Oct
1

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Top 10 Space-Saving Tech Solutions & Gadgets For Tiny Desks & Small Offices

Category: YankoDesign

Small spaces need smart solutions. The modern workspace has shrunk from sprawling offices to cramped corners, transforming how we think about productivity and organization. Today’s professionals face the challenge of maximizing functionality while maintaining aesthetic appeal in increasingly compact environments. The solution lies in choosing tech accessories and gadgets that serve multiple purposes, reduce clutter, and integrate seamlessly into tight quarters.

Smart design thinking has revolutionized how we approach workspace efficiency. Gone are the days when bigger meant better; today’s most innovative products prove that intelligent engineering can pack tremendous functionality into minimal footprints. These ten game-changing tech solutions represent the pinnacle of space-conscious design, each offering unique approaches to common small-office challenges.

1. Aspekt Omni Fold Stand

For tiny desks drowning in Mac mini placement confusion, the Aspekt Omni Fold Stand offers brilliant spatial optimization. This ingenious monitor stand integrates a precision-engineered groove directly into its base, creating a dedicated home for the Mac mini without consuming additional desk surface. The vertical integration transforms two separate items into one cohesive unit, instantly reclaiming valuable workspace real estate.

Small office users particularly benefit from this stand’s modular approach to desktop organization. Instead of scattered components competing for limited surface area, everything consolidates into a clean, professional setup that mimics an iMac’s integrated aesthetic. The elevated monitor position improves ergonomics while the hidden Mac mini reduces visual clutter, making cramped workspaces appear intentionally designed rather than accidentally overcrowded.

What we like

Eliminates desktop clutter by housing the Mac mini within the monitor base structure.
Creates a unified workstation appearance that maximizes limited desk space efficiently.

What we dislike

Mac mini compatibility requirement excludes users with different computer systems.
Premium pricing point may stretch budgets for small office setups.

2. LEGO-Style Cable Organizer

Cable chaos destroys the illusion of organized small spaces faster than anything else. This silicone cable management system transforms desk-destroying cord tangles into neat, stackable solutions that work particularly well in cramped quarters. The LEGO-inspired modularity allows precise customization for different workspace sizes, from minimal home office corners to slightly larger but still constrained desk setups.

Tiny desk users appreciate the vertical organization approach that maximizes storage capacity without expanding the horizontal footprint. The peg cylinder design secures cables in manageable loops while micro suction tape prevents sliding during frequent cable adjustments. The playful brick aesthetic adds personality to sterile small offices, while the stackable nature means the system grows with changing tech needs without requiring complete replacement.

What we like

Vertical stacking design saves precious horizontal desk space effectively.
The modular system adapts perfectly to varying small office requirements.

What we dislike

Silicone surface attracts dust and requires frequent cleaning and maintenance.
Individual organizer capacity limitations may necessitate purchasing multiple units.

3. Dockcase 7-in-1 Hub

Small desks suffer from dongle proliferation more than spacious workstations. The Dockcase Hub solves this perfectly by consolidating seven connectivity functions into one compact device with an interactive touchscreen interface. For tiny office users juggling multiple devices, this hub eliminates the need for several separate adapters while providing real-time performance feedback through its cyberpunk-inspired display.

Cramped workspaces benefit enormously from the hub’s space consolidation and visual feedback capabilities. The metallic construction takes up minimal desk footprint while the touchscreen eliminates guesswork about port performance and power delivery status. Small office professionals particularly value the transparency this provides during data-intensive workflows, turning a simple hub into mission control for their constrained but efficient workspace.

What we like

An interactive touchscreen provides immediate feedback on all connected device performance.
Consolidates multiple connectivity needs into a single compact desktop solution.

What we dislike

Complex internal components may increase potential failure points over time.
Higher price point compared to basic hubs challenges small office budgets.

4. Cylin

Tiny desk users dream of computing solutions that disappear when not needed. The Cylin concept achieves this by integrating mouse, keyboard, and AR glasses into a brilliant cylindrical package that stores vertically like a desk accessory. This revolutionary space-saving approach addresses mobility constraints while providing full computing capability in an impossibly compact form factor ideal for cramped workspaces.

Small office environments benefit tremendously from Cylin’s storage efficiency and multi-functionality. The scroll-inspired design allocates dedicated compartments for each peripheral while maintaining a footprint smaller than most desk lamps. When space is at a premium, having computing peripherals that fold into a single elegant cylinder means users can maintain clean desk surfaces while keeping essential tools immediately accessible.

What we like

Cylindrical design stores vertically using minimal precious desk surface area.
Integrates multiple computing peripherals into a single space-efficient unit.

What we dislike

Concept stage development means an uncertain availability timeline for purchase.
The compact folding keyboard may compromise typing comfort during extended work sessions.

5. NightWatch

Bedside tables in small apartments face the same space constraints as tiny desks. The NightWatch addresses this by transforming Apple Watch charging into a space-efficient timekeeping solution. The solid lucite orb design occupies minimal surface area while magnifying the watch display for easy visibility, making it ideal for cramped bedrooms adjacent to small home offices.

Small space users appreciate how the NightWatch eliminates the need for separate alarm clocks while serving charging duties. The transparent construction and touch-sensitive surface provide interactive functionality without additional devices cluttering the limited nightstand space. The optical magnification and audio amplification features work without electricity, making this dock perfect for power-conscious small apartments where every outlet counts.

What we like

Minimal footprint design perfect for cramped nightstands and small surfaces.
Touch-sensitive interaction eliminates the need for separate bedside controls.

What we dislike

Apple Watch exclusivity limits compatibility with other smartwatch brands.
Transparent Lucite material shows fingerprints requiring frequent cleaning and maintenance.

6. MicroPC 2

Space-constrained professionals need computing power that travels efficiently between tiny home offices and cramped coffee shop corners. The MicroPC 2 delivers full PC functionality in a jacket-pocket form factor, making it invaluable for users whose “office” changes throughout the day. The rugged construction and comprehensive port selection eliminate the need for carrying additional adapters and accessories.

