Design News

Design Trend Research DB

[design-data]

2017.02.02. valstech's lenzO transforms your iPhone into an underwater camera

the lenzO is designed to transform your iPhone into a high quality diving camera. the waterproof phone case is the brainchild of valentins ranetkins, the designer of the national geographic’s underwater workhouse ‘aquatica,’ and five-time emmy award-winning underwater cinematagrapher anthony lenzo. the duo founded montreal-based corporate valstech, and exhibited the phone case at boot dusselsorf.

lenzO is underwater housing specialist valentine ranetkins’ latest project

the lenzO is depth-tested down to 100 meters or 328 feet, and floats in water should you let go of the device. designed for both professional photographers and tourists, the case works with the native iPhone camera app, and requires no additional software.

the dome lens aligns with the iPhone’s internal camera

lenzO uses an anti-reflective dome lens that aligns with the phone’s internal camera. the lens is designed to provide optically precise images underwater with no soft corners or distortion. it incorporates 2 built-in color correction filters—one red and one magenta—which can be placed over the lens to adjust the white-balance, allowing you to shoot in both green and blue tinted waters.

lenzo has an ergonomic control system that monitors the touchscreen

the main body of the case is made from solid aluminum, with a hard ceramic coating and an acrylic panel covering the screen. to allow you to use the touchscreen underwater, valstech has created an erganomic control system. by operating a control on the outside of the case, it adjusts a small arm on the inside. when you press on the outside, the arm touches the screen on the inside, allowing you to control camera functions within the water seal.

lenzO has inbuild color correction to adjust white balence

an included lanyard helps keep the device from getting away, while top and bottom tripod mounts allow accessories such as lights or handles to be added. lenzO also works with all native camera functions, such as selfie mode, zoon, af/ ae, burst and image review.

the internal arm touches the screen when pressed from the outside

the lenzO is available for iPhone 7 and iPhone 7 plus

the lenzO case has a hard ceramic coating

an acrylic panel protects the iPhone screen from water

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2017.01.12. zera food recycler transforms food waste into homemade fertilizer

created to be used in home kitchens all around the world, ‘zera food recycler’ turns today’s foods scraps into tomorrow’s fertilizer within 24 hours. developed by whirlpool’s WLabs — the company’s innovation incubator — the product has been presented at CES 2017 and is now available for pre-orders on indiegogo. with its minimalistic design, this innovative product conveniently fits into any kitchen, and with a simple push of a button converts household food waste into homemade fertilizer through and easy and convenient process.

with its minimalistic design, this innovative product conveniently fits into the kitchen

to break down one week’s worth of food into fertilizer, ‘zera food recycler‘ uses a combination of oxygen, moisture, heat and mixing to expedite the decomposition process. unlike traditional composting methods, families are able to use the zera system all year-round, regardless of the weather and can remotely operate the appliance through an easy-to-use app.

a push of a button converts household food waste into homemade fertilizer through and easy and convenient process

‘zera food recycler brings a purposeful innovation to consumer kitchens, and delivers on an increasing demand for more environmentally-driven solutions for the home,’ comments jennifer bonuso, senior director, CPG & WLabs. ‘we know people are looking for easier, more efficient ways to recycle food scraps, and the zera system makes that possible. we’re excited to bring this offering to consumers and indiegogo is a great platform to do so, allowing us to connect with consumers in a new and compelling way.’

find zera food recycler’s indiegogo campaign here.

to break down the food, zera uses a combination of oxygen, moisture, heat and mixing

the product brings a new meaning to sustainability in the home

an agitator is responsible for expediting the decomposition of foods

this unique food recycler allows families to recycle food year-round

the process can be controlled via the zera mobile app, offering the ability to remotely operate the machine

zera food recycler fits alongside most kitchen countertops

control panel

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2017.01.10. PG1 REFLECTS PAUL GEORGE’S VERSATILITY ON BOTH SIDES OF THE COURT

The PG1 is tailored for George’s two-way game

A bobber inspired lace lock reflects George’s love of fishing

The lightweight, low cut shoe blends performance innovation with personal details

This 2K colorway features a distinct sockliner

In Nike’s 44-year history, fewer than one percent of its endorsed athletes have been given a signature shoe.

