Yanko Design - Form Beyond Function

It will come as no surprise to find that the Electric Vehicle (EV) market is growing, this has led to an increase in demand for an at-home charging device. VanBerlo Design has created a solution, and it comes in the form of Elvi.

Elvi introduces the possibility of convenient charging as it can be situated in the user’s home, garage or on their driveway. Its sculpted form and design style allows for it to fit seamlessly in both the domestic and automotive world. From the easy-to-read kWH meter and simple interface, through to the step-by-step packaging that offers further clarity on assembling the product, it is clear that ease-of-use was a primary influence of Elvi’s design.

The body of Elvi splits into 3 main parts as this simplifies both maintenance and logistics; separate components, such as the charger or cable, can be changed easily by the user, eliminating the need for a whole new product.

Designer: VanBerlo Design

Any beer sommelier worth their salt will tell you that beer should be had out of a glass/mug, and that the beer foam you see on top is actually your friend. In fact, the more the better.

Beer usually has a lot of CO2 trapped inside it, which if consumed directly, makes you feel bloated and sluggish. Any food you have along with the beer agitates it in your stomach, releasing that carbon dioxide inside your stomach. Foam the beer, let the CO2 release, and your beer tastes creamier and doesn’t fill you up (so you can have more). That’s what the beer foamer does. It gives you the frothy pub-based beer experience with bottled spirits. Simply pour a good portion of your beer out into the glass of your choice, and the remaining bit into the frother. Agitate it by simply pressing the button on top to create the froth, periodically pouring the froth as a layer onto your beer, making it look just like your barkeep does, then take a sip of your favorite bottled beer, knowing fully well you’ll get to have your beer and sport your beer mustache too!

Designer: Norm Architects for Menu Design Shop

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Designed to cater to the needs of both professionals and non-professionals, do³ takes personal and desktop manufacturing to a whole new level! Contained within the sandblasted plexiglass cover, that protects the user from debris, is a 3-in-1 manufacturing center to help bring ideas to life.

The user can take advantage of the filament 3D Printer, Laser Cutter and CNC Milling Machine that do³ offers. Its fully modular designs also allow for system upgrades or enlarging of the system, as each project varies in size and complexity.

do³’s advanced capabilities may appear daunting to some users, but thanks to its intuitive design and clear interface, they are guided through the manufacturing process. To assist them further there is a sensor array that is integrated into the 3D printer’s extruder nozzle that monitors the object’s geometry. This allows it to detect irregularities and makes the user aware of the possible issues before continuing. This could easily become a designer’s best friend!

Designer: Louis Berger

do³ is fully modular. This means that it is possible to change, upgrade, or enlarge the system, to fit the needs of individual projects.

You can use do³ not only as a filament 3D printer but also as a laser cutter or a CNC milling machine.

The sandblasted plexiglass cover holds the lower assembly, protects from debris and dust and is used as the main visual interface while do³ is working. A small in the x-Axis embedded projector displays the GUI on the cover.

The 3D printing extruder nozzle features a sensor array that keeps an eye on the object’s geometry.

Some movable parts need lubrication from time to time. All motors have easy to spot lubrication holes.

do³ building blocks are specifically made material packs for all possible build platform sizes and work volumes.

do³ can be used by professional and non-professional users alike. You can interact with do³ utilizing CAD/CAM tools or start making things without any additional software knowledge using the do³ app.

An ardent supporter of concept design, Electrolux has charted a special course in the world of appliances and their future. The fame, creditability and glory that the Electrolux Design Lab Awards had brought into the lives of young designers, can be seen in the way the winners have charted their course, after an internship with the appliance giant. Nostalgia aside, I’m pretty excited to showcase the Assisted Cooking Concept Kitchen, which the company is showcasing at the EuroCucina 2018.

Their stellar portfolio includes ovens with responsive glass that turns transparent when someone is close by and shows milestones within the cooking process; work stations that have clever integration of chopping boards and knife cleaners; intuitive refrigerators and innovative ceramic hoods, amongst other things.

Part 1 features four of the eight inspiring kitchen concepts.

