Sep
29

By

An Ultrasonic Chef’s Knife

Category: Core77

We’ve seen ultrasonic cutters before, for craft applications. These are basically powered X-Acto knives that use ultrasonic vibrations to do the cutting for you.

Now the technology has been applied to kitchen knives. A startup called Seattle Ultrasonics has developed this C-200 Ultrasonic 8″ Chef’s Knife.

When you hit the button on the handle, the blade vibrates—imperceptibly and inaudibly—and cleanly slices through food. It can even be used as a bread knife.

And yes, the housing is waterproof.

The knife runs $400. It has a USB-C port for charging, you supply the cable. But if you’d like to spend more, for $500 you can get both the knife and this wireless charging tile.

I do all my own cooking, and I’d never buy one of these; learning to properly sharpen a kitchen knife isn’t that difficult. That said, our gadget-crazed culture will probably go nuts for this thing, and I expect it to sell like hotcakes.

The company is taking pre-orders now and expects to ship in January. Here’s the pitch:

Sep
29

By

Jaza Energy Hubs light up communities and empowers women

Category: YankoDesign

Jaza Energy Hubs, created by the Nigerian‑based studio Nonfiction Design, have quickly become a model of clean, affordable energy for off‑grid villages. The project showcases a modular solar hub that can be shipped flat, unpacked and assembled in a single day with only basic tools . Each hub generates enough electricity to run lights, phones, fans and small shop equipment, replacing costly and polluting diesel generators and kerosene lamps.

The hubs are installed in Gambari, Oyo State, Nigeria, where they began operating in July 2024. The goal is ambitious: 500 hubs nationwide, each serving dozens of households . Residents rent swappable battery packs ranging from 60 Ah to 180 Ah, allowing them to charge devices at home or on the go. Because the batteries are interchangeable, users never have to wait for a long charge cycle; they simply swap a depleted pack for a fully charged one at the local hub.

Designer Name: Nonfiction Design

What sets Jaza apart is its focus on people, not just technology. Local women, called “Jaza Stars,” are trained to run the hubs, manage the battery rentals and maintain the solar panels. The training provides stable income, business skills and a leadership role that many women in rural Nigeria have never had. By putting women at the center of the operation, the project advances gender equity while creating reliable jobs in communities where opportunities are scarce.

Sustainability is built into every stage of the hub’s life cycle. The structures are made from reclaimed materials, and each battery is tracked, serviced and eventually recycled, forming a closed‑loop resource system. The subscription‑based model means the hubs can expand without continuous external funding, allowing the network to grow organically as more households join.

The social impact is measurable. Households that switch from diesel to solar report lower fuel expenses and fewer health problems linked to indoor air pollution from kerosene lamps. Children can study after dark, and small entrepreneurs can keep shops open longer, boosting local economies. Early data indicate a noticeable drop in carbon emissions as the hubs replace fossil‑fuel generators.

Beyond the immediate benefits, Jaza Energy Hubs illustrate how design can solve everyday problems while fostering community resilience. The flat‑pack design reduces shipping costs and makes it possible to reach remote villages that traditional grid extensions cannot. The battery‑rental system removes the barrier of upfront capital, letting families pay only for the energy they use. And the women‑led management model creates a ripple effect, inspiring other community‑based enterprises.

As the hubs multiply across Nigeria, they offer a glimpse of a future where clean power is not a luxury but a shared resource. By blending renewable technology with social entrepreneurship, Jaza Energy Hubs are lighting homes, powering dreams and proving that sustainable design can be both practical and empowering.

The post Jaza Energy Hubs light up communities and empowers women first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sep
29

By

The Future Is Here: 10 Best Home Appliances With Real Artificial Intelligence

Category: YankoDesign

Smart home technology has come a long way from basic timers and remote controls. Today’s appliances actually think for themselves, learning your habits and preferences to make life easier. These aren’t just gadgets with apps – they’re devices that genuinely understand what you need and when you need it. The best part about these AI-powered appliances is how they handle the boring stuff automatically.

No more guessing cooking times, manually adjusting vacuum schedules, or dealing with false security alerts. These smart devices figure it out so you don’t have to. What makes these appliances different from regular “smart” devices is their ability to adapt and improve over time. While a basic smart thermostat might let you set schedules from your phone, an AI-powered one actually learns when you’re home, tracks your preferences, and starts making adjustments before you even think about it. The same goes for everything from robot vacuums that map your furniture layout to ovens that recognize what you’re cooking just by looking at it.

1. Dyson Spot+Scrub AI Robot Vacuum

Dyson’s latest robot vacuum finally tackles both vacuuming and mopping in one machine. The Spot+Scrub AI stands out with its bagless design – just like their stick vacuums – which means no more buying replacement bags. It comes with a self-emptying dock and smart navigation that actually works around furniture instead of bumping into everything.

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Remember those early robot vacuums that got stuck under chairs and needed rescue missions? The Spot+Scrub AI utilizes cameras to detect obstacles and plan the most efficient cleaning path. It learns which rooms get dirty faster and adjusts its schedule accordingly, plus it switches between vacuuming and mopping depending on what type of mess it finds.

What we like

No more buying vacuum bags – just empty the bin like a regular Dyson.
Handles both vacuuming and mopping, so you only need one robot.

What we dislike

Costs significantly more than basic robot vacuums.
The self-emptying dock occupies a considerable amount of floor space.

2. AEG 9000 ProAssist Oven with CamCook

This oven has a camera inside that watches your food cook – sounds weird, but it’s actually brilliant. The CamCook feature recognizes what you’re making and suggests the right settings. Over time, it remembers how you like things cooked and can even pull up recipes from online that match your taste preferences.

