Following the untimely death of Louis Vuitton designer Virgil Abloh this week, Mercedes-Benz released a statement revealing that Abloh had been collaborating with them on an under-wraps project. "Following the wishes of Virgil's family," the company writes, "Mercedes-Benz is honored to reveal Project MAYBACH: a collaborative electric show car designed to inspire the next generation, and forever question the status quo."

It is, in essence, a 20-foot-long off-road electric Maybach:

"Mercedes-Benz is devastated to hear of the passing of Virgil Abloh. Our sincere thoughts are with Virgil's family and teams. Now opening the world of our collaboration, and Virgil's unique vision, to the public, we want to respectfully celebrate the work of a truly unique design talent, who created endless possibilities for collaboration through his unbridled imagination and inspired all that knew his work."

"The power of Abloh's work is not only from the product design, but also the exploratory conversations that his work ignited. While the Project MAYBACH show car was inspired by how one could explore nature within a uniquely luxurious context with Maybach, the Mercedes-Benz teams thank Virgil Abloh for the inspiration to explore the power of cross-industry dialogue to imagine a better, more inclusive future."

Mercedes put the car on display at Miami's Rubell Museum for two days this week—blocking out an hour each day where only design students were allowed in. That's a classy move, and I'd like to see that policy extended to other venues and institutions.

Let's say you've got a camera-equipped quadrotor drone with a 30-minute flight time, but you want to send it aloft to continuously observe an area for 45 minutes. What to do? It would be helpful if it could land in a high location—like say, a tree branch—to conserve energy while it continued recording. To do that it would need some sort of landing gear, so that's what Stanford University engineers Mark Cutkosky and David Lentink developed, by studying the anatomy and body mechanics of birds.

Cutkosky and Lentink came up with a system of legs and talons called SNAG (Stereotyped Nature-inspired Aerial Grasper). Initially they studied the landing mechanics of parrotlets, a tiny parrot species, but "in order to account for the size of the quadcopter, SNAG is based on the legs of a peregrine falcon," Stanford News reports. "In place of bones, it has a 3D-printed structure – which took 20 iterations to perfect – and motors and fishing line stand-in for muscles and tendons."

"Each leg has its own motor for moving back and forth and another to handle grasping. Inspired by the way tendons route around the ankle in birds, a similar mechanism in the robot's leg absorbs landing impact energy and passively converts it into grasping force. The result is that the robot has an especially strong and high-speed clutch that can be triggered to close in 20 milliseconds. Once wrapped around a branch, SNAG's ankles lock and an accelerometer on the right foot reports that the robot has landed and triggers a balancing algorithm to stabilize it."

Cutkosky and Lentink's work is being further developed by William Roderick, a former grad student who worked under the two. In this video he demonstrates the SNAG talons, including not only their landing routine, but their ability to catch and release objects:

Roderick hopes that SNAG will provide value for environmental researchers. He and his team have attached a temperature and humidity sensor to a SNAG-equipped drone in order to obtain microclimate readings. "Part of the underlying motivation of this work was to create tools that we can use to study the natural world," said Roderick. "If we could have a robot that could act like a bird, that could unlock completely new ways of studying the environment."

Apparently #vanlife appeals to rich folks too. A German firm called Stone Offroad Design caters to this market by producing bonkers motorhomes based on the Mercedes-Benz Atego, a cargo hauler that starts out looking like this:

After SOD transforms it into their RISE 4x2-950 model, it looks like this:

It's got all the things you'd expect: Climate controlled seats, a satellite TV system with LED Smart TVs in both the bedroom and lounge, an LTE WiFi receiver, a solar charging system and a built-in 2,600-watt gas generator, a 400-liter water tank. Built-in hydraulic jacks with an automatic leveling system. An extra outside shower for when you want to rinse off without dirtying the inside bathroom. A rooftop lounge with an unseen heating element in case it gets chilly up there.

Oh, and it tows 3,000kg (6,613 lbs), in case you want to drag the optional trailer and your secondary ride.

