If you identify as one of the horological-obsessed, no doubt you’ve already spent a great deal of time on Hodinkee daydreaming of exceptional timepieces. I know I have. Conversely, if your interests align with graphic design trends, you’ve likely perused the work of lo-fi cult graphic design outfit, Online Ceramics. Guilty again. Somehow the two brands have come to intersect at the nexus of musician John Mayer, a devotee and avid collector of wristwatches of all varieties, including the classic digital Casio G-SHOCK, to drop the limited edition G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 by Online Ceramics for Hodinkee.

The watch blog has been in cahoots with the impressively obsessive and knowledgeable Mayer for the last few years, a partnership that has bore fruits in the form of two of three planned limited edition Casio G-SHOCK wristwatches. The newly revealed G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 By Online Ceramics Limited Edition For Hodinkee is as gloriously green as the previous G-SHOCK Ref. 6900 – Subtract By Ed Sheeran For Hodinkee is yellow. Like Mayer’s enthusiasm, the new collaboration design won us over with some of its more subtle detailing reflective of the kookier left field ethos associated with the Online Ceramics vibe.

Come on, how could you not love this small snail detail?

We’re excited to unveil the latest collaboration with Hodinkee and Online Ceramics’ imaginative touch. This series represents a collective journey of imagination, with each collaborator leaving an indelible mark on the G-SHOCK legacy. We look forward to the third and final chapter, as we continue to reimagine the intersection of creativity, innovation, and timekeeping.

-Tadashi Shibuya, Vice President, Casio Timepiece Division

The snail makes another appearance, engraved onto the G-SHOCK back plate.

Founded in 2016 by Elijah Funk and Alix Ross, Online Ceramics built a rabid following with their free-spirited style of graphic design, emphasizing bold typography with psychedelic+horror focused imagery. And we’re happy to see the duo has lent some of that same idiosyncratic style to their special edition G-SHOCK 5600.

A pair of existential messages adorn the wristband in yellow san serif type: “Mushroom House Haunted Wagon” and “Sun Watch, Moon Time,” with a small red snail logo rewarding the keen eyed.

Additionally, a surprise easter egg awaits when the watch’s backlight is activated, displaying “Love Grows in the Sunshine.” It’s weird in a delightful way, but also completely aligned with Online Ceramics’ catalog of arcane-esoteric messaging, sure to make the watch one of the more popular collectibles commemorating Casio G-SHOCK’s 40th anniversary.

Commemorating the special edition, the G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 By Online Ceramics Limited Edition for Hodinkee comes packaged in a soft padded collector’s box

The G-SHOCK Ref. 5600 By Online Ceramics is available now for $185 at the Hodinkee Shop, Online Ceramics, and Casio.com.

This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Abelardo Morell presents his latest “tent-camera photographs” at Edwynn Houk Gallery in New York this month. Each photograph places you in the literal footsteps of Monet and Van Gogh, revealing the ground on which these artists stood, combined with the view of what can be seen from that spot. Morell’s mind-boggling photographic technique produces a wondrous new way of seeing the world, and in the New Ground exhibition offers a fresh new perspective of these legendary artists.

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: Yew Tree in Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France, 2023

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: Yew Tree in Monet’s Garden, Giverny, France, 2023 (detail)

Abelardo Morell’s images are not double-exposures. What you’re seeing is all happening within a single click of the camera without the use of a mechanical projector. His works are based on the principles of a camera obscura, in which light filters through a pinhole to “project” an image within a darkened room, much the way our own eyes work. But in Morell’s tent-camera photographs, he sets up a light-blocking tent at a specific location with a periscope at the top. The image of the real landscape outside bounces through periscope and is redirected to the ground within the dark tent, overlaying the view from outside over the spot from which it is seen – all in real time. To capture the final image, a digital camera is mounted inside the tent, controlled remotely via a computer by Morell. A great video of that process is at the end of this article.

