Blog TSK

3D-Printed Tennis Ball With The Strength & Bounce Of A Regular Ball Could Change The Sport Forever

Central Saint Martins graduate Noé Chouraqui spotted something most tennis players never think about. Those bright yellow balls flying across courts worldwide create a massive environmental problem. For his final-year design project, he decided to tackle it head-on. His solution is POINT – a completely 3D-printed tennis ball that could revolutionize how we think about sports equipment and sustainability.

The staggering reality is that over 300 million tennis balls get manufactured every year, and each one takes 400 years to break down once tossed away. Most end up rotting in landfills after just a few weeks of play. It’s an environmental disaster hiding in plain sight, one that Chouraqui realized needed addressing without sacrificing the performance players demand.

Designer: Noé Chouraqui

POINT tackles this waste through smart material science. Instead of the usual hollow rubber core wrapped in felt, Chouraqui uses High Resilience PLA made from corn starch. This bio-based filament can be composted industrially and cuts environmental impact by 90 percent. The single-material construction eliminates the recycling nightmare of traditional multi-component tennis balls while maintaining familiar bounce and flight characteristics. “PLA-HR is eco-friendly, as it is compostable under industrial conditions and has a lower carbon footprint than traditional plastics,” said Chouraqui.

Creating the perfect formula wasn’t simple.”It was crucial to preserve the characteristic features of tennis balls so that the product would immediately be identified as a tennis ball, rather than just any other ball,” Chouraqui said. He spent months testing different filaments, internal structures, and printing settings using Fusion 360 and BambuLab Studio. He kept the classic neon-yellow color and seam lines because, as he put it, the design needed those “familiar felt lines to retain that visual connection.” The result earned him a patent for his innovative approach.

The real validation came through official testing by Jamie Capel Davies, the International Tennis Federation’s Head of Science and Technical. His evaluation showed POINT balls perform aerodynamically just like traditional tennis balls. Now the ITF Technical Commission is reviewing the data and considering rule changes that could allow sustainable alternatives in professional matches, potentially opening doors for widespread adoption.

Chouraqui’s work shows us that environmental responsibility doesn’t mean compromising performance, potentially inspiring similar transformations across athletic gear manufacturing.

The post 3D-Printed Tennis Ball With The Strength & Bounce Of A Regular Ball Could Change The Sport Forever first appeared on Yanko Design.

Volkswagen ID.1 Design: $22,000 Electric Car Features Minimalist Aesthetic

Volkswagen’s ID.1 design represents a fascinating study in accessible automotive aesthetics. The recently unveiled ID.EVERY1 concept previews what will become the production ID.1, a compact electric vehicle that challenges conventional thinking about budget-friendly car design. With Volkswagen securing €30 million ($35 million) in funding to build this vehicle in Portugal, the ID.1 design philosophy becomes even more significant. It prepares to democratize well-considered automotive design at the €20,000 price point.

Designer: Volkswagen

The concept showcases a deliberate departure from typical economy car aesthetics. Rather than compromising on visual appeal to hit cost targets, Volkswagen’s design team has crafted something special. They’ve created a vehicle that maintains the brand’s design integrity while introducing several thoughtful innovations. The ID.1’s compact 3,880mm length positions it strategically between the discontinued Up! and the larger Polo. Yet its design language suggests ambitions far beyond its modest dimensions. This isn’t your typical budget car approach. Every surface tells a story of careful consideration rather than cost-cutting desperation.

The Three Pillars of ID.1 Design Philosophy

Volkswagen’s approach centers on three core principles that drive every design decision. The brand calls them stability, likeability, and “secret sauce,” though these terms represent far more than marketing speak. Each concept addresses fundamental challenges in creating affordable electric vehicles that genuinely appeal to buyers.

These aren’t marketing buzzwords but genuine design strategies that influence every visual element of the vehicle. Each pillar addresses specific challenges in creating an affordable electric vehicle that doesn’t feel cheap or compromised. The stability principle manifests through crystal-clear, minimalist contours that give the ID.1 a sense of purposefulness that’s immediately apparent. Clean lines dominate the exterior, creating visual cohesion that makes the compact car appear more substantial than its actual footprint suggests.

