Tag Archives: nature inspired

Palm-like floor lamp mix 3D printed and handmade elements in a surreal design

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Most floor lamps are designed with modern home interiors in mind, whether they come in minimalist forms or industrial aesthetics. Even those with more organic curves and shapes offset that with metallic materials or finishes that still make them look at home in the majority of modern interior designs available today.

Of course, those aren’t the only options, and this strange-looking floor lamp puts a different spin on nature-inspired design. Made from clay but shaped like tree trunks, these lamps put an almost otherworldly vibe to a space as if you stepped into a parallel world with alien colors and unusual shapes.

Designers: Ana Milena Hernández Palacios, Christophe Penasse (Masquespacio)

Lamps don’t just give light; they can also change the ambiance of a space. With the right design combined with a themed interior, a living room can become a cinema, a spa, or even a jungle. Some have designs intended to fade into the background, while others capture your attention, imagination, and envy. While most lamps are made from a combination of metal, plastic, and sometimes glass, those are definitely not the only options available.

It might be named after a flower, but the Ceramic Blossom floor lamps stand tall like trees. In fact, if you’re familiar with the grooves on the trunk of a palm tree, you might even mistake these lamps for one, except for the fact that they come in colors other than earthy tones, giving them an alien vibe. The lighting part itself is enclosed in a white dome, adding to that otherworldly aura.

The lamp isn’t made from wood either and is constructed using a combination of traditional and modern techniques. The core of the “trunk” is 3D printed from clay, while the petal-like protrusions are carefully made by hand. These are assembled together before they’re fired to give it a glazed finish. The body is made in segments rather than as a whole and then simply stacked together.

The Ceramic Blossom lamp can definitely stand on its own, becoming a point of interest in any room motif. That said, it is perhaps best used in an interior with nature-inspired design and indoor plants, especially large, leafy plants. This gives an image of walking into a fantasy world, capturing your imagination and perhaps even inspiring your mind.

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Topographic wooden coffee table puts the Rock of Gibraltar in your room

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Coffee tables these days aren’t just places to put down books and drinks. They’re often the center of a room, specifically a living room, both in location and in design. They do more than just add visual interest in a space but, in many homes, also reflect the owner’s tastes and sometimes their aspirations.

That’s especially true if you get the opportunity to design your own coffee table or get someone to do it for you. This wood and glass design, for example, tries to capture feelings of welcoming warmth as well as structural strength. And what better way to represent those ideas than by putting the semblance of a glorious mountain right in the center of your living room.

Designer: Prerna Panjwani

The Rock of Gibraltar is a majestic sight that inspires awe not just with its height but with its distinctive shape as well. It’s almost like a ship resting in the ocean and a testament to the Earth’s geological history. It isn’t as imposing as other mountains, making it the perfect fit for a coffee table design.

The Vista coffee table, however, doesn’t simply mold or carve the shape of the mountain. It instead assembles layers of rosewood panels cut to the rough shape of the Rock of Gibraltar. The layers are held together by a few sticks of wood, creating very visible gaps in between each step.

The resulting aesthetic is similar to those cardboard topographic maps some students are told to make for their science projects. It’s almost like an artistic representation of a geographic form, leaving just enough details for our minds to fill in the gaps. At the same time, this layered design is like a metaphor for the natural formation of the mountain itself, built up layer by layer over hundreds if not thousands of years.

The Vista coffee table tries to combine the lofty image of mountains with the grounding materials of wood. It’s definitely a conversation starter among guests seeing it for the first time, or even between friends revisiting memories of the table’s arrival. Perhaps an unintended feature of the design is the gaps that can be used to hold or hide objects, almost like the man-made structures that have been built around the mountain, also a metaphor for the clutter that humans create around nature.

The post Topographic wooden coffee table puts the Rock of Gibraltar in your room first appeared on Yanko Design.

