Sep
27

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house in oia by kapsimalis architects embeds white prisms along greek volcanic landscape

Category: Design Boom

White plaster prisms shape KAPSIMALIS ARCHITECTS’ HOUSE IN OIA

 

Located on the outskirts of the traditional village of Oia in Santorini, Greece, this residence by Kapsimalis Architects overlooks the surrounding vineyards and the Aegean Sea. The site is accessed via a narrow pedestrian path connecting the village’s main street on the caldera ridge to the cultivated hillside below.

 

The design responds to both the settlement and the rural landscape. A slim rectangular plot with an existing stone berm informed the composition, which combines subterranean spaces with freestanding volumes. White plaster prisms of varying dimensions are arranged across the ground and upper levels, referencing the island’s cubistic architectural tradition. These structures contain the private and semi-private areas of the house, while the voids between them form shared spaces linked to outdoor courtyards. Patios and skylights enhance natural light and create continuity across horizontal and vertical planes.

all images by Giorgos Sfakianakis

 

 

Kapsimalis Architects Draws from Santorini’s cave typology

 

For the lower level, the design team at Kapsimalis Architects adopts the typology of Santorini’s cave dwellings. Subterranean rooms are positioned side by side, extending inward and opening only through the existing stone wall. This floor accommodates a sitting area, office, wine cellar with bar, gym with sauna and bathroom, and two guest suites.

 

On the ground floor, spaces include an entrance hall, dining and living areas, kitchen, bedroom with en-suite bathroom, guest WC, library corner, and an internal stair. This level connects to multiple outdoor zones: a courtyard with water surface and floating dining table to the north, a protected patio with barbecue to the west, a smaller lounge with fireplace to the east, and a private yard with plunge pool further north. The upper floor houses two bedrooms with en-suite bathrooms and private terraces. Outdoor areas continue across the site with Mediterranean planting, herbs, and vines, framing the residential complex. A larger swimming pool and lounge areas are integrated into the main yard.

the residence sits on the outskirts of the traditional village of Oia in Santorini

 

 

House in Oia is defined by Light tones and clean lines

 

Materials emphasize continuity with local building traditions: volcanic stone from the site is reused for the facade and perimeter walls, complemented by white plastered surfaces, white-painted timber for windows, iroko wood pergolas, and marble paving in beige and grey tones. Bioclimatic strategies were applied throughout. These include planted roofs, water features, thick masonry walls, high-performance insulation, and strategically placed openings based on orientation.

 

The interior reflects the architectural language of the exterior. Light tones, clean lines, and built-in furniture define the ground and upper levels, while the subterranean spaces adopt curvilinear geometries with darker, earthy colors. Materials such as natural stone, wood, and metal-glass elements are used consistently across levels, establishing cohesion while allowing subtle contrasts between spaces.

House in Oia by Kapsimalis Architects overlooks vineyards and the Aegean Sea

the ground floor contains living spaces arranged around courtyards

subterranean rooms reference Santorini’s cave dwelling typology

skylights and patios enhance natural light throughout the house

a plunge pool is positioned within a private enclosed patio

white plaster prisms reinterpret Santorini’s cubistic architecture

freestanding volumes and voids define private and shared spaces

a narrow pedestrian path links the site to the village above the caldera

 

project info:

 

name: House in Oia

architect: Kapsimalis Architects | @kapsimalisarchitects

location: Oia, Santorini, Greece

photographer: Giorgos Sfakianakis | @g_sfakianakis

photography stylist: Katia Maria Sarantidou

 

 

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 house in oia by kapsimalis architects embeds white prisms along greek volcanic landscape appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Sep
27

By

Core77 Weekly Roundup (9-22-25 to 9-26-25)

Category: Core77

Here’s what we looked at this week:

The Roborock H60 Hub Series is a stick vacuum that automatically empties itself.

This Brazilian invention straightens scrap rebar for reuse.

Industrial designer wins 2025 Ig Nobel Prize for “Smelly Shoes — An Opportunity for Shoe Rack Re-Design.”

Meta unveils new display glasses, with wrist-based gesture control.

Starmork finds Kickstarter success—by knocking off Wyrmwood’s gaming table designs.

A plate designed specifically for Ikea meatballs, by architect/designer Gustaf Westman.

