Immersive VR is great for entertainment… but for work, not that much. The idea is to be able to interact with spatial elements, but not have them completely cut you off from the real world. Just the way a laptop screen or desktop monitor offers you only with a window of productivity but still gives you the option of stepping away to attend meetings, talk to coworkers, or take notes/make doodles, this VR headset concept from Umeå Institute of Design student Simon Ljungblahd lets you easily switch between real and spatial life.

The VR headset features a familiar design, but instead of having screens strapped to your eyes, this one mounts them on a visor-style hinge that you can flip upwards when not in use, allowing yourself to engage with the real world. Meanwhile, a screen on front acts much like the one found on the Vision Pro, giving people around you a sense of your status, whether you’re busy, free, or even when you’re up for a coffee break!

Designer: Simon Ljungblahd

The headset’s design is relatively lightweight, with a display unit that doesn’t need to be bulky because it doesn’t wrap around your eyes, cutting light from the outside world out. It sits ahead of you almost like a HUD (Heads-up Display), giving you the spatial experience just within a portion of your PoV, like a desktop monitor would. Except, you can move your head around to see more of the spatial environment around you. Or look through the corner of your eye to see the real world. When you want to quickly leave the simulation, flip the headset up and you’re out of virtual reality.

“As screen resolution on these devices increases, the use-case of work, or productivity, becomes more interesting as it enables users to view interfaces with a high density of information, which is necessary for that use-case. Spatial Computing would allow users to have a full 360-degree interface and with depth, which would enable much richer multi-tasking,” says Simon. “The depth aspect would also potentially create more intuitive interfaces when it comes to use cases like 3D modeling, or map viewing. The Spatial Computing headsets that are made for entertainment, social experiences, and simulations are designed to optimize the user experience for those use-cases, but so far, no headset on the market is made to focus solely on the use-case of productivity.”

The headset is unique in that it offers the best of both VR headsets and desktop monitors. VR headsets keep you locked in an environment that can affect your productivity by cutting the real world out, but also give you a sense of fatigue with too much use. Laptops and desktop monitors, on the other hand, don’t give you unlimited virtual space for multiple tabs/windows and the ability to work in 3D. Simon’s design therefore strikes a clever balance between the two. Besides, I love the idea of the display on the front of my headset being used to let others know whether I’m busy, free, or up for a quick break in between work sessions!

The post This ‘Office VR Headset’ focuses on productivity without cutting the real world out first appeared on Yanko Design.

Exhaustion is an epidemic. A staggering 62% of adults worldwide struggle with sleep deprivation, leading to a domino effect on health and productivity. Enter the Power Nap Chair, a revolutionary furniture design that tackles this challenge head-on.

Designed by Martin Tsankov, the idea of the Power Nap Chair came from his friend and business partner Milen Kisov, who discovered that power naps helped significantly boost his productivity at work. Scientifically proven to enhance cognitive function, memory, and cardiovascular health, short 15-30 minute naps are a game-changer. But finding a suitable space for napping at work has traditionally been a hurdle. Existing solutions like sleeping pods are bulky and expensive (not to mention that most offices don’t have them), and napping at your desk isn’t just uncomfortable, it’s also frowned upon… but the Power Nap chair offers a slick, cozy, and effective alternative.

Designers: Martin Tsankov & Milen Kisov

Sort of like a lounge chair meets a baby stroller, the Power Nap Chair comes with a relaxing design that you can lay down in, and a hood that cocoons you in your own personal private bubble. Simplicity reigns supreme – the chair is free of distracting technology, fostering complete disconnection. This makes it perfect for both open-plan offices and compact workspaces. Sustainability is woven into the very fabric of the chair. Carefully chosen, fully recyclable materials are used throughout, minimizing environmental impact.

The Power Nap Chair is built with three core components: a metal frame, an upholstered wooden body, and a foldable hood. The frame is crafted from machine-bent and powder-coated carbon steel profiles, echoing the chair’s triangular design for a sturdy foundation. The body is constructed from 104 individual CNC-milled birch plywood triangles, meticulously hand-sanded, and finished with non-toxic linseed oil. Each triangle is then encased in flame-resistant, biodegradable memory foam before being upholstered in a comfortable woolen fabric. The hood, made from the same fabric, is specially designed to fold for easy storage while providing essential privacy for napping users.

“Our main challenge is reversing societal stigma around resting in the workplace by creating a product fit for a modern lifestyle where relaxation and productivity intersect,” says designer Martin Tsankov, who won an A’ Design Award this year for the Power Nap Chair. The chair looks inviting, comfortable, and has a unique low-poly aesthetic that your eyes are sure to fall in love with right before they shut for your quick nap. The chair holds a design patent, although it isn’t in production just yet. A final prototype was, however, exhibited at the Stockholm Furniture Fair in February 2024.

The post Want a quick power nap at work? This clever chair will help you catch a few winks first appeared on Yanko Design.

One of the keys to an aligned, well-functioning, and efficient office space is the furniture we place in it. We spend the majority of our day sitting on our office chairs or typing away on our desks whether we’re working in our home office or a corporate one. Hence, these pieces of furniture need to be not only comfortable but ergonomic, and aesthetic as well. It is important to find furniture designs that are excellent at helping us maintain a good posture, while also being super comfy to work in, and merging well with the overall office interior and aesthetic. And one such furniture design is the Plenum Cabin by Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen.