Small workspace users particularly value how the MicroPC 2 can transform any surface into a temporary office without requiring desktop space for a full computer setup. The compact keyboard and display provide serious computing capability, while the robust build quality ensures reliability in unpredictable small-space environments. For tiny desk users who need occasional heavy computing power, this represents the perfect space-saving backup solution.

What we like

Jacket-pocket portability enables computing anywhere without desk space requirements.
Comprehensive connectivity eliminates the need for additional adapters and dongles.

What we dislike

A compact keyboard size may reduce typing speed and overall comfort.
Small screen dimensions challenge extended visual work and detailed tasks.

7. Nothing Power (1) Battery Bank

Small desks become cluttered quickly with charging cables and battery banks. The Nothing Power (1) addresses this through intelligent design that communicates charging status visually, eliminating guesswork about power levels. The Glyph interface transforms a mundane battery bank into an informative desktop accessory that complements small office aesthetics while serving essential functions.

Tiny workspace users benefit from the transparent design language that makes the power bank feel more like intentional decor than emergency equipment. The 20,000 mAh capacity reduces charging frequency while the 65W fast charging capability means devices spend less time tethered to outlets. For small offices with limited power access, this high-capacity solution provides independence from wall outlets while maintaining visual appeal.

What we like

The glyph interface provides clear visual charging feedback without checking apps.
High capacity reduces the frequency of recharging cycles for multiple devices.

What we dislike

Transparent construction may accumulate dust in internal components over time.
Premium design aesthetic commands higher prices than conventional battery banks.

8. Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers

Tiny desks lack space for powered speakers and their associated cables. These ingenious Duralumin speakers solve this perfectly by amplifying smartphone audio without requiring power connections or desktop space for charging bases. The aerospace-grade construction ensures durability, while the golden ratio proportions optimize acoustic performance in small rooms with challenging acoustics.

Small office users particularly appreciate the portability and power independence that make these speakers usable anywhere without outlet access concerns. The passive amplification spreads sound effectively in cramped quarters, while the battery-free operation eliminates another device requiring charging management. For tiny workspaces where every cable and power requirement matters, these speakers provide audio enhancement without additional complexity.

Click Here to Buy Now: $179.00

What we like

Zero power requirements eliminate cable clutter and charging concerns.
Portable design allows audio enhancement anywhere without space constraints.

What we dislike

Passive amplification provides limited volume increases compared to powered alternatives.
Smartphone compatibility may not accommodate all device sizes optimally.

9. STM ChargeTree Go

Multi-device charging creates cable chaos that destroys small desk organization instantly. The ChargeTree Go solves this through a vertical design that simultaneously charges iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods within a minimal footprint. The foldable construction enables compact storage, making it perfect for tiny desks that need to transform between work and storage modes.

Small workspace users benefit enormously from the vertical charging approach that preserves horizontal desk surface for actual work. The upright orientation maintains device visibility for notifications while the simultaneous charging eliminates multiple cables competing for limited outlet access. For cramped home offices where desk space is precious, this charging solution provides organization without expansion.

What we like

Vertical orientation preserves valuable horizontal desk space for work activities.
Foldable design enables compact storage when not actively charging devices.

What we dislike

Apple ecosystem focus excludes Android users from full functionality.
Wireless charging speeds may be slower than direct cable connections.

10. Orbit

Video calls demand phone positioning that works within small desk constraints. The Orbit concept introduces intelligent face-tracking to phone stands through a minimalist design that occupies minimal surface area while providing automated viewing angle adjustment. The trophy-inspired aesthetic adds visual interest to tiny desks while serving practical functions for remote work communications.

Small office users particularly benefit from the automated tracking that eliminates constant manual repositioning during video calls. The compact base design preserves precious desk space while the face-tracking functionality ensures professional presentation quality without user intervention. For cramped home offices where every desktop inch matters, having a phone stand that works intelligently while looking sculptural represents the perfect space-efficient solution.

What we like

Automated tracking maintains optimal viewing without manual adjustment interruptions.
Minimal base footprint preserves precious desk space for other essentials.

What we dislike

Concept development status means current unavailability for immediate purchase.
Mechanical tracking components may introduce reliability concerns over extended use.

Creating Your Ultimate Space-Optimized Workspace

These intelligent solutions prove that tiny desks can achieve remarkable functionality through thoughtful product selection. Modern workspace constraints demand accessories that serve multiple purposes while maintaining visual coherence. Smart integration of these space-saving technologies transforms cramped quarters into efficient, aesthetically pleasing environments that rival traditional office setups completely.

The future belongs to workspace designs that prioritize intelligence over square footage. By selecting accessories that consolidate functions while preserving desk surface area, small office users can achieve productivity levels that exceed conventional workspace expectations. These solutions demonstrate that constraint often breeds innovation, creating opportunities for better organization and enhanced functionality.

The post Top 10 Space-Saving Tech Solutions & Gadgets For Tiny Desks & Small Offices first appeared on Yanko Design.

Oct
1

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Espresso machine concept is a minimalist design for the modern coffee lover

Category: YankoDesign

If you’re a fan of beautifully designed appliances, the BØYD espresso machine concept from NYZE Studio is sure to catch your eye. This striking espresso maker isn’t available just yet, but it brings a fresh vision to what home coffee brewing could look like. With a blend of architectural flair and everyday functionality, the BØYD concept turns the idea of an espresso machine into a sculptural centerpiece for any modern kitchen.

At first glance, the BØYD espresso machine concept commands attention with its bold, minimalist form. NYZE Studio has taken a less-is-more approach, stripping away unnecessary details for pure geometric lines and smooth curves. The result is an appliance that feels more like a piece of modern art than a traditional coffee maker, inviting you to imagine it as a statement piece on your countertop.

Designer Name: NYZE Studio

But the BØYD isn’t just about aesthetics. Even as a concept, its design is rooted in thoughtful ergonomics and user experience. The handle is perfectly arched for a natural grip, and the simple interface means you won’t be fumbling with a dozen buttons before your first cup. It’s easy to picture how this machine would simplify your morning routine, making coffee preparation intuitive rather than overwhelming.