You can now buy a replica McLaren F1 seat for your racing sim. There’s a reason why Peloton tanked and racing sims soared.

The X12 is an innovative all-terrain stair-climbing wheelchair from China.

At Auburn University, Industrial Design and Mechanical Engineering students collaborated on the design of a surgical device.

Brian Brocken is building a full-size flying DeLorean.

The V&A’s super cool, massive East Storehouse makes archival storage publicly accessible.

Specialty tool: The Trend Corner Chisel quickly squares hinge mortises.

Innovative toy design: The ZipString Aracna is is a Spider-Man-inspired wrist-mounted “web shooter.”

GoPro’s new Max 2, with 8K 360 video, adds a few physical UX improvements as well.

How the new, radical RLS bike helmet design greatly reduces rotational forces.

This elegant Kinetic Driver, designed by Giacomo Di Muro, features a kinetic flywheel that does the driving for you.

Experimental interactive lighting: Relvãokellermann’s Tangent lamp illuminates when you attach the magnetic ball to the steel structure.

Industrial design case study: Hatch Duo designs a performance-boosting device for athletes and firefighters.

Sep
26

By

LEGO + Nike turn Shanghai schoolyard into a colorful play-sport hub

Category: YankoDesign

A bright new playground has opened at Baoshan No. 2 Central Primary School in Shanghai, where the worlds of LEGO bricks and Nike sportswear collide to reshape how children experience recess. The project grew out of LEGO’s “Build the Change” workshop, during which pupils used 2 × 3 LEGO bricks to sketch ideas for a playground that would feel like a giant building set. Those sketches became the blueprint for a vibrant, modular play space that blends sport, imagination and movement. 

Nike’s involvement ties the design to its “Move to Zero” sustainability program, turning the simple brick into a tool for exploration, climbing, and quick‑burst games. Rather than a static field, the layout offers interchangeable routes, stepping stones and obstacle zones that let kids design their own paths during a typical ten‑minute break. 

Designer Name: LEGO and Nike

The playground’s visual language is unmistakably LEGO‑inspired: bold primary colors, interlocking shapes and a pattern that mimics the iconic studs of a brick. These elements guide children to climb, weave, and jump, encouraging both structured sport and free‑form play. The design also incorporates Nike’s performance ethos, with surfaces that support sprinting, agility drills and balance challenges, turning a brief pause between classes into a mini‑training ground. 

Beyond aesthetics, the collaboration highlights a shift in educational environments toward experiential learning. By letting students physically build and test routes, the space nurtures problem‑solving, teamwork and confidence. Teachers report that the playground has sparked spontaneous games, from “brick‑track” races to obstacle courses, turning ordinary recess into a dynamic laboratory of movement. 

Sustainability is woven into the project as well. The installation uses recycled materials wherever possible, aligning with Nike’s carbon‑neutral goals and LEGO’s commitment to circular design. The modular components can be reconfigured or replaced without major construction, extending the playground’s lifespan and reducing waste. 

Social media buzz shows children and parents alike sharing photos of the colorful arena, praising its ability to make “sports feel like play” and “play feel like building.” The initiative has been highlighted in industry outlets as a fresh example of out‑of‑home (OOH) branding that becomes part of daily life rather than a fleeting advertisement. 

The Baoshan playground demonstrates how brands can move beyond traditional marketing to create lasting community impact. By translating a child’s simple LEGO concept into a full‑scale, sport‑focused environment, LEGO and Nike have crafted a space where movement, creativity and sustainability intersect—turning every schoolyard break into an opportunity for active learning. 

The post LEGO + Nike turn Shanghai schoolyard into a colorful play-sport hub first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sep
26

By

This AI-assisted mini scooter is your best buddy during morning runs

Category: YankoDesign

Personal commuters have seen a design evolution in the sense that they’ve been shrinking in size without compromising functionality. Some are highly practical, while others are as good as their face value. This one, though, is different from the perspective of usability and the end user being targeted. The personal commuter is not for your daily office commutes; rather, it is tailored specifically for health-conscious individuals who don’t skip on their morning runs – come rain, come shine.

