In the 1980s, it became popular to depict sunsets as an orange ball, sometimes gradated, with horizontal lines across the bottom. This motif showed up in state license plates, corporate logos and pop culture. The …
In Texas, 3D Printed Homes Inch Closer to Being Affordable
Initially, 3D printed homes generated a lot of hype; the promise was that they’d allow for more design freedom and most importantly, be cheaper than standard construction. Those things haven’t happened yet: The “design freedom” …
Solving Sleep Apnea Using a Conch Shell
Some 936 million people worldwide suffer from sleep apnea. This leads to poor quality sleep, higher risk of blood pressure, and higher risk of both strokes and heart disease. The accepted fix is to sleep …
An Unrealized 1970s Sofa Design Becomes a Hit Among Celebrities Today
This Duna Sofa, a kind of modular sofascape, was designed by French furniture designer Pierre Paulin in 1968. Sometime around 1970, Paulin collaborated with Herman Miller and had a prototype built; but ultimately the company …
Beyond the Launch: Why Designers Must Plan What Happens After
This post is presented by the K-Show, the world’s No.1 trade fair for the plastics and rubber industry. Visionary developments and groundbreaking innovations will again lead the industry into new dimensions at K 2025 in …
French Architect’s Incredible Spider-Like Vehicle Now in Production
A decade ago French architect Pascal Rambaud debuted his Swincar invention. A radical take on an off-road vehicle, each of its skinny wheels is independently mounted on a pendulum-like arm, powered by its own electric …
Fantastic Industrial Design Student Work: A Shovel That Helps Hikers Leave No Trace
This Hideaway shovel is by Wilhelm Berbig, done as an Industrial Design student at the Universität für angewandte Kunst Wien (University of Applied Arts Vienna). In Austria, there are signposted hiking trails where you can …
Astronauts Will Return to the Moon Wearing Gold-Plated Oakleys
“In space the sun is really harsh, it feels as if it’s piercing through your eyes,” says Koichi Wakata, an astronaut and the Chief Technology Officer for Axiom Space. “We need an exceptional visor system …
A Robotic Tattoo Machine
An Austin-based startup called Blackdot has developed a robotic tattooing machine. The device was created with the help of Yan Azdoud, a medical device engineer with expertise in “hyper-elastic surfaces,” and its surgical precision has …
On-Head Storage: Simone Giertz’s Patch Cap
More outside-the-box thinking from Simone Giertz: Her amusing Patch Cap provides on-head storage for small objects. Made of looped material—i.e. the soft side of Velcro—it comes with adhesive patches that provide the hook side. The …