Large 19-inch wheels fill the wheel arches generously, though production versions will likely feature smaller wheels to optimize electric range. The proportions follow da Vinci’s golden ratio with a 2/5:3/5 split between windows and body surfaces, creating mathematical harmony that feels intuitively pleasing. This isn’t accidental. The design team spent considerable time getting these relationships exactly right, understanding that proportion mistakes are nearly impossible to fix later in the development process. Mathematical precision creates emotional response in ways that decorative elements simply cannot match.

Likeability comes through in details that make the ID.1 instantly approachable. The front end carries a friendly expression enhanced by dynamic lighting elements that give the vehicle personality without resorting to aggressive styling cues. This approach distinguishes the ID.1 from electric vehicles that embrace alien aesthetics.

The design team has created what they describe as a “cheeky” front appearance that maintains Volkswagen’s familiar character while introducing electric-specific design elements. This balance between familiarity and innovation helps potential buyers connect emotionally with the vehicle. It’s approachable rather than intimidating. The lighting signature alone tells you this isn’t trying to be menacing or overly serious. Where many electric vehicles adopt an alien aesthetic that distances them from conventional cars, the ID.1 maintains human warmth. This emotional connection proves crucial for buyers making their first electric vehicle purchase.

The “secret sauce” element introduces the most intriguing design innovations that set the ID.1 apart from conventional compact cars. This includes the striking “flying roof concept” where the roof surface dips lower in the center section. The effect creates both aerodynamic benefits and visual interest simultaneously. The rear center brake light integrates directly into the Volkswagen badge, demonstrating how functional elements can serve dual purposes. These details show how thoughtful design can add perceived value without significantly increasing manufacturing costs. It’s clever engineering disguised as pure aesthetics.

The execution requires precision but delivers impact that feels effortless. Pronounced wheel arch creases reference classic Volkswagen design language while serving contemporary aerodynamic functions. The black window surround pays homage to both the original GTI and the Up! city car. This creates visual continuity within Volkswagen’s design heritage, allowing the ID.1 to feel part of a larger family rather than an isolated budget offering. The rear window sits flatter than the bumper below it. Another aerodynamic consideration that becomes a distinctive design element without drawing attention to itself.

Interior Innovation: Rethinking Compact Car Space

The ID.1’s interior design philosophy centers on maximizing perceived space while introducing functional innovations that larger vehicles often lack. Despite sitting between the Up! and Polo in exterior dimensions, the interior matches the larger Polo’s spaciousness through careful space planning and visual tricks. Electric vehicle packaging advantages allow for creative solutions impossible with conventional powertrains.

The cabin accommodates four people comfortably with 305 liters of luggage space. These are impressive figures for such a compact vehicle. Sustainable materials play a central role in the interior design strategy, with all fabric and soft-touch materials coming from recycled sources. Yet they’re described as warm, friendly, and pleasant to touch, representing a significant departure from the hard, cold plastics typically found in budget vehicles. The material selection demonstrates how environmental consciousness can enhance rather than compromise design quality. You won’t find the usual scratchy surfaces here. The textures actually invite interaction rather than warning you away from touching anything.

The center console represents the most innovative interior design element, built on rails so it can slide fore and aft to serve both front and rear passengers. Integrated shelves deploy when needed, mimicking functionality found in the larger ID.Buzz van. This versatility transforms the console from a simple armrest into a multifunctional workspace. The sliding mechanism addresses the varied needs of urban mobility, allowing users to optimize interior space based on specific situations. Whether carrying passengers or cargo, the space adapts. It’s like having furniture that thinks about your needs. The engineering complexity remains hidden while the benefit becomes immediately obvious to users.

Tablet integration forms another key interior design element that reflects changing technology habits. Rather than permanently mounting screens, the ID.1 design accommodates personal devices, reducing electronic waste and allowing users to leverage familiar interfaces they already know. The approach also helps control costs while providing more flexibility than traditional infotainment systems. The integration feels purposeful rather than afterthought, with dedicated mounting solutions that maintain clean interior aesthetics. Your phone becomes part of the car’s interface without looking bolted on.

This philosophy extends beyond mere cost-saving to embrace a more sustainable approach to automotive technology. Instead of building in screens that will become obsolete, the ID.1 adapts to whatever device you carry. The mounting system can accommodate various tablet sizes while maintaining the clean aesthetic that defines the interior. Cable management remains hidden, power delivery happens seamlessly, and the result feels integrated rather than improvised. The approach acknowledges that personal devices evolve faster than vehicle replacement cycles.

