Whether you’re working from home or in a commercial office, boosting your productivity is going to be something you’re always focused on. And one way to elevate your productivity is to fill your desk with clever gadgets and well-designed products that help you streamline your work routine, and keep your concentration to a maximum. Adding limited, quality, and innovative products to your desk setup can help you achieve your work and productivity goals! And we’ve curated a collection of smart and thoughtful gadgets to help you achieve peak productivity. Have a look, happy working!

1. Magic Bar for MacBook

Say hello to the Magic Bar, a portable Touch Bar that pairs up perfectly with any Apple peripheral. The notable device is sleek, seamless, and easy to carry, serving as a portable and functional gadget that is pretty similar to the Touch Bar in terms of form and functionality. The features of the Magic Bar are pretty similar to the Touch Bar as well.

Why is it noteworthy?

It also has a pretty recognizable design that aligns horizontally with your keyboard. You can pair up the Magic Bar with your iPhone, to create and use multiple smart home shortcuts.

What we like

• Portable and easy-to-carry form

What we dislike

• It is a concept, so we are unsure how well it will translate into a real product

2. Keychrone K2 HE

Called the Keychron K2 HE, this keyboard is designed for gamers, programmers, writers, and professionals. It offers a personalized and customizable typing experience. The keyboard features an ergonomic design, and supports versatile connectivity, setting it apart from other magnetic keyboards on the market. Its focus on personalization, magnetic switches, and robust quality make it an excellent addition to your workdesk.

Click Here to Buy Now: $125 $130 ($5 off). Hurry, only 82/400 left! Raised over $560,000.

Why is it noteworthy?

It merges aesthetics and functionality to create a sleek and seamless keyboard with a compact 75% layout. The keyboard allows you to maximize desk space while maintaining the important keys. The keyboard is also available in multiple editions, amped with aluminum frames and lovely wooden accents.

What we like

• The different keyboards are meticulously crafted to offer a robust and visually appealing experience

What we dislike

• Comes with a battery-operated version only

3. Rolling World Clock

Called the Rolling World Clock, this minimal and one-hand device is an excellent purchase if you work globally, and need to interact with different clients in different timezones. Besides being quite functional, the Rolling World Clock is also quite minimal and sleek, making it an aesthetically pleasing addition to your workdesk.

Click Here to Buy Now: $49

Why is it noteworthy?

The Rolling World Clock lets you access different timezones using a simple one-handed movement. You can turn and move the clock until you get the city whose time you need to check, this enables the watch hand to adjust to the correct timezone automatically and with ease.

What we like

• Eliminates the need to use a screen to check on multiple timezones
• Makes time-telling a simple affair

What we dislike

• The clock only features 12 set cities, so you will still need to calculate the time zones outside the clock’s interface

4. Snapmaker Artisan Premium

Designed by Snapmaker, the Artisan Premium is a top-notch creating tool. It is a 3-in-1 device that prints, engraves/etches, and CNC machines. It provides a big work area, while still saving up space since a whole bunch of functionalities are packed in one workstation. It has an all-metal design which facilitates factory-grade precision.

Why is it noteworthy?

The device includes an enclosure that holds the dust and provides protection to your eyes from laser damage. It also includes a control unit with a 7″ touchscreen, which lets you handle the machine with complete ease.

What we like

• You can plug in any of Snapmaker’s various modules into the modular interface

What we dislike

• Hefty price tag which may not be okay with everyone

5. Time Gate

Designed by Divoom, the Time Gate is a desk clock that ensures all your preferred notifications and widgets are placed in one unified interface, helping you work better, and cutting down on distractions. The device includes five separate screen interfaces, and it unifies all your necessary widgets onto one clock interface.

Why is it noteworthy?

The interfaces have been pixelated, and the digital clock has been given an expanded sense of realism, allowing all your essential assistants and dials to be placed in your peripheral view. You can add different widgets like weather updates, calendars, reminders, social media followers, stock market updates, and more.

What we like

• The clock interface can be customized via the companion app which allows you to create custom texts and animated graphics

What we dislike

• The clock’s form is unique and users may take some time to adjust to it

6. GRAVITUBE

Say hello to GRAVITUBE – a minimal anti-gravity desk gadget. It is a stylish anti-stress gadget amped with a neodymium floating magnet. If you find it difficult to concentrate at work, then you will like this innovative fidget toy. It features an anodized finishing touch, and it helps users calm down, ensuring they concentrate better at work.

