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what to do when a candidate is using AI during an interview

Posted by Ask a Manager

https://www.askamanager.org/2025/11/what-to-do-when-a-candidate-is-using-ai-during-an-interview.html

https://www.askamanager.org/?p=33804

A reader writes:

We recently had an interview with a candidate who seemed very promising on paper. She had years of relevant experience and good recommendations from previous employers. Our team is remote, so this was a Teams interview and we expect everyone to be on camera.

During the first few minutes, she claimed to have technical difficulties and couldn’t get her camera working. After a few minutes of trying, we decided to move forward with the interview anyway and it very quickly became apparent that the candidate was using AI to answer our questions.

Her answers restated the question, they were filled with buzzwords but had no substance whatsoever, and her speaking cadence was exactly like someone reading from a script. We tried to ask her questions such as, “How did you feel about that?” and “Do you have any questions for us?” but even her answers to those questions were AI.

We went through the motions, sped through the interview in about 15 minutes, and let the recruiting company know afterwards.

Now I’m just wondering if we should have said or done something in the moment. She no longer had a chance at the position as soon as she read off her first answer, so should we have just stopped the interview then? This was a frankly bizarre experience and I didn’t know how to react. Given the prevalence of AI though, I want to be prepared for the next time this happens.

I’m a fan of calling it out right in the moment — not just with AI, but with anything that’s off, the same as if someone were clearly reading off a written script they’d prepared or, I don’t know, seemed to be getting answers through an earpiece.

So when you first started realizing what was happening, one option was to say: “It sounds like you may be looking up answers and reading them. We’re really looking for your thoughts on these questions.”

If she course-corrected at that point, well … it’s still a pretty big strike against her and I’m skeptical someone would be able to come back from it, but it would be interesting to see how the interview went after that.

And if she kept doing it even after you called it out, it would be reasonable to say, “As I said, we’re really looking for your thoughts here, not what you’re looking up, so it doesn’t make sense to continue this interview. We’ll wrap up here, and best of luck of to you.” (And part of the advantage of the first call-out is that it makes it possible for you to do this next.)

The post what to do when a candidate is using AI during an interview appeared first on Ask a Manager.

https://www.askamanager.org/2025/11/what-to-do-when-a-candidate-is-using-ai-during-an-interview.html

https://www.askamanager.org/?p=33804

YouTuber custom-builds coffee table with functional star system around an exploding sun

Posted by Gaurav Sood

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/19/youtuber-custom-builds-coffee-table-with-functional-star-system-around-an-exploding-sun/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=youtuber-custom-builds-coffee-table-with-functional-star-system-around-an-exploding-sun

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592232

Watch on YouTube

Have you ever dreamed of sitting around the solar system? Modder at The 5439 Workshop on YouTube may have just made it possible with this new kind of solar system inside a coffee table. This is a cherry wood and aluminum coffee table with a precision cutout in the middle where a “mechanical orrery with both tilting orbits and an exploding star” finds refuge under a glass cover.

The modder refrains from calling this contraption a “particularly practical one,” but I stand to disagree. At the first given chance, I would put this guy in my living room without a thought and flaunt the celestial magnificence it beholds to just about anyone walking inside the main entrance.

Designer: The 5439 Workshop

If you don’t know much about 5439, the Swedish modder doesn’t have a massive following, that’s why. With only three published videos and a modest 5.6K followers, he is just starting out with robotics, and this coffee table is perhaps the “most mechanically complicated” – in his own words – thing he has designed and built. Before we get to the details of the star system, let’s get the other details of the table out of the way.

The table, as mentioned, is meticulously crafted from cherry wood. The wood is essentially chosen for its warm texture and its ability to reflect light at the right place. The two-layered table is nicely engineered by squaring the cherry wood planks – two of them, which are combined with three white boards to make up the tabletop. Once the top is created, a giant cutout is made in the middle, which, along with the glass top, creates a viewing window to the mechanical star system hidden below. The table sits on four robust pillars (legs) attached to a base frame.

After sanding and smoothing all the blemishes (after the glueing) in the top and the rough parts of the center cutout, the modder gets to creating the covering of the center hole with the sheet of glass and then gets to the bottom of the t where the celestial goodness is built. Visible through the glass viewport, this mechanical model of the planets dancing around the sun is not short of a feat.

The entire contraption of gears, bearings and motors finds an exploding sun at its center with the planets (in their usual) revolving around, happily on their own axis that of course, are elliptical and tilting to mimic the universe. The sun is notably a fist-sized sphere, built layer-by-layer using a selective laser sintering (SLS) printer with nylon powder, which splits open like the flower petals when it explodes.

Made of anodized aluminum parts, the star system features rings tilting at unexpected angles, making the planets move up and down on a single plane with the power of a nearly silent motor tucked into the table frame. The YouTube community seems to like what they see in the video demonstration (embedded above). The comment section is filled with positive feedback, including ideas where one commenter “suggests walling off the sides,” while the other recommends adding a “black run” underneath “to really make the mechanism pop.” What do you think?

The post YouTuber custom-builds coffee table with functional star system around an exploding sun first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592232

When a Neighborhood Reclaimed Its Lost Shore With 9,200 Face Masks

Posted by Ida Torres

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/19/when-a-neighborhood-reclaimed-its-lost-shore-with-9200-face-masks/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=when-a-neighborhood-reclaimed-its-lost-shore-with-9200-face-masks

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592193

Watch on YouTube

Here’s something you don’t expect to sit on: surgical masks. Nearly 10,000 of them, to be exact. But that’s exactly what Design PY created in Hong Kong’s Tai Kok Tsui neighborhood with Tidal Stories, a spiraling urban installation that quite literally traces where the ocean used to be.

The concept is brilliant in its simplicity. Tai Kok Tsui was once a coastal area, but over a century of land reclamation pushed the shoreline further and further away. Today, most people walking through this district have no idea they’re treading on what was once underwater. Design PY decided to make that invisible history visible again through a helical seating structure that maps the old coastline right onto the public space.

Designer: Design PY

What makes this project especially clever is how it tackles two challenges at once. First, there’s the environmental angle. The pandemic left us with a staggering amount of medical waste, and those 9,200 upcycled surgical masks in the installation are just a tiny fraction of what ended up in landfills and oceans. By incorporating them into public furniture, Design PY transforms waste into something functional and meaningful. Second, there’s the cultural preservation piece. Urban development often erases neighborhood memory, but Tidal Stories brings it back in a form people can literally interact with every day.

The installation isn’t just about looking pretty or making a statement (though it does both). It’s actually being used. Elderly residents rest on the benches. Nearby workers grab lunch there. People passing through stop to sit and chat. The design reactivated what was basically a forgotten corner of the neighborhood and turned it into a gathering spot.

But here’s where it gets even more interesting. The metal tabletops aren’t just tables. They’re engraved with references to Tai Kok Tsui’s industrial and coastal past, functioning as both amenities and educational tools. The whole installation doubles as an informal museum, hosting architectural tours and community events that help people understand how their neighborhood evolved from fishing village to dense urban district.

This kind of design thinking feels especially relevant right now. We’re all grappling with questions about sustainability, about how to deal with waste we’ve created, about preserving cultural identity in rapidly changing cities. Tidal Stories doesn’t just answer these questions theoretically. It shows what’s possible when you combine circular design principles with community engagement and historical awareness.

