Welcome to Sneakers Sunday, readers! Today, let’s explore a remarkable sneaker partnership combining sustainability and innovation. The ASICS GEL-SONOMA 15-50 emerges as a product of a unique alliance between ASICS and automotive parts manufacturer Toyoda Gosei, merging the worlds of sportswear and automotive expertise. This sneaker artfully weaves elements from the automotive airbag industry with cutting-edge design, showcasing repurposed materials known for their strength and resilience—originally crafted to save lives. By focusing on upcycling, the GEL-SONOMA 15-50 highlights resource efficiency and sets a new standard in cross-industry creativity and design.
Designer: ASICS + Toyoda Gosei
Design Elements That Matter
The sneaker distinguishes itself through its innovative use of airbag materials. This approach is far from a gimmick; it utilizes airbags’ durability, lending a rugged yet refined feel to the upper. Originating from components designed to handle intense pressure, these materials provide the sneaker with exceptional resilience, breathing new life into otherwise discarded items.
The distinctive airbag-specific stitching, featured in a striking two-tone pattern, honors the airbag’s industrial heritage. These stitches transcend decoration, symbolizing protection and sturdiness. The sneaker’s tongue draws a playful parallel to an airbag’s inflation mechanism, offering comfort while evoking its original function. Together, these design choices narrate a layered story of transformation and comfort.
Including airbag numbering and vent holes enhances its utilitarian look, embracing its roots. This raw, industrial design appeals to those who value function tied directly to form.
A Closer Look at the Material
The upper combines synthetic fiber, natural leather, and synthetic resin, offering a blend of flexibility, durability, and comfort for trail and casual wear. The rubber outer sole ensures reliable traction across varied terrains, making the ASICS GEL-SONOMA 15-50 as versatile off-road as it is in urban settings.
Sustainability: From Automotive Waste to Wearable Design
A major highlight of the GEL-SONOMA 15-50 is its sustainability focus. ASICS and Toyoda Gosei transform robust rejected materials into valuable products by utilizing airbag materials that are unfit for automotive use. This initiative speaks to a larger movement, aligning with ASICS’ sustainability efforts to reduce waste and efficiently use resources. It demonstrates the possibilities when industries collaborate to tackle shared challenges.
What the Jury Said
The 2024 Good Design Award jury praised the sneaker’s innovation and execution. They highlighted the sneaker’s clever upcycling of discarded airbag materials and recognized its contribution to industrial waste management awareness. This collaboration between ASICS and Toyoda Gosei shows how industries can join forces to create products that meet market needs and benefit the environment.
The jury was particularly impressed with the creative handling of challenging materials. The GEL-SONOMA 15-50 bypasses convenience, illustrating that sustainability can coexist with style and performance.
Three Things We Love About This Sneaker
Upcycled Airbag Materials: These sneakers use creatively repurposed industrial waste, combining style and practicality.
Design that Tells a Story: Featuring elements like airbag numbering, the design ties back to its automotive origins. Every detail narrates a journey of transformation.
Versatility in Use: Beyond sustainability, the durable sole and comfortable upper make it perfect for various activities—from trail running to casual wear.
Final Thoughts
The ASICS GEL-SONOMA 15-50 reshapes the concept of a sneaker through its innovative focus on sustainability. Partnering with Toyoda Gosei, ASICS has developed a shoe that performs impressively and advances the dialogue about eco-friendly practices. Each stitch and material choice highlights how imaginative thinking can lead to sustainable solutions.
By drawing on the history and purpose of airbags, these sneakers create an inspiring story of transformation and creativity, turning automotive components into daily essentials.
Are you ready to step into a narrative of innovation and sustainability? The ASICS GEL-SONOMA 15-50 encourages you to explore where design meets function, heralding the future of footwear.
The 2024 Good Design Awards celebrate products that push the boundaries of design, blending innovation, sustainability, and functionality. This year’s winners illustrate a new era of thoughtful creativity, where traditional craftsmanship meets cutting-edge technology. From groundbreaking laptops to kitchen essentials reimagined, each of these products demonstrates a commitment to enhancing everyday experiences through intelligent and beautiful design. The ASUS Zenbook Duo, the KAMADO Rice Pot, the PureAura Air Purifier, the Bricks Coffee Grinder, and the Raptor Mobility Platform all reflect a dedication to practical solutions that address the evolving needs of modern consumers, with an emphasis on sustainability and user-centric innovation.
ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024): A Multi-Tasker’s Dream with Dual-Screen Innovation
The ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024), a 2024 Good Design Award winner, represents the next generation of laptop innovation, where function meets form. The Zenbook Duo breaks new ground in productivity, creativity, and usability with its distinctive dual-screen setup. Designed for professionals, content creators, and multitaskers, this laptop has features that redefine how users interact with technology. By optimizing screen real estate and incorporating advanced performance components, the Zenbook Duo offers an exceptional computing experience.
Background
ASUS has long been at the forefront of laptop innovation, consistently pushing the boundaries of design and functionality. The Zenbook Duo series has evolved from ASUS’s desire to offer users a beyond-traditional laptop experience. The core idea behind the Zenbook Duo is multitasking, a critical need in today’s fast-paced, work-from-anywhere environment. The dual-screen design, first introduced in earlier models, has been refined for 2024 to deliver better ergonomics, efficiency, and seamless usability.
For creative professionals and digital nomads, the Zenbook Duo is a true productivity tool that enhances productivity. Its second display, known as the ScreenPad Plus, provides extra workspace for applications, toolbars, and shortcuts, making multitasking smoother and more intuitive.
Specifications
Display: Features a 14.5-inch main OLED display with 4K resolution and a secondary 12.7-inch ScreenPad Plus with touchscreen capability.
Processor: Powered by the latest Intel Core i9, offering high-speed performance suitable for demanding applications.
Graphics: Includes NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, ideal for content creators working with heavy software like video editors or 3D rendering tools.
