Yanko Design - Form Beyond Function

This pocket-amp for guitarists hits all the right notes!

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 12:00 PM PDT

It’s natural that technology will make everything more and more portable each year. So it really isn’t much of a surprise that the massive amplifier from years back is now small enough to fit right into your pocket!

The Jamstack gives electric guitarists the freedom most acoustic guitarists experience. Not being able to jam or play without a massive amplifier or a power source, the Jamstack now lets electric guitarists tap into the power of their smartphone, using its inherent CPU to process audio signals which then come playing out of the Jamstack, a guitar-mountable, pocketable, pocket-friendly 10W amplifier that you can carry around with you right in your guitar case.

Designed to attach itself right to the belt plug of your electric guitar in literally 3 seconds (making it universal and INCREDIBLY handy considering setting up can take near an hour), the Jamstack sits at the edge of your guitar’s body, away from your hand so you don’t accidentally hit it. It connects to your guitar via your smartphone (iOS, Android, Windows compatible) or even your iPod Touch, and works with the dozens of apps across the platforms to power your guitar from the popular Amplitube, to even apps like Yousician, letting you learn the instrument in a uniquely tailored fashion. Using the Jamstack means virtually not needing any other instruments as your phone can play backing tracks/vocals/drums while you riff away. All the effect layering you need can be done in-app, leaving the Jamstack with just a volume knob. Want to jam in private? The Jamstack even comes with an aux out, letting you plug your earphones in (and Bluetooth capabilities if you’ve embraced the jack-less phone culture). Its Bluetooth capabilities even lets you use it as a regular wireless speaker for your phone when you’re not connected to your guitar! The Jamstack comes with a whopping 8 hours of usage on a single charge, which should be great for even the most hardcore jammers… or just use it for the rest of the time as your dedicated Bluetooth speaker for watching tutorial videos! And when you’re done, slip it right into your pocket and scoff at the people who still lug those massive amps with them wherever they go…

Designer: Christopher Prendergast

Mirror, Mirror, on the Wall, this is the Most Bada$$ One of All

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 10:30 AM PDT

Admittedly, when I first saw this, I thought, a beauty mirror with a speaker – that’s kind of interesting. Turns out, it’s so much more than that! This futuristic design is actually equipped with an array of sensors that detect your face’s unique skin condition and then dispenses the appropriate eye cream, moisturizer, toner, sunscreen or other topical solution you need to maintain healthy skin! Better yet, the smart design connects wirelessly to the internet to stay abreast of the weather and time of day and makes calculations accordingly to ensure you’re protected whether it’s sunny, dry or humid outside. Of course, it will also play your favorite tunes too. GENIUS!

Designers: Hongseok Seo, Minkwan Seo & Jo-Young Choo

Adding Air-care to Child-care

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 07:11 AM PDT

We measure and take special care of everything we put in the bodies of our children. From food to drink, we make sure they get exactly what they need and go to great lengths to keep the unhealthy stuff away. Then what about the air they breathe? Air quality has progressively gotten worse since when we were children, with polluting chemicals being only a small part of a very large problem. The air holds suspended particles of smoke (tobacco, car-smoke, etc.), bacteria, viruses, fungi, allergens, and other volatile organic compounds (VOCs) like aerosols, benzene, etc.

Designed to look almost like a playful monster who eats up everything bad, the PLIBE (showcased at CES 2018) is a child-friendly air purifier that uses cutting-edge plasma ionization technology to purify the air in one’s immediate surroundings. Its monstrous avatar is engaging and playful, becoming almost like a child’s friend (in every sense!). The PLIBE clips anywhere, from a stroller to a bassinet/crib, working for 7 hours on a single charge. Its Plasma ionization purification means it doesn’t use any anti-pollutant chemicals/disinfectants or chemical-coated filters to clean the air. The plasma ion generator doesn’t need replacement either, and can be used indefinitely. It just needs manual cleaning once a week.

Running on a simple battery that can be charged via MicroUSB, the PLIBE is ideal for both outdoors and indoors. The air we breathe now is dramatically worse than what we breathed as children. With new pollutants entering the air every day (thanks to growing industrialization) and new viruses like the Zika making their appearance only in this decade, the air we breathe grows worse every day, even more so for children, with their developing immunity system. Plibe’s design puts healthy living and care in the palm of your hand. A much better solution than gas masks that inhibit one’s breathing while only partially purifying the air, PLIBE does a remarkable job of purifying the air of everything harmful, ensuring your child always breathes the purest air possible!

