Yanko Design - Form Beyond Function

Moto Guzzi’s Moto-makeover

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 12:00 PM PST

Started from the bottom, now we’re here. A phrase I’m almost certain the guys over at NCS Proto & Style were saying after developing two completely custom typologies for the Moto Guzzi V7 III. Codenamed “Avio” and “Nomad,” these new versions of the V7 III were given a more industrial feel to an already rugged aesthetic. The process here is one of commonality amongst the design world, from sketching to finished model – and the results are beautiful.

The Avio (above) holds more of a traditional Harley Davidson feel but with modern tones. The small metal shield which rises above the front headlight looks somewhat out of place on its own but coupled with the carbon fiber addition to the petrol tank; the Avio can be seen as more of a downtown city bike.

The Nomad (above), my favorite of the two, has a classier look to it, but that’s unfair due to my love of carefully detailed leather seats, especially those of cafe racers which the Nomad’s seat slightly resembles. Accompanying the leather seat is a similar carbon fiber detail on the petrol tank, but instead of the traditional black and grey, this duo is a tan and black color, really adding a touch of class.

With designing any typology, especially that of such a highly esteemed brand, the process is principal, and this is no exception. Like I mentioned before, The crowd at NCS Proto & Style designed, prototyped and assembled accessories onto two Moto Guzzi V7 III using the very fundamentals we all use from consumer to electronics to truck concepts. Firstly, NCS began with sketch concepts, which turns into 3D models, from there these models became clay models/3D printed models. These models, such as the battery covers, Nomad headlamp, Ignition motor covers, and much more resulted in ideation, modeling, adjusting, evaluating, remodeling and so on until the part was perfect. Well-crafted and a true example of strong design thinking mixed with careful detailing, the Avio and Nomad may have only been a teaser at the EICMA Motorcycle Show in Milan last November, but it was a fine example of how some small adjustments here and there can completely change the look of an already established aesthetic.

Designer: NCS Proto & Style for Moto Guzzi

Putting the “Space” in Workspace

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 08:12 AM PST

For a person who sees the bigger picture, who isn’t afraid to think big, and whose imagination is as uncontainable as the universe, the DeskSpace is perhaps the greatest desk accessory ever. Made from polished precious minerals, the DeskSpace is your entire solar system (Sun excluded) on your desk, arranged in linear order, comprising every planet made from the appropriately selected gemstone.

Just marvelous to look at, the DeskSpace sits wonderfully on your work table, coffee table, or mantelpiece. Its beauty is greatly enhanced up-close, when you pick up the individual planets and take a look at how the light shines and bounces across the mineral’s beautiful features. Each planet is carved from a mineral that best embodies its color and terrain. The minerals are ethically sourced from mines across the globe. Larger raw blocks are washed and broken down into smaller chunks, which are then dried and hardened in industrial ovens at 176°F for weeks. Individual pieces are then shaped into cubes (of the exact size as the planet model), and are then hand-shaped by expert craftsmen into their perfect, spherical shapes. Each sphere is then precisely measured and checked for imperfections – any that do not meet the grade are rejected. The spheres that pass this stringent quality check are then polished to give them their impeccable sheen, and bring out the visual properties of the material they are made of.

Each planet has its own specially made resting space on the linear dock (Saturn even has its rings inlaid into the sides). The planets are sized in a way that is indicative of their largeness or smallness, while still looking perfect beside one another. The DeskSpace even comes with a heavyweight book that describes the planets and the materials used to make them. Allowing you to beautifully capture the grandeur of the Solar System, of which we’re such a small part, while even and always reminding you that no matter what your problems are infinitesimal and can always be conquered with the correct spirit, the DeskSpace makes an ideal gift for friends, superiors, and colleagues, or even a beautiful addition to your work table… after all, the world (and the universe in turn) is yours to conquer!

Designer: DeskX

Click here to Buy Now: $79.00 $129.00

Labradorite ((Na,Ca)₁₋₂Si₃₋₂ O₈), a sodium-rich plagioclase feldspar which displays a particular type of iridescence on a dark ground. Labradorite is found in igneous rocks, both plutonic and volcanic.

Sodalite (Na₈Al₆Si₆O₂₄ Cl₂), a sodium aluminum silicate chloride in the Sodalite group with an isometric crystal system. Its royal blue forms are the best known. As a mineral, it is a principal component of lapis lazuli.

Mahogany Obsidian (SiO₂), a volcanic glass which contains undulating parts of oxidized Hematite or Magnetite, which are usually colored mahogany brown or brick red within a black-colored base material.

