They say necessity is the mother of invention, so it’s probably not surprising that some of the best and sometimes even outrageous designs were born out of someone’s itch, as they call it. Take for example this rather interesting DIY project that gives a home for an iPad mini and hides the Mac Studio in plain sight. While there’s no shortage of products that address those needs separately, this creative solution manages to combine both in an inspired way, paying homage to the product that catapulted Apple to fame 40 years ago: the venerable original Macintosh. Of course, it isn’t just a superficial nostalgia trip, but one that also harnesses some of the best features of Apple’s product design today.

Designer: Scott Yu-Jan

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/diy-macintosh-studio-is-an-ingenious-dock-for-the-ipad-mini-and-mac-studio/macintosh-studio-5.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/diy-macintosh-studio-is-an-ingenious-dock-for-the-ipad-mini-and-mac-studio/macintosh-studio-6.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/diy-macintosh-studio-is-an-ingenious-dock-for-the-ipad-mini-and-mac-studio/macintosh-studio-8.jpg)

Although it’s patterned after the Mac mini, the powerful Mac Studio is exponentially taller, and its presence can’t be ignored when you place it under a monitor. On the other side of the fence sits the lightweight and compact iPad mini, which has gained a lot of features that almost make it suitable as a desktop device. These two products come from very different lines but share the same family spirit. Putting them together might sound superficial, but this 3D-printed modular case manages to pull it off so tastefully.

DIY Macintosh Studio is an ingenious dock for the iPad mini and Mac Studio

As odd and unnatural as the computer mouse might be, it has become the standard input device second only to the keyboard. For decades, however, the design of the mouse has changed very little except when modified in the name of ergonomics. There has been a recent spate of concepts that try to breathe new life into mouse design, but many of those remain in the conceptual realm only. This peculiar design almost looks like one of those, but it’s surprisingly a product you can really get your hands on, figuratively and literally. It’s definitely unlike any Bluetooth mouse you’ve ever laid eyes on because when it’s not in use, it can fold so perfectly flat that you can even slip it into your pocket and make it look like a part of your fashionable attire.

Designer: Horace Lam

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/origami-inspired-bluetooth-mouse-turns-a-mundane-device-into-a-fashion-statement/myair0-orimouse-foldable-mouse-3.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/origami-inspired-bluetooth-mouse-turns-a-mundane-device-into-a-fashion-statement/myair0-orimouse-foldable-mouse-2.jpg)

We’ve actually seen quite a few mice that can fold or lay completely flat, but few have ever made it into production because of the surprising complexity of mouse design. Origami, the ancient Japanese art of paper folding, might be great for paper, but not for something that needs to withstand the wear and tear of daily use, not to mention being carried around in bags or even pockets. That’s the rather impressive feat that the myAir.0 OriMouse claims to have achieved, offering a wireless mouse that is flat, functional, and fashionable.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/origami-inspired-bluetooth-mouse-turns-a-mundane-device-into-a-fashion-statement/myair0-orimouse-foldable-mouse-7.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/origami-inspired-bluetooth-mouse-turns-a-mundane-device-into-a-fashion-statement/myair0-orimouse-foldable-mouse-4.jpg)

In its flat and deactivated state, the OriMouse has a “V” shape with a faceted surface. Covered in vegan leather or textile, it doesn’t even look anything like a mouse. Weighing only 40g and less than 5mm thin, it looks and feels more like an art object that you carry in your pocket or in your bag. But with a simple pinching gesture that joins the two divergent ends together, the OriMouse rises to the occasion, literally, to become an essential tool for productivity.

Using the same principles that give origami designs innate stability, this foldable mouse can withstand a lot of pressure from your hand without buckling from the weight. At the same time, however, a simple push at a specific and strategic spot disengages the two neodymium magnets and collapses the structure back to its flat state. In addition to this shape-shifting trick, the OriMouse promises a more ergonomic design thanks to the polygonal structure inspired by the folds and facets of an origami object.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/origami-inspired-bluetooth-mouse-turns-a-mundane-device-into-a-fashion-statement/myair0-orimouse-foldable-mouse-5.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/origami-inspired-bluetooth-mouse-turns-a-mundane-device-into-a-fashion-statement/myair0-orimouse-foldable-mouse-6.jpg)

