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Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition honors the iconic arcade title and 45 years of gaming history

The original Atari 2600+ in the woody design landed in 2023 as a modern-day faithful recreation of the original Atari consoles that came in the 70s/80s. Now, Atari has teamed up with Bandai Namco and Plaion Replai (global game developer and publisher) for the Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition, celebrating Atari’s 45th anniversary. The package consists of a nostalgic console draped in yellow, an equally impressive CX40+ joystick, and a Pac-Man cartridge.

According to Plaion Replai’s Commercial Director, Ben Jones, “The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition is more than just a console, it’s a tribute to the moment home gaming truly began. By reimagining the iconic hardware in Pac-Man’s unmistakable style, we’re celebrating the legacy of two cultural giants who helped define a generation of play. We’re proud to bring this collaboration to life for collectors, fans, and a whole new wave of retro gaming enthusiasts.”

Designer: Atari, Bandai Namco, and Plaion Replai

Predictably, the collection is all done in the signature yellow hues with the reds and blacks merged well to give off the classic arcade game feel. The console comes with the classic Pac-Man graphics both on the front and the back, while the top cartridge slot has the matching black and yellow slot. For a middle-aged gamer like me, who still cannot get over the hangover of classic arcade games that marked my childhood, this new edition is too hard to resist. According to Atari, the special edition console perfectly honors the timeless spirit of Pac-Man, “blending nostalgia with fresh experiences to reconnect new and existing fans with one of gaming’s most iconic characters.”

For modern-day gamers and ones who have lived with the wire clutter and all the predicaments that came with gaming in those days, the 720p HDMI output, USB port, multi-screen resolution option, and full cartridge support (for both 2600 and 7800 cartridges) is a huge plus. All the option selectors are actuated with the yellow knobs besides the cartridge slot, including the power on/off, game selector, and game reset input. The internals on the console remain the same as the original, with a Rockchip 3128 processor mated to 256MB DDR3 RAM and 256MB internal storage.

The Atari 2600+ Pac-Man Edition will be available for pre-order today at Amazon and the official Atari website. Priced at $170, the package is a little bit higher than the original Atari 2600+, but still, it’s a must-have for die-hard Pac-Man fans like me who get the Pac-Man themed CX40+ Wireless Joysticks. Since the console is compatible with the 7800 cartridges, you can also get the newly released High Score Collection 7800, which includes titles including GALAGA, DIG DUG and XEVIOUS, which comes in exclusive packaging with unique cartridge colors for each game and exclusive extras only available in this special edition box set.

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This Universal iPhone Case gives all past iPhones a functional USB-C port

Lightning cables have become the technological equivalent of that one obscure key on your keychain that you can’t throw away but rarely use. The rest of the tech world has moved on to USB-C, yet millions of perfectly functional iPhones remain tethered to Apple’s proprietary connector. Enter Ken Pillonel, the Swiss engineer whose previous technological rebellions have earned him a reputation as something of a connector crusader in tech circles.

Pillonel isn’t new to the game of giving Apple products the ports they deserve. His portfolio includes the world’s first USB-C iPhone and modified AirPods that ditch Lightning for the universal standard. But those were one-off projects – fascinating proofs of concept that made headlines before fading back into the realm of “cool things we can’t actually have.” This time, Pillonel has created something far more accessible: a case that transforms any Lightning iPhone (from the XR through the 14) into a USB-C device without requiring a single soldering iron or warranty-voiding modification.

Designer: Ken Pillonel

The brilliance of Pillonel’s solution lies in its elegant simplicity. The case features an internal connector that plugs into your iPhone’s Lightning port, then reroutes everything through a USB-C port positioned on the case itself. This isn’t just a dumb adapter either – the system handles everything from standard 5V charging to fast-charging protocols and data transfer without missing a beat. CarPlay works flawlessly, and the whole system operates without batteries or firmware updates, drawing minimal power from the connection itself.

The engineering challenges were substantial. Pillonel had to decide where to place the new port, eventually settling on the right corner – a location that maintains ergonomics while avoiding the ungainly “chin” that a bottom-centered port would create. The internal components required a 90-degree flex PCB to navigate around the iPhone’s speaker, all while keeping the case slim and protective. Even MagSafe compatibility was preserved, with testing showing the case’s magnetic pull actually exceeds that of a naked iPhone.