Joining one of the most exclusive clubs in all of sport, Paul George will debut his first signature shoe, the PG1, this week on an international stage as Indiana plays Denver in London on Thursday, January 12.

He becomes Nike Basketball’s fourth active signature athlete, and the 21st basketball player to receive a signature shoe from Nike.

Blending George’s smooth personality with performance attributes, the PG1 is tailored to PG13’s two-way game. The lightweight, low cut PG1 is a true collaboration between George and designer Tony Hardman. The simple, highly functional silhouette features a distinctive forefoot strap anchored by Flywire cable loops providing a dynamic, contained feel, while a forefoot Zoom Air unit delivers low-profile, responsive cushioning.

Specific performance benefits of the PG1 include:

Forefoot strap with Flywire technology loop system provides adaptive support

Zoom Air unit under the forefoot and plush sockliner provide responsive cushioning

Full-bootie construction delivers a snug, 1-to-1 fit

Multidirectional scale-inspired blade traction provides ultimate court grip  

The PG1 2K colorway connects to George’s love of gaming and his status as cover athlete of the video game NBA 2K17; the shoe features a unique sockliner. A bobber inspired lace lock serves as a special nod to his other favorite pastime, fishing.

Designer Tony Hardman began work on the PG1 nearly two years ago.

The PG1 will be available at a suggested retail price of $110. Additional launch details to come.

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2017.01.09. honda reveals self-balancing motorbike that can sit, stay and heel

CES 2017: honda has unveiled its concept for a self-balancing motorcycle capable of remaining upright without the use of a kickstand. at high speeds motorcyclists don’t have to worry so much about losing balance, but in congested traffic, parking lots or tight spaces, the probability of ending up on the pavement becomes a whole lot higher.

helping put an end to any unscheduled topples, honda has debuted its ‘riding assist’ technology at this year’s CES, greatly reducing the chance of hitting the sidewalk while the bike is at rest. rather than using gyroscopes — whose heavy weight can impede the riding experience — honda pull off the balancing act using technology first implemented in their personal mobility device UNI-CUB. not only will the bike sit and stay on command, but it can even be programmed to follow you around — a move that has many comparing the two-wheeler to a friendly metal pup. of course, honda’s balance mode can easily be switched on or off for those times when you’d rather a more hands-on riding experience.

the motorcycle is capable of remaining upright without the use of a kickstand

in congested traffic, parking lots or tight spaces the chances of ending up on the pavement are a whole lot higher

the technology helps put an end to any unscheduled topples

balance mode can be switched off for when you want a more hands-on experience

it’s a move that has many comparing the two-wheeler to a friendly metal pup

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2017.01.04. How Ikea's New Joinery is Advancing Their Design

Let's get into table design for a second. If you look at your average dining table, you'll see most have aprons. The aprons prevent wracking and, in the case of solid wood tops, help prevent the tops from warping.

Look underneath the average dining table and you'll see the aprons are often connected to some type of corner braces. These are to keep them square and provide a solid connection with the legs.

Aprons and braces, necessary though they may be, require more raw material, are extra things for a manufacturer to ship and extra things for a consumer to assemble, not to mention pay for. So Ikea has done away with both aprons and braces with their Lisabo line.

Here's how they did this. Remember the funky wedge dowels Ikea's prototype engineers came up with a couple of years ago?

Ikea designers Knut and Marianne Hagberg took the wedge dowel concept and applied it to the legs of the Lisabo series of tables and desks.

By CNC-milling striations into the top of the leg, and a corresponding shape into the underside of the tabletop at the four corners, the Hagbergs created a leg that simply slides into place and locks in with a single screw holding a wedge.

This wedged, striated joint provides enough registered contact area to preclude wracking, meaning aprons aren't required. Since there's no need for aprons, there's no need for corner braces. And the consumer can pop the legs in quickly, which is a boon not only the first time they do it, but anytime they move.

And the table's pretty easy on the eyes, too. The Hagbergs used the old design trick of chamfering the underside; since the tabletop's got to be thick enough to accommodate the joint, chamfering the edges provides the illusion of thinness to the top, making the table look airy.

