Home routers are often depicted as alien or futuristic objects in the room, but this privacy-focused design goes in the opposite direction to bring a sense of serenity instead.
Home networks have changed a lot in the past few years. There are many Internet-connected devices within our homes. This is not counting tablets and phones that can connect to one access point. Many smart home devices need to connect to the same network at all times, and sometimes only occasionally. Routers are now more capable of spreading wireless signals across smaller spaces due to the increasingly complex needs of home networks. Most of these routers are designed to look technical, geeky, and sometimes downright overwhelming. This doesn’t help with mental or visual stress, so this router was designed to be unique in order to calm people’s fears and soothe their eyes.
Designer: Kritzer Design Studio
The minimalistic and humanistic aesthetics that have taken over computer accessories seem to have avoided modems and routers. These devices are no longer able to be hidden away in corners or on shelves, particularly considering the potential impact they have on Wi-Fi network quality. Modern routers, especially the most advanced ones, seem to be designed to call attention to themselves by being more conspicuous. This is often evident in their bright, bold lines and multiple antennas.
The Island stands in sharp contrast to this conventional design by being round and white. There is probably no shape that is more calming than circles, so this router has five concentric circles that seem to ripple out of a central sphere. The circles rise slightly so that it appears as if there is a mountain high above the island.
While the Island router is already visually calming, its features are also intended to relieve people’s stress, especially over their privacy on the Internet. The router offers a built-in VPN service that can hide you from malicious actors that try to snoop into your browsing activities and eventually steal your information. Ideally, this VPN is already configured out of the box, so no software or app is needed to get it working, another source of stress for some less tech-savvy users.
The Island smart router is an example of how form can still follow function, even for something as technical as a router. The Island smart router is based on the idea of a resort island, which protects against unwanted intruders. It aims to instill calm and peace in the workplace as well as at home. The Island doesn’t need to use foreboding antennas in order to transmit signals. This is a common feature of mesh routers that have abandoned the traditional router design. The minimalist form and generic design make this a beautiful decorative item that can be placed on your desk, or stuck to your wall.