Why is it noteworthy?

Fidgeting with the GRAVITUBE helps users calm down, but so does the magnet. Since the magnet is in movement, the field changes, creating a mechanical force that resists and slows down the magnet itself. The flow of the magnet can be observed from the precise 10cm cutout.

What we like

• It has a smooth surface and a high-quality body

What we dislike

• There are limited color options to choose from

7. Loona

If you need a break from work, and get some rest to heighten your productivity, then we’ve found the perfect companion for your break time – Loona. Meet Loona – the most intelligent Petbot with ChatGPT. Loona is so playful that you may even forget she is a robot.

Why is it noteworthy?

Loona can do almost anything! She’ll welcome you when you come home, follow you around as you walk, and get super happy when you pet her. Loona can also have fun by herself – she scratches, roams your home easily, and even sneezes.

What we like

• Gives you a much-need break and distraction from work

What we dislike

• She seems a bit fragile, so you need to handle her with care, especially if you own actual pets

8. Yeslamp Evo Adjustable LED Desk Lamp

This is the Yeslamp Evo Adjustable LED Desk Lamp – a 6-axis adjustable large-range LED natural spectrum lamp that meets all your lighting requirements when you’re working on a desk. This innovative lamp provides the perfect light and brightness for all your essential desktop working requirements.

Why is it noteworthy?

What makes the Yeslamp Evo even more unique is that it uses special LED beads that have been integrated with a Color Rendering Index (CRI), which is above 95. It is equipped with a spectrum that is close to the natural daylight, serving as an eye-friendly source of light that lets you read, work, write, and see with ease.

What we like

• Retains the authentic color of any object you’re working with
• You can complete your tasks better with minimum eye effort

What we dislike

• The black body of the lamp does not work for all desk setups.

9. PowerStudio

Called PowerStudio, and designed by AUKEY, this new portable power source was built by listening to the voices of customers who said, “I want a portable power source with a stylish design,” and “I wish there was a portable power source that even beginners can use and that can be used daily!”. Taking these needs into consideration, AUKEY created the PowerStudio.

Why is it noteworthy?

PowerStudio is designed to be compact and lightweight with an aesthetically pleasing and decorative form. It has a retro feel as well, which allows it to harmoniously merge with the different interiors and styles of different homes. It features a round shape and has a handle made from cowhide leather, so its character develops more as you use it.

What we like

• Combines functionality and aesthetics to create a product that will look great anywhere in your home

What we dislike

• The power capacity may be low for some users

10. Shakerbot

Called the ShakerBot, this fully programmable “Mouse Jiggler” assists you with time-based scheduling, web configuration, and OTA updates. The ShakerBot is designed to be flexible like a standard USB device while functioning as a secondary mouse or a pointing device. You can also use the USB port or an external Wall Wart for power, and connect to a Bluetooth mouse.

Why is it noteworthy?

The ShakerBot is designed to function as a real mouse and a keyboard. It can simulate mouse movements, and inject keyboard keystrokes to ensure your laptop, smartphone or tablet remains awake. You can also add mouse movements to log out, log in, or keep a particular application awake.

What we like

• Allows you to inject keystrokes into your device
• Supports OTA updates

What we dislike

• The device is quite small and compact, so can be misplaced easily

The post Top 10 Efficiency Boosting Gadgets You Need To Maximise Your Creativity & Work Potential first appeared on Yanko Design.

Just because a design is minimalist doesn’t mean it has to be featureless. Part of the challenge of this design style is to deliver the same functionality that more complicated products offer in simpler ways. A desk, for example, would normally have drawers and shelves to put things in, but drawers often introduce mechanisms that wear down over time, and they often block their contents from view, forcing the person to remember what’s inside or waste time going through each drawer in search for an item. Aalto, which means “wave” in Finnish, removes the blinders and designs an open storage system that uses no extra parts, just the table’s body itself.

Designer: Liam de la Bedoyere

Common desk drawers use a sliding mechanism to move a box in and out of the table. Regardless of the design of the slider, it will eventually fall victim to wear and tear, making it less useful and more stressful. Desks with “open” shelves instead of drawers do remove that variable but doesn’t make it easy to see what’s inside unless everything is at the front or you stoop to take a peek inside.