Visual Language: Modern Minimalism and Volkswagen Heritage

The ID.1 design language builds upon elements introduced with the ID.2all concept, creating a cohesive visual family. It represents the second vehicle in Volkswagen’s new design philosophy, transferring iconic elements like the legendary Golf C-pillar into contemporary electric vehicle form. This evolution respects heritage while embracing future mobility needs.

Minimalism guides every exterior surface treatment, with the absence of trend-following design elements suggesting longevity that’s important for buyers keeping vehicles longer than typical. Simplicity along the window base and door sills creates visual continuity that should age gracefully over time. Front and rear elevations maintain similar restraint, avoiding the aggressive styling that can quickly appear dated. This approach prioritizes timeless appeal over immediate visual impact. The restraint takes discipline but pays dividends in lasting appeal. Contemporary automotive design often prioritizes shock value over endurance, but the ID.1 takes the opposite approach.

The flying roof concept creates the most distinctive visual signature, with the center roof section running lower than the outer surfaces along the vehicle’s entire length. This creates both aerodynamic benefits and visual dynamism that makes the car look like it’s moving even when stationary. The feature helps the compact car appear wider and more planted while serving functional purposes beyond pure aesthetics. The execution requires precise manufacturing tolerances but adds significant visual interest without costly decorative elements. It’s engineering as art direction. The roof treatment also improves aerodynamics, contributing to electric range while creating the ID.1’s most memorable design element.

Proportion management becomes critical in compact car design, and the ID.1 succeeds through careful attention to visual weight distribution that makes every millimeter count. The wide stance (1.81m width) maximizes interior volume while creating stability through visual mass. The relationship between wheel size, body height, and overall length creates harmony that makes the small car feel substantial rather than diminutive. These proportional relationships require mathematical precision translated into emotional appeal. Numbers become feelings through careful design execution.

Color and surface treatments emphasize the minimalist philosophy throughout, with clean, unadorned surfaces allowing light to define form rather than relying on decorative elements that might date quickly. This approach reduces manufacturing complexity while creating sophisticated visual results that feel expensive. The design team has avoided the temptation to add visual complexity that might initially attract attention but ultimately compromises long-term appeal. The restraint shown in surface treatment demonstrates confidence in the underlying proportions and forms. Sometimes less truly creates more impact than additive design approaches.

Technology Integration: Form Follows Function

The ID.1 design seamlessly integrates advanced technology without creating visual complexity that might overwhelm users. The vehicle will be the first Volkswagen model powered by the brand’s new software-defined architecture, incorporating technology from the Rivian partnership. This represents a significant technological leap forward for Volkswagen’s entry-level offerings.

This technological foundation influences design decisions throughout the vehicle, from charging port placement to interior screen integration, creating a cohesive digital experience. Everything connects without looking forced or tacked on. Aerodynamic considerations shape numerous design elements beyond the flying roof concept, with the integrated rear brake light reducing drag while creating a distinctive visual signature that’s purely Volkswagen. Surface treatments across the body optimize airflow without relying on visible aerodynamic aids that might compromise aesthetic purity. These functional elements demonstrate how performance requirements can enhance rather than compromise design appeal. The car cuts through air efficiently while looking effortless about it.

Form and function achieve perfect harmony without either dominating the other. The modular MEB platform provides design flexibility while controlling costs effectively, serving as a foundation shared with other ID models that allows designers to focus on surface treatments and proportions rather than fundamental packaging constraints. The platform’s electric-specific architecture enables the spacious interior and distinctive proportions that would be impossible with internal combustion engine packaging requirements. Electric power liberates designers from traditional constraints, and the ID.1 takes full advantage of this freedom.

The battery pack sits low in the floor, creating a stable foundation while freeing up interior space. The absence of a transmission tunnel allows for creative interior solutions like the sliding console. Electric motors take up far less space than conventional engines, permitting the short overhangs that give the ID.1 its distinctive proportions. This packaging efficiency translates directly into design opportunities that conventional vehicles simply cannot match.