Digital healthcare as a part of daily life is manifested in the form of running and walking, taken up by 64 percent of active users for the low strain and accessibility freedom. However, the number could be even more if the physical and psychological barriers don’t come into play. The prime ones are the worry about traveling to the workout location, the inconvenience of storing personal items, or feeling fatigued after exercise due to fatigue. Trego aims to get over all these issues for the wider acceptance of running and workout regimes.

Designer: YUPD and Wooks

The autonomous personal commuter is your personal coach during runs or outdoor exercise, and as soon as you plateau for the day, Trego turns into a mini scooter to take you back home. Not only is the personal commuter useful during your morning runs or after them, it transports you to the preferred running location if you don’t want to burn up too many calories before the actual stint begins. The AI-powered personal vehicle can do most of the tasks autonomously, right from guiding the user about their outdoor workouts to taking them back home in the mobility mode, acting as a mini scooter.

When the mobility mode is activated, the foldable handlebars and the footrests come out of the housing for a comfortable ride. The section above the handlebars comes with a built-in display to guide the rider or receive notifications, or show running data, including the distance travelled, real-time pace, and calories burned. For safety, the mini scooter mode is aided by the cameras on the front and rear, as well as sensors. The 360-degree obstacle avoidance tech keeps the riders safe from oncoming traffic, pedestrians, or other obstacles.

Beneath the seat of the vehicle is storage space for keeping essentials, including water bottles, running gear, gadgets, or anything that is important. To ensure these items don’t wobble around while traveling, there is an elastic band that keeps them tightly in place. Trego also has a dedicated docking and charging station to juice up during the daytime for the next morning run. YUPD and Works have already created a prototype version of the Trego mini scooter, and it’ll be interesting to see what kind of battery life the commuter can deliver.

The post This AI-assisted mini scooter is your best buddy during morning runs first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sep
26

By

foster + partners reinvents the megayacht with new ‘outlier I’ concept

Category: Design Boom

Outlier I Debuts at Monaco Yacht show

 

Foster + Partners’ longtime engagement with maritime design finds a new expression at this year’s Monaco Yacht Show with the unveiling of the Outlier I megayacht concept. With early vessels like the 68-foot Alen 68 to the landmark Yacht Club de Monaco in Monte Carlo, the British studio has long explored the intersection of architecture and the world of yachts.

 

Outlier I is a continuation of that pursuit, presenting an 88-meter (289-foot) concept developed in collaboration with Lateral Engineering to show how Foster + Partners’ architectural sensibilities combine with marine technology to imagine a new megayacht.

Foster + Partners presents the Outlier I concept at Monaco Yacht Week | visualizations © Foster + Partners

 

 

foster + partners reimagines the megayacht

 

Foster + Partners takes a disciplined approach to proportion and structure with the exterior of its Outlier I yacht concept. Strong horizontal bands of glazing cut across the dark hull, and angled terraces create a layered geometry that draws the eye along its length.

 

Working with the engineers at Lateral, the architects made a decisive move by relocating the engine room forward toward the bow. The team notes that this adjustment is unconventional for a vessel of this scale. It serves to liberate the mid and rear sections from mechanical constraints and opens possibilities for uninterrupted living spaces.

 

The reorganized interiors accommodate double-height rooms and lofty atriums for uninterrupted vertical connections. This means that the concept has a lofty spatial quality that is rarely achieved in the megayacht category.

the 88-meter yacht is developed in collaboration with Lateral

 

 

lofty interiors for ocean views

 

Inside Foster + Partners’ Outlier I yacht concept, the sense of openness is immediate. A soaring central atrium floods the core of the yacht with sunlight, accentuated by floor-to-ceiling glazing that frames views of the coastlines and shifting sea.

 

Pale timber surfaces, soft fabrics, and honed stone finishes combine to lend interiors that are both refined and restrained. Circulation flows through a transparent spiral stair and broad walkways, allowing guests to move fluidly between lounges, dining areas, and terraces. The absence of visual barriers means that interiors open broadly to surrounding views, so that every space feels oriented toward the horizon.

double height interiors connect vertically through a central atrium

 

 

Outlier I provides around forty percent more deck space than typical yachts of similar length. As such, it has wider terraces and longer, uninterrupted exterior promenades. The rear deck extends dramatically toward the water, and is even integrated with a swimming pool and helipad.