The helical form itself is striking. It curves and spirals through the space, creating natural gathering points and visual interest without overwhelming the neighborhood’s existing character. You can see the installation from different angles as you approach, and each perspective tells a slightly different story about the relationship between past and present.

What’s refreshing about this project is that it doesn’t lecture. It invites. There’s no heavy-handed messaging about environmentalism or preservation. Instead, it creates an experience that lets people discover the layers of meaning on their own terms. Maybe you just want a place to sit. Maybe you’re curious about the unusual materials. Maybe you start reading the engravings and realize your neighborhood used to look completely different. All of these are valid ways to engage with the work.

The use of surgical masks as a primary material might seem gimmicky at first, but it makes perfect sense when you think about it. The pandemic was a collective experience that generated collective waste. Using that waste to create something that serves the collective good completes a kind of circle. Plus, it’s a reminder that design solutions don’t always require pristine new materials. Sometimes the most sustainable choice is working with what we already have too much of.

Tidal Stories proves that urban furniture can be so much more than benches and tables. It can be a history lesson, an environmental statement, a community hub, and a work of art all at once. That’s the kind of multifunctional thinking we need more of as cities continue to evolve.

The post When a Neighborhood Reclaimed Its Lost Shore With 9,200 Face Masks first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592193

7 Best LEGO Creations Of November 2025

Posted by Srishti Mitra

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/19/7-best-lego-creations-of-november-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-best-lego-creations-of-november-2025

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=591987

November 2025 marks a turning point for LEGO. The Danish brick giant has evolved from childhood toy manufacturer into something more nuanced: a creator of kinetic sculptures, display pieces that command adult spaces, and intricate tributes to pop culture that blur the line between building set and collectible art. This month’s releases span from mechanical aquariums to starships, from Hollywood race cars to space exploration milestones, each demonstrating how far brick-based design has traveled.

What unites these seven releases is their refusal to sit still on shelves. They demand interaction, closer inspection, and appreciation for the engineering challenges their designers solved. Whether through cranks that animate underwater scenes, modular sections that separate like the real starship, or intricate layering that creates dimensional depth, these sets prove LEGO understands its adult audience wants more than nostalgia. They want conversation pieces that justify their desk space.

1. LEGO Icons Tropical Aquarium (10366)

The Tropical Aquarium transforms 4,154 pieces into a living mechanical tableau that launched on November 13 for $479.99. This isn’t decor that fades into the background. Three distinct cranks and dials control independent motion systems, turning the aquarium into a kinetic sculpture where your interaction determines the scene’s energy. Turn one dial and the jellyfish bob through their vertical dance. Another crank sends the sea turtle gliding past coral formations. The third activates smaller fish as they navigate through swaying seaweed and bubble streams that appear frozen mid-rise.

LEGO solved a fundamental design challenge here: creating convincing spatial depth within a fundamentally shallow display case. The build employs layering techniques with translucent elements, representing water, varied-height coral structures, and the strategic placement of marine life to establish foreground, middle ground, and background planes. Four model fish become compositional tools rather than fixed elements. You’re not assembling a predetermined scene. You’re curating an underwater environment where placement decisions affect visual balance. The set includes seaworms, an oyster shell containing a pearl, sea snails, and air bubbles, serving as additional elements for creating your personal ecosystem.

What we like

The kinetic mechanism creates genuine movement that changes depending on your crank speed and direction
Compositional flexibility lets you rearrange elements rather than following rigid instructions

What we dislike

At $479.99, this represents a significant investment for a display piece rather than a traditional play set
The mechanical systems require regular interaction to justify the kinetic elements

2. LEGO Ideas Apollo 8 Earthrise (40837)

William Anders captured humanity’s first color photograph of Earth from space on December 24, 1968, using his Hasselblad 500 EL during the Apollo 8 lunar orbit. That image, titled Earthrise, showed our planet suspended above the moon’s desolate horizon and fundamentally altered how we see ourselves. Now, nearly sixty years later, LEGO Ideas has transformed that pivotal moment into an 859-piece buildable art piece that stands 48 centimeters tall and 32 centimeters wide.

This rendition captures three distinct visual elements that define the photograph: the infinite black void of space, Earth as a cloud-swirled blue marble, and the moon’s cratered, mottled surface in the foreground. LEGO’s designers used the brick medium to convey texture and color gradation across each element. The moon’s surface employs varied grey tones and deliberate gaps between pieces to suggest the shadowed irregularity of impact craters. Earth’s atmospheric layers transition from deep ocean blues to white cloud formations using careful brick selection. The black space background creates negative space that makes both celestial bodies pop forward visually.

What we like

The subject matter elevates this beyond standard space sets into historical tribute territory
At 859 pieces, the build offers enough complexity for an engaging construction experience

What we dislike

The relatively conservative piece count means some details require visual interpretation
Mounting hardware for the wall display isn’t included, requiring a separate purchase

3. LEGO Icons U.S.S. Enterprise NCC-1701-D (10364)

The Galaxy-class flagship from Star Trek: The Next Generation arrives in brick form on November 28 as a 3,600-piece behemoth measuring two feet long. Priced at $399.99, this isn’t LEGO’s first Trek venture, but it represents the most screen-accurate version of arguably the most beloved Enterprise design. The set captures the distinctive saucer-and-engineering-hull silhouette that defined seven television seasons and multiple films, complete with functional saucer separation mechanics that mirror the starship’s emergency protocol capabilities.

LEGO included enough minifigures to staff the bridge properly: Captain Picard, Commander Riker, Lieutenant Commander Data, Lieutenant Worf, Counselor Troi, Chief Engineer La Forge, and Doctor Crusher. Each figure comes with printed details that capture their Season 1 uniforms and distinctive features. The build itself uses advanced construction techniques to achieve the Enterprise-D’s smooth, curved surfaces while maintaining structural integrity. The warp nacelles attach via articulated pylons. The deflector dish receives intricate detailing. Even the bridge dome atop the saucer section gets architectural attention. This targets adult collectors who want the ship commanding their desk space with the same authority Picard brought to the captain’s chair.

What we like

Functional saucer separation adds interactive play value beyond static display
Screen-accurate proportions and details satisfy longtime Trek fans who know every hull panel

What we dislike

The $399.99 price point places this firmly in premium collector territory
Some builders note that the saucer section’s large, flat surfaces require patience during repetitive sections

4. LEGO Speed Champions APXGP F1 Race Car (77076)

LEGO’s partnership with the upcoming F1 film starring Brad Pitt and directed by Joseph Kosinski produces this sleek recreation of the fictional APXGP team’s race car. The model wears the movie’s distinctive black-and-gold livery, capturing the cinematic energy through carefully applied decals and printed elements. Two minifigures represent drivers Sonny Hayes and Joshua Pearce, complete with race suits, helmets with reflective visors, and printed sponsor logos that tie directly to the film’s aesthetic.

The build distinguishes itself from previous Speed Champions Formula 1 sets through refined proportions and wider Pirelli-style tires that better capture modern F1 car stance. Custom decals add visual depth across the bodywork. The set includes small accessories that reward closer inspection: a wrench and a remote control that nod toward the engineering side of racing. The wrench serves double duty as an actual building tool for applying stickers or separating tight bricks. These thoughtful inclusions demonstrate LEGO understands its audience wants both display accuracy and functional building aids.