Flat-packed pendant lamp creates ripples in your room ambiance

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We might take for granted the effect that lighting has in our lives, thinking they’re just there for illumination. Even that aspect, however, can have unintended consequences, such as when the light is too bright, too dim, too cold, or too warm. Suffice it to say that lighting fixtures can affect not only visibility but even ambiance, especially if the light source is always visible.

A pendant light hanging from the ceiling is one such example, and while it might sometimes be nerve-wracking to see them precariously swaying in the wind, they can also be a source of wonder, awe, and even calm. This particular design takes its inspiration from both nature and geometry to create an almost mesmerizing effect when viewing it from different angles.

Designer: Rikke Frost for BoConcept

Rippling water has always been associated with calm, meditation, and Zen. Unlike a gushing river, concentric circles expand at a gentle and uniform pace, creating a hypnotic movement that’s only broken when colliding with another rippling surface. You can’t make light ripple without some sort of liquid or substance, but this pendant light comes close to emulating that effect both in design and in lighting.

The Ripple lamp is composed of concentric hexagons loosely bound together with black fabric cords. When hanging from the ceiling, the pieces separate and drop to create a pyramid form that’s almost like a ziggurat. Because of this “three-dimensional” arrangement, you get a different and unique view when seen from different angles. Of course, from the top, it looks like a rippling pattern, one with hexagons instead of circles.

This composition also affects the light being distributed from the center. Light doesn’t just go down as with normal pendant lamps but also upward, which has the effect of diffusing the lamp’s glare. Naturally, it also casts interesting shadows which add to the mystical effect of the rippling form.

The lamp comes in a flat-pack form, with the eggshell white metal rings taking up less space when collapsed. Its design is simple and minimalist, yet effective in conveying a sense of calm and peace. Even with the light off, the Ripple lamp functions as a decorative piece that gives a unique visual to any room’s atmosphere.

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Organic Elegance: 10 Ways to Embrace the Organic Furniture and Décor Trend

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The latest trend in interior design, known as ‘organic shapes,’ embraces soft, oversized curves and luxurious silhouettes, creating a welcoming ambiance in any space. This trend transforms furniture and décor, mirroring the fluidity of nature for a serene atmosphere. From curved sofas to asymmetrical curvaceous tables, it’s a common design feature that adds a touch of modern sophistication to interior spaces.

Organic shapes consist of flowing lines and sweeping curves inspired by nature, free from rigid structures, sleek lines, or sharp angles. These forms reflect the natural contours that are found in landscapes and greenery. Additionally, their soft shapes evoke feelings of comfort and calm. Here are the top 10 why organic shapes are a growing trend in interior design.

Designer: Superlife

1. Natural Elegance

Organic shapes are reminiscent of the natural world and offer a visually appealing and soothing effect. Our eyes are naturally drawn to these shapes and remind us of the innate beauty found in the world around us. And just like nature, this beauty doesn’t always come from complexity but from unexpected simplicity.

In this example, the Flow table collection harmonizes functionality with nature-inspired design, resembling the fluidity of water and organic cell structures. With varying heights and shapes, these tables offer both structural art and practical utility, evoking a serene yet lively ambiance reminiscent of nature’s harmony.

2. Infuses Calm

Organic shapes feature flowing lines that bring in a feeling of comfort and tranquillity, creating an inviting and relaxing ambiance. We see this in the contours of mountain peaks, the curves of the shoreline, or the colors of the seasons. Some cultures easily incorporate these themes in their designs, and Japan is one of the most popular examples of this kind of design philosophy.

Designer: Nendo for Paola Lenti

Paola Lenti’s collaboration with Japanese design firm Nendo for Milan Design Week unveils the Hanara-shi series. Inspired by Japanese cherry blossoms and samurai armor, this organic-shaped collection features suspended lamps, baskets, floor lamps, armchairs, and poufs. Crafted from recyclable, waterproof Maris mesh, the furniture showcases an innovative design with recovered cutoffs for upholstery, blending beauty and sustainability seamlessly.