 

The yacht includes large open-air lounges and shaded dining areas. From the main salon to the upper sun decks, guests remain visually linked to the surrounding seascape, highlighting the design team’s emphasis on effortless engagement with its setting.

deck space is forty percent larger than comparable yachts

 

 

Despite its modest 88-meter length, the yacht maintains a 2000-GT displacement — referring to its gross-tonnage, or internal volume — that allows easier mooring and still supports the amenities of a much larger craft. The concept is planned for owner-driven customization, whether configured for intimate retreats or social gatherings.

 

The team explains that Outlier I’s systems are designed for both coastal cruising and extended passages, offering the range and resilience required for exploratory voyages. The flexible internal framework permits varied layouts, from expansive private suites to multifunctional entertainment zones.

 

 

 

project info:

 

name: Outlier I

architect: Foster + Partners | @fosterandpartners 

naval engineer: Lateral | @lateral_na

event: Monaco Yacht Show | @monacoyachtshow_official

The post foster + partners reinvents the megayacht with new ‘outlier I’ concept appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

Sep
26

By

Industrial Design Case Study: A Performance-Boosting Device for Athletes and Firefighters

Category: Core77

Palm cooling is a technology developed by researchers at Stanford University. The idea is that due to the unique vascular structures in the palm, artificially cooling the palm lowers the body’s core temperature during bouts of intense physical activity. The technology has been shown to speed recovery, increase strength gains, extend time-to-exhaustion and improve physical output. It’s something like non-pharmacological steroids.

A company called Apex Cool Labs wanted to turn the technology into a product that athletes and firefighters could use. To realize the project, they contacted industrial design and engineering firm Hatch Duo.

The Narwhals: Cools Palms, Accelerate Recovery

Hatch Duo partnered with Apex Cool Labs to create the Next Generation Narwhals, designed for athletes who demand superior performance during training and competition. Heat causes fatigue. Aided with physics, The Narwhals create a Cool-not-Cold™ surface for palm cooling, regulating the heat in your body, allowing for faster recovery and mitigating heat stress. This updated device is lighter, more durable, and features easily swappable Cool-not-Cold™ packs for extended use.

?Key Audiences:

Fire Service

Enhance incident rehab by minimizing heat stress to accelerate recovery and extend work capacity.

Athletics

Boost heart rate recovery and mitigate heat stress during games and training to maintain stamina longer.

Strength & Conditioning

Get stronger faster by accelerating interset recovery to increase high-quality training volume.

Empowering the User

We aimed to reflect Apex Cool Lab’s core brand values in the design of their next-generation Narwhals by focusing on the contexts where the device would be most used. From firetrucks to sports fields to weight rooms, we designed the Narwhals to feel at home in these demanding environments. The rugged form and durable construction were inspired by the intense nature of these tasks. The surface detailing reflects this as well, where textured finishes not only enhance the visual robustness but also provide a secure grip and protection against drops and impact—ensuring the product is as practical as it is reliable.

?Handle Ergonomics

We tested many prototypes to make sure the handle was comfortable for all hand sizes. We also tested different cap shapes to ensure they provided a secure grip and thumb rest for easy usability. Throughout the process, we kept the proportions balanced so the product looks and feels premium. The final design is tough, reliable, and fits perfectly in the hands of people who tackle some of the hardest jobs out there.

Integrating Physics and Design

To ensure The Narwhals effectively reduce heat stress without causing vasoconstriction, we designed around Apex Cool Labs’ proven system of copper heat pipes and Cool-Not-Cold™ packs to maintain an optimal therapeutic temperature range of 50-60°F. The heat pipes use a phase-change mechanism to rapidly transfer heat away from the palms, while the Cool-Not-Cold™ packs stabilize the temperature by absorbing heat through a specialized material. This precise integration ensures consistent cooling, enabling athletes to lower core body temperature, enhance performance, and recover faster in even the most demanding conditions.

The Design

Staying true to the original Narwhal, we refined the design to convey professionalism and quality, seamlessly integrating with an athlete’s performance gear. Through emphasizing form, we developed a design that is bottom heavy and stable, ensuring the Cool-Not-Cold™ handles are always ready and within reach. Every aspect of the design—from its rugged contours to the carefully chosen materials—was crafted to embody the confidence, resilience, and determination of its users. By blending aesthetics with practicality, the Narwhals deliver a reliable, performance-driven solution that athletes can trust in any environment.

