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A Quad of Energy Efficiency

There’s a clock, a fridge, a dishwasher, and an “app.” Together, like an action team out to get the bad guys, they’re going to regulate. Like the singer Warren G, they’re going to take command of your house, helping you know how each piece of it is running, helping you keep your energy consumption to a minimum. The only one that needs any extra equipment is the app, which, incase you’ve been living under a rock on the moon for the past few years, means it’s an application made specifically for a phone or other handheld “smart” device. You can see it all from there.

Designer: Carbon Design Group and Artefact Design

Airship Reality 2010

Immediately I was reminded of Fhloston Paradise, floating airship of holiday in the film The Fifth Element. This is a bit different than that though, and has a real-world situation attached to it. In the spring semester of 2010 the chair at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Zurich, Professor Gregor Eichinger, commissioned designer Thomas Rodemeier to create a highly flexible, mobile hotel with a five-star ambiance. It floats through the sky with the greatest of ease.

Designer: Thomas Rodemeier

Hangers in a Basket

If you’re really short on closet space, maybe this will help. Hangers in a Basket is just what the name implies. The hangers work like any other but when clothes get dirty, pop them onto the handle. The form a nifty little cage around dirty clothes. What happens when you’re halfway thru your clothes? No idea but it looks like it could triple as a line dryer too. Hmm…

Designers: Jhih-Jie Liou & Wei-Lun Wang

Take Out Memo

I’m not exactly sure why this memo pad comes in the form of a cup disguised as a blended coffee drink but hey, the straw is a pen so I’m sold. You either really love coffee and spend too much time thinking about it or intend to write poetic, yet humorous musings on each slip – a motivator like a real cup of coffee: if you will.

Designer: Sung Hyeop Seo

Guessing Game!

Yes this is the famous Guessing Game, a time when we editors are at a loss of words and can’t think of a better way to introduce an idea.

Hint for today: It’s meant for Women ( yes it looks like designer maxipad, but it isn’t )

Leave your comment first and then read the description! Play fair, we trust you!

Designer: Ahn Hyun Ji

Dynamic Kitchen: From Cozy To Comprehensive

Smart kitchens are ones that fool you into thinking that you have an elaborate setup, when in reality it’s just a very cozy space that becomes elaborate when necessary. Nolte Küchen Dynamic Living Kitchen is a good example of this style. It’s smart and elegant to look at, and fits in all the modern amenities that a couple will require. It goes from a comfy breakfast nook to a sophisticated entertainment hob whilst partying with friends, by simply rearranging the movable tables. Really Smart!

Designer: Malin Kalesse

Toothbrush Upstanding Tall, With Pride

Ever felt icky about putting down your toothbrush onto the sink? Keep it rested on the toothpaste or balance it on the soap dish, but never flat on the sink surface! For hygiene-freaks like me is the DEWS Toothbrush by Ryan and Harc, an ergonomically designed brush that keeps standing upright and never tipples over. There are weights at the end of its rounded handle to create a centre of gravity at the handle base. When you set it down, it stays put for a second and then springs back upright. Tumble-doll-brush!

Designers: Hyun Jin Yoon & Eun Hak Lee

Clip-on Fin to Turn to Aquaman

Of course, there’s a catch, you’ve gotta have a missing lower limb first to use this particular silicone appendage. This project is an orthopaedic swimming aid by Richard Stark called “Neptune.” It’s bright blue and yellow colors will be blurs to you as they zip past in the pool. Hinge lock, mount for those with mountable appendages, adjustable strength, simple design. You’ll be cruising in a whole new way in no time. And with a designer name like “Stark” you know it’s high quality.

Designer: Richard Stark

One Keepable Cap, Lots Less Bottles

One of the worst social constructions of the modern world is the plastic bottled water – so says I. According to intrepid designer Adam Robinson, 3 billion of these bottles are consumed annually in the UK, 80% of them being sent not to the recycling plant, but to the landfill. In response to these and other terrifying numbers, Robinson’s created a cap for bottles. Not just any cap, one that you can use over and over again. Clarity in tap water, that’s what these caps offer. Clarity.

Designer: Adam Robinson of Plus Minus Design

Replicator of Foods

Transporter of ideas. Yes, it’s Star Trek time. Not only is this a food scanner, it’s a food producer. A food cloner, able to transport information over long distances via technology we’ve got already today, replicating the food then with math. Mathematical equations make all things possible. Some science, too, and some goo. Made by the designer specifically to recreate a Grandmother’s dish for supper. Exact copy.

Designer: Bruno Oro

Bio Robot Refrigerator

As promised, here are the details on the Electrolux Bio Robot Refrigerator, a concept that has been making quite a splash in the blogosphere! In lay terms, the fridge is a concept where the Bio Robot cools biopolymer gel through luminescence. A non-sticky gel surrounds the food item when shoved into the biopolymer gel, creating separate pods. The design features no doors or drawers, and the food items are individually cooled at their optimal temperature thanks to the robot.

Designer: Yuriy Dmitriev

First Aid First

Very few designers have ventured forth to re-deign the First Aid Kit. Even the mandatory school projects that my children did was a square, white box with a red cross plastered in the centre. The N. Nursing Kit designed by two talented students from the National Cheng Kung University adds a breath of fresh air to the mundane. If I were to mention the two most innovative items, it’d have to be the curvy scissors and the integrated flashlight.

Designers: Sheng-hung Lee & You-Lin Chen

Square Cut Traffic Signs

When we were Re-learning the Traffic Lights and many feel that re-arranging shapes is not always the answer for good road safety. In situations like fog, poor visibility and rain, road lights like the Light Programmable Road Sign may work better. It employs a LED Video Display, consisting of RGB LEDs with the possibility of reprogramming. Jump in to learn more…

Designer: Alexey Chugunnikov