Designer: Jaime Hayon for Fritz Hansen

Designed by Jaime Hayon for the Danish brand Fritz Hansen, this series of enclosed seats is called the Plenum Cabin, and they offer comfortable spaces within the corporate workplace. The Plenum Cabins have been designed to serve as meeting spots for productive and informal meetings in office environments. They also function as integral focal points in open-plan interiors.

“With Plenum Cabin, my aim was to craft a space within a space – a haven for intimate conversations and informal gatherings,” said Hayon. “It’s not just a cabin – it’s an invitation to connect, to share, and to experience the best of human interaction in the workplace.” The Plenum Cabin features seats with a high back to provide privacy, as well as foam cushions to offer utmost comfort. The furniture pieces can be upholstered in a range of recycled textiles.

The unique booth has been equipped with a table, an internal cable management system, and an integrated screen. The various features help in creating a productive working environment, allowing employees to work in peace and streamline their schedules. The work booth is also pretty aesthetic to look at it, it has a contemporary appeal, which allows it to seamlessly merge with different kinds of office spaces.

The post Contemporary Work Booths Serve As Little Oases Of Comfort & Productivity In Your Hectic Office first appeared on Yanko Design.

Pens, regardless of design, are almost always associated with productivity and creativity, in other words, activity. While you can use the writing instrument to clear your head and achieve a state of calm, that’s only after you’ve actively used it. Rarely does a pen by its mere appearance actually take you to that state, but that is exactly what this unique-looking pen tries to accomplish. Using not only visuals but also texture, this Japanese-made pen aims to help you become mindful of the present, even if only for a moment, taking inspiration from the easily distinguishable composition of a Zen garden, sand and stone and all.

Designer: Jacopo Drago (Zenical)

It’s almost miraculous how a dry landscape and a meticulous arrangement of stone in gravel or sand can nudge the mind into a meditative state. That, however, is the magic and science that Zen Buddhist monks have discovered and developed over centuries, combining contrasting elements, minimalist arrangements, and natural elements to design a space meant to inspire calm and maybe clear a few cobwebs inside the brain. The stillness of the rock standing amid the thin lines of movement drawn on gravel around it, the smoothness of the pebbles contrasting with the coarseness of the sand, and the presence of living trees or shrubs standing defiant on lifeless ground, all these elements work in harmony to take the mind for a peaceful journey.

These rock gardens have become so popular that a few people have miniature Zen gardens on shelves or even their desks, but they can neither take these with them wherever they go nor always have them available when they need to. The Zen Pen tries to bring that same experience to an even smaller scale by recreating the key elements of a Zen garden in a way that you can see and feel in your hand. A part of that is clearly seen in the 3D-printed grooves that snake around the barrel and the cap, easily reminiscent of the thin lines and circles drawn on a rock garden.

It doesn’t stop there, however. The clip, which is often regarded as a utilitarian element, also contributes to the composition. Its smooth, oval shape is like one of those rocks or pebbles lying on the gravel, and you can see the typical circles radiating from its position. That position is actually off-center, doubling down on the contrasting themes of balance and asymmetry associated with Zen gardens.

The Zen Pen isn’t just a visual treat but also a tactile one, thanks to the handiwork of skilled Japanese craftsmen utilizing modern technologies like 3D printing and milling. While the grip near the nib is smooth and plain in order to be comfortable to hold, the rest of the barrel and the cap feature this textured surface that delights the fingertips. And as many variations of fidget toys have proven, mindlessly stimulating those fingers, even just by gliding over those grooves, can also help stimulate the mind.

The post Zen garden pen brings a visual and tactile way to inspire mindfulness first appeared on Yanko Design.

Does your mum work from home, while also managing your chaotic home and your entire family?! Well, then she’s a superhero, like all mums, because they’re truly the masters of multitasking. And if you have a mum who handles the corporate world from the comforts of her home office, while also ensuring everyone in the house doesn’t go insane, we’ve found a couple of products to help her with the former. These ingenious products make for the perfect Mother’s Day gifts for all the WFH mommies! These thoughtful, well-designed and quality products will improve her work routine and productivity, while also helping her maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. From a pen that floats in the air and defies gravity to a fashionable AirPods necklace that ensures your mom never loses her AirPods again – these innovative and functional WFH accessories are excellent gifts for all the hardworking mums out there!

1. Levitating Pen 3.0

One of the most important accessories on someone’s desk is their pen, and this Mother’s Day you can gift your mom a pen that isn’t simply a writing instrument but is a symbol of creative potential and innovation. Called the Levitating Pen 3.0, this sleek and sharp pen defies gravity and features a unique appearance with a spacecraft-like appearance, and the ability to float in the air! Doubling also as a fidget spinner, a statement piece and functional design, this pen is sure to command attention on even Zoom calls.

Click Here to Buy Now: $116 $129 (10% off ). Hurry, Mother’s Day sale ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Levitating Pen 3.0 is unlike your ordinary office supply. It merges cutting-edge technology with a sleek, good-looking, and minimalist design. The pen balances at a 60-degree angle, and it even gently bobs in place, making note-taking a unique and awe-spiring experience.