What we like

The black-and-gold livery creates a striking visual contrast suitable for display
Film tie-in elements provide cultural relevance beyond generic racing sets

What we dislike

The Speed Champions scale limits interior detail compared to larger Technic F1 sets
Movie-specific branding may not appeal to builders wanting real team liveries

5. LEGO Ideas The Goonies (21350)

This $330 LEGO Ideas release transforms the 1985 adventure classic into a full-blown tribute to one of cinema’s most beloved treasure hunts. The set isn’t just a model you build and stick on a shelf. This captures those iconic moments that blend adventure with just the right amount of creepy: the Fratelli hideout functioning as a haunted house for criminals, the terrifying boulder trap, skeleton-filled caves, and One-Eyed Willy’s legendary pirate ship, the Inferno, complete with sails, treasure, and plenty of bones.

What really makes this set special are the minifigures. All twelve of them. You get the whole gang: Mikey, Mouth, Data, Chunk, Brand, Andy, and Stef, plus Sloth in his Superman shirt, Mama Fratelli, Francis, Jake, and even One-Eyed Willy’s skeleton. LEGO created brand new elements specifically for this set, like Sloth’s pirate hat and Mama Fratelli’s hair and beret combo, showing the level of detail they’re committed to. The skeleton pirate minifigure arrives perfectly timed for Halloween nostalgia, capturing both the film’s adventurous spirit and its spooky underground atmosphere.

What we like

Twelve minifigures provide the complete cast, including villains and One-Eyed Willy’s skeleton
Multiple iconic scenes from the film can be recreated with the Fratelli hideout and pirate ship

What we dislike

The $330 price point may feel steep for fans expecting a lower-tier Ideas set
Balancing multiple scenes in one set means each vignette receives less piece allocation

6. LEGO Ideas Pacific Rim Jaegers

Din0Bricks’ fan-made tribute to Guillermo del Toro’s Pacific Rim has earned LEGO Ideas Staff Pick status and rallied 661 supporters toward the 10,000 needed for official production consideration. The 2,218-piece concept recreates three iconic Jaegers from the 2013 film: Gipsy Danger with a retractable sword, Crimson Typhoon with rotating saw blades, and Cherno Alpha with its brutal industrial aesthetic. Support helicopters accompany each mech, capturing the logistical reality behind deploying humanity’s towering defenders against Kaiju threats.

What makes this concept remarkable is how Din0Bricks solved the challenge of capturing the Jaegers’ massive, imposing presence while maintaining structural stability and playability. Each mech features articulated joints at shoulders, elbows, hips, and knees, allowing authentic combat poses. The retractable sword mechanism on Gipsy Danger uses internal gearing. Crimson Typhoon’s three-armed configuration required custom engineering to balance properly. Cherno Alpha’s distinctive fists and nuclear reactor detailing push LEGO’s aesthetic toward industrial brutalism. This isn’t just a fan project. It’s a masterclass in translating screen designs into buildable, poseable figures that honor the source material’s scale and mechanical complexity.

What we like

Three distinct Jaegers provide variety and display options in a single set
Articulated joints enable dynamic combat poses that capture the film’s action sequences

What we dislike

As a LEGO Ideas concept, this isn’t guaranteed for production without reaching 10,000 supporters
The 2,218-piece count and three large models suggest a premium price point if approved

7. LEGO Ideas NASA James Webb Space Telescope

Watch on YouTube

The LEGO James Webb Space Telescope replica tackles one of modern engineering’s most complex achievements through brick-based construction that mirrors the actual satellite’s intricate folding mechanisms. This build captures the telescope’s launch-critical ability to fold into a compact configuration before unfolding in space, requiring builders to understand both structural engineering and the precise mechanical sequences that made the real JWST mission possible. The design transforms complicated aerospace engineering into an accessible building experience that educates while it entertains.

Every major subsystem finds representation in this meticulous replica, from the eighteen iconic hexagonal mirrors that form the light-gathering array to the layered sun shield that protects sensitive instruments. The secondary hinged mirror, science instruments, propulsion systems, and communications arrays all function through LEGO’s mechanical systems, creating an interactive educational experience that illuminates the genuine complexity behind space exploration’s latest triumph. This isn’t a simplified approximation. It’s a functional demonstration of how the telescope actually operates in its orbit at the L2 Lagrange point.

What we like

Functional folding mechanism replicates the actual telescope’s deployment sequence
Eighteen hexagonal mirrors accurately represent the primary mirror array’s distinctive design

What we dislike

The complex folding mechanism requires careful handling to avoid stressing connection points
As a concept, availability depends on the LEGO Ideas approval process

Why November 2025 Matters for LEGO Design

These seven releases demonstrate LEGO’s strategic expansion into adult collector territory while maintaining the building experience that defines the brand. The kinetic mechanisms in the Tropical Aquarium, the historical gravitas of Earthrise, the pop culture cachet of the Enterprise and Goonies sets, the cinematic energy of the F1 car, and the community-driven passion behind the Pacific Rim Jaegers and James Webb Telescope all point toward a company that understands its audience has evolved. These aren’t toys. They’re display pieces that arrive in buildable form, offering the satisfaction of construction before claiming their space on shelves, desks, and walls.

What November’s lineup proves is that LEGO has moved beyond simple recreation into thoughtful interpretation. Each set solves specific design challenges: creating depth in shallow spaces, capturing kinetic energy through mechanical systems, translating beloved designs into brick form with screen accuracy, honoring cultural moments that shaped cinema, and making complex aerospace engineering comprehensible. The result is a collection of releases that justify their premium pricing through engineering sophistication, visual impact, and the kind of cultural resonance that makes people stop and ask about the objects commanding your workspace. That’s the difference between a toy and a design statement.

The post 7 Best LEGO Creations Of November 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/19/7-best-lego-creations-of-november-2025/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=7-best-lego-creations-of-november-2025

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=591987

DIY 3D-Printed Clamshell Turns BOOX Palma Into a Tiny Laptop

Posted by JC Torres

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/19/diy-3d-printed-clamshell-turns-boox-palma-into-a-tiny-laptop/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=diy-3d-printed-clamshell-turns-boox-palma-into-a-tiny-laptop

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592394

Watch on YouTube

Palmtops and UMPCs are experiencing a quiet resurgence among people who want something more focused than a laptop and more tactile than a phone. Compact e-ink devices and tiny Bluetooth keyboards have become affordable building blocks for exactly this kind of project, letting makers combine them into pocketable machines tailored to writing, reading, or just tinkering. The result is a small but growing wave of DIY cyberdecks and writerdecks that feel like modern reinterpretations of classic Psion palmtops.

The Palm(a)top Computer v0 is one of those projects, born on Reddit when user CommonKingfisher decided to pair a BOOX Palma e-ink Android phone with a compact Bluetooth keyboard and a custom 3D-printed clamshell case. The result looks like a cross between a vintage Psion and a modern writerdeck, small enough to slide into a jacket pocket but functional enough to handle real writing and reading sessions on the go.