The RISE 4x2-950 rings in at €688,000 (USD $776,270). I think I'm becoming inured to luxury price tags--it all seems so unreal anyway--because I'm looking at the amount and thinking "That actually sounds kind of low to me." I would've thought at least a mil.

As you can see in the photos above, there's only one bedroom, no room for live-in staff. So what I can't picture is, what kind of one-percenter actually wants to drive themselves around and live out of a van? Are they cooking their own meals, or do they force a personal chef to follow them on a scooter and pitch a tent outside the vehicle? Who hauls that glass coffee table up to the roof deck? Do they park this thing in a regular mobile home lot with all the plebes and take care of the sewage hookup themselves? And where do they even go?

Pelican makes these rolltop Dayventure Backpack Coolers, which feature dual closed-cell-foam-insulated storage compartments separated by a watertight zipper.

Either compartment can be loaded with ice, though from a UX standpoint it makes more sense to carry the wet stuff in the bottom compartment, which is sized to hold a six-pack.

The molded base allows the bag to stand upright on its own.

The bag is skinned in 840D ballistic nylon that's been double-coated in TPU, making the bag tough and puncture-resistant.

They also sell separate ice packs for both the top and bottom compartments, if you don't want to deal with the mess of melting cubes.

The bags run $250, while the ice packs are $15 for the 1-pounder and $20 for the taller 2-pounder.

I once visited White Sands National Park in New Mexico, and even with sunglasses on, it was positively blinding.

At least the sun goes down in New Mexico. Imagine being in the similarly all-white landscape of the Arctic during that time of the year where the sun sticks around 24-7. To cope, for generations the Inuit and Yupik peoples from that region have prevented snow blindness by carving their own snow goggles.

"Inuit Snow goggles from Alaska. Made from carved wood, 1880-1890CE (top) and Caribou antler 1000-1800 CE (bottom)." Image: Jaredzimmerman (WMF), CC BY-SA 4.0

"Inuit goggles made from caribou antler with caribou sinew for a strap." Image: Julian Idrobo from Winnipeg, Canada, CC BY-SA 2.0

Made from spruce, bone, walrus ivory or caribou antlers, the goggles are hollowed out on the inside to conform to an individual's face and have extremely narrow slits cut in them. The narrowness of the slits not only cuts down on glare, but actually helps focus one's vision, similar to the way that a pinhole camera works.

Image: Canadian Museum of History

Sockets roughly corresponding to the shape of one's eyes were carved out of the inside, to help form a better seal around the eye. Additionally, these sockets were sometimes coated with soot to prevent what light does get in from bouncing around.

Image: Canadian Museum of History

You can read more about these over at Smithsonian Magazine.

Image: Source unknown

via Kottke

The Combar is a bushcrafting multi-tool invented by ex-Israeli-Special-Forces veterans and realized by Prime Total Product Design Studio.

The tool combines an axe, hammer, spade and a magazine in the handle that you can store small objects in; alternatively, you can opt for a survival knife and folding saw (separate items) to take the magazine's place.

Axe

Hammer

Spade

Knife

Saw

The product video's a little overblown, but gives you a better look at the pivoting mechanism in the head:

You'd think pivoting parts would be a no-no for working in gritty conditions, but the company says they've tested the product by "pouring sand into every opening" with no ill effect.

The designey device runs a hefty $600 with all the trimmings, though you can buy less expensive versions by deleting tools. If this is your thing, it's here.

This object falls into the category of "I'm sad this exists, but I understand why it does." With Swan, industrial designer Oneseo (a/k/a Wonseo Choi) addresses the fact that many people, particularly in his home country of South Korea, eat their meals while staring into a smartphone.

"What should a smartphone stand meant for the dining table look like?" he asks. "We feel a design that would harmonize well with tableware culture was appropriate. To this end, we tried to provide aesthetic unity by applying formative language and materials common to tableware."

"It was inspired by the shape of a spoon, a unique shape of tableware. We did sketches to express the shape of the spoon and did mock-ups to find the angle and height suitable for use on the table."

In the end, I find the object pleasant to look at, and the application abhorrent. An "A" for execution, and an "F" for society.

