Hi everyone! The Forever Skies team just surprise-released a PlayStation 5 exclusive demo, and its available today! The demo is specially designed for our PlayStation fans so weve made sure its got a lot to offer.Play VideoForever Skies is a first-person, sci-fi survival game where you build, fly, and customize your own mobile airship base while exploring a ruined Earth.So lets set the scene first. When a perpetual toxic dust cloud enveloped the surface of the Earth following an ecological disaster, humanity made a last-ditch stand by relocating to makeshift towers that rose above the dust layer, relying on airships to move around. When all hope was lost, the last remnants of humanity fled into orbit. You play as a scientist from this last pocket of civilization, sent back to Earth on a crucial mission to find a cure for an illness spreading throughout the space station that houses the last of humanity.Our demo is a specially designed vertical slice of the game that provides a streamlined introduction to some of our best features. It should take you around 1.5 2.5 hours to finish.So what can you expect? First youll crash-land back on Earth and need to hit the ground running. The details of what went wrong with the expedition before yours are scarce, so you better start piecing together what details you can.Scavenge your surroundings for supplies, use technology to unlock tools to help you collect food and water to survive, and most importantly, get your airship flight ready to take off and explore the world. Follow the trail of story objectives as you explore towers that served as radio hubs, small makeshift towns, and wind farms from humanitys past efforts to rebuild. Learn what it takes to survive here, extracting resources from the air or fishing for dust moths to eat. Build and customize your airship to make it feel like your own and experience being a scientist as you use technology and smarts to best the hostile world youve returned to.This custom snippet of our story and basic game progression takes around an hour if you follow the objectives. After that, you can continue to explore the world more freely, with a few open-world objectives to guide your sightseeing.Weve also added some great PlayStation 5 features to the demo. Thanks to The DualSense controllers adaptive triggers, tools like the deck extractor, build tool, and scanner each feel unique when you use them. Weve also integrated haptic feedback for these tools and for other moments like when youre piloting your airship for example. Weve redirected some VO prompts to play through the controller speaker and we made sure the demo supports both Performance and High Fidelity modes so you can play to match your preferences.Most notably though weve added a special in-game reward for those truly dedicated scientists who complete the entire demo, by finishing all the objectives, youll earn a free PlayStation-exclusive airship. Youll be able to paint your airship in PlayStation-inspired hues of blue, and this skin will carry over into the full game when it launchesjust be sure to keep your demo save intact on your console.That said though, we couldnt pack everything our game has to offer into the demo. In the full game, youll also get to explore below the toxic dust, where an entirely new and mutant ecosystem has evolved. Youll have access to even more tools and technology to survive and thrive, take on the threat of advanced flora and fauna that evolved in our absence, create even more advanced airships, and discover many more unique locations. But most importantly, youll be able to play the full game in either a single-player or online co-op with up to three friends.We know weve got a really big and dedicated fanbase of PlayStation players waiting for the full game, so we hope this special demo gives you a great first taste of whats to come. We put a lot of work into it and cant wait to hear your feedback.So, head over to PlayStation Store, download the demo, and start exploring. And if you really enjoyed the demo, please give us a wishlist so youll be notified when the full game releases in early 2025.Thanks so much for reading, and see you in the skies!

