Monthly Archives: December 2020

Acura Allure – a hourglass-shaped sports car that morphs into a comfy futuristic lounge

Posted on by

In the near future, ownership will see a transition towards emotional interaction with materialistic things. Likewise, shared mobility will be dominated by emotional engagement with their cars, therefore the design of the vehicles needs to be such that promotes emotional connection. According to transport design student Sung Nak Lee that opens up the possibilities for brands to go for automotive designs that enhance the whole experience with flexible interiors that allow for selective configuration. As a part of his Honda Internship, Sung has penned an autonomous vehicle that morphs from a performance-oriented single-seat sports car to a two-seated autonomous vehicle that comes with a lounge-like configuration.

Dubbed the Acura Allure, this hourglass-shaped electric four-wheeler has a very low profile, just like that of a supercar. The wide configuration gives the opportunity on the inside to have ample space to lounge two passengers in ultra-comfort for emotional connection. Then on some other day when you feel like, the outer halves of the rear seats detach and join into one to form a driver seat for high-speed driving to connect with the pure performance of your Acura Allure. This clever use of interior space leaves a lot of room for a comfortable ride on a long journey.

The aerodynamic shape rising from the front to the rear of the EV combined with the active aero wing and diffuser gives it that needed performance boost for high-speed driving. Truly Acura Allure is a nice blend of performance, styling and emotional connect with the owner. A sneak peek into the future of mobility enhanced by such cars.

Designer: Sung Nak Lee

A checklist to kickstarting and making an impact in 2021!

Posted on by

I love making lists! From post-it notes scattered about my desk to dedicated planners, I have tried it all, what has worked though is focusing on the implementation and not creating the list as such. To save you from the endless hassle (that I personally love) of creating lists, I have created a short yet impactful list of actionable items that improve everything – from your day to day life to actualizing those goals you set up in the first place so you don’t end up next December, “Where did the year go away so fast?”

Write down your plan

Sherlock Holmes, we all are not. So, while we don’t have the ability to build a mind palace, it doesn’t mean we can’t improve our memory retention skills. If I could do that, I’d probably have displaced Mr. Dyson from his throne by now. For the regular designer Joe, we’d recommend you create a board and stick it up somewhere it’ll not be out of sight or mind. Remember, even if you are on the right track, you need to keep moving. Else you run the risk of getting run over. Create milestones, check them off, and move on.

Stay hydrated

Unfortunately, I am neither Sherlock nor am I a camel. I make sure to have a couple of glasses of water after waking up and then keep sipping from my water bottle so I can ensure that my body remains hydrated.  If you don’t have a bottle yet, you can check out some of them on our site!

Re-organize your desk space

Hahahaha. I really need to do this too. It definitely does not mean that you have to visit some store to buy organizers or a new desk. But after years of usage, you probably know best which of the things in your drawers are used frequently. A little less clutter on your desk and in the drawers will surely bring you peace of mind. And you can then stop suspecting your innocent roommate of stealing your Muji pen when you cannot find the latter.

Check out some desk setup’s for your inspiration!

Carpal tunnel and eye check-up

If you do not know what Carpal Tunnel Syndrome means, well, you should! It can be caused by unnatural working postures of the hand and wrist. People who wear prescription glasses, you probably already visit your ophthalmologist regularly to get your eyes checked. Since we spend a considerable amount of time in front of our computers and have only one pair of eyes and hands among other things, it could be worth your while to get them checked every once in a while. Add this to your plan.

Update your portfolio

Oh right yes, you do not have the time. So busy busy busy, I ain’t got no time sir! You have 365 days to choose from. Book a meeting with yourself and get it done.  And while you are at it remember to get your hands dirty and Don Draper’s words from Mad Men “Success comes from standing out, not fitting in.”

FOCUS


If you are thinking of Will Smith or Margot Robbie, I don’t blame you but no, I am not talking about the movie. When you create the plan for this year, it is important that your milestones are as non-abstract and non-ambiguous as possible. This will help you keep your eyes on the prize and you will know for sure when you have gotten there! If you were a racehorse, it’d mean something as simple as having blinders on your eyes but you are not. So find a way that works for you and keep at it.

Fewer gadgets and lesser grudges

Keep away from all the negativity! There will be people around you who only love to gossip and complain. There will be others who will inspire you. The fun part is that you get to decide with whom you spend most of your valuable time.