Designer: CommonKingfisher

The core hardware is straightforward. The BOOX Palma sits in the top half of the shell, while a CACOE Bluetooth mini keyboard occupies the bottom half. The keyboard was originally glued into a PU-leather folio, which the maker carefully peeled off using gentle heat from a hair dryer to expose the bare board. When opened, the two halves form a tiny laptop layout with the e-ink screen above and the keyboard below.

The clamshell itself is 3D-printed in a speckled filament that looks like stone, with two brass hinges along the spine giving it a slightly retro, handcrafted feel. Closed, it resembles a small hardback book with the Palma’s camera cutout visible on the back. Open, the recessed trays hold both the screen and keyboard flush, turning the whole thing into a surprisingly polished handheld computer, considering it’s a first prototype.

The typing experience is functional but not perfect. The maker describes it as “okay to type on once you get used to it,” and thumb typing “kinda works,” though it’s not ideal for either style. You can rest the device on your lap during a train ride and use it vertically like a book, with the Palma displaying an e-book and the keyboard ready for quick notes or annotations.

The build has a few issues that the maker plans to fix in the next version. It’s top-heavy, so it needs to lie flat or gain a kickstand or counterweight under the keyboard, possibly a DIY flat power bank. The hinge currently lacks friction and needs a hard stop around one hundred twenty degrees to keep the screen upright. There are also small cosmetic tweaks, like correcting the display frame width.

Palm(a)top Computer v0 shows how off-the-shelf parts and a 3D printer can turn a niche e-ink phone into a bespoke palmtop tailored to one person’s workflow. Most consumer gadgets arrive as sealed rectangles you can’t modify, but projects like this embrace iteration and imperfection. It’s less about having all the answers and more about building something personal that might inspire the next version.

The post DIY 3D-Printed Clamshell Turns BOOX Palma Into a Tiny Laptop first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592394

Entry tags:

Choosing Health Insurance: Preventive Care [US, healthcare, Patreon]

Canonical link: https://siderea.dreamwidth.org/1886696.html

Hey, Americans and other people stuck in the American healthcare system. It's open enrollment on the state exchanges, and possibly through your employer, so I wanted to give you a little heads up about preventive care and shopping for a health insurance plan.

I've noticed from time to time various health insurance companies advertising themselves to consumers by boasting that their health plans focus on covering preventive care. Maybe they lay a spiel on you about how they believe in keeping you healthy rather than trying to fix problems after they happen. Maybe they point out in big letters "PREVENTIVE CARE 100% FREE" or "NO CO-PAYS FOR PREVENTIVE CARE".

When you come across a health insurance product advertised this way, promoted for its coverage of preventive health, I propose you should think of that as a bad thing.

Why? Do I think preventive medicine is a bad thing? Yes, actually, but that's a topic for another post. For purposes of this post, no, preventive medicine is great.

It's just that it's illegal for them not to cover preventive care 100% with no copays or other cost-sharing.

Yeah, thanks to the Obamacare law, the ACA, it's literally illegal for a health plan to be sold on the exchanges if it doesn't cover preventive care 100% with no cost-sharing, and while there are rare exceptions, it's also basically illegal for an employer to offer a health plan that doesn't cover preventive care.

They can't not, and neither can any of their competitors.

( So any health plan that's bragging on covering preventive care?.... Read more [2,270 words] )

This post brought to you by the 220 readers who funded my writing it – thank you all so much! You can see who they are at my Patreon page. If you're not one of them, and would be willing to chip in so I can write more things like this, please do so there.

Please leave comments on the Comment Catcher comment, instead of the main body of the post – unless you are commenting to get a copy of the post sent to you in email through the notification system, then go ahead and comment on it directly. Thanks!

Freewrite Wordrunner Counts Words With Clicking Mechanical Wheels

Posted by JC Torres

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/19/freewrite-wordrunner-counts-words-with-clicking-mechanical-wheels/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=freewrite-wordrunner-counts-words-with-clicking-mechanical-wheels

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592369

Watch on YouTube

Writers spend more time with their keyboards than any other tool, yet most options are either gaming boards covered in RGB lights or cheap office slabs optimized for cost rather than comfort. Neither category really thinks about what writers actually need, which is a keyboard that can keep up with long sessions without killing your wrists and maybe even help you stay focused when the blank page starts feeling oppressive.

Freewrite’s Wordrunner is a mechanical keyboard built specifically for writing, complete with a built-in mechanical word counter and sprint timer. It works with any device that accepts a USB or Bluetooth keyboard, from laptops and desktops to tablets and phones, and its core features live in the hardware rather than in yet another app or cloud service that you’ll forget to open halfway through your writing session.

Designer: Freewrite

The standout feature is the Wordometer, an eight-digit electromechanical counter with rotating wheels driven by a coreless motor and controlled by an internal microprocessor. It tracks words in real time using a simple algorithm based on spaces and punctuation, stays visible even when the keyboard is off, and can be reset with a mechanical lever to the left of the display. The counter makes a soft clicking sound as the wheels turn, giving you tactile and audible feedback every time you hit a milestone.

The keyboard also includes a built-in sprint timer that lets you run Pomodoro-style sessions or custom writing sprints without leaving your desk. Subtle red and green lights keep you on track, and you can configure the timer to count up or down depending on how you prefer to work. The standard function row has been replaced with writer-centric keys like Find, Replace, Print, and Undo, plus three programmable macro keys labeled Zap, Pow, and Bam for whatever shortcuts you use most.

The typing experience is what you’d expect from a premium mechanical keyboard. High-quality tactile switches, multiple layers of sound dampening, and a gasket mount design deliver what beta testers kept calling “so satisfying.” Each switch is rated for eighty million presses, which should be enough to see you through multiple novels without the keys wearing out. The die-cast aluminum body gives the board a heft and solidity that plastic keyboards can’t match, keeping it planted on your desk no matter how fast your fingers fly.

Tucked into the top right corner is a multi-directional joystick that controls media playback and volume, so you can adjust your music without touching the mouse or breaking flow. Connectivity is equally flexible. The Wordrunner supports wired USB-C and Bluetooth, pairs with up to four devices at once, and switches between them with a keystroke. It works with Windows, macOS, iPadOS, and Android without requiring special software, which means you can move it between machines without reconfiguring anything.

Wordrunner is designed for writers who want their keyboard to be more than a generic input device. It turns progress into something physical with the mechanical word counter, structures writing sessions with the built-in timer, and wraps it all in a solid, retro-industrial chassis that looks like a specialized tool rather than consumer electronics. It’s less about flashy features and more about making the act of writing feel intentional every time you sit down to work.

The post Freewrite Wordrunner Counts Words With Clicking Mechanical Wheels first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592369

11/19/2025

Posted by Jennie Breeden

https://thedevilspanties.com/archives/16832

Delaying tactics

https://thedevilspanties.com/archives/16832

Entry tags:

oh, the humanity!

( You're about to view content that the journal owner has advised should be viewed with discretion. )

Mr. Brightside – DOREK TOWER 19.11.25

Posted by John Kovalic

https://www.dorktower.com/2025/11/19/19784/

https://dorktower.kovalic.com/?p=19784

This or any DORK TOWER strip is now available as a signed, high-quality print, from just $25! CLICK HERE to find out more!

