Dental hygiene is already quite the tiresome chore at home, so you can probably imagine how some people use travel as an excuse to conveniently “forget” brushing their teeth. Of course, you can always bring your own toothbrush, or hope your hotel provides one, but not all travel toothbrushes seem to be designed for travel. Conventional toothbrushes take up plenty of space with their long bodies while folding designs feel flimsy, unreliable, and always disposable. For those who really want to keep their teeth healthy even when far from home, they’ll need this kind of toothbrush that can keep them company for years to come, thanks to a modular design that also ensures that the planet’s health isn’t sacrificed for the sake of yours.
The vast majority of toothbrushes, whether those for the home or for travel, are made from plastic. Given how people are advised to replace their toothbrushes regularly, the accumulated waste from all these dental hygiene tools is staggering. In reality, what you really need to replace is just the bristles of the brush, something that this concept design takes into heart.
More than just its compact foldable form, the IO travel toothbrush concept embraces a modular design that lets you swap out those bristles as needed. It helps reduce the amount of waste from toothbrushes that are thrown out as a whole object when you really need to only replace the head. It also makes the toothbrush more hygienic and convenient, since you can replace the bristles anytime, especially after an accidental drop or brush (no pun intended) with unsanitary surfaces.
The body of the toothbrush itself is also designed to last and is made using surgical steel or other durable metals. The smooth, edge-free design prevents that metal from cutting into your mouth or skin. It has an elegant minimalist design that not only makes it aesthetically pleasing but also reduces the space it takes up in your bag or kit. Like the bristles, it actually also has a modular design that lets you separate the two parts, in case you need to replace one or the other.
This IO toothbrush concept is designed for sustainability from every angle. Even the packaging is supposed to be biodegradable and can even be dissolved in water. You can easily just dissolve the packaging rather than throw it away, ensuring that you won’t be leaving any trash behind. With some outside-the-box thinking, this toothbrush concept proves that human health and convenience don’t have to come at the expense of the planet.
Rideable motorized suitcases are odd products, even more so when adults are the ones riding on them. They look more like fun toys for kids, but strangely enough, such products are in low supply or even non-existent. Of course, the dangers of sitting a kid on a moving vehicle, cute as it may be, can be frightening, but that doesn’t mean the basic design of a ride-on suitcase doesn’t have merits, especially if it doesn’t have motors in the first place. This unusual suitcase for toddlers takes that idea and gives it a little twist, giving it some other utility even when already boarded on the plane or train.
There are plenty of suitcases with colors and decorations catering to kids, but strangely enough, the majority of them aren’t exactly designed for kids. They function more like miniature suitcases for adults with zippers that are difficult to use and compartments that are difficult to access without having to first lay the suitcase down. That might just be a hassle for grownups, but it’s nothing short of a chore for kids, not unlike being told to clean up their closet.
Jetkids is a ride-on suitcase truly designed with a young child in mind, and not just because of how fun it seems to sit on top of it. Instead of a zipper that opens from the front, this suitcase has a top cover that can be easily lifted to reveal the contents inside. The cover itself is actually a container as well, suitable for smaller items or things that the child or parent needs to access immediately.
That’s because this cover can be flipped over and placed on top of the suitcase, acting not only as a sort of desk but also as a leg rest or bed. The idea is to place the suitcase in front of the child’s seat on the plane, extending the area they can sit or even lie down on. And when the child is on the ground and about, the suitcase also offers a place for them to sit down and, if needed, be pulled by their family or guardian.
This unusual yet useful design does limit Jetkids, which was also marketed under the name Stokke Bedbox, to a certain age range that allows them to sit safely on the suitcase. It’s still an interesting design that really puts the ease of use and comfort of the child in mind rather than simply shrinking a product made for older people.
Air travel has always been one of the crowning glories of human innovation, proving that mankind can conquer almost anything if they put their minds to it. Over the decades, the aviation industry has been pushing the envelope of speed, efficiency, and safety, but much of the evolution doesn’t happen only on the outside of airplanes. Interior design has also been changing at an even more rapid pace, and a more visible struggle can be seen beyond seat class boundaries. Comfort, luxury, cost-efficiency, and profitability have always been the goals of all airlines, but these sometimes conflict with each other, creating an almost never-ending tug-of-war between maximizing airline profits and ensuring passenger comfort. We take a deeper close into the design philosophies and elements that define airline seating and the effects they have on the economy, the planet, and of course, human comfort.
Minimalism vs. Luxury: A Deep Dive into Design Philosophies
Airline seat design has always fluctuated between two extremes, often exemplified by the division between economy and first-class sections. You have minimalism that focuses on efficiency and functionality on one end, and you have luxury that emphasizes premium experiences almost to the point of exclusivity on the other end. Of course, both philosophies are ideal to have in both seating classes to different degrees, but they also have different priorities that define the final seat design.