Although the various options available make use of textured materials to give the mouse an even more tactile experience, the OriMouse’s foldable design also lends itself perfectly to more artistic expressions. In fact, one model even has a graffiti graphic printed on its surface, and it’s not hard to imagine branding opportunities for such a design. Granted, the actual ergonomics of such a mouse will probably be a matter of debate, but if you are looking for a highly portable Bluetooth mouse, it won’t hurt to take a hard look at something that’s also so unique and beautiful that you will easily become the envy of the crowd around you.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/origami-inspired-bluetooth-mouse-turns-a-mundane-device-into-a-fashion-statement/myair0-orimouse-foldable-mouse-1.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/03/origami-inspired-bluetooth-mouse-turns-a-mundane-device-into-a-fashion-statement/myair0-orimouse-foldable-mouse-8.jpg)

Origami-inspired Bluetooth mouse turns a mundane device into a fashion statement



When people talk about augmented or mixed reality, they most likely imagine strapping bulky visors to their heads and blocking their eyes. Although that is definitely the primary way to experience an immersive fusion of the physical and the digital, mixed reality actually goes beyond living in virtual worlds or seeing apps floating in front of you. You could, for example, point your smartphone somewhere in the real world and see a glimpse of digital information through that small window. Limited as that experience might sound, it can actually open up a whole new world to discover, especially if it allows children to learn more about the world they live in, giving them access to flora and fauna that they would have never encountered in the wild.

Designer: Junwoo Lim

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/mixed-reality-magnifying-glass-for-kids-shows-the-world-in-a-different-light/mr-magnifying-glass-kids-3.jpg)

To a child’s eyes, the world is both magical and mysterious, and that’s just for the things they can actually see. Our planet has a lot more treasures and oddities than they could possibly imagine, but most of them are out of reach due to urban development and safety considerations. At most, kids can learn about them through books, videos, and other flat media that, while informative, lack the proper context that young minds need to truly appreciate the scale of these earthbound creatures.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/mixed-reality-magnifying-glass-for-kids-shows-the-world-in-a-different-light/mr-magnifying-glass-kids-2.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/mixed-reality-magnifying-glass-for-kids-shows-the-world-in-a-different-light/mr-magnifying-glass-kids-7.jpg)

Mono is a mixed reality device concept that unlocks that world and allows kids to not only learn but also enjoy discovering these nuggets of knowledge in a way that doesn’t take them away from their current environment. Using mixed reality technologies, the gadget overlays virtual creatures like insects and animals on top of real-world objects, making them look like they’re actually there on the roof or in your hand. This allows kids to see them in their proper scale, observe their natural movement, or even see them interact with each other, all while still having access to additional text information layered on top of this view.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/mixed-reality-magnifying-glass-for-kids-shows-the-world-in-a-different-light/mr-magnifying-glass-kids-5.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/mixed-reality-magnifying-glass-for-kids-shows-the-world-in-a-different-light/mr-magnifying-glass-kids-6.jpg)

The device comes in a design that looks like a toy magnifying glass, an object that has long been associated with exploration and discovery. Instead of a transparent lens, it has a camera on one side and a screen on the other. Theoretically, the user can put the screen close to their eye the same way they would use a real magnifying glass, though that raises questions about the safety of that method. The controls for the device are simple enough for a child to understand, including a single button for power and a slider for zooming in and out to understand the scale of the creature being observed.

The Mono concept design tries to fill in an educational need for kids to learn more about the world in a safe and engaging environment, but without weighing down their heads with headsets. It demonstrates how mixed reality can be more than just an entertainment medium or a productivity tool for adults, but something that kids can also benefit from. A magnifying glass design definitely carries that exploration vibe, though it’s questionable whether it’s an appropriate one given how kids are likely to put the screen right in front of their eyes.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/mixed-reality-magnifying-glass-for-kids-shows-the-world-in-a-different-light/mr-magnifying-glass-kids-1.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/mixed-reality-magnifying-glass-for-kids-shows-the-world-in-a-different-light/mr-magnifying-glass-kids-4.jpg)



Mixed Reality Magnifying Glass for Kids Shows the World in a Different Light

People buy and use alarm clocks to wake them up at the right time, but let’s face it, almost everyone ends up extending their sleep by five or ten more minutes or at least want to. With the advent of smartphones, that has become even easier with the built-in snooze functionality in apps. But just as reaching for your phone before bedtime can be bad for your health, doing the same when you just want to snooze your alarm could also end up keeping you from going back to sleep instantly. What you probably need is an alarm clock whose only purpose, ironically, is to get you to sleep longer, which is what this device concept offers in addition to looking like one of Apple’s stylishly minimalist products.

