart. The combination of soft fabric and hard wood, of steady seat and seemingly stuck side table, creates a delightful contrast that keeps you thinking long after you’ve walked away.

Furniture designers looking for inspiration might find the Stuck concept both playful and provocative. It’s a reminder that a dash of awkwardness can transform a familiar form into a statement piece. By introducing a visual puzzle, this couch-and-table duo promises to spark conversation and maybe even a little bit of healthy debate wherever it lands.

The post Curious Couch Concept Sparks Conversation with Awkward Side Table Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Most people who move into their own spaces, whether they got married or they got their own apartment or house, would prefer to have furniture and appliances that are both functional and aesthetic. Also, the idea of multi-purpose living devices is gaining significant traction especially for those who live in smaller spaces or who are working on a limited budget. There are a lot of product designers who are taking these into consideration and have come up with concepts that can be pretty useful when they become actual products.

RNT is a living table concept that seamlessly integrates a turntable, a high-quality speaker, and a stylish table into a single, elegant piece of furniture. This innovative concept was designed to transform how we interact with music and our living spaces. Its core functionality revolves around its built-in turntable, allowing users to indulge in the warm, rich sound of vinyl records. The turntable, cleverly integrated into the tabletop, offers a nostalgic yet contemporary way to enjoy music. Beyond its analog capabilities, RNT also embraces modern technology with Bluetooth connectivity, instantly transforming into a wireless speaker for streaming digital music from various devices.

Designer: Minseok Bae

The user experience is thoughtfully considered with a dedicated remote control. This pebble-shaped device, featuring wireless charging for ultimate convenience, provides intuitive control over power, volume, and the turntable’s functions. Its elegant design ensures it sits comfortably in the hand and even has a designated spot on the table’s base, blending functionality with a touch of sculptural beauty.

One of the most distinctive features of RNT is the unique integration of the tonearm and the top shell. Unlike traditional turntables with independently operating tonearms, RNT’s design merges these elements into a single, fluid structure. Opening the top shell gently lifts the tonearm, ready to play an LP, while closing it initiates the music. This innovative approach offers an intuitive and almost ritualistic experience, elevating the act of listening to vinyl.

Beyond its impressive audio capabilities, this concept is also designed with aesthetics in mind. The project’s intention was to transform functional objects into sensorial, furniture-like pieces. The result is a minimalist silhouette built around linear elements, allowing RNT to blend effortlessly into a variety of interior styles. The chosen color palette, featuring a soft celadon green for the main body, adds a touch of calm and sophistication to the space. The careful balance of color tones contributes to a smooth and refined visual impression, ensuring RNT feels like a natural addition to any room.

Positioned as more than just furniture, RNT aspires to be a “living device” that tunes the rhythm and atmosphere of daily life. Its design encourages shared listening experiences in group settings, as the speaker, discreetly housed beneath the table, delivers sound throughout the space. This makes RNT an ideal centerpiece for living rooms or lounges, fostering a communal appreciation for music.

RNT as a concept represents a fresh perspective on how technology and furniture can harmoniously coexist. By seamlessly integrating a turntable, speaker, and table into a beautifully designed unit, it offers an efficient, intuitive, and aesthetically pleasing solution for modern living spaces. It’s a testament to the idea that functional objects can possess both presence and the ability to subtly shape the spaces they inhabit, enriching our lives with both sound and style. Hopefully, someone will be able to manufacture it eventually to see if it can be just as good in the real world as on paper.

The post Turntable concept can also serve as Bluetooth speaker and aesthetic table first appeared on Yanko Design.

Mechanical keyboard fans know the thrill of discovering truly unique designs, and the Qwertykeys QK Alice Duo is grabbing attention for all the right reasons. This split ergonomic kit is a breath of fresh air for anyone looking to boost comfort and show off a little personality at their desk. Whether you’re a keyboard modder or a die-hard desk setup enthusiast, this one’s bound to spark your curiosity.

The QK Alice Duo doesn’t just look different; it feels different too. Thanks to its split Alice layout and clever design features, you get complete control over your typing posture. Each half of the board can be independently tilted using a custom dual hinge, letting you dial in either a flat 0° tenting angle for high-paced gaming or a gentle 5° tent for long typing sessions that keep your wrists happy.

Designer: Qwertykeys

Wireless performance is another highlight. The included wireless pod isn’t just a practical receiver but a desk accessory with style as well. It provides robust signal processing, keeping your connection strong while displaying battery status, connection mode, and OS compatibility at a glance. The pod also doubles as a stylish accent, making your workspace look even sharper.

Qwertykeys has packed in thoughtful features to make setup and use a breeze. The magnetic charging cable helps keep damage at bay, so you don’t have to worry about rough connections. Despite a compact 3600mAh battery, you can rely on the Alice Duo for about three weeks of wireless use per charge—plenty for everyday work and play.