Minimalist seats, for example, prioritize space efficiency and cost-effectiveness in order to both lower ticket prices as well as increase profits. By minimizing the space occupied by seats, using more lightweight materials, and adopting streamlined designs that are easier to clean, airlines can minimize operation costs while also increasing ticket sales and, therefore, increasing Revenue per Available Seat Mile or RASM figures. This is mostly seen in economy class seats and budget airlines, of which the likes of Ryanair and Spirit Airlines are best known. Aviointeriors’ 7.5kg “FABRYSEAT” concept is an example of extreme minimalism, pretty much just a metal frame with a fabric covering and a small headrest.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, luxury designs put comfort and convenience above all, even if it means increasing costs for both the company and the passenger. There is enough space to completely recline the seat into a bed and airlines offer extra amenities not available to other passengers. Given the price involved, these luxuries are only offered to business and first-class passengers, and Singapore Airlines and Etihad Airways are perhaps the most popular examples of such premium experiences.
Just like how airplanes themselves require a delicate balancing act to stay airborne, every aspect of seat design has an overall effect not just on passenger comfort but also on the airline economy in general. Two of the most important elements to be considered for seat configurations are the seat pitch and the seat width. Seat pitch, which refers to the space between one seat and the one in front of it, and the width of the seat not only affects passenger comfort but also how many passengers you can fit in the cabin.
You might think that having more seats and more passengers will always be beneficial for the airline, but that isn’t always the case. Cramped spaces are likely to also decrease customer satisfaction, leading to lower customer loyalty, and more seats and passengers will also weigh the plane down as well, requiring more fuel, interior modification, and, in the long run, higher operating costs. The duality between these two elements isn’t always clear-cut as well. For example, United Airlines has an Economy Plus that offers more legroom but at a higher price. This conundrum is at the heart of that tug-of-war that both airlines and even regulators face, balancing profit maximization and passenger satisfaction.
Ultra-Luxirious First-Class Seats vs. High-Density Economy Seats: A Few Case Studies
With dozens if not hundreds of airlines in operation around the world, there are just as many seat designs available that cover the spectrum between extreme minimalism and posh luxury. There are, however, a few that have stood out over the years, almost becoming representatives of these two design philosophies. Of course, business is more complicated than that, and most airlines have different sections or even aircraft that cater to different audiences and budgets.
On the luxurious side of flights, Etihad Airways is quite famous for its “The Residence,” offering a three-bedroom suite, a shower, and even a personal butler. Singapore Airlines’ Suite isn’t far behind with its full-length bed, 32-inch TV, and privacy sliding doors. Both airlines offer hotel-like amenities and luxuries available to those who can afford the rather steep price tag.
Conversely, Ryanair and Spirit are poster children for high-volume, low-cost economy seats, with seat pitches averaging 30 inches or lower. Most of the designs are minimalist and utilitarian, employing mass-produced materials to keep costs low and tickets affordable. It might sound uncomfortable, but these configurations are quite popular with budget travelers, especially frequent flyers who simply need to get from A to B without much fuss.
Sustainability in the Air: Balancing Eco-Friendly Designs with Cost and Comfort
These days, it’s no longer enough to be cost-effective or luxurious. Sustainability has become a major consideration in airline seat design, and to some extent an added complication. Companies and designers now also have to consider using eco-friendly materials that won’t compromise comfort and cost, and that’s not always an easy feat even for normal product designs.
There are a few airlines that have started that arduous journey, like Air New Zealand’s use of plant-based leather alternatives, or Recaro’s SL3510 carbon fiber-reinforced plastic to make seats lighter. There are also other concepts that not only utilize lightweight materials but also apply simpler structures and mechanisms to reduce the number of parts needed. Lighter and recycled materials can help lower a plane’s overall carbon footprint, but these materials can sometimes also cost more, so airlines have to balance the pros and cons of these as well.
Successes and Failures: Lessons From Both Past and Future
Aviation history is filled with stories of winners and losers, not just in flyer programs but also in seat designs. Some have become more notorious than others, while the rest served as lessons to be learned. JetBlue, for example, coined its own “Mint” business class, offering lie-flat seats and artisan dining to its transcontinental flights, a move that proved to be quite successful and popular with business travelers. In stark contrast, American Airlines’ decision in 2017 to reduce its seat pitch to below 30 inches was faced with much backlash that the company eventually backtracked.
Even in the realm of concept designs, there are a few that seemed to be too far-fetched and uncomfortable that they were immediately met with ridicule and even contempt. While not everyone will oppose having more seats on a plane to accommodate more passengers, a few designs seemed to prioritize that over passenger comfort, feeling like they were more interested in helping airlines game more profit instead.
The Economy Class Cabin Hexagon concept, for example, made use of a zig-zagging layout that would make some passengers, some of whom might be complete strangers, awkwardly facing each other. The Chaise Longue design, on the other hand, implemented the “double-decker” idea that would theoretically give more legroom for people on the “lower” decks but also make them feel more cramped and almost claustrophobic. Neither concept has so far been implemented, but there are also plenty of examples out there that miss the mark, one way or another.