Future Production Considerations

The transition from ID.EVERY1 concept to production ID.1 will inevitably involve compromises. Production is scheduled for 2027, allowing time to refine details while maintaining visual appeal at the €20,000 price point.

Wheel sizes will likely decrease from the concept’s 19-inch diameter to optimize electric range and reduce costs. Other production modifications might include simplified door handles and adjusted material specifications while preserving the sustainable material philosophy. The key lies in identifying which elements provide the greatest visual and functional impact per euro invested.

The post Volkswagen ID.1 Design: $22,000 Electric Car Features Minimalist Aesthetic first appeared on Yanko Design.

Meet The Concrete Mountain Escape Where Art & Living Flow Together

In the rural hills of Zabbougha, Mount Lebanon, sits a house that feels more like a piece of sculpture than a home. East Architecture Studio’s Capsule Retreat stretches across 350 square meters of concrete and glass, rising from the pine forests with an almost otherworldly presence. Founders Charles Kettaneh and Nicolas Fayad wanted to create something that felt rooted in this specific place, something they describe as being woven with “texture, memory, and locality.”

The house itself is unapologetically concrete, but there’s poetry in how it’s been shaped. The exposed walls show off experimental formwork techniques that celebrate both raw material and local craftsmanship. Where the northern facade opens up, terraced gardens spill down toward the surrounding forest, creating this beautiful flow between what’s inside and what’s outside.

Designer: East Architecture Studio

This isn’t just someone’s weekend getaway. The retreat doubles as a gallery space, designed for an art collector who wanted their home to be a place where living and art could happen side by side. The concrete surfaces become neutral canvases for rotating exhibitions, while carefully placed windows let natural light shift and change throughout the day, constantly transforming how you experience both the art and the space itself.

The construction tells its own story about place and tradition. Local stone anchors the structure to its mountainous setting, while the concrete work showcases regional building techniques filtered through contemporary eyes. There’s something honest about how the materials reveal themselves, how the formwork patterns become part of the visual language. The architects talk about “listening” to the site, and you can feel that attention in every detail.

Inside, spaces flow into each other without fuss or ceremony. Gallery areas blend seamlessly into living spaces, and those large openings frame specific views of the Lebanese countryside like living paintings that change with the seasons. The terraced garden extends the architectural language outward, so you’re never quite sure where the building ends and the landscape begins. It’s designed to make you slow down and pay attention.

The house manages to feel both utterly modern and deeply connected to its place. The collaboration with Iraqi artist Dia Azzawi, whose work will become permanently part of the architecture, speaks to something larger about how buildings can become vessels for culture and memory. In a world where so much architecture could exist anywhere, the Capsule Retreat belongs exactly where it is, growing out of these mountains like it was always meant to be there.

The post Meet The Concrete Mountain Escape Where Art & Living Flow Together first appeared on Yanko Design.

This User-friendly Walking Aid can seamlessly adjust between flat land, stairs, and slopes

For decades, walking frames have been a case study in stagnation. They’ve remained almost unchanged since their invention, functional, yes, but limited in how they adapt to real-world conditions. Traditional frames can be awkward to maneuver on slopes, unstable on rough terrain, and visually uninspiring. More importantly, they often carry a stigma, subtly signaling frailty rather than empowerment. US-based startup Mobilate saw this as a glaring opportunity. They envisioned a mobility aid that wouldn’t just serve as a walking assistant, but as a statement of independence, confidence, and modern design. To bring this vision to life, they partnered with design innovators Katapult.

The project began with a crude but promising test rig from Mobilate. It demonstrated the core idea’s potential, but also revealed a steep challenge: translating a mechanically complex concept into a device that was intuitive, failsafe, and cost-effective. From day one, the Katapult team knew this wasn’t just about engineering; it was about rethinking the user experience from the ground up. The goal was clear: a walker that could adjust to inclines and declines seamlessly, be feather-light yet incredibly stable under load, and maintain a price point that would make it accessible. And it had to look undeniably good, stripping away the outdated aesthetic associated with mobility aids.

Designer: Katapult Design

Over the next 18 months, Katapult worked in close collaboration with engineering partner Kismet and a select group of manufacturing suppliers. The process was global and iterative, moving through concept sketches, advanced CAD modeling, physical prototypes, and countless rounds of pre-production testing. Each phase was informed by user needs and real-world scenarios. The result was Roami, a mobility device that feels less like a medical tool and more like a piece of high-performance gear.