Anyways, this is just an example of how prototype engineers seeking a faster joint connector ended up influencing and advancing the design, both aesthetically and from a UX perspective, of a dining table.

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2017.01.02. Sustainable see-through speaker by People People alerts user when parts need replacing

This transparent speaker has built-in sensors that detect when parts need to be replaced, repaired or updated, and notifies users via their smartphones.

The Small Transparent Speaker was designed and launched on Kickstarter by Stockholm studio People People. It is intended as a reaction against excessive consumer waste, particularly electronic waste.

"Consumer products are too quickly becoming waste and mostly dumped in landfills," the studio said.

"There is a full football field of electronic waste generated every minute. This linear system has to stop."

According to the designers, every speaker purchased is "helping to promote a closed-loop industry where products and their materials have the potential to last forever."

Made completely from recycled materials, the speaker can be totally disassembled to allow for each specific part to be replaced.

If it should need repairing, users are alerted and instructed on what to do via an app on their smartphone.

Broken products that can't be repaired at home would be sent back to the manufacturers to be looked at more closely. To allow this, they would be encased in packaging that can be refolded to expose the prepaid return shipping label.

"Even though it might seem unusual and counterintuitive to talk about scenarios of product failure now when the product is brand new, we believe that is exactly what we need to do," said People People.

"By considering potential ways the product might break, and designing the product to outsmart the landfill in these cases, we can make a big difference."

The Transparent Speaker features "premium" audio components, including two custom-made drivers that the studio claims provides lifelike vocals.

Made up of hardened glass sides and a white-coated aluminium frame, the minimal speaker is designed to blend in with any home environment.

A volume adjustment knob is located on its front, along with a rocker power switch, a LED that shows when the speaker is on, and a cable jack.

Wifi and Bluetooth enabled, the speaker can connect to phones, tablets, or computers to allow users to wirelessly stream audio.

The device also supports Apple Airplay and Google Cast. The wireless connectivity also means the product's software can be remotely updated by the studio.

The concept behind the Small Transparent Speaker mirrors that of the ethically-produced Fairphone, which is designed to be easily taken apart and repaired to increase its lifespan – similar to Google's Project Ara prototype – as an alternative to fast-moving smartphone trends.

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2016.12.28. Andy Martin creates candy-coloured resin tables that "challenge visual perception"

London designer Andy Martin used coloured resin for this series of tables that create visual effects.

Martin layers sections of contrasting colours in each Blocks table, working with both clear and semi-opaque resin.

The semi-opaque resin appears to glow when light hits the table, while the segments made from clear resin create a distorted perspective of what's on the other side.

"The forms are very simple, but the material, shape and the colour produce warped forms and they challenge visual perception," said Martin, who, in addition to running his own studio, set up architecture firm AMA in 2000.

While it's a challenge to cast resin without making air bubbles, Martin focuses on attaining an unblemished finish throughout to create the optical illusions.

The collection includes a taller table supported by a single column, with a bright yellow circular top. Another piece has a pattern of concentric pink and blue rings in the tabletop, created by circular pieces set into one another.

Martin first started working with resin as a teenager, while making surfboards, but began using the material in later years to make architectural models.

An earlier series of Blocks pieces also featured contrasting colours, but they were joined together into a single block.

"They were very simple forms and the colour was the only element which gave the form a three-dimensional quality," added Martin. "These new pieces explore the addition of one more form to create an assemblage and its effect on the first single piece."

Several designers have used resin to create colour effects, including Saerom Yoon, who designed a set of pastel tables that resemble crystals.

Others have used it to build on existing objects, such as Nucleo's set of classic bentwood Thonet chairs held in transparent blocks, or Moreno Ratti's marble vases trapped in cubes of resin.