Customization is at the heart of this kit. It’s available in ten stunning colorways, each with contrasting accents to make your build stand out. The hollowed-back design keeps things lightweight, and a stainless steel weight clicks magnetically into place for that satisfying heft. Adjustable wrist rests are available and match both flat and tented setups, crafted from CNC-machined acrylic and aluminum for an extra dash of quality.

The QK Alice Duo kit comes without switches and keycaps, putting the final touches in your hands. You can mix and match your favorite components for a typing feel and look that’s all your own. Add-on knobs, extra buttons, and badges mean no two Alice Duo setups will ever be quite the same. At $289, it’s a tempting option for serious customizers, though picking your own switches and keycaps means the total cost can climb. For keyboard lovers who want both performance and artistry, the Alice Duo is ready to impress.

The post QK Alice Duo Split Ergonomic Keyboard Kit Offers Custom Comfort and Style first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’ve dived into indoor gardening recently, you’re probably no stranger to the endless parade of pots and planters on the market. From starkly minimalist ceramics to high-tech self-watering planters, there’s no shortage of options for every plant lover. Still, so many of these designs play it safe, focusing on pure function or understated looks. Sometimes, your green space just needs a little extra lift-off.

That’s where the RocketPot comes in, ready to propel your plant collection to new heights, literally and figuratively. This rocket-inspired plant pot is all about personality, standing out with a retro-futuristic design that looks straight out of a sci-fi adventure. With RocketPot, your favorite succulent graduates from being a houseplant into a brave explorer, charting new territory from your windowsill or desk.

Designer: HpInvent

The pot’s playful design starts with its three-legged base, giving the whole piece a stable yet dynamic, ready-for-launch stance. The “capsule” top sits right above the “engine” module, so watering, cleaning, and repotting are easier than ever. This two-part construction means you can care for your plants without fuss or mess, and the removable design adds to the fun of assembling your own tiny rocket.

RocketPot doesn’t skimp on the details, either. Look closely and you’ll spot vent-like grooves and sleek, fin-shaped legs—clear nods to classic sci-fi rockets from your favorite movies or cartoons. These touches turn the planter into a little work of art, perfect for anyone who wants their decor to tell a playful story.

Of course, it’s not all about looks. The base includes a well-designed drainage tray, featuring a starburst pattern that keeps roots healthy and your shelves dry. Whether you’re nurturing herbs, succulents, or small leafy plants, RocketPot is available in several sizes to suit any greenery you want to launch into your indoor universe.

For plant fans with a love of space, design, or just a good sense of humor, RocketPot lets you show off your love for growing things in the most imaginative way. It transforms the humble plant pot into a little mission to spark joy, creativity, and maybe even a few conversations whenever friends come over. With RocketPot, your indoor garden can finally reach for the stars, figuratively only, of course.

The post Rocket-inspired 3D Printed Plant Pot Launches Playful Style for Indoor Gardens first appeared on Yanko Design.

Balletcore is one of those fashion and aesthetic trends from the past few years that has taken over social media and in real life. We’ve seen a lot of apparel and shoe brands get into this by releasing products that the faux ballerinas (and maybe even real ballerinas?) want to sport while walking around schools, malls, and the streets. Converse Japan is the latest to join this trend with their take on the ballet sneaker but this time with a thicker and “tougher” look.

The All-Star Trekwave BL OX reimagines the classic Converse silhouette with a distinctly balletcore influence, particularly evident in its innovative lacing system. Departing from the conventional flat laces that thread through eyelets, this version features luxurious satin ribbons. These ribbons offer a customizable and visually striking alternative, allowing wearers to wrap them gracefully around their ankles and even up their legs, mimicking the look of traditional ballet shoe ties. This elegant detail stands in deliberate contrast to the shoe’s robust foundation: the signature stacked and chunky sole that has become a hallmark of Converse’s recent Trekwave line.

Designer: Converse Japan

This juxtaposition of delicate, flowing ribbons against the sturdy, grounded sole creates a unique and eye-catching aesthetic, perfectly embodying the balletcore trend’s blend of grace and street style. The chunky platform sole together with the ribbon tie-ups gives users a rugged yet fashionable look, with some of the versions offering mud and water resistance. The Ortholite cushioning makes sure that you still stay comfortable the whole day even with the elevated sole that comes with it. And if you feel like sticking with the traditional shoelaces, there is that version available. The pale rose colorway comes with black cotton shoelaces while the black variant has pale rose cotton shoelaces.

The marketing for this newest release features Japanese dancer and model, Aoi Yamada, gracefully showcasing the “Pale Rose” pair alongside a tutu. This unexpected pairing highlights the versatile nature of the chunky silhouette, proving it can transcend traditional streetwear boundaries. It also adds a sort of legitimacy to the balletcore aesethetic that an actual dancer is seen sporting these sneakers.

