Stress relief gadgets usually look like what they are: cheap plastic toys designed to be squeezed, spun, or clicked until they inevitably break. Most fidget devices prioritize function over form, leaving you with something that works but looks completely out of place on your desk or bookshelf.

The TROPHY concept takes a completely different approach to mental care products by disguising stress relief as sculptural art. This portable device looks more like a modern art piece or an elegant trophy than a typical fidget toy, making it something you’d actually want to display in your home or office.

Designer: Mingi Cho

TROPHY works by combining the proven benefits of tactile stimulation with intentional design aesthetics. Users can hold, grip, and manipulate both the trophy-shaped object and its textured metal stand, using physical movement and touch to help manage negative emotions and stress. The concept leverages acupressure principles and the playful elements found in fidget toys, but packages everything in a form that feels sophisticated rather than childish.

Research supports the effectiveness of tactile fidget tools for emotional regulation. Studies have shown that stimulating the tactile system can help improve sensory processing along with related emotions and behaviors, particularly for people dealing with anxiety or attention challenges. Physical movement, even small tactile actions, releases dopamine and norepinephrine, which can increase attention and help sharpen focus.

The analog approach feels refreshing in a world saturated with app-based wellness solutions and digital mental health tools. Instead of requiring screens, notifications, or connectivity, TROPHY relies entirely on physical interaction and sensory feedback. The device provides responsive communication through vibration, haptics, and rotation, creating a more immediate and tangible experience than smartphone-based stress management apps.

What makes TROPHY particularly clever is how it addresses the social stigma often associated with stress relief tools. Traditional fidget toys can look unprofessional or childish in adult environments, but this sculptural approach allows users to engage in stress management without drawing unwanted attention or feeling self-conscious about their coping mechanisms.

The concept’s tagline, “Things that never come back,” hints at the temporary nature of stress and negative emotions. By providing a physical outlet for these feelings, TROPHY encourages users to acknowledge their stress, engage with it through touch and movement, then let it go rather than carrying it around mentally.

The textured surfaces on both the trophy and its stand invite exploration and repeated interaction, much like worry stones or prayer beads that people have used for centuries to manage anxiety and promote mindfulness. This tactile engagement gives the mind something concrete to focus on, creating a meditative break from overwhelming thoughts or emotions.

TROPHY demonstrates how thoughtful design can elevate everyday wellness tools from functional gadgets into meaningful objects that people actually want to use and keep around. By combining proven stress relief techniques with sculptural aesthetics, this concept shows that mental care products don’t have to sacrifice style for effectiveness.

The post TROPHY Mental Care Concept Transforms Stress Into Sculptural Art first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you have ever longed for more buttons on your desk, the Hagibis USB C Hub with Shortcut Buttons might catch your eye. This little gadget looks like something from a spaceship control panel, complete with a big, satisfying knob and four shortcut buttons arranged neatly around it. It is as if someone decided that USB hubs needed a bit more drama and a lot more color.

The first thing you notice is that this hub is not shy about its looks. The knob is front and center, rimmed with RGB lighting that adds just the right amount of flair. The ABS plastic shell keeps it light and easy to move around, so you can find the perfect spot for it among your growing collection of desk toys. It is the kind of thing you want to reach out and twist, even if you are not sure what it does yet.

Designer: Hagibis

Plug it in, and you get a decent spread of ports: USB-C for charging, a few USB-A slots for your keyboard and mouse, HDMI for an extra screen, and card slots for all your camera transfers. There is even an audio jack for plugging in headphones, making it a handy little hub for most laptop users. No more wrestling with dongles just to get your gear connected.

Then come the physical controls, which are the real stars of the show. The big knob handles your volume, letting you turn your sound up or down with a simple twist, and a quick press mutes everything in an instant. The four shortcut buttons? They are set to lock your computer, lock the screen, switch the hub’s lighting, and take a screenshot. It is all very direct and, honestly, a bit refreshing if you are tired of endless clicking and tapping.

But here is where things get interesting, and maybe a little frustrating. As fun as it is to have a chunky knob and a few buttons, their functions are completely fixed. You cannot remap them, so if you were dreaming of custom shortcuts for your favorite apps or creative tools, you are out of luck. The hub feels great for the basics, but it is hard not to wish for just a little more flexibility, especially if you are a designer or someone who loves to tweak their setup.

That is not to say it is a bad product. For anyone who wants quick access to locking their workstation or snapping screenshots, it works right out of the box. The RGB lighting adds personality, and the hub does help cut down on cable chaos. It is just that the design hints at so much more, if only those buttons could do whatever you wanted.

The Hagibis USB C Hub with Shortcut Buttons proves that a little bit of tactility can liven up your workspace. It is a fun, visually striking gadget that makes a statement, even if it does not quite live up to its full potential. For now, it is a conversation starter, a useful hub, and maybe a sign that the best button is the one you get to choose yourself.

The post Hagibis USB C Hub Brings Buttons and Lights to Your Desk, But Is It Enough? first appeared on Yanko Design.