Objects worth owning.
Well-designed things, picked and rated on form, material, detail and how they age. Every object on its own plate, so you can compare.
Best Designed
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DeskThe 5 best laptop standsRead the guide →
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Concept → Reality
Between 2008 and 2016 this site covered design concepts, many of them long before anything like them existed. We are revisiting the most-linked ones to answer one question: did it ship?
Shown, not shipped
CES 2010 → 2026Samsung’s transparent OLED laptopStill a concept
Pictured: a related productConcept 2010 → wrist prototypes 2016–2023Philips Fluid: the phone worn as a braceletStill a concept
Pictured: a related productConcept 2010 → CR450 prototypes 2024CRH-X Cobra: China’s 500 km/h dream trainStill a concept
Pictured: a related productConcept 2010 → sugar batteries still in the labThe Nokia concept that ran on CokeStill a concept
Pictured: a related productConcept 2009 → street urinals 2018Axixa: the urinal shaped like a stainShown, not shipped
Pictured: a related productPrototype 2010 → multi-grip bionic arms 2018The prosthetic arm that curled like a tentacleShown, not shipped
Pictured: a related productITP show 2009 → Time Since Launch 2018The clock whose alarm is a falling arcStill a concept
Concept 2010 → no production foundA table lamp that glows on after the switch
CES 2010 → 2026Samsung’s transparent OLED laptopStill a conceptPictured: a related productConcept 2010 → wrist prototypes 2016–2023Philips Fluid: the phone worn as a braceletStill a conceptPictured: a related productConcept 2010 → CR450 prototypes 2024CRH-X Cobra: China’s 500 km/h dream trainStill a conceptPictured: a related productConcept 2010 → sugar batteries still in the labThe Nokia concept that ran on CokeStill a conceptPictured: a related productConcept 2009 → street urinals 2018Axixa: the urinal shaped like a stainShown, not shippedPictured: a related productPrototype 2010 → multi-grip bionic arms 2018The prosthetic arm that curled like a tentacleShown, not shippedPictured: a related productITP show 2009 → Time Since Launch 2018The clock whose alarm is a falling arcStill a conceptConcept 2010 → no production foundA table lamp that glows on after the switchHow we choose
Beauty is not a vibe. Four criteria, weighted, published with every pick.
Read the method30%FormProportion, silhouette and restraint. Resolved from every angle, not only in the press photo.
25%MaterialHonest materials, well finished. Real materials used well beat expensive materials used badly.
20%DetailThe parts you touch daily: buttons, seams, hinges, clasps, packaging, the sound it makes.
25%LongevityDoes it age or just get old? Repair, spare parts, warranty.