Real-world usability guided every design decision. After gathering feedback from testers in Paris, Pillonel refined details like adding tactile ridges to the volume controls and widening the mute switch aperture. The manufacturing process evolved from hand-built prototypes to a streamlined production line capable of producing hundreds of units daily, complete with rigorous quality testing for every board.

The technical specifications are impressive: case walls measuring just 2.3mm at their thickest point, a mere 9-gram weight addition, support for USB Power Delivery up to 20 watts, and full USB 2.0 data transfer speeds (matching Lightning’s 480Mbps ceiling). Thermal management has been carefully considered, with copper planes in the flex keeping temperature rise under 4°C during extended fast charging. There’s even a hidden SIM card slot for international travelers.

What makes this project truly significant isn’t just the technical achievement, but its implications for extending the useful life of millions of devices. While Apple has finally embraced USB-C on its newest models (partly thanks to EU regulations), Pillonel’s case retroactively brings this standard to phones that would otherwise become increasingly inconvenient to use as Lightning cables become scarcer.

The case is available through Pillonel’s obsoless.com storefront in black and clear options, with more colors planned for September. Priced below Apple’s own silicone cases, it represents not just a functional upgrade but a statement against planned obsolescence.

If successful, this project could inspire a wave of similar enhancement accessories – from headbands with replaceable batteries for AirPods Max to improved Apple Pencil grips with built-in nib storage. Pillonel has demonstrated that hardware hacking can transcend hobby status and become a viable product category, giving consumers options to improve and extend the life of their devices rather than replacing them.

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The iF Design Academy Seeks to Teach Design Leadership Skills

For veteran designers looking to get to the next level, iF Design has announced they’re launching the iF Design Academy. The idea is to provide a curriculum that mid- and senior-level designers can use to “level up their leadership, business fluency, and future readiness.”

“Design leadership has a critical role in shaping a better future,” says Lisa Gralnek, Managing Director of iF Design USA and Global Head of Sustainability & Impact. “The Academy gives leaders the tools, insight, and community to lead with purpose.”

The Academy’s curriculum is built around three core pillars:

– Personal Growth: Building emotional intelligence, resilience, and empathy to lead teams and drive performance with clarity and integrity.

– Business Understanding: Strengthening fluency in business principles and language to align design with broader financial and organizational goals.

– Future Literacy: Anticipating critical technological, business, and cultural shifts to lead and innovate strategically.

Courses are delivered in a flexible hybrid format, combining live online cohorts, immersive in-person modules, and self-directed study. Core markets include Germany, the U.S., China, and South Korea.

The courses will begin this September. You can learn more here.

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Tesla Opens World’s Largest Supercharging Station—as a 24-Hour Diner in L.A.

Yesterday in Hollywood, Tesla opened the Tesla Diner, a retro-futuristic eatery that’s also the world’s largest Supercharging station.

It features 80 Supercharger stalls, though they in themselves are not the most eye-catching feature: That credit goes to two gigantic, 66-foot LED screens towering over the parking lot, and playing a mix of sci-fi, family and classic movies alongside Tesla and SpaceX promos.

The diner is modeled after both 1950s drive-in movie theaters and drive-in diners, with carhops who’ll bring the food out to your car. Alternatively you can eat inside or on the roof deck; the total seating capacity is over 250 people.

The burger containers have been designed to resemble Cybertrucks.

The Tesla Diner is open 24-7, and the charging stations are open to all EVs.

It was reportedly designed by architecture firm Stantec, but at press time, was not listed as a project on their website.

Here’s a walkthrough of the space:

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eames house reopens in los angeles after wildfire recovery with global foundation launch

eames house reopens with new foundation launch in Los Angeles

 

After surviving last year’s Palisades Wildfire with only smoke damage (find designboom’s previous coverage here), the Eames House in Los Angeles opens its doors once again following a five-month restoration effort. The reopening marks a new chapter for the landmark Case Study House No. 8, not only for the public access to Charles and Ray Eames’s iconic living and working space, but also for the launch of the new Charles & Ray Eames Foundation. Led by their grandchildren and supported by a broadened board of design world figures, the Foundation aims to preserve and extend the Eames legacy through exhibitions, education, global partnerships, and long-term conservation.

the exterior of the Eames House, as photographed by Chris Mottalini, 2025. © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

historic studio opens for public programs and creative exchange

 

For the first time, visitors can step into the adjacent studio, one of the Eameses’ most personal creative environments, now activated as a site for public programming. Here, exhibitions, panel discussions, and workshops will bring new life into the space where much of their philosophy took shape. The reintroduction of the Eames House comes with an eye to the future, both in physical conservation and in how the couple’s expansive creative practice can continue to resonate across generations.