Storage: Up to 1TB SSD, ensuring fast data access and ample space for large projects
Battery Life: Long-lasting battery designed to support extended work sessions with dual displays.
Connectivity: Multiple ports, including Thunderbolt 4, HDMI, and USB-C, allow seamless integration with external devices.
Why the Design is Notable
The ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024) is remarkable due to its innovative dual-screen layout. The integration of the ScreenPad Plus creates a distinct advantage for users who need extra screen space without sacrificing portability. This second screen can be used for various tasks, such as displaying tool palettes in creative software, handling messaging apps while working on the main screen, or even acting as a secondary display for multitasking across multiple programs.
The ergonomics of the dual-screen design have also been improved in this 2024 model. The ScreenPad Plus is slightly angled, offering a more comfortable viewing experience than previous models. This makes interacting easier and reduces neck strain for users who spend long hours on their laptops. The laptop’s slim profile and lightweight design are additional features that make it easy to carry, ensuring that users don’t have to compromise on portability.
The OLED main display delivers stunning visuals with rich colors and deep contrast, making it ideal for creative professionals who require accurate color reproduction. Furthermore, the NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card ensures that even graphics-heavy tasks like video editing or gaming run smoothly, making the Zenbook Duo as powerful as it is innovative.
Evaluation Comments
The Good Design Award judges were particularly impressed by the seamless integration of dual screens, a feature that elevates the user experience beyond typical laptops. They praised the ScreenPad Plus’s functionality, highlighting how it increases productivity without adding unnecessary bulk to the laptop’s design. The judges also commended the laptop’s sleek and modern aesthetic, combining advanced technology with a stylish form factor.
Another point of appreciation was the Zenbook Duo’s sustainability efforts. ASUS has been incorporating more environmentally friendly practices into its manufacturing process, and the use of recycled materials in this model reflects a commitment to sustainability. The judges also noted how the Zenbook Duo’s long battery life and energy-efficient components contribute to its eco-friendly design.
Yanko Design’s Take
From Yanko Design’s perspective, the ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024) is an innovative solution for professionals needing a traditional laptop. The dual-screen layout is a thoughtfully designed feature that dramatically improves multitasking capabilities. The ScreenPad Plus is particularly useful for content creators who need quick access to toolbars and controls without cluttering the main screen. The laptop’s sleek design and lightweight build make it an excellent choice for users who are always on the go, while the OLED display ensures that visual tasks are performed with the utmost clarity and accuracy.
Including high-performance components such as the Intel Core i9 processor and NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics card means that the Zenbook Duo can handle even the most demanding applications, from 4K video editing to gaming. ASUS has created a laptop that looks impressive and delivers top-tier performance.
3 Things We Love About the Design
Dual-Screen Productivity with ScreenPad Plus
The ScreenPad Plus is a transformative feature that makes multitasking easier than ever. Whether you’re a content creator managing multiple applications or a professional juggling between emails and documents, the secondary screen adds a new dimension of efficiency. It’s a versatile tool that adapts to various workflows.
OLED Display and Graphics Performance
The OLED main display provides stunning visuals with true-to-life colors and deep contrasts, making it perfect for designers, photographers, and videographers. Coupled with the NVIDIA GeForce RTX graphics, this laptop can handle intensive visual tasks such as 3D rendering, video editing, and gaming, ensuring smooth performance across the board.
Ergonomic and Portable Design
Despite the dual-screen setup, the Zenbook Duo maintains a slim, lightweight profile, making it highly portable. The slight tilt of the ScreenPad Plus enhances ergonomics, making it comfortable to use even during long work sessions. ASUS’s commitment to user comfort is evident in the design, making this a laptop built for productivity without compromising on usability or aesthetics.
The ASUS Zenbook Duo (2024) raises the bar for what laptops can offer, blending innovation with practicality to enhance productivity, creativity, and the overall user experience. It’s easy to see why it was honored with a 2024 Good Design Award, and it will undoubtedly be a go-to device for professionals who need more from their technology.
KAMADO Rice Pot: The 2024 Good Design Award Winner Blends Tradition with Innovation
Cooking rice may seem simple, but achieving the perfect texture requires precision. The KAMADO rice pot, a 2024 Good Design Award winner, elevates this process by blending tradition with modern technology. Drawing on ancient Japanese cooking techniques, the KAMADO pot offers both cultural significance and contemporary convenience. This award-winning pot balances functionality and artistic design, making it a must-have for those who value precision in their kitchen.
Background
The KAMADO pot takes inspiration from traditional Japanese earthenware pots, known for their excellent heat retention and distribution. Historically, these pots were placed over open flames, requiring careful temperature control to perfect the rice’s texture. The KAMADO pot honors this heritage while incorporating smart technology to simplify the process.
The 2024 version focused on sustainability and ease of use, making it a modern kitchen essential. The pot ensures perfect rice and connects users to a deep-rooted culinary tradition.
Specifications
Material: High-quality ceramic replicating traditional earthenware for superior heat retention.
Capacity: Suitable for family-sized meals, cooking up to 5 cups of rice.
Technology: Smart temperature regulation ensures consistent cooking results for different types of rice.
Design: Neutral-toned, minimalist design that fits seamlessly into any kitchen aesthetic.
Functionality: A precisely fitting lid ensures optimal moisture retention for perfectly cooked rice.
Why the Design is Notable
The KAMADO rice pot is remarkable for its blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern technology. It reimagines a centuries-old method, fitting perfectly into today’s eco-conscious households. Using a material that mirrors the properties of traditional earthenware, the KAMADO pot enhances the cooking process while maintaining a connection to its cultural origins.
One distinctive feature is its ability to cook rice using only a single sheet of newspaper as fuel. This makes it a practical disaster preparedness solution and a sustainable outdoor cooking option. The pot shows how an ancient practice can adapt to modern conveniences and environmental considerations.