What we like

• The pen utilizes a magnetic field to levitate and spin, forming an intriguing visual effect
• Offers a writing experience that is seamless, durable, and premium
• The holder is redesigned to be more streamlined than ever

What we dislike

• Although the pen is quite fascinating, it can be deemed a hassle to keep the pen refills handy for prolonged use.

2. Orbitkey Nest

Called the Orbitkey Nest, this little desk organizer is a reinvented version of the stationery box. It serves as a home for your desk accessories and everyday essentials – ranging from your pencils and erasers to your EDC too. It is an excellent option for your mum to store her chargers, AirPods, hard disks, SD cards, pen drives, and more, especially if she finds herself battling with a messy desk often.

Why is it noteworthy?

The nest holds and store your tech essentials, while also ensuring the desk is well-organized and neat. It is a great tool to facilitate productivity and ensure a clutter-free mind. The upper surface features a slight indentation, which can store keys or a watch, while a dedicated zone functions as a wireless charger for phones.

What we like

• Made from top-grain leather upper, polycarbonate shell, and a nylon fabric base layer, giving it a clean and sophisticated appearance

What we dislike

• The overall size maybe small for some owners and we would have liked a bigger size option was made available.

3. MagBoard Clipboard

Dubbed the MagBoard Clipboard, this innovative notepad/clipboard hybrid is designed for anyone working from home, who needs to integrate adaptability and efficiency into their work schedule. The flexible and minimal product is an excellent Mother’s Day present for your mum if she is a remote worker. It features a magnet and lever mechanism that holds loose sheets safely and securely in one place.

Click Here to Buy Now: $41 $45 (10% off). Hurry, Mother’s Day sale ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

If your mum is bored of typical notepads, then the MagBoard Clipboard is a good option for her. It has a unique design that works well for the environment of a home office, allowing her to take notes without the constraints of a traditional notebook.

What we like

• The clipboard utilizes magnets and levers to hold and release papers
• It has a lightweight and compact form, making it ideal for use at home or on the go

What we dislike

• It works well with specific page sizes, so may not be able to cater to everyone’s needs

4. Fidget Cube

If your mum is a chronic fidgeter, and you often find her fidgeting away with random objects on her desk, then it may be time to gift her something that has been designed for ‘fidgeting’. Dubbed the Fidget Cube, this unusually addictive yet high-quality desk toy is designed to help users focus. It features six sides, and each side has something for your mum to fidget with, and calm her overworked mind.

Why is it noteworthy?

The Fidget Cube includes six versatile sides, and the different sides have something different for you to do. There is – Click, Glide, Flip, Breathe, Roll, and Spin. The Click side lets the clicker in your mom out, as she doesn’t need to click on any pens anymore. With the glide action, she can enjoy the gliding action of this joystick.

What we like

• It is available in ten different color schemes, so you can pick the one your mum would like
• Helps in focusing and streamlining thoughts

What we dislike

• Fidgeting isn’t considered a positive activity by everyone, so the product may not be appreciated by some people

5. The Note

Quite simply called the Note, this little note-taking accessory is the perfect product for all work-from-home moms. The Note is essentially a compact desk whiteboard that lets you swiftly take down notes with ease and efficiency. And it doesn’t function as your everyday note-taker, no, it has a few innovative tricks up its sleeve to elevate your dreary workday.

Why is it noteworthy?

If your mum spends a lot of hours in her home office, and yet somehow manages to brilliantly manage your home and family, then having a whiteboard that lets her keep track of her tasks and daily routine is an absolute godsend. This unique whiteboard can be easily flipped over or twisted, providing abundant space to write down her notes. One side of the board has a dotted grid surface to help with diagrams, while the other side is plain, or you could even have the same design on both sides.

What we like

• The Note is equipped with a multi-purpose vertical screen to view the time, manage your appointments, and keep an eye on the calendar

What we dislike

• The screen doesn’t support showing videos, which is a function that can be important in certain people’s fields of work

6. ASMR Zen Ball

Does work stress get to your mum quite a bit? Well, then gifting her this compact little ball could be the ideal Mother’s Day present. Dubbed the ASMR Zen Ball, this unique little design merges natural and engineered elements to form an intriguing space-inspired design which offers a tranquil and calming experience to users. It features a meteorite-inspired porous surface that swiftly absorbs aroma oils.

Click Here to Buy Now: $89 $99 (10% off). Hurry, Mother’s Day sale ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

Crafted from genuine volcanic stone and matte aluminum alloy, the Zen Balls functions as a fidget toy as well, providing users with an interactive yet meditative experience, allowing them to foster a relationship with the natural energy of the earth. It is a useful and valuable addition to your mum’s desk space, allowing her to take breaks from work, and regulate her stress levels.

What we like

• Serves as a fidget toy, offering sensory stimulation, and distracting users from stressful thoughts

What we dislike

• If the ball is not attached to the base, it could start rolling due to accidental bumps

7. The Modular Bottle

Sitting at your work desk all day can often make you forget to keep drinking your water. And if you’re mum is one of those people, then you may want to gift her the Modular Bottle this Mother’s Day! Called TMB or The Modular Bottle, this bottle tends to meet drinking requirements in every kind of situation. Whether someone’s working at home, driving to work, or even heading to the gym. The bottle will cater to your mum’s different drinking needs!

Why is it noteworthy?