 

The newly launched Charles & Ray Eames Foundation consolidates and expands earlier preservation efforts into a comprehensive global initiative. It brings together the stewardship of the Eames House with a broader mission to cultivate creative inquiry rooted in the Eames ethos. Backed by founding patron Eames Office and led by Executive Director Adrienne Luce, the Foundation’s work will stretch across research, education, and publication, with a vision to connect institutions, designers, and thinkers worldwide. Its board includes all five Eames grandchildren, alongside new appointees such as Eckart Maise, former Chief Design Officer at Vitra, and Jackie Cassel, a fourth-generation Eames family member.

Eames Demetrios, Lucia Dewey Atwood, and Adrienne Luce outside the studio, as photographed by Chris Mottalini, 2025. © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

upcoming projects trace influence across disciplines

 

At the center of the Charles & Ray Eames Foundation’s vision is a belief in the relevance of the Eameses’ design process in confronting today’s cultural, social, and ecological questions. The Foundation will inaugurate the Charles & Ray Eames Fellowship, a three-year research program, with Catherine Ince, the curator behind The World of Charles and Ray Eames at London’s Barbican, as its first fellow. Her work will culminate in a contemporary study of the designer duo’s impact and methods. Additional initiatives include Eames Architecture (2026), a program highlighting their contribution to prefabricated residential buildings, and a 50th anniversary relaunch of Powers of Ten (2027), the seminal short film that visualized scale in science and life.

 

A landmark educational project will also see the publication of Charles Eames’s full 1970–71 Norton Lecture series at Harvard, an essential window into the design philosophy of the couple. On the local level, the Foundation is developing education programs for high school students in partnership with AIA Los Angeles and Architecture for Communities Los Angeles (ACLA), while internationally it will reexamine the Eameses’ India Report and legacy in global design education.

The living room of the Eames House, as photographed by Chris Mottalini, 2025. © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

Conservation Meets Collaboration

 

Restoration work on the Eames House itself continues as part of a long-term Conservation Management Plan developed in collaboration with the Getty Conservation Institute. The reopening also reaffirms the site’s role in the wider community, contributing to post-fire rebuilding efforts in the Pacific Palisades. Chris Mottalini’s 2025 photographs capture both the familiarity and fragility of the home, now poised for a new era of public engagement.

Looking ahead, the Foundation will convene the first Eames Conference in Los Angeles in 2026, creating a dedicated forum for scholars, institutions, and the public to share new research and ideas. It will also take a coordinating role across a global network of Eames-related archives and initiatives, including the Library of Congress, the Vitra Design Museum, The Henry Ford, MoMA, and the Eames Institute of Infinite Curiosity.

 

‘Charles once said, ”Eventually everything connects,”’ notes Executive Director Adrienne Luce.This profound insight guides our Foundation’s mission: to forge meaningful connections and ignite curiosity across disciplines, cultures, and generations.’

The studio at the Eames House, as photographed by Chris Mottalini, 2025. © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

The interior of the Eames House, as photographed by Chris Mottalini, 2025. © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

Charles and Ray sorting and selecting photographic slides at the Eames Office, circa late 1960s. © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

Charles and Ray balancing on the steel framing of the Eames House in Pacific Palisades, California, 1949. © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

Eames House and meadow illustrations as published in the May 1949 issue of Arts & Architecture magazine. © 2025 Eames Office, LLC. All rights reserved.

 

 

project info:

 

name: Charles & Ray Eames Foundation | @eamesfoundation

original architects: Charles & Ray Eames

location: Los Angeles, California, USA

 

foundation chairman: Eames Demetrios | @eamesdemetrios

executive director: Adrienne Luce

supporters: Eames Office | @eamesoffice, Getty Conservation Institute | @gettymuseum

photographer: Chris Mottalini | @chrismottalini

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Singapore’s Interactive LEGO Mural for Schoolkids

To celebrate Singapore’s 60th birthday, the National Museum of Singapore exhibited the country’s largest LEGO mural.