Courtesy Abelardo Morell

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: Sunflower Field, Near Arles, France, 2022

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: View of Monet’s Garden #1, Giverny, France, 2023

That light, falling over textured ground, has the added effect of abstracting each image with a real-life impressionist effect. It’s as if the earth itself has added expressive brushstrokes to each view. For example, an image of a tree in Monet’s garden is broken up into thousands of brushstroke-like pixels as a result of the rocky path. In another, weeds and fallen stems add a painterly sharpness to a distant field of red poppies. Morell is clearly intentional and poetic in this dance between image and earth, often selecting a time of day where trees are in silhouette or the sky is clear, to accentuate those moments of pure texture.

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: Poppy Field #2, Near Vetheuil, France, 2023

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: View of Monet’s Water Garden #1, Giverny, France, 2023

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: Six Cypresses, Near Arles, 2022

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: Olive Tree #2, St-Remy de Provence, France, 2022

Tent-Camera Image on Ground: Cypress, Near Arles, France, 2022

Stand as far back as you can, and then get extremely close. These images shift your attention and offer new discoveries from every distance. Each image stands alone as a near multi-sensory experience, as if we can feel the air and hear the crunch of gravel, all while re-invigorating the reality of art historical icons. Abelardo Morell: New Ground: In the Terrain of Van Gogh and Monet is on view at Edwynn Houk Gallery in New York, through December 9, 2023.

Above, Abelardo Morell with his assistant Max LaBelle, making his signature tent-camera artworks. Video made by and courtesy Dante Baies.

Abelardo Morell New Ground: In the Terrain of Van Gogh and Monet, at Edwynn Houk Gallery, New York

Abelardo Morell

What: Abelardo Morell: New Ground: In the Terrain of Van Gogh and Monet
Where: Edwynn Houk Gallery, 745 Fifth Avenue, 4^th Floor
When: October 19 – December 9, 2023

All images courtesy Abelardo Morell and Edwynn Hock Gallery, New York.

David Behringer visits over 200 galleries every month to uncover and share the most exciting contemporary art in New York today. Subscribe to his exclusive weekly newsletter at www.thetwopercent.com and learn about his private gallery tours. And be sure to check out his YouTube.

Designed by Studio KUNZ, the Trapezium House is nestled in the small town of David Canabarro, Rio Grande do Sul in southern Brazil. The home seamlessly blends modern design with the charm of the Brazilian countryside across 1,830 square feet on one floor. Built on a high plateau, the structure is surrounded by araucaria trees seen above the reimagined gabled roof.

The architects at Studio KUNZ deconstructed the typical gabled roof, making way for two trapezoidal sections. The facade stands out with oblique angles, offering a visual treat that is dynamic.

The structure, formed by the extrusion of two trapezoids, boasts inclined slabs that create a unique roof structure and internal ceiling, while inverted beams maintain the continuity of the ceiling surface.

Dark wooden slat accents dial back the coldness of the facade’s shades of gray while adding texture and warmth.

The glass door off of the dining room opens to a wooden pergola-covered balcony, creating a perfect spot to grow climbing plants and to enjoy the local trees.

Inside the Trapezium House, one notices two subtly separated levels, materials of wood, linen, and burnt cement, and an overall white finish that creates a space that exudes warmth and tranquility. The living room and kitchen, which fill with natural light, become a seamless extension of the picturesque surroundings.

During the chilly southern Brazilian winters, a fireplace and wood stove add warmth, while strategically placed windows ensure views in every direction.

Photography by Ezequiele Panizzi.

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Foscarini’s Chapeaux table lamp isn’t part of a magic show, but it might as well be. The captivating fixture designed by the late Rodolfo Dordoni will certainly stun any spectator with its unique design that’s composed of three main parts. The first, and most peculiar at first glance, is the transparent pyrex body, a cylindrical stem the widens at both ends. The bottom supports and stabilizes the lamp while the top welcomes the hat diffuser. When the lamp is turned on, the body is highlighted by the subtle reflections.