The Aalto design concept uses a series of undulating forms that create nooks that can become storage spaces. Thanks to the glass (or any transparent material) tabletop, you can immediately see what’s inside, ready to be taken out when you need it. Conversely, you can also easily see which compartments are still unoccupied in case you need an empty space.

The waves can come in different sizes, which makes room for different kinds of stationery and tools as well, like a laptop in the larger space or pens for the smaller ones. What makes the design even more interesting is that it doesn’t use any extra pieces other than the tabletop. It’s a single unbroken form, though sheets of plywood are indeed joined together to create the semblance of a flowing shape. Regardless, there are no moving parts that will break down or extra parts that can get lost. It is minimalism at its finest.

Another version of the Aalto design uses shorter and more uniform waves to address concerns about the troughs hitting people’s knees and legs. That said, it also reduces the flexibility of those spaces to hold objects of any size, but that also becomes a sort of enforced organization system to keep the desk tidy. In exchange, this Aalto variant has a small shelf off to the side, for holding smaller items like books or even a vase. It does have to switch to a polycarbonate material for the tabletop in order to support that bending shape.

The post Plywood desk concepts use waves to create easy-access storage spaces first appeared on Yanko Design.

Interior design involves crafting an indoor space that caters to the various requirements and needs of the occupants. It is the combination of artistic, creative, and practical interior solutions that simultaneously aligns with the structural framework of the space. This process prioritizes well-being, safety, and health, along with the integration of style and aesthetics.

Designer: AB Concept

Who is an interior designer?

An interior designer is a creative problem solver and professional who employs design principles that revolve around functionality, materiality, safety, and building codes. There has been a major transformation in the field of interior design since the 20th century where the design professional prioritizes client preferences, and their individual needs, and beautifies the space to improve the living conditions. Interior designers intentionally craft daily spaces, creating art for people to live, work, and play within. Their expertise spans across residential, commercial, hospitality, and healthcare spaces.

Designer: Wojtyczka Pracownia Projektowa

What does an interior designer do?

Interior designers are expected to possess proficiency in various areas including:

• Knowledge about textiles, materials, color, space planning, sustainability, and so on.

Designer: Alcro

• They should have knowledge about the software applications for 2D and 3D computer-aided design (CAD) along with building information modeling (BIM).
• Structural requirements, health and safety considerations, and building codes.
• Interior designers work in collaboration with contractors, architects, engineers, craftsmen, furniture dealers, and both businesses and homeowners.

Designer: Mel Boyden

• Interior designers need to understand how their work fits into a larger community and plan and complete practical design projects within set timelines.
• Their responsibilities include creating concepts to meet client needs, developing construction drawings, coordinating with engineering consultants, managing projects with contractors, and representing clients from start to finish.

Designer: Kim

• They also perform specific tasks like sketching plans, creating mood boards, space planning, setting budgets, and sourcing materials to prioritize space use and functionality in projects.

What is the difference between an interior designer and an interior decorator?

Designer: Kate Bonsels

Interior designers and architects create the spatial foundation, while decorators focus on filling the space. Despite distinct roles, they are all design professionals contributing to a project. Interior designers must understand their role in the broader context of architecture, engineering, and science. The main difference is that decorators prioritize the visual and tactile aspects of finishes and furnishings for their combined impact.

Designer: Nordiska Galleriet

What are the benefits of hiring an interior designer?

An interior designer optimizes space, creating a home that reflects the homeowner’s taste and lifestyle. They streamline the design process, offering long-term recommendations for lasting, aesthetically pleasing, and balanced decor. Here are the advantages of hiring a designer versus the DIY approach for your home’s interiors.

Efficient Space Management

Designer: Nordic Living

Interior designers specialize in space planning, maximizing space, and enhancing the functionality of the home by utilizing every available square inch. During the design phase, the interior designer takes precise measurements of the site and determines the furniture layout. When designing the interiors, their primary goal is to achieve optimal circulation space, maximize natural light, and establish a clutter-free and well-organized environment.