_____________________________________

See Also: The Anti-Loneliness Ramen Bowl

I know a retired couple that owns a small airplane. The husband has a civilian pilot's license, and I was fascinated to learn that they routinely travel from New York to Colorado on vacation—by flying themselves. It's an 8-hour flight, but "We always stop in Illinois, to make it 4 and 4," the husband told me.

"Ah, to refuel?" I asked.

"No," he said. "The plane can make it 8 hours. My bladder can only make it 4."

For military pilots, the need to relieve oneself is even more of a problem. It's a 10-hour flight from Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska to Anderson Air Force Base in Guam, a common military route. And when you're in the tight cockpit of an F-35A Lightning II, you can't exactly unbuckle your flight suit to pee into a Gatorade bottle, and expect to be ready to respond if a threat emerges.

An F-35A Lightning II assigned to the 354th Fighter Wing takes off during an Agile Combat Employment exercise at Eielson Air Force Base, Alaska, July 13, 2021. ACE exercises ensure the 354th FW is able to deploy, disperse and maneuver combat capability to create dilemmas for near-peer adversaries. (U.S. Air Force photo by Airman 1st Class Jose Miguel T. Tamondong)

To solve this, defense contractor Omni Defense Technologies has designed a pee-in-place system for military pilots, both male and female, called Skydrate. (The name references the fact that military pilots would routinely dehydrate themselves before a flight to avoid needing to pee, which obviously reduces combat effectiveness.) As you'd expect, the interface for the designs is wildly different by gender. While both systems contain a collection bag, a hose system and a pump to convey the fluid…

…the male system's interface is a sheath-like cup to insert one's junk into. This cup is held in place in a specially-designed pair of boxer briefs.

The female system consists of a pad that covers one's junk, then is inflated against the body to form a seal. This pad is also held snugly in place by a specially-designed pair of underwear.

Obviously, the pilots don these systems in advance. I couldn't find training videos for the new Skydrate system, but I did find some for what I believe is the previous generation, Omni's Advanced Mission Extender Device, which appears similar. Here's how you set up the male system:

Setting up the female system is obviously very different:

Due to anatomy, the female system proved the trickier design. "There was an emphasis on engineering solutions for female aircrew," according to a statement from Air Combat Command Public Affairs. "Improvements include a larger collection bag, improved flow rate, multiple hose lengths, one-hand operation for on/off functionality, and more interface, or pad, sizes to account for anatomical differences in the wearer." Thirty female air crew participated in testing at Omni's facility, while nine female pilots flight-tested the systems.

One of those pilots was Maj. Nikki Yogi, who flies an F-35A for the 356th Fighter Squadron out of Eielson. "Yogi had a poor experience with her [earlier generation] device while deployed as an A-10C Thunderbolt II pilot in 2017," the Air Combat Command statement reads. "As a junior pilot, she did not immediately raise the issue – something she wants to spare future female pilots. She has volunteered for a variety of equipment tests since returning from that deployment. "It's important to provide feedback because it's that feedback that drives change,' she said."

The Air Force has begun taking delivery of Skydrates this month, with distribution to aircrew scheduled for this Spring. But they're also reviewing proposals for alternative designs from different vendors, seeking "innovative human interfaces," they write. "A suite of bladder relief devices will give Airmen the opportunity to choose the most comfortable human interface option while allowing them to focus on executing the mission."

The product design competition attracted more than 500 entries from which 18 Award Winners were selected – including the Best of Show!View the full content here

The Shuffle Chair is an interesting furniture experiment by design engineer Niklas Hagemann. "Inspired by the idea that two telephone-books, when shuffled together, are virtually impossible to pull apart (see Mythbusters), I created a paper chair held together by the friction between individual sheets of recycled paper," he writes.

"With a single paper clip to stop the bottom two pages from unravelling, the chair is held together entirely by the friction between the pages (~500)."

"Sketches showing how the paper slots onto the frame."

"Tests with old newspapers proved the principle, a first frame prototype buckling under load, making the final steel frame, close-up of the pins which were inspired by the way paper slots into a ring-binder."