Composed of 265,743 blocks, it’s no “Water Lilies” by Ai Weiwei; instead it depicts a more prosaic scene of Singapore shophouses as they were in the 1960s.

What I did find interesting, at least for kids, is that the museum asked visitors to complete the mural. Numbered spaces on the mural and a diagram had schoolkids fill in the blanks from a brick inventory.

It’s kind of a neat idea, and I could see a savvy schoolteacher setting something like this up to get a classroom involved in a satisfying group activity. It would be a more orderly version of “Exquisite Corpse.”

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Compact wireless bike charging pad is the future of e-bike convenience

If you’re an e-bike owner searching for a simpler, cleaner, and more efficient way to keep your bike charged, the Tiler Compact wireless bike charging pad offers an innovative solution. This smart device is making waves in the world of micromobility with its blend of sleek design and groundbreaking wireless technology, perfect for anyone seeking a hassle-free charging experience.

The Tiler Compact wireless bike charging pad is designed to eliminate the need for messy cables and fiddly connectors. Just ride up, park your compatible e-bike over the charging pad, and the system takes care of the rest. The magic happens thanks to Tiler’s unique inductive charging technology, which automatically transfers power from the pad to the e-bike’s battery through a special kickstand that replaces the standard stand on your bike. This means you no longer have to bend down, plug in cords, or worry about exposed charging ports collecting dirt and debris.

Designer: Tiler

One of the standout features of the Tiler Compact is its effortless user experience. The system is as easy as parking your bike. You simply align the kickstand with the pad, and charging begins instantly. The pad itself is weatherproof and designed for both indoor and outdoor use, so you can install it wherever you most often park your bike, whether that’s in your garage, at the office, or in a public bike parking area. The compact footprint also ensures it won’t get in the way or take up valuable space. Safety and efficiency are at the core of the Tiler Compact’s design. The wireless charging technology is optimized for energy transfer, ensuring speedy and efficient charging without overheating. The system is also built to detect foreign objects, so it only activates when a compatible e-bike is present, giving you peace of mind that the operation is safe for both your bike and the surrounding environment.

This wireless charger delivers on both functionality and aesthetics. Its clean lines and modern look blend seamlessly into any setting, while the simple operation makes it accessible to riders of all ages and skill levels. Plus, the wireless design means less wear and tear on both bike and charger, helping preserve your investment in the long run. Installation is straightforward. Tiler offers a compatible kickstand that can be fitted to most e-bike models, allowing you to upgrade your existing bike instead of purchasing a whole new one. Once installed, you’ll have a charging system that feels almost invisible in your daily routine. You just need to park and go.

The Tiler Compact wireless bike charging pad is a game-changer for e-bike users who value convenience, safety, and style. If you want to simplify your daily charging routine and keep your e-bike ready to ride at all times, this innovative product is well worth considering. No more worrying about running out of power in the middle of your commute or finding a place to recharge your e-bike regularly.

The post Compact wireless bike charging pad is the future of e-bike convenience first appeared on Yanko Design.

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Where Zen Meets Silicon: 5 Best Japanese-Inspired Accessories For Apple Devices

Japanese design philosophy has long been a blend of simplicity, functionality, and aesthetic harmony. These timeless concepts work together to create modern Apple accessories that will enhance your tech experience while also beautifully embodying the essence of Japanese craftsmanship. From the minimalist elegance of origami-inspired stands to the precision engineering of aircraft-grade materials, these accessories are a statement in how Eastern design sensibilities can elevate Western technology.

The intersection of Japanese aesthetics and Apple’s design language creates accessories that feel both familiar and revolutionary. The products in this collection draw from various aspects of Japanese culture, whether through traditional arts such as origami and textile weaving, or through the precision manufacturing techniques that have made Japanese engineering legendary worldwide. These accessories protect and enhance your devices while also converting them into expressions of refined taste and cultural appreciation.

1. AirTag Carabiner

This beautiful AirTag Carabiner keeps your precious possessions within reach while integrating the Japanese principle of “mono no aware” – the appreciation of impermanence and the need to cherish our possessions into our lives. This philosophy drives the creation of products that help us maintain a connection with our belongings. Crafted from Duralumin composite alloy, the same material used in aerospace engineering, this carabiner captures the Japanese commitment to precision manufacturing and material excellence.