One of the standout features of the BØYD concept is its smart use of space. The compact footprint is ideal for contemporary kitchens, where counter space is precious. Despite its small size, the design suggests it could deliver all the performance you’d expect from a high-end espresso machine. The clean layout keeps everything within reach, supporting a smooth workflow whether you’re making a quick single shot or brewing for guests.

Material choices are another highlight of the concept. NYZE Studio’s renderings show a blend of brushed metal and matte surfaces, creating a refined contrast that’s both modern and warm. This tactile approach not only looks inviting but hints at a satisfying experience each time you interact with the machine. There’s a sense of timelessness in the BØYD’s design. Many espresso machines chase passing trends, but this concept feels like it could fit seamlessly into any era or kitchen style. It’s easy to imagine it aging gracefully, becoming a fixture that you look forward to using day after day.

For coffee lovers who appreciate both form and function, the BØYD espresso machine concept is a refreshing take on home brewing. It’s a vision that understands the ritual of making coffee, offering a seamless blend of tactile pleasure and visual delight. While it remains a concept for now, it’s exciting to think about how designs like this could shape the future of espresso at home.

The post Espresso machine concept is a minimalist design for the modern coffee lover first appeared on Yanko Design.

Oct
1

By

Capsule can bring healthier, resilient soil in a sustainable package

Category: YankoDesign

Aeropod, designed by Muju Earth, is changing the way we think about soil health and sustainable farming. This innovative, biodegradable capsule-based solution is specifically created to revive compacted soil and boost agricultural resilience. When fields are compressed by heavy equipment, the soil loses its ability to support healthy crops, water can’t penetrate, and long-term damage sets in. Traditional methods like mechanical tilling are not only expensive and labor-heavy but can also harm the environment.

Aeropod offers a refreshing alternative that’s simple and effective. These small, seed-like capsules can be scattered directly onto the land. When rainwater or pressure activates them, Aeropods expand, forming micro-channels and injecting air into the soil. This unique process allows the soil to “breathe,” kickstarting microbial activity and encouraging roots to grow deeper and stronger. Unlike conventional tilling, Aeropod restores soil health without extra labor, fuel, or disruption.

Designer Name: Muju Earth

Accessibility is a key benefit of Aeropod. The technology is designed so that even small-scale farmers can use it easily, lowering operating costs and supporting regenerative agriculture for long-term food security and community well-being. By replacing fossil fuel-powered machinery, Aeropod also helps cut carbon emissions and supports a cultural shift toward treating soil as a precious, shared resource.

Feedback from field trials has been overwhelmingly positive. Both farmers and agricultural experts have praised Aeropod for its simplicity and effectiveness. Its open-source and collaborative approach means that people from around the world can participate in refining and expanding the technology, opening the door for new ideas and widespread adoption.

Looking to the future, Aeropod has the potential to reduce costs by as much as 60% compared to traditional soil restoration methods. This makes it a truly scalable solution that can be adapted to different climates and agricultural needs. Farmers can look forward to better yields, fewer expenses, and healthier land, while society as a whole benefits from more sustainable agriculture and restored ecosystems.

Aeropod represents a new era for farming, one where innovation, accessibility, and environmental responsibility work hand in hand. By helping the soil recover naturally, Aeropod not only supports today’s farmers but also protects the food systems and natural resources that future generations will depend on. Its widespread adoption could inspire further advances in sustainable agriculture and encourage communities worldwide to view soil health as a shared responsibility. As more people recognize the importance of regenerative practices, solutions like Aeropod could become a cornerstone of resilient and climate-smart farming for years to come.

The post Capsule can bring healthier, resilient soil in a sustainable package first appeared on Yanko Design.

Oct
1

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membrane structures shape experimental sauna complex by KOMPAS at expo 2025 osaka

Category: Design Boom

Kompas unveils multisensory sauna experience at Expo 2025 Osaka

 

KOMPAS presents Taiyo Tsubomi, an experimental sauna complex at the 2025 World Exposition site in Osaka. Positioned along the western seafront of the Expo grounds, the project, whose name translates to Bud of the Sun, introduces a sauna experience that engages light, heat, sound, and scent while fostering a deeper connection with the surrounding natural landscape. At just 161 square meters, the installation transforms a compact footprint into a layered architectural exploration of translucency, material innovation, and ritualized engagement.

 

The design organizes three primary membrane volumes on an open platform. Taiyo Tsubomi envelops visitors in warmth in a comfort lounge flooded with natural light and wind, and also features a cold bath sheltered beneath a balloon-like canopy. Each unit interacts with its environment, swaying in the breeze, reflecting the sky, and glowing with sunset hues. These subtle gestures amplify the sensory impact of the sauna, supporting the project’s concept of resonance with nature and an awakening of synesthesia.

all images by Yohei Sasakura

 

 

tetrahedral air-membrane structures shape Taiyo Tsubomi

 

Japanese studio KOMPAS includes tetrahedral air-membrane structures made from lightweight aluminum frames and ETFE film. This system encloses large volumes of air for insulation and stability and maintains a minimal physical footprint. Frosted ETFE diffuses sunlight during the day and creates a luminous interior at night, replacing the wooden interiors associated with saunas using a translucent, adaptable envelope. Taiyo Tsubomi also uses concrete canvas, a fabric-like material that hardens when wet, and 3D printed concrete for the organic-shaped cold bath. The modular nature of the membranes allows the units to be deflated, relocated, and reused, aligning with the Expo’s broader exploration of sustainable and flexible design for future societies.

 

Central to the experience is a sequence of eleven curated sauna rituals, guided by an attendant, where participants navigate a progression of heat, light, sound, and scent, transforming physical immersion into a narrative exploration of sensory perception. 

