Month: April 2022

Smartphone designs have hit a bit of a bottleneck when we consider any radical evolutions. Yes, we do have the foldable form factors and the exciting rollable designs, but there’s got to be more than just flamboyance to a phone’s design that appeals to the users. Belarusian designer Andrey Avgust wants us to look beyond the eye-candy appeal, and into a function that is important in everyday usage.

His phone design takes a very simple design approach with a rectangular shape akin to the older Sony Xperia line-up of phones. The shape is dominated by edgy corners and an off-white skin which points towards a targeted market of professionals who prefer class over other things. This phone’s unique selling point is its modular design, which makes it look like a convertible drop-top car. You can separate the big body block on the back to make a lighter phone.

Designer: Andrey Avgust

This separate unit could be equipped with more powerful hardware, such as extended RAM and a gaming-centric GPU. It also has a battery pack that will keep it charged throughout the day. The device will lose weight and be able to provide a balanced digital detox without compromising on essential notifications. Then when required, the module can be attached to the phone, ready for hardcore, gaming, 8K video recording, or anything that requires extra firepower.

There’s a single big camera sensor on the rear (and not a multiple-camera setup) reinforcing the fact that it is indeed meant for corporates who don’t like extra fluff in whatever they own. On closer inspection it is evident, the camera sensor has plenty of room to move the lens for ideal focusing – be it while taking macro shots or capturing portraits.

On the downside, the smartphone design does seem to be a bit thick by 2022 standards. This again makes me believe it will only be able to attract power users or gamers who don’t mind the extra thickness and weight. Andrey did the detailed crafting from scratch of the phone in multiple YouTube streams. So, budding designers looking forward to learning how to do it, the uncut streams will be of great help!

Some people didn’t really get the memo when the Walkman and the iPod made music portable! The Spinnerette Turntable by Third Man Records is for those who love old-school music and want to take it with them wherever they go. Designed to turn into a briefcase when closed, this portable turntable has a turntable and swing-arm, a built-in speaker with volume and tone controls, the ability to toggle between 33 1/3 , 45, and 78 RPM, and get this… even a 3. 5mm headphone port! Styled in a delightfully energetic yellow colorway, the Spinnerette lets you pump out music retro style like it’s the 70s no matter where you are. You can also buy a tie-dye shirt or large, tinted glasses separately.

Designer: Third Man Records

An inductee at the Museum of Modern Art, the Spinnerette comes with a belt-driven turntable mechanism, an Audio-Technica diamond-stylus needle, and has the ability to play records at 3 different speed settings. To the right of the turntable sits a dynamic full-range speaker built into the ABS chassis of the Spinnerette. If the speaker isn’t quite punchy enough for you, the Spinnerette does have a headphone out, letting you connect something more substantial. There’s also an aux input for playing music through the Spinnerette speakers. The Spinnerette has a USB output which allows you to send audio directly from vinyl records to your computer or laptop via USB. This is a great feature for DJs and anyone who wants to hear old vinyl.

The Spinnerette uses an AC input. Although it’s portable and wireless, the device is not wireless. However, future versions may support Bluetooth audio, although that would be a bit of a defeat for retro-turntable owners.

ZIPP isn’t a new lighter design even though we know it can remind you of one. This product is something from ZIP MY LIP, a concept brand described to be with manners.

Okay, so this is just a concept but the idea is that this super-cardioid speaker will only transmit sound to the user. This means it’s not exactly a loudspeaker for everyone in the room to hear. This device is intended to only transmit sound to one person so that others can’t hear it.

Designers – Da-yeon Kim, Yeonhong Kim and Tae Rim Kim. Hanbom Jang.

ZIPP is designed to protect the privacy of the user. Other people are protected against the noise. This technology allows for good manners among all, including you, your family, and others. Super directivity technology protects the user’s ears by creating a comfortable zone and cancelling other sounds. Zipp reduces noise toward other people. The eco-friendly materials used on the Zipp are a good start as we move to save the planet from future destruction.

The Zipp looks like an uneven, hard pouch bag. It has a zipper-like feature on the edge that we’re assuming is where the sound direction or volume can be controlled. Both sides have speaker fabric in different colors: orange, yellow, green, or blue. The side has a power button and the opposite has a cable port. It can be assumed it will feature USB-C already.

Although the idea of supercardioid sound is not very popular, it is possible. Some people may have heard about supercardioid microphone but the technology can be applied in speakers. The design alone of this product is one-of-a-kind but what makes it more special are the features.

The concept speaker by several Korean designers has potential. This design is a great idea. If not exactly the same, then maybe just the idea of a personal and private speaker will be implemented. Or even if not the exact technology, just the product design can be used.

We’ve been seeing a lot of interesting speaker concepts lately. The most recent ones that made an impression were the TURNING AI Speaker, that Small Transparent Speaker, the Rum Project, and the BRIONVEGA TOTEM RR231 Stereo System. Although the ZIPP may be different from other speakers, it is still unique and innovative. The aesthetics of the speaker alone tells us the ZIPP can be really a speaker. We like the idea but we’ll have to wait for the actual product to see if the design will work.

For some cultures, rice is more than just a side dish, and this beautiful rice cooker idea makes it possible to cook this staple food wherever you go, for better health, of course.

Like with many things in life, it took a disaster of epic proportions to give people a rude awakening when it comes to their health. The COVID-19 pandemic has made some more acutely aware of their bodies’ state, as well as the things they do to keep it healthy, from exercise to food. While heart rates and blood oxygen levels take the highest priorities these days, abnormal blood pressure that leads to hypertension has always been a problem that sneaks up on people unawares. There are a few ways to lead a healthy lifestyle to keep blood pressure levels normal, and eating rice in proper amounts is what this smart rice cooker concept is trying to promote.

Designer: Fu Lele (Fu Le Le )

It almost sounds counterintuitive that rice, especially white rice, would be recommended for people suffering from high blood pressure, considering how the many diets and health coaches push people away from carbohydrates and whole grains. However, there are some research studies that show the benefits of rice on blood pressure. Rice is a basic food for many people.

This smart rice cooker concept tries to take the middle road by encouraging the consumption of rice in the proper amounts. The smart rice cooker concept uses a smartphone app to regulate the amount of rice being cooked. That feature definitely doesn’t sound that special in light of the number of smart cookware today, but it’s the design of LESHAN that really captures the eyes and the imagination.

The rice cooker embraces a minimalist design that eschews smooth curves for faceted surfaces that give the canister a more interesting look. As with most rice cookers, there’s a single physical control to activate its primary function, though there are a few light indicators for the different ways you can use the device, from cooking rice to even making tea. Designer chose colours that are both traditional and modern, with yellowish sorghum as the inspiration.

LESHAN deviates from typical rice cooker designs by adopting a tall, cylindrical form that immediately limits how much rice you can cook in it. Although it does have a plug underneath, it seems that the device was designed for easy portability, giving people fewer excuses not to enjoy a healthy rice meal no matter where they are.