The battle against heat during intense physical activity is one that every athlete knows all too well. While hydration remains the cornerstone of temperature regulation, managing external body heat presents an equally critical challenge that can’t be solved by water intake alone. Traditional methods like splashing water on your face require stopping mid-stride, a compromise few serious runners are willing to make when every second counts in training or competition.

As global temperatures continue to rise, cooling mist sprays have emerged as a practical solution for athletes seeking relief without breaking stride. The science behind these products is straightforward yet effective: when fine water droplets contact your overheated skin, they quickly evaporate, drawing heat away from your body through the process of evaporative cooling. This physiological hack can significantly reduce perceived exertion and discomfort, potentially extending performance in challenging conditions.

Designers: Seungyeol Yi, Suah Kim, Youngbeen Seo (Intenxiv Inc)

Current cooling mist options, however, present a design problem for runners. Most portable sprays come in conventional bottle formats that prove awkward to grip while maintaining pace. The fumbling required to locate spray nozzles and operate mechanisms often disrupts rhythm and focus, precisely what athletes work so hard to maintain during training sessions and races. This gap between function and usability inspired a fresh approach to cooling technology.

The new handheld cooling mist concept draws inspiration from performance running shoes, particularly those from On Running with their distinctive cloud-like cushioning. Rather than adopting the traditional bottle shape, this design features a soft, deformed square with a large opening near the bottom, creating the visual impression of a small, fluffy cloud in your hand. The metaphor extends beyond aesthetics to function, delivering a light, refreshing mist that mimics running through a cool morning fog.

The exterior surface employs cushioned materials reminiscent of running shoe soles, providing a tactile experience that feels natural in an athlete’s grip. The operation couldn’t be simpler: a gentle squeeze on the top surface releases a fine cooling mist, eliminating the need to locate nozzles or buttons mid-stride. This intuitive design allows runners to maintain focus on their performance rather than fumbling with equipment when heat stress begins to build.

Beyond its functional benefits, the concept’s sporty aesthetic speaks directly to its intended users. The form language borrows from athletic equipment rather than personal care products, signaling its purpose as performance gear rather than a cosmetic accessory. This deliberate design choice helps position the product within the athlete’s essential toolkit, alongside specialized footwear, moisture-wicking apparel, and performance-monitoring devices.

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Have you ever noticed how the best morning rituals energize you for the day ahead? The design behind AURA certainly does, creating a capsule coffee machine concept that brilliantly merges two beloved morning boosters: swimming and coffee. This playful appliance draws inspiration from swimming pools, those serene blue rectangles that promise refreshment and renewal, and transforms your coffee-making experience into something that feels as invigorating as a morning dip. The result is a machine that doesn’t just brew coffee but creates a sensory experience that awakens both body and mind.

What makes this concept truly special is how it recognizes the parallel between swimming and coffee as essential morning rituals, at least for avid swimmers, both pros and amateurs alike. Both experiences mark a transition point in your day, a moment of awakening and preparation for what lies ahead. Swimming clears the mind and activates the body, while coffee sharpens focus and establishes routine. By combining visual elements from pool environments with coffee functionality, AURA creates a unique object that celebrates these complementary morning practices and brings a splash of joy to your kitchen counter.

Designer: Lim Seongmin (Focus Studio)

The most striking feature of the AURA concept is its swimming pool-inspired aesthetics. Imagine a coffee machine adorned with the familiar blue tile pattern reminiscent of your favorite pool, complete with miniature ladder elements that cleverly double as capsule holders. These thoughtful design touches transform a utilitarian kitchen appliance into a conversation piece that brings a smile to your face even before that first sip of caffeine hits your system.

It’s quite amusing how the concept design reimagined the capsule holder as an integrated ladder-like structure. Unlike traditional machines that require separate accessories for capsule storage, AURA incorporates this essential function directly into its design. This clever integration not only enhances the swimming pool aesthetic but also improves functionality by keeping your favorite coffee varieties organized and within easy reach. It’s a perfect example of how thoughtful design can solve practical problems while enhancing visual appeal.

The machine’s clean lines and harmonious proportions reflect a deep understanding of what makes swimming pools so visually appealing. The designers have concealed functional elements like the water tank and capsule slot within the “tile” pattern, maintaining the sculptural integrity of the piece. This approach creates a more cohesive and visually pleasing object that doesn’t sacrifice functionality for form. Instead of exposing mechanical components, AURA presents a seamless surface that contributes to a sense of calm and order in your morning routine.