The design of airline seats is not a simple matter of choosing a form and a set of materials. There’s an ongoing tug-of-war between comfort and profit that also keeps changing over time. One generation might focus on comfort and luxury while succeeding generations might prioritize economy and efficiency. There’s also the matter of sustainability and eco-friendliness that is becoming just as important as these two factors. Airlines and designers must continually innovate and push the boundaries, looking not just for new materials but for better layouts and structures as well. Customers and regulators must also be vigilant that the interests of companies don’t overtake the experience of passengers. In the end, success in this domain hinges on understanding and anticipating passenger needs while crafting an economic model that sustains profitability amidst the ever-competitive skies.
Caravans, also termed travel trailers or RVs, are increasingly popular for their blend of comfort and style while exploring the world. These compact mobile homes offer the comforts of home while journeying to various destinations. A notable feature of owning a caravan is the ability to personalize the interior to match individual preferences and needs. Simple changes in decor ideas can help achieve your desired look by adjusting or adding elements like upholstery, window treatments, carpets, rugs, shower curtains, bedding, planters, foliage, art, buntings, and other decorative items.
When choosing interior color schemes for your caravan, prioritize hues that create a sense of spaciousness and maintain longevity. Begin with a neutral base palette, allowing room for color accents through bedding, upholstery, and accessories. Consider earthy tones like blues, greys, greens, and whites, alongside pastel shades, with beige, cream, or your preferred neutrals seamlessly complementing wood paneling and visually expanding your space. Whether renovating an older caravan or adding personalized touches to a new one, here are some ideas to kickstart your design journey.
Since a caravan comes with limited square footage, it’s important to make the most of every available inch. Therefore, it is important to opt for furniture items that serve multiple functions like a sofa bed can serve as seating during the day and easily convert into a bed at night. This not only optimizes space but also fosters a feeling of openness within the caravan, especially during daytime travel. Opting for a foldable table offers the flexibility of tucking it away when not needed, thereby liberating precious floor space. Consider seeking a table that can be mounted on the wall or ceiling for additional space-saving benefits. Modular furniture provides versatility to rearrange according to your requirements. Look for pieces that can be stacked or nested when not in use, enabling efficient space utilization and ensuring ample room for movement.
Storage is often a challenge when embarking on caravan trips, particularly during long journeys or in winter. With so many essentials to carry, space is always at a premium. In smaller caravans, it’s essential to invest in ingenious storage solutions. Consider utilizing under-bed storage boxes, over-door organizers, furniture with ample drawers, and hanging shelves. Make the most of every nook and cranny, including the space beneath seats and in the corners of the caravan.
3. Add Texture
Adding textured accents such as cushions, throws, and rugs is a simple yet effective method to elevate the appearance of a small caravan. These elements contribute warmth and personality to the interior. Furthermore, incorporating wall art can further enhance the aesthetic appeal of the space.
4. Coastal Influences
For coastal and beach enthusiasts, choose a caravan with nautical-inspired interiors and color schemes. Utilize white as the main color to keep the space fresh and airy, essential in small areas. Incorporate various shades of blue for a relaxing coastal feel, and opt for natural materials like wood furniture, decor accessories, and rattan baskets to maintain this style. Consider adding blue and white stripes, reminiscent of classic ship decor, to enhance the nautical theme.
As luxury camping vehicles like teardrop caravans become increasingly popular, La Carapate from French manufacturer Carapate distinguishes itself with its innovative design. Sporting a trapezoidal shape and a unique flap door for shade and convenient access, it stands out in the market. Drawing inspiration from nautical themes, its blue and yellow color scheme captures the essence of maritime adventure. With eco-friendly features like a solar panel, La Carapate embodies sustainability and responsible travel. Its panoramic views and compact living space make it an appealing choice for camping enthusiasts seeking a connection with nature and alternative accommodation. Explore its hidden features, such as skylights and USB ports, for an unforgettable camping experience.
5. Rustic Vibes
Achieve a transitional style in your compact caravan by blending modern and rustic elements for a relaxed yet stylish interior. Opt for neutral tones like white or cream for the internal walls, and incorporate cream blinds for added texture. Keep decor accessories predominantly neutral, and integrate natural materials such as rattan lights, baskets, trays, and wooden furniture pieces for an organic touch.
Considering that the caravan will be utilized for exploring natural environments, why not incorporate natural materials into the interior decor? Embracing these materials, such as wood, rustic basins, wood flooring, and breathable fabrics, can enhance the renovation, creating a connection to the surrounding natural landscapes.
7. Bohemian Vibes
The Bohemian style complements the freedom and flexibility of small caravan living. With its adaptable nature, it easily suits most caravan spaces, focusing on a neutral color scheme with hints of green from foliage and natural browns from materials like seagrass and rattan. This achievable and timeless interior design starts with updating the cushions in the dining area, setting the tone for the entire caravan space.