The interior of the bottle is made using durable borosilicate glass, providing drinks with the perfect taste, no matter how many times the bottle is used. This also makes the bottle quite easy to clean. The mid-section of the bottle is translucent so you can easily make out how much liquid is left inside.

What we like

• It has an Infusion Module Add-On for tea and fruits
• It has quite a large opening, making it easy to clean
• There is a secret compartment for snacks

What we dislike

• Since it is a glass bottle, it is easily breakable and must be handled with care

8. AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap

If your mum is obsessed with her AirPods or AirPods Pro and needs them throughout her workday to attend to important calls or to listen to essential media, well then this clever little neck strap may be for her. This AirPods/AirPods Pro Neck Strap will ensure that she never loses them, and they’re always close to her heart. They’re also great for when she is commuting or moving around and needs easy access to them.

Click Here to Buy Now: $35. $39 (10% off). Hurry, Mother’s Day sale ends in 48 hours!

Why is it noteworthy?

The neck strap is made up of a woven necklace, that ensures your AirPods are around your neck at all times. It merges fashion, good looks, and practicality to create an innovative Apple accessory with a patented One-Click Magnetic Lock, which keeps your mum’s earbuds safe and secure.

What we like

• Eliminates the risk of losing your AirPods, especially if you are on the move
• Provides easy and quick access to your AirPods

What we dislike

• Since they’re attached to a necklace, the AirPods are easily exposed to damage, dirt, and weather elements

9. BetterBack

If your mum is sitting at her work desk in her home office all day long, then she is bound to suffer from some back pain. And if you want your mum to take better care of her back and posture, well then you better get her the BetterBack! The BetterBack provides instant relief from back pain. It lets the user sit effortlessly in the perfect posture, not only easing back pain but also helping to prevent it.

Why is it noteworthy?

The BetterBack features a lightweight and portable design, and it successfully makes every chair ergonomic. Your mum simply needs to wear it for 15 minutes a day, and it retrains her body’s default posture, allowing her to stand or sit properly without the BetterBack, in turn improving her posture.

What we like

• Stabilizes the pelvis, and restores the spine’s natural curvature, in turn providing lumbar supports

What we dislike

• You cannot clip it to your waist, so it can be a pain to stand up and sit down with it

10. Light-Up Desk Lamp

This desk lamp is called the Light-Up Desk Lamp, and quite interestingly, it is inspired by the story of a light switch, which according to the designer has more meaning when it is turned on, than when it illuminates a space. The designer believes that turning on the switch indicates a new beginning, which leads to the creation of the Light-Up Lamp. What a wonderful and thoughtful gift to give your mum this Mother’s Day, right?

Why is it noteworthy?

The Light-Up Lamp is designed to get your mum into ‘work mode’, the minute the lamp is switched on. The lamp doesn’t really have a very complicated design. It is simple and focused and aims to create a seamless work environment the second it is switched on. It doesn’t have any sudden color changes or any odd flickers.

What we like

• It is designed to enhance productivity
• It is also an excellent table organizer, as you can hold up sticky notes on it

What we dislike

• It is a tall and bulky design, so it will occupy some precious real estate on your desk. Not the most compact desk lamp on the market

The post With These 10 Productivity Boosting WFH Designs, Elevate Your Mom’s Work-Life Balance This Mother’s Day first appeared on Yanko Design.

You’ve probably had your share of seeing articles, YouTube videos, and Instagram posts about beautifully crafted notebooks and journals. Despite the prevalence of smartphones, computers, and digital devices, there is still a very strong culture around paper notebooks and the tools that support their use. That said, notebooks aren’t the only medium for this kind of creative activity, and loose-leaf paper has some benefits as well, at least as long as you have a way of keeping them together or writing on them on a flat surface. This extremely simple clipboard offers that kind of experience for artists, architects, and engineers, and it even adds a feature you’ve probably never seen on any clipboard before.

Designer: Studio SHFT

Clipboards have been around for decades, maybe even centuries, but very few people actually give them a second thought. You’d usually see them in offices, store rooms, or even on the field to hold a few sheets of paper together, mostly checklists or forms to be filled while standing up. Unfortunately, that underestimates the utility of this tool, and this all-metal clipboard demonstrates how you can take advantage of its features with a few ingenious design details.

The most striking thing about the FOLD B is that it’s made from a single sheet of stainless steel. Although most clipboards are often made with plastic, cardboard, or even cork, a steel one isn’t at all unheard of yet extremely rare. Even rarer is the fact that it’s really just one flat sheet of metal, without even a clip to keep paper in place.

That function is instead delegated to two small cylindrical magnets that are strong enough to hold the paper down, though probably only a single sheet as well. The idea is to use the clipboard not as an organizer for loose-leaf paper but as a drawing board or canvas. You place a sheet of paper, “pin” it down with those two magnets, and start drawing, drafting, or writing to your heart’s content. The clipboard’s elevated rear drives home the fact that it’s really made for this kind of use case.

While it doesn’t have a paper clip, The one thing that does protrude from the top of the clipboard is a small rechargeable lamp. This assists the user to keep on working even in darker spaces, though it’s still better to have a properly lit environment anyway. This lamp is connected to the clipboard with screws, so it’s completely possible to remove it if you feel that it hinders rather than helps. Curiously, this built-in lighting also opens the design to more uses, like a guest book or a menu holder for restaurants.