Chapeaux M

The second part, which perhaps is more intriguing once you examine the lamp, is the floating light source that Foscarini specially developed so that it encloses and conceals all the technical components, further reducing the lamp to its most minimal form. Lastly, the feature that gave the lamp its name, is the freely placed hat that sits without any interlocks. Altogether, Chapeaux gives the effect that it has vanished from sight while also attracting your attention.

Chapeaux is available in three different hat configurations. Chapeaux M is the most minimalist with the hat reflector in metal, making it ideal for workspaces as it reflects light on a surface. The coated blown glass of Chapeux V amplifies the warm, inviting light. Finally, Chapeaux P’s bone china hat gently filters the light and adds a delicate luminance.

Chapeaux V

Chapeaux P

Chapeaux M

Chapeaux M

Chapeaux M

Chapeaux V

Chapeaux V

Chapeaux M

Chapeaux M

Chapeaux M

As the Senior Contributing Editor, Vy Yang is obsessed with discovering ways to live well + with intention through design. She’s probably sharing what she finds over on Instagram stories. You can also find her at vytranyang.com.

When coming up with gift ideas, I tend to think long and hard to make sure it’s something I really want and that I’ll actually enjoy. I have to really envision using something before I even think about asking for it so it doesn’t become clutter in my small apartment. I also don’t want anyone’s hard earned money to go to waste if it’s something I end up not needing. That said, my gift ideas are generally all over the place, from things I really want and wouldn’t necessarily buy for myself to practical asks of things I need. Below you’ll find a sampling of ideas that have popped up on at least one year’s wish list, if not more!

I don’t know if it’s the delightful color choices, the stripes, or the nostalgic nod to the old test patterns shown on TV way back in the day when a show wasn’t being broadcast, but I love this soap. It’s handmade with glycerine in small batches featuring eight stripes of vibrant colors with a fresh, light scent that has top notes of sweet basil, peppermint leaf, and flower buds.

The 14 Series originally launched in 2005, but Bocci just recently transformed the ball-shaped design into a portable, candle-like light. Two poured-glass domes come together and filter light through three ambient light settings. It would be so easy to bring this lamp outside for dinner under the stars, set it on your bathroom counter while taking a bath, or leaving it bedside for an elegant nightlight. The imperfect glass casts a rippled, watery glow that anyone would love to carry around to elevate their life at a moment’s notice.

As someone who is a lifelong fan of vinyl, I’m always intrigued by all the new turntables that come out and this one really caught my eye. If you know someone with limited space that loves playing records like me, you’ll want to get them this 2-in-1 set. Not only is it a visually impressive design, it’s clever in that a portable Bluetooth speaker pops out from the turntable allowing one to listen to vinyl anywhere in their home. The overall design itself is so compact that it can also be considered portable and moved to any room one might want to take it. If orange isn’t their thing, the Hym Duo also comes in neon yellow and an all-black versions.

Over the years, I’ve been slowly making upgrades to my apartment and next on my list is my small kitchen. I figured I can’t be the only one on the hunt for small but mighty ideas to overhaul a space without gutting it. They may fit in the palm of your hand but these cross-knurl knobs will transform any kitchen cabinet (or furniture piece). It’s like when you add a necklace or pair of earrings and it making your outfit, these knobs will definitely make your kitchen or bathroom that much better. I’m sure we all know someone who has recently moved into a new space or they’re trying to pull together a renovation. Help them out by contributing a pair (or enough for every drawer and cabinet) to elevate the heart of their home.

When you were a kid, did you ever snag the randomly found twist tie from the loaf of bread and pretend it was a ring? Well, I did and this sterling silver rendition brings it all back! It comes in sizes 4 – 9 with each size being cast in its own unique shape from an original mold made by the artists. I love simple band rings, but I really love unusual ones and this ring is that. So if you have anyone on your list that leans towards unique jewelry, this one is for them (and me)!