How AI has Changed this Appliance

The oven remembers online recipes you’ve tried before thanks to the AI TasteAssist feature. Once it knows your go-to dishes, the oven can automatically suggest the right cooking program and get everything started for you, making it ridiculously easy to nail your favorite meals every time.

What we like

You can check on dinner from your phone without opening the oven door.
Actually learns your preferences and gets better at cooking your favorites.

What we dislike

More complex technology means more things that can potentially break.
Premium price puts it out of reach for many home cooks.

3. iRobot Roomba j7+ Self-Emptying Robot Vacuum

The j7+ tackles the biggest robot vacuum problem: getting stuck on random stuff around the house. Its camera system recognizes common obstacles like shoes, socks, and pet accidents, then navigates around them instead of bulldozing through. The self-emptying base means you can forget about it for weeks at a time.

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Early robot vacuums needed you to basically child-proof your house before each cleaning session. The j7+ figures out what’s safe to clean around and what to avoid, building a map of your home and learning the best cleaning patterns for each room. It even knows how to avoid pet messes rather than spreading them around.

What we like

Smart enough to avoid most household obstacles that trip up other robot vacuums.
Self-emptying dock means truly hands-off cleaning for weeks.

What we dislike

Costs considerably more than simpler robot vacuum models.
Pet waste avoidance works most of the time, but it isn’t foolproof.

4. Aqara Camera Hub G5 Pro Security System

The G5 Pro goes beyond typical security cameras by serving as the brain of your smart home setup. It delivers sharp 4MP video with true color night vision, but the real magic happens with its AI detection. The camera can tell the difference between people, cars, pets, and packages – plus it listens for specific sounds like crying babies or smoke alarms. ְֿֿ

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Traditional security cameras bombarded you with alerts every time a leaf blew by or a shadow moved. The G5 Pro’s onboard AI processor sorts through all that visual noise to send alerts that actually matter. It recognizes family members, distinguishes between delivery trucks and suspicious vehicles, and even processes everything locally, so it works during internet outages. ְֿֿ

What we like

Works as both a security camera and a smart home hub for other devices.
Smart detection reduces false alerts while keeping you informed about real threats.

What we dislike

Full features require a monthly subscription for cloud storage and advanced analytics.
Initial setup can be overwhelming for people new to smart home systems.

5. Samsung Bespoke AI Vision Inside Refrigerator

Samsung’s smart refrigerator takes food management to the next level with internal cameras that actually recognize what you put in and take out. The AI Vision Inside system can identify 33 different types of fresh fruits and vegetables automatically, keeping track of your inventory and suggesting recipes based on what’s available. ְֿֿ

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Traditional smart fridges only offered basic connectivity and manual food tracking through apps. Samsung’s AI system uses computer vision to automatically recognize and catalog fresh foods, learning your eating patterns and family preferences. It suggests meal planning, tracks expiration dates, and even helps build grocery lists based on what you actually use. ְֿֿ

What we like

Automatically tracks food inventory without manual input from you.
AI learns your family’s eating habits and suggests personalized recipes.

What we dislike

Only recognizes certain fresh foods – packaged items still need manual entry.
Premium price point puts it out of reach for many families.

6. LG AI DD Washing Machine

LG’s AI Direct Drive technology represents a major leap forward in laundry care. The system uses deep learning algorithms trained on over 20,000 wash cycles to automatically detect fabric types and optimize washing patterns. It analyzes the weight and softness of your clothes, then selects the perfect combination of water temperature, spin speed, and drum movement. ְֿֿ

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Old washing machines used basic preset cycles that treated all clothes the same way. LG’s AI DD technology actually understands different fabric types and adjusts its approach accordingly. The machine continuously learns from each wash cycle, building up knowledge about how to best care for everything from delicate silk to heavy denim while preventing damage and extending clothing lifespan. ְֿֿ

What we like

Deep learning algorithms provide truly customized care for different fabric types.
AI continuously improves performance with each wash cycle.

What we dislike

Advanced features may be overwhelming for users who prefer simple operation.
Higher upfront cost compared to traditional washing machines.

7. Samsung Series 7 AI Pro Cooking Oven

Samsung’s take on the smart oven focuses on flexibility and space. With a huge 76-liter capacity, it’s perfect for big families or anyone who entertains regularly. The AI system uses an internal camera to monitor cooking progress and can handle everything from air frying to sous vide – techniques that used to require separate appliances.

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Traditional ovens leave you constantly checking and adjusting settings throughout cooking. Samsung’s AI watches everything and makes those adjustments for you, learning how you prefer different foods prepared. The system builds up knowledge about your cooking patterns and starts anticipating what settings you’ll want.

What we like

Massive interior space handles large meals and multiple dishes at once.
BESPOKE design options let you match it perfectly to your kitchen style.

What we dislike

The large size might not fit in standard kitchen cabinets.
Takes time to learn all the advanced features and get the most out of them.

8. Google Nest Learning Thermostat (4th Generation)

Google’s latest Nest thermostat combines traditional learning capabilities with new AI-powered features that make it more transparent and responsive. It learns your temperature preferences and schedule while new AI technology asks for confirmation before making changes, helping you understand and control the learning process better than previous generations. ְֿֿ

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Earlier smart thermostats required constant manual programming and couldn’t adapt to changing routines. The 4th generation Nest uses machine learning to understand your patterns and preferences, but adds AI transparency by explaining its decisions and asking for permission before implementing changes. It can better handle routine variations and optimize energy usage based on your actual habits. ְֿֿ

What we like

AI asks for confirmation before making changes, giving you more control.
Better adaptation to irregular schedules and routine changes.