Tiger’s Eye (SiO₂), a metamorphic rock with a golden to red-brown colour lustre. It is formed when the Quartz takes over and dissolves the Crocodolite, leaving the Quartz in a finely fibrous and chatoyant form.

Calcite (CaCO₃), a carbonate mineral, one of the most common minerals occurs in a great variety of shapes and colors, and it constitutes a major portion of many of the earth’s rocks.

Amazonite (KAlSi₃O₈), a mineral of limited occurrence. Formerly it was obtained almost exclusively in the Ilmensky Mountains. For many years, the source of Amazonite’s color was a mystery.

Cat’s Eye (BeAl2O4), a gemstone exhibits a rare optical trait known as chatoyancy. Chatoyancy is the unique ability to reflect light in a way that resembles the slit eye of a cat, hence the name ‘cat’s eye’.

Heliotrope (SiO₂), also known as bloodstone, is a variety of jasper or chalcedony (which is a cryptocrystalline mixture of quartz).

Click here to Buy Now: $79.00 $129.00

An actually ‘active’ action camera!

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 06:00 AM PST

The point of your action camera is to capture your memories wherever you go. The key words there are “wherever you go”. That’s what the purpose of the WWWing is. Designed around a central camera-hub, the WWWing flies, floats, and locomotes. It does so using snap-on parts that give it ‘superpowers’ that your GoPro can only dream of.

The hub is central to the WWWing. It acts as a camera, battery pack, CPU, sensor unit, and your control unit. Attachments simply snap onto the hub, pairing instantly. Aptly named the X, H, and O, the attachments let your WWWing fly, drive, and sail respectively. The nomenclature comes from the type of attachment. X, referring to the drone’s X-shaped propellers, H to the H shape the WWWing takes when you snap the hovering units on, and O, derived from the O shaped hubless wheel attachments. Whether you’re in the mountains, or at a terrace party, or whether in the ocean or pool, or even walking around the streets, the WWWing is always by your side. It arms itself with a camera mounted on a rig that can rotate to constantly ‘aim’ at a given subject. In that regard, the WWWing is an action camera done right, because unlike its competition, it takes into account its usage scenarios very seriously. Too bad it’s just a concept though!

Designers: J2MN. & Seyon Kim

You’ll never waste food again!

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 04:00 AM PST

Population increases, lifestyles evolve, consumption increases… But what do we do with all the leftover waste? One downfall of city-living is the inability to effectively dispose of your food waste. Not so much effective disposal, but more so the repurpose of food waste. And with proper disposal one needs to consider the time, smell, and space. A healthy, smart and design conscious solution to this growing concern is the FoodCycler Eco-Friendly Food Recycler.

Eco-friendly and highly efficient, the Food Recycler is exactly that, it takes your food scraps and turns them into nutrient-rich soil, converting waste into resource. The FoodCycler reduces the food waste by up to 90% and provides the perfect soil for your garden, no matter how big or small. The system is straightforward – the device comes with a removable internal bucket which must be full before beginning the cycle. Taking only 3 hours to catalyze and produce fresh soil, the FoodCyler is practically always ready to go. On top of that, the device itself has a very clean look to it. With the inverted handle on the top lid, the FoodCycler has a perfect rectangular shape with some cozy edges to accentuate that open design aesthetic – welcome and ready for anyone to use.

Designer: FoodCycler

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A classic revisited

Posted: 05 Feb 2018 12:00 AM PST

There are various methods of conceptual designing and brand aesthetics that go into creating timeless pieces of automotive design. And while it may be hard to create something with the wow factor on a 4-wheeler, it’s even more difficult when it comes to 2-wheelers. There is little to no body surface to work with, and the engine alone can end up dictating the shape/aesthetics alone and you just have generally less space to work with.

What’s truly special is when a bike manufacturer can use these constraints, manipulate them and create a gorgeous aesthetic around the engine itself. This has been the case for Honda since the Dream D-Type – exposing the engine for all its magnificent raw mechanical beauty. The guys down at NCT Motorcycles of Austria have paid homage to that exact raw beauty with their interpretation of the 1978 Honda CX500, which they have christened ‘Highflyer.’ Stripped back, and discarding everything that had little to no use, NCT did a teardown and rebuild of what can only be described as a speed demon. To add further to the speedy appeal, the final touches were a simple paint job – a fresh coat of black covering the mechanics, a silver coat spread across the tank and then finished with a classic blue and red stripe. A masterpiece.