If you know a fan of Ettore Sottsass or someone who loves to cook and likes colorful kitchen gear, these Alessi grinders fit the bill. Available in three sizes – Short, Medium, and Tall – and made from sustainably sourced beechwood, these grinders are like small colorful sculptures that are functional. It would be impossible for someone to use these and not have a smile on their face! PS: If they’re not a fan of pink, there are two additional colorways (yellow and red) to choose from.

It’s long been established that I’m an AFOL (Adult Fan of LEGO) and I love all things aviation as well, so this set hits it out of the park for me. And like me, I’m sure we all know someone that already loves LEGO sets or has been tempted to buy them but hesitated due to the cost (it can be an expensive hobby). Either way, they’ll love having a new set to tackle over the holidays this year. When they’re done, the Concorde will look so sleek and cool on their shelf reminding them of you and the fun they had building it.

I’m someone who can’t go to bed without water on my nightstand and I know I’m not alone. For those seeking nocturnal thirst quenching, help them elevate their late night water drinking with this adorable glass set in a moody green hue. The cup with its subtle sleeping face works as a bottle stopper (or, let’s be honest, a top to keep dust and flying creatures out). They can have sips whenever they like and set the glass back into the top of the bottle till next time. When not in use or just empty, the bottle doubles as a design object that will look good anywhere it lands.

Since I renovated my bathroom to a black and white color scheme, I’ve had fun adding super colorful textiles and accessories into the mix. There’s nothing better than the sight of playful designs and happy color palettes when you’re barely awake in the morning trying to get up and ready for work. While most people stick to the basics in the bathroom – beige, white, cream, various shades of gray, etc. – there are those of us that are at the opposite end of the spectrum and long for something fun and a fresh, new bathmat can do the trick.

Just as much as I love the idea of a cool lighter, there’s still nothing better than striking a match to light a candle (or whatever). It just elevates the whole experience when setting the mood with a candle burning. While the traditional box of matches is functional, it leaves a lot to be desired visually. This brass canister can be left out anywhere as it looks like a small design object, but hidden inside are matches at the ready. Two surfaces of textured brass make striking easy, and with “Set your life on fire. Seek those who fan your flame.” engraved on the side, it makes it a practical yet thoughtful gift someone will use for years and years and think of you.

Follow along so you don’t miss any of our 2023 Gift Guides this year!

This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

Caroline Williamson is Editor-in-Chief of Design Milk. She has a BFA in photography from SCAD and can usually be found searching for vintage wares, doing New York Times crossword puzzles in pen, or reworking playlists on Spotify.

Korean brand ODDICT (now confusingly concurrently branded as Phiaton) won accolades and our attention with their aluminum sheathed minimalist approach to wireless audio in the form of the TWIG and TWIG PRO wireless earbuds. While not yet officially announced, the company’s upcoming sequel, the TWIG 2 appeared on our radar upon being awarded the annual K Design Awards Grand Prize.

TWIG 2’s seamless form is realized primarily in aluminum and applied across both earbuds and case to differentiate it from standard oblong/rounded corner rectangle case designs.

TWIG 2 takes a very similar route as its two predecessors, subtracting unnecessary details for an almost impenetrably minimalist design. Where those previous earbud cases unlatched from the top to reveal its pair of stem-based earbuds, the new design’s front lid opens in entirety similar to a makeup powder case.

Inside, a gently sculpted indent invites each earbud a place for storage and recharging between listening sessions.

Inherently durable and resistant to stains, aluminum is applied across the TWIG 2’s most frequently touched surfaces. The material’s lightweight characteristics also add to the design’s portability.

Anticipated for global release in 2024, there’s no word yet of pricing nor the exact specs attached to these ANC wireless earbuds, but it’s likely they will be outfitted with digital hybrid noise cancellation, multiple mics to improve ambient noise blocking, IPX4 water resistance, playback personalization, and quick recharging similar to – if not better – than the current $150 TWIG PRO.