What we dislike

Still requires several weeks of learning before it becomes truly effective.
Advanced features may not provide significant benefits for simple households.

9. GE Profile Smart Grind & Brew

GE’s AI-powered coffee system transforms your morning routine with personalized brewing profiles powered by Google Cloud’s generative AI technology. The system learns your taste preferences and can adjust brewing parameters automatically while coordinating with your daily schedule. It provides real-time customization suggestions and even responds to voice commands for hands-free operation. ְֿֿ

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Traditional coffee makers offered basic programmable timers and preset strength settings. GE’s AI Coffee Assistant uses machine learning to understand your taste preferences and brewing habits, creating personalized profiles that adjust automatically. The system can suggest optimal brewing parameters based on the type of coffee you’re using and even coordinate with your morning routine through smart home integration.

What we like

Creates personalized brewing profiles that adapt to your taste preferences.
Integrates with smart home systems to start coffee based on your schedule.

What we dislike

Requires an ongoing subscription for full AI features and cloud connectivity.
A complex system may be overkill for casual coffee drinkers.

10. Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige Electric Toothbrush with SenseIQ

The Philips Sonicare 9900 Prestige represents the cutting edge of oral care technology, featuring SenseIQ artificial intelligence that monitors your brushing technique up to 100 times per second. This smart toothbrush automatically adjusts intensity based on pressure, motion, and coverage while providing real-time coaching through its AI-powered app for personalized oral care optimization. ְֿ

How AI has Changed this Appliance

Traditional electric toothbrushes offered basic timer functions and preset modes, leaving users to guess whether they were brushing effectively. The 9900 Prestige’s SenseIQ AI technology continuously analyzes your brushing pressure, motion patterns, and coverage areas in real-time. It automatically adjusts intensity when you press too hard and provides personalized feedback through the AI-powered Sonicare app, creating a customized coaching experience that improves your technique over time.

What we like

Real-time AI coaching provides instant feedback to improve brushing technique.
SenseIQ technology automatically adjusts intensity to protect teeth and gums from damage.

What we dislike

Premium pricing makes it one of the most expensive electric toothbrushes available.
Advanced features require smartphone app usage for full AI functionality.

Building Homes That Work With You

These ten AI-powered appliances represent a real shift in how we think about household management. Instead of just having more buttons and settings, these devices actually take over the thinking part of daily chores. They learn what you like and adapt to your routine without requiring constant input from you.

What’s exciting is how these appliances are just the beginning. As the technology improves and costs come down, we’ll see even smarter integration between devices. The goal isn’t just convenience; it’s creating homes that work with you instead of against you.

The post The Future Is Here: 10 Best Home Appliances With Real Artificial Intelligence first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sep
29

By

revisit the 1985 pulse autocycle, a jet-like vehicle with sliding canopy and ‘tandem’ seats

Category: Design Boom

vehicle Pulse Autocycle draws design from jets and aircraft

 

Meet the 1985 Pulse Autocycle, a towable and jet-like vehicle with a sliding canopy and a set of tandem seats in the cabin. Produced in the US between 1985 and 1990, there were only around 326 built examples of the model by the Owosso Motor Car Company in Michigan. The car design was conceived by Jim Bede, an aircraft designer known for building small experimental planes, and his influence is clear in the streamlined body and sliding canopy, which make the Pulse resemble an aircraft more than a car or motorcycle.

 

The first version of the vehicle was called the Litestar, produced by Scranton Manufacturing in Iowa from 1983 to 1984, but in 1985, production shifted to Owosso, and the name was changed to Pulse. The company described the vehicle as a Ground Cruising Recreational Vehicle, or GCRV, to highlight its unusual combination of car-like and motorcycle-like features. The Pulse has a fiberglass body mounted on a steel tube frame to keep the body light and allow it to be molded into aerodynamic shapes. The steel frame also makes the overall structure robust.

all images courtesy of the user Medman8866 via Bring a Trailer

 

 

Three-wheeled automobile with sliding canopy

 

The jet-like vehicle Pulse Autocycle includes an enclosed cockpit with an acrylic sliding canopy and a glass windscreen, giving the driver and their passenger a biplane-like atmosphere rather than a road vehicle. The drivable automobile is configured with four wheels: two are the main wheels placed along the centerline, and two smaller outrigger wheels are mounted at the sides. At any moment, only three wheels touch the ground, and the outriggers stabilize the vehicle when turning or when stopped. These are connected to the main chassis with adjustable tie rods, allowing them to adapt to the movement of the vehicle.

 

The exterior of jet-like vehicle Pulse Autocycle displays elements that reflect its aircraft-inspired design. It has NACA-style side ducts for airflow, dual side mirrors for visibility, recessed turn signals at the rear, and an integrated taillight. The nose cone on this particular listed model was damaged, repaired, and repainted in 1987 before the vehicle went into long-term storage. In 2023, LED headlights were added during refurbishment to update the lighting system. The suspension system was also upgraded during the 2023 refurbishment, with Progressive Suspension 412-series front shocks and 429-series rear shocks being installed to replace the original units. 

the rear has a triangular shape

 

 

Tandem seats trimmed in brown vinyl with contrasting stripes

 

Inside, the jet-like vehicle Pulse Autocycle features a cockpit with two seats arranged in tandem, meaning the passenger sits directly behind the driver. The seats are trimmed in brown vinyl with contrasting stripes, and this trim extends to the side panels. The interior includes lap belts for safety, a rear parcel shelf for storage, a map pocket, and a Pioneer cassette stereo with speakers. The instrument cluster comes from the Yamaha XS400 motorcycle. It includes an 85 mph speedometer, a 12,000 rpm tachometer, fuel and voltage gauges, rocker switches, warning lamps, and a keyed ignition switch. The cluster is placed in front of a three-spoke steering wheel, giving the driver access to all the main controls in a compact arrangement.