Evaluation Comments
The Good Design Award judges praised the KAMADO pot for its thoughtful combination of tradition and innovation. They highlighted the product’s environmental benefits, noting how it minimizes waste by reusing inner pans. Its ability to function without electricity or gas makes it versatile, especially in disaster situations or for outdoor enthusiasts. The ease of cleaning, requiring only water without detergent, further impressed judges with its eco-friendly design.
Yanko Design’s Take
We see the KAMADO rice pot as a perfect example of thoughtful, sustainable product design. More than a kitchen tool, it offers an experience—deeply rooted in tradition yet forward-thinking in application. Its ability to cook with just a sheet of newspaper makes it revolutionary in both functionality and sustainability.
The KAMADO pot shows how ancient techniques can be adapted for modern needs, reducing environmental impact without sacrificing performance. It proves that practical design can be simple, sustainable, and culturally meaningful.
3 Things We Love About the Design
Outdoor and Disaster Readiness
Cooking five cups of rice using just one newspaper is remarkable. This pot becomes essential in emergencies where electricity or gas might be unavailable. It also appeals to outdoor enthusiasts seeking sustainable cooking methods during their adventures.
Sustainability and Waste Reduction
Reusing inner pans that would otherwise be discarded reduces waste and extends the life of key components. This thoughtful reuse aligns with modern environmental standards, making the KAMADO pot an eco-friendly choice for conscious consumers.
Effortless and Eco-Friendly Cleaning
After cooking, the pot requires no heavy scrubbing or detergents—just a simple wipe with a water-soaked sponge. This approach to cleaning saves time and eliminates the need for harsh chemicals, contributing to a more environmentally friendly kitchen.
The KAMADO rice pot demonstrates the importance of maintaining cultural traditions while advancing technological and environmental standards. Its thoughtful design and practical innovation have earned it well-deserved recognition as a 2024 Good Design Award winner.
PureAura: The Portable Mini Energy-saving Air Purifier Redefining Air Quality Control
Clean air is a necessity in today’s world. The PureAura Portable Mini Energy-saving Air Purifier, recognized as a 2024 Good Design Award winner, meets the increasing demand for portable air quality solutions. Compact and energy-efficient, this air purifier combines advanced technology with user convenience, offering a reliable solution for those looking to breathe cleaner air wherever they go. With its sleek design and powerful performance, the PureAura air purifier is a significant step forward in personal air purification devices.
Background
Air purifiers have gained popularity, especially in urban areas with rising pollution levels. PureAura was developed to address the need for portable, energy-saving air purifiers for small spaces like offices, cars, and personal living areas. The focus was on creating a device that balances efficiency with portability, allowing users to maintain air quality without large, bulky equipment or high energy consumption.
The design reflects the growing awareness of environmental impact and energy efficiency. By reducing the device’s size and optimizing power usage, the creators ensured it could operate effectively in various spaces while consuming minimal electricity. It offers a solution to indoor and outdoor air quality concerns, ideal for individuals constantly moving or with limited space.
Specifications
Size: Compact and lightweight, designed for easy portability.
Energy Efficiency: Engineered to consume minimal energy while maintaining high purification performance.
Technology: Advanced filtration system that captures dust, pollen, bacteria, and other pollutants.
Noise Level: Operates quietly, ensuring it doesn’t disrupt daily activities.
Design: Minimalist, with a sleek aesthetic that complements modern environments.
Usage: Ideal for small enclosed spaces such as cars, personal workspaces, and bedrooms.
Why the Design is Notable
The PureAura Portable Air Purifier is remarkable for packing high functionality into a small device. Portability is often associated with reduced power, but PureAura delivers high-performance air purification while remaining energy-efficient. Its minimalist design allows it to blend seamlessly into any environment, whether on an office desk, bedside table, or in a car.
Another distinctive feature is its eco-conscious approach. The purifier’s energy-saving technology makes it a sustainable choice for those looking to reduce their carbon footprint. This focus on environmental impact without sacrificing performance sets PureAura apart in the market.
Evaluation Comments
The Good Design Award judges praised PureAura for its balance between form and function. Its ability to deliver powerful air purification in such a compact form was a distinctive feature, particularly given the rising demand for portable air solutions. The judges were also impressed with the energy efficiency, allowing users to maintain air quality without high energy costs or environmental waste.
Another key point was the simplicity of operation. PureAura is designed to be user-friendly, requiring little maintenance while still offering high performance. This focus on ease of use makes it accessible to a wide range of consumers, from office workers to frequent travelers who need a portable air solution.
Yanko Design’s Take
PureAura represents a shift toward user-centric and environmentally conscious design in personal air care products. The device’s ability to function effectively in small spaces and its minimal energy consumption makes it distinctive in its category. It reflects how design and technology can solve everyday problems, particularly in environments where air quality is compromised.
The design team behind PureAura addressed aesthetic and functional concerns, creating an effective yet visually unobtrusive product. Its sleek, minimalist design fits into any space without drawing attention, ideal for consumers who want products that enhance their environment without dominating it.
3 Things We Love About the Design
Portability without Compromising Performance
One of PureAura’s strongest features is its compact size. Despite its small footprint, the device performs efficiently, making it perfect for users who need clean air on the go. Whether in a car or a small room, PureAura delivers effective air purification without the bulk of traditional air purifiers.
Energy Efficiency
The air purifier is remarkable for its minimal energy consumption. It works continuously without significantly impacting electricity usage, making it an excellent choice for environmentally conscious consumers. Its energy-saving performance makes it cost-effective for daily use at home, in the office, or on the move.
Quiet Operation
The low-noise feature is valuable for users who need the air purifier running throughout the night or during work hours. Its quiet operation ensures it doesn’t disrupt sleep or concentration, making it perfect for bedrooms, offices, and nurseries.
The PureAura Portable Mini Energy-saving Air Purifier sets a new benchmark for personal air care devices. With its focus on portability, energy efficiency, and sleek design, it’s clear why it was chosen as a 2024 Good Design Award winner. For those looking to improve their personal air quality without sacrificing style or sustainability, PureAura offers the perfect solution.