The post Ultra-minimalist clipboard made from a sheet of metal has a built-in light first appeared on Yanko Design.

Something we often tend to do is ignore the importance of a great office chair. When in reality we really shouldn’t. We spend the majority of our day sitting on chairs, whether we’re working in our home office or a corporate one. Hence, this piece of furniture needs to be not only comfortable but ergonomic, and aesthetic as well. And we’ve curated a collection of chair designs that meet all these criteria! From a task chair that is made using 70% recycled materials to a fortune cookie-inspired wooden work pod – these innovative chair designs are not only a boon to your back, and help you maintain a healthy posture, but are also super comfy to sink into, and will perfectly match the interiors of your modern office. Enjoy.

1. Coffin Chair

This intriguing-looking office chair is shaped like a coffin, and it perfectly encapsulates the emotions you may feel regarding your dead-end corporate job. This innovative and unique chair is created for those who are fed up with their jobs, but cant really leave, and need to process their emotions in a healthy manner.

Why is it noteworthy?

The conceptual chair design perfectly encapsulates all the dreaded emotions employees usually experience throughout their workday. It captures the sense of boredom, and mundaneness one experiences as they sit through a pointless meeting that could have very easily been an email.

What we like

• The chair is inspired by Rene Magritte’s painting titled The Balcony (1950)
• It perfectly represents the emotions of having a dead-end job

What we dislike

• There’s no cozy cushioning to get comfy in, it could be uncomfortable to sit on for long periods of time

2. Typo Chair

Called the Typo Chair, this minimal yet powerful office chair by AMDL Circle for the furniture brand Mara deserves a spot in your office. What sets this rather ordinary-looking chair apart is its playfully bent form, which serves as a unique and uncommon element.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ergonomic office chair features a light timber base and backrest, and it has a gentle curve in its form. This shape sets the chair apart from typical chair designs, and it functions as the ‘focal point’ of the entire design.

What we like

• The colored metal structure contrasts the subtle wood creating a vibrant silhouette
• Features an intentional detail that adds personality to an otherwise basic chair

What we dislike

• There seems to be no option for customization

3. Vitra ACX

The Vitra ACX is designed as a collaboration between Vitra and Antonio Citterio. It is an excellent fit for your corporate or home office, and it is designed to have a “long service life with the smallest possible carbon footprint”.

Why is it noteworthy?

This chair is deemed to be ACX’s most sustainable task chair available, and it has a 100% recyclable construction, which is truly commendable. The chair is made using a limited number of components, and this ensures that maintenance is quite easy and efficient.

What we like

• Made up of 100% recyclable materials
• Features a mechanism that automatically adjusts to different kinds of users

What we dislike

• Aesthetics are a bit dull and unassuming

4. Sphere Office Chair

Dubbed the Sphere office chair, this good-looking and well-designed chair by the Japanese furniture brand Okamura is built using recycled fishing nets that were saved from the ocean. The unique chair features a “3D physical fit shell” with a kinematic structure that adapts to the contours of your body.

Why is it noteworthy?

Since the chair features a unique kinematic structure, it quite accurately adjusts to the user’s body, creating a comfy shell where users can sit for long periods of time, without feeling any kind of discomfort or fatigue.

What we like

• Easily adapts to the contours of the user’s body, serving as a comfy space to sit in

What we dislike

• The aesthetics of the chair are quite similar to other office chairs on the market

5. Catifa Carta

Meet the Catifa Carta – a beautiful minimalist sustainable chair that is made from dozens of sheets of paper. The chair isn’t literally made from paper, as that would be too soft, it is made from PaperShell – a unique material that transforms paper which comes from wood into a wood-like material.

Why is it noteworthy?

This excellent wood-like material provides rigidity, stability, and beauty. It utilizes wood-by products like chips and sawdust, and waste wood too like fallen branches in forests to form a new paper-like material that can replace wood, plastic, or fiber composites.

What we like

• The natural imperfections of the PaperShell give each chair a unique characteristic

What we dislike

• Not sure how effective the ergonomics of the chair are for sitting for longer durations of time

6. Liberty Ocean Chair

Designed by Humanscale, the Liberty Ocean Chair is as its name signifies built using one kilogram of abandoned fishing nets found in the ocean. This unique chair is quite a sustainable option since it utilizes recycled fishing nets. It aims to provide a solution to the issue of ocean plastic!

Why is it noteworthy?

The Liberty Ocean chair range claims to be “first task chairs made from recycled fishing nets”, and is a valiant effort on Humanscale’s behalf to tackle the evergrowing and consistent issue of ocean plastic.

What we like

• Ergonomic and minimal form
• First task chair to be crafted from recycled fishing nets

What we dislike

• The aesthetics of the chair are quite similar to other office chairs on the market

7. NEWTRAL MagicH

Meet the NEWTRAL MagicH – this is an ergonomic and intelligent chair design that features an auto-following backrest, as well as an auto-following and adjusting headrest. This chair is a great fit for those who spend long hours in their office, and find it difficult to take breaks and move around.

Why is it noteworthy?

The spring-loaded components of the chair contract when you’re reclining or sitting, and they offer support to your back and neck if you lean forward. The chair offers ample support to your body, no matter which position you’re sitting in. This chair provides the ultimate working experience.