You can see more of Hatch Duo’s work here.

Sep
26

By

5 Best Kitchen Gadgets & Tools Of September 2025

Category: YankoDesign

September 2025 has delivered some of the most exciting kitchen innovations we’ve seen this year. The kitchen in 2025 is smarter, greener, and more beautiful than ever before. With sustainable design becoming essential and smart technology leading the way, these five standout gadgets represent the perfect fusion of form and function. Each piece showcases how contemporary kitchen design is evolving to meet modern lifestyle demands while maintaining aesthetic appeal.

These carefully selected tools demonstrate the year’s key trends: multifunctional design that maximizes limited counter space, sustainable materials that reduce environmental impact, and innovative concepts that challenge traditional kitchen conventions. From concept appliances that reimagine cooking possibilities to playful accessories that bring joy to daily tasks, this collection represents the cutting edge of kitchen design thinking.

1. Nanlong

Vuk Dragović’s revolutionary concept for Nanlong represents the ultimate space-saving solution for modern kitchens. This single countertop appliance consolidates grilling, steaming, baking, and hot-pot functionality into one sleek unit, eliminating the need for multiple specialized appliances. The clean, intuitive control panel simplifies operation with temperature controls and timer settings accessible through simple taps, making complex cooking techniques approachable for home chefs of all skill levels.

The concept’s genius lies in its interchangeable accessory system that transforms the unit’s capabilities instantly. Snap-in grill racks deliver restaurant-quality char marks, while dedicated steaming baskets preserve nutrients in delicate ingredients. The baking tray conversion creates a compact oven perfect for artisanal breads, and the hot-pot insert brings communal dining experiences directly to your countertop. This versatility aligns perfectly with kitchen layout trends that favor multifunctional designs while addressing urban space constraints.

What we like

The space-saving design means you can finally reclaim that cluttered countertop while still having access to professional-grade cooking methods.
The interchangeable accessories are clever, giving you the flexibility to switch from grilling vegetables to steaming dumplings without missing a beat.

What we dislike

If this single unit breaks down, your entire cooking operation comes to a halt until it’s repaired.
The compact design also means you’re working with smaller cooking surfaces compared to dedicated full-sized appliances.

2. Playful Palm Grater

This delightful aluminum alloy grater transforms mundane food preparation into an enjoyable experience with its distinctive curled-paper aesthetic. The ergonomic design fits comfortably in your palm while keeping fingers safely away from the grating surface, addressing common safety concerns with traditional box graters. Available in vibrant colors that add personality to kitchen spaces, this tool proves that functional items can also serve as decorative elements that spark conversation among dinner guests.

The single-plate construction ensures consistent grating performance across its entire surface while maintaining easy cleanup routines. Its compact size makes it ideal for small-batch preparations like fresh cheese garnishes or citrus zest, encouraging home cooks to elevate dishes with fresh finishing touches. The playful design democratizes the garnishing process, making guests eager to participate in food preparation rather than viewing it as tedious work.

Click Here to Buy Now: $25.00

What we like

The palm-friendly shape gives you much better control than wrestling with a bulky box grater, and honestly, it’s just safer too.
Those bright colors actually make it fun to use, which sounds silly until you realize how much more likely you are to add fresh garnishes to your meals.

What we dislike

You’re not grating large quantities of anything with this little guy, so meal prep sessions might leave you wanting something bigger.
The aluminum surface might start showing its age if you’re using it constantly for tougher ingredients.

3. Obsidian Black Salad & Serve Tongs

These sophisticated serving tongs elevate healthy eating presentation with their striking obsidian black finish that makes colorful ingredients pop visually. The innovative dual-head design combines a spoon and spork configuration, creating versatility for handling everything from delicate leafy greens to heartier pasta salads. At 20cm length, they provide optimal reach and precision for both preparation and serving tasks while maintaining comfortable handling.

Constructed from premium SUS821L1 stainless steel instead of standard SUS304, these tongs offer twice the strength while achieving a thinner, lighter profile. This advanced material choice provides exceptional corrosion resistance, ensuring long-lasting performance even with frequent use and cleaning cycles. The sophisticated dark finish aligns with kitchen design trends that emphasize luxury smart features while supporting the growing emphasis on healthy lifestyle choices.