So, whether you’re channeling your inner ballerina or simply seeking a stylish and comfortable sneaker with a unique twist, the Converse All-Star Trekwave BL OX in its balletcore guise offers a compelling option. The fusion of rugged platform and delicate ribbon ties creates a striking visual, while the comfort features ensure it’s not just about looks. Keep an eye out for these distinctive kicks, and perhaps consider pairing them with your own spin on the ballet-inspired trend – tutus optional, but a sense of playful style is definitely encouraged.

The post Converse Japan brings balletcore to All Star sneakers first appeared on Yanko Design.

April 2025 was a month of creativity and nostalgia for LEGO fans, with designs and fan creations that pushed the boundaries of what bricks can do. From pop culture icons to contemporary art, and legendary movie scenes to the ever-expanding universes of sci-fi and gaming, LEGO offered something to spark joy and awe in builders of all ages.

This month, we saw the brick become a window into office satire, urban art, epic adventures, and galaxies far, far away. We have curated a collection of our top five LEGO designs from April 2025, each selected for their inventiveness, craftsmanship, and sheer fun factor. You can build for nostalgia, artistry, challenge, or pure fun – these designs prove that the possibilities with LEGO are as limitless as your imagination.

1. LEGO Severance MDR Office Set

The Severance Macrodata Refinement Office LEGO set is based on the distinctive workplace from the television series “Severance.” This build features a detailed recreation of the Macrodata Refinement (MDR) office, including rows of identical cubicles, a break room designed for employee gatherings, a functional bathroom, and a supply closet. The color scheme is accurate to the show, with sterile green carpets and white walls. The open floor plan is designed to evoke the expansive yet claustrophobic feeling of the series.

The set comes with minifigures representing the main characters: Mark S., Helly R., Irving B., Dylan G., Milchick, and Ms. Cobel. Each minifigure captures specific elements of the characters’ personalities and visual appearance. The inclusion of Kier’s portrait and other atmospheric details enhances the authenticity. The set provides fans with a unique way to relive moments from the show.

2. LEGO Art Set 31216

LEGO’s Keith Haring Dancing Figures Art Set, number 31216, brings the energy and vibrancy of Keith Haring’s famous artwork into brick form. The set contains 1,773 LEGO pieces and allows builders to recreate three distinct versions of Haring’s signature dancing figures. The design cleverly uses a variety of brick types and layering techniques to give the figures a sense of movement, standing out from the background with depth and dimension.

The bold black outlines and bright colors are faithful to Haring’s iconic style. As part of LEGO’s Art series, the set is intended for display, offering collectors and art enthusiasts an engaging building experience and a striking finished piece. Builders can personalize their arrangement by choosing different variations, making the set versatile for different tastes.

3. LEGO Star Wars Day Ultimate Collector Series

For Star Wars Day on 4th May 2025, LEGO has released the Ultimate Collector Series Jango Fett’s Firespray-Class Starship, among several new sets. The starship set includes 2,970 pieces and is the first dedicated, highly detailed model of Jango Fett’s ship in over twenty years. Features include a movable entrance, a detailed cockpit, an opening landing ramp, and a bomb hatch.

The set comes with minifigures of Jango Fett and young Boba Fett and can be displayed on a stand or in flight, or in landing mode. Additional sets released include BrickHeadz figures, an Andor season 2 set, and a series for the 20th anniversary of Revenge of the Sith. The Firespray-Class Starship set was accompanied by exclusive bonuses for direct buyers, such as a commemorative keychain, three Clone cadet minifigures, a patrol vehicle, and weapon racks.

4. LEGO Pokémon Universe

Brickmill’s LEGO Pokémon Universe is an extensive, fan-created collection that brings the world of Pokémon to life using LEGO bricks. Nearly every major Pokémon, including starters like Pikachu, Bulbasaur, Charmander, and Squirtle, is represented, alongside larger and legendary creatures such as Snorlax, Lapras, and Mewtwo. These models are built to scale, so smaller Pokémon appear smaller next to their larger counterparts.

Each figure is carefully crafted, with signature details like Bulbasaur’s bulb, Charmander’s flame-tipped tail, and Blastoise’s water cannons. The collection also includes evolved forms, such as Venusaur’s large flower and Charizard’s wings. Fans can build these models themselves, as Brickmill provides instructions for many of the Pokémon.

5. LEGO Mission: Impossible Vault Descent Set

The Mission: Impossible Vault Descent LEGO set is a fan submission that recreates the well-known CIA vault scene from the original 1996 “Mission: Impossible” film. The build features a white, high-security vault, a ventilation shaft, and computer terminals, all designed to closely match the look of the movie. The floor is rendered to showcase its ultra-sensitive nature, which is a key element in the film sequence.