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2016.12.27. france unveils wattway, the world's first solar panel road

france has unveiled ‘wattway’, the world’s first solar panel road set in tourouvre-au-perche, a small village in normandy. announced by ségolène royal — french minister of ecology — the one-kilometer road is covered in 2,880 photovoltaic panels protected by a silicon-based resin that makes them resistant to the heavy weight of passing vehicles. the solar path is expected to generate 280MWh per year, divided between an average of 767 kWg per day, with peaks of up to 1,500 kWh during the summer. an information panel near the solar road will indicate in real time the energy that has been produced as well as the accumulated one since its installation.

images by benoit tessier / reuters

wattway CEO jean-charles broizat comments: ‘this project is an important step in the development of the wattway solar road and we will keep on experimenting and testing. building an application site of this magnitude is a real opportunity for our innovation. this application site has enabled us to improve our process of installing photovoltaic panels as well as their manufacture, in order to optimize our solution as best as possible.’

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2016.12.26. FIRST LOOK: LEBRON 14

With holidays come surprise. Seen here on Christmas Day for the first time, the LEBRON 14, worn by LeBron as Cleveland faces Golden State.

Key innovations:

Maximum volume Zoom Air units for the most articulated response in a LeBron shoe

Dual-zone composite upper that utilizes engineered laser perforation, which fits closely to the foot for an initiative fit and sleek aesthetic

Dynamic midfoot strap, utilizing auxetic shapes for a natural stretch that helps lock the foot into place

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2016.12.23. KYRIE 3 BUILT FOR KYRIE IRVING’S PROLIFIC GAME

Irving’s third signature shoe is tailored to his game

Unique texture maps the shoe’s upper

Traction pods, integrated forefoot band and outsole curvature

Roman numerals VIII and XIII mimic tatoo’s on Iving’s left and right wrists as a nod to his late mother Elizabeth, who was born August 13

Official KYRIE 3 box

JBY(Just Be You) and H+H(Hungry and Humble) subtly adorn the shoe’s tongue, both mottos drive Irving

References to his daughter, Azurie and late mother, Elizabeth, wrap the visible Zoom Air unit in the heel of the shoe

When we think of players with great handles, we think about what they do with their hands. However, it is their feet that often deserve the most credit for a killer crossover or slash through the lane.

Designed for Kyrie Irving’s awe-inspiring agility and speed, the KYRIE 3 advances understanding of court response and traction for quick-cutting basketball players across a variety of positions.

Irving breaks down how the shoe works for him, and what he learned through the design process:

It's a different lace form that allows you to keep your forefoot down and stay locked in. The team at Nike shows me pictures of me on court and my foot is at an unbelievable angle.  I'm crossing over somebody and my body angle and positioning is so abnormal, even when I look at it. I'm kind of amazed, because I'm thinking, all I did was a simple cross over here, but my foot is dang near touching the ground horizontally. I want to have technology in this shoe that is fit for those moments. The shoe is lightweight, comfortable and always keeps me locked down.

Integrated forefoot band with Flywire cables enhance forefoot motion while maintaining lockdown

The traction pods are unbelievable. How responsive they are on the floor. Starting and stopping and going and picking up from behind-the-back crossover, and you start and stop on a dime while your defenders shoes are still going forward. That can be the biggest difference. This game is separated by very finite moments where you have to get your shot off. My shoe speaks to that. Being able to stop on a dime and cross over and go another direction, I can't wait for players to try it.

Independent traction pods on the forefoot enhance traction for hard cuts

Subtleties of playing style are not all that inspire Irving’s third signature shoe, elements of his personality come through as well —  “JBY” and “H+H” adorn the tongue top. Irving explains why:

JBY, just be you is the motto I live by every single day because I'm happy to be an individual. I celebrate it. I think that everyone should celebrate their individuality. In our culture today, everyone is always wanting to put the other person down for trying something different, or trying something new. As for me, I want it to be celebrated. It's a beautiful thing.

Hungry and humble is something my Dad gave me as a kid that I most likely will give to my daughter, whether she plays sports or not. It's always staying hungry for more and never being satisfied. Acknowledging the present moment, what you've accomplished, and then thinking about what's up ahead and how you'll prepare yourself for that. Then of course the humility part. It's supposed to go unnoticed, your humility. You're supposed to be humble, you're supposed to show respect to other human beings, to anyone. You respect other people's journeys, and also you respect your own.