Hobby’s Maxia caravan blends Scandinavian design with hygge living, offering a luxurious city apartment on wheels. Its exterior retains a traditional look with rounded edges and panoramic windows for expansive views. Inside, a focus on simplicity and comfort characterizes the layout, with an L-shaped kitchen featuring modern amenities and a versatile U-shaped sofa doubling as a dining area and bed. The open floor plan ensures ample living space, with a private sleeping area towards the back and smart appliances like Truma Combi heater/water heater and Hobby Connect touchscreen controls enhancing the experience. It’s a stylish and functional retreat for on-the-go travelers.
9. Introduce a Home Office
In the post-pandemic era, there’s a notable rise in camper and trailer demand, offering enhanced adventure experiences and cozy sleeping quarters. These vehicles not only provide ample space for gear but also feature full kitchens, bringing the comforts of home to natural settings. For professionals craving personal space amidst scenic landscapes, these mobile accommodations offer an escape from monotony, making work-life balance more attainable.
The Nissan NV350 Caravan Office Pod Concept revolutionizes remote work by offering a mobile office in scenic locales. Controlled via smartphone, it extends outdoors with one-touch retractable motion, electric shades, and UV antibacterial lighting for hygiene. Featuring a Herman Miller Cosm chair on a polycarbonate floor and adjustable ambient lighting, it prioritizes ergonomic comfort. A rooftop deck provides a luxurious retreat, accessible from inside the vehicle for personal solitude. Unveiled at the Virtual Auto Salon 2021, this caravan exemplifies the future of electric vehicles, offering innovative opportunities for remote work while inspiring creativity in nature.
Adria’s new Astella caravan epitomizes luxury mobile living reminiscent of 1950s airline opulence, akin to Pan Am, catering to travelers in pursuit of ever-changing dream vacations. Crafted as an inspired, deluxe rendition of the traditional holiday home on wheels, Astella embodies luxury through simplicity. Its open floor layout exudes sophistication with clean lines, amplifying the spacious interior housing living, kitchen, bathroom, and bedroom spaces. Astella seamlessly integrates indoor and outdoor living with panoramic glass doors, while its aerospace-grade exterior boasts a sleek glazed steel finish for efficient airflow during towing, promising a luxurious yet functional travel experience.
Polydrops has been capturing the attention of the camper industry for a few years with its innovative designs. Their latest release, the P21, promises to redefine the RV experience with its advanced design and features. Known for affordability and lightweight construction, Polydrops campers have become a favorite among modern travelers. The P21 is no exception, pushing the boundaries of what a camper can offer with its futuristic aesthetic and practical functionality.
Designers: Kyunghyun Lew and Jieun Choi
The company, founded by two architects, always integrates architectural principles into its designs. This new model is distinguished by its striking appearance and exceptional aerodynamic performance. The P21 is designed to turn heads on the road and at campsites, seamlessly blending style with functionality in a manner unmatched by other campers.
The design prioritizes efficiency and performance, with every exterior aspect crafted to enhance aerodynamics, reduce drag, and improve towing stability. This focus on aerodynamic efficiency is significant for those using electric vehicles, as it helps to maximize range and minimize energy consumption.
Exterior Design: Futuristic and Functional
The P21’s exterior is striking with its angular, polygonal design, reminiscent of Tesla’s Cybertruck. Polydrops has seamlessly integrated architectural principles into the P21, creating a visually appealing and highly functional structure.
Each line, panel, and curve of the P21 enhances its aerodynamic performance. The sharp, knife-edge front cuts through the air with minimal resistance, ensuring stability and ease of towing, even at high speeds. This aerodynamic design reduces drag, crucial for maintaining the range and efficiency of electric vehicles towing the trailer.
Aerodynamics: The Science Behind the Design
Polydrops has meticulously engineered the P21’s exterior to optimize its aerodynamic efficiency. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations played a crucial role in shaping the P21, ensuring that every aspect of its design minimizes air resistance and maximizes efficiency. These simulations, akin to those used by aerospace and automotive leaders like Boeing and NASA, informed the development of the P21’s unique shape.
The P21 features a vertical wedge-shaped front end that slices through the air, reducing high-pressure zones that typically cause drag. This design departs from conventional travel trailers’ more traditional rounded or angled fronts. By minimizing high-pressure air drag, the P21 achieves greater stability and efficiency, which is crucial for maintaining the range of electric vehicles towing the trailer.
The design of the roof significantly contributes to its aerodynamic performance. The pointed, forward-slanting tip and downward-flowing roof allow air to flow smoothly over the trailer, reducing turbulence and drag. This design enhances aerodynamic efficiency and provides ample headroom inside the camper, creating a spacious and comfortable living environment.
The back of the P21 has a boat tail design that helps control airflow as it leaves the trailer. This feature reduces the turbulence behind the trailer, cutting down on drag and improving overall aerodynamic performance. In Polydrops’ CFD simulations, these design elements make the camper three times more aerodynamically efficient than traditional models.
Interior Design: Practical and Comfortable
The inside of the P21 is just as well-designed as the outside. Polydrops has made use of every inch of space to create a functional and comfortable living area. The interior layout is dictated by the aerodynamic exterior shape, and the designers have done an excellent job of maximizing space while maintaining a sleek, modern look.