Coordination

Designer: Fox Homes and Realty

An interior designer acts as a liaison between the client and external entities like false-ceiling contractors, electricians, plumbers, and carpenters. Constant project supervision forms a part of the designer’s role. Additionally, the designer facilitates coordination among the family members, incorporating their individual needs into the design. Using technical expertise, interior designers provide detailed execution plans to various contractors, specifying dimensions, materials, and finishes for on-site implementation.

Beautification

Designer: Vojtek Morsztyn

Leveraging their professional expertise, interior designers enhance the aesthetics and infuse a designer’s touch into the overall home decor. A notable advantage is their creative thinking and ability to envision the comprehensive design style, color choices, and layout for the entire home. Serving as guides, they actively participate in material selection, ensuring a cohesive look for the interiors. By working closely with homeowners, interior designers assist in achieving the desired look for the home, considering both the available space and budgetary constraints.

Save Money

Designer: AX Interiors

While hiring a professional interior designer involves additional expenses in the form of consultation fees, it proves to be a cost-effective choice in the long run. Leveraging the designer’s expertise allows homeowners to make informed design decisions on-site, preventing potentially costly mistakes. Rectifying errors on-site incurs extra expenses and time, making the designer’s fee worthwhile in avoiding such complications. An interior designer assists homeowners in allocating their funds wisely, directing investments only where necessary. This approach minimizes unnecessary spending, ensuring that homeowners and clients stay within their budget constraints.

Designer: Base9 Studios

Save time

Considerable time is saved during project execution as homeowners are spared the task of researching various materials available in the market. An additional benefit is that an interior designer guides homeowners in making informed decisions regarding the sourcing and purchase of home decor items like light fixtures, flooring materials, and upholstery materials. The designer’s extensive and detailed knowledge about diverse products in the market eliminates the need for homeowners to spend days researching, and perhaps still not find suitable options. Moreover, an interior designer ensures a smooth workflow by comprehending the necessary steps for timely project completion.

Designer: M.Serhat Sezgin

What are the different types of interior design?

Designer: Marwa Tareq

The different types of interior design include:

Residential Design

Designer: Terreo Studio

Private home interior design can be done professionally or by homeowners. For projects like a new kitchen, some homeowners choose an interior designer to ensure practical use of space. The designer supports design choices and oversees the project from start to finish.

Commercial Interior Design

Commercial interior design plays a crucial role in the success of a business. The selection of materials, colors, and furnishings must align with the company’s brand image. Various types of commercial spaces exist within the interior design spectrum.

• In hospitality interior design, well-designed restaurants optimize space to increase seating capacity, the revenue, the design helps reduce the waiting time and enhances customer comfort and overall experience.

Designer: Elliott Barnes

• In retail interiors, the strategic use of commercial aesthetics can entice potential customers, fostering longer stays in the store and creating a unique in-store experience essential for competing with online retailers.

Designer: Emmanuel de Bayser

• The primary aim of sports interior design is to optimize the layout and design of facilities like cricket or football stadiums, changing rooms, and training facilities to enhance the experience for athletes and staff, while thoughtful arrangements in gym layouts can elevate workouts and boost memberships.

Designer: https://studio-93.co.uk/

• A well-planned office layout boosts productivity and communication in corporate interiors, while an attractive and functional design enhances visitor impressions, user experience, and overall staff comfort.

Designer: Studioninedots

What is an interior design concept?

Designer: Moein Allahyari

An interior design concept serves as the central theme guiding all design elements, originating as an idea and materializing through meticulous planning. Ideally, it is a visual theme that skillfully employs color, space, and style to evoke a specific mood, transforming an idea into reality. This concept functions as a base that influences the client’s decisions on design, aesthetics, color, material selection, and other details.

Designer: Juli Interiors

The inception of the design concept follows a discussion between the client and the interior designer regarding the space’s goals and objectives. This phase is where the interior designer unveils their creative ideas, providing clients with knowledgeable guidance to make informed design decisions as the project progresses.

The post What is Interior Design? first appeared on Yanko Design.

A large majority of future car concepts that we keep hearing about revolve around self-driving cars that seem to turn every ride into some sort of a party. You have people engaging with each other or at the very least kicking back to relax, idyllic situations that might not exactly match the priorities or needs. Rather than just chilling, some people might actually prefer to be able to work anywhere without having to race for an empty table or socket or, worse, bring a whole RV with them. This two-passenger car concept tries to envision a future where you can bring your office with you, including the comfortable furnishings that let you work productively. It even has room for a houseplant!