3. Versatile Design

Organic shapes find their best fit in furniture, lighting, accessories, and various architectural details. Almost any object can benefit from incorporating organic shapes, but these objects sing a different tune when given such a facelift. From utilitarian tools to accent pieces, they take on a more human character just by having smooth-flowing surfaces and curved forms.

Designers: Wei Jingye, Song Kexin, Zheng Xiaolei and Zhou Haoyuan

The Wowo Multipurpose Furniture is a solution for homes with both kids and pets. This innovative collection offers versatile pieces designed to accommodate both human and furry family members. Crafted with comfort in mind, the hollow structures provide a cozy spot for pets to rest while kids enjoy comfortable seating. Made with high-quality materials including solid wood and utilizing advanced 3D-printing technology, Wowo furniture ensures durability and longevity.

4. Timeless Aesthetics

The organic shapes are a timeless design trend that will not go out of style for years to come. This distinctive rocking chair draws inspiration from the fascination with UFOs, featuring a bowl-shaped exterior crafted from fiberglass or carbon fiber for stability. Its regal design and ergonomic shape offer comfort and support, while luxurious Italian leather or fine fabrics adorn the upholstery. With its unique appearance and versatile design, this curvaceous chair serves as a captivating centerpiece, inviting users to experience an otherworldly seating experience reminiscent of floating on air.

Designer: Mavimatt

The “Balance” side table concept combines elegance and an organic shape with a precarious design, challenging expectations of stability. Crafted from terrazzo and recycled materials, it features interlocking mechanisms for security. Its dynamic appearance sparks conversation, blending aesthetics with sustainability.

Designer: Stuart Cole

5. Biophilic Design

The organic shape design trend is rooted in biophilic design principles, supporting well-being through a connection with natural elements and fostering a sense of harmony with the environment. In this case, the association with nature becomes a bit more evident, creating a stronger effect that resonates with the rest of the space.

Designer: Gokul Retheesh

The VersaRest Chaise Lounge is crafted with a wooden oak base and luxurious full-grain leather upholstery, it offers unparalleled comfort and style. This innovative sofa with a biophilic vibe integrates hidden storage drawers, adjustable tables, and integrated LED lighting. This thoughtful design combines convenience, luxury, and versatility in one elegant piece.

6. Enhances Creativity

The fluid lines of organic shapes allow for creativity, paving the way for unique aesthetics to emerge. It’s not easy to incorporate curves in a typically flat product, and it requires some outside-the-box thinking to pull off an organic shape that combines form and function in a harmonious way.

Designer: Mavimatt

Chairs often serve as impromptu shelves due to limited space. Imagine a chair seamlessly transforming into a shelf or table—a solution offered by Metamorfosi. Unlike conventional multifunctional furniture, it remains fixed, its hollow shape concealing three functions: chair, table, and bookcase. Handcrafted with dynamic organic shapes and glossy finishes, it blurs the line between furniture and art, offering elegance and versatility.

7. Softens the Interiors

The curvaceous shapes of organic furniture contrast with the sleek lines of straight walls, ceilings, and furniture, contributing to a sense of balance and harmonious design. Incorporating organic shapes into lighting fixtures, such as pendant lights with rounded shades or sconces with flowing lines, adds softness to the interiors.

Designer: Kosmos Architects

“The Dice” by Kosmos Architects is a versatile furniture piece inspired by dice markings. Crafted from oak wood using robotics technology, it transforms into a stool, coffee table, leg bench, and lamp with a frosted glass interior. Lightweight and portable, its organic silhouette serves functional and decorative purposes, making it ideal for small spaces or on-the-go lifestyles.

8. Adaptable Design

Another benefit of organic shapes is their ability to seamlessly blend with traditional, modern, and transitional design styles, making them a highly adaptable design element. The best part is that mixing and matching organic shapes with other decor styles can result in a distinctive and eclectic aesthetic.

Designer: Julian Topor

The KURVE furniture collection redefines space-saving design with minimalist plywood pieces. Each item boasts curved layers that offer both organic aesthetics and functionality, featuring a chair, couch, table, and nightstand. Crafted from a single sheet of plywood, the chair’s unique backless box design maximizes storage, while the couch includes a central console and compartments. The trapezoidal table and nightstand provide sleek storage solutions, perfect for small spaces.