The interior features a standable height, allowing occupants to move around freely. The layout includes a convertible lounge that can transform into a dining area or an additional sleeping space. Storage is plentiful, with numerous overhead compartments and under-seat storage options. The interior design maximizes the use of space while maintaining a clean and uncluttered look. The materials used are lightweight yet durable, ensuring that the camper remains easy to tow without compromising strength and stability.
Maximize your off-grid adventures with the P21’s Sanitation Unit upgrade. Enjoy the convenience of a sink, shower, and portable toilet featuring 9 gallons of fresh water and a 1.3-gallon water heater tank. The shower cleverly converts into a lounge area when closed, providing luxurious comfort even in remote locations.
Cooking station
Refrigerator
Key Features and Innovations
The P21 features a best-in-class Timbren independent suspension system, which ensures a smooth and comfortable ride on all types of terrain. This suspension system offers excellent stability and minimizes vibration, making it ideal for rough or uneven roads. Additionally, the lightweight construction of the P21 improves fuel efficiency and lowers travel expenses. Its rust-free aluminum frame ensures durability and longevity.
The P21 includes a simple control system. Equipped with a user-friendly 7-inch display, the P21 allows straightforward control and monitoring of all systems. The intuitive interface and remote control capability make monitoring the electrical system and other features easy, enhancing the overall user experience. The system seamlessly connects to your smartphone, allowing for convenient remote control accessibility.
Kid’s bed
The interior layout includes a queen-size bed and an optional kids’ bed, making it ideal for families. The galley is split into two sections, with a sink and countertop on one side and space for a cooktop on the other. There is also a convertible shower with a hidden toilet, similar to those found in high-end campervans. This thoughtful design ensures that the P21 meets the needs of modern travelers while maintaining a compact and efficient layout.
Solar Charging: Harnessing the Power of the Sun
One of the P21’s most impressive features is its advanced solar charging capabilities. The integrated 1300W solar panels efficiently convert sunlight into energy, providing a sustainable power source for the camper. This system ensures you can stay off the grid for extended periods without worrying about running out of power. The solar panels are seamlessly integrated into the design, maintaining the sleek and aerodynamic profile of the P21 while offering significant energy savings.
The solar charging system works in tandem with the all-electric setup, including the LFP battery and climate control system. This combination provides reliable power for all onboard systems, ensuring a comfortable and convenient camping experience. Whether parked in a sunny meadow or a shaded forest, the P21’s solar panels will keep you powered up and ready for adventure.
The Polydrops P21 is a futuristic camper that offers practical functionality. Its aerodynamic exterior, advanced solar charging capabilities, and comfortable interior make it an ideal choice for modern travelers. With features like a rust-free frame, lightweight construction, and a best-in-class suspension system, the P21 is built to handle any adventure. Whether you’re exploring remote landscapes or enjoying a weekend getaway, the P21 promises a unique camping experience. Polydrops continues to push the boundaries of what a camper can be, and the P21 is a shining example of their innovative approach.
Plenty of new automotive technologies and concepts are naturally being made for the benefit of drivers and passengers, but they are supposed to also indirectly help pedestrians as well, at least in theory. With AI at the driver’s wheel, the promise of safer roads is being made, though we seem to still be far from achieving that ideal future. In the meantime, pedestrians crossing urban roads and highways are still at risk, especially the elderly, people with disabilities, and basically anyone who might not be able to cross fast enough before the light turns green again. Current solutions like footbridges are obviously not designed for these people as well, so this concept mobility device tries to take the fight to cars’ own turf by giving pedestrians their very own self-driving vehicle.
Designer: Jiseon Ju, Gawon Min
Roads are, of course, made for vehicles, and sidewalks and footbridges are for pedestrians. That said, there will always be places where these paths meet, appropriately called crosswalks, and people outside of vehicles are always at a disadvantage and at risk. Traffic lights seem to never give pedestrians enough time to cross safely, or make the presumption that everyone can walk at top speed, presuming they can walk at all. These systems are obviously not very accessible and alienate a large portion of the population, and it’s in dire need of a better and smarter solution.
Crosswalk Mobility is a concept for a cubicle on wheels that ferry people from one side of the street to another. It’s basically designed for people with mobility impairments, from the elderly to the injured. Given its enclosed design, it can also be used by parents with toddlers who are prone to suddenly running off while crossing streets. Of course, you can’t have a permanent driver for such a pod, so it naturally uses self-driving technologies to move.
What makes the concept even more interesting is that it works in conjunction with what should be a smart traffic system. In a nutshell, it communicates with traffic lights so that it can extend the red light duration until it safely reaches the other side. Ideally, traffic lights should allocate enough time for people to safely cross, but this system leaves nothing to chance.
The mobility device itself is designed to be powered using solar energy, ensuring its continued operations 24/7. Instead of regular wheels, it proposes using ball-type wheels that can turn more smoothly as needed. The boxy shape has spacious room even for people in wheelchairs and their companions, and the floor-to-ceiling glass panels increase visibility not only for drivers but also for the people inside. It’s definitely an interesting idea that will significantly increase pedestrian safety, but it unfortunately won’t work unless the traffic system on those roads is also upgraded to work with these self-driving boxes.