Roami’s standout features include the patented Cam Lock hub-less clutch mechanism, which allows for precise adjustment and secure stability; a safety lock system to prevent accidental actuation; rapid-deploy wheels that adapt to changing conditions; and a fully collapsible frame for effortless storage and travel. These are not incremental upgrades; they’re the kind of functional leaps that redefine what’s possible in the category.

But functionality was only half the mission. Katapult and Mobilate invested heavily in branding and aesthetics, recognizing that users deserve products they’re proud to be seen with. Every detail, down to colorways, surface finishes, and accessory integration, was considered to project confidence and style. The product range was split into two sub-brands: Roami, designed for the traditional mobility-aid user, and Warrior, which carried a sportier aesthetic targeting younger audiences, including injured athletes and returned veterans.

To make the product as user-friendly as possible, Katapult also crafted clear, visually engaging product graphics and instructional literature. From unboxing to daily use, every interaction was designed to feel intuitive, almost second nature.

The post This User-friendly Walking Aid can seamlessly adjust between flat land, stairs, and slopes first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO’s Hogsmeade Village Set Has 12 Minifigures and Seven Buildings You Can Actually Explore

If you’ve ever dreamed of wandering the snowy streets of Hogsmeade, surrounded by magical shops and cheeky wizarding students, LEGO has just delivered the most irresistible invitation to the party. The new Hogsmeade Village Collectors’ Edition, set 76457, is the kind of LEGO release that gets both die-hard Potterheads and design aficionados buzzing. The set drops in September, perfectly timed for cozy autumn builds and holiday wish lists. For those who keep tabs on LEGO’s forays into adult-targeted, high-concept models, Hogsmeade feels like the natural next step after Diagon Alley’s blockbuster reception. The bar for “fan service” just got a lot higher, and it’s loaded up with snowy rooftops, butterbeer, and a cast of minifigs that will make any collector’s heart race.

LEGO’s designers must have been on a sugar high from all those virtual chocolate frogs, because this village is ambitious, detailed, and scale-bending in the most satisfying way. The set clocks in at 3,228 pieces, is rated 18+ (which translates to “keep your kids’ sticky fingers off my display model”), and sprawls to 30 inches wide and 13 inches tall. At $399.99, nobody’s pretending this is an impulse buy. Instead, it’s a centerpiece, the sort of build that you schedule a weekend around and then show off every time someone walks into your living room. Seven buildings line the street, from the iconic Honeydukes sweet shop and The Three Broomsticks to the very first LEGO incarnations of Zonko’s Joke Shop and the Hog’s Head Pub. For Harry Potter superfans, that’s a checklist of bucket-list locations finally getting their due in ABS plastic.

Designer: LEGO

The set’s design philosophy captures cinematic nostalgia with sheer accuracy using just plastic bricks. Honeydukes sweet shop, The Three Broomsticks, the Owl Post, Dervish and Banges, Scrivenshaft’s Quill Shop, and for the first time ever in LEGO, Zonko’s Joke Shop and the Hog’s Head pub. Each structure is a modular delight, stuffed with minuscule references for eagle-eyed fans. Flip the roofs and peek behind the shopfronts and you’ll spot familiar candy jars, joke shop mayhem, and the kind of interior storytelling that has become a LEGO Harry Potter hallmark. The snowy rooftops are a clever touch, making the whole scene feel like a snapshot straight from Prisoner of Azkaban’s winter holidays. Every photograph I’ve seen makes me wish for a crackling fireplace and a mug of something suspiciously like butterbeer.

LEGO didn’t skimp on the minifigure roster either. There are twelve in total, including the big three (Harry, Ron, Hermione), but also Aberforth Dumbledore, Draco Malfoy, Professor McGonagall, and even Katie Bell. Madam Rosmerta and the Flumes are here, too. There’s a horse and carriage, which seems like a nod to the village’s magical isolation and a fun excuse to pose your minifigs arriving for a snowy visit. What’s striking is the attention to film-accurate details: interior rooms, little shopfront signs, and accessories that beg for close-up photography. Hogsmeade isn’t just a façade; every building’s got a story to tell, and the set rewards anyone who’s willing to peer inside.