This feature was previously published ahead of Thelmas theatrical release. It has been updated for the films streaming release.Action movies used to be the domain of younger stars: All those gunfights, car chases, death-defying stunts, and nefarious-crime-thwartings take a lot of energy and flexibility, not to mention the ability to heal up afterward. But American action stars are simultaneously aging up and staying in the picture: Harrison Ford, now 82, made an Indiana Jones movie about his age. Tom Cruise is 62 and has a new Mission: Impossible movie on the way. Keanu Reeves keeps putting out John Wick movies. Even Bob Odenkirk got in on the action for his 60th birthday. But 2024s hilarious action-comedy Thelma, now on Hulu, pushes the trend to what must be its limit. Here, 94-year-old Oscar-nominated actress June Squibb picks up the action mantle.Thelma is the first feature film from director Josh Margolin. Its about a 92-year-old woman named Thelma who loses $10,000 to a scammer pretending to be her grandson. But instead of taking the scam lying down, she jumps on her scooter, recruits a friend, and sets off on a quest to take back her money.In an interview with Polygon, Margolin explained that the story is based on a real incident that happened to his own grandma though thankfully, in real life, she didnt actually send the money to her would-be scammers. That premise may sound familiar to action fans for other reasons, though: Margolin was very aware of the happy accident of his movie hitting theaters in close proximity to Jason Stathams The Beekeeper, which was also about a phone scammer getting a very different kind of comeuppance.It was so funny to see that trailer, Margolin says with a laugh. I was like, Oh my God, were a little bit like The Beekeeper. I definitely watched it, because I was like, I have to see this. And it was wild and crazy and fun. [] Im glad we can continue the grand tradition that The Beekeeper started.But while Thelma is significantly less violent than The Beekeeper, its even funnier and no less thrilling. For Margolin, one of the most important parts of the movie was translating the language of action filmmaking to his less-than-traditional cast, which also includes the late Richard Roundtree (Shaft) in a fantastic, fun performance. That means high-speed chases on scooters, fistfights at more manageable speeds, and high-tension heists with hearing aids.Im a big fan of action movies. I always have been, says Margolin. The idea [was] trying to tell the story of my grandma, and this ode to her and celebrate her grit and tenacity, [using] those tropes and ideas and shrinking them down to an everyday scope and scale, but treating them with real stakes.Margolin says he wanted to find a way to dramatize what he calls the everyday heroism of moving through the world as you get older and things get harder, and smaller things present more danger.Of course, slowed-down action scenes with older people in chases and fights could easily come off as parody or worse, poking fun at its terrific cast of older actors. But Margolin brilliantly walks the line of laughing with our characters rather than laughing at them. Theyre the stars of a true action movie here, not the butt of a joke.Its so easy for anything sending up those tropes or referencing them to feel like parody, and especially stuff with older characters, Margolin says. Something that me and my producers were very cognizant of protecting was the tone, and trying to make sure that all of the action, all of the tension, all of the fun was always born out of a sincere and earnest care for what was happening.We never wanted it to feel like it was punching down or poking fun. We wanted it to be funny in a way that felt like were along for the ride.Part of that earnestness also comes from Margolins own favorite action movies. He says he prefers an actioner that treats its stakes sincerely, isnt just winky and referential, but action thats fun and surprising and tense and just treats things with a certain sincerity. Obviously, the Mission: Impossible movies are a big influence on [the movie]. Watching Tom Cruise hurl himself at various moving objects for our entertainment is a source of inspiration for [our] ethos.Thelma watches a Mission: Impossible film during the movie, and her Tom Cruise inspiration is not just there in spirit, but in the text itself. After she gets scammed, seeing Cruises face on a magazine inspires Thelma to take justice into her own hands. But that kind of sincerity wouldnt work without Thelmas terrific and committed performances, particularly from Squibb and Roundtree. Both actors are terrifically funny, and Roundtrees charm gives the movie a tremendous amount of heart. For her part, Margolin says Squibb was adamant about owning the Tom Cruise mantle and doing as many stunts as she could herself.She did! Margolin laughs. And increasingly so as we went on, because we were pretty nervous and careful and conservative about all those things. With the help of our really awesome stunt team, as the shoot progressed and she got more comfortable with the scooter and things like getting onto the bed and rolling, we sort of developed a shorthand for what she was or wasnt game for. It was really cool. She used to be a dancer; she was doing Pilates pretty rigorously in the lead-up to the movie. Theres a lot of physical prowess to her as a performer, and it was really cool to see her tap into that, even at this moment in her life, and use that in the movie.Its rare that a summer action movie also happens to be one of the funniest and sweetest movies of the year, but Thelma manages to pull it off. So if youre impatient for Tom Cruises next movie, just remember that Thelma and June Squibb are here to carry the torch in his honor.Thelma is now streaming on Hulu and is available for rental or purchase on Amazon, Apple TV, and other digital platforms.