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Running medals typically end up stashed away in drawers or displayed on lonely medal racks, rarely seeing the light of day after race celebrations fade. Nike has brilliantly reimagined this tradition with their 2025 After Dark Tour medal, transforming the standard race memento into a stunning piece of wearable jewelry that celebrates your achievement long after crossing the finish line. It’s an innovative pendant necklace that merges athletic accomplishment with everyday style, allowing runners to carry their triumph wherever they go.

Gone are the days when your hard-earned race medal gathered dust in a forgotten corner of your home. The Nike team has crafted something you’ll actually want to wear: a sweat-resistant, reflective necklace that transitions seamlessly from your nighttime race to brunch with friends the next morning. Designed specifically for women who refuse to compromise between their athletic identity and personal style, this functional jewelry piece represents a fresh approach to how we commemorate our running milestones.

Designer: Nike

The pendant’s surface tells your unique running story through its textured design, which cleverly incorporates actual elevation data from the six After Dark Tour race courses. These topographical details aren’t just aesthetically pleasing but also serve a practical purpose by enhancing the pendant’s reflectivity, catching light from multiple angles during those early morning or evening training sessions. The retroreflective coating adds another layer of safety for nighttime runners, making you visible to others while showcasing your accomplishment.

Every element of this medal-turned-necklace pays homage to running culture. The shoelace-inspired chain creates an immediate connection to Nike’s running roots, while engraved aglets (those little metal tips on your shoelaces) commemorate your participation in the After Dark Tour. The magnetic closure adds both practicality and personalization, allowing for quick changes between workout and daily wear while ensuring a comfortable fit for every athlete’s preference.

What truly sets this medal apart is how it was created by a nearly all-women team of Nike designers, engineers, and developers who understood exactly what female runners want. They’ve combined advanced design techniques and extraordinary materials to create something both beautiful and durable. The result speaks directly to women who take their running seriously but don’t want to sacrifice style for performance, proving that athletic achievements can be celebrated with both function and fashion.

Available exclusively to After Dark Tour finishers, this medal represents Nike’s commitment to creating products that honor women’s multifaceted lives. Unlike traditional race medals that announce your achievement only when deliberately displayed, this pendant becomes part of your daily expression: a constant reminder of your strength, endurance, and connection to the global community of women runners. The Nike After Dark Tour does more than just commemorate a single race day; it celebrates the ongoing journey of female athletes everywhere.

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During the last few months of the pandemic when people were sick of staying inside, cycling became not just a hobby but a lifestyle for a lot of people. However, not everyone live in an area where there are spaces to bike around. An alternative to this, at least for those who bike for exercise, would be indoor cycling. We’re now seeing a stunning piece of exercise equipment that seamlessly blends cutting-edge technology with sophisticated design with Square by Fuoripista.

Designer: Adriano Design and Fuoripista

Conceived by Adriano Design and manufactured by Fuoripista with technical collaboration from Elite, Square goes beyond delivering a stationary bike, offering a smart frame designed to transform your home workout experience. For those seeking to integrate their fitness routine into their living space without compromising on aesthetics, Square offers an innovative solution. This smart frame is designed to replace traditional bicycles for indoor training, allowing users to train at home with the same intensity and realism as an outdoor ride.

A high-end virtual gear system is the core of Square. This intelligent system can replicate the entire gear configuration of a traditional bicycle, offering a truly customizable riding experience. Through a dedicated app, users can personalize their controls, from gear shifting ratios to resistance levels, tailoring each workout to their specific needs and preferences.

Fuoripista understands the importance of an immersive and realistic training session, which is why Square incorporates the high-end Justo 2 smart trainer by Elite. Equipped with an integrated power meter, this trainer provides accurate and reliable performance data. Furthermore, the inclusion of the Rizer gradient simulator elevates the experience by allowing the frame to rise and lower, mimicking the inclines and declines of real-world roads. The Rizer even enables steering, adding another layer of authenticity to your virtual rides.

Square is as much about making a design statement as it is about performance. Recognizing that exercise equipment often clashes with home decor, Fuoripista, for the 2025 Salone del Mobile, presented a limited edition of Square with premium wood finishes and custom color options. This thoughtful approach ensures that Square can seamlessly integrate into any living space, adding a touch of elegance and modernity. Each Square bike is exclusive in its detail, reflecting a commitment to high-quality materials and craftsmanship.