9. Beautifies the Space

The natural curves in furniture and art can enhance spaces, bringing a positive vibe and elevating the overall atmosphere. A substantial piece of furniture or artwork featuring organic shapes offers an excellent opportunity to make a statement in your home.

Designer: Mauricio Coelho

The Oco chair concept blends simplicity and visual intrigue with its unconventional bowl-shaped design. Crafted from carbon steel and fiberglass, it offers structural stability with subtle material details. However, concerns about comfort arise due to the thick cushions potentially lacking adequate support for the back and exposed edges posing discomfort. Minor adjustments could enhance ergonomics without compromising its geometric elegance.

10. Organic Accents

Small organic accents, like a vase or bowl, can greatly alter the overall ambiance of your interiors. Opting for pieces made from natural materials such as wood, stone, or ceramic mirrors the curves of nature.

Designer: João Teixeira

Wave is a groundbreaking shelf concept that transforms your space. Not just for books, Wave doubles as a mirror, enhancing both functionality and style. While it may not offer a complete mirror reflection, its wavy shape adds a distinctive touch to any room. With around 4-5 parts, assembly is a breeze, ensuring versatility in placement. While it may not cater to those seeking a full-length mirror, Wave embodies a harmonious blend of form and function, making it an ideal addition to modern living spaces.

This Sculptural Bench Is The Thought-Provoking & Conversation-Starting Furniture You Need In Your Home

Crafted by Madrid-based designer Verónica Mar for Les Ateliers Courbet, the Soul Sculpture Bench embodies a minimalist yet spiritually sensitive design. Inspired by the universe’s intricate spiral patterns, it seamlessly merges nature with design, serving as a versatile piece for private or public spaces. More than seating, it sparks contemplation about the universe’s beauty and connections, inviting viewers to reflect and discuss.

Incorporating organic shapes into your decor doesn’t just add visual interest and dimension. It also creates a dynamic and visually stimulating environment that captures the imagination and inspires creativity. And it doesn’t need to be elaborate or extravagant, either, allowing more freedom in crafting products that stimulate the eyes and calm the mind.

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How to Embrace Earthy Tones in Architecture and Interior Design

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Earth-toned colors, inspired by nature, bring a harmonious, inviting, and organic feel to any space. From the hues of warm terracottas and bricks to the cool tones of natural stone, these colors create a soothing, grounded effect. By incorporating materials and hues that reflect the natural world, you can infuse your home with the tranquil and balanced essence of earthy tones. Here’s how to weave these colors and textures into architecture and interior design.

Designer: Emerging Objects

1. Rammed Earth Construction

Rammed earth brings a natural, warm aesthetic to a home with its rich, tactile texture, creating a beautiful connection with the environment. Its earthy tones blend effortlessly with natural materials, enhancing the organic look of a space. Additionally, rammed earth regulates the internal temperature and humidity and promotes a comfortable living environment.

Casa Covida blends ancient earth-based construction techniques with modern 3D printing technology. Created by Emerging Objects in Colorado’s San Luis Valley, this prototype home uses a robotic arm to 3D-print a mix of sand, silt, clay, and water. The structure features a central space with a customizable inflatable roof, a sleeping area with beetle-kill pine furniture, and a bathing space with a metal tub surrounded by river stones. Named to reflect both the pandemic era and the concept of cohabitation, Casa Covida explores the synergy between traditional materials and contemporary tech, highlighting how ancient techniques can be revitalized with modern innovations.

2. Exposed Brick Design

The warm tones of brick, ranging from rich reds and oranges to muted grays, add a rustic vibe and tactile quality, enhancing the organic feel of both indoor and outdoor spaces.