Allied society quests are one of Final Fantasy 14s more rewarding dailies. Formerly known as beast tribe quests or tribal quests, these quests involving helping out the other races of Eorzea by beating down baddies that might be giving them grief, or helping them rebuild an area using crafting and gathering.Below, we detail how allied society quests in FFXIV work, along with their rewards and how to unlock all of them, including the quests added in Dawntrail.Allied society quests in FFXIV, explainedAllied society quests are daily quests you can complete to earn reputation and specialized currency. There are more than a dozen different tribes in FFXIV and they all offer different quests and rewards. These are great dailies to do to earn chunks of EXP, as some tribes focus on combat, whereas others focus on crafting or gathering.You can accept a total of 12 allied society quests per day and each tribe will give you up to three quests per day. If you rank up with that tribe, theyll give you an additional three more to complete.For each quest you accept and turn in, youll get some reputation points with that tribe. After amassing a certain amount of points, youll rank up with that tribe, allowing you to complete another quest and access more rewards. You can check your reputation from your character screen. Youll need to use the currency you get from completing the quests to buy the rewards (like the aforementioned mounts and minions).Most of the quests are as simple as accepting the assignments, talking to an NPC, and then either taking out enemies, riding a mount to certain locations, crafting items out of given materials, or gathering certain things from nodes.Note that the tribes from A Realm Reborn have some gimmicks that later tribes do not. The combat tribes may require you to complete specific FATEs in the area to finish them. For Ixali crafting quests specifically, you need to have the given set of Ehcatl Wristgloves equipped while youre making their crafts.Once you hit bloodsworn rank with all the tribes per expansion, youll unlocked the combined intersocietal quests for that expansion. (This is with the exception of Shadowbringers tribes, which have no allied quests.) These are just regular story side quests (not dailies) and there are exclusive rewards like emotes locked them.Notable allied society quest rewards in FFXIVEach tribe has some keystone rewards behind it. For nearly maxing out your reputation with the tribe, youll unlock the ability to buy orchestrions, minions, and mounts. Later tribes even have emotes and framers kits as part of the rewards. That said, if youre a completionist who wants all of these types of collectables in the game, tribe quests are a must-do.All the notable collectable-type rewards for each tribe are as follows:Ixali: Wind-up Ixal minion, Direwolf mount, Wind-up Dezul Qualan minionAmaljaa: Smoulder orchestrion roll, Wind-up Amaljaa minion, Calvary Drake mount, Wind-up Founder minionSylphs: Flibbertigibbet orchestrion roll, Wind-up Sylph minion, Laurel Goobbue mount, Wind-up Violet minionKobolds: Wind-up Kobold minion, Bomb Palanquin mount, Wind-up Kobolder minionSahagins: Wind-up Sahagin minion, Calvary Elbst mount, Wind-up Sea Devil minionMoogles: Moogle Dance emote, Wind-up Dragonet minion, Cloud Mallow mount, Wind-up Ohl Deeh minionVanu Vanu: Coming Home orchestrion roll, Sundrop Dance emote, Wind-up Gundu Warrior minion, Wind-up Zundu Warrior minion, Sanuwa mountVath: Piece of Mind orchestrion roll, Wind-up Vath minion, Kongamato mount, Wind-up Gnath minionKojin: Indomitable orchestrion roll, Wind-up Kojin minion, Ritual Prayer emote, Striped Ray mount, Wind-up Redback minion, Zephyrous Zabuton minion, Kojin Framers KitAnanta: Wind-up Ananta minion, Charmed emote, Keepers of the Lock orchestrion roll, Marid mount, True Griffin mount, Ananta Framers Kit, Wind-up Qalyana minionNamazu: Attendee #777 minion, Yol Dance emote, Seven Hundred Seventy-Seven Whiskers orchestrion roll, Mikoshi mount, Namazu Framers KitPixies: Wind-up Pixie minion, Portly Porxie mount, The Gardens Gates orchestrion roll, Pixie Framers KitDwarves: Lalinator 5.H0 minion, Watts Anvil orchestrion roll, Rolling Tankard mount, Lali Hop emote, Dwarven Framers KitQitari: The Behelmeted Serpent of Ronka minion, Hopls Dropple orchestrion roll, Great Vessel of Ronka mount, The Behatted Serpent of Ronka minion, Qitari Framers KitArkasodara: Wind-up Arkasodara minion, Gajasura Card, Hippo Cart mount, Hippo Ridin orchestrion roll, Arkasodara Framers KitLoporrits: Findingway minion, Battle 1 from Final Fantasy IV orchestrion Roll, Moon-hopper mount, Ear Wiggle