Yanko Design - Form Beyond Function

Associated with the highest of character, the crème-de-la-crème of electronic magnificence – Leica has established themselves as the brand synonymous with quality photography. The signature characteristics of Leica are hard to replicate, but Abby Chan has made it seem effortless with her Leica-X Wireless Headphones Concept. Chan toyed with material choices and finishes all throughout this concept that falls right in line with Leica – the knurling and mesh patterns, the accents of red used as interaction indicators and of course the timeless, elegant Leica logo on the rear of both earbuds. The flexible shoulder rest for these headphones is a smart move here, indicating the quality aspect of the audio device while using robust and thick strain reliefs on the cable as it enters each earbud. There are some nice interaction crossovers here in the form of the twist dials located on either end of the shoulder rest – one is used to control the volume while the other manages the equalizer for the best quality output.

Designer: Abby Chan

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I have a theory on why the fanny pack went out of style. No one really considered it as an effective piece of carrying equipment with the potential for a classic redesign. We got focused with wallets and backpacks and we forgot the one product that bridges them both. It provides the correct size jump from a wallet to a backpack, allowing you to carry probably the right amount of things, while also making sure you don’t get pick-pocketed.

We pretty much saw a decline in fanny packs around the same time we saw a spike in the redesign of messenger bags, and even wallets. Crowdfunding really gave makers a chance to go wild with materials like leather, canvas, Kevlar, Tyvek, etc., and in that furore, the fanny pack became the obsolete baggage for tourists and photographers. With Miljours that’s about to change.

Started by Marie-Anne Miljours, after she discovered her absolute love for vegetable tan leathers (they’re quite worth the adoration, I’d say), Miljours decided to make leather shine (literally and metaphorically) in her latest series of products. Absolutely uplifting the Fanny Pack with her keen sense of style and the finest leather to reinforce it, the Minimalist Leather Fanny Pack rekindles the fanny pack revolution. Its design celebrates sleekness but gives you enough volume to store items too. Designed with a muted style, the Fanny pack can be worn underneath clothes, owing to its sleekness, and over them too, to show off said muted style.

The Fanny Pack got lost on its way because of a lack of a redesign. It fills a very necessary gap between wallets and backpacks, allowing you to have a product that’s the perfect size for carrying business cards, phones, wallets, passports, and even mini-notebooks (we designers can’t live without them). Plus, they’re perfect for women, whose clothes never seem to have enough pockets. Available in two sizes, and with the ability to be worn around the waist, or around the shoulder like a messenger (facing front or back), the Minimalist Fanny Pack is almost like a modern-day holster for the modern day human, designed to carry specifically the right amount of essentials, and give your swag quotient a healthy boost!

Designer: Miljours Studio

Click here to Buy Now: $140.00 $185.00

Lykke is the small fanny pack. Designed to fit your smartphone, cardholder, keychain and your lucky charm.

Below is the Hermann, the larger fanny pack. Designed to fit an Ipad, notebook, pens, cardholder and keys.

Click here to Buy Now: $140.00 $185.00

At this year’s 45th Tokyo Motor Show, Lexus will be commemorating the 10th year anniversary of their ‘F’ sports models with the limited editions of the spectacular “RC F” and the “GS F” models. But not only that, fortunately for us, Lexus has another gem up their sleeves with the unveiling of the automated-driving-capable “LS+ Concept” concept.

The LS+ Concept embodies all that Lexus envision for the future of autonomous driving. With its edgy, clean sedan appearance, the LS+ Concept is also packed to the brim with state-of-the-art tech to ensure the passengers can have a safe, smooth and fun drive at all times. Specifically, it intends to make automated driving from the entrance ramp to the exit ramp on motor-vehicle-only roadways possible by using its “Highway Teammate” automated driving technologies, which, with an eye toward application in 2020, are featured on the LS+ Concept.

The LS+ Concept is undoubtedly full of character. All throughout this vehicle your eyes become drawn to the hypnotic LED light trims found along the wing mirror, the wheel arch and in eye-catching trims here and there. To not mention the fantastic headlights and taillights would be a sin. Easily the most scintillating feature of the LS+ Concept is the extravagant lighting and grill design seen here.

As I mentioned before, the “RC F” and the “GS F” models will be showcased at TMS, and I especially cannot wait for the “RC F.” Given a more edgy, and sharper look than the previous “F” sport, this limited edition upgrade is an animal.

Designer: Lexus

RC F Below

Lighting is an essential aspect of the home environment. It can dictate the mood whether that be a movie, a romantic meal or the need to get work done, the lighting reflects and enhances the task at hand. Knowing the effects of lighting, it comes as no surprise when you hear of the year-on-year increase in purchases of smart bulbs. Thankfully, with the Noon Smart Home Lighting System, you don’t have to replace your bulbs but can still get the same impact.

By replacing your current switches, your traditional lights and bulbs can adapt to your lifestyle needs like those mentioned above. The intelligent Noon Switches are hyper-intelligent, having built-in motion sensors so that when you get up in the middle of the night – your lights, from room-to-room, will illuminate with low-level lighting to guide you. Compatible with Alexa, Noon Switches can also be used through voice activation. A really cool and personally my favorite feature of the Noon Smart Home Lighting System is the Vacation Mode. Learning your typical behavior (lighting intensity, activation times, etc.), Noon Switches will turn on automatically so that when you’re away, it will give those onlookers the impression that it’s still business as usual.

Once installed, all of a room’s lights can be adjusted with one-touch, from the Room Director’s glass touch-screen OLED display. With Noon, there is no need to hire a lighting designer. Noon automatically creates three unique scenes – Relax, Everyday and Bright, by analyzing information about each bulb, fixture, and room type.

Designers: Will Lark, Annie Cheung & Erik Charlton of Noon Home

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With each new device that gets released, and with current devices get smarter each month, it’s easy to get swallowed up into the ‘always active’ mode. We don’t have enough time for proper relaxation anymore. We find ourselves trying to take rest where we can find it – whether that be up against the rattling train window, a strangers shoulder on an airport bench or the office desk. Leave those days behind you with the Backpack – Relax, designed by Maya Prokhorova.

The Backpack – Relax is a gorgeous, innovative backpack that once you hear about it, it becomes an instant ‘must-have.’ With an internal air container, this backpack transforms into a pillow within seconds. Not only this, once inflated, the air container creates a barrier, protecting your valuables from outside damage. Not to mention the ability to fill this container with hot water and warm yourself up if you decided to bring your Backpack – Relax with you camping. Ideal for the workaholic, this backpack will transform your day in more ways than one.

Designer: Maya Prokhorova