 

Specs-wise, the engine is a Yamaha 399cc four-stroke parallel-twin, the same type used in the XS400 motorcycle. This particular unit was a replacement engine installed in 2023, equipped with Yamaha’s Induction Control System, known as YICS, and two Mikuni 32mm carburetors. Exhaust gases exit through dual chrome megaphone mufflers mounted on the sides, and the refurbishment process also includes cleaning the carburetors and fuel tank, installing a new battery and stator, and replacing the fuel pump, cylinder head gasket, and cam plug seals. The jet-like vehicle Pulse Autocycle can be notable because of how it combines the design features of cars, motorcycles, and aircraft in one. With only about 326 examples produced, it is considered a rare collector’s item today.

when driven, only three wheels touch the road

the exterior draws designs from aircraft

detailed view of the vehicle’s nose

the Pulse has a fiberglass body mounted on a steel tube frame

the automobile is also towable

there are tandem seats in the cabin of the automobile

the cluster is placed in front of a three-spoke steering wheel

the first version of the vehicle was called the Litestar before it was named Pulse

 

project info:

 

name: 1985 Pulse Autocycle

design: Jim Bede

auction: Bring a Trailer | @bringatrailer

listing: here

The post revisit the 1985 pulse autocycle, a jet-like vehicle with sliding canopy and ‘tandem’ seats appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Sep
29

By

M&M’s and Crocs Present Candy-Colored Clogs and the Sweet Side of Design

Category: YankoDesign

Food-themed fashion collaborations have become increasingly popular as brands tap into nostalgia and playful self-expression. These partnerships often blur the lines between childhood memories and adult style, creating products that feel both familiar and fresh. The appeal lies in their ability to transform everyday items into conversation starters that celebrate our favorite treats and comfort foods.

What makes the M&M’s x Crocs collaboration particularly compelling is how it brings together two brands known for bold colors, comfort, and unapologetic fun. This limited-edition collection, launching globally on October 9, transforms the classic Crocs silhouette into a canvas for candy-inspired design, complete with customizable Jibbitz charms that let you wear your favorite M&M’s characters.

Designer: Mars x Crocs

The collection features two distinct styles that cater to different preferences and occasions. The M&M’s Classic Clog showcases an all-over M&M’s mix graphic with four candy bag Jibbitz charms and two logo charms on the heel straps. The women’s only Bae Clog takes things further with a glitter treatment, platform heel, and pre-decorated M&M’s charms that create an elevated, eye-catching look.

The real customization magic happens with the M&M’s Spokescandy Jibbitz 7-pack, featuring each beloved character in their signature poses. You can mix and match these charms to reflect your personality, creating combinations that feel uniquely yours. The charm pack works with any existing Crocs, making it accessible for current fans who want to add some candy-colored flair.

Of course, this collaboration follows Crocs’ recent partnership with Haribo Gummy Bears and Krispy Kreme, indicating a strategic shift toward food brand collaborations. These partnerships tap into the “kidult” market, appealing to adults who embrace playful, nostalgic products while also attracting younger consumers who love the Instagram-worthy aesthetic and customization options.

That said, the candy-like appearance of these Jibbitz charms raises important safety considerations for families with young children. The charms carry standard choking hazard warnings for children under three, but their resemblance to actual M&M’s makes them particularly enticing to toddlers. Parents should exercise extra caution, as the food-themed design might confuse very young children about what’s edible versus decorative.

The collaboration works because both brands share similar values around self-expression, comfort, and bold personality. Crocs has successfully positioned itself as a canvas for creativity, while M&M’s has long celebrated individuality through its colorful spokescandy characters. Together, they create products that feel authentic to both brand identities while offering something genuinely new.

You can see how collaborations like this push product design beyond pure functionality, turning shoes into wearable art that tells personal stories. The M&M’s x Crocs collection captures something essential about contemporary culture: our desire to express joy, nostalgia, and personality through the objects we choose to wear and display.

The post M&M’s and Crocs Present Candy-Colored Clogs and the Sweet Side of Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sep
29

By

raul de lara carves surreal wooden sculptures to question who gets to belong

Category: Design Boom

Raul De Lara Reimagines Tools, Plants, and Furniture in Wood

 

Through January 11, 2026, the Contemporary Austin hosts the first solo museum exhibition in Texas of sculptor Raul De Lara, an artist known for his highly technical approach to woodworking. De Lara transforms everyday tools, plants, and furniture into anthropomorphic and surreal forms. These works act as vessels of memory, resilience, and humor, but also as pointed reflections on the immigrant experience, queer identity, and the liminal space of DACA status, the temporary US policy that offers young undocumented immigrants protection from deportation and the ability to work legally, though without a path to permanent residency or citizenship.

 

De Lara’s background roots him in both Mexican and American traditions of making. Trained in Austin and later at Virginia Commonwealth University, he honors traditional woodworking while experimenting with scale, humor, and magical realism. His sculptures range from saints conjured out of branches to furniture reimagined with uncanny detail. ‘Growing up, I would see craftsmen carve these saints out of branches,’ he recalls. ‘I always wonder, like, at what point does the branch become a saint?’ he wonders. That threshold between the ordinary and the sacred, the native and the foreign, and the tool and the symbol is where his work finds its resonance.