emote, Loporrit Framingway Kit, Dreamwalker orchestrion rollOmicrons: N-7000 Card, Lumini minion, Miw Miisv mount, Omicron Framers Kit, Cradle of Hope orchestrion rollPelupelu: Wind-up Pelupelu minion, Punutiy mount, Turali Travel Agency Framers Kit, The Travel Agency (Dawntrail) orchestrion roll, Pelupack fashion accessorySome tribes also have exclusive dye colors, furnishings, and glamour locked behind them, making all tribes pretty worthwhile to do. You can use some of the currencies to buy items you need to complete your Heavensward Anima relic weapon, too.Sometimes some of the tribe-exclusive rewards are used as rewards in Mogtome events between patches. If you ran some of these enough times and cannot stand to do them, dont fret, as you can wait for one of these events to let you grab a mount.Where to unlock all allied society quests in FFXIVBefore unlocking any allied society quests, youll need to complete the level 41 main scenario quest In Pursuit of the Past. Youll also need a combat, crafting, or gathering job of appropriate level, depending on which tribe youre trying to unlock.As usual, the quests to unlock this content will be marked with a blue quest marker with a plus sign on it, so you should keep your eyes out for those.Below, we list where to unlock all the allied society quests in FFXIV, along with any prerequisites you may need to complete before doing so.TribeTypeLevelUnlock questQuest NPCNPC locationOther requirementsAmaljaaCombat43Peace for ThanalanSwiftUldah Steps of Nald (8.4, 8.9)NoneSylphCombat42Seeking SolaceVorsaile HeuloixNew Gridania (9.7, 11.1)NoneKoboldCombat41Highway RobberyTrachraetLimsa Lominsa Upper Decks (12.7, 12.8)NoneSahaginCombat44They Came from the DeepRashaht RhikiLima Lominsa Upper Decks (13.1, 12.8)NoneIxaliCrafting1A Bad BladderScarletNew Gridania (9.9, 11.4)NoneVanu VanuCombat50Three Beaks to the WindSonu VanuThe Sea of Clouds (11.7, 14.8)Requires Heavensward expansion, A Difference of Opinion MSQ completedVathCombat50The Naming of VathVath StorytellerThe Dravanian Forelands (24, 19.7)Requires Heavensward expansion, Lord of the Hive MSQ completedMoogleCrafting50Tricks and StonesSeething StonemasonThe Churning Mists (27.2, 34.5)Requires Heavensward expansion, Into the Aery MSQ completed, Pebble for your Thoughts lengthy Moogle sidequest completedKojinCombat60Heaven-sentVexed VillagerThe Ruby Sea (6.8, 13.3)Requires Stormblood expansion, Tide Goes In, Imperials Go Out MSQ completedAnantaCombat60Brooding BroodmotherMrahz NunhThe Fringes (30.2, 25.7)Requires Stormblood expansion, The Rose Blooms Twice MSQ completedNamazuCrafting and gathering60One Size Fits AllSeigetsu The EnlightenedThe Azim Steppe (6.1, 23.3)Requires Stormblood expansion, Something Fishy This Way Comes MSQ completed, Courage the Cowardly Lupin Kurobana sidequests completed, Perchance to Hanami Gyorin sidequests completedPixieCombat70Manic Pixie Dream RealmPink PixieThe Crystarium (13.1, 15.3)Requires Shadowbringers expansion, The Wheel Turns MSQ completedQitariGathering70The Stewards of NoteConcerned MotherThe Raktika Greatwood (21, 27.6)Requires Shadowbringers expansion, Bearing with It MSQ completed, The Great Deciever and Stand on Ceremony sidequest chains completedDwarfCrafting70Its Dwarfin TimeAffable TownsdwarfKholusia (15.7, 30.3)Requires Shadowbringers expansion, Village of Woe and A Disagreeable Dwarf sidequest chains copmletedArkasodaraCombat80Hippos Born to RunKancanaThavnair (25.3, 31.2)Requires Endwalker expansion, Endwalker MSQ completed, Steppe Child and Whats in a Parent side quest chains completedOmicronGathering80The Caf at the End of the UniverseJammingwayUltima Thule (25.4, 26.3)Requires Endwalker expansion, Endwalker MSQ completed, Name That Way sidequest chain completedLoporritCrafting80Must Be Dreaming(way)DreamingwayOld Sharlayan (11.7, 10.9)Requires Endwalker expansion, Where no Loporrit Has Gone Before side quest completedPelupeluCombat90An Intrepid New EnterpriseBlue-garbed PeluTuliyollal (13.6, 12.9)Requires Dawntrail expansion, Dawntrail MSQ completedIf youre just starting out in the massive world ofFinal Fantasy 14, we have tons of guides to help you. We have abeginners guideto get you started, along with a guide detailing whichGrand Companyyou should join.If youre starting but are feeling overwhelmed, we have guides to help withpicking a joband a guide that explainshow long it may take to catch up to current content inFFXIV.We also have guides on side content, likeocean fishing,relic weapons, andIsland Sanctuary, for those who want to take a break from it all.