PriestmanGoode’s collaboration with Korean Air has led to a remarkable transformation of the cabin interiors for the airline’s 787-9 and 787-10 aircraft, seamlessly blending traditional Korean aesthetics with modern luxury. The project, initiated in 2018, brings a sophisticated, contemporary vision that honors Korean heritage while ensuring passenger comfort and modernity.
Designer: PriestmanGoode
Korean Air Business Class
The business class cabin features bespoke Collins Horizon Business Class seats with high privacy walls, 24-inch monitors, Bluetooth headphones, USB-C ports, and a full drop-down screen between seats. These features cater to modern travelers’ needs for privacy, connectivity, and convenience. The seats convert into double beds in the middle section, enhancing comfort for long-haul flights.
Korean Air Business Class – Middle section converts into bed
Rich textures brushed finishes, and intricate patterns inspired by traditional Korean textile art add a luxurious and unique cultural layer to the design. Patterns like Jogakbo patchwork and linear dynamic structures provide depth and character, ensuring a cohesive design language.
Luxury materials, such as rich, dark tones combined with soft, tactile fabrics, create a sense of sophistication and comfort. Detailed stitching and fabric choices reflect traditional Korean art, while brushed metal finishes and high-quality plastics ensure a premium feel and durability. The cabin layout maximizes privacy and personal space, catering to solo travelers and pairs, enhancing the overall passenger experience, and underscoring the focus on providing a state-of-the-art experience.
The economy class reflects a thoughtful integration of cultural and contemporary elements. The seats are upholstered in vibrant fabrics inspired by Hanbok saekdong, showcasing Korea’s cultural diversity. The color palette in economy class blends dark and light neutrals with bursts of color, creating a visually pleasing and comfortable environment. The ergonomic design ensures passenger comfort, while the aesthetic choices provide a cohesive and elegant look.
Korean Air Economy Class
The design process involved meticulous selection of materials and patterns. Each element, from geometric patterns inspired by Jogakbo patchwork to linear dynamic structures, has been thoughtfully integrated to enhance the passenger experience. High-quality materials ensure durability, while the design is timeless, promising longevity and continued appeal. The pattern development and material selection reveal a rigorous process where traditional Korean motifs were reimagined in a modern context. Custom patterns and textures developed by PriestmanGoode’s Color, Material, and Finish team, including those inspired by Jogakbo and Hanbok, are seamlessly incorporated into the cabin’s interiors.
Luxury materials and textures are evident throughout the cabins. Rich, dark tones combined with soft, tactile fabrics create a sense of sophistication and comfort in business class, while vibrant, multicolored fabrics bring a lively yet refined ambiance to economy class. The cabin lighting complements the color scheme, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere. The overall layout ensures easy movement and accessibility, with thoughtful placement of seats and aisles.
Each swatch of fabric, every thread, and the choice of colors reflect a deep respect for Korean heritage and a commitment to quality. The collaboration between PriestmanGoode’s design team and Korean Air has resulted in cabin interiors that are visually stunning and functionally superior. Attention to detail in every design aspect ensures passengers have a comfortable and luxurious experience.
PriestmanGoode’s use of materials draws inspiration from luxury automotive and domestic settings, ensuring both durability and elegance. The layering of rich textures, brushed finishes, and pressed fabric patterns creates a sophisticated and timeless atmosphere in the cabins. The meticulous attention to detail in business and economy class underscores the consultancy’s ability to innovate while respecting cultural nuances.
Overall, the redesigned cabins demonstrate Korean Air’s commitment to providing a high-quality passenger experience. The new interiors promise longevity and continued appeal with a design that honors tradition while embracing modernity. This project by PriestmanGoode highlights the importance of blending cultural heritage with contemporary design principles, creating a luxurious and culturally resonant flying experience for Korean Air passengers. The result is a cabin interior that is both functional and beautiful, offering a unique and memorable experience for all who fly with Korean Air.
We’re in a time and age where people have started living more sustainably and consciously, and this is reflected in their everyday decisions. They’re making changes in their daily lives, consumption, and even means of transportation! People are slowly but surely adopting bicycles as they are eco-friendly alternatives to the pollution-causing automotive, but also they’re an excellent source of exercise. I mean, not only do we get to save the Earth from air pollution, but we can also get some intense cardio done. And, we’ve curated a whole range of innovative designs for you that caught our attention. From a bicycle with treads to a bicycle with triangle wheels – these impressive bicycles will surely convert you to Team Cycles!
1. Bicycle With Treads
If you’ve spent much time on YouTube, you’ve probably come across the Q or Sergii Gordieiev who creates truly innovative and out-of-the-box bicycles. This time the Q has struck again with a bicycle with treads instead of wheels! The ingenious bicycle features handlebars, a seat, and a frame that have been made from scratch using unique elements. The bicycle has a lower profile at the rear than the front fork. Both the seating and handlebar are aligned, ensuring that the bicycle to quite comfortable to fit on.
