Yanko Design - Latest Posts

Impress In-Laws With The Perfect Rice Dish

Posted: 11 Feb 2009 06:18 AM PST

Paella, Biryani, Mexican Rice or Chahan; it doesn't matter what you're cooking, but if its for your in-laws you better get it right. For this, an investment in a good rice cooker is a must. However till you actually go out there and get yourself one, lets look into what Sang-Jang Lee has proposed for us. It's a rice cooker that sports a touch interface lid and the promise of the perfect grain.

The Rice Cooker features a concave pedal on top of pot, which is quite the hub of activity. This is where the touch panel is housed and a visual display comes to life when you…you guessed it…touch it! Navigating the menu on the panel is pretty straightforward. Press the top area to access the main menu and tilt it left or right to browse. A tap on the bottom of the panel keys in the choice or takes you forth to the next menu page. The lights on the panel fade away once the choice is made.

When the rice is done, the concave pedal tilts forward to release the steam.
Now that you got the basics right, toss it with any recipe downloaded from the Internet (or even a family legacy will do) and make the perfect rice dish.

Designer: Sang-Jang Lee

Sang Jang Lee

Sculptural Public Seating

Posted: 11 Feb 2009 01:08 AM PST

Inspired by nature and the dynamic possibilities of evolution, the Issit was design for airports and train stations. The chair(?) acts like a sculpture and armature when it’s not occupied - the seats rise automatically when you leave and return to their upright position. I like the idea and design tho I would yell at anyone attempting to sit on the two other seats because I want the entire thing for myself. My throne.

Designer: Addi Design Group

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Now LED Lights In Irons!

Posted: 11 Feb 2009 01:03 AM PST

For ages the form factor of an iron hasn't undergone much transformation. They only arena where you get something funky is in concepts. Here is my chance to once again slip into fantasyland and imagine that I'm using a hip-cat appliance while doing my mundane chores. Besides looking different there are only two places where this Steam Iron scores favor with me, one is the cool LED lighting that indicates the temperature in proportion with the hot red color. And the other is the soft silicone lining.

No, it's not any revolutionary stuff, but some eye-candy in front of the damn rusty old piece I use.

Designer: Tatasuya Kobayashi

Tatasuya Kobayashi

Big Rack & That’s A Good Thing

Posted: 10 Feb 2009 01:18 PM PST

Need a duffle bag that’s sleek, nondescript, and functional? The Setgo Rack may be the bag for you. The company recently (Nov. ‘08) updated their inventory with 12 new products for the urban go-getter. They were kind enough to send me the Rack bag to try out. I was on vacation prior and now wish I had the bag beforehand because it turns out, is quite sharp and utilitarian. Hit the jump for my review.

Although the bag was design specifically for gym gear, who’s got time to do that when you spend almost every waking hour trying to find cool concepts to post here! So I did what any creative whiz kid does (indulge me here it’s not arrogance, it’s called a self-esteem boost), I repurposed the bag as a small weekender. If that fashion term escapes you - think big enough to hold just what you need and then some. I had a trip planned to New York in preparations for fashion week. The Rack became a repository for a pair of shoes, point-and-shoot camera, scarf (knitted myself thank you), gloves, water and snacks.

The NYC area was FREEZING earlier this year. Rain, ice, and even a little bit of snow were my company and the Rack bag which at first glimpse seems a bit “thin” and flimsy stood up very well to the rigors of urban travel.

I’m not quite sure how much volume it holds but you get the general idea by how much stuff I placed in it. There are a few small compartments I used for keys and a very cold iPhone (thanks to its metal construction). Perhaps the best part was breezing thru the airport as carry-on; gave me a chance to inspect how well it held up. The nylon material is atypical and exactly what you’d expect. The stitching is plenty strong but there is one caveat… the price.

Setgo prices it at $100 even which I think is just a tad expensive but in their defense, TUMI sells similar bags for $250 and up. I would go out on a limb and say both companies sell products of comparable quality.

What I liked: