Best of 2024
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Another year of some benchmark products and processes.
Also, happy holidays and looking forward to year of wood snake, 2025
2024 has been a defining year for product design, showcasing a harmonious blend of innovation, functionality, and sustainability. From wearable tech to creative modular systems, these standout products represent the forefront of design thinking. Here are the highlight five exemplary designs that shape both the present and future of design while exploring the macro and micro trends that make them truly unique.
Cloudboom Strike LS Trainer by On
On’s Cloudboom Strike LS trainer is a triumph of engineering and design for elite runners. Built with advanced materials, the shoe features a lightweight carbon fiber Speedboard™ for propulsion, paired with ultra-breathable and sustainable mesh uppers. Its CloudTec® cushioning ensures comfort while optimizing energy return, making it the ultimate performance shoe for both speed and endurance.
Micro Trends:
Eco-Performance Materials: Combining sustainability with high-performance capabilities.
Energy Efficiency: Designs that maximize athletic performance with less exertion.
Ultra-Lightweight Design: Focused on reducing weight without sacrificing durability or comfort.
Arc'teryx Powered Pants
The Arc'teryx x Skip MO/GO powered exoskeleton pants represent a groundbreaking fusion of wearable technology and outdoor performance gear. Developed through a four-year collaboration between Arc'teryx and Skip, a San Francisco-based wearable tech startup, these pants incorporate an exoskeleton frame and built-in electric motors to augment the wearer’s leg muscles. The result is reduced fatigue, greater endurance, and less joint discomfort, especially on long hikes or climbs. These high-tech pants, priced at $5,000, feature a user-friendly interface with a smartphone app for real-time metrics and control. The power system offers up to 3 hours of use per charge, with a modular battery that’s easy to swap in the field.
Micro Trends:
Exoskeletons in Wearable Tech: Enhanced mobility for outdoor enthusiasts through powered suits.
Sustainability in Performance Gear: Reducing environmental impact while increasing product efficiency.
Advanced Interface Design: Simple controls combined with connected technology for intuitive user experiences.
Terra by Modem Works and Panter & Tourron
Terra is a groundbreaking, pocket-sized AI compass designed to facilitate mindful wandering without the distractions of traditional screens. Developed collaboratively by Modem Works and Panter & Tourron, this device crafts personalized trails based on user intentions, available time, and precise location, all while encouraging a deeper connection with the environment.
Micro Trends:
Mindful Technology: Devices designed to enhance user well-being by minimizing digital distractions.
DIY Electronics: Empowering users to build and customize their own tech gadgets through open-source designs.
Nature-Inspired Design: Aesthetic choices that reflect organic forms and promote harmony with the environment.
Modu Lifesize Building Toys
Modu is a Copenhagen-based brand offering a unique system of life-size building toys designed to grow with children, fostering imagination and active play. Created by Danish design engineers Theo Ginman and Jonathan Rasmussen, the modular system adapts to various stages of development and is suitable for kids of all ages. The simple yet functional design allows for endless configurations, from constructing to role-playing, while its minimalistic form ensures that the toys fit seamlessly into modern homes without clashing with decor.
Micro Trends:
Modular Play Systems: Toys that grow with the child and adapt to their evolving needs.
Sustainable Design: A focus on longevity and reducing environmental impact through thoughtful materials and designs.
Inclusive Play: Encouraging creativity and exploration in a way that crosses age, gender, and cultural boundaries.
Intuitive Surgical’s Da Vinci 5
The Da Vinci 5 system is transforming surgical precision with its advanced robotic-assisted platform. Compact and ergonomically enhanced, it provides surgeons with improved haptic feedback, ultra-precise movements, and increased operating room efficiency. With its focus on minimally invasive procedures, the Da Vinci 5 highlights the potential of robotics to revolutionize healthcare.
Micro Trends:
Miniaturized Robotics: Smaller, more precise machines for complex applications.
Human-Machine Collaboration: Robotics that extend and enhance human abilities.
Advanced Healthcare Tools: Technologies making high-quality care safer and more efficient.
5 Macro Trends Driving Product Design in 2024
1. Sustainability as a Core Principle
Sustainability is no longer optional, it’s a design imperative. Products like Terra and the Cloudboom Strike LS prioritize eco-friendly materials, circular design, and waste reduction to meet growing environmental demands.
2. Modular and Adaptable Design
Flexibility is key to modern living. Modular systems like Modu toys and Terra furniture highlight the growing need for products that adapt to changing lifestyles and serve multiple purposes.
3. Seamless Tech Integration
Technology is becoming invisible yet essential. From smart textiles in the Powered Pants to intuitive robotics in the Da Vinci 5, tech seamlessly enhances performance and user experience.
4. Ultra-Performance in Everyday Products
Products like On’s Cloudboom Strike LS reflect a demand for ultra-performance solutions that combine durability, lightweight design, and energy efficiency to enhance user outcomes.
5. Human-Centered Innovation
Inclusive, user-friendly solutions are driving design in every sector. Whether it’s helping athletes push boundaries with Cloudboom or empowering surgeons with Da Vinci, products are designed to amplify human potential.
…so, if you have stuck around until now, I appreciate you and would love to hear your comments.
I am Amruta, an industrial designer building physical products and experiences in the field of healthcare, climate change and sustainability to make new technology, easily accessible. I love to talk about tech that impacts how we take care of our health and some disrupting processes. Thanks for visiting my website :)