Fuoripista describes Square as a “functional solution that interfaces performance and style,” embodying a new way of interpreting indoor training. By combining advanced technology with refined design, Square encourages a more holistic approach to well-being, where fitness becomes an integrated and aesthetically pleasing part of everyday life.

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You might not know David Delahunty, but if you’re a designer, you’ll know him by his IG account ‘designershumour’. The biggest design meme account on social media, Delahunty has a way of finding humor in every aspect of a designer’s creative line of work, from client woes to just how uniquely designers tend to look at the world around them. When Delahunty isn’t creating humorous content, he’s concocting creative ideas on his personal account – like this tennis ball inspired by Apple’s ‘frozen computer’ rainbow ball.

Just like Windows has the Blue Screen Of Death, Apple has the Spinning Wheel Of Death – a rotating rainbow-colored beach ball that replaces your cursor every time your MacBook or Mac slows down or crashes. Despite its colorful appearance, it’s universally disliked because of what it represents – a laggy or crashed computer – but Delahunty decided to give the icon an upgrade. Meet the Wilson x Apple Tennis Ball – an unofficial, AI-generated ball that’s as gorgeous as it’s different.

Designer: David Delahunty

Made for a game of tennis, this ball aims at grabbing the eye while playing on a court. While most tennis balls are either neon green or deep red, this one has 8 swatches with 6 colors, creating a blurry rainbow as the ball moves across the court. With tennis balls, the point of the ball’s bright color has always been to enhance visibility – not just for players but also for the referee, the audience, and the camera. A rainbow-colored ball would arguably be a lot more eye-catching in theory, although that’s yet to be tested as a practical application.

The fuzzy ball is purely an AI rendition of what would otherwise be a gorgeous collab between Apple and Wilson. Although there’s really no overlap between their audiences, Apple’s been slowly (but surely) infiltrating the entertainment space with its billion-dollar deal with the NFL, a working relationship with Messi and his Inter-Miami football club, as well as a successful sports-comedy TV show in Ted Lasso. There might not be a direct link between Apple and Wilson, but there are areas where they would thrive as co-collaborators.

It’s a creative branding exercise, although I’m not entirely sure how this would affect the ball’s performance on the court. Even then, imagine if other brands with spherical logos had collaborated with Wilson to create unique tennis balls? I’d totally love a Google Chrome ball, an Xbox ball, a Target ball, a Volkswagen ball, and perhaps… just perhaps, a Starbucks ball!

The post Apple’s Spinning Wheel Of Death Transforms Into A Wilson Tennis Ball With This Unexpected Collab first appeared on Yanko Design.

If you’re any kind of football (the real one) or even just sports in general, the name FC Barcelona is familiar to you as it’s one of the most popular clubs in the world. And if you’re a true blue Culer (that’s a Barça fan, if you didn’t know), you probably own a piece or two of their original (and maybe, not original) merch. Would you be willing to give up your smartphone though just to have a special Barça device?

Human Mobile Device (HMD) has made it their mission to create “dumb phones” for those who want just the pure, basic functions of phones without the distractions that the internet and smartphones bring. This time around, they’re targeting football fans who want to have their favorite Barça players and the team’s special features on their devices. And they’re also making it easy for these fans to concentrate on the beautiful game, whether they’re watching on their big screens or they’re actually playing the game. Both devices will go on sale by mid-April 2025.

Designer: HMD

If you’ve lived long enough in this world, then you know that at one time, the Nokia 3210 was the “best” and smallest phone you could have. You can relive that experience or feel it for the first time with the HMD Barça 3210. You can only do basic things like text, call, and play Snake on this phone, no apps allowed. It comes in the iconic Blau (blue) and Grana (garnet) colors with a silver Barça crest. It is also pre-loaded with 12 bespoke wallpapers, audio greetings from players like Lewandowski, Gavi, Eric, Fermin, and Inigo, plus other Easter Eggs that will delight the fans. It does have a 2MP camera with flash, a toch, and a 1450 mAh battery which can last you through six and a half football games.

Meanwhile, the HMD Smart Outfit is a collector’s item that you can, well, fuse, into your HMD Fusion phone. The outfit is engraved with an entire football team as you get the signatures of 11 key Barcelona players: Marc-André ter Stegen, Robert Lewandowski, Jules Koundé, Raphinha, Dani Olmo, Pedri, Gavi, Fermín Lopez, Pau Cubarsí, Marc Casadó and Lamine Yamal. These special signatures actually glow in the dark if you have UV light. The phone is preloaded with Barça visuals, themed sounds, greetings from players, and even alarm sounds from some of the players.