"Chair assembly animation."

Hagemann did the project back in 2012, when he was studying design engineering at the Royal College of Art. Today he's a Research Fellow at MIT Senseable City Lab, where he's working on latching and docking systems for autonomous boats.

I thought that Snactiv, a pair of wearable chopsticks that let you eat messy snacks while keeping your fingers clean enough to type, were ridiculous. But they were successfully Kickstarted with $41,700 in funding.

Now there's another eat-without-touching gizmo on the crowdfunding market: Monchi, "a handy snackbox for mess-free munching."

The product page says the silicone and polypropylene product is leakproof…

…and compresses so that you can easily reach the bottom.

As with the Snactiv, I find the product absurd but also cannot deny the utility in certain situations. And I imagine parents of young children might find this attractive.

In any case, it's happening. The Monchi was successfully Kickstarted, and at press time there was three days left to pledge. The $18 objects are supposed to ship in April of 2022.

Have you ever not been able to find your Legos, because they were stored in a box that was not itself shaped like a Lego? Well, me neither, but that's no reason to get all judgey. Lego licensing partner Room Copenhagen makes polypropylene storage boxes shaped like 2x2 and 2x4 Lego blocks, and yes, they actually stack. They come in both lidded and drawer versions:

If you're looking for something a little classier, like for a home office or nightstand, they also make oak versions, which also stack:

Lastly, they make this parental foot-saving device:

Buckle up, folks. BMW has released both design sketches and images of their forthcoming XM—a hybrid pairing an electric motor with a freaking V8--and it's a doozy. I'll show you the renders first, then get into some opinions.

I think what's happened here is, BMW's design team has bludgeoned me into submission with their increasingly frenetic car designs and gigantic grilles, and has altered my expectations to the point where…I'm sort of warming up to this one. At the very least, it doesn't bug me like the new iX does. I think that's because the iX looked like its design team had internal arguments, with half the squad pushing gentle surface changes and the other half fighting for hard creases, and the resultant design was all over the place. With the XM, it looks more like the design was overseen by a singular designer.

There are still about 24 extra surfaces too many, but at least the gesture lines better relate to one another. I can't call this design restrained—they're going for a techno-aggressive kind of vibe—but it's at least cogent. I feel Kia's EV9 concept pulled off this "Westworld" look better, but there's no denying this XM provides a better account than previous designs of the new direction that BMW's going in, however strange.

My comments above, however, relate to the renders and the design intent. Once we get down to the actual sheet metal, we can see the massive gulf between an expressive drawing and something that actually needs to be manufactured in real 3D space. The real car suffers for it. For instance, in side profile the beltline's ambiguous direction doesn't do the car's proportions any favors:

The beltline doesn't look as terrible in 3/4 view...

...but that signifies another problem, no? I think a car's got to look good from all angles. It's the entire reason why car manufacturers go to the trouble of creating clay models. Recently I was at the launch of the new Range Rover, watching it spin on a turntable, and there's not a bad angle to be had. That vehicle's minimal lines are, for me, a good example of less is more.

The XM's grille is still massive, but at least here they've ditched the buck-toothed proportions from their other models, so it looks less offensive.

The taillights are a bit much for me. They remind me of those performers who dance around with a long red piece of fabric tied to a stick.

I do find the exhaust ports kind of nifty.

This detail below I find kind of dissonant. The circular badge doesn't seem to jive with the contours of the carve-out:

And the front corners of the car suffer the same way they do under most manufacturers. Why does this area always look like the designers are trying to bend the time-space continuum?

There's something interesting going on in the interior. While the front seats and dash are about what you'd expect, leather and techno surfaces...

The backseat is downright strange. First off, it's upholstered in velvet.

And the headliner is textured with polygons.

