It's the most wonderful time of the year. Thanks to Staples, and a half dozen other mega-stores, that song will always remind me of holiday shopping. And when I think of shopping for gifts, be it for loved ones, office mates or myself (insert smile here) I think of all the wonderfully unique products I have seen my fellow designers create. Some of the more creative contrivances unfortunately are not for sale :( as was the case with Design Inc.'s dumbbell sports bottle and Andrew Kim's green designs.

So with credit card in hand (I'm getting those cuff links) this issue goes out to you Mr. and Mrs. Industrial Designer and anyone else who needs a little gift of giving Inspiration... or lighting, for some reason there are a ton of industrial designers producing stellar lighting. Totsiens!

Flow2
Flow is a living kitchen where nature and technology are integrated in a symbiotic relationship, processes flow into one another in a natural cycle, efficiently utilizing energy, waste, water and other natural resources. It provides a space not only for preparing food but an environment that gives a better understanding of how natural processes work. A kitchen where food is grown, stored, cooked and composted to grow more food

The flow products can be used independently but are far more effective when they work in concert as part of a larger system. The individual objects are relatively uncomplicated, acting as simple vehicles for the more com- plex natural processes to do the work. This kitchen is developed as a flexible system where resources are reused by several elements creating a dynamic flow between the products.

The flow kitchen focuses on three major areas Waste, Water and Energy.

Hurdle Lighting
Don't be deceived by its simple form or somewhat ironic name. While it certainly resembles a hurdle, Hurdle Lighting aims to remove, not create, barriers to getting the right amount of illumination on a table or work space. The light structure is designed to stand either horizontally (like its namesake) or vertically, more like a desk lamp. A sensor detects how it's been positioned and operates the light accordingly.

Hurdle Lighting was designed by Koreans Lee Suk Woo and Byeon Dong Jin, and received a Special Mention in the 2007 Lightouch Design Competition in Singapore. No word on its commercial availability yet, but every contemporary work space could certainly use a lighting device as sleek and user-friendly as this.

Bike Porter by Copenhagen Parts
Old-school basket weave is fine if that’s your thing, but what real choice is there if you care about how your bike looks, and your style is more urban than country cottage? What if you ride a stylish single-speed but you also want to carry bags and groceries? Our response? The Bike Porter.

The Bike Porter combines cool aesthetics with practical function without corrupting the clean, simple lines of your ride.

By integrating the basket into the handlebar, the Bike Porter offers a sublime transport option which works as part of your bike as well as introducing an evolution in style.

One Handsome Chair by Minwoo Lee
Inspired by the human form, the beautiful Klassiker lounge chair was designed to comfortably hug both the back and bottom of the seated person. A polished oil finish and high back make it an elegant choice for classic and contemporary rooms alike.

Alexander Copper Cufflinks
Lightweight and high shine, these polished cylinder-shaped copper cufflinks from Alice Made This will bring a contemporary urban touch to formal shirting. Added to a crisp cuff, these solid pieces will make a sartorial impact. Untreated copper will form a unique patina over time; use a gentle metal cleaning product to restore the shine.

Candy Lamp by John Lewis
Although the final outcome of each project is varied, the process is very much the same. Afroditi was commissioned by the John Lewis Partnership to design a signature desk lamp for their collection. “Real” (not the one involving pretty images stuck together on a mood board) research revealed an issue with their existing range: although their market is mainly domestic, their desk lamps are very “contract”, highly technical pieces. The Candy Lamp is designed with the domestic tablescape in mind, things like vases, fruit bowls and glasses sitting next to it. Also, it picks up on people’s little habits, like taking your watch off before going to bed, so it provides with a little bit of a resting area.

The Candy became the best selling lamp of the John Lewis range. In 2005, it was a finalist in the Laurent-Perrier Design Award and was voted as Observer’s Top Ten lights. The product entered the Innermost range of lighting, in February 2006.

Tanya Aguiñiga