* Apparently the “K” stands for “kudos,” not “Korea,” as one might assume of the Korean-hosted jury competition.

This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

We’ve had the pleasure of sharing the Best of Globe Winners of Shaw Contract’s 2023 Design Awards, and now we’re turning the spotlight to shine on the 39 Best of Region Winners. Selected from more than 650 submissions and spanning 40 countries, a diverse panel of judges from around the world meticulously analyzed each project. These are the multiple winners chosen as the best of the best in each region represented: Asia, Australia and New Zealand, Canada, Greater China, India, Latin America, Middle East & Africa, UK & Continental Europe, and USA. Each project optimistically invents spaces that intentionally – and unintentionally – inspire new ways of working, learning, healing, and thriving. This type of design mindset gives way to how the industry as a whole can positively impact the communities and environments that surround us all.

Seen above is one of the Best of UK & Continental Europe winners, “Hudson River Trading (HRT) is a quantitative trading firm with over 900 employees across six countries. The firm partnered with us to create an office in London that supports collaborative work and reflects HRT’s culture and identity. Hudson River Trading’s culture is focused on people who love what they do. So, for its office design in London, we kept branding subtle and focused on designing for people.”

See and experience all 39 Best of Region Winners in the short video below!

The Shaw Contract Design Awards give us reason to celebrate international designers who share the brand’s commitment to creating a positive impact on all interiors. Over the years, we’ve seen numerous examples of how design can transform these spaces and enrich lives as a result, inspiring us all along the way.

With the 18th annual Design Awards now behind us, the focus turns to 2024! What will next year’s competition hold? More of the best work from conscientious designers who uphold Shaw Contract’s ideals of Material Health, Circular Economy, Carbon Impact and Diversity, and Equity and Inclusion. The 2024 Shaw Contract Design Awards will open submissions soon, submit this form to be notified!

“The Ford Experience Center is the embodiment of Ford’s leadership role in the future of mobility and their data and human science-driven approach to workplace design: a place where visitors can experience the company’s future by seeing, feeling, and being. It feels as innovative and rich as the company story and energizes everyone present with the brand’s clear visual impact.”

“The Ministry of Tourism Office project in Riyadh has positively impacted both people and the planet through the power of design. The design venture of this project aimed to align with Saudi Arabia’s Vision 2030 and create a workspace that caters to the needs of a large number of employees and visitors.”

“The company in charge of coordinating the distribution of energy throughout Chile decided to regroup in one place after years of being fragmented in different locations in the city of Santiago… We had to promote the union of the company, however, the most important thing for us as architects was to combine technology with improving the quality of life within this space, lowering cortisol levels (stress hormone), lowering anxiety, and building a space where collaboration, the healthiest types of groups, and balance are promoted.”

Naelofar Office by SWOT Design Group, Petaling Jaya, Malaysia, Best of Asia Winner Photo: David Yeow

“Naelofar, a brand re-known for Muslim modest-wear has grown exponentially in the recent five years. They intended to move to a new office space of over 7,000 square feet with a bright facade to provide a more welcoming environment for staff and to better convey their brand… the interior design aimed to capture the essence of nurturing relationships, with a space that is polished and creative, whilst also conveying the brand’s professional and personalized approach.”

Pfizer, Inc. by Steven Leach & Associates, Hong Kong, China, Best of Greater China Winner Photo: Steven Ko

“[The] Pfizer Hong Kong office is located in one of Hong Kong’s prime CBD, Quarry Bay, it is prepared to continuously deliver pharmaceutical solutions driven by science. Alongside the new logo, many of Pfizer’s core values are also integrated into the new office design. In addition, to deepen a sense of local community, unique local elements are subtly incorporated throughout the new office.”

“Riley’s Fish & Steak took over a previously rundown restaurant space located beside the cruise ship harbor of downtown Vancouver, surrounded by hotels, office towers, and convention centers. Our goal was to be as environmentally-friendly as possible with designing this new restaurant concept.”