Designer: Wallmakers

Toy Storey, designed by Wallmakers in Kerala, India, is a circular home that ingeniously repurposes around 6,200 discarded toys as structural and decorative elements. The residence features a striking facade that integrates compressed stabilized earth blocks (CSEB), Mangalore tiles, and recycled toys in rich earthy tones. Its circular layout, central courtyard, and composite CSEB-Toy Jaali wall enhance ventilation and insulation, while a basement adds functional living space. Toy Storey blends tradition with modernity and challenges conventional architecture and consumption, celebrating sustainability and creativity with a nod to childhood nostalgia and environmental awareness.

Designer: Omar Gandhi Architects, Filo Timo, Aaline

Wall lamps are mounted on walls to enhance the indoor or outdoor ambiance. Innovative designs like the OG Brick embed lights directly into the wall, creating a seamless effect with earthy hues that blend naturally with brick surfaces. Available in finishes like stainless steel, black powder-coated, and electroplated brown, these lights offer a warm, magical glow. The durable metal frame and color-matching mesh ensure that the lamps integrate effortlessly into their surroundings, adding style and subtle illumination to any space.

3. Integrate Wood

The warm tones of wood, from light beiges and honey to deep browns and rich reds, create a cozy, organic ambiance, while its grain patterns add a rustic feel to interior and exterior spaces.

Designer: Atsushi Kawanishi Architects

Designed by Atsushi Kawanishi Architects, Nightingale House in Osaka is a wooden residence that seamlessly blends indoor and outdoor spaces. Covering nearly 1,400 square feet, it features six patios, three interior gardens, and two exterior gardens, with large windows and timber surfaces highlighting earthy tones. The home’s three triangular roofs complement the mountainous backdrop, while its warm, minimalistic design offers a tranquil, Japanese-inspired living experience.

Designer: Julian Topor

The KURVE furniture collection maximizes space with minimalist, curved plywood designs that combine aesthetics with functionality. The KURVE chair features a backless, curved base made from a single sheet of plywood, while the KURVE Couch includes a central console and extra storage underneath. The KURVE table, a simple wooden trapezoid, is ideal for wall placement and organizing items like shoes and keys. The KURVE Night Stand, also a trapezoid, offers additional storage with a drawer positioned below the top. Each piece cleverly integrates storage into its design without complex mechanisms.

4. Use Natural Stone

Natural stone offers a diverse color palette and unique textures, with tones ranging from soft grays and beiges to rich browns and deep blues, creating an earthy, organic appearance. Its inherent patterns and variations, including veining, enhance its natural appeal and rugged charm.

Designer: Burcu Nehir Tum

The MEMORABLE picture frame combines the timeless elegance of marble with versatile functionality in earthy hues. Its modular design features a rail system for attaching interchangeable modules such as a pen holder, vase, or note holder and allows for customized use. Marble’s unique patterns and durability provide both stability and a refined look. The frame supports two modules at a time and can be paired with additional frames for expanded display. While the rail system is limited to certain modules and its compatibility with landscape orientations is uncertain, the frame’s earthy tones and practical design add sophistication and organization to any desk.

5. Introduce Nature-Inspired Wall Colors

Earthy tones on the wall draw inspiration from soil, rock, and sky. These versatile and timeless colors provide a sophisticated look while fostering a connection to nature, creating a serene and harmonious environment.

Designer: StoneCycling and Studio Nina van Bart

CornWall is an innovative, eco-friendly wall cladding made from organic corn cobs, heated to 150°C to form strong bonds. This process uses solar energy, reducing carbon footprints. Unlike traditional materials like ceramic or HPL, CornWall absorbs more CO2 and is 100% reusable due to its demountable anchoring system. Available in colors like Dark Blue, Mustard Yellow, and Terracotta Pink, CornWall offers a sustainable alternative that transforms waste into stylish, functional interior design.

6. Beautify with Woven Materials

Woven materials like rattan introduce earthy hues of brown and beige, while their intricate weaves and textures add warmth and enhance the organic feel of a space. They bring a handcrafted aesthetic that fosters a strong connection to nature.