Bricks Coffee Grinder: A Design Masterpiece for Coffee Lovers
For coffee enthusiasts, the grind is as crucial as the beans. The Bricks Coffee Grinder, a 2024 Good Design Award winner, perfectly balances functionality and style. This grinder goes beyond being just a kitchen tool—it’s an example of how thoughtful design can enhance the coffee-making experience. Whether you’re a professional barista or a home brewer, the Bricks Coffee Grinder delivers precision, efficiency, and aesthetic appeal in a compact package.
Background
Coffee culture has evolved, with consumers becoming more knowledgeable about making the perfect cup. Central to this process is the grind. Coffee grinders have moved beyond mere functionality, embracing design and craftsmanship. The Bricks Coffee Grinder was created with these evolving needs in mind.
The development of the Bricks grinder focused on making high-quality grinding accessible to everyone without sacrificing aesthetics. The design draws on traditional hand grinders while incorporating modern elements to improve ease of use and grind consistency. This tool was made for those who understand that a great grind is essential for a great cup of coffee.
Specifications
Material: Crafted from durable, high-quality materials with sleek metal and ceramic construction.
Grind Settings: Multiple settings, from coarse to fine, to suit various brewing methods such as espresso, pour-over, or French press.
Manual Operation: Hand-crank design offers a tactile, engaging experience for coffee lovers who appreciate grinding their beans by hand.
Compact and Portable: Designed for easy storage and portability, ideal for home use and travel.
Why the Design is Notable
The Bricks Coffee Grinder is remarkable because it combines functionality with a sleek design. Many grinders focus on function or form, but the Bricks grinder balances both. Its minimalist aesthetic, paired with the tactile pleasure of manual grinding, transforms the task into an enjoyable experience.
Another key feature is the grind precision. With adjustable settings, users can achieve the exact grind consistency needed for their preferred brewing method. This level of precision is often found in high-end, professional grinders, but the Bricks grinder delivers this in a compact, user-friendly package.
Additionally, the Bricks Coffee Grinder emphasizes portability without compromising performance. Its compact design makes it easy to carry for those who want to bring their coffee ritual on the go. The sturdy construction ensures durability for daily use, all while maintaining aesthetic appeal.
Evaluation Comments
The Good Design Award jury praised the Bricks Coffee Grinder for its simplicity and attention to detail. They commended the product for blending traditional manual grinding with modern design principles. The user-friendly operation caters to both novices and experienced coffee enthusiasts.
The judges were also impressed by the Bricks grinder’s focus on sustainability. Its manual operation reduces reliance on electricity, making it an eco-conscious choice compared to electric grinders. The durable materials highlight the product’s commitment to longevity, cutting down on waste by reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Yanko Design’s Take
The Bricks Coffee Grinder represents how form and function can work together. The design reimagines a simple tool, providing both visual and practical value. Its compact size and portability make it perfect for coffee lovers who value quality and convenience in their coffee-making routine.
We appreciate the craftsmanship of the Bricks grinder. Manual operation saves energy and offers a more personal coffee-making experience. The ability to precisely control the grind size adds to its appeal, catering to various brewing preferences, from espresso to pour-over.
The attention to detail—whether in the smooth crank motion, finely tuned grind settings, or premium materials—ensures that this grinder will stand the test of time in terms of durability and design appeal.
3 Things We Love About the Design
Sleek Aesthetic and Durability
The Bricks Coffee Grinder’s minimalist design adds visual appeal to any kitchen. Crafted from high-quality materials, it combines beauty with durability, ensuring it will last through years of daily use. Its sleek finish complements modern kitchen decor, and its compact form ensures it won’t take up much counter space.
Precision Grinding
With multiple grind settings, the Bricks grinder allows users to achieve the perfect grind size for their preferred brewing method. This level of precision is usually reserved for higher-end electric grinders, but the Bricks model offers this in a manual, tactile experience. Whether you prefer a coarse grind for French press or a fine grind for espresso, this grinder delivers.
Portability and Environmental Friendliness
The Bricks Coffee Grinder’s portability is a significant advantage. Its compact size makes it easy to carry, making it perfect for coffee enthusiasts who enjoy freshly ground coffee on the go. Additionally, its manual operation eliminates the need for electricity, reducing energy consumption and making it an eco-friendly choice.
The Bricks Coffee Grinder is beyond a coffee tool—it’s an experience. Its thoughtful design and superior performance make it a must-have for any serious coffee lover. With a focus on sustainability, precision, and user experience, it’s clear why this product earned a 2024 Good Design Award.
Raptor: Next-Gen Mobility Platform – The Future of Sustainable Transportation
Mobility is evolving quickly, with advancements in electric platforms and autonomous driving reshaping the future of transportation. The Raptor: Next-Gen Mobility Platform, a 2024 Good Design Award winner, embodies this transition. Developed as a versatile and energy-efficient platform, Raptor pushes the boundaries of urban and shared mobility solutions. Its design and technological integration position it as a leading innovation in next-generation mobility, balancing performance, sustainability, and accessibility.
Background
The Raptor platform was created to address modern mobility challenges like urban congestion, environmental sustainability, and the demand for flexible, modular transportation solutions. Traditional vehicle designs limit adaptability and scalability, making it hard to keep up with the rapidly changing needs of urban environments. The Raptor platform was designed to serve multiple use cases, from personal transportation to shared mobility services, while maintaining a low carbon footprint.
Urban centers worldwide seek efficient transportation systems that reduce emissions and ease traffic congestion. Raptor’s modular architecture meets these needs, adapting to various types of vehicles, from lightweight personal transporters to shared shuttles. Its development reflects the growing trend toward electric platforms that fit seamlessly into the smart cities of tomorrow.
Specifications
Platform Type: A modular, electric-powered platform designed for multiple vehicle configurations.
Powertrain: Fully electric with energy-efficient propulsion systems aimed at reducing emissions.