KOMPAS presents Taiyo Tsubomi at Expo 2025 Osaka

an experimental sauna complex positioned along the western seafront of the Expo grounds

a sauna experience that engages light, heat, sound, and scent

a layered architectural exploration of translucency, material innovation, and ritualized engagement

the design organizes three primary membrane volumes on an open platform

the sauna envelops visitors in warmth

a comfort lounge flooded with natural light and wind

each unit interacts with its environment

swaying in the breeze, reflecting the sky, and glowing with sunset hues

KOMPAS includes tetrahedral air-membrane structures

made from lightweight aluminum frames and ETFE film

 

 

project info:

 

name: Taiyo Tsubomi

architect: KOMPAS | @kompas_arch, TSP Taiyo Inc., Taiyo Kogyo Corp.

location: Expo 2025 Osaka | @expo2025japan, Yumeshima, Konohana-ward, Osaka, Japan

area: 161 square meters

 

owner / design client: Taiyo Kogyo Corp.

sauna produce: TTNE Inc.

landscape: SORA BOTANICAL GARDEN Project Inc.

lighting: REALROCKDESIGN Inc.

sound: KISSonix, Inc.

construction: TSP Taiyo Inc., Taiyo Kogyo Corp.

photographer: Yohei Sasakura | @yoheisasakura

The post membrane structures shape experimental sauna complex by KOMPAS at expo 2025 osaka appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Oct
1

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the granaries of gaza: studio nab’s model for civic and ecological reconstruction

Category: Design Boom

The Granaries of Gaza: A Collective Reconstruction Project

 

In response to the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Middle East and the massive destruction of the Gaza Strip, The Granaries of Gaza by Studio nab proposes a long-term, systemic reconstruction process. Conceived as both immediate relief and sustainable rebuilding, the initiative unfolds in two phases, aiming to restore dignity and autonomy to Gaza’s communities. After months of conflict, Gaza’s housing, infrastructure, and essential services have been devastated. The population faces severe conditions. The entirety of residents are experiencing acute food insecurity; more than 1,400 healthcare workers have been killed and over 30 hospitals destroyed or rendered inoperative; the collapse of water and sanitation systems has increased the risk of disease; and electricity outages are nearly constant, hindering the operation of critical equipment.

 

In this context, The Granaries of Gaza is conceived not as a conventional aid program but as a civic, social, and ecological reconstruction strategy. It is grounded in two key observations: the right of Gazans to dignified housing and autonomy, and the unprecedented presence of more than 50 million tons of rubble, material that can serve as the foundation for rebuilding rather than waste to be removed. The project is a collective act of care combining architecture, agriculture, and social repair.

phase 01: onshore humanitarian platforms | phase 02: offshore extensions for housing, agriculture, and energy | all images courtesy of Studio nab

 

 

Studio nab’s Two-Phase Strategy for Civic and Ecological Rebuild

 

The proposal’s first phase, by interdisciplinary practice Studio nab, provides immediate yet adaptable relief. Rubble is recycled into modular concrete blocks, lightened with straw, to construct bioclimatic shelters. These offer displaced families protection, privacy, and basic services, while accommodating craftspeople and volunteers engaged in reconstruction. The shelters are designed with principles of natural ventilation, shading, and orientation, and can integrate self-sufficiency systems for water, energy, and sanitation. Transitional by nature, they form the groundwork for the second phase.

 

Building on the first phase, modular offshore platforms extend the city with housing, farms, markets, schools, hospitals, and renewable energy systems. Each platform is designed as a self-sufficient ecosystem, two-thirds offshore, one-third onshore, capable of producing food, water, and energy independently. The onshore shelters from the first phase are reused or relocated, with concrete modules repurposed into seawalls or urban structures.

projected photomontage showing the deployment of phase 02

 

 

Studio nab’s proposal Weaves Agriculture, Heritage, and Energy

 

The project integrates regenerative agriculture through aquaponics, hydroponics, poultry and goat farming, and the cultivation of traditional crops such as za’atar and olives. Shared granaries, designed with natural thermal regulation, ensure year-round food storage and distribution, reducing dependence on fragile supply chains. Construction draws on traditional Palestinian techniques such as rammed earth and references to silos, communal ovens, and clay beehives. Studio nab’s approach preserves local knowledge while strengthening material and cultural autonomy. Floating platforms generate energy through solar, wind, wave, and biogas systems. Dual water systems, seawater desalination, and natural wastewater treatment, supply crops and households, supporting long-term resilience.

 

The Granaries of Gaza reframes reconstruction as a collective act of care, combining architecture, agriculture, and cultural continuity. By transforming rubble into resources and linking emergency response with sustainable development, the project seeks to restore autonomy and resilience to Gaza’s population.

photograph of the existing site, showing extensive destruction

visual projection of the site, a humanitarian camp constructed from rubble

schematic diagram: recycling war debris into modular blocks

schematic diagram: shelters constructed from recycled concrete blocks

visual projection of the site, a humanitarian camp constructed from rubble

visual projection of the site, a humanitarian camp constructed from rubble

multi-purpose domestic platform: hospital, vertical farm, port, water and food storage, activity buildings, market

multi-purpose domestic platform: school, care center, diplomacy center, housing, mosque

platform for market gardening, fish farming, and livestock production

platform for renewable energy production, drinking water, and waste treatment

multi-purpose domestic platform: school, care center, diplomacy center, housing, mosque

phase 02: view from the multi-purpose domestic platform

 

project info:

 

name: The Granaries of Gaza
designer: Studio nab

lead designer: Nicolas Abdelkader

location: Gaza Strip, Palestine

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post the granaries of gaza: studio nab’s model for civic and ecological reconstruction appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Oct
1

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norman foster, david chipperfield and es devlin design bags, lamp, glass and more for zara

Category: Design Boom

Zara taps renowned designers for 50th anniversary collection

 

Norman Foster, David Chipperfield, Es Devlin, Marc Newson, Vincent Van Duysen and more design fashion pieces and homeware for Zara’s 50th anniversary collection. On October 6th, 2025, the brand is set to release the wearable and functional objects, which range from bags, lamps, and glasses to surfboards, ceramic plates, vessels, and pieces of luggage. The collection was unveiled at a week-long pop-up shop in Paris during Paris Fashion Week 2025, running from September 29th to October 7th. Sarah Andelman, the former co-founder of the concept store Colette, who also made book holders for the series, curated the exhibition and pop-up.  

 

The complete list of collaborators for Zara’s 50th anniversary collection includes Alex de Betak, Anna Sui, Annie Leibovitz, Axel Vervoordt, Beka Gvishiani, Cedric Grolet, Charlotte Rampling, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Craig McDean, David Bailey, David Chipperfield, David Sims, Es Devlin, Ezra Petronio, Fabien Baron, Guido Palau, Harry Lambert, Javier Vallhonrat, Karl Templer, Karlie Kloss, Kasing Lung, Kate Moss, Leslie Zhang, Linda Evangelista, Luca Guadagnino, Ludovic de Saint Sernin, M&M Paris, Marc Newson, Mario Sorrenti, Naomi Campbell, Narciso Rodriguez, Nick Knight, Norman Foster, Paolo Roversi, Pat McGrath, Pedro Almodóvar, Philip Treacy, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Pieter Mulier, Ramdane Touhami, Robbie Williams, Rosalía, Samuel Ross, Sarah Andelman, Sterling Ruby, Steven Meisel, Tim Walker and Vincent Van Duysen.

Pierpaolo Piccioli’s surfboard | all images courtesy of Zara

 

 

Marc Newson and Vincent Van Duysen design homeware

 

Zara’s 50th anniversary collection brings together renowned architects, industrial designers, and artists, tasked to produce fashion pieces and home objects for the series. Among them are architects Norman Foster and David Chipperfield, industrial designer Marc Newson, stage designer Es Devlin, and Belgian designer Vincent Van Duysen. Architect Norman Foster designs three leather bags for the brand, with a briefcase made in Italian brown leather. His focus was on functionality and durability, the same principles he uses in his architectural designs. Even architect David Chipperfield creates a set of leather bags, but unlike Norman Foster’s smooth finishes, his uses untreated leather to let the material show its natural surface and change over years of use. 

 

Belgian designer Vincent Van Duysen contributes a hand-blown glass vessel; each piece is made individually, so no two vessels are the same. For the industrial designer Marc Newson, the glazed tumblers showcase opaque surfaces, treating color as a solid material. The artist and designer Es Devlin designs a concrete lamp instead, shaped as a cube with openings for light. Cast in solid concrete, it echoes her large-scale stage and installation projects but in a reduced scale for domestic use. There’s also the set of ceramic plates, bowls, and a cup by artist Sterling Ruby; each piece is handmade with splatter patterns in yellow and black as a reference to his art practice.

Pet carrier by Steven Meisel

 

 

Pierpaolo Piccioli creates a hot pink surfboard

 

The Zara 50th anniversary collection continues with filmmaker Pedro Almodóvar and his T-shirt featuring a montage of images from his well-known films, linking the collection to Spanish cinema and commercial fashion. Photographer Leslie Zhang contributes a porcelain vessel priced that references Longquan celadon, a Chinese ceramic style, but includes the brand’s name carved into the floral motif. Fashion designer Pierpaolo Piccioli creates a hot pink surfboard, which signals Zara’s interest in lifestyle products related to leisure. 

 

Singer Rosalía comes up with a furry daybed, and supermodels also chip in for the Zara 50th anniversary collection. Naomi Campbell designs a leather dress, Christy Turlington produces a piece of luggage, and Kate Moss creates a keepsake box, which can double as an ashtray. Then, streetwear designer Samuel Ross, founder of A-COLD-WALL*, adds an olive parka coat to the series. The Zara 50th anniversary collection goes live on October 6th, 2025.

T-shirt designed by Pedro Almodóvar

Craig McDean’s leather jacket

David Bailey’s jacket

left and center: Sarah Andelman’s book holders; right: mirror design by Robbie Williams

 

project info:

 

name: Zara 50th anniversary collection

brand: Zara | @zara

designs: Alex de Betak, Anna Sui, Annie Leibovitz, Axel Vervoordt, Beka Gvishiani, Cedric Grolet, Charlotte Rampling, Christy Turlington, Cindy Crawford, Craig McDean, David Bailey, David Chipperfield, David Sims, Es Devlin, Ezra Petronio, Fabien Baron, Guido Palau, Harry Lambert, Javier Vallhonrat, Karl Templer, Karlie Kloss, Kasing Lung, Kate Moss, Leslie Zhang, Linda Evangelista, Luca Guadagnino, Ludovic de Saint Sernin, M&M Paris, Marc Newson, Mario Sorrenti, Naomi Campbell, Narciso Rodriguez, Nick Knight, Norman Foster, Paolo Roversi, Pat McGrath, Pedro Almodóvar, Philip Treacy, Pierpaolo Piccioli, Pieter Mulier, Ramdane Touhami, Robbie Williams, Rosalía, Samuel Ross, Sarah Andelman, Sterling Ruby, Steven Meisel, Tim Walker and Vincent Van Duysen.

The post norman foster, david chipperfield and es devlin design bags, lamp, glass and more for zara appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Oct
1

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How the illustration industry is grappling with AI – a special report

Category: Design Week

In the world of illustration, AI has very quickly transformed from a future existential risk to a set of products having a tangible impact on the industry’s present.

Its effects are being seen in the legal landscape of image licensing and usage, to the copyright implications inherent in new “illustrator-friendly” AI tools, to the fees that illustrators are able to charge for their work.

And while many practitioners are now embracing the technology in their process in some form or another, others are more concerned than ever that AI poses a significant threat to the future of their craft.

In 2024, a survey of the members of The Society of Authors found that 26% of its illustrators had already lost work to AI. And 37% said that illustrated work had decreased in value due to the prevalence of Gen AI products.

In early 2025, in response to the UK Government’s open consultation on Copyright and Artificial Intelligence, the Association of Illustrators (AOI) surveyed its membership and found that over 32% of respondents had lost work to AI at an average of £9,262 per affected artist.

A frustrating lack of transparency

It is, says Rachel Hill, CEO of the AOI, difficult to have a nuanced conversation about AI at the moment. But these figures make it impossible to argue that the tech isn’t having a negative impact on the industry.

That doesn’t mean the AOI is inherently anti-AI – you can read its detailed stance on the issue here. It does, though, have no plans to allow AI-generated work to be submitted to the World Illustration Awards until there’s a legal framework preventing the exploitation of illustrators’ work in AI training.