Designer: Amiparn Mudgal

This moving workspace is definitely not like any car concept you might have seen, even those that cater to having only two people inside. The body, or at least its bottom half, is more like an upside-down trapezoid and is very boxy and almost clinical in its shape. Of course, the chassis could be any form, including the smooth and sleek designs of luxury cars. That said, the core focus of the design is having enough space inside more than a fashionable style. After all, you are trying to fit an office inside.

The main mechanism that makes this possible is the sliding foldable seats. The passenger seat, for example, folds down and slides inside to get out of the way, while the driver’s seat can scoot over and turn around to face the front or the back of the car that are actually desks. This kind of design, unfortunately, means that only one person can actually be inside when the interior is in “office mode,” so your passenger might have to step out for a bit if they’re sticking around until after you’re done with your work.

Another key element to this rather unusual concept is the sliding tabletops that extend the working space that you have. There’s one in front on the opposite side of the steering wheel, while the one at the back transforms the rectangular desk into an L-shaped corner desk. Whichever way you turn, you’ll have all the table space you need for work, food, and maybe even playing.

One intriguing part of the concept is the idea of this moving workspace as a collaboration between a car manufacturer and a furniture company like IKEA, famed for its modular and flat-packed product. It applies accents and details that you’d rarely find in cars but are common in office furniture, like fabric-covered surfaces or wooden panels that act as tables. There will definitely be some who will scoff at the idea of bringing your work with you on your travels rather than taking a timeout, but there will also always be situations when you can’t afford that luxury and just need to park somewhere to get stuff done.

The post Office on wheels car concept lets you take your work anywhere first appeared on Yanko Design.

We only have a very finite desk space, constrained by the available area in our rooms or offices. We can always stack up desk organizers or have drawers beneath to make up for it, but those can only go so far. One underutilized area of our desks is often the sides, and there will always be at least two free edges even if you have a corner table. Taking advantage of that unused space, this rather unusual desk organizer hangs a saddlebag on the side of your table, providing not only a place to put pens and notebooks inside, but even a spot for your phone or drink on top. Best of all, it’s made of a sustainable material that looks more like luxurious leather than paper.

Designer: Tilla Goldberg for Richard Lampert

You’d normally hear of saddlebags only in relation to horses or even camels, but our work desks are just as much beasts of burden as these animals. And just like on those, the SALTO dangles off to the side to provide more storage than our overcrowded desks can already accommodate. It’s deep and spacious enough for notebooks, pens, cables, or even headphones, just about anything you want to keep out of sight but still within easy reach.

It even has enough room for a power strip, which is probably the last thing you’d think of putting inside. The bag’s design actually creates a simple loop at the bottom for the strip’s cable to pass through, becoming the only location where it snakes its way to a power outlet. It’s an unusual but effective cable management system, letting those wires all drop off to the side and disappear into the abyss that is the SALTO bag.

There is one odd and potentially problematic part of the saddlebag’s design, at least in the way it’s being advertised. The half-circle tray that sits on top becomes a place for more important items you’ll always want to have access to, like your phone or a glass of water. The latter, however, might be a cause for concern, considering how the weight of the bag’s contents could very well be heavy enough to pull that tray off the table. You can probably imagine the disaster if that drink spills inside, especially if there’s a power strip there as well.

The SALTO is also a very sustainable design that’s surprisingly made of paper. Technically, it’s a type of washable vegan paper that’s being used as a leather alternative, which explains its fabric-like texture and composition. It definitely looks elegant and stylish, especially when hanging from a minimalist desk that has all its clutter cleared and dumped into this bag.

The post Paper saddlebag hangs over the edge to keep your desk organized first appeared on Yanko Design.

It has the elegance of a minimalist laptop stand, with the ability to hold practically any DIY or compact workshop tool. Say hello to the Screwdriver Rack from Metalter. It’s made of a grand total of 3 metal plates, held together using four screws. It’s visually simple, yet acts as a nifty organizer for your cluttered workshop. With slots to place your screwdrivers, pliers, cutters, Allen keys, files, and all your other tinkering paraphernalia, Metalter’s Screwdriver Rack keeps your desk clean while you work on all your technical and small-scale DIY projects. If you love to solder, fix watches, build circuits, repair gadgets, or fiddle around with EDC and other tools… this $25 bad boy is perfect.