Bosch Pune by adrianse*, Bengaluru, India, Best of India Winner Photo: Prajwal S + Rizwan

“Changing the mindset from a traditional work culture to agile ways of working was a big achievement for us. Multiple stakeholders, engagements, and alignment were streamlined [throughout]. This was a design only project, but we faced a lot of coordination challenges, which we would have overcome if the same was a D&B project for adrianse*.”

Newmont by Rezen Studio, Perth, Australia, Best of Australia Winner Photo: Jack Lovel

“As the world’s leading gold miner, Newmont is widely recognized for its principled environmental, social, and governance practices. The Newmont workplace reflects the culture and aspirations of the business and is a functional, flexible, and forward-looking tenancy for the future that supports a ‘remote first’ approach.”

Explore all 39 Best of Region winners in the short video above, or visit shawcontract.com to learn more!

Kelly Beall is Director of Branded Content at Design Milk. The Pittsburgh-based writer and designer has had a deep love of art and design for as long as she can remember, from Fashion Plates to MoMA and far beyond. When not searching out the visual arts, she’s likely sharing her favorite finds with others. Kelly can also be found tracking down new music, teaching herself to play the ukulele, or on the couch with her three pets – Bebe, Rainey, and Remy. Find her @designcrush on social.

Sewn into the day lit public volume of Shigeru Ban’s unassuming “Metal Shutter House” tower is L’SPACE gallery, the new headquarters for New York Textile Month (NYTM) and host to its recent event FIBRATION – a group exhibition presenting a patchwork of seminal pieces from artists embracing textiles as their primary medium. The showcase revealed a post-pandemic yearning for tactility that cannot be derived from most two-dimensional artifacts or other forms of conventional fine art.

My earliest discernible memory of color – and graphic design – dates back to childhood when I watched my mother change the commercial printer inks on equipment for her graphic design business. I vividly recall the fluids’ deep hues and the slight vinegar odor they omitted, not to mention my amusement with Pantone Formula Guides. So when Pantone Color Institute and Valentino launched this capsule collection I knew I had to own a piece of graphic design history – my purchase included the thermo steel drinking bottle and pencil cup.

The LOVE GOOD COLOR® Toolkit

The brainchild of award-winning designer and color savant Laura Guido-Clark, LOVE GOOD COLOR is a proprietary methodology that discerns color’s influence on consumer and designer choices through emotions. Her practice empowers designers to use impact when considering color for product or environments.

The Tall Column Chairs by Micah Rosenblatt are available in 38 or 60 inch seat back heights.

I delight in the silhouettes of Micah Rosenblatt’s Column Chairs. His use of metal to trace the outline of the form rather than its volume pays homage to the Ionic order while being grounded in the contemporary. The welded steel chairs are available in two sizes and when positioned down a long dining table give the illusion of a colonnade.

A designer myself, I am constantly in awe of the brilliant imagination exercised by my peers – especially when it is daring or defiant. Sophie Parker is the Brooklyn-based artist and creative director behind these works specializing in plant-based compositions. The mix of natural ephemera, paint, and the passage of time makes each arrangement’s fleeting existence that much more romantic.

With professional degrees in architecture and journalism, Joseph has a desire to make living beautifully accessible. His work seeks to enrich the lives of others with visual communication and storytelling through design. A regular contributor to titles under the SANDOW Design Group, including Luxe and Metropolis, Joseph serves the Design Milk team as their Managing Editor. When not practicing, he teaches visual communication, theory, and design. The New York-based writer has also contributed to exhibitions hosted by the AIA New York’s Center for Architecture and Architectural Digest, and recently published essays and collage illustrations with Proseterity, a literary publication.