Earlier this month, we wrapped up our SmashingConfs 2024, and one subject that kept coming up over and over again among attendees, between speakers, and even within the staff was what would we like to get better at next year?It seems like everyone has a different answer, but one thing is for sure: Smashing can help you with that. Save 30% on Books and Workshops (3+ items)Good news for people who love a good value for a friendly price: throughout the entire month of November, you can save 30% off three or more books and eBooks, 30% off three or more workshops, or get the entire Smashing eBook library for $75. This is a perfect time to set yourself up for a year of learning in 2025.Build Your Own Bundle!Our hardcover books are our editorial flagships. They deliver in-depth knowledge and expertise shared by experts from the industry. No fluff or theory, only practical tips and insights you can apply to your work right away.No matter if you want to complete your existing Smashing book collection or start one from scratch, you can now pick and mix your favorite books and eBooks from our Smashing Books line-up to create a bundle tailored to your needs. Or take a look at our bundle recommendations below for some inspiration. Browse all Smashing BooksSave 30% with 3 or more books. No ifs or buts!Throughout the month of November, the 30% book discount will automatically apply to your cart once you add three or more items. Please note that the discount cant be combined with other discounts.Once youve decided which books should go into your bundle, well pack everything up safely and send the parcel right to your doorstep from our warehouse in Germany. Shipping is free worldwide. Check delivery times.Book Bundle RecommendationsWe know decisions can be hard, thats why we collected some ideas for themed book bundles to make the choice at least a bit easier. These bundles are perfect if you want to enhance your skills in one particular field.You can click on each book title to jump to the details and add the book to your cart. The discount will be applied during checkout.Front-End Bundle Save 30% on the complete bundle.Regular price (hardcover + PDF, ePUB, Kindle versions): $146.25Bundle price: $102.38Front-End Bundle dives deep into the challenges front-end developers face in their work every day whether its performance, TypeScript and Image Optimization. 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How to Encourage Clicks Without Shady Tricks by Paul BoagUnderstanding Privacy by Heather BurnsThe Ethical Design Handbook by Trine Falbe, Martin Michael Frederiksen, and Kim AndersenInterface Design Bundle Save 30% on the complete bundle.Regular price (hardcover + PDF, ePUB, Kindle versions): $144.00Bundle price: $100.80A lot of websites these days look rather generic. Our Interface Design Bundle will make you think outside the box, exploring how you can create compelling, effective user experiences, with clear intent and purpose for both desktop and mobile.Touch Design for Mobile Interfaces by Steven HooberArt Direction for the Web by Andy ClarkeSmart Interface Design Patterns Checklist Cards by Vitaly FriedmanBig Design Bundle Save 30% on the complete bundle.Regular price (hardcover + PDF, ePUB, Kindle versions): $292.50Bundle price: $204.75The Big Design Bundle shines a light on the fine little details that go into building cohesive, human-centered experiences. Covering everything from design systems to form design patterns, mobile design to UX, and data privacy to ethical design, it provides you with a solid foundation for designing products that stand out from the crowd.Click! How to Encourage Clicks Without Shady Tricks by Paul BoagThe Ethical Design Handbook by Trine Falbe, Martin Michael Frederiksen, and Kim AndersenDesign Systems by Alla KholmatovaForm Design Patterns by Adam SilverTouch Design for Mobile Interfaces by Steven HooberUnderstanding Privacy by Heather BurnsSpecial Deal For eBook LoversGet all eBooks for $75. Youre more of an eBook kind of person? The bundle-up discounts do apply to eBooks, too, of course. Or take a look at our Smashing Library to save even more: It includes 68 eBooks (including all our latest releases) for $75 (PDF, ePUB, and Kindle formats). Perfect to keep all your favorite books close when youre on the go.Bundle Up On Online Workshops: 30% Off On 3+ WorkshopsReady to dig even deeper? Whether you want to explore design patterns for AI interfaces, learn how to plan a design system, or master the art of storytelling, our online workshops are a friendly way to boost your skills online and learn practical, actionable insights from experts, live. To prepare for the challenges that 2025 might have in store