Designer: Metalter

Click Here to Buy Now

The rack features a slick, sheet metal design made from anodized aluminum (sort of the same as your MacBook). It’s classy, lightweight, and does the job well. Different cutouts on the rack allow you to dock different tools in, although nothing’s set in stone. You can use the rack exactly however you want, depending on how many tools you have. Separate them by category or frequency, the system is a whole lot better than having a cluttered drawer cabinet filled with your tools that you then have to fish through.

Featuring 50 cutouts for organized storage, this tool organizer boasts a convenient 45-degree angle for effortless access to your equipment, and a non-slip base that prevents the rack from moving around. The double-layered design keeps tools upright and separated, while the platform at the bottom provides additional storage for hardware. For even greater convenience, consider adding a magnetic strip to the bottom platform so that your screws and bolts don’t go rolling around while you work.

Click Here to Buy Now

The post Simple Sheet Metal Tool Rack lets you easily store and access Workshop Gear for DIY Projects first appeared on Yanko Design.

Gone are the days of uniform-looking office cubicles that feel designed to suck the soul out of employees. Although they have their own downsides, the so-called “open floor plans” bring a bit of customization to office spaces, letting people’s and companies’ characters shine. Of course, office space is never infinite, and workers have to make do with the sometimes cramped horizontal allowance they have. Maximizing every inch of that space requires not only being creative but also furniture that delivers the functionality that you need while being space-efficient as well. This office furniture collection offers exactly that with a modular system that you can mix and match to your needs, taking inspiration from one of the most popular modular designs in modern history: LEGO blocks.

Designer: Form Us With Love for String Furniture

OK, they might not connect to each other like LEGO bricks, which would be impractical and tedious to use anyway, but the way you can combine different “block” sizes in almost endless ways is reminiscent of the creative toy. There are six different sizes of components, ranging from cube storage to rectangular shelves, and you can arrange them in any way you see fit, as long as you have horizontal and vertical clearance. You can put them side by side like a long shelf, stack them on top of each other like a cabinet, in a straight line, or in an L-shaped corner configuration. Your creativity and space are the limits.

The pieces almost look like LEGO blocks, at least metal LEGO blocks. They are made from thin with a perforated grid pattern that is meant to give them an industrial aesthetic. Of course, these holes can serve functional purposes as well, allowing you to hang hooks, screw in handles, and maybe even decorate the surfaces with your personal photos and mementos. Presuming you or your company purchases different colored sets, you might even be able to mix up colors to add even more personality to your office space.

The concept of modular furniture is nothing new, but most of these designs tend to have a fixed appearance or mode of operation, allowing owners to only remove or add parts that are specifically designed for the system. With a minimalist design that adopts the simplest shapes of squares and rectangles, Center Center allows for maximum flexibility and, more importantly, encourages creativity and individuality that are easily lost in many work environments these days.

The post Modular office furniture brings the freedom and flexibility of LEGO to the workplace first appeared on Yanko Design.

As much as I love working with my officemates, there are times when I wish my cubicle had a mute button so I could focus on whatever task I need to finish at the moment. But of course unless I had my own room where I could close the door or I step away from my space and hide somewhere, that cannot happen. Companies that have a more creative work space can use the more innovative open space layouts and furniture that we’re seeing lately.

Designer: Industrial Facility for +Halle

The Tulipan Pod is one such kind of furniture that was developed for +Halle by London design studio Industrial Facility. It’s basically an enclosed workspace that is not totally isolated but gives the user the option of temporarily shutting away other people in the office or still working in a private space but being a bit more “open”. It also has a softer look than other enclosed workspaces that we’re seeing as it gives off a plush texture.

The pod has a cylindrical shape with one half of it stable and immobile, featuring a small table where you can place your laptop and other small work tools. The other half swivels around and can serve as your door to close out the outside world. There’s a seat with a soft back so you’re comfortable even when enclosed. If you want to talk to other people or see your environment, you just swivel out. The top part is also open so you still get to be connected to your surroundings and you also get properly circulating air.

Of course if you’re claustrophobic, you probably will not want to swivel into the pod or use the pod at all. But for those who need a bit of privacy while still have the option to be connected to the rest of your office, then this is a pretty good alternative to keep out chatty officemates when you need to focus.