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am I too long-winded, employee leans on me for help with everything, and more

Posted by Ask a Manager

https://www.askamanager.org/2025/11/am-i-too-long-winded-employee-leans-on-me-for-help-with-everything-and-more.html

https://www.askamanager.org/?p=34352

It’s five answers to five questions. Here we go…

1. Do I need to be less long-winded?

How can I be less long-winded? I’m a senior manager, so I have to talk frequently: laying out project goals and plans, providing directions to team members, clarifying roles, explaining my feedback or why I disagree with a recommendation, explaining a complex situation/problem we need to solve, etc.

I feel like when I’m talking, I might be going on too long because people often interrupt me because they think I’m done talking, but I’m not. I often have a detail to add that I think is important because it adds nuance to what I just said, or it sums up the explanation I just gave. Earlier in my career, I felt like I was not talking or explaining enough, because I would say my piece and get blank stares back, or people would gloss over what I said, only to circle back later and realize that what I had said was spot on/helpful/important. Now I wonder if I’ve overcorrected in the other direction. Maybe I’m over explaining, maybe people get the point the first time I make it, maybe I just drone on. I’m not sure. How would I know? What can I do to be more concise and still get my point across?

It could be any of those possibilities, or it could be that you work around a bunch of fast talkers / fast processors who are jumping in too soon or it could be that you’re pausing longer than you realize (or otherwise giving off cues that you’re done) and so people don’t realize that you weren’t finished. The best way to figure out what’s going on is to ask someone you trust to be honest and who has opportunities to see you in action! Tell them you want the unvarnished truth; you can’t fix it without knowing exactly what’s happening.

It’s also possible that your points weren’t given the same attention earlier in your career because you didn’t have the standing that you have now (because of your current position) and that it had nothing to do with your communication style back then. So you could also experiment with assuming that you don’t need to explain as much as you’ve been doing and see what happens if you limit yourself to, say, two-thirds of how much you’d normally talk now. Do your points still seem to land or are people not following what you’re saying? That would be interesting data as you sort through this, too.

2. Coworker refuses to consider any candidate who opens their application with “Dear Ms. ___”

Recently I met a man with a name that is often coded as female (think Ashley). He told me that it makes first round hiring easier, because he just automatically discards anyone who addresses their application “Dear Ms. ___.”

While I take his point that it speaks to a lack of research and preparation from the candidate, this also seemed extreme to me. I have a name that is very feminine and even still I occasionally get addressed as Sir/Mr. in emails (I assume this is because the role of hiring manager is still coded as masculine for many). It’s useful information, but I just make sure to include my pronouns in any replies.

It seemed to me a bit of a privileged stance to say, “Of course you should be able to address me correctly,” when women have to deal with this on a far greater level. I’m sure women named Max would have a very small candidate pool if they discarded every applicant who misgendered them. Or am I overreacting and, gender aside, he’s right that candidates who don’t check the genders of the hiring managers when applying deserve to not be interviewed?

Yeah, that’s bad hiring. It sucks that we live in a world where people make incorrect assumptions about gender based on names, but that’s what happens … and I am really skeptical that he himself always successfully avoids misgendering people when their name is the only thing he knows about them.

It doesn’t reveal a ton about those candidates’ mindsets (as opposed to the way “dear sirs” does reveal an assumption that in business, maleness is the default). It just reveals that they were taught to associate many names with gender and that Ashleys are usually women (and also that the person isn’t a Gone With the Wind fan).

If he thinks they should be doing more research to determine he’s a man, I’d be interested to know if he’s also automatically rejecting everyone who opens their letters with “dear hiring manager” (I bet he’s not, nor should he be). If I managed him, I’d be very concerned about his hiring processes if he was automatically rejecting good candidates over either of those things.

3. My employee leans on me for help with everything

I am struggling with an employee who, at best, has a confidence problem and, at worst, is letting herself off the hook on executing things because she’s always waiting around for my feedback. This employee has a need to run EVERYthing by me, including emails she’s drafted to individual people. She is very kind, but struggles to really complete tasks in general and this added layer of needing my approval on everything she does has become a real issue.

I have tried the kind way, trying to build her confidence by reassuring her that I trust her judgement (I do!) and that she is very intelligent and capable, but it has not helped and the issue seems to be getting worse. I am worried I’m being too harsh, but I have my own very long list of tasks to complete, and having to constantly hold her hand has been completely draining to me and makes me not love my work in the way that I used to. I am rarely critical of her in any real meaningful way and do my best to really praise her work when it does occasionally get done, but at this point I’m at a loss.

It sounds like the problem is that you haven’t been clear enough with her. This shouldn’t just be, “I trust your judgment so you don’t need to run things by me.” It needs to be, “I need you to make decisions about things like XYZ on your own without waiting for my feedback.” The first version is too soft and leaves the door open for her to think that continuing to lean on you so much is still an option; the second version tells her clearly she needs to change what she is doing. If you’ve already done that, then it’s time to escalate in seriousness to something more like, “Making decisions independently on things like XYZ is a really important requirement of this position, and I need to see you doing that in order to keep you in the job.”

That isn’t too harsh! It’s actually kind to spell out what you need from someone who isn’t picking up on it, and to tell her now, while there’s still an opportunity for her to change what she’s doing, rather than waiting until the issue has festered so long that the situation is unfixable.

4. The yoga studio where I teach hasn’t been paying me on time

I’ve been teaching yoga for about four years now and was hired for my first job at this small group training facility. I teach once a week and often sub for one of the two other instructors. I previously got paid monthly. I have a full-time job and this is my side gig. So, it’s money I use for things like gifts, or save up for vacations.

Over the last two years, my monthly payment stretched to being paid every two months. This past year, it’s stretched out to being paid every four or five months. I’ve asked the owners several times to leave a check for me for next week. I’ve also asked if there is an easier way for them to pay me, such as Venmo or direct deposit.

I’m at the point now where I’m owed for over 21 classes ($40 per class). Enrollment in the small training groups seems to have dropped as I’m seeing new members less. People do join for the yoga-only package to come to the yoga classes. What’s the best way to ask to be paid and let them know I can’t/shouldn’t have to wait longer than two months for payment? I’m at the point now where I want to say that I won’t teach until I get paid, but that isn’t really my vibe.

Well, wait, saying that you won’t teach until you get paid should be your vibe! That’s a very reasonable and justifiable stance to take. If there are any wrong vibes here, it’s “we hire you for your labor and then don’t pay you when promised.”

I’m guessing you’re worried about coming across as confrontational with people you’re on good terms with … but where is their worry about coming across badly to you?

In any case, it doesn’t need to be adversarial. You can simply say, “I’m currently owed for 21 classes and I’ve tried to extend as much grace as I can, but I really do need to be paid. There’s so much owed now that I can’t teach any additional classes until we get this squared away, because I don’t want the outstanding amount to grow larger. Can you let me know when I can pick up the check?”

But also: once you’re paid, consider whether you can safely continue teaching at this studio, because it sounds like the payment issues may continue. At a minimum, you could consider requesting that monthly payment be made before you teach for the following month … because otherwise you’re risking that at some point payment will never arrive and you’ll have been working for free.

5. Skipping a holiday party while grieving

I experienced the death of my child this year, and though I seem okay at work, I’m struggling with my grief. My therapist and I have been working on preparing for the holidays, which can be a fraught time for grievers, and we’ve agreed that I should minimize my participation in holiday events and parties.

