Asmita Prasad: The state of the world economy has been shaky since the global recession in 2008, leaving many people jobless and many were even forced out of their homes due to mortgage woes. Consumerist as we are, the economic crisis appears to be heightened when we find that we cannot afford the same luxuries that we could when the inflow of money was smoother. To highlight the severity of personal economic meltdown and just how depressing and overwhelming the current economic climate is, des
Asmita Prasad: The Airborne collection by Central Saint Martins graduate Stéphanie Van Zwam investigates the possibility of the use of air in the creation of jewelry that stimulates the physical senses as well as the viewer’s imagination. The collection uses static air, the movement of air and enclosed air to create stunning yet simple visual. The jewelry thus, essentially forces the wearer to “perform” to bring the full effect of the jewelry to the fore. The entire Airborne collection includes
Debanjan Singha: Solar cells and other sustainable sources of energies are widely used as efficient cooling and heating systems in buildings across the world, but two new 25-storied buildings in Abu-Dhabi have come up with a unique innovation to help manage building temperatures effectively. The automated sun-screen systems were designed by globally acclaimed architectural powerhouse Aedas. These sun-screen systems are positioned on the periphery of the buildings and are opened and closed depe
Asmita Prasad: Designer Rooshad Shroff from Mumbai-based Rooshad Shroff Architecture + Design and designer Jwalant Mahadevwala from Ahmedabad-based AndBlack Design Studio collaborated to create the Wooden Foliage project. Based in Ahmedabad, India, the project was completed on 10th June, 2012. The project is currently on display at in the main plaza of the Ahmedabad, india-based CEPT University’s School of Interior Design (SID). The designers were asked to repurpose wood parts left over from a
Asmita Prasad: Are you tired of picking up decor accessories made of bamboo and rattan to make your Asian-inspired décor appear more authentic? Then, you’re simply going to love this lovely new Viva Docking Speaker by designer Jang se-chan. Inspired by the Japanese art of paper folding AKA origami, the docking speaker comes folded flat though it can simply be twisted and turned into a cube-shaped speaker. The perfect space saving solution for people who do not like to see their countertops, tab
Jaspreet Kaur Walia: Sound systems have gone through a variety of changes over the years and each change has been accepted with open arms all across the globe. Taking it a step further is designer Jo Eunhee, who has come with a sound system that will give an all new meaning to touch surfaces. Tangible Textural Interface Touch screens have won many hearts and happen to attract people because of its easy usage. But besides all the advantages, these touch screens have a hard surface and l
Asmita Prasad: You’d think a prerequisite to building a tree house would be having trees. But for the innovative designers of the 21st century, no challenge is to too big and a team of designers actually came up with a tree-less tree house in 2010. Dubbed Tentsile, the tree house apparently can be set up almost anywhere even if the particular location has no trees to hang it from whatsoever. For the average user, the Tentsile would appear to be more of an airborne tent or even a covered hammo
Christina Pinto: Functionality, design and comfort are usually the parameters for people’s choice of furniture. Alternatively, artistic merit is another preference for those art-minded people who want to acquire beautiful pieces to encourage designers, especially ones who have done something memorable. Konstantin Achkov is an imaginative Bulgarian designer who has redesigned the structure of furniture. In his alterations, people view furniture as more than a single entity; it is also a sum of i
Asmita Prasad: No matter how tech-intensive a digital watch is, nothing can quite ever mimic the simplicity and intuitive minimalism of the classic analog watch. Since the interface of the analog watch has almost become embedded within the cultural consciousness, designer Niels Astrup decided to use it as an inspiration for his Touch Skin Watch that delivered the analog experience to people without sacrificing the contemporary touch screen functionality that modern users require. The highly cus
Asmita Prasad: To fill a large space with sound, Yves Behar, has created a louder and larger version of their wireless Jambox range of audio speakers. The creative director at electronics brand Jawbone, Behar styled the Big Jambox along the same lines as the original portable. As a result, the base, back, top and front of the Jambox with textured metal mesh wrapping as well as vibration reducing rubber feet. The Big Jambox is devised to be paired with Bluetooth devices wirelessly and can suppor
Asmita Prasad: 3D printing may not be at the level where it can print out food or readymade good just yet but that isn’t stopping pioneers from experimenting in that direction. Created by Janina Alleyne, UK-based fashion footwear designer, the collection of shoes, including pairs called The Exoskeleton, The Reptile and The Scorpion, are all printed out via a 3D printer and the crafty high heels promise to usher in an era of customized shoes with their advent. 3D printed shoes by Janina Alleyn
Asmita Prasad: Built in Byron Bay, Australia, the East House designed by Built-Environment Practice shows exactly how an existing structure can be reconfigured into a contemporary beach house that doesn’t incur a huge carbon footprint. The passive house was built upon a brick house constructed in the ‘90s to create a modern home near that beach that displays a great affinity to the coastal environment without removing the inhabitants too far away from the comforts of a modern lifestyle. The pas