Click Here to Buy Now: $22.00

What we like

The spoon-and-spork combo is surprisingly versatile, handling everything from Caesar salad to orzo pasta without any awkward fumbling.
The upgraded steel makes these tongs feel substantial yet nimble in your hands, which you notice immediately when you’re tossing ingredients.

What we dislike

That gorgeous dark finish shows water spots and fingerprints more than regular stainless steel, so they need more frequent polishing.
The specialized salad design also means they’re not as useful for other kitchen tasks like turning chicken or serving roasted vegetables.

4. Arc Water Faucet

VLND Studio’s Arc Water Faucet challenges conventional kitchen faucet design with its sculptural approach to delivering purified drinking water. The graceful arching silhouette mimics water’s natural flow patterns, creating a visual centerpiece that doubles as functional art. This concept moves beyond traditional bathroom-inspired designs to create something specifically crafted for kitchen island applications where clean drinking water access is paramount.

The minimalist aesthetic seamlessly integrates into contemporary kitchen environments while making a bold design statement about water’s importance in culinary spaces. The matte black housing with subtle metallic accents reflects current kitchen finish trends while providing practical benefits like fingerprint resistance. This focus on pure drinking water delivery addresses growing health consciousness among homeowners who prioritize water quality alongside aesthetic considerations.

What we like

This faucet turns your kitchen island into a genuine design statement while delivering clean drinking water exactly where you need it most.
The sculptural form is striking without being flashy, creating a conversation piece that actually serves a practical purpose.

What we dislike

You’re limited to drinking water only, so forget about filling large pots or washing dishes at your island.
The installation likely requires some serious plumbing work, which means calling in professionals and potentially significant renovation costs.

5. 3D Printed Watermelon Knife Block

Gazzaladra’s whimsical knife block transforms essential storage into an art piece that celebrates summer’s favorite fruit with remarkable attention to detail. The realistic watermelon design features an accurate dual-color peel, white rind, and red flesh, complete with strategically placed teardrop seeds. This 3D-printed innovation demonstrates how modern manufacturing techniques can create personalized kitchen accessories that reflect individual personality while serving practical storage needs.

The four-slot configuration accommodates various knife sizes from chunky chef’s knives to delicate paring tools, while internal stone chips provide stable weight and natural drainage. This drainage system prevents water accumulation that could damage knife blades or create countertop puddles, addressing common knife storage hygiene concerns. The playful design encourages proper knife care by making storage more engaging than traditional wooden blocks.

What we like

The incredible detail makes this feel like functional art rather than just another knife block, and guests always do a double-take when they spot it.
The stone chip drainage system is genuinely clever, solving the soggy knife problem that plagues most traditional blocks.

What we dislike

Four slots won’t cut it if you’re serious about knives and have built up a proper collection over the years.
The playful watermelon theme might clash with more traditional or minimalist kitchen styles, making it a tough fit for some spaces.

The Future of Kitchen Innovation

These five exceptional pieces represent more than individual product excellence; they embody the direction of modern kitchen design toward personalization, sustainability, and joy in daily cooking routines. Each tool demonstrates how thoughtful design can transform mundane tasks into moments of delight while addressing practical space and functionality concerns that define contemporary living.

Smart home features are enhancing both convenience and sustainability as evidenced by these innovations that prioritize both user experience and environmental consciousness. From space-saving multifunctional appliances to playful accessories that encourage culinary creativity, September 2025’s standout kitchen tools prove that the future of cooking is bright, efficient, and wonderfully human-centered.

The post 5 Best Kitchen Gadgets & Tools Of September 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sep
26

By

Xiaomi’s Retro Handheld Case Turns Your 17 Pro Max into A Makeshift Game Boy

Category: YankoDesign

Not only did Xiaomi fire direct shots at Apple with their announcement of the flagship 17 Pro Max and its functional camera plateau with a built-in display, the company’s also sort of catching other brands in the crossfire for not really capitalizing on the dual-display design. While Nothing’s busy building Rock Paper Scissor into their Glyph Matrix displays on the Nothing Phone (3), Xiaomi’s literally turning its phone into a micro-gaming paradise, with actual playable games like Angry Birds.

