Monday, June 8, 2009

Yanko Design - Latest Posts

Yanko Design - Latest Posts
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New Play In The Playground

Posted: 08 Jun 2009 03:17 AM PDT

Teewns is a very complex age-group; in my times there were just pre-teens and teens, but given the current scenario, damn shrinks have further broken down the age-groups! Getting back to the tweens (ages 6-14); the Playnetix Tumbler devised here is a full motion play structure meant for them. It's an attempt to get the kids off their butt and lure them away from their videogames and TV. Besides providing tons of laughs, the play action indirectly results in core fitness and much-needed physical activity. The structure constantly keeps moving and is similar to a child’s teeter-totter but a tad modified. Fixed on a spring dampened ball joint, the Tumbler has 360 degrees of rotational motion and can pivot in all directions. The beauty of this play-way is that the child is constantly moving and shifting from one end to another….quite like monkey-ing around the house!

Designer: Clifford Couvillon

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Podcast Episode 1

Posted: 08 Jun 2009 12:40 AM PDT

Our first podcast so be kind, rewind, play again. There’s a lot of good stuff in there, namely an interview with designer and engineer Mark Sanders. He’s the brains behind many products which by the way have sold in the tens of millions. Yep, you heard right. His latest bike, the IF Mode dominated the conversation and with good reason too. It’s the most gorgeous folding bike out there and an IF Gold winner. Hit the jump for the podcast and sketches! We love sketches!

I’m not usually easy enamored by designers but I’ll admit, I was very nervous chatting with Mr. Sanders. Maybe it’s the sheer brilliance or maybe it’s realizing this guy not only designs beautiful objects, but he’s an engineer at heart. That’s very rare, especially among the new crop of up-and-coming designers.

People in Asia are probably well aware of his folding cutting boards and One Touch can opener but its the bikes - the bikes that garner so much attention. Now in its 21st edition, the original folding Strida bike is still selling strong. The unique triangular a-frame bike was an unorthodox approach to what a bike was supposed to look like. The proportions seemed off but the ingenious design lets your ride sitting upright (as you should) and utilizes less energy thanks to the smaller wheels.

Fast forward 21 years later and we have the IF Gold awarding winning IF Mode, a gorgeous exercise in consumer design. Yes it folds but it doesn’t look like a toy. It doesn’t look odd and is quite sexy with the perforated leather wrapped handle bars and seat. Perhaps the most innovative feature is the simple latch system that enables the front wheel to fold parallel next to the rear wheel, essentially turning into a monocycle. Talk about easy transport!

As a designer, I’m always fascinated by what inspires and motivates other designers. Mark isn’t shy about discussing his past. He loves what he does and more importantly hasn’t forgotten why he became a designer - to make the world a better place. He even has some sage words for those who are just beginning their design career. It’s a daunting path but hold steadfast and stay true - the message is common but cliche holds truth. Thank you Mark!

Episode 1: Mark Sanders Interview

IF Mode Bike production model

IF Mode BIke sketches

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Smartbooks Are The Next Step

Posted: 08 Jun 2009 12:20 AM PDT

Yes. Is the start of my last jam. This project is right on. I’ve been thinking about, suggesting, pushing the idea that these tiny internet machines (ipod, blackberry, etc) need to be just a little bit bigger, but not quite as big as a laptop. Students at the Savannah College of Art & Design have mocked up a messa concepts for this very purpose. With the help of Freescale chip manufacturers, they’re bustin up the streets with a nice list here!

A product just large enough to fit with books, small enough for anyone to lug around in the average sized bag. This is difficult to push, as modern day laptops are evolving toward this model anyway, but hay lets just skip a few steps, shall we?

Take a look below at the several concepts for books that will play an integral role in the future; in our scary, scary lives as electronic zombie creatures. Also watch the video below to get a terrifying glimpse into the future where a 12 year old, 7th grade student named Joseph has himself a netbook to help him through the day.

*An interesting note: Joseph has replaced Shawnimals as the creator of Wee Ninja in this alternate reality!

Designer: Students at SCAD

Scenario for Smartbooks from David Malouf on Vimeo.

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Phone, Ear-Phone, Phone

Posted: 08 Jun 2009 12:06 AM PDT

Don't get so confused, the Kambala is a mobile phone that transforms to a earphone as well. Pop the center piece and the earpiece clip pings out; clip this to your ear, and you got a phone-earphone! Multilayered Polymer which hosts all the electronic components is used in its construction. A continuous flexi-screen with plenty of sensors makeup the surface and it has the ability to transmit the image on the inside of the phone to the outside. It even does a chameleon act by blending in with your skin tone when you clip it to your ear.

Designer: Ilshat Garipov

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Magnificent Men And Their Flying Ferrari

Posted: 08 Jun 2009 12:00 AM PDT

While designer Iman Maghsoudi gave us a Ferrari that was akin to operating a PC touching speeds of 200 km/h; designer Vincent Montreuil has a different vision for the speedster. Adding a third dimension to the pulsating sport, he envisions race tracks in the air, demarcated with levitating lines (or ropes; u get the drift); and a Flying Ferrari X-Racer in the forefront. Call him crazy or over-ambitious, but it's not hard to imagine his concept taking shape…say 50 years from now!

Designer: Vincent Montreuil

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