Rather, Hill and her team are frustrated by the constant lack of transparency shown both by AI product providers, national governments and legislators around the world, which leaves clients, illustrators and agents all exposed to knotty legal issues.

For a body that seeks to represent, protect and advocate for the rights of the nation’s illustrators, this is making the AOI’s job more important than ever.

Karina Cao’s piece for Digital Frontier

New questions for agents

The same is true for agents representing commercial illustrators, whose whole approach to creating contracts and licensing agreements has been thrown into disarray due to ambiguity around AI.

“Adobe has been building AI into a lot of their products,” says Jeremy Wortsman, founder of the Jacky Winter Group, an international illustration agency headquartered in Melbourne with offices in the UK and US.

As a result, “We’ve had clients try to extend illustrated images or add extra animation frames to finished work. These things weren’t within the licenses, and artists are getting really upset by clients mangling their work.”

On the flipside, Wortsman has seen clients respond negatively to artists who have clearly used AI to create preliminary sketches for projects.

“At the same time, there’s a huge amount of interest from clients wanting to commission artists to make custom models for them, just like clients wanted entire asset libraries 10 to 15 years ago.

“But now they want it on the scale of AI, which is essentially saying, ‘We’ll pay you a tonne of money so we can replicate your style as much as possible’.”

This is the same promise on offer from “illustrator-empowering” off-the-shelf AI apps like Tess and Exactly.AI, which allow illustrators to train their own model exclusively on their own work.

In theory, this allows illustrators to generate unlimited images without any ethical concerns, but in fact, the legal issues are more complex.

“Some people think this kind of work is the Holy Grail of branding projects right now,” says Wortsman. “But the legal implications are so dicey and we’re starting to see lawsuits, like the Anthropic one,” in which the AI company was forced to pay $1.5billion to settle authors’ claims it had pirated their work to train chatbots.

For Wortsman, it’s a headache because his role is to make money for his artists.

“We represent artists with different approaches and opinions on AI,” he says. “The challenge of running an agency is that you can’t impose your own morals, and I really want to leave it to our artists to decide. We don’t want to shut down any opportunities.”

One of Charlotte Cripps’ pieces for Digital Frontier

A clear AI policy

To this end, Wortsman has spent the past few weeks co-authoring an agency-wide AI policy to clarify the group’s position to illustrators and clients alike.

It guarantees that all final work will be human-made.
If an illustrator uses AI during any part of the process it will be discussed with the client beforehand, and the specifics of that usage clearly disclosed.
The agency will consider all AI usage on a case-by-case basis, so as not to close down any work with clients interested in exploring its use.

In return, they expect their clients:

To respect the rights of their artists, as outlined in their contracts, and not to use in-built AI functionality in tools to alter and amend work.
That final images are not used for any unauthorised training of AI models and are not uploaded to platforms where they’re likely to be scraped.
They agree to notify both agency and artist before using any form of AI in the project workflow.

Wortsman expects to amend this policy on a quarterly basis to allow for the rapid pace of change in AI tech.

By the time he makes the next update, the UK government may have finally decided on a course of action following its Copyright and Artificial Intelligence consultation. But Hill doesn’t believe legislators are in a rush to make a decision.

Following on from its survey, the AOI has been proactive in joining the Creators Right Alliance and the British Copyright Council in pushing back forcefully on the UK government’s proposals to exempt AI development companies from existing copyright laws. This would allow them to scrape any online visuals, unless creatives opt their work out on an image-by-image basis.

Over 92% of UK illustrators say that opting out of training datasets would seriously harm their business by reducing their discoverability online.

Currently, illustrators are reliant on publishing large numbers of their images to the web to attract business, making opting each image out of training a logistical impossibility.

“The government’s closeness to a few big names in tech is influencing their decision-making,” says Hill. “So creators have really come together in force to oppose that.”

Not all of them of course.

AI enthusiasm

“I don’t think it’s like the big juggernaut trying to stamp on people’s creative abilities,” says designer, illustrator and art director, Charlotte Cripps. “I think it’s important to embrace it, otherwise you’re just going to be left behind.”

Until recently, Cripps was design director of Digital Frontier, a UK-based platform that explored the intersection between technology, business and society.

Until she landed the role, she had no experience at all with AI, but over the last two years has honed her skills across Midjourney, Runway, Flora and others, to produce illustrations and animations that won the publication a loyal following and various industry awards for its rich visuals.

During that time, Cripps says that AI allowed her to produce imagery in a way that kept pace with a relentless online publishing schedule, while allowing her to be more experimental and tangential with her creative thinking.

One of Charlotte Cripps’ pieces for Digital Frontier

She is, however, keen to stress that none of the illustrations she produced at Digital Frontier were just made with AI. Rather, AI formed part of her process, with final images developed and finished with human input – and she always commissioned actual illustrators for the print magazine.

“You’ve got to see it as something that can aid you to propel yourself further and set yourself apart from everyone else doing the same trade,” she says. “If you don’t, you’ll find people will be able to generate work much faster than you.”

Now that she’s left Digital Frontier to go freelance, she says clients are approaching her specifically for her ability to amplify her design and illustration abilities with new AI skills.

“Reassuringly shit”

This has not been the case for another UK-based illustrator, Matt Blease, whose hand-drawn work has recently been used to promote IBM’s latest AI tools.

“I’ve just finished a big campaign for IBM where they used a real illustrator and a real frame-by-frame animation studio to create beautiful animations to advertise their AI products. And that did all feel a bit odd.”

Unlike Cripps, Blease is unconvinced by the value of AI for image-makers. “It’s reassuringly shit,” he says, smiling. “When I’ve been struggling for a concept or something and I’ve gone to ChatGPT, the ideas have just felt so basic.”

As a result, he neither feels threatened by AI – “I’m still insanely busy” – nor compelled to use it to stay competitive. But he is frustrated by the way it’s exacerbating an already messy problem in the industry – plagiarism.

Blease reports seeing his work plagiarised on an increasingly regular basis since the arrival of AI-powered image generation, compounding an already significant industry trend towards designers expecting illustration to be free.