Designers: Honda & NCT Motorcycles

Most Buzzed Designs of January 2018

Posted: 04 Feb 2018 02:43 PM PST

Below you’ll find the most popular designs we’ve tracked over the last 30 days – an overview of designs you shouldn’t have missed in January 2018.

Modeled to look like a rifle, the Puna actually packs functionality in every possible detail. For example, its barrel doubles as a scalpel blade, while the silencer that attaches itself to the front is actually a miniature screw-driver.

Once grown in, they make for excellent visual dividers and acoustic dampening panels whether it’s for an open floor plan workspace or outdoor patio that needs spatial defining.

The award-winning team behind the Ticwatch Android Wear Smartwatches have really outdone themselves with the latest Good Design Award Winner the ‘Express’ and the IF Design Award Winner the ‘Sport.’

Designed as an introduction to assistive mobility, the walking wheel takes inspiration from the traditional walking stick without the total reliance.

The Scentee Machina diffuser is a flat plate that lets you dock a clear fragrance tube into it, and comes in a Uno and Quattro variants letting you dock single or multiple fragrances. Controlled via a smartphone app, you can choose which fragrance you want to be diffused, and at what time.

The OPod Tube Housing is low-cost, stackable micro-homes manufactured from concrete pipes. These pipes would be slotted in between building gaps rather similar to a game of Tetris.

The Rmour beautifully echoes Apple’s new philosophy of creating products that are objects of desire. It adds precious silver and gold to the edges of your iPhone in a bumper format that highlights your phone’s design by showing off as much of it as possible.

The Twofold can be both a wall-mounted shelf or a desk with such relative ease, it seems simple yet striking.

Transparent/light during the day, and turning dark around sunset, the Dusk clock tells you the time while hinting at the am/pm too, using light and dark colors to indicate the color of the sky at the time of the day. Buy now!

The Tetra soap comes in the shape of a wave-breaker, giving you a great amount of surface area to work up a lather, while making sure the soap is easy to hold onto even (especially) when wet.

Nintendo brings that beautiful intimacy and analog nature of toys back with the Labo, a series of cardboard cutouts that fold to become elaborate objects that house Nintendo’s Switch controllers and screen, using them in a way never thought of before.

If the Furia bicycles fearsome form looks familiar, that’s because you’ve definitely seen it before… only, not in a bicycle! It’s one of the first to utilize motorcycle-inspired hub-center steering.

Now if you ever thought that wallet design could take influences from architecture, it would sound outwardly absurd, but just look at the RIN Wallet and you’ll see how design influences carry seamlessly from one form/discipline to another. Buy now!

Iliad tells the story of a variety of heroes that entering the war between Troy and Greece, so it comes as no surprise that the Ilias fountain pen carries similar design language to that of a spear, tying the weapon of words and a weapon of war together.

Not only does it secure your bike when you’re not using it, it also serves as a stand to keep it upright.

Evan Gant’s rather nifty 3D printed support structure turns balloons into water-holding receptacles for your flowers. The balloons slip around the plastic columns and the instant you pour water in, the balloon swells up to resemble a bulbous vase shape.

The All In One Keyboard comes with this unusual design that looks funny first, but makes a world of sense later. Fitting inside its cuboidal frame is a keyboard, a trackpad, and a wireless charging dock (that not only charges the keyboard but even your smartphones).

The iMac Clamp Hub makes use of a series of small slots running around the base (the speaker grill) to dock itself in a rather beautiful manner, flushing perfectly with the surface of the iMac’s front, while giving you the one thing Apple couldn’t. Accessibility.

The original PSP lacked L2/R2 buttons and a right analogue stick while the PSVita supported two analogue sticks and an awkward touchpad instead of L2/R2 buttons. Kim’s Playstation Portable combines the best of both worlds!

Instead of disappearing into the wall or disguising itself as something else, the Inkel Reinterpret TV simply doubles as a modern shelving unit.

As Chifen Cheng put it, the Knife Reinvented is a salad knife that does more than just cut. Utilizing the hand as a pestle, this salad knife is not only hyper-functional, it’s aesthetically gorgeous due to the material contrast.

Solar panels only work for half the day when the sun is out, making them useful only 50% of the time. Blue Freedom opts for something that’s much more consistent. Hydro power.

The APOLLO 2.0 is clad in a super-sleek black ebony that contrasts nicely with Tron-style aqua details. Its body sports a circular bottom half that makes it rest comfortably in the palms and allows for the rotary menu to quickly navigate apps and settings.

Depending on your perspective, you’ll see an entirely different structure and light form!

AXY’s modular construction makes it possible to quickly switch between over-ear headphones, stereo desktop speakers and mono portable speakers in seconds.