As for why--and to learn what the design brief was for this vehicle--this video of Domagoj Dukec, Head of BMW Design, and Frank van Meel, CEO of BMW M discussing the car is well worth a watch:

The Christmas before the pandemic started, California-based civil engineer and woodworker Tyemadeit created a 9-foot-tall Christmas tree out of 288 pieces of wood. Sure, assembly is a little tedious, but with the exception of the base, this thing'd be easy to transport flat:

For last year's Christmas, a customer commissioned him to make another. This time he went zig-zag with the unfurling pattern:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Tye-Woodworker/Creator (@tyemadeit)

It's hard to think of 2020 as the good ol' days, but for Christmas 2021, given lumber prices, Christmas tree shortages and even plastic Christmas tree shortages, it's unclear exactly what type of tree, if any, Christmas celebrators will have in their homes.

I do miss the Wild West days of cell phones, before we'd all settled on glass rectangles. It's always fun to watch competing manufacturers trying to figure out the ideal form for a new thing, and it's not the home runs as much as the swing-and-a-miss designs that I find the most interesting. In particular, that five-year span just before the first iPhone came out is when designers seemed to have a lot of latitude to experiment.

You can now revisit this phone design frenzy, online and for free, at the Mobile Phone Museum website. Started in 2004 by London-based phone collector Ben Wood, and augmented in 2019 by fellow collector Matt Chatterley, the MPM has over 2,000 models from over 200 brands in their collection.

They've uploaded crisp shots of the phones and grouped them in categories like "Luxury," "Fashion," "Best Selling," "James Bond Phones," "Firsts" (i.e. first SMS-capable phone) and more. The two categories I found the most fun to browse were "Ugliest" and "Japan," and yes, there's some overlap between the two.

Sierra Wireless VOQ, 2003

Sierra Wireless VOQ, 2003

NTT DOCOMO D253IWM, 2004

NTT DOCOMO D253IWM, 2004

NTT DOCOMO D253IWM, 2004

NTT DOCOMO D253IWM, 2004

Vodafone V602T, 2004

Vodafone V602T, 2004

Vodafone V602T, 2004

Vodafone V602T, 2004

Virgin Mobile Lobster 700TV, 2006

Virgin Mobile Lobster 700TV, 2006

Virgin Mobile Lobster 700TV, 2006

Wood and Chatterley are still on the lookout for some elusive models. "There are still many iconic phones we are searching for," they write. "If you have any devices shown below or others not in the catalogue, we'd love to hear from you."

If you've got any of the following kicking around in a drawer, consider dropping them a line:

Check out the site here.

In a sign of the times, toy manufacturer Little Tikes is seeking to capitalize on Peloton's success by releasing a for-children version called the Pelican.

The $158 bike comes with a built-in Bluetooth speaker, and a handlebar mount for a tablet or smartphone, so that your child can continue staring into a screen as they cycle to nowhere. Little Tikes says they're posting "Free Trainer Adventure Videos" to YouTube that they can watch as they pedal.

I understand that there's a pandemic going on, but I'd have thought cycling outside, weather permitting, would be one of the healthier things a child can do.

Unsurprisingly, when asked to comment on this product "child development experts aren't having it," CNN Business reports.

"They say a stationary bicycle, especially one with a screen attached, is a step backward for what a bicycle can mean to child development. Kids riding a stationary bike lose the learning experiences that come from roaming their neighborhood on foot or on bike."'It just feels so bogus to me. And it doesn't feel like something that kids will use a lot,' Roberta Golinkoff, a University of Delaware professor who studies child development, told CNN Business."'Kids want to be part of the real world,' said Lenore Skenazy, the president of Let Grow, a nonprofit promoting childhood independence. 'A stationary bike doesn't prepare them for anything but moving their legs in a circular motion.'"

By studying their forms, could you guess the specific function of any of these objects?

I couldn't. I found them all on a website called Monotaro, a Japanese hardware retailer, in what appears to be their gardening and agriculture section. Some of them are designed to make harvesting easier, by providing a collection surface that can be wheeled harmlessly over a row of crops. Others are designed to solve this problem:

Standing up while working crops or plants at ground level is, of course, murder on the back. The bulk of these objects allows you to do the job on your ass, while providing a simple means of moving down the row:

(If the hunched-over seated position still doesn't look comfortable to you, consider that Japan is one of the many countries in the world where people are entirely comfortable squatting.)