In fact, he readily admits to having been part of the problem in the early days of his career.

“When I was a graphic designer commissioning illustrators, if there wasn’t a budget for imagery, then my senior designers would come to me because they knew that I could draw. I’d adapt my drawing to someone’s signature style and it would go on a billboard somewhere. I was basically AI.”

Wortsman agrees that AI itself is not the issue, but as a tool it amplifies a lot of existing negative practices across the creative industries. And it’s making life harder for many people, forced to balance competing pressures.

“If I use chat GPT now for anything, there’s an environmental cost, there is an ethical cost, but I’m also able to serve my artists better, because I’m able to work faster or communicate better,” he says.

“But the original sin of AI is that there’s no way to use it ethically right now, because any data set that you intersect with is using compromised information. You have no idea where these images have been scraped from, and there’s just no way that you can use it commercially.

“Life now just requires endless trolley problems in every aspect of our life. We always have to ask, ‘What’s the least-worst thing we can do’?”

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Oct
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a look at bewunder’s role in shaping immersive multimedia pavilions at expo 2025 in osaka

Category: Design Boom

IMMERSIVE MULTIMEDIA PAVILIONS AT EXPO 2025 OSAKA

 

Behind several of the most anticipated pavilions at EXPO 2025 Osaka lies BeWunder’s expertise in turning architectural visions into captivating, multisensory realities. The World Expo is a dynamic stage where architecture, design, and technology converge to create compelling narratives about the future. The pavilions act as canvases where abstract ideas are brought to life through an orchestration of light, sound, and interactive technology. designboom takes a look at pavilions, created in collaboration with BeWunder, pushing the boundaries of spatial design and turning a passive visit into an active, immersive multimedia journey.

USA Pavilion | image ©Hufton+Crow, all images courtesy of ​​BeWunder

 

 

FROM STAGED EXPERIENCES TO FULL-SCALE EVENT PRODUCTION

 

As a specialist in museums, exhibitions, and brand pavilions, BeWunder serves as a turnkey partner for creating unforgettable spatial experiences. The company‘s passion lies in producing multisensory visitor experiences that combine multimedia technology, content, staged lighting, interactive elements, and scenery. With an end-to-end approach, BeWunder’s team is expertly positioned to bridge the gap between creative vision and its physical reality. Their proven international track record in both live events and permanent construction has positioned them to deliver exceptional projects, regardless of scope, scale, or location.

designed as an architectural homage to openness and progress, the Kuwait Pavilion features bold open wings

 

 

TURNKEY PROJECTS AND HIGHLIGHTS FROM BEWUNDER

 

For the USA, Netherlands, and Philippines Pavilions, BeWunder served as a turnkey design and build contractor, taking full responsibility for the final design and delivery. Their scope encompassed an integrated approach, covering everything from initial concept development and feasibility studies to the final delivery of multimedia and lighting systems, interactive elements, scenic fit-out, exhibit fabrication, graphics, print, and signage. 

 

Each project was uniquely defined by its architectural and cultural narrative. Inspired by the Japanese concept of wabi-sabi, the USA Pavilion’s architectural form consists of two triangular wooden structures contrasted by a suspended, illuminated cube. BeWunder supported the exhibition design team by further developing the concept, ensuring that technology, storytelling, and spatial design worked hand-in-hand to create a compelling and immersive experience for visitors. Similarly, for the Philippines Pavilion, whose design pays tribute to Filipino heritage and features over 200 handwoven textiles, BeWunder managed the installation of the exterior facade and coordinated all artworks to bring the creative vision to life with precision. A highlight of the Netherlands Pavilion was the design and manufacturing of a bespoke interactive sphere system, enabling visitors to engage with content in dynamic, personalized ways.

BeWunder was responsible for the complete multimedia and lighting systems inside the Kuwait Pavilion exhibition

 

 

BeWunder also applied its specialized skills in audio-visual and lighting systems to achieve the vision for a number of other pavilions, including the Kuwait, Luxembourg, and Germany Pavilions. The Kuwait Pavilion, with its distinctive open wings, was brought to life with comprehensive interior multimedia and lighting systems. This expertise extended to the exterior as well, with the team designing and installing the façade and landscape lighting to highlight the structure’s unique architecture, especially at night.

 

From a monumental spiral sculpture of the Austria Pavilion to a moving stage in the Uzbekistan Pavilion, BeWunder created standout features, designed for unforgettable, multisensory journeys. A groundbreaking 100-channel audio system in the Austria Pavilion enables visitors to collaboratively create music, turning the inside into an active and participatory experience. For the Switzerland Pavilion, BeWunder’s expertise was focused on an integrated lighting setup that animated the pavilion’s iconic bubble effects. Meanwhile, a standout feature of the Uzbekistan Pavilion was a moving stage that transports visitors between floors while being fully immersed in projection content. For the Luxembourg Pavilion, a key highlight of their scope was the development and delivery of custom-made LED screens, manufactured specifically for the project to meet unique design and spatial requirements.

Switzerland’s Pavilion is driven by three key themes: life, planet, and augmented human

 

 

 

Beyond full-scale delivery, BeWunder’s partner mindset allowed them to provide targeted technical and consultancy services. For the Portugal Pavilion, they acted as a consultant, offering feasibility studies and value engineering to align design intent with budget and technical feasibility. Similarly, for the UAE Pavilion, BeWunder served as a media hardware planner, responsible for the design and specification of all AV technology. This comprehensive range of services ensures that every client, regardless of their specific needs, can bring their creative vision to life.

the Portugal Pavilion offers an interactive experience, inviting visitors to explore the ocean as a life-giving resource

BeWunder served as the turnkey design & build contractor for the visitor experience at the Philippines Pavilion

with its theme of common ground, the Netherlands Pavilion aims to foster openness and cooperation

for the UAE Pavilion, BeWunder ensured the AV system fully supports and enhances the creative vision

the Germany Pavilion centres on the theme of circular economy, with the title Wa! Germany

the European Union Pavilion highlights the EU’s commitment to building a sustainable, inclusive, and secure future

the USA Pavilion invites visitors to imagine a future where collaboration and creativity lead global progress

 

 

project info:

 

name: Turnkey Projects at Osaka Expo 2025

company: BeWunder | @bewunder_expierences

location: Osaka, Japan

The post a look at bewunder’s role in shaping immersive multimedia pavilions at expo 2025 in osaka appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Oct
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qatar foundation to open m. f. husain museum in doha, tracing six decades of modernist art

Category: Design Boom

qatar to welcome M. F. Husain Museum in november 2025

 

Qatar Foundation is set to open a cultural landmark dedicated to the life and work of Maqbool Fida Husain, one of the most influential modernist artists of the 20th century. Titled Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum, the institution will open on November 28th, 2025, in Education City, Doha, and is designed to be the first and largest museum worldwide devoted to Husain’s art. Its collection spans six decades of practice across painting, film, tapestry, photography, poetry, and installation.