Additional design subtleties representing elements of Irving’s life come to life on the shoe. Hidden references to Irving’s late mother, Elizabeth include roman numerals VIII and XIII mimicking tattoo’s on Irving’s left and right wrists that are on each sockliner and visible each time he laces up. Its Irving’s family-first philosophy that also pays tribute to his young daughter Azurie on a small frame around the visible Zoom Air unit in the heel.

Traction pods, an integrated forefoot band, outsole curvature and Zoom Air are key performance benefits

The KYRIE 3 BLK/ICE colorway is available globally beginning December 26 for a suggested retail price of $120.

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2016.12.22. the aperture wrench adjusts its size like a camera lens

렌치 디자인.

카메라 렌즈 조리개가 조여지는 대에서 아이디어를 얻은듯 하다.

다양한 크기의 육각볼트를 손쉽고 빠르게 조이거나 풀 수 있다.

단점을 찾자면 벽쪽에 가까이 위치한 볼트는 풀 수 없는 형태로 보인다.

the ‘aperture wrench’ is a tool with the aim of helping the user have their desired size, while reducing the number of tools required. by utilizing the mechanical motion found in the aperture of a camera, the single wrench can fit a broad range of nut diameters. created by industrial design student jordan steranka, he promises that this universal wrench design should remove the need for carrying around a heavy tool box.

left – aperture wrench | right – camera lens aperture all images © jordan steranka

as a photography hobbyish, jordan steranka was fascinated by the ‘diaphragm’ iris mechanism found in camera optics, controlling the amount of light entering the lens. in the same fashion, the industrial designer has taken this traditional photographic technology and reapplied it to the ‘aperture wrench’. the size can be controlled by simply rotating the red dial sat on top of the tool, and when it reaches the right diameter, press the ‘lock’ button located on the side. similarly to the camera, there is also a flash. located just beneath the aperture mechanism, the red power button can brighten up dark work environments.

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2016.12.21. ART OF LUXURY TRANSPORTATION

For many, driving is like therapy – just put on your Zen music and head out to declutter your mind and mend your broken heart. Google and Apple are already hoping to disrupt this with their self-driving car projects, but Mercedes-Benz hopes to notch up the experience with their F 015 Luxury in Motion concept car.

In their own words, they hope to transform cars as a pure means of transport into a private retreat.

Designer: Mercedes-Benz Design

Features:

Extended Sense sensor system, an intelligent eye that senses the movements surrounding the car. The car acts as a link between the driver and the pedestrian, for example, the large rear LED display can showcase short messages for the traffic behind and the front-facing laser projection can display a virtual crosswalk.

To enhance acoustic communication, the car uses sounds and voice prompts.

The colored lights indicate the current driving mode – blue for autonomous and white for manual.

In case there is a person standing directly behind or in front of the car, an undulating tracking light moves across the display in sync with the pedestrian’s movement as though to say, “I’ve seen you.”

A smart system allows the authorized passenger in via the smartphone app or wearable device. Six display screens are integrated into the dashboard, the rear and the side panels. Gestures, eye-tracking and interacting via the high-resolution touchscreens, makes this a luxe experience.

Variable seating options with four pivoting lounge chairs, allowing passengers to face each other and sit.

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2016.12.19. cezeta electric scooter features a distinctive torpedo form

for those that wish to stand out from the crowd, the čezeta is a timeless celebration of individuality. in celebration of the 60th anniversary of the classic czech scooter, a limited first series of 600 ‘type 506 electric’ will commence production following the official launch in the spring of 2017.

a czech legend in the scooter world all images ©  čezeta

the čezeta (pronounced chuh-zeh-tuh) is a czech legend in the scooter world. in the former-czechoslovakia j.f. koch was the founder of česká zbrojovka strakonice (čz), a company that manufactured motorcycles from 1935 to 1997. in ’57 he introduced the čezeta ‘type 501′ scooter and from then until 1964 several further series culminating in the type ‘505’, all produced by the ‘golden hands’ of czech artisans, known across central europe for their manufacturing expertise. instantly recognizable due to its distinctive torpedo form, the čezeta was popular for its simplicity, reliability and durability and quickly became a symbol of adventure for young czechs. the brand gained recognition with over 100, 000 čezetas sold worldwide, many of which are now collector’s items.