Designers: Ching Cheng Chang and Xu Da Zzan

Rattan, known for its flexibility, durability, and water resistance, is traditionally used in woven baskets and rustic decor. Originating from palm species in Asia, Australia, and Africa, rattan adds warmth and texture to spaces, though it’s rarely seen in modern furniture. The Mua Lau Lounge Chair challenges this norm with its blend of rattan and bent metal piping. It uses rattan for visual appeal and as a cushion replacement, offering a unique springiness and comfort. Named after a Taiwanese treat, the chair combines a crisp outer shell with a plush interior, delivering both style and a surprisingly comfortable seating experience.

7. Add a Green Thumb

The varying shades of green from plants enrich the overall aesthetic, offering a fresh and lively experience that complements earthy tones. Additionally, colorful flowers provide vibrant pops of color, enhancing the space with natural beauty.

Designer: Camila Saulino and Alibek Atahanov

The ToThem planter is a modular vase system designed for small spaces, featuring a playful and integrated design with distinct, earthy-colored shapes. It organizes and nurtures multiple plants efficiently with a manual irrigation system and a water reuse feature for optimal watering and drainage. Ideal for herbs, succulents, and flowers, ToThem blends functionality with aesthetic appeal, transforming any compact space with its warm, earthy tones.

These tips will help you use earthy tones to evoke warmth, create a comfortable space and establish a connection with the natural world. Studies indicate that such hues are ideal for homes and workspaces, as they minimize stress and enhance focus and concentration.

The post How to Embrace Earthy Tones in Architecture and Interior Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

Cloud-inspired power strip concept wants to bring calm to your wire-tangled desk

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Nothing can be more distracting or disconcerting than a mess of cables on your desk. Even if you decide to ignore them, the clutter leaves an imprint on your subconscious that can affect your mood and productivity without you knowing it. Power strips can offer some semblance of cable management, but their bland and clinical designs often leave a poor impression on people’s minds, leading to the same unconscious effect. There’s no rule that even mundane consumer electronics like these need to be uninspiring and impersonal, and this concept design tries to give the power strip a more approachable appearance that looks as soothing as fluffy clouds in the sky.

Designers: Yui Xue, Yien 子梁, Neville 初九. 冯 康奕, Huang Luo

Most power strips, even those with USB ports, are long and boxy, designed to maximize space more than anything else. While there’s definitely nothing wrong with being efficient, there’s also a multitude of ways to hit two birds with one stone. With a little creativity and inspiration from Mother Nature, one can also design a product that’s both functional and pleasing at the same time.

The Cloud Air power strip concept is an example of this design, putting the focus not just on practical functions but also aesthetics. Although not exactly soft and fluffy as a cloud, the design’s smooth curves, soft hues, and glossy finish do bring positive vibes. The power strip almost looks like it’s encased in some rubbery cushion, negating the harshness that’s often associated with these devices.

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Cloud Air isn’t like your regular power strip either, as it functions more like a charging hub. It has three USB-C ports in front and two AC power outlets on top. Admittedly, these might not be enough for heavy computer users, but it’s sufficient for charging a few devices simultaneously. The design isn’t limited to a two-outlet configuration either, those a longer strip might defeat the purpose of having a compact and cute “cloud” on your desk.

At the end of the day, the purpose of the concept is to have a power strip you’ll actually want to see. Yes, it will have cables running out of its front and power bricks sticking at the top, but the jelly-like aesthetic of the design also balances that out. It’s not a perfect solution, but it does break the stereotype of power strips, charging hubs, and other accessories that look cold and stiff for very little reason other than tradition.

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LUA Lighting By Woodendot Brings The Charm Of The Moon Into Your Home For A Cozy Ambiance

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Experience the perfect blend of artistry and functionality with LUA, a moon-inspired lighting design from the Madrid-based furniture brand Woodendot. This innovative lighting collection transforms any space with its soft, ethereal glow, offering a unique way to create a cozy and inviting ambiance.

