Tai Geng | GIZMODO.cz

A Starbucks Reserve roastery, unlike its standard locations, is more than a pitstop on work commute or a place to write this article (in a pre-pandemic world). It looks like a high-end bar or brewery, with comfy couches and long, empty wooden counters. A Starbucks Reserve is not just a cafe: it’s an experience, one that invites the drinker to observe and appreciate the coffee-making process.

The first thing that hits us, even before entering a Starbucks store, is that intoxicating smell of coffee which acts as a siren to all the caffeine addicts. It is this anticipation and vibe that Starbucks captures, not just with its setting, but with its espresso-making tools, like the IVY Pourover coffee maker. Its clean, elegant design fits its environment perfectly. The holder is the same shade as the Starbucks paper cup and complements the brand’s overall color scheme. Also, unlike bulky metal espresso makers that block your hardworking baristas from view, the IVY lets you watch the coffee drip down into the cup. The Starbucks Reserve also fosters this behind-the-scenes brewing experience with its minimalistic Phantom Espresso maker, which Yanko Design previously covered. The IVY Pourover was designed to brew a top-notch cup of coffee. The metal cone helps distribute heat evenly, which ensures that each brew is consistently high-quality. The grooves inside allow for optimal airflow between the paper filter and the cone’s walls, allowing the coffee to bloom and release more flavor. There’s even a small lip on the funnel that helps create the perfect stream of coffee, avoiding any rough splashes or drips.

The best part about the IVY Pour-over is that you can take it home with you. It’s available for purchase at Starbucks Reserve locations and, more importantly, is designed to adapt to your coffee-drinking routine. You can display the stand proudly on your kitchen counter or, if you prefer a more mobile coffee-filter, detach the metal cone and place it on your mug. Simple. The IVY doesn’t fully capture the ambiance of a Starbucks Reserve, but it is a worthy substitute to satisfy homebound coffee fans.

Designer: Tai Geng

Today clean air is becoming more of a luxury than a bare necessity needed to survive. With the Earth’s atmosphere deteriorating by the minute, the health hazards are increasing manifolds. Lung cancer and cardiovascular diseases are the leading causes of death in the world. 6 million people die annually from smoking, 500,000 of those due to passive smoking. Pollution in large cities can take away 2-3 years off life expectancy. Moved by such dreary numbers, designers Jordan Steranka and Tai Geng decided to do their bit in moving towards a healthier and prolonged life for everybody. They created ‘Breathe’, an air purification product that provides us with clean air with every breath we take. Shaped like a nifty whistle, the primary goal was to make ‘Breathe’ as minute and handy as possible, without restricting airflow. Portability and physical comfort of the user were of the utmost importance. Equipped with a carbon filter that is connected to air sensors, and a removable mouthpiece which allows us to inhale through ‘Breathe’, it filters unclean air to allow it’s purest form to enter our system. The open structure allows for consistent airflow through an oblong airway, which also directs the airflow.

Huge attention to detail was given to the form factor of ‘Breathe’. The aim was to create a functional and fashionable product through the use of simple geometry. A braided necklace loop allows us to wear ‘Breathe’ around our necks! Looking like a trendy necklace, it bears minimal weight and is extremely convenient to carry around, unlike other current filtration devices which tend to be heavy and cumbersome. It’s a new form of an otherwise traditional wearable mask, which can be quite uncomfortable to wear and carry around. One of it’s most appealing features is that it comes along with a partnering app! The app displays how beneficial ‘Breathe’ is to our health. The device stores and collects data while in use. Once it is plugged into a smartphone via the audio jack, the data is uploaded automatically onto the app. The app exhibits all the particles, gases and toxins that are prevented from being inhaled by us, and where they can be found most commonly. Not to forget, Breathe’s battery is being charged throughout this! Highly functional, portable and convenient, ‘Breathe’ could literally be a lifesaver and will surely pave a path for a new era in air purifiers, replacing the age-old conventional masks!

Designer: Jordan Steranka and Tai Geng