Designer: Antoine Brieux

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-10.jpg)

Useful as they are, our smartphones are notorious for also being sources of distractions. At night, those incessant notifications and the screen’s blue light keep us awake, but our phones also prevent us from snoozing properly again in the morning. Few of us dare to slide the screen blindly for fear of pushing the phone over the edge and breaking it, so we’re forced to open our eyes, get blinded by the screen, and be tempted by the number of unread notifications. There goes your plan to continue that sweet dream!

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-11.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-1.jpeg)

You know those shows or cartoons where people simply push or smash a button on their bedside clock to silence their alarms, all without even looking at the thing? Well, that’s what this alarm clock concept design also lets you do, except it doesn’t stop the alarm from sounding. The big, though flat, button on top of the small box has one and only one purpose: to snooze the alarm and let you extend your sleep, all without pulling you out of your slumbering state completely. No fumbling over which button to push. You can even hit it with your eyes closed, which is the point entirely.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-2.jpeg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-4.jpeg)

With such an extremely focused purpose, the design of the device can’t be any more complex than it needs to be. It’s a perfect opportunity to apply some of Apple’s famous minimalist design language, leaving a small cube that’s bereft of any unnecessary feature other than a small LCD screen on the front, a USB-C charging port on the back, and Apple’s iconic logo on top. That said, the design is also so simple that it can actually be easily used by other brands, for example, a LEGO-inspired yellow block.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-5.jpeg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-6.jpeg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-3.jpeg)

The alarm clock does have another hidden functionality. It can charge your iPhone, but only if you place it on the iPhone’s back. It makes for an awkward position where the iPhone has to lie face down on a flat surface, which risks scratching its screen. Of course, the bigger question is whether there’s a real need for such a device that does only one thing, especially if that one thing encourages and even rewards sleeping in when you really should be getting up.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-12.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-13.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-8.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/apple-inspired-alarm-clock-concept-helps-you-snooze-a-bit-longer/apple-snooze-alarm-concept-9.jpg)


Apple-inspired alarm clock concept helps you snooze a bit longer

Computing history is filled not only with monumental machines that celebrate the achievement of human ingenuity but also with designs that look both alien and intriguing to our modern eyes. Of course, the computers of the past were designed to work within the limits of technology at that time, resulting in appearances that are simply out of this world yet oddly very desirable, at least as decorative pieces. The recent retro trend, however, is making these vintage designs actually useful by shoving modern-day components inside old shells, or at least a close facsimile of those old shells. Take for example one of the world’s first-ever laptops, recreated as an actual modern laptop that you can use, presuming you have the pieces and the patience to build it yourself.

Designer: [Penk Chen](https://github.com/penk)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-6.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-13.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-12.jpg)

Launched in 1982, the Grid Compass (stylized by its creators as GRiD) is arguably one of the earliest predecessors of today’s laptops or at least the first to feature a clamshell design. The computer’s claim to fame was its use by NASA, particularly in the Space Shuttle program, as well as the US military. Its distinctive appearance, which is a large black box whose lid is only half the length of the box, became the template for many laptops that followed shortly.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-2.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-1.jpg)

The rasti.computer rides on the ongoing retro wave and brings back that historic laptop with a modern twist: you can actually use it for your everyday work, presuming you’re up to the challenge of building one yourself. The mainboard for this DIY project was gutted from a modular Framework 13 laptop, though you can also buy a fresh new one from the manufacturer. You’re also mostly assembling the laptop from scratch, including the specially-designed keyboard. Fortunately, all of this information is freely available, so you can collect all the needed pieces while waiting for the guide to drop.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-7.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-3.jpg)

Of course, the process will be quite involved, like many DIY projects tend to be. There will be plenty of 3D printed parts required, not to mention soldering electronics while you’re at it. And just like many DIY projects like this, the satisfaction of the final design is the reward itself.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-10.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-11.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-4.jpg)

It doesn’t hurt that you get an actually functional modern computer, thanks to the use of modern computer hardware. It’s going to be a weird experience, nonetheless, with a wide and short 10.4-inch 1600×720 LCD screen and a rather bulky rear. It will definitely make you the center of attraction wherever you go, presuming you’d want to take this outside at all. It might even become a homing beacon to other computing history and tech enthusiasts who are interested in seeing what our ancestors would have experienced in using such a laptop design.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-5.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/02/grid-compass-80s-computer-is-reborn-in-a-retro-futuristic-diy-laptop/rasti-computer-diy-laptop-9.jpg)

GRiD Compass 80s computer is reborn in a retro-futuristic DIY laptop

Whenever I pass by the appliance sections of department stores, I am always drawn to the SMEG display, even though I know I will probably not be able to afford any of their stuff. I like the retro aesthetics of the brand that they are able to bring to all their kitchen appliances. I also have no need (and never will) for a baby monitor but this project that imagines what a SMEG baby monitor would look like is still pretty interesting.

