Yanko Design - Form Beyond Function

Coming from India, I’m pretty much used to the level of air pollution there is here. I’ve however seen people struggle with breathing problems, given how much particulate matter there is in our air. It doesn’t surprise me anymore, to see probably one in a hundred people using a face mask to breathe clean air. The Smart Mask is designed to be a more advanced design solution, compared to the conventional cloth mask. For starters, it comes with a filter module that can be attached, detached, cleaned, and replaced. This filter module even comes with electronics that can monitor air quality, sending data to your phone on command. The mask itself has a clean minimal aesthetic (mirroring the cleanliness of the air that passes through it). The filter is held in a transparent casing that shows the face behind it, almost making it look like the person isn’t wearing a large, visually dense mask. A provision for an eye protector is made on the top too. Just snap the protector onto the mask to prevent dust from entering the eyes! What a well-rounded solution!

Designer: Li Chang

It’s time to introduce you to the Objest Watch. A gorgeous Swiss made designer watch collection called Hach. These unisex timepiece designs were influenced from the style of designer Issey Miyake and the architectural John Pawson, creating a modern take on the older watch designs.

Soft and elegant, yet made to be worn with many different styles, the focus on these watch designs are on the structure and the three-dimensional dial. Named for the hatched pattern in the face made up of 12 indices giving it the three-dimensional look. The dial is made from a single piece of metal that has been through processing which creates the two tone color, adding a more textured look to the Hach watch.

Each Hach model features Ronda Quarts movement with a 40mm matte stainless steel case. Each case come in a variety of finishes including the beautiful Diamond Like Carbon and gold.

Designer: Jared Mankelow [ Buy It Here ]

There are a million excuses not to go to the gym but now there’s no excuse NOT to work out! Introducing the world’s most portable fitness device. monkii bars 2 is a gym you can take anywhere! Paired with the app it’s more than just fitness equipment – it’s your own private gym, personal trainer, and adventure guide built into one.

Simply set up in less than a minute by hanging the device from any support structure – like a tree, swing-set, basketball goal, or even the door at home or the hotel. Then get a full-body workout targeting your upper body, core, and legs through hundreds of exercises and workouts.

Designers: Jared Arp & Tyler Dodds [ Buy It Here ]

The problem with every portable Bluetooth speaker is that they’re very limited in battery life, especially if you’re doing things like camping, traveling or even out for a long bike ride.

Specialized for bike riding but capable of being used anywhere, the Solker (a hybrid of the words “speaker” and “solar”) harnesses the sun’s energy to ensure you always have music when you want it. A built in solar strip recharges the battery as long as the sun is shining. Designed to fit the water bottle holder on your bike, simply drop it in, ensure the strip is facing up and enjoy endless tunes while you’re on your ride!

Designer: Li Chang

The Object on a Roll project earns its namesake for the sushi-inspired technique it uses to construct wood veneer objects. Applying the traditional, ancient Paipu technique for rolling sushi to wood veneer strips, a new door was opened to an innovative dimension of casting. Better yet, it can be used on a diverse set of objects like this swing, stool and light fixture!

Each design differs from the next in the diameter, thickness and length, and yet, all of them are crafted by applying the same technique of strip rolling and compressing. According to designer Ori Ravgad, the three-dimensional compressing generates solid areas versus hollow ones – meaning the transition from one area to the other aggregates as a rail for threading either the wire, or pole, and provides structural strength to the relatively thin object. The rolling pipe technique enables an outcome of unified, full surfaces in consistent flows, unlike the one created by applying lamination of veneer, which is perceived as layers in a perspective of a cut. See the process in action below!

Designer: Ori Ravgad

The Suncubator’s greatness lies in its simplicity. Built for babies in the harsh climate of Africa, the Suncubator allows babies to have a warm bed to sleep in at night by harvesting heat during the day. Africa’s barren lands see temperature differences of 30 degrees from noon to night (imagine having to switch between bare clothing and woolens in a single day, everyday). Even a drop in a single degree can reduce one’s immunity by 30%, so imagine how susceptible infants are to the host of diseases out there.

The warm and cozy haven provided by the suncubator is all thanks to the choice of material. A soft-foam outer layer on the outside allows the toddler to sleep comfortably within the crib. Under that lies a layer of polymer gel that retains and radiates heat, both from the sun as well as the infant’s body heat. Adding that wonderful touch of interaction design to the product is a little sun symbol on the cot, coated with heat-sensitive Zion ink. When the incubator gets warm enough, the sun changes color indicating that it is ready for use, therefore adding to the already brilliant user-experience!

Designers: Joon Kwon, Jihye Hong, Insup Yun, Minha Kwon, Keunhee Kim, Usuk Lee & Jihoon Park

The Suncubator is a winner of an IDSA Award in the Social Impact Design category for the year 2016.