What we like

• The chair offers support to your body and prevents any injuries

What we dislike

• The armrests, while highly adjustable, are not removable

8. The 5° Chair

Dubbed the 5° Chair, this unique office chair can rotate at 36-degree angles. It can learn back and forth, and even tilt side to side! This chair was created by the Seoul-based design firm 250 Design, and it is an excellent and ergonomically designed chair for your home.

Why is it noteworthy?

The seat plate of the chair hugs your hips and provides support from the bottom. The chair even features added cushion for more comfort. The legs have been reinforced with angled wave springs allowing them to tilt in any direction, creating a chair that can easily adjust to your body’s movement.

What we like

• The chair adjusts and works according to your body’s natural movement
• The chair features stationery mobility

What we dislike

• Doesnt include wheels, so the chair isn’t a portable design

9. Fortune Chair

Meet the Fortune Chair! It is a unique chair which is an interesting mix between a chair, pod, and a bean bag. The chair also looks like a fortune cookie, which explains its unique but pretty adorable name. The chair is inspired by a fortune cookie!

Why is it noteworthy?

Just like you crack a fortune cookie, the Fortune Chair captures the same experience and sentiment of cracking open a fortune cookie. The experience may be old-school, but it is still a fun and amusing thing to come across. The designers wanted to represent those same sentiments in this chair!

What we like

• Features a fortune cookie-inspired wooden outer wall, which serves as a covering frame that surrounds the user
• Functions as a comfy and cozy private space

What we dislike

• The chair has a unique aesthetic that may not complement the aesthetic of modern contemporary offices

10. uuma

Dubbed uuma, this portable chair and table combo is truly a unique one! It is made from fiberglass, and it offers a little unit with some impressive portability and durability. The chair functions as a customizable furniture unit, which is made up of 4 modular parts.

Why is it noteworthy?

uuma functions as a comfortable seat that can be raised or lowered on demand, and you can clip it to open to unveil a height-adjustable table, which is quite efficient to use as well. uuma lets you work wherever you like and whenever you like.

What we like

• uuma can be utilized in multiple settings both outdoors and indoors
• Has a highly portable and durable design

What we dislike

• The design may not be very ergonomic or comfortable to work on for long hours

The post 10 Best Office Chairs You Need To Add To Your Working Space ASAP first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’re a remote worker who works from home or often works on the go – you do need a desk to work on. Whether it is at home, or in your favorite cafe, employees always find a comfy desk to work on. You may be typing away to glory, munching away on a snack, or simply fidgeting with a random object – you do end up spending hours on your desk. And hence, your desk must be neat, tidy, and uncluttered. Not only will this improve your work routine and productivity, but it will also help you maintain a clearer and more streamlined mindset. And, I’ve discovered that adding limited, quality, and innovative products to my desk setup can help me in achieving these goals! The desk accessories you place on your desk are an integral part of your home/corporate office. And we’ve curated a collection of ingenious desk accessories for your desk!

Altar I Keyboard

The Altar I keyboard is made from sustainable materials such as post-consumer waste-derived plastic. It has a unibody aluminum framed peripheral with both U.K. and U.S. layouts with 78 and 77 key layouts. It is the first product made from eco-friendly materials by the electronics startup Electronic Materials Office.

Why is it noteworthy?

The keycaps are made from recycled polymers and hence aren’t a threat to Planet Earth. It is created for touch typing and can be used on two devices at the same time, which is an excellent option for those who switch between their laptop and tablet.

What we like

• Features a minimalist and crisp font
• Made using recyclable materials

What we dislike

• Only available in black, no other color options

2. MagBoard Clipboard

Embrace ultimate flexibility and minimalism with this cutting-edge notepad/clipboard hybrid. Designed for the remote worker who values efficiency and adaptability, this innovative accessory uses a magnet and lever mechanism to hold your loose sheets securely in place. Whether you’re jotting down quick notes or sketching complex designs, this notepad ensures your ideas flow as freely as your work location.

Click Here to Buy Now: $45

Why is it noteworthy?

The MagBoard stands out because it redefines the traditional notepad. Its unique design caters to the unpredictability of remote work, allowing you to tailor your note-taking experience without the constraints of conventional notebooks.

What we like

• Uses magnets and levers to securely hold and easily release papers
• Rearrange pages effortlessly to suit your task or mood
• Lightweight and compact, ideal for use at home or on the go

What we dislike

• Best used with specific sizes, which may not suit everyone’s needs

3. Levitating Pen 3.0

Not just a pen, but a symbol of innovation and creative potential. Crafted for those who dream big and aspire to make their mark on the world, this pen defies gravity and conventional design with its spacecraft-like appearance and levitating capabilities.

Click Here to Buy Now: $129

Why is it noteworthy?

This pen transcends ordinary office supplies by combining cutting-edge technology with a sleek, minimalistic design. Balancing at a 60-degree angle and gently bobbing in place, the Levitating Pen 3.0 turns the act of jotting down notes into an experience of awe and inspiration.

What we like

• Uses a magnetic field to levitate and spin, creating a visually captivating effect
• Ensures durability and a premium feel with a seamless casing
• The redesigned holder is more streamlined than ever, complementing any modern desk setup

What we dislike

• While stunning, the levitating feature might be seen as more of a novelty than a necessity

4. Painless Key Ring

Say goodbye to the hassle of traditional key rings with the revolutionary wave spring key ring. This innovative design, inspired by mechanisms used in aerospace and automotive industries, offers a seamless way to manage your keys without any of the usual frustrations.