The minimalist aesthetic mirrors the Japanese concept of “shibui” – understated elegance that doesn’t call attention to itself yet possesses profound beauty. Each carabiner is hand-crafted, honoring the Japanese tradition of artisanal dedication where individual attention to detail supersedes mass production efficiency. The lightweight yet incredibly strong construction is proof of the Japanese mastery of material science, where maximum functionality is achieved through minimal material usage.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149.00

What we like

Duralumin construction provides exceptional durability suitable for extreme conditions.
Hand-crafted quality ensures each piece meets exacting standards.

What we dislike

AirTag is sold separately, requiring an additional purchase.
Limited color options may not suit all personal styles.

2. AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap

The AirPods Neck Strap draws inspiration from “kumihimo,” the traditional Japanese art of cord braiding that dates back over 1,000 years. This ancient technique was originally used to create cords for samurai armor and traditional garments, emphasizing both functional strength and aesthetic beauty. The woven rope construction honors this heritage while solving the distinctly modern problem of wireless earbud loss. The philosophy of “kanso” – simplicity and elimination of clutter – guides this design, removing the anxiety of misplaced earbuds through an elegantly simple solution.

The magnetic lock system reflects Japanese engineering precision, where complex mechanisms are hidden within seemingly simple forms. The straps follow the “omotenashi” principle of anticipating needs before they become problems, ensuring your AirPods remain secure without conscious effort. The three available colors – Daisy Yellow, Panther Black, and Midnight Blue – draw from traditional Japanese color palettes used in textile arts, giving you some lovely colors to choose from.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39.00

What we like

Patented magnetic lock provides a secure connection without complicated mechanisms.
Stylish design transforms a practical necessity into a fashionable accessory.

What we dislike

It may not complement all clothing styles or professional environments.
Requires remembering to attach AirPods when not in use.

3. MagSafe Origami Grip Stand

The MagSafe Origami Grip Stand seamlessly merges the traditional Japanese paper folding art with cutting-edge magnetic technology. Origami, meaning “folding paper,” teaches us that complex functionality can emerge from simple, elegant transformations. This grip stand folds flat when not needed and transforms into a versatile support system when required. The design follows the origami principle of “one sheet, no cuts,” where a single form serves multiple purposes without additional components or complexity.

The three earth-toned colors – Raven Black, Eagle Ash, and Bush Warbler Green – reference the Japanese aesthetic of finding beauty in natural elements. These names themselves reflect the Japanese tradition of drawing inspiration from nature, particularly birds and seasons. The 500g weight capacity showcases a hidden strength within apparent delicacy, much like origami sculptures that appear fragile yet possess surprising structural integrity.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45.00

What we like

Origami-inspired folding mechanism provides versatile functionality in a minimal form.
Water-resistant construction ensures durability in various environments.

What we dislike

Limited compatibility with iPhone 12 and newer models only.
Magnetic connection may not work through thick cases or wallet attachments.

4. Battery-free Amplifying iSpeakers

The Battery-Free Amplifying iSpeakers give us a taste of the Japanese concept of “mottainai” – regret over waste and the importance of using resources wisely. This speaker honors the Japanese philosophy of finding clever solutions that work in harmony with natural principles rather than against them, by eliminating the need for electricity or batteries.

Constructed from Duralumin, the speaker is sturdy and solid, ready to tackle different environments and situations. The passive amplification system is the embodiment of “kaizen” – continuous improvement through ingenious simplicity rather than complex technological additions. The portable design allows music to flow freely in any environment, creating harmonious spaces that enhance rather than dominate their surroundings. The acoustic properties transform your smartphone into a room-filling sound system without any external power source.

Click Here to Buy Now: $179.00

What we like

No-power design ensures functionality anywhere without charging concerns.
Duralumin construction provides exceptional durability and acoustic properties.

What we dislike

Amplification is limited compared to powered speakers.
Additional mods required for directional sound control are sold separately.