Modular Design: Can be adapted for different vehicle formats, from personal mobility devices to larger public transportation vehicles.
Autonomous Capabilities: Equipped with advanced sensors and software, allowing for future autonomous driving applications.
Sustainability: Energy-efficient systems paired with recyclable materials for a reduced environmental impact.
Connectivity: Integrates with smart city infrastructure and other digital ecosystems for seamless operation in urban settings.
Why the Design is Notable
The Raptor platform sets itself apart with its forward-thinking approach to mobility. Unlike traditional platforms designed for a single purpose, the Raptor features a modular design that can be configured for different vehicle types. This provides an ideal solution for various mobility needs, from personal e-scooters to shared shuttles and delivery vehicles.
Another highlight is its environmental focus. The electric powertrain reduces emissions and ensures energy efficiency, aligning with global trends toward sustainable urban living. Using recyclable materials lowers its ecological footprint, making it a responsible choice for future transportation needs.
The Raptor’s integration with smart city systems and potential for autonomous driving ensure that it can evolve with advancing technology. Built to work seamlessly with digital infrastructures, it offers the potential for autonomous fleet management and efficient urban traffic flow.
Evaluation Comments
The Good Design Award judges were impressed by the Raptor platform’s versatility, modularity, and sustainability. They highlighted how the platform adapts to various vehicle types without sacrificing efficiency or performance. The ability to create different vehicle formats from the same structure is a significant innovation that sets the Raptor apart.
The platform’s environmental impact also stood out. Its energy-efficient electric powertrain and use of recyclable materials are crucial steps toward making urban mobility more sustainable. The platform’s readiness for smart city integration and future autonomous driving systems was also a key factor in its recognition, showcasing its long-term potential in urban transportation.
Yanko Design’s Take
We see the Raptor platform as a major advancement in next-generation mobility. Its modular nature provides flexibility in vehicle design and represents a sustainable shift in how we approach transportation in cities. The platform’s adaptability makes it relevant for various uses, from personal mobility devices to shared transport solutions.
What is remarkable to us is how the Raptor is built for the future. With its electric powertrain, it tackles the critical issue of reducing emissions in congested cities, while its potential for autonomous driving aligns it with future technology. Its integration into smart city ecosystems shows a commitment to solving today’s mobility problems and preparing for tomorrow’s challenges.
3 Things We Love About the Design
Modular and Adaptable Design
The Raptor platform’s modular design is a distinctive feature. It allows manufacturers to create multiple vehicle formats from the same platform, making it highly versatile. Whether it’s a compact e-scooter or a larger shared shuttle, the Raptor accommodates various needs, offering flexibility that is rare in the mobility space.
Sustainability at Its Core
We also admire the focus on sustainability. The electric powertrain ensures zero emissions during operation, contributing to cleaner air in urban areas. Additionally, the platform’s use of recyclable materials in its construction means it has a reduced environmental impact, aligning with global goals of reducing waste and promoting green living.
Smart City Integration and Future-readiness
The Raptor platform’s ability to integrate with smart city infrastructure is forward-thinking. Its built-in connectivity and potential for autonomous driving make it a future-proof solution that can evolve with urban transportation systems. As cities become smarter and more reliant on digital infrastructure, the Raptor’s seamless integration offers a clear advantage.
The Raptor: Next-Gen Mobility Platform raises the bar for urban transportation solutions. Its versatility, sustainability, and ability to integrate with advanced digital systems position it as a powerful example of how design and technology can work together to shape the future of mobility.
Established in 1957, the Good Design Award, also known as the G Mark, has served as a beacon of excellence, shining a spotlight on outstanding designs that push boundaries, enhance daily life, and contribute to the betterment of society for over 6 decades. From industrial products and architecture to communication design and digital media, this illustrious award covers a wide spectrum of design categories.
Winning the Good Design Award is highly regarded and can significantly boost the reputation and marketability of a product or design. The recipients are granted the right to display the ‘G Mark’ logo on their winning products, indicating their commitment to quality and design excellence.
The selection process for the Good Design Award is rigorous and involves a panel of experts from various design fields. They evaluate entries based on criteria such as innovation, functionality, aesthetics, environmental impact, and user experience. The award is not limited to Japanese companies or designers; it is open to international submissions as well.
The Award revealed its 5 finalists, of which one of them was crowned the ‘Good Design Grand Award’ winner (Long House Senior Daycare Center by ALL FOR ONE Co., Ltd.). In addition to the main award, the Good Design Best 100 and Good Design Long Life Design awards are also presented. The Best 100 recognizes the top 100 designs of the year, while the Long Life Design Award honors products that have maintained their high design quality over an extended period. Scroll below to see the Top 5 Finalists for the 2023 Good Design Award.
Long House Senior Daycare Center by ALL FOR ONE Co., Ltd. (Grand Award Winner)
This welfare facility is specifically created to cater to the needs of the elderly. Its design draws inspiration from the traditional Japanese porch known as “Engawa,” which encourages locals to visit in a relaxed and informal manner. Moreover, it serves as a community hub for welfare, fostering a sense of togetherness among the elderly, children, and local residents, who can rely on each other for support during challenging times. The town-like architecture of the center emphasizes a state of independence, allowing the occupants to be more inclined to help each other and live out their lives rather than relying on a ‘system’… however, bathing, toileting, and eating are provided as routine services. The community fosters a spirit of humanity within it, relying on altruistic acts of kindness that help it be a model society for its occupants. People are encouraged to visit their family, help out with their daily lives, while children are taught the importance of servitude by being encouraged to help perform duties like watering the garden.