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Most of my professional life has involved working in start-ups or small companies. And most of the time, our offices don’t have the regular cubicles and set-up you see in the corporate world. I’m thankful for that because just seeing those constricting environments already stifles my creativity. A lot of the smaller companies have learned to adapt more creative modular setups in their workspaces to give employees better working conditions.

Designer: Carl Gustav Magnusson

The Toko Meeting Pod is a modular system for offices that want to have a more unique and open space working environment. The way the basic structure is set up, it can become a regular working space for several people, a place where you can do meetings, a space where you can eat together, or maybe even all of the above at different times. It is also meant to be a freestanding design that you can relocate or reconfigure according to what you need at the moment.

The pod can be made from different combinations of materials like wood veneer, engineered wood, and wool felt panels. The wall structure also lets you have visual and acoustic separation while the textile-like properties lets light into the space and the acoustic panels also give you sound absorption for your meetings and conferences.

The Toko Meeting Pod also comes with integrated power and has build-in credenza storage and wall mounts so you can put monitors, whiteboards, shelving. The space can also accommodate tables and seating areas so it’s basically an affordable, sustainable, and flexible space that’s an alternative to the usual office design.

The post Toko Meeting Pod is a modular, flexible, beautiful office space first appeared on Yanko Design.

Employees spend a significant amount of time in offices, which can be stressful, hence biophilic design elements can help combat these challenges of urban life. Biophilic office design bridges the gap between urban environments and our natural inclinations, aiming to enhance mental and physical health through natural materials, light, and patterns. Research indicates that it boosts employee well-being and contributes to financial gains for businesses. Here are 10 ways to integrate biophilic design principles into existing office spaces.

Image courtesy of: FoToArtist_1

1. Incorporate a Green Wall

Image courtesy of: leungchopan

Green walls, or living walls, are one of the easiest ways to incorporate biophilic design into your office, as transforming a whole wall into a living wall can be visually stunning. If you are looking for an affordable option, then hang vertical planters or use wall-mounted planters for a similar effect. For maximum impact, try to place the green wall in a high-traffic area to allow frequent interaction with nature during the workday.

Designer: Saiyami Jhaveri

Ecobloom, a concept device, aims to streamline the process of indoor gardening by automating most tasks. Equipped with soil moisture sensors and drippers, it ensures plants receive the right amount of water at the perfect time, reducing the guesswork and labor involved. Additionally, artificial grow lights eliminate the need for sunlight exposure, providing a convenient solution for office spaces seeking to incorporate greenery without the hassle of manual maintenance.

2. Bring in Natural Light

Maximize the natural light in your office space, and if you are renovating, opt for large fixed and operable windows. Eliminate obstructive elements like heavy curtains or bulky blinds, and rearrange furniture to enhance light flow. It is highly recommended to go for an open-plan design to bring in more natural and expansive daylight.

Designer: KABO & PYDO

Jungle is a dual-purpose fixture—a light and a planter—suspended from the ceiling by two long fabric straps. Biophilic design, especially relevant in-home settings, inspired its creation. Designed by KABO & PYDO, this piece combines nature with interior design. It’s simple, capsule-shaped design emits a warm, diffused light, ideal for relaxation. Watertight and modern, it seamlessly integrates into any living space.

3. Add Tactile Surfaces

Introduce various textures and introduce organic shapes in the furniture. For example, consider using natural stone materials for the backdrop of the reception table or conference room, or employ slatted wood panels to create a tactile effect. Even wall art can serve as a medium to incorporate tactility into the overall decor.

4. Say Yes to Natural Materials

When furnishing the workplace, prioritize natural materials over synthetic ones. Introduce patterns like floral or botanical in the fabric and upholstery to bring a hint of nature into the indoors. Additionally, opt for sustainable wooden tables instead of plastic ones, or select natural leather upholstery instead of PU leather.

Designer: Pei-Ju Wu

Designer Pei-Ju Wu’s creation, The Oasis, seamlessly combines a planter, side table, and lamp into a versatile furniture piece ideal for any living room. This innovative design blurs the boundaries between functionality, with a planter base illuminated by integrated LED lights and a smart funnel system ensuring optimal hydration. The capillary action aids in plant moisture replenishment, while a central glass tabletop with a drainage funnel ensures efficient water flow to the soil. Additionally, an LED strip provides essential lighting for the plants and doubles as ambient illumination, all set within a sleek, dark gray frame with a green-reflective glass top, enhancing the overall aesthetic and highlighting the lush greenery.