 

The concept of the building is closely tied to the artist’s vision, taking shape from a 2008 sketch Husain made of how he imagined the museum. The project reflects Husain’s commitment to experimentation and to dissolving boundaries between disciplines. 

all images courtesy of Qatar Foundation

 

 

spanning 60 years of the indian artist’s work

 

Covering more than 3,000 square meters, the museum brings together a permanent collection and immersive displays that retrace Husain’s career from the 1950s until his death in 2011. Highlights include a cycle of paintings commissioned by Her Highness Sheikha Moza bint Nasser, inspired by Arab civilization and completed in the artist’s final years in Qatar. The galleries will also incorporate Seeroo fi al Ardh (2009), Husain’s last major work—a multimedia installation that depicts humanity’s technological and cultural progress.

 

Born in India in 1913, Husain became a founding member of the Progressive Artists Group in 1947, breaking away from academic traditions and shaping a modern Indian visual language. His work traversed oil painting, serigraphy, sculpture, and cinema, with themes ranging from mythological epics and rural life to postcolonial realities and religious diversity. Celebrated internationally, his career spanned exhibitions from the Venice Biennale (1952) to the Victoria and Albert Museum in London (2014). Husain described himself as a ‘global nomad,’ forging strong ties with Europe, the United States, and the Arab world, particularly Qatar, where he spent his final years and held citizenship.

 

Within Education City—already home to public art installations, research centers, and universities — the new museum situates Husain’s work in dialogue with broader questions of creativity and cultural exchange. As Kholoud M. Al-Ali, executive director of community engagement and programming at Qatar Foundation, notes, the space is designed for exploration and critical engagement, connecting audiences with Husain’s art as a living legacy rather than a static archive.

Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum will open on November 28th, 2025, in Education City, Doha

designed to be the first and largest museum worldwide devoted to Husain’s art

its collection spans six decades of practice across painting, film, tapestry, photography, poetry, and installation

Zuljanah Horse (2007), Maqbool Fida Husain

Sketch by Maqbool Fida Husain (2008)

 

 

project info:

 

name: Lawh Wa Qalam: M. F. Husain Museum
location: Education City, Doha, Qatar
opening: November 28th, 2025

The post qatar foundation to open m. f. husain museum in doha, tracing six decades of modernist art appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Oct
1

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green and red ceramic tiles clad sculptural daybed by uchronia at hôtel plaza athénée, paris

Category: Design Boom

Uchronia’s Daybed Installation Transforms Hôtel Plaza Athénée

 

In the Cour Jardin of the Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, France, Univers Uchronia has unveiled Daybed, a large-scale installation that reinterprets the hotel’s garden through materiality, color, and form. The temporary work, on view until 11th November, 2025, functions as both sculptural object and inhabitable space, establishing a dialogue between contemporary design and the historic setting of the Plaza Athénée.

 

At the center of the project is a ceramic surface designed in collaboration with Dutch brand Palet. The installation is clad in Palet’s glazed tiles, whose dimensions (149 x 149 mm) and color flexibility formed the basis for Uchronia’s architectural composition. The palette, dominated by greens and reds, references the hotel’s signature tones, including the red geraniums that line the Cour Jardin. Produced in the Netherlands, each tile is glazed to order from Palet’s library of more than 100 colors, which can be combined into over 300,000 possible variations. The reflective surface changes character under different light conditions, giving the installation a shifting visual presence throughout the day.

all images by Felix Dol Maillot

 

 

Uchronia’s Daybed Combines Ceramics, Textiles, and Furnishings

 

The ceramic assembly by creative studio Univers Uchronia is complemented by additional crafted elements: a custom-designed headboard by Treca, bed linens by Le Jacquard Français, floral curtains and cushions by Misia, and painted finishes by Seigneurie. Together, these components extend the project beyond surface design, integrating textiles and furnishings into a cohesive environment.

 

Palet, founded in 2021 by Jaap Giesen, Gilles de Brock, and Niels Monsieurs, operates at the intersection of digital design and ceramic craftsmanship. Its platform allows designers and clients to configure bespoke color and pattern combinations at varying scales, bridging industrial repeatability with artisanal variation. The collaboration with Univers Uchronia continues a partnership that has evolved from small-scale interiors to more ambitious site-specific installations. Daybed at the Plaza Athénée exemplifies this ongoing exchange, presenting ceramic tile as both material and medium for architectural experimentation within a public-facing context.

Daybed installation in the Cour Jardin of Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris

Univers Uchronia reinterprets the garden through form, colour, and material

the installation functions as both sculpture and inhabitable space

textiles, floral curtains, and cushions enhance the composition

Palet’s glazed ceramic tiles form the surface of the installation

greens and reds echo the hotel’s iconic geraniums and palette

the reflective ceramic surface shifts character with changing light

Uchronia and Palet’s collaboration extends from interiors to large-scale work

Daybed explores ceramic tile as both material and medium of architecture

 

project info:

 

name: Daybed
designer: Uchronia | @uchronia_world

location: Hôtel Plaza Athénée, Paris, France

photographer: Felix Dol Maillot | @felixdolmaillot

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post green and red ceramic tiles clad sculptural daybed by uchronia at hôtel plaza athénée, paris appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

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