A rough machine translation of the product pages explains their functions:

Aina No. Strawberry harvesting wagon 5-stage type

Obviously in the harvesting category. I couldn't figure out why the top tray is level and the lower trays are slanted, and needed the translation to understand.

"Since it is divided into each stage, you can put it in and out with confidence.
Since the top row is tilted toward you, you can put strawberries in a stable manner from the front. In addition, the lower four steps are inclined forward, so the harvested strawberries are stable."Aluminum worker

This is for moving down the row while harvesting or planting. It comes in different configurations (hence the three photos) and is designed to carry a lot of weight.

"An indispensable tool for planting seedlings in harvesting work. Made of aluminum, it is light and has excellent operability and durability. For harvesting and transporting heavy items. The height and width of the table can be changed depending on the application."Horizontal assistant

You load this thing up with a roll of plastic film, and use it to stretch the plastic into a tunnel over the half-hoops you've laid down, creating a mini-greenhouse over the crops. I'd seen the crop tunnels before, but never saw how they applied the plastic.

"You can extend and wind the film while moving it with a dolly without having to lift and carry the film for tunnels and mulch. Since it has an anti-reverse device (ratchet), the film can be wound while aligning even by one person."Non-key

Two variants, both with wide tires for stability. The second one appears to be more of a "deluxe" model in that the seat is height-adjustable, and it's got that basket for holding tools.

"Because the seat is wide, you won't get tired even if you work for a long time! The comfortable seat that considers the ride quality improves work efficiency. There are various ways to use it depending on the idea. Great for all kinds of work!! Rust resistant and keeps a beautiful luster forever."

RSA-400 passenger work platform high type

Similar idea as above, but for working taller crops. Slightly better UX as it hasa swivel seat and a handle for manipulating the thing into place.

"The RSA-400 has a slightly higher seating surface, making it ideal for work above the ground. The tires are as large as 12 inches and run smoothly, reducing the strain on your lower back. In addition, the figure eight tire structure is excellent in stability. The chair finished in a special shape has good cushioning and does not get tired even if you work for a long time. In addition, since the chair rotates, you can work in a comfortable posture in either the front, back, left, or right direction. Comes with a handle that is convenient for moving."RSA-640L passenger work platform low type

This one still has a swivel seat, but puts you in a lower and sideways position compared to the model directly above. It's also got a longer wheelbase, but I'm not sure if that's a desirable feature or simply a function of making room for both the wheels and the seat.

"The RSA-640L has a low seating surface, making it ideal for sideways work near the ground. The tires are as large as 12 inches and run smoothly, reducing the strain on your lower back. In addition, the figure eight tire structure is excellent in stability. The chair finished in a special shape has good cushioning and does not get tired even if you work for a long time. In addition, since the chair rotates, you can work in a comfortable posture in either the left or right direction. Comes with a handle that is convenient for correcting the direction."
Rakuemon High-rise strawberry trolley

The most bicycle-like one yet, at least in appearance. This one's got a height-adjustable swivel seat, cambered wheels for stability, and a handy tray holder.

"The chair slides up and down and rotates left and right, so you can work in a comfortable posture while sitting."Easy turn chair

Certainly the most basic of the bunch; it looks like a child's toy. Interestingly, the seat is a Lazy Susan.

"Work and movement can be done easily. Long hours of work are also easy. Ideal for farm work, weeding, etc. The seat rotates 360 degrees."Garden Chair Pro

This one's got beefy pneumatic tires, for rolling through the rough stuff. The lower handle's for scooching around while seated, and the higher handle's for carrying it.

"Make gardening work more comfortable. It is a durable tube tire specification. You can move while sitting and work easily. Comes with a comfortable cushion. Comes with a handle that is convenient to carry."

If it's not clear from the photos, most of these objects are absolutely diminutive. You can get an idea of the scale by scanning through this video:

Even before I knew what these things did, I instantly liked all of them, because there is a real purity to their design. These are obviously tools, and appear to be built as economically as possible, absent any extraneous parts, decoration or flair. And the variety of solutions reminds me a lot of ID school assignments on presentation day.