Designer: Priyanshu Maiti

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/smeg-baby-monitor-concept-shows-off-a-cute-retro-aesthetic/2.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/smeg-baby-monitor-concept-shows-off-a-cute-retro-aesthetic/2-1-1.jpg)

The designer studied the design aesthetics and applied it to this project that asked them to create a concept for a baby monitor. The target market is Western and European parents and caretakers belonging to the upper middle class, which is basically SMEG’s market for their kitchen appliances. In keeping with the retro theme, what he came up would fit right in with the other products in their line since his inspiration was their other appliances anyway like the mixer and coffee maker.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/smeg-baby-monitor-concept-shows-off-a-cute-retro-aesthetic/3.jpg)

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/smeg-baby-monitor-concept-shows-off-a-cute-retro-aesthetic/1-1-1.jpg)

The final render shows a baby monitor with a sophisticated but simple and playful look. The design looks like a toy rocket with pastel colors which will make it attractive to kids even though they’re not the target audience for this. When it comes to the features, it has the usual ones that you would need from a baby monitor like the camera, charging port, SD card slot, control buttons. They didn’t really expound much on the features since this is more for the design and aesthetics of the product.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/smeg-baby-monitor-concept-shows-off-a-cute-retro-aesthetic/4-1.jpg)

As I said, I really don’t need a baby monitor. But this would be useful for those who need something aesthetic and at the same time something that would help keep their mind at ease when it comes to their children’s safety. Well, at least, we have an idea of what it will look like if ever SMEG does venture into products outside of their kitchen appliances.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/smeg-baby-monitor-concept-shows-off-a-cute-retro-aesthetic/5.jpg)

SMEG baby monitor concept shows off a cute, retro aesthetic

Thanks to the Apple iPad Pro, tablets have been given a bit of a lifeline. To be honest, there’s still a bit of uncertainty regarding the purpose of these large screens, especially with smartphones now having extra big displays. There are, however, industries where tablets play an essential role, whether it’s in communication, retrieving information, or organizing data. In this line of work, tablets don’t have to look stylish or have the latest specs as it is more important for them to be durable and reliable, no matter the environment. That’s the core focus of the upcoming Galaxy Tab Active5, but it seems that Samsung isn’t missing the opportunity to add a few fine touches to this rugged device.

Samsung’s rugged tablets have always been built like tanks and they have the design to prove it. They’re thick and have plenty of protective layers, which definitely makes them look the part of a device that might survive even getting run over by a truck. Looking unappealing, however, isn’t really a requirement, and Samsung has been playing around with a variety of designs to give the tablet a bit more personality.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/469437/galaxy-tab-active5-4.jpg)

With the Galaxy Tab Active5, Samsung is adopting a design that might remind some of those super-durable suitcases, complete with linear bumps across the surface. Those humps aren’t just for show, though, as they help diffuse the force of impact away from the sensitive electronics inside the tablet. It’s definitely not stylish, but it’s not terribly unattractive either.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/469437/galaxy-tab-active5-2.jpg)

Samsung is also giving the tablet a stylus, similar to its predecessor. Now, you aren’t going to make art using it, though that’s certainly doable. It’s meant more to be used as a precise input tool, especially for those times when you’re wearing gloves that don’t work on touch screens. Of course, you could also use it to scribble notes and draw quick diagrams or directions, something you can’t easily do even with a naked finger.

Despite these contemporary designs and features, the Galaxy Tab Active5 is undeniably a few steps behind compared to even the cheapest tablets today. That’s true not just for the specs but also for the interface. There are even navigation buttons under the screen that haven’t been seen since the likes of the Galaxy S7 from 2016. Those buttons, however, are critical for frontline workers who might not always have the luxury of having their fingers exposed to the elements, giving users alternative methods of controlling the tablet under any situation.

![](https://www.yankodesign.com/images/design_news/2024/01/469437/galaxy-tab-active5-3.jpg)

Yanko Design