How can I explain this to my boss? We all get the time out of the office to attend our daytime holiday party, so it’s not like I can say I need to stay at the office for staffing reasons. Am I just unexpectedly “sick” on that day? I don’t want to seem like a Scrooge or like I’m not a team player, but I really do need to take a big step back from the holidays this year for my own mental health. What do you suggest?

I’m so sorry! Any manager who is even a 10% decent person would understand if you explain that you’re not up to attending a party this year. I would say it this way: “It’s been such a hard year for me and my family that I’m not in a place to attend a holiday party yet. I can remain at the office during the event or head home once everyone leaves for it, whichever you prefer.”

The post am I too long-winded, employee leans on me for help with everything, and more appeared first on Ask a Manager.

https://www.askamanager.org/2025/11/am-i-too-long-winded-employee-leans-on-me-for-help-with-everything-and-more.html

https://www.askamanager.org/?p=34352

This E Ink Clock Prints Fortunes and Jokes on Paper Slips

Posted by JC Torres

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/18/this-e-ink-clock-prints-fortunes-and-jokes-on-paper-slips/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-e-ink-clock-prints-fortunes-and-jokes-on-paper-slips

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=591868

Watch on YouTube

Time usually passes without much fanfare. Numbers flip on your phone screen, the day blurs from morning coffee to evening TV, and most minutes feel interchangeable. Clocks are background objects, functional but forgettable, doing nothing more than reminding you how late you’re running. There’s no ceremony to checking the time, no surprise waiting when you glance at the display. It’s just numbers counting down to whatever you’re supposed to do next.

Houracle by True Angle approaches this differently. Instead of treating time as something that simply ticks away, it turns each minute into a potential moment of delight. The device is part clock, part oracle, with an eco-friendly thermal printer tucked into the top that spits out fortunes, jokes, riddles, or random facts tied to the exact moment you press the button. It’s the kind of thing that makes you want to check the time just to see what happens.

Designer: True Angle

Click Here to Buy Now: $128 ~~$213~~ (40% off). Hurry, only a few left!

The design is deliberately retro. A boxy, powder-coated aluminum body with rounded edges, a large orange or yellow button on the top, and an e-ink display that looks like a pencil sketch on paper. The screen shows the time and date, the weather for your selected location, and a small prompt inviting you to press print. Five icons along the right edge let you select modes, fortune, fact, joke, riddle, or surprise, each represented by simple graphics.

Press the button and the printer whirs to life, a satisfying mechanical sound as the paper slip emerges from the top. At 7:42 in the morning, it might tell you destiny took a coffee break and suggest making your own magic. At 11:15, it could mention your brain runs on about 20 watts, enough to power a dim bulb or a brilliant idea. The messages feel oddly personal because they’re tied to that specific minute.

What makes this genuinely charming is how the slips accumulate. They end up on the fridge, tucked into notebooks, or shared with family members over breakfast. Heck, you might find yourself printing extras just to see what weird fact or ridiculous joke Houracle generates next. The lucky numbers printed at the bottom add an extra layer of whimsy that completes the fortune cookie vibe without taking itself too seriously.

The e-ink screen plays a bigger role than you’d expect. Unlike the glowing blue displays most clocks use, this one reflects ambient light rather than emitting it. That makes it easier on the eyes, especially at night, and gives the whole device a calming presence. The screen updates when you interact with it, but otherwise sits quietly, blending into the background.

Of course, the whole thing runs on wall power, which means no batteries to replace or USB cables to manage. The aluminum body is built to last, assembled with screws rather than glue. Houracle also uses BPA and BPS-free thermal slips, sourced from a company that plants a new tree or restores kelp in the ocean for every box of thermal rolls purchased. True Angle designed Houracle with sustainability in mind, using recyclable materials and avoiding planned obsolescence.

What’s surprising is how much a simple printed slip can shift your mood. A clever riddle before bed, a dumb joke during a work break, or a strange fact that makes you pause for a second. These aren’t profound moments, but they add small pockets of joy to days that might otherwise feel routine. Houracle captures the anticipation you used to feel when cracking open a fortune cookie.

The device sits on your desk or nightstand, looking unassuming until you press that button and hear the printer activate. Then it becomes something else entirely, a little machine that marks time with paper artifacts you’ll probably keep longer than you should. For anyone who’s tired of clocks that just tell time and do nothing else, that small shift makes all the difference.

Click Here to Buy Now: $128 ~~$213~~ (40% off). Hurry, only a few left!

The post This E Ink Clock Prints Fortunes and Jokes on Paper Slips first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/18/this-e-ink-clock-prints-fortunes-and-jokes-on-paper-slips/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-e-ink-clock-prints-fortunes-and-jokes-on-paper-slips

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=591868

Another Mortifying Ordeal

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=5704

beep beep dumpling car beep beep

http://questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=5704

UNO x Formula 1 Card Game Features Exciting New Gameplay With All 10 Teams And 1000+ Collectible Car

Posted by Sarang Sheth

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/18/uno-x-formula-1-card-game-features-exciting-new-gameplay-with-all-10-teams-and-1000-collectible-cards/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=uno-x-formula-1-card-game-features-exciting-new-gameplay-with-all-10-teams-and-1000-collectible-cards

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592328

Most licensed UNO decks are basically souvenirs; you play the same game you always have, only this time with movie stills or cartoon faces staring back at you. UNO Elite Formula 1 is aiming for something more ambitious. Mattel is taking the basic UNO framework and wrapping it in a light collectible shell, with Elite Action cards that feature F1 drivers, cars, team principals, circuits, and helmets, and then selling those cards in starter packs and boosters like a stripped down trading card game.

That shift changes what an “UNO edition” even is. Instead of a one and done deck, you get a product you can tune, expand, and personalize around your favorite teams and drivers. It is still approachable enough to throw on the table at a family gathering, but there is a clear nudge toward collecting, tinkering, and even house ruling your way into race weekend formats and team championships. In other words, this is UNO stepping closer to F1’s world of strategy and fandom, without asking players to learn an entirely new game.

Designer: Mattel

On paper, UNO and Formula 1 do not look like natural teammates. One is a simple, almost universal card game you can teach in under a minute; the other is a hyper technical, data obsessed motorsport with a rulebook thick enough to choke a diffuser. UNO Elite Formula 1 is Mattel’s attempt to bridge that gap, not by turning UNO into a simulation, but by layering F1’s personalities and drama onto a ruleset that practically everyone already knows. The result is a deck that plays like classic UNO at its core, but arrives packaged with Elite Action cards and boosters that push it into collectible territory.

The Core Edition Starter Pack gives you a 112 card deck that functions just like the one you already own, but it also includes four booster packs to get you started. Those packs contain a random assortment of the set’s 100 plus unique Elite Action cards. From there, you can buy separate Booster Sets to keep hunting for your favorite drivers or to find rare foil variations, which bring the total number of unique cards in the line to over 1,000. It is a clever way to add the thrill of the chase from trading card games without the intimidating barrier of complex deckbuilding rules.

