All posts tagged: product design

Float Table by Rock Paper Robot

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The woman behind the innovative furnishings company RockPaperRobot (RPR) might be as fascinating as her designs. A trained roboticist with an Engineer’s and Master’s degree from MIT, Jessica Banks was in the Humanoid Robotics Group within the university’s Computer Science and Artificial Intelligence Lab. She left graduate school just shy of her Ph.D. to teach about distributed power systems in MIT’s Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, and also holds a B.S. in General Physics from the University of Michigan, with a concentration in Creative Writing. And when you think she couldn’t be any cooler, you find out that she used to be Al Franken’s personal assistant. New from RPR is the Float Table, a magical Rubik’s Cube-like structure that elastically deforms and stabilizes when force is applied. The handcrafted table is a matrix of “magnetized” wooden cubes that levitate with respect to one another. The repelling cubes are held in equilibrium by a system of tensile steel cables. Float is available in a variety of woods and finishes as 38″ x 18.5″ x 18.5″ coffee table, a 18.5″ x 18.5″ side table, and in custom sizes. Shelving is …

100% Trays from Blu Dot

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  100% Trays are the latest accessory from the modern furnishings maker Blu Dot. Sold in sets of three, the trays are ready for keys, jewelry, sunglasses, or barware. The colorful, powder-coated steel trays are perfect for nesting or can be used separately. Just don’t serve canapés directly on them as they are not food-safe. The blue tray measures 14.7 square inches, the white is 9.7 square inches, and the lavender measures 5.8 square inches. $79.00  All images courtesy of Blu Dot.

Spectrum Candles

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Founded by architects Jean and Oliver Pelle, PELLE is a Brooklyn-based design practice that produces sculptural lighting fixtures, furnishings, and accessories that merge architectural practice with craftwork. The Spectrum Candles are a set of 12 lightly scented, soy wax candles that are individually hand-cast in PELLE’s cone-shaped Sugarloaf candle molds. The set comes in either dark red to cream (Red Currant) or black to white (Dark Rose) spectrums, with each candle producing a stronger scent as the color darkens. As the candles burn (up to 25 hours), the scents can combine and pools of colored wax interweave to create an new color experience. The makers highly recommend using a liner or candle dish to collect wax runoff and to protect your tabletop. $336, set of 12 or $28 per candle. All images courtesy of PELLE.

Tanssi Tableware Collection from Iittala

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New from the iconic Finnish brand Iittala, the Tanssi tableware series features illustrations by Finnish artist Klaus Haapaniemi. The group of dishes, plates, mugs, and other decorative pieces were inspired by Haapaniemi’s visual designs for the Finnish National Opera production of The Cunning Little Vixen, a Czech opera by Leoš Janácek that premiered in January 2015. The story, which looks at the co-existence of animals and humans and the eternal circle of life, comes alive on tableware shapes created by Finnish designer Heikki Orvola. Reflections from both ancient Oriental and Slavic imagery, as well as traditional stories appear in the drawings of deers, badgers, vixen, and foxes. The earthy color palette coordinates with all current Iittala glassware, including the brand new desert color now available for the Aalto vase. All images courtesy of Iittala.

Coolbox Toolbox

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The Coolbox might appear to be a normal toolbox at first glance, but this useful tool is more like a portable workstation for the construction site, boat, or garage. First of all, Coolbox features a 20v rechargeable lithium polymer battery to run small power tools on the go or to charge your devices (via two USB ports built into the front panel). It also has a built-in, marine-grade 40w Bluetooth speaker built into the front, built-in LED lighting mounted internally and externally, and an LCD clock that will also display the battery level. Add to that some less techy, but still quite handy, conveniences like a retractable 12 foot extension cord, dual handles, wheels, a 20” x 12” dry-erase board on the inside lid, and a tablet stand, and you have the smartest toolbox on the block. While the Coolbox is crowdfunding on indiegogo (until March 12th), you can get one for the special price of $169 (61% off the $299 retail price), with an estimated delivery of June 2015. That timing might make it a great Father’s Day or graduation present for that …

My Favorite New Products Now Available at the MoMA Store

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Last week I got to get a sneak peek at the new products available at the MoMA store in New York City and through its online shop. Here, in no particular order, are my five favorite new gifts, gadgets, and gear now available through the store. 1. Amish Scooter This scooter-bicycle hybrid has been crafted by the Stoltzfus family, an Amish family in Pennsylvania, since 1978. This substantial scooter lets adults move on two wheels without worrying about balance and knee strains. It comes with a kickstand, basket, and rear brake and handbrake with black or orange powder-coated steel frame and fenders. I’m partial to the orange myself. Black, $360, Orange, $320. 2. Porthole Infuser Designed by the Chicago-based design firm Crucial Detail, the shape of this table-ready infusion vessel was inspired by submarine portholes. It can be used to create and hold 13 ounces of cocktails, infused oils, dressings, or whatever you want to conjure. Made of tempered glass, ABS, stainless steel, and silicone, the Porthole Infuser is dishwasher safe and comes with four recipes to get you started.  2” wide x 7″ …