Designer: Woodendot

With its delicate shapes, LUA is designed to reflect light softly, instantly making any space feel cozy and inviting. Drawing inspiration from the celestial beauty of the moon, Woodendot has crafted LUA to replicate the serene experience of gazing at the cosmos. This new addition follows up on Woodendot’s ALBA table collection, which launched in 2019 and captures the essence of sunlight on rippling waters. While ALBA, meaning “sunrise” in Spanish, brings the warmth of dawn, LUA, translating to “moon,” offers a subtle luminance that creates a tranquil atmosphere.

The intention behind LUA’s design extends beyond mere functionality. Raquel Hernandez, the designer of LUA, stated that their aim was to create a lamp that not only provides illumination but also enhances the atmosphere of any space. She explained that by incorporating unique textures and a front panel with a strategic fold, they achieved a balance between soft illumination and captivating design.

LUA consists of two wooden panels that enhance its aesthetic appeal. The back panel is corrugated, adding a textured element to the design. In front of it, a smaller panel with a slight fold casts an eclipse-like light onto the background, creating a captivating visual effect. This thoughtful design process involved collaborative participation from Woodendot’s users, who helped decide the three distinctive shapes of the LUA collection. Available in seven colorways and three sizes, LUA is the missing element for creating a room that is warm, inviting, and cozy.

When placed on a similarly finished wooden table, LUA looks like an extension of the table, blending seamlessly and enhancing the space’s overall design. Its aesthetic appeal and functionality make it the perfect way to achieve the room ambiance you’ve been dreaming of. Thanks to its delicate shapes, LUA reflects light softly, complementing your room and creating an instantly cozy environment.

LUA’s ethereal look offers a unique perspective on room lighting. Designed to create a cozy ambiance in the busiest rooms of a home, like the living room, LUA combines shapes and pieces that complete the space and invite you in. The lighting pieces are composed of three carefully positioned panels that portray light organically, forming a halo effect. This, combined with its light intensity, creates the perfect atmosphere for any room.

Woodendot’s LUA lighting collection is a masterpiece that brings the soft glow of the moon into your home. Its blend of art and functionality, combined with thoughtful design and user collaboration, makes LUA an essential addition to any space, transforming it into a cozy, inviting haven.

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Nature-inspired toy-like calculator tries to get kids more interested in math

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With plenty of phones and tablets around, kids are becoming more and more tech-savvy every generation. That, however, doesn’t always mean they are getting smarter or more skilled in other aspects of learning as well, particularly sciences and math that are more closely related to tech. There are plenty of apps that try to teach the basics, including reading and writing, but younger kids also need to develop their sense of touch, which requires more tactile experiences while learning. This calculator tries to pique children’s curiosity and engage not just their minds but also their senses, and it takes inspiration from one of nature’s hardest workers: bees and their geometric honeycombs.

Designer: Mohit Joshi

Calculator designs are not uncommon, but the vast majority of them utilize simple shapes like squares, circles, or even rounded squares, sometimes known as “squircles.” Not surprising, as these tools are designed for adults who value efficiency and performance primarily with aesthetics coming second only. The opposite is true for kids, however, whose short attention spans require designs that are captivating and intriguing, and keeping the design still functional is the challenge.

Some consider the hexagon to be the perfect shape because it isn’t flat like a square, can fit together better than circles, and is more space-efficient than triangles. Nature has a perfect example of this geometric shape in action as can be seen in beehives, particularly the honeycomb structures they form. While the real thing can be dangerous to children, bees are sometimes portrayed in fun and funny ways, especially given how hard they work and how well they guard their honey.

Hive Hex combines this shape and inspiration into a device that should be more interesting to use than even the sleekest and most minimalist calculator. The yellow color alone is eye-catching enough, but the puzzle-like hexagonal keys give a sense of whimsy and playfulness with their unbalanced composition, unlike the symmetrical arrangement of calculator buttons. That said, the non-standard layout of keys could prove to be confusing when the child “graduates” to grownup tools.