Frustrated with the limitations of current craft knives, many of which use a design that has been in production for almost 100 years, the design team at Veiss Innovation set out to develop a better solution. Over three years they created dozens of prototypes, focusing on materials, blade retention during use, blade storage, and safety. The result is the STIK Precision Knife, a new tool designed with solid metal components, engineering-grade resins and featuring several innovative features. The new knife is now available for preorder on Kickstarter.

The first significant enhancement included in the STIK knife design is the patent pending blade retention mechanism. Typical craft knives use a clamping force to hold the blade into the knife. It's easy to insert the blade incorrectly, resulting in frustrations ranging from loose blades to the blade falling out altogether while in use. The Veiss design corrects this problem by using a mechanism with multiplanar motion to grab and lock the blade in place. Removing an inserted blade from the STIK knife requires ten times the force over current clamping mechanisms, ensuring that the blade will never come out of the STIK knife while in use.

The patent pending locking mechanism makes the STIK a superior craft knife to others on the market.

In addition to the superior blade locking mechanism, the STIK has storage for up to 6 extra blades housed in the barrel of the knife. This allows the user to always have blades on hand and keeps the focus where it belongs - on the project. This integrated storage and organizational feature has been a pleasant surprise to users who have tested the STIK. During the development phase, prototypes were tested with Architectural and Industrial Design students from a leading university in the US. The feedback gathered consistently highlighted the blade storage mechanism within the STIK as the feature most beneficial in their day-to-day use.

The STIK integrated storage holds up to 6 spare blades so you can stay focused on your projects

A major flaw with most craft knives in the market is they either do not include a safety cap or the cap does not securely fit. Most precision knives allow the cap to easily and unexpectedly slide off, leaving the blade dangerously exposed in a bag or pocket. A sharp knife loose in a designer's bag can damage the bag, its contents, or the owner's fingers when reaching into the bag. The locking cap on the STIK knife allows users to carry the knife in pockets and reach in with confidence that the cap is securely in place. Additionally, the locking cap is designed to snap onto the back-end of the knife, keeping it with the knife where it belongs.

The patent pending safety cap is designed to stay where it belongs.

The Veiss STIK design enhances productivity and improves safety while keeping an emphasis on durability and reliability. The ergonomic design reduces strain on the hands and allows for smarter, faster, and safer cutting. The blade retention mechanism on the knife reduces frustration allowing you to keep your focus where it belongs – on your work. The blade storage feature in the knife saves time and ensures that you always have a sharp blade available. The safety cap is designed to never fall off and never be lost. The STIK leverages premium materials with professionals in mind, producing a new standard in precision cutting.

The Kickstarter campaign for pre-ordering launched on November 30 and is live until January 3, 2022.

Veiss Innovation L.L.C (www.veissgear.com) is a product development firm in North Carolina focused on the development of professional products. The Veiss team is comprised of industrial designers, marketers, and engineers with over 80 years of product design experience. Veiss Innovation L.L.C.'s mission is to deliver tools worthy of the professionals' skill.

This package design for sneakers was designed by Ümithan Üçok, an Industrial Design student at Turkey's Atilim University.

"RamPack shoe packaging was developed to prevent throwing away shoeboxes immediately after purchasing. It functions as a shoe carrier and also a storage box, thus extending the life of the shoe packaging."

"RamPack has paper rope handles for carrying so it can be transported without the need for an additional carrier bag. The handles are connected to the lid of the box and a recess in the lid prevents them from getting in the way during stacking. The green cover is removed in order to try on the shoes.

"After the RamPack is purchased, the box turns into a shoe ramp by tearing away the green coloured parts. This allows the shoes to be stored more efficiently at home."

I'm not sure how well this would do on a pallet...

...but I think it wouldn't be difficult for Üçok to re-work the concept within a more rectilinear, pallet-friendly form. Either way, I like the concept.

Moving to a digital manufacturing process can deliver multiple efficiency benefits. It can also be tricky.