Cavale II, 2023 | all images courtesy of Raul De Lara, unless stated otherwise

 

 

seven new works on view at the Contemporary Austin exhibition

 

For the show in Austin, his hometown after immigrating to the US at age twelve, De Lara completes seven new sculptures shaped from mesquite, walnut, cedar, and oak. The pieces reference wildflowers native to both Texas and northern Mexico, such as Damianita, Indian Blanket, and Sleepy Daisy. Their dual botanical origins parallel the artist’s own exploration of cultural hybridity and contested belonging. ‘Why can plants be native to two places, but never people?’ he asks. By embedding this question into wood and form, the New York-based artist turns sculpture into a stage for negotiating identity and precarity.

the sculpture was made for Hermés new Aspen Boutique’s window display

 

 

When Woodworking Meets Belonging and Legal Uncertainty

 

Raul De Lara insists that the act of sharing is central to his practice. ‘Some of the best works are the ones that, when you share yourself, you really get beyond just the object,’ he says. ‘When you can connect with people in that way—thinking that our work can make people feel a sense of care, or want to care—that’s enough.’ In Austin, the newly commissioned sculptures invite audiences to engage with beauty while confronting difficult questions of who gets to belong, how stories are carved into materials, and why plants are allowed a dual nativity denied to people.

 

The artist himself describes the project as the most complex of his career. ‘Honestly, this show… they’re the most layered, and they have the capacity to fail. Pulling one off is a miracle, and I have, like, six miracles to do,’ he shares. This balance of rigor and risk reflects the precariousness of his legal and social position under DACA. ‘My legal standing here—if the law changed tomorrow, that would be a different exhibition. It’s a reality… I could not even make my own show.’ In these remarks, the material and the political fuse, as woodworking becomes both a technical dance with fire and a metaphor for living in limbo.

these works act as vessels of memory, resilience, and humor

Tornado, 2020

Installation view, HOST: Raul De Lara, The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center on Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 2025. Artwork © Raul De Lara | image by Alex Boeschenstein, courtesy of The Contemporary Austin

For Being Left-Handed, 2020

Como Las De Mi Tierra / Like The One’s Back Home, 2024

Hermés Window Installation in Aspen, Colorado, 2023

Soft Chair (M1), 2023

The Wait (Again), 2022

Pending Flowers, 2024

La Monstera, 2023

installation view, HOST: Raul De Lara, The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center on Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 2025. Artwork © Raul De Lara | image by Alex Boeschenstein, courtesy of The Contemporary Austin

installation view, HOST: Raul De Lara, The Contemporary Austin – Jones Center on Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas, 2025. Artwork © Raul De Lara | image by Alex Boeschenstein, courtesy of The Contemporary Austin

 

project info:

 

artist: Raul De Lara | @rauldelaraa

exhibition: HOST: Raul De Lara

location: The Contemporary Austin | @contemporaryatx – Jones Center, HOST gallery, 700 Congress Avenue, Austin, Texas 

dates: September 12th, 2025 – January 11th, 2026

The post raul de lara carves surreal wooden sculptures to question who gets to belong appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Sep
29

By

floating concrete structure by moguang studio anchors guesthouse complex in china

Category: Design Boom

floating concrete public amenities building emerges in hubei

 

Moguang Studio has completed a ‘floating’ concrete structure that anchors a new guesthouse complex in Longwanggou Village, Hubei Province, China. Serving as a multifunctional amenities building with café, dining, and gathering spaces, the suspended project inserts a striking horizontal volume into a terraced valley near the Danjiangkou Reservoir. Inspired by the accidental horizon created by a temporary blue construction fence on site, the architects translated this fleeting gesture into a permanent architectural intervention — one that stitches together the surrounding hills while redefining the relationship between landscape and built form.

the suspended structure | all images courtesy of Moguang Studio

 

 

a horizon reimagined by moguang studio

 

The design by Moguang Studio began with the terrain’s transformation into artificial terraces during preliminary site works, a move that altered the valley’s natural topography. When encountered by the architects, the bright construction barricade cutting across the slope suggested an accidental but powerful horizon. Rather than conceal this incision, the studio amplified it with a precise concrete volume that extends laterally across the site, echoing the fence’s graphic clarity while introducing a functional landscape corridor. The textured concrete, cast using standard decking boards, preserves the imprint of wood grain, softening the geometry with tactile detail.

the reflecting pool echoes the horizontal abstraction of the architecture

 

 

voids and light

 

Spatially, the building is organized around three light courts carved into the concrete mass. Openings and voids frame elements of the natural environment, resetting orientation as users move through the structure. At the core is a 7.5-meter cubic court that vertically links sky and ground while horizontally connecting dining, kitchen, and meeting areas. This interplay of solidity and void establishes a rhythmic, layered experience where interior and exterior blur.

