Design news, culture, events and resources. A daily must-read for designers world wide.
Nendo's Wonderful Toru, an Electric Kettle for Alessi
20 April 2026 @ 3:00 pm
Doing a lot with a little: Nendo's Toru, an electric kettle for Alessi, perfectly reconciles gesture with form.
Taking advantage of Alessi's distinguishing metalworking techniques, which is the origin of the company, the stainless-steel body is shaped simply like a pitcher. The handle coming out from the top seems to go through the side of the body, forming a continuous line to the spout.A handle of a kettle is us
Taking advantage of Alessi's distinguishing metalworking techniques, which is the origin of the company, the stainless-steel body is shaped simply like a pitcher. The handle coming out from the top seems to go through the side of the body, forming a continuous line to the spout.A handle of a kettle is usPentel's 8-Color Mechanical Pencil, for Designers and Religious Readers
20 April 2026 @ 2:00 pm
While France produced the Bic 4 Color Pen, Japan's Pentel makes this Multi 8 mechanical pencil, which holds eight different leads.
Though it holds eight colors, the company sells 12 all told, if you want to swap out.
Though it holds eight colors, the company sells 12 all told, if you want to swap out.An Industrial Design Classic: The Bic 4 Color Pen from 1970
20 April 2026 @ 1:00 pm
In 1970, French writing utensil company Bic released the 4 Color Pen. Aimed at French schoolchildren, the chunky pen featured four spring-loaded cartridges providing black, blue, red and green inks.
The pen was a hit, and was exported to the U.S. the next year. It also saw strong sales here, with uptake by students, teachers,
The pen was a hit, and was exported to the U.S. the next year. It also saw strong sales here, with uptake by students, teachers,Core77 Weekly Roundup (4-13-26 to 4-17-26)
17 April 2026 @ 3:00 pm
Here's what we looked at this week:Hyundai unveils Venus and Earth, two Chinese-market-specific concept vehicles. 
Dyson finds another application for its tech: Powerful handheld fans.
A handsome two-compartment bathroom waste bin, by industrial designer Dani
Dyson finds another application for its tech: Powerful handheld fans.A handsome two-compartment bathroom waste bin, by industrial designer DaniIndustrial Design Research: Form Studies for Writing/Drawing Utensils, by BKID
17 April 2026 @ 2:00 pm
"Write, Draw, Think" is a research project by South Korean ID firm BKID. It was undertaken for the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul, which is dedicated to the country's writing system, Hangeul.
Mario Tsai Studio's Modular Star System of Lighting
17 April 2026 @ 1:00 pm
This Star System of decorative lighting is by China-based ID firm Mario Tsai Studio. 
It consists of modular units of fabric stretched over a frame containing LEDs.
It consists of modular units of fabric stretched over a frame containing LEDs.Ralf Jacobs' Incredible Harmonograph: Furniture That Can Draw Patterns
16 April 2026 @ 3:00 pm
Ralf Jacobs is a Netherlands-based artist who works "at the intersection of art, design, science, and signal." He invented this incredible Harmonograph, a piece of furniture that can draw patterns:He's designed the "hinge" mechanism to be frictionless, which gives the drawing utensil a lot of momentum:"Underl
Iyo Hasegawa's Wrench-Based Furniture
16 April 2026 @ 2:00 pm
These Wrench furniture pieces were made by Japanese artist Iyo Hasegawa.
An '80s Objet D'esign: Oliver Michl's Expanding Architect's Lamp
16 April 2026 @ 1:00 pm
While the '70s was about flowing plastic forms, the '80s jolted towards hard edges and an industrial aesthetic. A good example is this Architect's Lamp, designed in the '80s by German lighting designer Oliver Michl. It borrowed heavily from equal space dividers:
Strange Alternative to Beach Umbrellas: A Giant Windsock
15 April 2026 @ 3:00 pm
The ShadeSock is an alternative to beach umbrellas or sail shades. Intended for beaches that get a steady breeze, it's essentially a giant windsock. Unlike an umbrella, it works with the wind (and indeed, requires it in order to stay aloft) rather than fighting it. And unlike a sail shade, it's completely silent.
Of course, you'll look like a fool if you bring this to a beach that doesn't have steady wind—there's no structure to it, so it will collapse without a breeze. And yes, like a windsock it rotates, so the
Of course, you'll look like a fool if you bring this to a beach that doesn't have steady wind—there's no structure to it, so it will collapse without a breeze. And yes, like a windsock it rotates, so the