2. Firefly MiniVelo Travel Bike
This customized bike is the Firefly MiniVelo travel bike for Ming Thein! It is a titanium bicycle specially tailored for Ming Thein, and designed to fit perfectly into a Rimowa travel case. The bike is custom-made, and it can be easily assembled and disassembled like a puzzle, to fit snugly into a briefcase, and back to ride without a single flinch or issue. It features a lightweight and durable chassis that can be efficiently unfastened into two halves, with the other parts also following suit.
3. The Moccle
Dubbed the Moccle, this fun and innovative bicycle with a unique aesthetic is designed to create an enjoyable riding experience for you. It doesn’t feature a dashboard, gears, or even shock absorbers, but it has been incorporated with a bent-wood frame to ensure shock absorption. The frame is supported using a metal fixture, and it flexes in response to pressure, ensuring that any stress from rocky terrains or challenging surfaces is absorbed.
4. Three Chair Bike
This reimagined bicycle has a chair as the saddle! You can go either riding on the streets or have it parked by the side to rest for a bit. The body is essentially the Furakazu Shushu model from the Maruishi Cycle, which is quite popular in Japan. The designer merges a chair design with a bicycle, to create an ingenious cycle with three chairs. It is designed to not only be a mode of transportation but also as an important element of your living environment. It doesn’t seem like an extremely practical design, to be honest, but it will definitely garner a lot of attention in Japan.
5. Infinity All-Wheel Drive Bicycle
Dubbed the Infinity All-Wheel Drive Bicycle, this innovative bicycle design by Stephan Henrich is truly one-of-a-kind. This bicycle is really one of the most out-of-the-box automotive designs I’ve seen in a long time! The unique bicycle moves ahead using a monotyre-clip chain system which forms a temporary rim on the wheel sections as well as the dental belt drive in the interior groove. The central wheel powers the monotyre as the crank generates the force needed to churn the wheels.
6. CeramicSpeed Bicycle
The CeramicSpeed bicycle features a new drivetrain without the ubiquitous chain, making it mess-free, low on friction, and pretty soothing on the eyes. It is equipped with a rotating shaft that eliminates the need for a greasy chain, and it works really well too, reducing friction by 49%. CeramicSpeed has also incorporated ceramic ball bearings on the shaft, which reduces friction, as the bearings push against the gear teeth and rotate as well, forming a smooth movement.
7. RE:CYCLE
Designed by Jimmy Östholm, the RE:CYCLE bike is made from recycled aluminum coffee capsules. The aluminum in the coffee capsules is melted down and then used by the brand to build a bike that is durable and sturdy. The bicycle is the perfect culmination of sustainability and design, creating a design that retains Vélosophy’s simple and iconic design philosophy as well. The bike features a minimal and sleek ethos marked by clear-cut edges. It has a vibrant purple-colored frame which draws inspiration from Arpeggio (the popular Nespresso coffee).
8. The J.Laverick Aston Martin .1R
Called the J.Laverick Aston Marin.1R, this good-looking sleek road bike is made from advanced titanium. A mixture of 3D-printed titanium lugs and sculpted carbon fiber tubes were used to build the lightweight yet durable bike, without placing any exposed bolts on the outer body. This is supposed to be the world’s first, and is described as a “titanium hypercar on two wheels”. You can make a choice between a saddle or a handlebar.
9. ONEBOT-S7
Meet the ONEBOT-S7, an innovative and nifty little bike featuring a unique three-fold structure instead of the typical two-step folding design that we’ve all grown accustomed to. This one-of-a-kind design makes the e-bike quite compact and small when folded, so you can easily place it into the boot of your car, or stealthily slide it under your workstation. And when the need for the bicycle arises, you can conveniently remove it and use it.
10. Bicycle With Triangle Wheels
The Q strikes again with this mindblowing bicycle featuring triangle-shaped wheels! This rather cleverly-designed bike moves along in a linear form, building adjacent lines between the rollers and the flat surface it is placed. This enables the triangle-shaped wheels to overcome limitations and challenges, allowing them to move quite comfortably without any issues. The triangular wheels may look impractical and ridiculous, but they’re really quite fun to ride, and more comfortable than you think.
It’s 2024, and if you’re still carrying multiple plugs, charging cables, and a travel adapter every time you visit a different country, you’re living an incomplete life. Chargers have evolved over the years, charging bricks have become slimmer and more powerful, and something as simple as the SWIFT PRO can technically charge your phone, tablet, laptop, handheld gaming device, and AirPods together at the same time, anywhere in the world. The world’s only travel adapter running on 4th-gen GaN technology, the SWIFT PRO offers a staggering 140W of power that can charge multiple devices at the same time. That amount of power is enough to even fast-charge all your devices together, so you’re never waiting hours to get your iPad or smartphone fully charged. Moreover, it works internationally, and is the same size as your regular travel adapter, eliminating the need to travel with multiple charging bricks… or even work from home with a cluttered power strip and multiple plugs and wires strewn across your desk.