To achieve long spans with minimal supports, the roof and floor are constructed as ribbed concrete slabs forming a structural shell. Full-height windows reduce visual mass and maximize transparency, while cross-ventilation is enabled through operable openings. A thin reflecting pool atop the roof lightens the building’s presence, mirroring distant mountains and the reservoir. Cast in a single pour with subtle cambering to prevent cracking, the shell stands as a precise geometric insertion in the valley — both grounded in material tactility and floating in abstraction.

behind the main facade lies a spatial system of vertical light courts and orderly openings

sculpting structural tension through reflection and shadow

ground level shear walls are abstracted into geometric installations

main entrance

the view outside the meeting room

looking toward the light court from the dining area

the architecture anchored in the geohydrological system of Danjiangkou

the reflective roof water mirrors the rugged mountain texture and echoes the distant reservoir

 

project info:

 

 

name: Wudang Mountain Visitor Center
designer: Moguang Studio

location: Longwanggou Village, Hubei Province, China

 

 

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: myrto katsikopoulou | designboom

The post floating concrete structure by moguang studio anchors guesthouse complex in china appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Sep
29

By

adobe firefly boards reimagines moodboarding for creative professionals

Category: Design Boom

AN AI-POWERED SURFACE FOR IDEATION, CREATION AND REAL-TIME COLLABORATION

 

Traditionally, moodboarding has been seen as an essential step for capturing tone, style, and direction before a single asset is finalized — but in practice, it can be rushed or set aside altogether when the process feels too fragmented, disorganized, or time-consuming. Adobe is reimagining that process with Firefly Boards. Available in Adobe Firefly, the company’s all-in-one app for AI-assisted ideation, creation and production, this new AI-powered surface transforms how creative professionals collaborate and bring ideas to life. As an ‘AI-first’ tool for moodboarding, Firefly Boards is designed to make ideation and concepting faster, smarter, and more collaborative, no matter where creative professionals are or what medium they work in.

 

The web tool gives creative professionals access to Adobe’s commercially safe Firefly models alongside the latest generative AI models from partners like OpenAI, Google, Runway, Luma AI, Pika, Ideogram and more. With seamless Creative Cloud integration and an infinite digital canvas, the workspace empowers creative professionals to generate, remix and refine multimedia concepts – all in one connected space. As Adobe’s Vice President of Generative AI, Alexandru Costin, puts it, ‘Ideating with Firefly Boards is like an AI-powered creative jam session, where creative professionals can riff across media types, explore ideas together and turn sparks of inspiration into production-ready concepts.’

Firefly Boards offers a new way for creative professionals and teams to explore ideas together, collaborating on hundreds of concepts at once using multiple media formats | all images courtesy of Adobe

 

 

New Standard for AI-powered Concepting and moodboarding

 

Long used by designers, stylists, and creative teams to convey the tone, aesthetic, and direction of a project, mood boards have typically been static, often cobbled together from multiple tools and asset types.

 

Firefly Boards was built on the insight that creative work is inherently iterative and collaborative. Instead of juggling disparate tools, sourcing assets manually, and navigating long feedback loops, Firefly Boards offers a dynamic, responsive digital canvas where images, text, shapes, and video can all be generated, edited, and arranged in one unified space—with real-time input across teams so inspiration, creation, and alignment flow seamlessly. Creative professionals can drag and drop assets, import visuals from Adobe Stock or their own libraries, and use simple text prompts to generate brand new content with generative AI directly on the surface.

Adobe product designer Jeremy Joachim uses Firefly Boards to bring his concepts to life, using the digital canvas to capture vibe and feel—the intangible elements that words alone can’t convey. © Jeremy Joaquim

 

 

With capabilities like Style Reference and Structure Reference, visuals can easily take on the look or layout of a reference image. Generative Text Edit (beta) allows users to update text directly in visuals without leaving Firefly Boards—perfect for on-the-fly adjustments without breaking the creative flow. Describe Image turns any visual in Firefly Boards into a ready-to-use prompt, helping creative professionals build on inspiration without guessing the best prompt. Multiple elements can be remixed simultaneously to explore variations, while design elements like text, shapes, and artboards help fine-tune the mood board. The surface supports everything from loose creative exploration to high-precision layout work, making it useful for a spontaneous brainstorm or a polished client presentation.

 

Alongside Adobe’s own commercially safe Firefly models – including the latest Firefly Image Model 4 and Image Model 4 Ultra, as well as Firefly Video Model – the surface supports leading image and video models from trusted partners, including Google’s Veo 3, Imagen 4 and Gemini Flash Image 2.5; OpenAI’s image generation; Luma AI’s Ray3; Ideogram 3.0; Runway’s Gen-4 Image and Video, and Aleph; Moonvalley’s Marey, and many more. Adobe has also recently brought Google’s Gemini Flash Image 2.5 and Black Forest Labs’ FLUX.1 Kontext [pro] into Photoshop Beta, which many creative professionals rely on for professional-grade editing. This diversity of models gives creative professionals a wide range of aesthetic styles and generative capabilities to explore, empowering them to experiment and ideate with AI tools that best fit their vision, all without leaving Firefly Boards.

Firefly Boards gives creative professionals access to industry-leading models from Adobe, OpenAI, Google, Luma AI, Runway, Moonvalley and more – offering the flexibility to ideate and experiment with whichever best aligns with their creative vision

 

 

This multi‑modal approach reflects how creative professionals work today, tapping multiple generative AI models to spark inspiration. Adobe’s approach ensures that creative professionals aren’t locked into a single model or workflow but can harness the best innovations across the AI landscape in a way that’s intuitive, scalable, and built for real‑world creative needs. Firefly Boards is purpose‑built as the collaborative engine at the heart of supporting that workflow.

 

To help users keep track of which AI model was used, Adobe automatically attaches Content Credentials – a ‘nutrition label’ for digital content – to assets created with generative AI in Firefly Boards. This added transparency makes it easy for the user to track whether commercially safe Firefly models were used for any content headed into production. In addition, nothing that is generated inside Firefly Boards is used to train generative AI models.

Content Credentials are automatically attached to AI‑generated assets, providing transparency about which AI model was used to create each asset in Firefly Boards

 

 

firefly boards is available in the firefly app

 

Firefly Boards is part of Adobe Firefly and available with a Firefly plan or included in the Creative Cloud Pro plan. Learn more about Firefly Boards.