Click Here to Buy Now: $25

Why is it noteworthy?

This key ring simplifies a universal task — organizing keys — through a high-tech, durable design that ensures your keys are securely held yet easily accessible. Its lightweight and compact form makes it perfect for remote workers who need to stay organized, whether at home or on the go.

What we like

• Utilizes a wave spring technology for easy addition and removal of keys
• Made from materials capable of withstanding daily wear and tear
• Eliminates the common struggle with tight or deformed key rings

What we dislike

• Pricier than traditional key rings due to its advanced design

5. Pen Fan

Meet the innovative Pen Fan – an innovative stationery design that is a cross between a stationery set and a Pantone shade card. The design features 8 different flat-headed sketch pens in a compact, efficient, and easy-to-carry, as well as an easy-to-use set.

Why is it noteworthy?

The various flat pens are interconnected, creating a cute little Japanese-fan-style layout that proudly showcases all 8 colors, letting you pick and choose from them. The pens are detachable, and you can easily snap on and off the pens, to create a palette that caters to you.

What we like

• The set is portable and quite easy to carry
• Ensures you don’t lose any of the pens

What we dislike

• Only 8 colors to pick from. They could have added more color options

6. DESKRISK

Called DESKRISK, this collection of desk accessories is designed to protect us from the adverse effects of sitting on your desk all day long, straining our eyes and neck. This collection includes a desk clock, which reminds us to take a break from constantly staring at the screens.

Why is it noteworthy?

The second product is a lamp, which reminds you to move along with the light source, so you’re not constantly bowing down and looking at your desk. These products function as an intervention, urging you to take a much-needed break from your desk, and from working all day long.

What we like

• Great collection for people who are at risk due to the nature of their work

What we dislike

• The magazine rack is supposed to resemble carpal tunnel syndrome, and we’re unsure how it will help with wrist problems

7. Portable CD Cover Player

Bring a touch of personal flair to your workspace. Not only does this CD player allow you to enjoy your favorite albums, but it also turns CD jacket art into a dynamic display element, enhancing your workspace both audibly and visually.

Click Here to Buy Now: $199

Why is it noteworthy?

This device stands out by merging music with visual art, creating a stimulating environment that can make daily tasks more enjoyable. Its portability and built-in speaker system offer flexibility to remote workers, whether they’re at home or in another location.

What we like

• Combines high-quality audio playback with an art display
• Easy to carry and can be placed anywhere, even hung on a wall
• Eliminates the need for additional speakers, simplifying your setup
• Adds a personal and cultural element to the workspace, which can be inspiring

What we dislike

• Only plays audio CDs, which might be restrictive given the digital streaming era
• Requires a bit of space if used on a desk, which might not suit minimalistic setups

8. Anywhere-Use Lamp

This compact, minimal, and simple lamp design is called the Anywhere-Use Lamp, and it is a clever lighting solution in a space where glaring screens and bright lights reign supreme. The lamp has an adorable mushroom-shaped head, which emits a soft, relaxing, and ambient glow.

Click Here to Buy Now: $149

Why is it noteworthy?

The lamp is powered by four AA batteries, and it features a modular design that offers atmospheric enhancement wherever it is placed. The lamp is equipped with six high-color rendering LEDs, and it creates an oasis of peace and relaxation in your home.

What we like

• Features four brightness levels
• You can easily disassemble the lamp, and take it anywhere with you

What we dislike

• The lamp isn’t water-resistant, can be an issue if you carry it outdoors

9. Plant-Inspired Desk Accessories

These plant-inspired desk accessories try to inspire you to think about real greenery and try to create the same peaceful and calm experience you would have if an actual plant was standing on your desk. These accessories are designed to elicit emotions of tranquility and relaxation.

Why is it noteworthy?

The plant-inspired accessories are of course just excellent imitations, and not the real deal. The collection includes great products such as the Greenery Pencil Holder which includes a ‘leaf’ that functions as a container, or the Greenery Clock which is an abstract product that functions as a minimalist digital clock.

What we like

• Lets you add some green hues to your desk

What we dislike

• It’s a concept, so we don’t know how well it will translate into a tangible product

10. Pop-up Book Vase

Transform your desk into a scene from a fairy tale with this enchanting pop-up book vase. This novel item opens to reveal a series of 3D vase cutouts, each designed to showcase your floral arrangements in a magical and ever-changing display.

Click Here to Buy Now: $39

Why is it noteworthy?

This vase combines the timeless charm of a storybook with the functionality of a flower vase, creating a unique item that not only serves as a conversation starter but also brings a touch of whimsy and color to your workspace. It’s perfect for remote workers who appreciate having a visually stimulating environment that fosters creativity and reduces stress.

What we like

• Offers a playful and innovative approach to displaying flowers
• Allows for easy changes in presentation, keeping your workspace vibrant
• Enhances the workspace by adding a narrative element, which can spark imagination

What we dislike

• Does not have the durability or functionality of traditional vases
• Isn’t suited for heavy or water-filled arrangements.