What this does at the table is make the game modular. You can keep the Elite cards out and play a pure, classic game of UNO. Or you can shuffle in a handful of them to add a little F1 flavor, introducing new actions tied to drivers, teams, or circuits. For dedicated fans, the real fun will be in curating the experience, perhaps creating a deck where only cards from rival teams are included, or running a “constructors championship” where players team up and score points over a whole evening. The game provides the pieces; the players provide the narrative.

This is a smart play from both Mattel and Formula 1, who both acknowledge that their fanbases are passionate and ready for new ways to engage. It is a low friction entry point for F1 fans who might not touch a traditional hobby board game, and it gives UNO a much needed shot of strategic depth and collectibility that could keep it on the table for longer. The success of UNO Elite Formula 1 will ultimately depend on whether players embrace that potential. It is one thing to provide the tools for a deeper experience, but it is another for the community to pick them up and build something truly exciting with them.

The post UNO x Formula 1 Card Game Features Exciting New Gameplay With All 10 Teams And 1000+ Collectible Cards first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592328

This Printed-Circuit Sconce Turns Exposed Electronics Into Functional Sculpture

Posted by Tanvi Joshi

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/18/this-printed-circuit-sconce-turns-exposed-electronics-into-functional-sculpture/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-printed-circuit-sconce-turns-exposed-electronics-into-functional-sculpture

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592054

In contemporary lighting, technology is often concealed, hidden behind frosted diffusers, buried in housings, or tucked into recesses where its presence is merely utilitarian. The Printed Circuit sconce by American designer August Ostrow turns this convention inside-out. Instead of disguising the mechanics of illumination, the sconce makes electronics themselves the aesthetic centerpiece, revealing the beauty of a material more frequently associated with industrial devices than interior design.

At the core of the sconce is a flexible polyimide printed circuit board, a material prized in the electronics industry for its thermal stability, durability, and ability to bend without losing structural integrity. Commonly found within consumer devices, aerospace components, and advanced industrial systems, polyimide typically remains unseen, functioning behind the scenes as a backbone for electrical pathways. Ostrow repositions this substrate as both shade and light source, allowing the circuitry to take on a sculptural presence within the room.

Designer: August Ostrow

The traces, copper routes, and tactile surface details that usually operate invisibly now become the primary graphic language of the design. When illuminated, these pathways glow softly, revealing an intricate network that is part engineering diagram, part textile-like pattern. The sconce becomes a luminous map of its own function, offering viewers a rare opportunity to see the inner logic of circuitry elevated to decorative status.

This approach aligns with Ostrow’s broader practice of material exploration, challenging expectations of what electronic components can be when removed from their typical contexts. By bending the polyimide board into a gentle arc, the designer leverages its natural flexibility, allowing it to act simultaneously as a structural element, a diffuser, and a carrier for the embedded LEDs. The armature that supports the sconce performs dual duty as well: it physically holds the piece in place while also serving as the conduit for its DC power connection. The result is a clean, integrated assembly where function and form are inseparable.

The Printed Circuit sconce also speaks to a growing movement in industrial and lighting design where designers intentionally expose mechanisms, celebrate raw materials, and reveal inner workings rather than hiding them. The aesthetic of the PCB, once considered too technical or visually chaotic for interior surfaces, is reinterpreted here as refined, graphic, and unexpectedly elegant. The glow of the light accentuates the fine geometries etched into the board, producing an effect that is both futuristic and tactile.

Beyond its visual appeal, the sconce raises interesting questions about the relationship between technology and ornamentation. What does it mean when circuitry, traditionally understood as purely functional infrastructure, becomes decorative? How do our perceptions shift when we encounter electronic materials not as hidden hardware but as expressive, crafted surfaces? The Printed Circuit sconce offers a compelling answer: electronics, when thoughtfully framed, possess a structural and aesthetic richness worthy of display. In celebrating the circuitry rather than concealing it, the design offers a refreshing perspective, one that suggests beauty does not need to be added to technology; sometimes it only needs to be revealed.

The post This Printed-Circuit Sconce Turns Exposed Electronics Into Functional Sculpture first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592054

Silva Wood Collection by KFI Studios: Steam-Bent Beech Furniture Designed by Union Design

Posted by Vincent Nguyen

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/18/silva-wood-collection-by-kfi-studios-steam-bent-beech-furniture-designed-by-union-design/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=silva-wood-collection-by-kfi-studios-steam-bent-beech-furniture-designed-by-union-design

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592341

When solid beech wood flows from floor to backrest in a single steam-bent arc, you’re witnessing KFI Studios push the boundaries of what wood furniture can achieve. Silva, the company’s first fully wood collection, exemplifies material honesty and sculptural restraint.

Designer: KFI Studios

Designed in collaboration with Union Design, Silva rejects the noise of contemporary furniture design in favor of something more enduring: curves that follow the wood’s natural character, finishes that reveal rather than conceal grain patterns, and forms that balance timeless craft with approachable modern sensibility.

A Collection Built on Natural Warmth

Silva includes guest chairs, lounge chairs, stools, and coordinating tables across occasional, standard, counter, and bar heights. The versatility makes it equally at home in workplace lounges, hospitality environments, and social spaces where warmth matters more than clinical precision.

“It’s our first full wood collection, and something we’ve wanted to do for a long time,” says Chris Smith, CEO of KFI Studios. “It’s got that natural warmth and character that makes spaces feel instantly inviting.”

The signature detail defining the collection is that steam-bent rear leg. It flows in a single graceful line from floor to backrest, giving each piece a sculptural quietness that traditional joinery methods simply can’t achieve. The lounge chair in particular pushes wood bending techniques into elegant, continuous arcs that demonstrate what happens when material capability meets design ambition.

Design Details That Honor the Material

Every curve, edge, and contour in Silva was calibrated to highlight beech wood’s natural grain and inherent character. Gently rounded edges on seating pieces create tactile comfort without over-designing. Softly shaped square tabletops offer practical surface area while maintaining the collection’s organic aesthetic language.

“Every curve, edge, and contour was carefully considered to highlight the material, create comfort, and offer a sense of simplicity,” says Jeff Theesfeld, founder of Union Design.

The solid wood construction extends throughout the collection, with subtle engineering details that enhance functionality without compromising aesthetic purity. Guest chairs stack three high for space-efficient storage, making them practical for venues that need flexible seating arrangements. Stools feature chromed steel footrests that add durability and comfort while maintaining visual lightness. Table tops come in two configurations: wood tops with soft edge profiles that emphasize organic warmth, or optional laminate tops with knife edge profiles for environments requiring enhanced durability.

The finish palette expands beyond traditional wood tones into territory that feels distinctly contemporary. Seven stain options include Natural, Timber, Coffee, and Black alongside modern color-drenched hues: Navy, Evergreen, and Clay. These colored finishes don’t obscure the wood grain. They enhance it, letting the material’s natural texture show through while introducing unexpected color depth.

Chairs can be specified with or without upholstered seats. When upholstery enters the equation, KFI Studios offers a wide selection of graded-in textiles or COM options, allowing designers to calibrate comfort and aesthetic expression to specific project requirements.

Silva and the Biophilic Design Resurgence

According to Jeff Theesfeld, Silva arrives at a moment when designers are increasingly prioritizing wellbeing through material choices. Biophilic design, the practice of connecting interior environments to natural elements, continues gaining momentum as research confirms what intuition already suggested: natural materials and calming tactility improve how people experience spaces.