for you, you can now bundle up 3 or more online workshops and save 30% on the total price with code BUNDLEUP. Please note that the discount cant be combined with other discounts. Take a look at all our upcoming workshops and start your smashing learning journey this winter.Custom Bundles To Fit Your Needs!Do you need a custom bundle? At Smashing, we would love to know how we can help you and your team make the best of 2025. Lets think big!Wed be happy to craft custom bundles that work for you:Group discounts on large teams for Smashing Membership,Bulk discounts on books or other learning materials for education or non-profit groups,Door prize packages for meetups and events,...any other possibilities for your team, your office, your career path. Let us know via contact form!We are always looking for new ways to support our community. Please contact us if youd like us to craft a custom bundle for your needs, or if you have any questions at all. Lets have a great year!Community Matters Producing a book or a workshop takes quite a bit of time, and we couldnt pull it off without the support of our wonderful community. A huge shout-out to Smashing Members for their kind, ongoing support. Happy learning, everyone!

Located in the historic city of Morelia, Mexico, Casa Emma, designed by HW Studio, shares the transformative power of light and the evocative potential of architectural space. Inspired by a visit to the renowned Paula Rego Museum by Eduardo Souto de Moura, the architects set out to create a residence that embodies the same profound serenity they experienced within that museums walls. Casa Emma is not merely a home; it is a contemplative retreat that speaks to the soul, designed to evoke the warmth, calm, and reflective power of carefully channeled light.Casa Emma is a modern interpretation of Mexican architectural motifs, focusing on the Purepecha granary, or troje. This traditional structure carries cultural and historical significance in Mexico, where it serves as both a functional and spiritual form of architecture. The architects at HW Studio were drawn to the idea of carving out a dwelling space that resonates with this archetype, creating an excavation rather than a typical built structure. By hollowing out a void in the shape of a troje, the architects introduced an immersive environment where the rustic and intimate ambiance of a wooden interior could amplify the warmth of natural light, adding layers of meaning and nostalgia.The entire interior of Casa Emma is clad in wood, creating a rich, tactile environment that invites touch and heightens the sensory experience of the space. This choice of material is not only an homage to traditional construction methods but also a deliberate effort to envelop visitors in a warm and serene atmosphere. The woods natural texture and grain respond to changes in light throughout the day, creating subtle shifts in color and mood that mirror the rhythms of nature.Despite the homes modest dimensions measuring only 4 meters wide by 10 meters deep Casa Emma feels spacious and airy, thanks to the architects use of open-plan design and zenithal (overhead) lighting. Upon entering, visitors are led down a narrow access corridor that serves as a transitional space, setting a contemplative tone. The entryway cleverly conceals the roof structure, allowing the full height and openness of the interior to be revealed progressively. Once inside, an open-concept area seamlessly integrates the living room, dining room, and kitchen without any divisive walls. This lack of separation enhances the flow of light, allowing it to reach every corner of the main living area, where shadows bounce softly against the wood surfaces, creating a continuous play of light and shadow.At the rear of the main level, the refrigerator is discreetly hidden, as are utility and storage areas, ensuring that functionality remains invisible to the eye. Vertical circulation is placed thoughtfully toward the back, where stairs lead upward to a small mezzanine level.The mezzanine itself houses the bedroom encased in a sleek, floating white volume that appears almost weightless against the wooden backdrop. This material contrast serves both practical and aesthetic purposes. The light-colored volume stands in stark relief to the surrounding wood, creating a sense of levity, while the choice of reflective surfaces on this floating structure allows light to diffuse gently across its boundaries. The effect is one of a cloud suspended in space, providing a visual resting point within the home.For more information on HW Studio, visit hw-studio.com.Photography by Csar Bjar.