the ‘type 506′ now has electric power

now the reformed company is ready to bring the classic čezeta up-to-date with battery power. the ‘type 506′ electric is precision-crafted using high quality materials and components developed exclusively for čezeta motors, assembled by hand and made in the czech republic. subtly updated with cleaner lines, the 2017 ‘type 506 electric’ remains true to the original torpedo design and the simple and built-to-last engineering philosophy of founder j.f. koch, while delivering a new level of power, balance and control. from the first moment, the ‘type 506 electric’ stimulates the emotions and delivers a unique experience.

distinctive torpedo formed nose

neil eamonn smith, a brit living in the czech republic since 2003 and a keen renovator and owner of eight čezetas, acquired the brand in 2013 and began a four-year research and development program to bring back this hidden gem as a high performance scooter. based in prague, he assembled a multinational team comprising czechs, italians, brits and an american. he works closely with the prague university and the engineering school located next to the čezeta factory in prostejov, moravia, in eastern czech republic.

updated with cleaner lines

neil eamonn smith acquired the brand in 2013 

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2016.12.16. internoitaliano's buti pocket knife offers a contemporary spin on a traditional item

internoitaliano has created ‘buti’- a simple folding pocket knife that makes reference to the tuscan-emilian apennines through its boxwood handle and stainless steel blade. named after the comune in the province of pisa in the italian region of tuscany, the sleek design object created by giulio iacchetti offers a contemporary spin on a traditional everyday item.

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2016.12.15. igor mitin turns everyday pliers into helpful 'handy bugs'

igor mitin has thought of a novel way for hardware store HAPS to reward their customers. noting the similarity between a plier’s handles and the body of a giant beetle, the melbourne based designer has shared his conceptual packaging that transforms each separate tool into its own breed of creepy crawly.

the idea is a novel for HAPS to reward their customers

called the ‘HAPS HANDY BUGS’, the designs are intended to be gifted to customers as a small but useful way of saying thanks — a tool the individual can use again and again. keen to dissolve the appearance of the packaging, igor mitin’s concept hides the HAPS branding in plain sight, incorporating it into the colour palette of the beetle’s shell. while the handles curve to form the outline of the bug’s body, the plier heads become jaws and rigid shards become sharp teeth. the bold black and yellow colouring of the HAPS brand both makes logical sense for a jungle beetle, and creates a feeling of cohesion across the handy bugs set.

the pliers are intended to be gifted to customers as a small but useful way of saying thanks

the black and yellow branding makes sense for the shell of a jungle bettle

the curving arms make a shell, while the plier heads become powerful jaws

mitin hides the HAPS branding in plain sight

‘handy’ bugs is a reference to the every day handyman, a jack of all trades

the range is comprised of four different types of pliers

the bold colouring creates a sense of cohesion across the brand

mitin is currently based out of melboure, australia

the set contains a long nose pliers, side cutting pliers, combination pliers and end cutting pliers

‘bugs’ here is a play on the slang word for ‘defect’ or ‘problem’

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2016.12.14. A DESK FOR LIFE

When is a desk more than just a desk? The answer: when it satisfies every need, space and context, becoming a lifelong working partner with the user! That’s the idea behind the JOIN workstation.

This versatile system goes beyond the basic functionality of a desk. Characterized by simple shapes and straight lines, its minimalistic design is composed of three horizontally and vertically varied elements that can be recombined in numerous combinations. This reduction in parts results in the system being lightweight, easy to assemble, and quickly reconfigurable. Customizable layouts and colors give space to the creativity of the user. As your taste and spacial requirements change over time, so can JOIN!

Designer: Giuseppe Burgio

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2016.12.13. THE CARPE DIEM CLOCK!

Every passing second is a unique moment in time that will never exist again. The Etch clock is a reminder of this sentiment and encourages us to make the most of time.

There’s something incredibly soothing and visually pleasing about watching it (so don’t miss it in action in the video!). The minimalistic desk top design utilizes a an elastic membrane that displays the time in a smooth, relaxing actuation. After the time is displayed, the membrane will return to a blank canvas, reminding us of the passing moment as we look forward to the next.

Designers: Johnny Vaccaro, Gilles Caprari & Filippo Riva

Buy It Here: $1450