Tag Archives: Timeless

The Moving Mechanics Unveils Time Machine SOLARIS: A Kinetic Ode to the Fourth Dimension

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According to Einstein’s theories, understanding one’s position in the universe requires acknowledging not only the three spatial dimensions—length, width, and height—but also the fourth dimension: time. Time, in this context, isn’t merely a linear progression but an intricate dance with the cosmos. It’s an element that influences our perception of reality and, in the words of Albert Einstein, demands consideration in both space and time.

In the pursuit of transcending the mundane ticking of standard clocks, The Moving Mechanics Company introduces a new marvel to its collection of time machines. November 2023 marks the unveiling of the Time Machine SOLARIS, a creation that transcends the boundaries of conventional time-telling and introduces a poetic element to the passage of hours.

Designer: Florian Schlumpf

The brainchild of Florian Schlumpf, The Moving Mechanics Company weaves a whimsical and mechanical language into its kinetic masterpieces. Schlumpf, drawing inspiration from sculpture, mechanical engineering, and his passion for cycling, first captured the world’s attention in 2014 with the release of the TM1 at BaselWorld. Since then, the company’s creations have continued to provoke contemplation on humanity’s intricate relationship with time.

Named after the Latin word for sun, the TM Solaris pays homage to the powerful celestial body that guides our days. This timepiece stands out with its elaborate layers of golden wheels and orbiting components, resembling the structure of a planetary system. Crafted from aluminum and adorned with an anodized black and gold finish, the SOLARIS adds a touch of opulence and visual intricacy to any interior space.

At the core of the TM Solaris’s mesmerizing display are 36 wheels that work together to create a symphony of motion. These wheels, meticulously engineered, bring to life an intricate system of patterned gear teeth and spokes, propelling the timepiece over its midnight foundation. Three distinct metal rings elegantly denote the progression of seconds, minutes, and hours, turning time into a visual and auditory experience.

The TM Solaris stands as a sophisticated timekeeping work of art, measuring 700 x 700 x 110 mm. This timepiece, weighing 9kg, can either stand independently or be wall-mounted, offering versatility in its display. The clockwork operates on a 12V synchronous micromotor, driving the 36 wheels that power the intricate movements. The material composition of black and gold anodized aluminum further enhances the aesthetic appeal of this captivating time machine.

As The Moving Mechanics Company continues to redefine the boundaries of time-telling, the TM Solaris stands as a testament to the marriage of art and engineering, inviting observers to transcend the conventional and contemplate the fourth dimension in all its poetic glory.

The post The Moving Mechanics Unveils Time Machine SOLARIS: A Kinetic Ode to the Fourth Dimension first appeared on Yanko Design.

An Intricate Geometric Stone Calendar That Makes You Value Your Time and Memories

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Creating tangible forms from abstract concepts in a basic lesson in a design school. I feel it’s the most vital and coolest class for a fresher. It helps one dig deeper into the emotional quotient and connect with themselves on a deeper level. One such great project was the Noova Calendar, winner of the 1st Prize in the Natural Stone Design Competition in 2022, is a truly remarkable creation that blends artistry, functionality, and sustainability. This unique calendar design beautifully captures the essence of time through the intricate interlocking forms of marble torus geometries. With its emphasis on the cyclical nature of time and the use of high-quality natural materials, Noova offers a captivating and meaningful way to experience the passing of days and months.

Designers: Berk Yıldız and Sineray Serin

The concept behind Noova goes beyond a simple organizational tool; it aims to evoke a sense of wonder and appreciation for time itself. In our conventional city lives, we are so caught up with various tasks that we tend to overlook the little things and live in the moment. The moment we start appreciating every minute of time we unlock a door towards serenity amidst the chaos. In the case of Noova, the two interlocking marble torus geometric forms represent the infinite and cyclical nature of time. By merging abstract forms with a concrete representation of time, the Noova calendar brings a unique perspective to the way we perceive and interact with the passing days.

The Noova design is a beautiful combination of natural and historical inspirations, such as the cyclical forms found in natural stones and the movement of a sundial. This fusion of temporal and natural cycles is not only aesthetically pleasing but also adds a symbolic layer to the calendar. The nested rings of the interlocking torus structures create a visually captivating composition that reflects the continuity and infinity of time, reminding us of the perpetual nature of life’s moments.

Crafted from high-quality natural marble, each Noova calendar piece showcases the inherent beauty and unique patterns offered by this ancient material. Meticulously shaped by skilled artisans, every calendar carries its own character, making each piece one-of-a-kind. Marble, known for its strength and durability throughout human history, ensures that the Noova calendar can be enjoyed for years to come, providing a tangible representation of the enduring nature of time.

At the core of Noova’s design philosophy is the notion of valuing time and cherishing each passing moment. The interactive feature of the calendar allows users to carefully read time and appreciate the significance of each day. Noova serves as a constant reminder that time is not just a series of numbers but a collection of stories waiting to be experienced and cherished.

Noova not only seeks to inspire a deeper appreciation for time but also promotes environmental awareness and sustainability. The specially designed box for the calendar is crafted from recycled materials, reinforcing the brand’s commitment to reducing environmental impact. By utilizing recycled paper, cardboard, and other recyclable materials, it minimizes the demand for natural resources while ensuring the safe protection of the product during shipping.