For those whose love language is gift giving, this is your time to shine especially if you like to splurge. Personally, nothing brings me more joy than sharing great makers and artful objects while supporting the artisans behind their creation. From a dearly beloved to cherished friend, or perhaps even a treat for yourself, this fine curation of design objects are sure to satisfy the most fussy aesthete. Continue reading to find potential presents that can be appreciated all year round and snag something for yourself!Chelsea Bottle Stopper + Pair Short Crystal Glasses by Reflections Copenhagen \\\ $152 + $367Ordered la carte or purchased as a pairing, this crystal drinkware is made to dazzle any tabletop with its gem faceted element. Both options are members of the Chelsea family, with the bottle stopper cut to correspond with the form featured on the glasses base. The fine hand cut crystal comes in a commemorative, luxury gift box with its own dust cloth for cleaning and polishing.The Brut Lamp by Wooj \\\ $145This luminaires harsh geometry is tempered by its warm glow showcasing Brutalisms softer side through three color combinations one more ethereal than the next. Its body and shade are 3D printed from recycled PLA with the appearance of extruded planes to create a textural form. Whats more, the composition is a slight nod to Italian architect Carlo Scarpas influential work in concrete and extreme attention to detail.Portable Stainless Steel Cutlery Set by Prada \\\ $480Pradas portable cutlery set highlights another extension of the Italian fashion house into lifestyle accessories, one that is sure to satisfy the fashion forward and sustainable-minded. The trio of utensils is stored in a container that comes in a Re-Nylon dust bag pouch an innovative material produced from purified, recycled ocean plastic accentuated with an enameled logo. This is just one of many enviable picnic accouterments.Cara Pillar Vase by Franca \\\ From $118The flirty, free-flowing curves painted across this versatile vessels surface are emblematic of beauty and grace. From utensil organization to showcasing floral arrangements, this artistic object comes in four sizes to accommodate a variety of interior design needs. Display the slightly sculptural work on its own to fill a nook, within a cluster of similar pieces for a greater tablescape, or in contrast with darker forms to pull focus.Black Baluster Candle Holder by French Designer Sam Baron for Diptyque \\\ $125Textural wood grain, the striking black finish, and a series of bulbous forms conspire to capture natures raw beauty in the Sam Baron-designed baluster for Diptyque. This lobjet dart serves to elevate everything from decorative jars, an intimate interior ambiance, and self care rituals enhanced by candlelight. And with a variety of sizes, theres plenty to choose from for expanded gifting.SongBook Max by Tivoli Audio \\\ $600In an homage to the classic boombox, the SongBook Max fuses style with sound, nostalgia with premium technology. The device also delivers impressive volume, well-balanced frequencies, and substantial bass. Equipped with analog elements, users can derive great pleasure from tactility turning knobs and pushing sliders for a traditional sense of control. Its a portable companion poised to play your favorite tunes almost anywhere.Drinking Set No. 257 Commodore Wine Decanter by Oswald Haerdtl for Lobmeyr \\\ $614Lobmeyr is situated within the upper echelon of crystal makers, centuries old and synonymous with handcraft, epitomizing luxury. This collection by Austrian architect Oswald Haerdtl is a prime example of enduring modern design plucked from the 1950s. The Commodore Decanter pulls focus with its clean lines, perfect clarity, and sexy silhouette. Its the perfect gift for fans of architecturally adjacent home furnishings as well as crystal collectors.Glass Colorblock Serving Spoon Set by DOT for East Fork \\\ $118East Fork taps Florida-based glass art studio DOT for a colorful collaboration that is a saccharine treat. The makers behind this handcrafted serving spoon pairing fused glass with contrasting finishes, matte