The centerpiece of the set is a minifigure of Ethan Hunt, suspended by a harness and cable, capturing the precise moment he is lowered into the vault. The set’s details are designed to evoke the tension and complexity of the cinematic scene. The diorama is compact, making it suitable for display, and is appreciated by fans for its accuracy and tribute to one of the most memorable moments in action film history.

The post 5 Best LEGO Creations We Loved In April 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

I’m not much of a flower person in a sense that it’s not a priority in my house as decoration. So I don’t really have vases handy in case someone gives me flowers or if I randomly decide to buy some for myself. And even if I did have vases, it would be more for functional purposes and not really as part of my space’s aesthetics. But if you’re the type of person that’s very particular about this accessory, there are a lot of options out there if you’re looking for pretty, decorative, and sometimes, even weird and extraordinary flower vessels.

One option, although it’s still currently a concept, is the Alaska Object 3 – Heart Vase. The designer’s goal isn’t really to just reshape a classic object that can be seen in our daily lives (well, if you’re into flowers and such). The idea is to reimagine its essence and the result is something that doesn’t really look like a vase but retains its main function and enhances what it can do for your flowers. Inspired by the human heart, not as a literal shape but as a conceptual foundation, the Heart Vase draws on the heart’s defining characteristic: its four chambers. This vase is designed as four distinct, interlocking parts. Each can stand alone, holding its own small bouquet, or they can be combined into a larger sculptural piece, bringing multiple flower arrangements together into one unified, striking display.

Designer: Maria Olhovnikova

What makes the Heart Vase stand out isn’t just its modularity, but its visual language. There’s a clear brutalist influence at play: bold, raw, and architectural. The slits in the design aren’t just decorative; they act as functional channels for the flower stems, emphasizing both form and purpose. By bridging emotional symbolism (the heart) with material honesty and industrial aesthetics, the Alaska Object 3 – Heart Vase invites us to see a common object through a fresh, thoughtful lens. It challenges us to consider how the familiar can be reassembled, reinterpreted, and made new. The renders show something that’s more of a pot than a vase with its rectangular shape and unique way of letting you arrange the flowers, leaves, and stems.

This unconventional approach to floral display might just be the conversation starter your space needs, even if you’re not typically drawn to elaborate decorations. It subtly nods to the art of flower arrangement, not by dictating a specific form, but by offering a unique framework for personal creativity and expression. The Heart Vase suggests that even the most utilitarian of objects can be infused with conceptual depth and a touch of unexpected beauty.

The post Vase concept design reimagines the vessel as a four-chambered heart first appeared on Yanko Design.

Every lamp enthusiast knows the limits of traditional lighting: no matter how bendable an arm might be, the lamp usually ends up stuck in the same handful of angles. Even with creative designs, it’s tough to escape the static feeling of a fixed base and a predictable pool of light. Imagine, though, a small table lamp you could pop onto any spot you wanted—no wires, no hassle, just lighting exactly where you need it.

That’s the spark behind the Rupi magnetic wireless table lamp concept. As a playful twist on the standard table lamp, Rupi’s glowing disc can be positioned anywhere on its matching metal plate. The secret is a hidden magnet that lets users snap and slide the lamp about, instantly creating new moods and lighting effects. It’s a liberating approach for those who love experimenting with ambiance at the drop of a hat.

Designer: Dimitrih Correa

A closer look at Rupi reveals the charm of its materials. The lamp body is crafted from reclaimed noble hardwoods, like warm Cabreúva vermelha and striking Peroba Rosa. Their rich, organic textures stand out beautifully against the minimalist, matte-black metal plate, an inviting blend of nature and modern design that’s perfect for lamp devotees seeking something different and personal on their desk or nightstand.

The inspiration for Rupi comes from the Curupira legend, a forest spirit from folklore known for his backward feet and tricky ways. Just as Curupira confuses hunters in the woods, Rupi disrupts the typical expectations of how a lamp should behave. This playful nod to myth is subtle yet brings a sense of wonder and storytelling to the object, making it more than just a source of light.

Another aspect of its flexibility is the freedom to take it anywhere around the house or on your desk. Rupi boasts an internal rechargeable battery that lets it glow for up to fourteen hours without needing a recharge, so you can move it around or set the mood all evening long. And when it’s time to power up again, a full charge takes just one hour—perfect for busy designers who want convenience as much as creativity.

Finally, a built-in dimmer lets you fine-tune the brightness to suit any activity, from gentle evening reading to focused work sessions. The dimmer comes in the form of a knurled knob that adds a tactile flourish to the design. Altogether, Rupi’s modular magnetism, warm wood, and clever nod to folklore set it apart as a table lamp concept ready to spark conversation and new ideas among lamp designers and fans alike.

The post Rupi Magnetic Wireless Table Lamp Concept Shines with Playful Flexibility first appeared on Yanko Design.