Designer: Electrolux

The Electrolux Serve and Preserve is a combination refrigerator with three-compartments and it includes a freezer, a fridge and larder. The good part of the design technology is that it continuously optimizes the temperature to keep food the freshest. It has pull-out pantry shelves for easy access, making the fridge the most efficient appliance in this form.

The Electrolux VisualGarden refrigerator gives easy viewing access to the fruits and vegetables compartment. The proximity sensors light up the tray, so that you are encouraged to cook healthy. The crisper slides out so that you can dig into the vegetables tray easily.

The Electrolux FlexiChill will make wine enthusiasts very happy! The concept allows you to enjoy a glass without having to finish the entire bottle. The preservation technology dispenses argon gas in to the bottle, removing oxygen exposure and thus maintaining the wine for longer. Moreover, the temperature of this section is optimized to keep the wine fresh for longer.

The Electrolux SmartOven includes SenseOven and SenseOven 2.0

The SenseOven – featuring two touch sensors on a handle that work the automated door, so that you can operate it with ease and focus more on your dish rather than the oven mechanism.

The SenseOven 2.0 – Featuring a responsive glass technology with sensors to intuitively know when someone is close to the oven, the glass of the oven automatically becomes transparent so that you can peek inside and keep an eye on the dish. The technology helps during the cooking process and provides temperature and time support for many dishes. The glass turns back to normal black and blends into the kitchen space when not in use.

​Part 2 of the Electrolux kitchen innovations is just round the bend; stay tuned. In case you are in Milan right now, do look them up at the EuroCucina 2018, which is a part of the Milan Design Week 2018 and say ‘Hi!’ to Tom for us!

While it occupies the exact footprint of a wine bottle on your kitchen shelf, the Bin 8 is actually pretty much all the kitchen accessories you need, combined into one ‘Swiss Army Bottle’ of sorts. A prime example of utilitarian, artistic, and thoughtful Japanese design, the Bin 8 is a combination of eight kitchen tools stacked one upon the other, made to look like a wine bottle. The bottle’s spout acts as a funnel, and its base, a measuring cup. Sitting in between these two are a citrus juicer, a spice grater, cheese grater, yolk separater, egg masher, and a jar-opening silicone ring.

Stacked together, the Bin 8 occupies much less space than each of those items would individually, and does so with a certain flair that you’d probably use the words “innovative” and “brilliant” to describe. I know I would!

Designer: Bento & Co.

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It may look like a toy, but the H2 Speed (shown above beside the Sigma Grand Prix concept) by Pininfarina and GreenGT isn’t a plaything. 2016’s best concept of the year at the Geneva Motor Show finally made it to reality at this year’s show amongst a few dropped jaws… given how simply perfect it looks. Its aesthetic, dominated by big, broad, smooth details gives it the playful demeanor of a die-cast toy car, making it look like the embodiment of speed, but not necessarily too aggressive.

Embodying Pininfarina’s DNA of purity, the H2 Speed is styled by aerodynamics, resulting in a car that feels pure, evoking a sense of speed as well as minimalism. However, the car’s most noteworthy detail is its zero-emissions engine that doesn’t run on electricity… but rather on hydrogen! Partnering with French/Swiss GreenGT, Pininfarina’s H2 showcases “Full Hydrogen Technology” that allows the car to reach 300 km/h by releasing just water vapor into the atmosphere. With a maximum horsepower of 653, this engine accelerates from 0 to 100 km/h in 3.4 seconds. Another added advantage over traditional electric cars (I can’t believe I used traditional and electric car in the same sentence), is its incredibly fast refueling time. While electric cars can take a decent while to reach a full charge, filling the tank of a hydrogen car takes close to 3 minutes. It also means the car will sound different, as compared to all-electric drives.

Only 12 units of the H2 Speed will be produced, and while that isn’t enough water-vapour to make massive changes to the environment, GreenGT’s technology is sure to be carried forward and used in more cars to come. The H2 was showcased at the Geneva Motor Show in 2018 and is set for a 2019 release!

Designer: Pininfarina & GreenGT