Humans have often been inspired by nature and as a result have conceived and manufactured efficient, functional, profitable and sustainable products, most of them present in our everyday. This is what is known as biomimicry.
The first commercial offices appeared in the 19th century. However, offices underwent a huge transformation in the 20th century. First, thanks to the Industrial Revolution and secondly, with the advance of communication technologies.
Even though the organization and work culture has evolved over the years, there are different objects that have marked the history of offices and some of them continue to be very present.
If there is a field where new ideas emerge, that is undoubtedly the school.
The objects we find in them aim to boost the creativity of the younger ones, in addition to favoring hygiene and comfort.
But do we know the history of the objects that have been side by side with our little ones throughout generations? Following our review of the designs that have changed the world, today we remember several we can find in schools.
If we look back at the history of design, there are several everyday objects that can be considered real milestones. They are “inventions that changed the world”, due to their capacity to adapt their form to the role they have to play.
The winner of the 1st edition of the Roca One Day Design Challenge in Poland (2018) has designed a metal “mask” that protects our image from facial recognition algorithms used by modern cameras installed in public spaces.
Nine months after the appearance of COVID-19, it cannot be denied that the world has changed, and that the health crisis has led to an economic and social change. However, the dire global scenario has also had positive things. One of them is, without a doubt, the enhancement of creativity and innovation.
The international design competition jumpthegap® gives credit to five innovative projects that facilitate the best hygiene and protection against contagion.
Bárbara Gomes, graduate in Design from the Faculty of Architecture, University of Lisbon, and winner of the first-place prize in Portugal 2020, is a versatile product designer and has recently started developing her own projects.
The situation surrounding COVID-19 is lasting longer than what we thought. However, we are lucky that during this time we remain connected, despite our confinement.
A few weeks ago we proposed you some of the most inspiring films and series for designers and architects to overcome this time marked by the COVID-19. As many countries have tightened containment measures, we leave you a second list with our recommendations. Enjoy them!
