There are so many objects in our lives that we take for granted because of their familiarity and banality. They don’t see much in the way of innovation, new features, or radically new technology, either because they’re perfect the way they are or they don’t have much room for improvement anymore. That’s hardly the case, of course, and there are plenty of ways these designs can be improved that don’t change their functions.
User experience is defined less by a set of features and more by the way we relate to and interact with a product. Simply changing the user interface while retaining the functionality can already have a significant impact on the experience, for better or for worse. Changing a product’s story by simply changing the way it looks can also make it more relatable, as demonstrated by these design concepts of regular, everyday tools that poke fun at their own idiosyncrasies.
Designer: Changhwi Kim
Although it was a world-changing innovation back in the early 1900s, the bread toaster, especially the pop-up kind, is hardly seen as a marvel these days. The only time you even notice its presence is when it catches you off guard, either with a bell sound or the sudden jumping of bread slices. In a way, the toaster is almost like a ticking bomb that suddenly explodes when you the timer hits zero.
The ed!t Time Bomb Toaster takes that sometimes annoying design to heart, enlarging the timer and making it the focal point of the design. Rather than just a simple lever that you push down to start the process, you turn the dial as you would on some ovens and microwaves. You then watch with bated breath as the dial ticks and turns until you hear the familiar ding, announcing the arrival of freshly toasted slices. The entire process becomes a little bit more playful and less mechanical, adding a touch of delight to your mornings.
Not everyone will need a hair dryer, but for those that do, it’s an indispensable part of their daily routine. Some might even be so dependent on it that they will invest in some portable power source to be able to use it outdoors. It becomes a sort of partner and guardian of sorts, often serving as a visual reminder that they need to dry their hair before proceeding to the next part of their day.
The Watchman Dryer concept takes that role quite literally, with a folded form that looks like an iconic police car’s red siren. On top of your dresser or beside table, its presence clues you in on your routine, but you can take it one step further by setting an alarm that alerts you when your scheduled hair care moment is near.
Wireless charging has made it super-easy to put down a phone and pick it up over and over again. Sometimes you can even have it charging while standing up, increasing opportunities for distractions. If we can’t help but reach for our phones every now and then, maybe it would be easier if the phones themselves stayed out of reach.
The Hide and Seek Charger concept does exactly that but in a somewhat comical way. The conical wireless charger is supposed to roll away with your phone during a set period of time when you don’t want to be disturbed. How that works is, of course, anyone’s guess, but it paints the picture of a smartphone accessory that wants to be helpful even if it means hiding your phone from you.