Sitting is worse than smoking

Okay, I am not so sure that it is true but it sure makes a good headline. But sitting for long hours is definitely not good for anybody. Take frequent breaks and lookup desk exercises for sedentary workers. You cannot go the distance with a bent back and broken knees, so let’s keep them well oiled!

Be Kind

This is clearly the easiest one and won’t cost you a penny. Kindness is how you help others rise up and not expect anything in return. Share your knowledge via a blog, be the go-to guy for the ones facing issues, enjoy somebody else’s success. Create a YouTube video explaining how you solved a silly issue. Remember, it is a selfless act and you are not trying to change people’s opinion of you. When you are kind to others in the many possible ways, you are kind to yourself too. It is a win-win!

This sleek technical watch design defies traditional watch-making with an elliptic shape and transparent case!

Posted on by

We’ve seen all-ceramic square watches, synchronized dancing clocks, and even watches with cyberpunk dreamworlds encased within glass domes. There are probably as many unique watch designs out there as there are designers for them. Watches typically represent fashionable microcosmic introductions to the people wearing them. That’s why vintage Casios can bring us right back to their heyday in the 70s or why wearing a watch similar to Tony Soprano’s 18K yellow gold Rolex can make us feel like mob bosses from New Jersey. Norm Edward’s elliptic-shaped technical watch brings us elsewhere, sometime in the distant future – maybe to the Hollywood set of the 52nd James Bond installment or a space community on Mars.

Heritier, a community of watch enthusiasts who create limited edition timepieces, aims to carry horology heritage and values into the 21st century by bridging global communities, partnerships, and charity initiatives with a joined love for watches. Edwards’ technical watch render began as a study in Heritier’s founder, Julien Bonzom’s passion for horology and watchmaking. Encased within a thin, double-paned glass dome, the clock’s inner workings are only slightly revealed. While some cogwheels and gears are within view, a multi-level, concentric design pulsates from the clock’s center and extends to the dial’s inner edge, where numerical minute markers indicate the time of day. Matte stainless steel accents both cradle and cleverly obstruct the glass dome, matching the round cluster of sprockets and gears at the timepiece’s overhanging extension, which keeps the watch in time.

Resembling the look of a joystick, or even a narrow egg-shape, Norm Edwards’ technical watch design could be envisioned wrapped around the wrist of some futuristic spy agent or a successful, metropolitan businessperson pelting between skyscrapers in a hovercraft. Whoever’s wearing it, the watch’s abstract shape and sleek, somewhat hidden inner-mechanism give off an air of composed complexity, a combination that has always mystified the world of timekeeping and watch-making alike, and always will.

Designer: Norm Edwards

This curved manual treadmill promises natural motion, giving you the perfect workout regime

Posted on by

Most of the treadmills that keep you fit (only if you use them for a prolonged period) are too tech-savvy, and one wishes at times they were a tad simpler. All that while having an aesthetic form that’s good to go with your modern interiors. The Sprintbok by NOHrD breaks the conventional norms normally associated with treadmills – giving fitness freaks one more reason to burn those calories out of the system and stay fit for life!

This curved manual treadmill crafted from solid hardwood doesn’t have any fancy settings or electronics to make you go out for an indoor run. Rather it uses flexible wooden slats and ball bearing engineering for a natural running motion that’s actually powered by the user’s legs. It feels like you are running in a forest and the low noise makes it ideal for an apartment setting. You can run as fast as you can or as slow as desired on the Sprintbok – it’s that simple. The treadmill’s curved shape lets you experience ascending difficulty with bigger sprint steps. To keep track of your progress there’s a bit of basic tech-infused – a 17.3-inch tablet and a compatible Sprintbok app. This way you can choose from a platter of pre-designed running workouts with scenery runs.

Since the treadmill is made from high-quality natural materials that are recyclable, the treadmill is light on the environment too. Sprintbok is more or less a maintenance-free fitness machine which is a great advantage, as modern treadmills can cost a lot in maintenance if not used properly or some component malfunctions. The treadmill belt is made up of 62 movable wooden slats having a linoleum finish – making the machine absorb most of the shocks and vibration produced during running. Truly this treadmill deserves to sit any interior, it’s designed to catch eyeballs for sure!

Designer: NOHrD