This toy-like yet functional calculator is a great example of how a bit of creative design can significantly change how a product appeals to different groups of people. Of course, some adults might criticize the use of calculators in the early stages of math education, but the calculator does more than just help kids solve number problems. The Hive Hex Toy Calculator could help give children a more lasting impression of how math doesn’t have to be boring or even scary, a positive attitude that they could carry with them throughout the rest of their lives.

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3D printed ceramic cooling tower takes inspiration from termite mounds

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They say everything in nature has a purpose for existing, even if their existence is a nuisance to us humans. Scavengers, for example, are nature’s janitors and recyclers, putting dead things to good use. Even termites, whose presence is often a death sentence for homes and structures, are important to the ecosystem, and they can apparently serve as artful inspiration as well. Maybe not the termites themselves but the complex tunnels they create inside their mounds. These patterns are actually meant to facilitate airflow, which makes it the perfect reference for a man-made cooling solution that brings natural design and technology together to create a more sustainable solution to hot temperatures.

Designer: Rameshwari Jonnalagedda

There has been some interest in alternative cooling solutions, especially those that don’t consume too much electricity or none at all. Traditional techniques, particularly evaporative cooling that makes use of clay pots or pipes, have gained a lot of traction, especially because they can become decorative pieces inside modern homes. That said, the old methods don’t exactly scale well to today’s climate, room sizes, and needs, so designers have to think a bit outside the box to come up with a better solution to fit modern needs.

TerraMound looks to termites for one part of the solution, particularly how their shapes exemplify high surface-area-to-volume ratios, meaning how much surface area there is in a compact space. Surface area is one of two critical elements in an evaporative cooler, and that is made possible by utilizing complex geometric patterns that look like artistic versions of termite mounds. Such a design would be impossible to do en masse by hand, which is where 3D printing comes in and where the project’s uniqueness really shines.

The other critical element to this type of cooling solution is porosity, which is why clay is the preferred material for this kind of cooler. Clay is also not a typical 3D printing material, which is what makes this ceramic cooler design even more special. This method can eventually be extended to large-scale 3D printing technologies, allowing the quick and easy production of facade panels, walls, and other structures that not only look beautiful but can also help improve airflow in buildings.

As a cooler, TerraMound isn’t completely passive, as it has a fan at the bottom to draw air upwards. A planter sits on top as a source of water that trickles down the desktop cooling tower, utilizing the absorbent properties of the terracotta clay to help the evaporation process. It also acts as a distinctive and beautiful piece of table decoration, one that you wouldn’t have guessed was inspired by something we humans consider to be pests.

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Stool has tree shadows printed on top to bring you closer to nature

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Before I started focusing on writing for design, I never really paid attention to how mostly functional things like chairs are designed. As long as I could sit on it comfortably on it, then i believed it did its job and I didn’t really need to choose based on how well designed it is. But there are pieces of furniture out there, or even just as a concept, that were really thought of well by the designers to bring something not necessarily new, but at least interesting, to the table. Or in this case, the chair.

Designer: Shota Uruasaki

Capture the Light is one such design for a stool. The furniture itself is not a groundbreaking stool but is made up of the usual three blocks (seat, two legs) connected together by one small block. It looks just like your typical wooden stool/bench that you might see at a park or at a museum. But what makes this different is what you’ll see on the seat itself. You might think there’s a tree nearby casting its shadow but if you’re inside, then that may be a mystery.

It’s actually the unique design that this stool brings. The shadows casted by trees that you may see at parks or public spaces are immortalized on the seats as the designs are printed on them. The designer went around photographing the patterns that these tree shadows make, carrying a white board with them. The photographs were then inkjet printed on top of the stools and so you have the illusion of trees hovering on you as you sit on them.

It’s a simple design addition to your regular stool/bench but it’s interesting, if you’re into nature and trees. Even if the stool is inside, you get the illusion of still being surrounded by trees because of the shadows. Of course it’s still best to actually be around trees but in cases where you can’t then this stool may be the next best thing.

The post Stool has tree shadows printed on top to bring you closer to nature first appeared on Yanko Design.