 

 

project info:

 

name: Firefly Boards

company: Adobe | @adobe

download link: https://www.adobe.com/products/firefly/features/moodboard.html

launch date: July 2025

The post adobe firefly boards reimagines moodboarding for creative professionals appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Sep
29

By

Why brands are re-embracing the power of the tagline

Category: Design Week

The humble tagline is in demand again.

In the past year, my teammates and I have seen the tagline’s resurgence in RFPs across the board, from pharmaceuticals to footwear– like a long-lost relative suddenly on our doorstep.

And it’s in the market as well – many brands have begun to re-embrace the punch of a tight few words. Tag Heuer’s new CEO has sought to re-align the brand in its sports territory with “Designed to Win”, Ford has launched its first global marketing effort in 15 years with “Ready Set Ford”, and Carrier has evolved its brand with a mission-driven tagline, “For the world we share.”

Shake Shack has even recently garnered press for simply announcing that they were planning to have a tagline in the future.

The most significant tagline of late might be Nike’s recent evolution of “Just Do It” into “Why Do It”? – reimagining the tagline of all taglines to address a new generation of athletes, celebrating greatness as a choice you make, not an outcome you expect.

Like a new name or logo change, a tweaked tagline signals a new chapter. By carefully refining one of their most iconic brand assets, Nike signals they’re capable of moving forward while staying true to their core. It shows a brave willingness to tinker with one of their most valuable brand assets– imagine the Swoosh growing a second tail.

A beacon of clarity in a complex world

But why taglines now?

One answer may lie in the complexity of today’s brand systems. Brand marketers today often face an internal uphill battle when it comes to overseeing consistency.

Tasked with vision, governance and training across an organisation, brand teams can feel siloed or resisted, for example by strong-willed product teams with little appetite for brand oversight or overseas marketing teams enthralled with their regional audiences.

Externally, brand marketers must ensure brand expression across an ever-dizzying array of channels, audiences and touchpoints. From this vantage point, the sheer blunt power of the tagline must look pretty enticing – your brand in a nutshell, one catchy phrase slapped across an ad, package or pitch deck, anywhere, anytime.

Another answer might be the shifting infoscape where brands must compete for attention.

With the rise of AI as consumer tool, the future of performance marketing is in doubt. Research by Adobe Analytics shows an eye-watering 1,200% increase in retail website traffic from generative AI sources from July 2024 to Feb 2025.

Together with the tagline’s resurgence, these suggest that marketers might be eager to find new ways for their brands and products to cut through as the digital landscape shifts under their feet.

We can’t keep flooding eyeballs with banner ads, is the implication. We need a thing, a memorable thing, that can take the spotlight.

How to design a great tagline

The point isn’t – times are changing; your brand needs a tagline. The point is – times are changing; your brand should develop its expression to meet the moment.

One way is to design a tagline as you would a logo or name – with clarity, purpose and creativity so that the tag can most effectively help push a brand forward.

In designing an effective tagline, one risk is that a line, like any other singular asset, can become a kind of fetish object in the course of a marketing lifecycle.

In our lives and in our work, we can fetishise certain singular things, imbuing them with grand significance, as a way of avoiding more unpleasant truths or complex challenges – like wrangling an entire organisation to be better brand ambassadors.

So assign a distinct strategic role to the tagline, rather than expecting it to solve all your problems.

Whether it’s at the brand or campaign level, a tagline in 2025 has arguably more potential roles it can play than ever before. If Nike’s new line works, it’s because “Why Do It?” is strategically continuing a decades-long brand-audience dialogue with a new twist, turning a classic call-to-action tagline into a provocative question.

Be clear on what role you want your tagline to play – whether it’s rallying cry, mindset, heritage marker, or something else entirely.

Then imagine how that tagline role fits into your overall brand and business. Because the truth is that a good tagline truly functions as a tag – part of a whole, like the tag on a pair of jeans.

Part of a bigger story

If we often talk about the job of brand expression as good storytelling, it’s worth remembering that the title of a novel is never the whole story. The job of brand storytelling should never rest on the shoulders of any one facet, but rather how they all work in concert.

A story, after all, is not one single thing – it’s a set of things in meaningful sequence. So design your tagline with your broader brand language in mind – your messaging, your tone, your name, (not to mention your logo, design system, brand experience…) since these elements all draw strength from one another.

Lastly, when you think tagline, think dialogue. “Why Do It”? works because it’s building on decades of brand-audience dialogue between Nike and athletes around the world who are undoubtedly familiar with “Just Do It.”

In an age when effective mass communication is essential but thornier than ever, brand marketers can thrive by applying the eternal rules of real human conversation – including knowing when to speak your mind, when to shut up, when to crack a joke, and when to ask a question.

Brands that deploy effective taglines today won’t satisfy themselves with quick wit or a sly turn of phrase to land their story. They’ll nail the brief, consider the system, and mind the dialogue before they let their tagline do the talking.

William Rauscher is verbal director at Wolff Olins.