The Noova Calendar stands as a testament to the seamless fusion of design, functionality, and environmental consciousness. Its captivating interlocking marble torus forms and emphasis on the cyclical nature of time create a visually striking and thought-provoking experience. As we interact with this calendar, we are invited to reflect on the passage of time, value each moment, and contribute to a more sustainable future. Noova represents more than just a calendar; it is a symbol of our connection to time and the world around us.

The post An Intricate Geometric Stone Calendar That Makes You Value Your Time and Memories first appeared on Yanko Design.

The Bauhaus school of design inspires the striking stained glass colors and geometric shapes of these vases!

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Trio is a collection of three stained glass vases inspired by the Bauhaus school of art and design to bring a timeless edge to the traditional glass vase.

Finding the perfect vase for flowers is sometimes the most fun when arranging bouquets. Bunchier flowers deserve a bulkier, more bulbous vase. While more delicate flower arrangements could use a skinny, minimalist vase. You know the right vase when you see it.

Vases also carry a long, intricate history in ceramics and glass-making that dates back centuries. Taking notes from one historical art school of design, Bauhaus, Ashley Case designed three different vases in its style to accommodate all types of flower arrangements and create a collection called Trio.

Case’s study on Bauhaus design took shape in the art school’s commitment to simplicity, bold colors, and geometric lines. All three vases are molded from sturdy stained glass that creates shadows of color when natural light pours through them. The first vase, a deep cobalt blue, forms three-quarters of a circle and suspends in midair from a black steel cradle that entirely surrounds the vase.

Then, a vertical, rectangular vase coated in lemon yellow stained glass remains in place inside of a four-bar black steel crate. Finally, an inverted triangular vase dipped in scarlet red balances above an empty platform inside a similar black steel crate. All three vases are undoubtedly inspired by Bauhaus design, an art school devoted to integrating a timelessly modern look into any era.

The Bauhaus school of design came to life in 1919, following geometric and abstract styles of design that feature little to no emotion and personality. Instead, the school encourages a timeless look that nods to no cultural or historical aspect in particular. Ashley Case’s collection of vases called Trio embodies Bauhaus through their minimal profiles and strikingly colorful displays that create dazzling shadows of light color to hearken back to the art school’s heyday.

Designer: Ashley Case

Each vase is molded from the stained glass in striking colors reminiscent of the Bauhaus school of design. 

Each vase can accommodate a variety of different flower arrangements, according to your personal taste. 

Timeless or Trendy: How to choose the right design direction for your consumers

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Hi, I am Kelly from Knack, where we help mobility brands make their products irresistible.
I recently wrote an article about how to design timeless products. The comments and discussion that followed highlighted the fact that trendy and timeless products serve different purposes. One isn’t necessarily better than the other. However, one IS more irresistible, depending on who your customer is.

So, in this article, we’re going to dive into what makes a product either trendy or timeless and determine which type is right for your product.

IRRESISTIBILITY

To be irresistible, a product must possess an enticing aesthetic, solve a meaningful problem, deliver a delightful user experience, and have a no-brainer price tag. An irresistible product must check all of these boxes, but can also be either trendy or timeless to boot.

It is important that you understand what makes a product trendy or timeless so that your product’s fate is not accidental, but instead part of your design strategy.

Let’s take a close look at each:

TRENDY

The Cambridge Dictionary defines trendy as, “modern and influenced by the most recent fashions or ideas.” Trendy products flaunt hot, popular attributes.

To design a trendy product, focus your product development efforts on exploiting the in-thing your customer is most obsessed with. Trendy products require an understanding or prediction of the current fads and quick action to deliver a relevant product before the trend fades.

With a design that’s trendy, you’ll be able to ride the wave of buyer interest created by the current craze. Heavily influenced by emotion, your consumers will buy more impulsively to fill an immediate need or desire.

TIMELESS

Unlike trendy designs that are focused on being relevant in the present day, timeless design is focused on staying relevant and looking appropriate for many years to come.

When setting out to design timeless products, avoid clues of the current time. Instead, strive for a proper proportion, functional form, and classic colors that were cool way back when, now, and for many years to come. Designing timeless products requires an extra level of thoughtful refinement, void of frivolous aesthetics, often yielding an understated product.

Achieving timelessness in your design gives your product staying power, sparing you a great deal of future new product development costs while allowing your product’s fan base to compound over time.

WHICH ONE?

Again, whether your product should be trendy or timeless depends on your consumer. While many designers would argue that a product should always be timeless, timelessness requires an extra level of aesthetic refinement and subtly that a here-today-gone-tomorrow product can’t always afford.

If your consumer values keeping up with the times, looking cool and flashy in the moment above all else, your product needs to be trendy. A consumer who is obsessed with the latest and greatest will inevitably be onto the next big thing soon. In this case, there’s no reason to over-invest in a timeless aesthetic.

If your consumer values products that endure the test of time and don’t look dated in just a few years, or you just simply want to invest in a product that doesn’t need to be revamped every 3 years, you should pursue a timeless design.

Note: With strategic industrial design execution, it is possible for a product to be both trendy and timeless.

Do you know what your consumer desires? As soon as you do, you’ll be one step closer to achieving irresistibility.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Kelly Custer is the Founder + Design Director of Knack

Pairing her transportation design education from the College for Creative Studies in Detroit, Michigan with over 8 years of design consulting experience in consumer products, Kelly has built a strong passion for mobility. She founded Knack in 2014 and leads the studio to deliver irresistible simple mobility products.

When she’s not in the studio, she can be found on a mountain bike trail, trying to keep up with her husband on her dirt bike, or exploring the Tennessee river on their vintage stand-up jet skis.

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