Despite my longtime role here amongst my esteemed Design Milk colleagues as our site’s resident technology lover, my personal wants have increasingly leaned toward the utilitarian. In the past year my wife and I bought our first home, and we wrote out first book together, and in turn, it always seems like my wishlist looks more like a shopping list for a contractor or the supplies list of a hiking enthusiast rather than a design lover. Even so, there are more than a few gift items my design-loving heart longs to welcome into my life, a few of them shared below…

I still love the Dixon-designed Jack that I purchased a lifetime ago in celebration of a move and promotion, and I’ve continued to admire his current efforts, like this chemist-inspired borosilicate vessel that lands within the nexus of my interests in science, design, and display. It ain’t easy being green, but displaying any plant or floral cutting with this vase will easily add a dimension of the graphic to complement the natural.

Architecturally-inspired lighting can veer into the realm of kitsch, but Hangzhou-based designer Mario Tsai’s multi-tiered, die-cast aluminum lamps and lights inspired by the pagoda are a study in understated elegance. The light it glows with is more atmospheric than room illuminating, but as someone with a low-grade obsession with lighting, I’d welcome this modular height design in any of its 5-20 layer iterations to light the way.

In another lifetime, I worked as a toy and products designer, and decorated our tiny studio apartment at that time in appropriate colorful, playful fashion. I might have grown up just a little bit since then, but a part of me will always harbor a lasting love for objects that tap into our inner child, free from that horribly boring thing we call “taste.” If someone calls this cheesy, I’ll just throw out the, “It’s inspired by Claes Oldenburg!” card, then offer them a scoop of my favorite ice cream to placate their misplaced judgment.

Los Angeles designer/artist Sebastian Curi seems to subscribe to the belief you either “go big or go home!” Many of his silkscreen prints capture the captivating gestures of the hand in various poses, but I’ve recently fallen for his dual Daytime/Nighttime oversized 40″ x 55″ prints. At this scale they’d add some colorful graphical oomph that will never wilt like their IRL counterparts.

Willy Hu first appeared on my radar via his work for LA-based Sugar Lab, “the world’s first true digital bakery,” soon followed by my drooling attention toward the delectable efforts he and his partner Lexie Park create under the food + design moniker, Eat Nünchi. Hu’s latest endeavor in partnership with Jimmy Chung takes a more organic-modern approach, a series of stools launched and sold via Instagram evoking what my eyes perceive as traditional lacquered Korean Joseon dynasty spirit through the prism of Southern California modernism. I’ve already placed a down payment for one of UJU Studio’s ebonized stool designs with a sculpted knob, an early gift to myself.

I doubt I’m alone when I say the passing of time feels hazy at best. And what better way to represent the nebulous presence of time’s passing than this translucent glass wall clock designed by Makoto Koizumi for Japanese clock band, Lemnos. Or in the words of the designer: “We sometimes find the presence of a clock unpleasant. And sometimes the existence of time is also unpleasant. So a slightly ambiguous sign of time is just fine.” Amen.

Artist Jeffrey Sincich’s embroidery art captures that comforting human element associated with the hand-painted signage that I still remember dotting the streets of San Francisco. Seeing them elicits a bittersweet realization the artistry and craft of hand-painted signage is fading from our collective memory. Maybe that’s why I want this welcome mat-sized rug featuring one half of this site’s namesake. I wouldn’t dare step on this rug, believing it deserves a place on my wall to admire like the sign that inspired it.

As an iPhone never-nude, I’ve always encased my devices, just in case. Typically it’s been leather, more recently with Apple’s new FineWoven material (despite some reports saying otherwise, I’ve found the micro-twill durable and easy to clean). The new iPhone 15 Pro and 15 Pro Max might be sheathed in sections of titanium along the edges, but that doesn’t mean I want to expose those areas to scratches and dents, nor my oily paws. Thus, I’m tempted to try one of these ventilated aluminum alloy cases sporting the cheese grater design that any Apple Mac Pro desktop enthusiast would recognize. If you’re wondering what’s up with the “Aromatherapy” part of the case’s name, apparently there’s a perforated section designed for a drop of perfume or an essential oil. How scentual.