Panasonic Lamdash PALM Electric Shaver by Panasonic Corporation
It’s common for grooming devices to have a hyper-ergonomic design. Look at razor handles or the shape of beard trimmers, for starters. The truth is this isn’t purely ergonomics, it’s also something called a ‘category code’. People are more likely to recognize a product by its shape, so if all beard trimmers have the same overall design, they’re clubbed into the same category, making it more effortless for users to understand and buy. The Panasonic Lamdash PALM, on the other hand, goes a different route. Inspired by the grippy design of a well-rounded pebble, this compact shaver is interesting to look at while also being reliable to hold onto and maneuver across your jaw. The five-blade linear motor shaver sports a hyper-compact design that lets it cut down on large, unnecessary parts, helping save materials by as much as 30% and lower the shaver’s overall production impact without sacrificing function. This hyper-compact design also makes it perfect for traveling with!
Prius Passenger Vehicle by Toyota Motor Corporation
The Prius remains an absolute icon in its impact on the transportation industry as well as pop culture for how rapidly popular and ubiquitous it became with hybrid cars. However, as more and more cars are switching to alternate powertrains like hybrids and EVs, the Prius is finding itself competing against many more companies. Faced with this challenge, Toyota decided to design the newer models of the Prius keeping two things in mind – “A design inspiring love at first sight” and a “captivating driving performance” that doesn’t just focus on environmental impact, it focuses on the thrill of being behind the wheel too. Conceptually referred to by Toyota as “Hybrid Reborn”, the new Prius focuses on an exterior that resonates with modern sensibilities, evoking the feeling of love at first sight, and an interior that combines a functional layout with an emphasis on operability and extensive safety equipment in a space with a high-quality feel.
NHK Citizen Lab Social Platform by NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation)
Designed as a response to the pandemic, the NHK Citizen Lab hopes to build a new information platform that connects researchers and the public to facilitate citizen science activities that yield discoveries through collective knowledge. With the spread of smartphones and other devices, data such as photos and videos can be easily sent anytime and from anywhere, creating a haven of consumer-driven data that can be analyzed for the betterment of humanity. Meanwhile, there are many researchers who are unable to conduct large-scale studies because they are unable to secure sufficient research funds. The Citizen Lab, created by the Japan Broadcasting Corporation, helps create a bridge between these researchers and the public. “We devised a plan to create a win-win relationship by leveraging the dissemination, appeal, and reporting power of the public media NHK to convey researchers’ thoughts to citizens in an easy-to-understand manner,” says the team at NHK (Japan Broadcasting Corporation).
Kamiyama Marugoto College of Design, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship by
KAMIYAMA Educational Institute
The national and global spotlight is currently shining on “Technical Colleges” as a potential source of clues to address Japan’s pressing issues, including a declining birthrate and aging population, regional depopulation, economic stagnation known as the lost 30 years, and the frequent occurrence of severe disasters. Located in the Tokushima Prefecture, the Kamiyama Marugoto College of Design, Engineering, and Entrepreneurship’s vision is to establish a cutting-edge technical college in a beautiful natural setting, where students can develop specialized skills that combine the arts and sciences in technology, design, and entrepreneurship. Its unique approach allows students to pursue their education for a five-year period without the pressure of university entrance exams. “We firmly believe that by increasing the number of individuals in Japan who possess the ability to create and possess an entrepreneurial mindset, we can shape the future of our country,” says the College’s spokesperson. “Furthermore, we recognize the significance of progress, even if we ourselves and our organization are still a work in progress.”
The Magic Grill from Haruo Matsunaga is a modular, portable, and electric grill that comes with a removable base and a 3mm hot plate to optimize the product’s storage, assembly, and function.
Whether we’re camping or making the most out of small living spaces, portable grills solve a lot of our cooking dilemmas. When camping, having access to a portable grill is always preferable to starting a fire from scratch. In tiny living spaces, kitchenettes might be space-efficient, but weak stovetops can sometimes make cooking more frustrating than it has to be. The Magic Grill, an electric grill designed by Haruo Matsunaga strikes the ideal balance between space efficiency and functionality.
The Magic Grill, as ideated by Matsunaga measures an overall plate thickness of only 3mm using the brand’s proprietary ultra-thin AC film heater. Recognized by Good Design Awards for 2021’s cooking appliances category, the Magic Grill aims to solve storage issues that comes with traditional, bulky electric grills.
Constructed with a removable base, the Magic Grill can easily slide into any cramped cabinet or compact backpack thanks to its modular design. The Magic Grill’s film-shaped, full-face electric hot plate ensures that each dish is cooked evenly. Similar to Teppanyaki cuisine, The Magic Grill utilizes an iron griddle-like hot plate to cook food, ensuring an even cook-through and temperatures.
Leaning on a revolutionary, ultra-thin heater to cook various dishes, the Magic Grill’s innovation stems from the hot plate’s integrated proprietary technology. With a removable base, the Magic Grill can easily be stored anywhere and assembled quickly in the kitchen or on the go, requiring only an outlet for the electric cord to plug into for operation.
The first thing that came to my mind when I saw this design was a cat standing in front of the bowl, it takes a long pause and says, “Welcome to my TailTalk!” – now you can’t unsee it so let’s ‘talk’ about it. TailTalk is a multifunctional pet bowl that happens to have won the Red Dot Award 2020 as well as the Good Design Award 2019, so it certainly solves a problem most pet owners face – food spillage.
The innovative bowl takes into account that the pets eat both dry + wet foods for their respective benefits, and this product serves the purpose of holding both instead of having two bowls. The design is intuitive for pets and their owners, both sides of the liner can be used by simply flipping it over. The shallow side holds the wet food and the deeper side is for dry food, this way it prevents odor and minimizes bacterial growth. Shallow depth is chosen for wet food because it contains the moisture and makes it easy to lap up the wet bits while the deeper bowl is chosen for dry food to avoid spilling of crumbs. Clean eating isn’t just limited to ingredients, to keep the space clean while pets enjoy their meal TailTalk has a gap between the inner and outer shell which works as an anti-overflow tank. I call this gap the food moat!