5. Jujutsu Kaisen x Casetify Collection

The Casetify x Jujutsu Kaisen collection transforms your Apple devices into pieces of Japanese manga artistry. Jujutsu Kaisen, created by Gege Akutami and published in Weekly Shonen Jump, is a true example of contemporary Japanese manga storytelling. The series draws from traditional Japanese folklore about curses and supernatural entities, reimagining ancient “yokai” concepts for modern readers. This 19-piece collection includes iPhone and iPad cases, Apple Watch straps, phone lanyards, and power banks.

We love the bold Apple Pencil case that is a detailed recreation of Sukuna’s cursed finger. It fantastically captures the Japanese manga tradition of “visual storytelling,” where every design element carries narrative weight. This unique accessory line adopts manga aesthetics, utilizing them to create a comprehensive product design – one that can be enjoyed by lovers of Apple and manga alike!

What we like

Comprehensive 19-piece collection allows complete tech ecosystem transformation with authentic manga aesthetics.
High-quality construction across all products ensures protection while celebrating the Japanese storytelling tradition.

What we dislike

Design appeals primarily to manga enthusiasts, limiting broader market appeal.
Limited-edition collaboration status may affect long-term availability and replacement options across the entire product line.

Elevating Technology Through Japanese Design Philosophy

These five Japanese-inspired Apple accessories use Eastern design principles to transform our relationship with technology. The products embody core Japanese values: the precision engineering of aerospace-grade materials, the sustainable innovation of battery-free amplification, the artistic heritage of origami and textile traditions, and the cultural storytelling power of contemporary manga.

Their beauty lies in their ability to elevate everyday interactions into moments of mindful appreciation. Whether through the minimalist elegance of an origami grip stand or the narrative richness of a Sukuna-inspired Apple Pencil case, these accessories offer us a bit of utility and artistry alike. Japanese design philosophy teaches us that the best products don’t just solve problems—they improve our daily rituals and create deeper connections with our tools.

The post Where Zen Meets Silicon: 5 Best Japanese-Inspired Accessories For Apple Devices first appeared on Yanko Design.

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A Rotating House Concept That Makes Absolutely No Sense

We’ve seen round houses before, and a house that rotates. Those designs had some purposefulness to their dispositions, whether or not you consider them successful. But here we’ve got a house that is both round and that rotates, and the thinking behind it makes absolutely no sense.

The Micro House with Rotatable Mechanism concept, by Taiwanese architecture firm Supra Simplicities, depicts a cylindrical tower with a jutting rectilinear projection.

So the idea is, aside from the rectilinear projection, the house is essentially a Lazy Susan divided into thirds—allowing you to only access one space at a time. The three spaces are a bedroom, a kitchen and a bathroom, and there is no way to pass from one space to the other. Instead you must step off of the turntable, and wait for the house’s motor to rotate the desired space into position.

One of the benefits of a round house is that you have windows on all sides. This design, however, leaves all of the rooms windowless; only the fixed part of the house has glass.

Add to that the construction costs of building a circular steel frame, the motor, and whatever the maintenance costs would be.

The thinking behind the project:

“In an effort to optimize the living quality, this micro-house project aims to re-interpret the meaning of household living via condensing all kinds of programs into 3 fundamental scenes(or rooms), sleeping(bedroom), dining (kitchen & dining place) and washing(shower & toilet), which are compactly encapsulated on a revolving-stage mechanism for transition from one to another.”

The design offers zero functional benefit for the resident, adds cost and complexity and removes natural light. I just don’t get it.

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behind nima nabavi’s vast geometric vortex painting: converging energy, labor, and structure

roswell2223: an energetic anchor to sunrise at the vortex

 

Nima Nabavi brings together a constellation of radiant energies that converge with structural order in his solo exhibition Sunrise at the Vortex in Dubai. On view at The Third Line, Roswell2223 forms a gravitational center, laying out a monumental hand-drawn piece that stretches across an 18-foot-long canvas. Saturated with color and encrusted with detail, it distills the core of Nabavi’s practice which seeks to evoke awe, resolve inner resonance, bridge abstraction with emotion, and manifest precise complexities and natural energies through geometry.