The difference is that this gameplay occurs on the tiny screen on the back of the phone, conserving battery (unlike most battery-sucking full-screen games) while giving you a whimsical toy to play with when you aren’t using your phone to check Slack, answer emails, and reply to IG DMs. This is the MOST compelling attempt Xiaomi’s ever made for a dual-display phone, and whether you like it or not, you have to agree that it’s definitely an upgrade over existing phones, and more so over Apple’s iPhone 17 Pro.

Designer: Xiaomi

The case, which comes as an optional add-on for the 17 Pro Max (Xiaomi’s 17 Pro Max, not the iPhone 17 Pro Max), is sheer genius. It pulls power wirelessly from the phone itself, and connects wirelessly to the device too. There’s around 2mm of travel on the keys, so it does feel fairly substantial, and the wireless communication means minimal lag. That being said, you aren’t playing AAA games on the mini screen any way.

The way the case works is simply by popping it onto the phone and pressing the Start button to power it on. Once you’ve done so, it automatically also fires up the 17 Pro Max’s gaming emulator on the mini screen, allowing you to choose from a bunch of built-in games (including Angry Birds 2).

The case starts at roughly $40 USD (although it’s strictly a China-only release, just like the phone), and packs a 200mAh battery that gives you 40 days of gaming (assuming you play for 3 hours a day). That number really doesn’t matter, considering the case also wirelessly pulls power from your phone to charge itself. The only downside to this otherwise rather fun and quirky experience is that it disables your 17 Pro Max’s wireless charging capability, so you can’t simply place your device on a charging mat or puck while the retro handheld case is on. That’s a pretty small price to pay if you ask me, considering the flip-side is being able to play a bunch of really fun, entertaining games on your phone’s secondary screen. Or maybe just ditch everything and game normally on the main screen like a regular human… who am I to tell you what to do?!

The post Xiaomi’s Retro Handheld Case Turns Your 17 Pro Max into A Makeshift Game Boy first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sep
26

By

The Elegant Kinetic Driver, Designed by Giacomo Di Muro

Category: Core77

This elegant Kinetic Driver was designed by Giacomo Di Muro, the YouTube maker and de facto product designer.

It’s produced by Di Muro’s Placed Atoms brand, and they make no bones about the fact that no one needs this tool; the intent was to design something so beautiful and pleasurable to use that it becomes an object of desire.

The key feature of the tool is the kinetic flywheel, shown here in brass:

This has been carefully weighted and rides on a ceramic bearing; giving it a mere spin creates enough momentum that the tool does the driving, or unscrewing, for you.

Upon the tool’s release several years ago, the flywheel was the brass one shown above; in the current version, the flywheel is chromed steel. It’s a pity because the brass really provides visual pop, but I assume shifting supply conditions led to the material change.

The Kinetic Driver runs $120 and comes with the case, as well as 24 bits.

Sep
26

By

Experimental Interactive Lighting: The Tangent Lamp, by Industrial Design Studio Relvãokellermann

Category: Core77

Relvãokellermann is a Munich-based design studio, run by industrial designers Ana Relvão and Gerhardt Kellermann. (They’re the ones who did those handsome, stackable cork storage boxes.) In addition to doing client work, they have an in-house skunkworks called RK Lab. “RK Lab is a space within our practice where we explore new ways of experiencing objects,” they write. “It serves as an independent playground, enabling us to question established typologies and open pathways to new forms of perception and use.”

Out of that playground came this experimental Tangent lamp:

A magnetic sphere. A block of oxidized steel. A light filament.

Now picture this: the moment when the magnetic sphere touches the block of oxidized steel. A single point of contact. In that instant, the circuit wakes up, current flows, and the filament lights up.

It all happens through the tangent. Yet, every time the hand decides differently, and both the light mood and the lamp transform accordingly to the hand’s intentions.

Tangent is a product exploration produced and developed within RK Lab, our in-house platform for experimentation. Conceived as an exercise in questioning conventions, the object investigates the relationship between experience, technology and the purpose of light itself. By focusing on essential elements, the lamp highlights how a simple tangent connection can create both functionality and a new way of experiencing an everyday object.

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