Another benefit of the cleverly crafted bowl is that it avoids whisker fatigue. Your cat’s whiskers are extremely sensitive and can become easily fatigued by unnecessary contact with things like the sides of bowls. So to prevent whisker fatigue, you should make sure your cat’s food bowls are low and shallow and her water dish is wide – exactly like TailTalk which also has a gap that further minimizes contact with the sides. The simple design is effective in avoiding food waste and keeping the space hygienic which is healthy for your pets too. It saves you cleaning effort and now there are very slim chances of your pet eating food scattered on the floor that could disrupt their digestion and lead to more cleaning for you.
Easily something out of a sci-fi novel, Mitsui Chemical’s TouchFocus spectacles have lenses made from a liquid crystal that can alter shape at will, going from one pre-determined form to another. How does TouchFocus use this incredibly innovative technology? To allow regular spectacles to instantly, at will, turn into bifocals.
The extremely advanced technology allows you to, with a single touch on a button/logo located at the temple, turn on or off the bifocals feature. When switched on, the lenses alter in shape in a matter of seconds, turning regular powered glasses into dual-powered glasses, or bi-focals, allowing you to account for far as well as near-sightedness. Press the button again and the secondary lenses disappear, giving you your primary-powered lenses again.
This technology is especially remarkable simply because of how incredibly accurate the crystal’s shape memory is required to be. Any distortion would result in spectacles that aren’t any good because the lenses are warped, but the TouchFocus manages to carry out the transformation (over and over again) with sheer accuracy. This is especially helpful for people with near and farsightedness. The bifocals replaced the need to switch between regular and reading glasses, but they too have a caveat. Simple tasks like tying your shoelaces or walking down the stairs become challenging because the lenses meant for reading can’t focus on objects that are further than a couple of inches away. TouchFocus lets you toggle between these modes, allowing you to switch on the reading glasses mode only when necessary.
This marvelous technology is housed in a design that’s worth appreciating. Designed appropriately for its target audience, the elderly, the TouchFocus are stylish but not necessarily techy. They look like any other pair of premium eyewear, concealing the technology well, to make the glasses look just like any other pair of glasses. Moreover, the glasses also retain a sleek design and don’t necessarily look bulky, even though they house within them some pretty groundbreaking tech!
The TouchFocus is a winner of the Good Design Award for the year 2018.
Over the past few weeks, you’ll have seen quite a few smartphones that went against the cultural norm of innovation and progress. The Punkt MP02 stripped the phone of its addictive camera, screen, and internet connectivity, forcing people to communicate using voice, rather than send each other notifications and messages on apps. The Palm Phone shrunk your feature phone to a size that seemed handy, going against the wave of massive phablet-sized phones with 97% of the front just dominated by pixels.
Kyocera’s KY-O1L is a bit of both (although the name could be a little catchier). A recipient of the Japanese Good Design Award, and also touted as the world’s thinnest phone, the KY-O1L is literally the size of a credit card, and just a couple of millimeters thinner. Designed for the white-collar workers who still rely on business cards, the KY-O1L fits right into cardholders, allowing you to have a phone along with your cards that you can A. carry around with you, and B. Use to instantly make calls, save contacts, and access the web for work-related reasons.
The phone comes with a monochrome e-ink touchscreen, and a 380mAh battery that’s more than enough to power the phone. Built with LTE, the phone can be used to browse the internet too, and although there isn’t an app store (or Android compatibility), the phone does come with a web browser that’s more than sufficient to access information on the web. Running a browser in black and white can be a slightly unnerving experience at first, but it’s definitely rewarding in the sense that it allows you to be purely utilitarian with your phone. A perfect phone for the kind of person who believes in hustling, keeping technology in check while being able to communicate with the world, and most importantly, safeguarding their privacy with technology that doesn’t use apps or cameras to spy incessantly on them. It doesn’t sound that bad when you say it that way, does it?
My Good Design Award 2015 book finally arrived and has brought back a flood of memories from the past year! In retrospect, I think I have had the most valuable experience in Mid Town Tokyo, than in any lifetime as an editor for Yanko Design. It was my second trip and kinda knew what to expect; yet my Japanese hosts managed to surprised me with the events and winning talents showcased. First things first, the new round is upon us – if you are a designer, design studio, manufacturer or just about anyone who fits this list of categories … the entries are open NOW and through June 1st, 2016. Get going and apply right away.
Now back to memory lane and a list of details on how you too can benefit from a Good Design Award under your belt. The good people at Japan Institute of Design Promotion (JIDP) helped me discover a world of possibilities and the in-depth thought process that goes behind the mechanics of the awards. Not many of you may be aware of this, but almost 85% of the Japanese population relate to the Good Design Awards, and during the exhibition week, almost all stores (example: MUJI) and Malls, go the extra mile, to showcase the award-winning products and services.
What this means is that the general population is highly aware of the value of Good Design, right from their formative years. Although, the history of this award saw it being more catered towards industrial and manufactured products; over the years there has been a shift towards consumer goods and services, public wellness programs and habitats.
Amongst the many winners, I had a close encounter with two companies: Tanagram Factory Inc. (South Korea) and Balmuda Inc. The former is the maker of the Smart Rope – an LED embedded jump rope (Featured On YD Here) and Steam Toaster. In other parts of the world, we have Electrolux pioneering the steam oven, but this toaster is a testimony on how to make a perfectly crisp buttery toast!
The grand jury prize for 2015 went to designer Satoshi Sugie – WHILL Co., Ltd. for the WHILL Model A, a personal mobility vehicle. Likewise, in the past 59 years, around 43,000 designs have been recognized by the awards!
To quote them, “The Good Design Award is not a competition to determine the superiority or inferiority of a design. Instead, it assesses designs from the perspective of whether or not it enriches life or society – in other words, the effect and use of that design.”
If you are awarded a Good Design Award, you can harp that your entry is an example of society-leading good design.
What’s in it for you!