 

Created over the course of a year during a residency in New Mexico, Roswell2223 marks the furthest the Iranian artist has ever pushed the limits of his process. The result is a sprawling, crystalline composition that channels a spiritual intensity and meditative clarity. While the exhibition presents a range of works — some meticulously hand-rendered, others made with the aid of architectural pen plotters — they all maintain a sense of transcendence. Whether plotted by machine or drawn line by line, Nabavi’s geometries work somewhat like elusive discoveries. ‘These patterns, structures and geometries carry a magical appeal that I’m not getting any closer to understanding,’ he tells designboom. ‘It feels more like archaeology to me – I’m finding and exploring these visual phenomena, not inventing them.’ We spoke with the artist to learn more about the methods, philosophies, and intentions behind Roswell2223 and how they resonate with the introspective and technical undercurrents of Sunrise at the Vortex.

all images courtesy of The Third Line

 

 

Nima nabavi on the precision and labor of his process

 

Roswell2223 was created during Nima Nabavi’s time at the Roswell Artist-in-Residence program in the US, where, for the first time, he notes, he had the space and time to expand the bounds of his intricate visual language at such an expansive level. ‘I bought the largest roll of canvas I could find, the biggest ruler I could find (9 feet long), and hundreds of markers in 17 colors,’ he shares with us. ‘I then rolled out the canvas on the floor and started working on the piece line by line.’

 

He describes this layered and considered process as physically taxing but spiritually immersive, and led partly by chance despite the calculated geometries, as he recalls not knowing exactly how the piece might turn out. I was kneeling, squatting, sitting and bending over for hours on end, but being able to literally sit inside the work and be engulfed by it also brought so much joy.’  The resulting composition measures 18 feet by 6 feet, across which the layers upon layers of lines form a crystalline mapping of the universe that invites viewers, too, to loose themselves in. True to the exhibition’s name, the romantic vibrancy of the work and its motion exudes a sense of soothing energy.

Roswell2223 forms a gravitational center at the exhibition, Sunrise at the Vortex

 

 

working between manual and mechanical precision

 

The surrounding works on view as part of Sunrise at the Vortex further reflect Nima Nabavi’s explorations of the connection between himself and the universe, bringing together works he created in makeshift studios in Roswell, New York, Los Angeles, and Dubai. Some, in contrast to the centerpiece’s laborious methodologies, are machine-assisted and produced using architectural pen plotters, a tool Nabavi only recently incorporated into his practice. Among them, Source Code closely echoes the idyllic, meditative hues of Roswell2223, though on a much smaller canvas.

 

Within a rounded surface densely marked by over 4 million plotted dots, resembling a sun about to set or rise, the artist notes that there is a level of detail, complexity, and saturation that he would have not have been able to achieve manually. Speaking then on this shift toward the mechanical, he reflects that these plotters are a tool that frees his imagination from the constraints of the hand. ‘It removes arbitrary limitations and opens me up to thinking about my work in a more expansive way,’ he adds. ‘Instead of considering how to reduce my ideas so that they are humanly ‘doable’, I’m expanding my tools to match the ideas… It’s a total paradigm shift – I can use alternate building blocks like curved lines in my works, I can saturate colors like never before, and I’m able to experiment faster.’

a monumental hand-drawn piece stretching across an 18-foot-long canvas

 

 

translating energy into structured forms and geometries

 

This balance between control and joyful discovery pulses throughout the exhibition, which as a whole offers a continuum of experimentation across dualities. Between the intimate and the industrial, and the intuitive and the algorithmic, Sunrise at the Vortex embraces a spiritual luminosity that persists across the show’s various structural forms and scales. Even as Nabavi’s process becomes increasingly complex and precise in these abstract expressions, the work retains an elemental radiance that draws you in.

 

‘These patterns, structures, and geometries carry a magical appeal that I’m not getting any closer to understanding. It feels more like archaeology to me — I’m finding and exploring these visual phenomena, not inventing them,’ he tells designboom.

the vibrancy of the work and its motion exudes a sense of soothing energy

Nima Nabavi brings together a constellation of radiant energies that converge with structural precision

the creative process was physically taxing but spiritually immersive

‘These patterns, structures and geometries carry a magical appeal’, he says

Source Code echoes the idyllic, meditative hues of Roswell2223, on a much smaller canvas

marked densely by over 4 million dots plotted by a machine

Sunrise at the Vortex reflects Nima Nabavi’s explorations of the connection between himself and the universe

 

 

project info:

 

name: Roswell2223

artist: Nima Nabavi | @nimanothome

location: The Third Line, Dubai

 

exhibition: Sunrise at the Vortex

dates: 15th June—3rd August 2025

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