The phone itself is a customizable 5G smartphone that comes with various features. But if you want to still disconnect, it has a detox mode to stop your notifications. Ultimately, the HMD Barça devices represent a fascinating blend of nostalgia and fandom. Whether you’re drawn to the simplicity of the 3210 or the customizable smart features of the Fusion, these phones offer a unique way to connect with your favorite football club.

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There are so many things in life that we take for granted because we can more or less see clearly. Navigation is a no-brainer, but even entertainment is a completely different experience for those with visual impairments. Sports, for example, is best seen played out in front of you, even if it’s inside a TV box, but that’s not exactly possible for those who can’t see in the first place.

Sports announcers do their best to give a blow-by-blow account of games, sprinkled with commentary, of course, you feel even less of a spectator and more like a second-hand recipient of gossip and hearsay. Sadly, that’s actually a fact of life for the blind and vision-impaired, but this simple-looking but revolutionary board is trying to change that for good, allowing everyone to really feel like they are part of the game, even if they’re watching from home.

Designer: OneCourt

There was a point in history when people really only got their second-hand account of a game’s events through radio unless they were some of the lucky few to snag tickets for the stadium or court. There is a level of excitement and anticipation because you can’t see what’s happening, but that’s only true if you know that everyone else is really in the same boat as you. Today, however, most people can watch from the TV or a live stream, so those who can only listen will naturally feel left out.

OneBoard wants to tear down those walls that separate the vision impaired from the rest of society when it comes to live sports coverage. This box, which looks like a miniature court or field, is actually a haptic feedback device that vibrates in very accurate and price locations across its surface. In other words, you can follow the game with your fingers as the ball travels across the field in real-time. In case you doubt if that is even possible, you have to realize that many stadiums and sports events already have and use real-time tracking technologies for broadcast coverage, replays, and the like. OneBoard is just utilizing that same tech in a different way.

It isn’t just conveying the location of the ball, of course. Specific vibration patterns also reveal specific actions like catches, goals, passes, throws, kicks, and the like. It even has a place for “feeling out” the score so you won’t have to repeatedly ask your seatmate about it. The tactile information is paired with audio coverage so that you are really experiencing the whole event as if you were actually seeing it happen.

OneBoard can work both at the stadium or at home, depending on the sports event and coverage. So far, the technology has been used in basketball, baseball, and (American) football, with hockey and soccer coming soon. It’s a truly innovative design that utilizes existing technologies in a way that benefits not only the able-bodied majority but even those often neglected by society as well.

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When we’re outdoors and we see kids on their tablets or mobile devices, people of a certain age will probably lament that “back in the old days”, we would be doing other outdoorsy things. There has been a call for public spaces to provide non-digital things for kids and grown ups to do so as not to waste their hours or a whole day glued to their device. One popular thing that people can do is play sports like soccer, basketball, and even individual activities like running, biking, tennis, and of course table tennis. The next challenge would be to have equipment in these public spaces that people can use instead of just being glued to their screens.

Designer: POPP

One such piece of equipment is the HEROair, an outdoor table tennis that is pretty eye-catching because of its bright, yellow color. It is made from heavy duty, strengthened marine grade aluminum and is weatherproof so it can withstand all kinds of weather conditions when placed in public outdoor spaces like playgrounds, town plazas, schools, commercial precints, and even the beach. It is also designed for simple assembly and permanent installation with its flat-pack delivery setup.

This engineer-certified outdoor table tennis table is finished with a custom exterior-rated matte yellow powder coat with a light sandstone texture. It’s curved corners actuallly makes it look like a little yellow boat. It would look right at home on the beachwalk or at a rooftop or any space for communities. The bold shape and the vibrant color of the HEROair makes it both a recreational table and also a piece of urban design, just like with POPP’s other creations.