The iBlockCube SWIFT PRO may look like your average travel adapter, but it’s also an all-in-one charging solution. Designed with a multi-plug framework that lets it work with different socket types across multiple countries, the SWIFT PRO slides right into your backpack or travel bag, going everywhere you go. In fact, it’s good enough to use at home too, helping you charge multiple devices together. Like any traditional travel adapter, it has switches on the side that let you deploy the plug type depending on what country you are in. It has a universal AC outlet too, allowing you to plug in appliances, chargers, or other devices, but look to its bottom and you’ll see three USB-C ports for connecting devices and gadgets directly to the SWIFT PRO. A USB-A port on the side gives you the ability to hook yet another device, allowing you to plug a total of 5 gadgets at the same time.
The reason the SWIFT PRO can handle 5 concurrent gadgets is thanks to 4th gen GaN technology. A replacement for silicon carbide, GaN has much better power efficiency as a semiconductor material, helping deliver energy without heat loss. This means more powerful, and thinner charging blocks. The SWIFT PRO has an overall output of 140W, which makes it powerful enough to simultaneously fast-charge your laptop, phone, AND a tablet – something that clunky chargers couldn’t do 10 years ago.
This effectively translates to being able to travel light. All you need is the SWIFT PRO along with a few cables for your devices. The plug on the front can be used for a hairdryer or charging your electric razor while traveling, while the USB-C and USB-A ports on the bottom and sides can effectively juice your laptop, phone, tablet, and AirPods or Watch all together. Two of the USB-C ports can output up to 140W, letting you divert full power to a single laptop, while a third USB-C port caps at 20W, and the USB-A port caps at 18W. Plug multiple devices in and the SWIFT PRO automatically adjusts power delivery to each device, ensuring that all your gadgets get the right amount of fast-charging capacity. The charger will also intuitively cap the power to match your device’s highest charging requirements, protecting your gadgets from damage.
The AC outlet on the front outputs 1000W at 100V and 2500W at 250V, complying with global standards. The 140W gets distributed between the USB ports. The SWIFT PRO is perfect for charging all your gadgets, whether it’s the traditional laptop, tablet, phone, watch, and TWS earbuds, or even a drone, camera, handheld gaming device, hairdryer, or electric razor. A 10A dual-fuse keeps your devices safe from surges, and the GaN semiconductor doesn’t heat up as much as silicon carbide, ensuring efficient power delivery.
The SWIFT PRO comes in 3 color options, white, black, and tinted transparent. The travel adapter measures 3.5 inches tall, 1.9 inches wide, 2.1 inches deep, making it small enough to easily travel with. Each SWIFT PRO also ships with a small travel pouch for your adapter, and a lanyard cable that opens up to transform into a USB-C to USB-C charging cable just in case you end up running short! The SWIFT PRO is priced at a discounted $68 and ships globally starting July 2024.
By 2030 we could see a rise in space tourism and most likely the human habitation of the Low Earth Orbit will trigger the shift towards living beyond Earth. Even though realizing the dream of setting foot on the red planet is some decades still to go, living on the lunar surface is not a far-fetched craving.
The challenges in colonizing planets or satellites beyond the Earth’s bounds are immense and taking them one step at a time is the key. One of the challenges is to provide a safe haven for inhabitants in inhospitable conditions. This project dubbed Momo wants to address this with a flatpack and modular option for practicality. Developed by MIT’s Department of Architecture and MIT Media Lab in association with AeroAstro, the self-assembling lunar habitat is among the best ideas so far we’ve come across.
Keeping in mind the things that could go wrong in alien environments, the Momo habitat is completely replaceable in case there is a breach or malfunction. Rather than replacing the whole habitat, the compromised module can be swapped with a new one. This saves time and ensures the inhabitants have one less thing to worry about. The ultimate goal for developing Momo will be to support the Arthemis III mission and assist in the long-term lunar settlement mission. Oen can realize the extent of the seriousness of this undertaking by the fact that MIT Departments will be headed by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Jhonson Space Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory and SpaceX.
For the first phase, the compact habitat will have a design that flat-packs inside the Starship HLS cargo space. It’ll be developed keeping in mind at all times about the safety and efficient space utilization. The modular aspect allows for versatile functionality, for instance, realigning the aluminum frame and high-density polyethylene membrane for setting up camp depending on the terrain of the Moon. It can be anything from a safe airlock compartment, windows, work desks, or even exercise areas.
Keeping in mind the things that could go wrong in alien environments, the Momo habitat is completely replaceable in case there is a breach or malfunction. Rather than replacing the whole habitat, the compromised module can be swapped with a new one. This saves time and ensures the inhabitants have one less thing to worry about. The ultimate goal for developing Momo will be to support the Arthemis III mission and assist in the long-term lunar settlement mission. Oen can realize the extent of the seriousness of this undertaking by the fact that MIT Departments will be headed by the NASA Marshall Space Flight Center, Jhonson Space Center, Brookhaven National Laboratory and SpaceX.