Source

Sep
29

By

design mumbai 2025 boosts india’s creativity with global icons, exclusive partnerships & talks

Category: Design Boom

Design Mumbai returns for its second edition

 

From November 26–29, 2025, Design Mumbai returns to Jio World Garden for its second edition, bringing together an ambitious mix of international design brands, rising Indian talent, and thought leaders shaping the future of architecture and interiors. The four-day event (26 Nov – Invitation-Only VIP Preview Evening) headed by industry veterans Ian Rudge, Michael Dynan, and Piyush Suri, promises exclusive collaborations – from Spanish designer Lucas Muñoz Muñoz’s site-specific café for THE Park Hotels to the debut of Italian-Indian furniture brand Racconti – alongside the expanded Design Mumbai Exchange talks programme featuring voices such as Manijeh Verghese, Adam Markowitz, and Vinu Daniels.

from November 26–29, 2025, Design Mumbai returns to Jio World Garden for its second edition | all images courtesy of Design Mumbai (above: Natuzzi; banner: String System by String)

 

 

india’s international contemporary design event

 

Launched in 2024, Design Mumbai is India’s first fully international contemporary design event for professionals across architecture, interiors, and product design. Set in the heart of Mumbai, India’s cultural and commercial capital, the show offers a curated platform for global brands, emerging designers, and thought leaders to exchange ideas and showcase innovation. Combining exhibitions, installations, and a forward-looking talks programme, it aims to position Mumbai on the global design map while reflecting India’s rapidly growing creative economy.

 

Produced by Montgomery Group, the team behind international events such as Art Central Hong Kong and the India Art Fair, Design Mumbai 2025 aims to position Mumbai as a global design hub. With its cross-cultural collaborations, curated exhibitions, and future-facing talks, the event reflects both India’s creative momentum and its growing influence on the international design stage.

Baccarat

 

 

 

Furniture design takes the spotlight with international debuts

 

Central to the 2025 edition is Lucas Muñoz Muñoz’s collaboration with THE Park Hotels, creating a café using repurposed materials from the group’s refurbishment projects. Known for his experimental aesthetic, Muñoz explores themes of impermanence and renewal, echoing his past work with Polestar Gallery and Swiss brand On. This year also sees the Australian Institute of Architects hosting its annual conference in Mumbai for the first time, aligning the event with a global architectural discourse.

 

Furniture design takes the spotlight with international debuts and local premieres. Italian brand Natuzzi introduces Mirai, a sculptural sofa collection by Andrea Steidl inspired by the 13th-century castles of Frederick II in Puglia. Sweden’s String celebrates its iconic String System, a modular design classic since 1949, while Blå Station presents its BOB sofa system by Bernstrand & Borselius. India’s Sabbi brings sustainable micro-concrete furniture rooted in wabi-sabi philosophy, and Bangalore-based Lila returns with its adaptable Morph bed for children. Newcomer Racconti merges Italian craftsmanship with Indian materials, unveiling its Eterno collection designed by Luca Erba, Luca Tornaghi, Andrea Bonini, Michela Oliva, and Adriano Castiglioni.

with THE Park Hotels, Lucas Muñoz Muñoz creates a café using repurposed materials from the group’s refurbishment projects

 

 

TOP BRAND COLLABORATIONS, EXHIBITIONS, AND FUTURE-FACING TALKS PROGRAMME

 

Running from 27–29 November 2025 with a VIP preview on the 26th, Design Mumbai Exchange brings together an international line-up of architects, designers, and thought leaders alongside India’s most influential voices. Curated by Caro Communications, the programme explores urgent topics shaping design today – urban resilience, sustainability, workplace futures, hospitality, craft, and culture – through panels, keynotes, and debates. Speakers include Manijeh Verghese, CEO of Open City; Lucas Muñoz Muñoz; Australian designer and maker Adam Markowitz; and Vinu Daniels, known for his site-specific, material-driven architecture.

 

Highlights include Harsha Kotak’s series on climate-responsive workplaces and the rise of co-working culture, Chris Lefteri’s session on innovative materials, and Debika Ray’s panel on craft, manufacturing, and cultural identity featuring global voices such as Adam Markowitz and Atelier Luke. Other sessions will explore Indian minimalism, the future of hospitality with Priya Paul of Apeejay Surrendra Park Hotels, resilient coastlines with Tonkin Liu, and urban inclusivity led by Open City’s Manijeh Verghese. Together, these conversations reflect Design Mumbai’s mission to foster cross-cultural dialogue and push the boundaries of contemporary design thinking.

Lila

 

 

Moreover, textile innovation features prominently with FAZO Project’s handwoven contemporary rugs, Venjara Carpets’ sustainable PET designs from Bhadohi, and Threadarte’s experimental textiles crafted from waste materials. Shaman Ideas, led by Sharmila Mangwani, introduces geometric wall sculptures exploring balance and continuity, adding a sculptural dimension to this year’s interiors line-up.

 

Meanwhile, curated by interior stylist Jasmine Jhaveri, the inaugural Emerging Designers Pavilion celebrates rising Indian talent. Eight studios, including Studio Abrash, Wannas Design Atelier, Studio Klay, and Trnkts3D, showcase experimental works spanning furniture, lighting, and textiles. Istituto Marangoni returns with five alumni projects, reinforcing the event’s role as a launchpad for new voices in contemporary design

Open City CEO Manijeh Verghese leads discussions on urban inclusivity

Vondom by ABACA

panels cover themes from manufacturing to climate-responsive workplaces including  Adam Markowitz on craft and culture

USM

Wooden totems by Wannas Design Atelier

Set Up Co

Shaman Ideas, led by Sharmila Mangwani, introduces geometric wall sculptures

 

 

 

 

Exclusively for designboom readers, enjoy a 20% discount on tickets with code D20DM25B — book now at designmumbai.com/tickets

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: Design Mumbai 2025 | @designmumbai_

supporter: Montgomery Group

location: Jio World Garden, Mumbai

dates: 26–29 November, 2025

tickets: https://designmumbai.com/tickets/

The post design mumbai 2025 boosts india’s creativity with global icons, exclusive partnerships & talks appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

« Older Posts
Newer Posts »