Editor’s Choice: Everlasting All-Metal Pencil

Called the Everlasting All-Metal Pencil, this unique pencil includes a tip that can’t be replaced and doesn’t need to be sharpened. The pencil lets you focus less on the lead, and pay more attention to your creative process! It is an excellent alternative to traditional graphite pencils which tend to wear down soon.

Click Here to Buy Now: $19.95

Why is it noteworthy?

The Everlasting All-Metal has an octagonal shaft made from aluminum with a special alloy core. The pencil draws like a real pencil and doesn’t wear down even after many marks.

What we like

• The pencil uses a metal core, so it wears down so slowly, that you may think it will outlive you

What we dislike

• Not the best for people who use smudging techniques, since it doesn’t smudge

The post 10 Best Accessories Designed To Be Clever Desk Hacks for Remote Workers first appeared on Yanko Design.

Desk trays are an indispensable part of any organization system, and their designs vary wildly to meet different needs and aesthetic tastes. While wooden desk accessories are not uncommon, the most standard materials used for these products are often virgin plastics that, given the volume of their use, spell trouble for the planet. Fortunately, a few designs nowadays do try to utilize recycled or even upcycled materials to ease the burden on the environment, but good design doesn’t have to stop there. This concept, for example, seems to check all the right boxes by offering not only a sustainable solution with a beautiful minimalist design but also one that lets you combine pieces as you see fit or use them solo in different places as needed.

Designers: Hoyeon Shin, Seokhyoun Han, Joae Kim, Yeongha Kim, Zoae Kim for Haus Bari

Truth be told, this design is actually four separate products sharing a similar DNA. One design, however, can’t meet all the needs of all users, so rather than make a monolithic product that wastes space and materials, this series of trays simply offers four unique designs that can be used for a variety of purposes, including in places that don’t involve work tables and stationery.

All four pieces share the same thin square platform, but that’s pretty much where the similarities end. One “block”, for example, has a fixed cylinder that can be used for holding writing instruments, tools, or maybe even flowers. Another has a circular indentation that invites you to place a mug or glass on it, though it can also fit small items such as an AirPods charging case. The tray with a wavy surface can be a bed for pens and pencils without having them jumbled up together. The fourth member has a simple flat surface, but flip it over and you will behold the Bari branding underneath. It can also function as another coaster thanks to that circular groove again.

The trays use diatomaceous earth, a sustainable material that is gaining popularity among product designers. It also gives the tray a textured appearance that resembles rough, unpolished stone, making the minimalist products look a little more visually interesting. It also makes it possible to place wet or damp objects on top of the tray, such as sponges or even soap, thanks to the material’s moisture resistance and self-drying properties.

Although each of these trays functions as an independent unit, you can also combine them as a single organization system where you have free reign over how they are arranged. You can have them for a line, put them in a grid, or spread them out all over the desk. Of course, you’re not limited to just one of each piece, either, and can form an army of trays and containers ready to keep your mess at bay. It’s an admittedly simple solution to desk and life organization, but one that offers beauty and flexibility in a package that tries to reduce its negative impact on the environment.

The post Sustainable and minimalist desk tray collection lets you mix and match to your needs first appeared on Yanko Design.

Sustainable furniture and designs are thankfully becoming more common, but the “sustainable” label can actually be applied to different things. They can be made from recycled materials like metal or PCR plastics, or they can be made from new but biodegradable materials like wood, cork, and paper. While both kinds are good, they don’t always address the accumulating material waste that comes from the production of these objects, even the bits and pieces of wood that get left on the cutting room floor and then thrown out. Giving a new purpose to these by-products is another sustainable practice, one that is being applied to a beautifully minimalist office chair that’s made from dozens of sheets of paper.

Designer: Arper

Of course, it’s not literally made from paper, which would be too soft for a chair no matter how many sheets you stack, especially for a sleek and slender seat based on Arper’s iconic Catifa 53. Instead, it uses PaperShell from a Swedish startup of the same name, a material that almost poetically transforms paper, which comes from wood, back to a wood-like material that offers rigidity, stability, and, more importantly, beauty. In a nutshell, it uses both wood by-products like sawdust and chips as well as waste wood like fallen branches in forests to create a new paper-like material that can be used in place of wood, plastic, or fiber composites.

That’s the case with the Catifa Carta, which compresses dozens of these sheets into a composite that’s then bent and formed into an elegant chair with a gentle slope sitting on top of thin yet sturdy metal legs. Unlike its older sibling, this more sustainable version of the chair leaves the seat in its original, unpainted glory. That means you can see the natural imperfections of the PaperShell material, giving each chair a unique character. It’s pretty much the same as the highly prized grains in wood that give designs their natural charm.

What’s even more special about the chair is that even the end of its life has a story to tell. PaperShell can be recycled to produce new and different products, but it can also be turned into biochar to nourish the Earth. The material itself sequesters carbon dioxide which can be used to enrich soil. It’s a truly circular life cycle that starts and ends with the Earth. Appropriately, Arper has made the Catifa Carta easy to disassemble to make this process even easier.

Of course, the chair isn’t just a thing of beauty inside and out, it’s also a functional piece of furniture. Though some might have concerns about the ergonomics of using such a chair for long periods at work, it’s still a well-designed seat that makes you feel good not only about sitting on it but also about the exciting journey that this wood-like material has made since its birth from a seed.

The post Sustainable office chair uses paper-like material made from wood by-products first appeared on Yanko Design.