Zero G Xu54
Zero Gravity
This enigmatic porcelain coffee cup and saucer by the young designer Xu54 based in Shanghai, is stunning in its simplistic form. The cup seemingly floats just skimming the saucer below, the set look frozen in a beautiful state of equilibrium. The design is made all the more realised with the strict mathematical diagram which complements the form completely.
When it is design is explained as a representative for the trajectory of love, the partnership becomes more apparent and the set is given a warm feeling. This clever addition of the simple clean graphic lightens up the sets soft but cold minimal facade. The discreet but rather originally styled handles are aeronautical in appeal though as with all of “Zero Gravity’s” features, not is all as it seem, the design is actually inspired by angel wings.
With each little insight more become clear and Zero Gravity finds a new life as soft romantic design that somehow incorporates its sleek contemporary allure with ease.
The design is very strong, holding many elements in a very controlled harmony that allows each one to flourish. It effortlessly manages elements of geek cool, contemporary trend and it’s also rather fun and refreshing. How it manages to hold a strong contemporary design aesthetic whilst performing a balancing act of different characters is something I always love in design. I love its bold form and magical qualities, the transformation of such a simple functional item to something with such a large character for me makes it a wonderful piece of modern design (even if you can’t use it titled, well at least till your half way down your drink).
Cleveland Art: Modern Vintage Recycled.
Beautifully Industrial.
Cleveland Art creates functional household, shop and hotel furniture from recycled vintage industrial surplus. It seamlessly fits both contemporary and traditional interiors, the combination between simple minimalistic shapes and work worn steel, wood and glass gives the furniture a complete immunity from time. They scream both modern and old simultaneously somehow without competing for which has the loudest voice.

The strange dual life these designs hold continues as you consider that they uncannily resemble minimalist sculptures fit for any art gallery and an old GYM bench or factory employee’s coat hook. This tandem existence is nothing short of genius.

I personally love these designs there is a strong masculinity which is perfect for a city apartment, and could work extremely well in contrasting against feminine designs. With the right use of these the designs you could create a perfect androgynous harmony in a space, or go all out masculine and have your space harder and grittier.

Jawbone Jambox
Jawbone Jambox
This small sleek and simple box is a portable speaker system. It is the world’s first intelligent, portable, wireless speaker and speakerphone system. This little box delivers a high quality audio allowing you to play music straight from your portable device without the cables. With an in-built microphone system the Jambox can use be used as a speakerphone perhaps in conferences or in the home. The intelligence comes though a wireless update of its systems downloading new software and apps on its own. The speaker is designed to blast out sound rather than to be noise cancelled and still maintains a high range audio quality, in fact it nearly equals the range of the human ear, this allows for great highs and serious lows so that the speaker can actually be felt.

The minimalistic design comes straight from Fuseprojects’ Yves Béhar the Chief Creative Officer for Jawbone. It is constructed using stainless steel and industrial-weight molded rubber casing, which makes the speaker durable and adaptable to its portable nature. The speaker system comes well skinned too, designs being very influenced by minimal art. The Jambox comes in four colours with varied designs on the speaker grill.
Yves Béhar says “It’s built totally differently from your typical speaker… a strong, minimal form unlike any other speaker…” and that the four designs “visually reflect sound in the forms of dots, diamonds and waves bringing an artisan quality to JAMBOX’s pure box aesthetic.”