Silva’s all-wood construction, paired with finishes that enhance rather than hide wood grain, brings grounding presence to environments that benefit from nature-inspired warmth. As workplace design evolves beyond stark minimalism and hospitality spaces seek differentiation through material authenticity, collections like Silva offer designers tools to create environments that feel both contemporary and fundamentally human.

The collection represents more than aesthetic preference. It signals a broader shift toward furniture that prioritizes enduring material quality over trend-driven surface treatments, toward forms that respect craft traditions while serving modern spatial requirements.

The post Silva Wood Collection by KFI Studios: Steam-Bent Beech Furniture Designed by Union Design first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592341

[ SECRET POST #6892 ]

⌈ Secret Post #6892 ⌋

Warning: Some secrets are NOT worksafe and may contain SPOILERS.

01.

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Notes:

Secrets Left to Post: 01 pages, 18 secrets from Secret Submission Post #984.
Secrets Not Posted: [ 0 - broken links ], [ 0 - not!secrets ], [ 0 - not!fandom ], [ 0 - too big ], [ 0 - repeat ].
Current Secret Submissions Post: here.
Suggestions, comments, and concerns should go here.

This solar powered motorcycle never needs charging for true energy independence

Posted by Gaurav Sood

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/18/this-solar-powered-motorcycle-never-needs-charging-for-true-energy-independence/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=this-solar-powered-motorcycle-never-needs-charging-for-true-energy-independence

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592277

For years, electric mobility has been shaped by predictable patterns: bigger batteries, denser charging networks, and efficiency improvements that feel more evolutionary than revolutionary. Yet the dependency remains the same: riders still need plugs, stations, and the infrastructure that powers their daily movement. In the middle of this familiar landscape arrives a concept that doesn’t try to optimize the system but instead questions why the system needs to exist at all. The SOLARIS Self-Charging Solar Motorcycle by MASK Architects challenges the core assumptions of electric mobility with a vehicle that produces its own energy and redefines the relationship between rider, machine, and environment.

Developed by Öznur Pınar Cer and Danilo Petta, the SOLARIS approaches mobility as something closer to a self-sustaining organism than a machine waiting to be recharged. It operates entirely on power it generates itself, eliminating reliance on fuel stations, external charging points, or electrical grids. This shift reframes freedom for riders, offering movement that isn’t conditioned by access to infrastructure or energy markets. It introduces a future where independence is built into the vehicle, pushing the concept of autonomy far beyond driving modes or connected features.

Designer: MASK Architects

The technology that enables this transformation begins with next-generation photovoltaic cells integrated into the motorcycle’s structure. These high-efficiency solar elements convert light into energy throughout the day, ensuring the system remains active under varying conditions. A defining feature of the SOLARIS is its deployable charging mechanism, which expands into a protective wing when the motorcycle is parked. This design increases the solar capture area by up to 150 percent, allowing the battery to be replenished whether the vehicle is in motion or stationary. The result is a power source that continuously supports itself, removing the downtime associated with conventional charging and allowing the vehicle to remain ready for use without external input.

Visual identity plays an equally important role in its appeal. The deployable wing draws inspiration from the structure of a dragonfly’s wing, merging natural efficiency with a mechanical aesthetic. This biomimetic approach gives the motorcycle a distinctive presence while reinforcing its connection to the environment it relies on for power. The blend of organic influence and engineered precision creates a form that communicates both purpose and innovation, capturing the attention of users who value sustainability and future-focused design.

The potential impact of a self-charging motorcycle extends beyond individual riders. Without dependence on fuel or electricity networks, the concept becomes a practical solution for remote regions, developing communities, and delicate natural environments where infrastructure is limited or intentionally preserved. For logistics operators, tour providers, and municipal programs, the removal of energy costs and reduced mechanical complexity offers clear economic advantages and faster returns compared to traditional electric models.

The post This solar powered motorcycle never needs charging for true energy independence first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592277

iPhone ‘Lock Screen Mirror’ feature lets you quickly check your hair/teeth without opening the camer

Posted by Sarang Sheth

https://www.yankodesign.com/2025/11/18/iphone-lock-screen-mirror-feature-lets-you-quickly-check-your-hair-teeth-without-opening-the-camera/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=iphone-lock-screen-mirror-feature-lets-you-quickly-check-your-hair-teeth-without-opening-the-camera

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592256

Never have I seen something so audaciously brilliant I actually summon a CEO to help make it a reality but Tim Cook… if you’re reading this, this lock-screen mirror definitely needs to ship on the next iOS build. Put together by Jakub Zegzulka, an ex-Apple, Meta, and OpenAI fellow, this tiny little feature is perhaps more important than FaceID itself!

How many times have you stepped out for a meeting with friends or for an interview, having no idea what you look like… or whether you’ve got food stuck in your teeth? You unlock your phone, open the camera app, and flip to the front-facing camera to do a quick vibe-check. It’s a 3-step process that absolutely doesn’t need to be a 3-step process. Instead, Zegzulka’s solution involves just long-pressing on the camera icon on the bottom right of your lock screen. That brings up a tiny window emerging off the dynamic island, giving you a quick preview of yourself. You can check your hair, fix your make-up, adjust your specs, run your tongue across your teeth, or just quickly check out that annoying zit that appeared at the wrong place and wrong time.

Designer: Jakub Zegzulka

Zegzulka didn’t outline much, except a quick video demo of this feature on Threads. Although that was enough to gather nearly 2K likes in just over a day. The Lock Screen Mirror isn’t an app. It’s just a quick interaction that lets you open the camera’s viewfinder right on your lock screen for checking your appearance. The tiny circular window is almost exactly the size of a make-up mirror, and the feature is legitimately handy, even for me as a guy who has fairly curly hair that needs to just be ruffled before I step out.

Heck, imagine going an entire hour on a date with spinach stuck in your teeth and them being polite enough to not point out. Instead, you just do a quick check, get that pesky piece of green stuck on your pearly whites, and you’re good to go. It’s such a tiny-yet-life-enhancing feature that Apple could totally ship with their next build. You’re NOT opening your camera app with this lock screen mirror function, just a preview. You could drag your finger up and have the app open like it traditionally does, but a feature like this would probably eliminate the need to, if all you need to do is see if you look good right before you meet your friends, your future boss, or the potential love of your life.

The post iPhone ‘Lock Screen Mirror’ feature lets you quickly check your hair/teeth without opening the camera first appeared on Yanko Design.

https://www.yankodesign.com/?p=592256

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[embodiment] ... ha

"Ugh," I thought, "why am I feeling weirdly migrainey? My Next Phase Of The Menstrual Cycle is very much not due for like another week? I've been weirdly super regular basically since it reasserted itself post-surgery?"

... TURNS OUT that I had lost track of time a bit and I'm not a solid week early at all, it's a whole two days. This Means Some Things:

... still super regular by my pre-surgical standards,
I will not be at the worst stage of my cycle during Significant Travel next week, and LAST BUT VERY MUCH NOT LEAST
the migraine is still in fact very clearly associated with hormonal changes even when I'm not expecting them, take THAT Headache Is The Second Most Common Form Of Psychosomatic Pain ~statistics~ (and ongoing anxiety).