The village doesn’t physically snap onto the modular Hogwarts Castle sets, and honestly, that feels appropriate. Hogsmeade is a destination, a place you journey to, not an annex of the castle. Displaying it next to Diagon Alley and Hogwarts, you get a sense of the broader wizarding world, a map made real on your shelf. In a way, LEGO is leaning into the idea of the Harry Potter line as a collection of magical neighborhoods, each with its own personality. Where Hogwarts is all drama and stone towers, Hogsmeade is warmth, community, and a little bit of mischief.

For a princely sum of $399.99 (or upwards of 59 galleons if you’re converting to wizarding currency), you get 3,228 pieces, seven buildings, twelve minifigures, and a build footprint that will dominate even a seasoned collector’s display. The price tag sits firmly in the adult collector tier, and the design choices back that up. Those snowy rooftops are a feat of brick engineering, and the color palette manages to balance whimsy with authenticity. For anyone who’s spent years wishing for a full Hogsmeade street, the wait has paid off. It’s the kind of set that justifies the hype and the shelf space, and I have a feeling it’ll spark a new wave of Potter-themed displays everywhere.

The post LEGO’s Hogsmeade Village Set Has 12 Minifigures and Seven Buildings You Can Actually Explore first appeared on Yanko Design.

LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight game arrives in 2026

LEGO Group and Batman go a long way back, with official set launches right from the Batmobile featured in the Batman movie and Batcave Shadow Box to the 60s Batmobile and the more recent Arkham Asylum set. Even some unofficial sets like the Batmobile by TaeYang Lee have managed to match the magnetism of the official ones.

So what could be the next activity on the cards once you’re done building your Batman-themed LEGO sets? A Batman movie, perhaps, or a game themed on the action-packed and secretive life of the Caped Crusader. That wish seems to have materialized with the official LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight game set to be released on major gaming console platforms, including PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch 2, and PC.

Designer: LEGO Group, DC, Warner Bros. Games and TT Games

The game Announcement came at Gamescom 2025 in Cologne via a release trailer, with 2026 being the release timeline for the title. There have been Batman-themed games in the past, but the vigilante has got the first ever solo LEGO title for gaming console platforms in more than ten years. The last one for the consoles came in 2014, titled LEGO Batman 3: Beyond Gotham. For mobile platforms, the LEGO Batman Movie game was released in 2017, coinciding with the release of LEGO DC Super Villains. Unlike the LEGO Batman movie, which had touches of humor, this game seems more action-packed and a rollercoaster of dark emotions.

Since we are talking about a LEGO world for the superhero, the game features a brickized Gotham City that players can explore. In the trailer, we can see the famous scenes from the movie, including the car chase scene with Penguin and Bane’s darkness monologue from The Dark Knight Rises. As a player, you’ll learn more about the roots of the superhero and customize the Batcave. You’ll recruit acclaimed allies and get into engaging battle with DC Super-villains. Of course, as you progress, there will be classic cars and Batsuits on offer as a reward for completing missions. The highly anticipated game takes into account every noticeable detail from the countless Batman Arkham titles.

Getting into the storyline and mechanics of the campaigns, it all starts with young Bruce Wayne training with the League of Shadows. Those allies we mentioned include Jim Gordon, Robin, Nightwing, Batgirl, Catwoman, and Talia al Ghul. They are important in the game because of the powerful super-villains like Poison Ivy, Ra’s al Ghul, Bane, The Joker, The Penguin, and more. Most importantly, the combat system lends Batman a unique fighting style highlighted by smooth attack sequences, exciting takedowns, thumpy punches, and, of course, potent defense moves.

The game is played in solo or two-player cooperative mode for a more engaging experience. Bat-gadgets like Batarangs and Batclaw will be at the player’s disposal right from the outset. The allies will come with their signature gear to keep things super interesting. Robin’s line launcher, Jim Gordon’s foam sprayer, and Catwoman’s whip bring several ways to approach enemies and boss battles for victory. Along with these strategic elements and the various difficulty settings, the LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight will bring a whole new experience for gamers who have had enough of the usual stuff. You can Wishlist it already, and go ahead with the purchase when the game is up for pre-order.

The post LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight game arrives in 2026 first appeared on Yanko Design.