This is one of those gifts primarily practical in nature, but so well designed, it emphasizes how the best gifts are ones you’ll use and love on a daily basis. As someone who likes to keep his kitchen knives sharp, but doesn’t necessarily love the amount of time required to do so, this magnetic sharpener is a clever means to keep blades at their best without all of the multi-step care required of a whetstone. It’s just expensive enough to be a really nice gift, one that would be extra nice paired with a Damascus gyuto.

For many years we lived in a modest apartment overlooking the back corner of Richard Neutra’s VDL House, aka the Van der Leeuw House. The iconic residence is still imprinted as the epitome of the mid-century ethos, offering what I consider an elegant and modern way to live. With bedrooms as intimately private as the home’s shared living spaces are voluminous in possibilities, I’ll always remember the sensation of compression and expansion thoughtfully laid out at a modest residential scale, alongside the romantic spill of sunlight that would angle into the corners of the home with the sunset. I wouldn’t mind any of Studio Sander Patelski’s series of architectural inspired prints, but this one would be appreciated with all those special memories.

Follow along so you don’t miss any of our 2023 Gift Guides this year!

This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.

Prior to the 2023 Japan Mobility Show, Japanese auto brand Nissan dropped a peek of a sharply-sculpted Hyper Adventure 4×4 digital concept, a large-capacity battery on four wheels designed for “people passionate about outdoor adventures and an eco-friendly lifestyle” and outfitted it with its very own set of retractable steps that leads up to an adventurer’s loveseat for two inside its futuristic confines.

Nissan has been struggling to carve out a greater piece of the automotive pie for several years now, thus it behooves the auto brand to start taking more risks if they have any hopes to reconnect with buyers already tempted by the increasing models defining the EV segment (and if this concept and the Nissan Hyper Tourer, they’re certainly game). And the Hyper Adventure’s aggressively angular and aerodynamic exterior does promote a more tech-forward approach to their next generation of models. Most conspicuous is a side profile expressed by the Hyper Adventure’s nearly 45-degree diagonal door cutouts that appears as much sliced as designed.

The interior takes advantage of an EV platform’s skateboard-style platform, maximizing cargo space for hauling outdoor gear such as tents, skis, or even a kayak.

In addition to expressing movement even at a standstill, the Hyper Adventure’s exterior accentuates the vehicle’s spacious and very sensuously illuminated cabin within. The instrument panel connects to the bottom of the windshield, serving as a screen with a wide field of view, helping create the perception the body of the vehicle as transparent; the integration of a yoke steering wheel paired with a continuation of aggressive angles across the dash all the way back into the rear bench seat is additionally emphasized by ambient lighting, evoking a Cyberpunk 2077 atmosphere.

The wildest exploratory feature that we definitely will not be seeing is the Hyper Adventure’s rear bench seat, a modernist loveseat designed to rotate 180 degrees on an axle, giving those tired from aforementioned adventuring a comfortable place to rest when returning from a day’s venture. That is, once they ascend three more steps engineered to automatically extend out and downward.

Nissan says the Hyper Adventure Concept is to include a “large-capacity battery,” but being a concept, specifics about its actual capacity is kept nebulous. The concept is envisioned to ease the hardships of adventuring, operating with V2X (vehicle-to-everything) capabilities: powering up outdoor accessories, campsite lights, or even recharging electric jet skis. Back at home, Nissan imagines the SUV adding power back into homes (V2H) or a contributing surplus power back into the grid (V2G).

The Nissan Hyper Adventure concept is certainly not intended for production and will only be displayed at the Japan Mobility Show digitally rather than as a physical show model. But expect to see certain elements of the Hyper Adventure concept make their way into future iterations of the similarly sized Nissan Rogue or maybe even the more upscale Ariya.

Gregory Han is a Senior Editor at Design Milk. A Los Angeles native with a profound love and curiosity for design, hiking, tide pools, and road trips, a selection of his adventures and musings can be found at gregoryhan.com.