Good Design Award winners are awarded with an Award Certificate for each winning entry. Recipients of the Good Design Best 100 and Special Awards will also be presented with a trophy. The Award recipients are featured in the online gallery along with a summary of comments from the jury outlining what points of each design were highly evaluated. Winners are invited to participate in an exhibition of the year’s winning designs, the G Exhibition. This event is attended by the design industry influencers, as well as distributors, members of the press, students, international guests and inspectors, and the public. The awards ceremony hosted at the G Exhibition, as well as to an informal gathering with members of the jury afterwards, is quite a highlight. The use of the G Mark, as proof of the award along with a feature in the Good Design Award annual, add to the list of benefits.
Reminder: the entries are open NOW and through June 1st, 2016. Apply Now! Reminder Again: Part Two with details jury interview and winners’ interview, coming up soon!
The short of it is that The Good Design Award registrations are open and the deadline for entries is June 3, 2015 – So hurry and Apply Now! In case you need convincing … read the long of it … my trip to Japan and first hand experience of the Awards, the Jury and the Exhibition at Tokyo Midtown. The journey of the awards kicked off as a benchmark for the industrialized Japan, however, over the last decade or so, the focus has shifted to include consumer goods and everyday items. This opens doors for young companies and designers from the world over to participate.
September 29 – Announcement of the award recipients
October 30 – Announcement of the Special Award winners
October 30 to November 4 – Good Design Exhibition in Tokyo
November 4 – Grand Award selection and Award Ceremony
The Good Design Award is hosted by the Japan Institute for Design Promotion and roughly 1200 designs are recognized every year. “BEST 100” items and 9 Grand Award were presented last year and the winner – Denso Wave’s robot, “VS050 SII” was spectacularly displayed in an enclosed box, doing its swag and how!
YD was a part of a special tour that got a chance to take in the sights and sounds of the exhibition. Besides feasting my eyes on the amazingly designed products, I got a chance to ask a few questions to the Chairman of the Jury, Naoto Fukasawa along with Fumie Shibata and Gen Suzuki.
When asked what was more important … design or technology, Naoto Fukasawa said that earlier it was all about design, but now we have transitioned to a phase where technology is more important. “The change has happened naturally. The aim of design is to expose the technology.”
The way Good Design Award works is this, they have a theme each year and for 2014 it was ‘Kokochi’ or ‘Quality of Comfort’, and while screening the submissions, this aspect is most applied in the final leg and is critical for you to get into the “Top 100” bracket. Aligned with this mindset, Fukasawa said that successful Kokochi simply means, “The design builds a harmonious interaction between the users and technology.” The Good Design Best 100 Special Exhibition conveys this message effectively and is visited by both Japanese and International Design enthusiasts from across the globe.
For 2015, Good Design Award has introduced “Topical Issue” as a new system in order to enhance their role. If you are participating, then please get a better understanding of this here.
Topical Issue refers to “an area where design is considered to be especially required in a coming society”. In the screening, a special team (Topical Issue Directors) to deepen discussion on these issues is organized, and observes subject entries across screening units and discusses the “possibilities in the future society” and the “roles and meaning of design”.
Moving on, it was a visual treat to see how involved Japan is in the Awards, for example I walked into the Muji Store and they had a whole counter dedicated to their award-winning products from over the decades. Almost every retail store was showcasing the G-Mark products in a special nook and according to Gen Suzuki; about 90% of the Japanese people are aware of the Good Design Award and respect its value when it comes to making buying decisions.
The Great East Japan Earthquake has left a mark in the world of design, and while Gen remarked how some of his designer friends have actually gone back to agricultural roots, the other end of the spectrum saw us walk through a special curation of Japanese Furniture Selection that hoped to “convey values through designs that have a fundamental purpose through meaning beyond direction.” Many of the designs showcased traditional craftsmanship such as Japanese woodworking as well as new technologies.
Catch them young and watch them grow – this adage is true in Japan, where the Award exhibition engaged children aged between 7 and 12, in activities that married design and technology. I got a peek at a workshop where children were asked to draw a picture over an area of a map and then they had to walk the area on the map with GPS attached to them. The idea was to see how many of them would manage to walk as close to the initial picture drawn on the map. Pretty clever!
It was a treat to visit Jury Member Fumie Shibata’s Studio, where she showed me her creations and gifted me her signature Japanese knife. I asked her what changes in the judging process has she seen over the last decade as a jury member?
Shibata: “The selection process or screening process has not changed; the environment and the focus of choosing winners is different each year, so our perspective is to match the brief of the theme for the year and judge the entry based on that. I have been a jury for the last decade and we are no longer looking at the submitted entries as stand-alone objects. We factor in the entire context and impact of the object for its intended environment. Our entire outlook is based on the whole and not the singular.”
Shibata on trends: “As for the trends in design, earlier big manufacturing companies would submit their products and these dictated the tone of the entries. Over the last five years, smaller retailers and design companies are participating and their projects have added a new dimension to the trends in design, which is more refreshing and radical. Each year there is a theme for the competition and that dictates the entry selection only at the last stage of judging. The pre-screening takes into account the overall quality and then may lead to a G-Mark Award, but for it to make the cut for special categories or the Top 100, and then the design should conform to the theme of the year.”
Shibata on advice to young designer: “Designers need to network both vertical and horizontal – meet not only mentors but also their contemporaries. When designers are creating, they should focus on staying true to their origins and at the same time blend in an international approach towards their design. This holds true to both Japanese and International Designers.”
Wrapping up my visit, I spoke with Gen Suzuki and asked him elaborate more on modern Japanese Design, “The main characteristic of Japanese Design is craftsmanship, and blending that with modern mindset is what the modern Japanese product design is. The downside of craftsmanship is that the focus is too much on the process and the product that the bigger picture is sometimes lost.” Well Said!
To sum it up, seeing is believing … and the 2014 Exhibition was Top Notch! I have come back with a profound understanding of why people praise Japanese Design so much. It’s all about the character and the mindset; using basic skills like craftsmanship and marring it with the modern implements. I can lay a bet that 2015 will be a step better, because you’re inspired by the exhibition and will be participating and winning … and I will see you in Japan in November!