Designers: Jong Hoon Jeon & Moon Hyung Cho

Click here to Buy Now: $42.00 $85.00

About Plasma Technology

This technology originates from conquest of space. When we supply energy (such as heat) to a substance, its state changes: from solid to liquid and to gas. If further energy is applied, the gas becomes ionized and transformed directly into plasma. Plasma is therefore the result of the transformation of the water present in the air into OH- and HOO- and of the oxygen of the air into 02- and 03+ anion. All these negative ions and positive ions have a direct impact in purifying the air. When the free radicals OH-, HOO- encounter a harmful substance, they rapidly surround, break down and eliminate the harmful material.

Smoke Test

Note: The tests are done with a device that uses the same plasma ion generating module that PLIBE has.

Fungi Test

Click here to Buy Now: $42.00 $85.00

A Backpack with a Boost

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 04:00 AM PDT

I recently had a conversation with a fellow camper who I crossed paths with on a trail. This macho man stopped me to inquire why I insisted on using a phone while I was hiking. I informed him that I was mapping my trail so I could try an unexplored way back and didn’t want to get lost, then proceeded to show him a myriad of other gadgets including solar chargers and a portable heater. The guy responded “a true survivalist doesn’t need all these silly things” and went on his way, leaving me with what he thought was a truly mind-blowing thought. Well, I did start to think about it and wondered if any of the Lewis and Clarks throughout history would have ever turned down the opportunity to have an endless and safe light source or any heat source whatsoever. As you can imagine, the answer is NO!

I’ve digressed, but the point is… there’s no shame in playing the tech game, especially when it comes to ensuring your survival. That’s why gear like the Flash backpack is so great! Its large detachable solar panel straps on the front harness the sun’s energy while you hike or go about your day. When you stop to rest, you’ll have enough backup power to give all your devices a boost. Also tapping into this power is an integrated chest lamp located on the backpack strap that can be used to illuminate your trail or camp area in the dark. So whether you’re a novice camper or a total adventure junkie, devices like Flash can help you do more exploring instead of merely surviving!

Designer: Arun Kumar Singh

You Whale Love This Design!

Posted: 13 Mar 2018 03:00 AM PDT

I love this fan almost as much as I love a bad pun. Don’t be deceived by its big name, the Whale is a personal fan with a super-compact form designed to help you beat the heat just about anywhere! Named after its ridges that resemble those on a whale’s belly, it’s ergonomically shaped to fit comfortably in the hand while safely concealing its fan blade safely. Perfect for a variety of occasions from sporting events to the beach, you can toss it in a bag and take it with you on the go. Its convenient strap is easy to attach to a key ring, backpack or even a lanyard so you can wear it around your neck!

Designer: Lee Hyo Min

The best weapon for digital warfare!

Posted: 12 Mar 2018 04:00 PM PDT

Aptly named for the kind of activity it’s made for, the Hunter 1.0 is a keypad designed explicitly for FPS (first person shooter) games. Putting everything you need under the span and within the reach of your left hand’s fingers, the Hunter can be used along with your mouse to become your most effective gaming gear. Built with arrow keys, a space button, a joypad, and 8 more programmable mechanical keys, the Hunter puts everything you need right at your fingertips.

The Hunter 1.0’s bullet mechanical keys are designed to provide a tactile experience most gamers die for. Spaced apart to prevent accidental pressing, and designed to be entirely backlit, the keypad even comes with an anti-slip underside and even haptic feedback, vibrating when you fire or get hit, to provide an immersive, undistracted experience. What’s worth noting is that the design is great to look at, but the minute you begin using it, its aesthetics recede into the background and it becomes a hardcore performance device, providing only one true function… a high competitive edge!

Designer: Iaroslav Neriubov

An unmanned rover for Earth!

Posted: 12 Mar 2018 02:00 PM PDT

The Bend Unmanned Cross-country vehicle looks remarkable for quite a few reasons. Its tires, for starters, are made from scrap metal and are modeled in a manner that feels almost like a combination of Michelin’s 3D printed tires and NASA’s chainlink tires. The hollow metallic construction makes the wheel less susceptible to puncturing, while the organic design makes it look rather unique. Made from scrap metal, the wheels are easy to replace and repair.

What’s also interesting about the Bend (and also the reason behind its name) is its form. Looking broadly like a ball and socket joint, the Bend is pretty much exactly that. Designed as a massive magnetic ball-socket joint, the Bend can literally twist and contort itself to work around any sort of terrain (its hollowed-out tires would then come in use for gripping onto the ground, I suppose). Designed for applications in construction, research, and agriculture, the Bend works unmanned, and can be modified to suit its application. It runs on a battery that may need replacing from time to time. The designer proposes a drone-based battery replacement system, but I don’t see why we couldn’t use solar panels instead!

Designer: Maya Prokhorova