5. Add Wall Art

Art serves as a wonderful stress reliever, infusing interiors with lively colors and energy. It can also become the focal point of an office. Incorporating spaces for artwork that celebrate nature and local history can boost employee morale and promote a sense of togetherness. Think about engaging local artists to craft murals or display sculptures and handicrafts that highlight the deep connection between humans and nature.

6. Incorporate Earthy Colors

Explore nature-inspired colors as they can significantly influence staff well-being, with several studies indicating that dull colors may have negative effects. Some of the earthy color shades include terracotta, sage green, Sandstone, Rust, and so on.

Designer: Skogstad and Wærnes for Fora Form

Well-chosen office furniture is essential for creating a productive and comfortable workspace, with the chair being a key component. Fora Ferm’s Bud Chairs, designed by Skogstad and Wærnes, offer a playful alternative to traditional office seating. Featuring a metal frame with various leg configurations and a padded seat cushion, these chairs are both visually intriguing and functional. Available in a range of finishes, including fabrics and leather upholstery, and with options for repair and replacement, they offer durability and versatility. With bright color options to choose from, they add vibrancy to the workspace and can be mixed and matched to create a dynamic office environment.

7. Beautify with Potted Plants

Image courtesy of: Fahroni

Ample foliage is essential in biophilic design, where there’s no such thing as too many plants. Planters are a straightforward and elegant solution for adding greenery to the workplace. Aim for a cohesive flow of greenery by using rectangular planters to line pathways or create small plant clusters to create respite in the overall décor.

Designers: Gahnghyun Yi, Jiwon Lee, Chaeyeon Ha

Plants have long inspired creators across disciplines, from scientists to designers. These desk accessories aim to evoke the calm and tranquility of real greenery. The Greenery Pencil Holder resembles a bamboo stem with a leaf, offering two compartments. The Greenery Clock features a minimalist design with a hidden compartment, while the Greenery Tray provides storage and hooks for hanging items. The Greenery Cable Holder organizes cables in a circular design. Together, they bring a touch of nature to your desk, blending functionality and aesthetics seamlessly.

8. Improve Indoor Air

Good air quality is vital for the health of employees and customers, and airflow mimics nature, a key part of biophilic design. To improve air quality, use air filters, enhance indoor-outdoor ventilation, and ensure ample plant presence in the office.

Designer: External Reference

Living plants can improve indoor air quality, but not everyone can maintain them. Barcelona-based company offers Pure Plants, 3D-printed sculptures that resemble plants and function as air purifiers, using Pure. Tech technology. Made from sustainable biomaterial, these sculptures come in various designs and colors, providing a low-maintenance option for cleaner indoor air and decorative appeal.

Designers: Sean Sykes & James Whitfield

Briiv Pro addresses air purification with nature-inspired technology. Its ‘mini forest’ design can purify a 16 sq.m. room in just 21 minutes, making it significantly more effective than traditional house plants. AI-based sensors activate the purifier automatically, while Zen Mode allows multiple units to synchronize operation for comprehensive air purification. Additionally, a built-in chamber for essential oils doubles as a fragrance diffuser, offering a versatile solution for cleaner and fresher indoor air.

9. Incorporate Water Features

Image courtesy of: LightFieldStudios

Incorporating water enhances biophilic design alongside indoor plants. A small fountain, for example, can create a tranquil focal point amidst a busy office. Water, deeply intertwined with life, brings harmony to the workplace with its soothing sound.

10. Breakout Zones

Image courtesy of: leungchopan

Don’t overlook the importance of breakout areas equipped with comfortable seating, offering employees spaces for rejuvenation, relaxation, and connection with colleagues. It’s beneficial to locate these areas outdoors, allowing employees to release stress, soak up some sunshine, and connect with nature.

With the increasing integration of nature into workspaces, innovative designs are emerging to address the challenge of limited access to views and natural light in some workplaces.

The post How to Integrate Nature into Your Office: A Guide to Biophilic Design first appeared on Yanko Design.