Beyond its striking appearance, the HEROair is engineered for longevity and security. Marine-grade stainless steel fasteners ensure robust construction, while secure anchoring footings provide stability and prevent movement. The option for tamper-proof fasteners adds an extra layer of security, addressing any concerns about vandalism or theft. This thoughtful design ensures that the HEROair remains a valuable asset to the community for years to come. he HEROair’s true value lies in its potential to revitalize public spaces and foster a renewed appreciation for outdoor activity. Its vibrant color and inviting design serve as a powerful counterpoint to the allure of digital devices. By providing a fun and accessible activity, the HEROair encourages people to connect with each other, engage in friendly competition, and rediscover the simple pleasures of outdoor play.

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Although these sports take place in very different elements, skateboarding and surfing almost feel like cousins, and not just because they both use boards. Both of them move in waving patterns, whether on sea or even on land, creating a kind of dynamic that feels almost as beautiful and as chaotic as nature itself. If it were possible to surf or skate in the air, we’d probably be doing it just as well, but that’s impossible with current technologies.

This architectural design, however, tries to capture that imagery in a single piece of land washed in blue and white. Standing on top of a commercial building is an unusual skate park, designed to bring three worlds into harmony and create a space that invites both action and rest. It’s a beautiful monument to nature that stands at the center of a bustling city.

Designer: Withing Beyond Studio (via Gooood)

We often think of stake parks as artificial spaces made of concrete and metal, with unfinished and painted surfaces that further reinforce their artificial nature. Despite this, however, the sight of skaters speeding through ramps and obstacles almost feels natural in their ebb and flow. They rise and fall like waves on the seas, pretty much similar to how surfers ride the tumultuous surface of these waters.

This rooftop skate park in Qingdao captures this dynamic and association, using curves and colors that paint the picture of the open seas. It also pays tribute to the coastal heritage of the city, becoming a bridge between sea and sky, while also cultivating the skateboarding culture growing in the region.

The park is also quite interesting in its composition, using a steel frame to handle the load not just of skaters but also of visitors. On top of this, creating the contours and providing solid ground, is a surface layer of concrete. The shades of blue are painted using solvent-free polyurethane coating applied in six layers to withstand the city’s coastal climate.

Opposite the rams are three white spheres, mimicking fluffy clouds floating over a bright blue sea. Thus the skate park becomes not only a venue for sports and action but also a relaxing place for visitors to enjoy this man-made earthen bridge between sea and sky.

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When it comes to sports shoes, the bouncier you get, the better. Whether you’re running or playing basketball, having the shoes conserve and rebound the energy you put in every step means conserving more of your energy for other things. Of course, you also have to balance bounciness with durability, a problem that shoe designers and engineers constantly try to solve with new technologies and sometimes unusual materials.

Japanese sportswear company Mizuno has one such technology that it will be flaunting at the Osaka World Expo 2025 in April this year. More than the brand’s bold claims of bounciness and softness, the Mizuno Enerzy will probably be most remembered for its rather unusual and perhaps a little disturbing design, with soles filled with spheres that look like bubbles or some otherworldly creature. Perhaps it’s for the best that it will come in black instead of the original design.

Designer: Mizuno

Some have likened them to caviar because of their red spherical shapes, while others have compared them to eyeballs. In fact, one of the designs for these rather odd sneakers does have red eyeballs beneath the blue upper, just like Osaka Expo’s equally odd mascot, Myaku-Myaku. The similarity is just coincidental, of course, but the perfect match-up feels almost fated.

The bubbly outsole of the Mizuno Enerzy sneakers immediately conjures up images of bouncy things like balls and, well, some bubbles, which is probably the intention behind this quirky design. It’s supposed to be a shoe that promises the ultimate bounce and energy return, though funnily enough, it’s not because of those soles. Mizuno Enerzy technology, particularly the Enerzy Core, is actually found in the midsole.

Mizuno Enezy Core, according to the official marketing spiel, is the company’s bounciest and softest midsole material yet. It is claimed to be 293% softer (hopefully not a typo), and provides 56% more energy return, giving you more bounce at every step with less effort. If you indeed feel those effects, you probably won’t mind how the shoes look, especially if you gain a bit of fame from it. Unless, of course, you happen to have a case of trypophobia or a similar aversion.

The original red sole and black upper color scheme of the Mizuno Enerzy was supposed to just be a concept model meant to symbolize that bounciness. For better or worse, Mizuno has decided to actually bring the shoes to the world, though in an all-black scheme that almost minimizes the shocking impact of those small spheres. If you feel like you’re missing out on the Osaka Expo connection, however, the insoles still have that alien-like mascot, though wearing the shoes will probably make it feel like you’re stepping and squashing the poor thing.

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