against glossy, and play with cool colors that add a graphic element to tabletops when in use. Its perfect for those who like to entertain or even just elevate their everyday dining experience.Sonia Amber Knit Throw Blanket by Sonia Delaunay for Unison \\\ $165Like canvas, textiles provide a rich medium for artistic expression. This throw blanket takes inspiration from the bold, graphic designs of French artist Sonia Delaunay and translates those elements into a geometric color-blocked pattern. The double-knit construction, comprising 75% upcycled cotton as well as 5% recycled plastics, gives this piece a substantial weight in addition to a new life for discarded materials. Coordinating throw pillow covers provide additional opportunities for decor.Color Wheel Sculpture by Vetro Vero \\\ $3,600These colorful rondelles are show stopping, luminous sculptural statement pieces not for the faint of heart. Available in a dozen shades, each object is mounted within a linear pedestal height may be customized according to needs in celebration of pure geometry, flawless glass, and vivid hues. Every component, the stand and disc, are completely fabricated by hand for an inimitable work of art.Follow along so you dont miss any of our2024 Gift Guidesthis year!This post contains affiliate links, so if you make a purchase from an affiliate link, we earn a commission. Thanks for supporting Design Milk!

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How to guide organisations towards innovation with a more interconnected, dynamic approach to design.Continue reading on UX Collective

These days, you don't need to be a spy to have tracking devices. If you're an Apple user, AirTags uses Find My to track anything that you can put this device on. Right now, Amazon has a single AirTag on sale for $19 (originally $29) and the four-pack for $69.99 (originally $99), both at a new record-low price according to price-checking tools. Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app Apple AirTag $19.00 at Amazon $29.00 Save $10.00 Get Deal Get Deal $19.00 at Amazon $29.00 Save $10.00 Keep track of and find your items alongside friends and devices in the Find My app Apple AirTag 4 pack $69.99 at Amazon $99.00 Save $29.01 Get Deal Get Deal $69.99 at Amazon $99.00 Save $29.01 SEE -1 MORE AirTags are useful gadgets, and their usefulness extends to your creativity. They are mostly marketed for purses, keys, and travel bags, but there are examples of people using them much more creatively (someone on this Reddit post used it on their dog collar and trained it to come back whenever they pressed the "play sound" feature). How it works is with Apple's network of iOS devices to create a Bluetooth tracker. Essentially, every person with an iPhone (or iPad) is part of this iOS network, and as long as one of these people is within Bluetooth range of your AirTag, it will show up on your Find My app.As you can see on PCMag's "excellent" review of the AirTag, the Find My app has a screen that points you in the direction of your AirTag like a compass, including the distance away it is from you. There is also an option to play a sound, which is perfect for, say, finding a remote that's buried under the couch. Once you are more than 30 feet from your phone, the network of iOS users will kick in. When the AirTag is between that range, it uses your own Bluetooth. There are security measures in place set by Apple, including end-to-end encryption so nobody (not even Apple), knows where your AirTag is except for you. The batteries last about a year and are replaceable. There is also no monthly charge for these, unlike competitors like Tile for Android users.

The Pixel 9 Pro Fold is expensive. That's not news for anyone who follows smartphones closely, particular the foldable variety. As David Nield explains in a review for Lifehacker, Google made some great choices for its latest Fold device, but at $1,799, these things are still way too much money. As it turns out, that expense might extend beyond just the initial purchase of the phone. Smartphones are slabs of glass we take everywhere with us, so, when we inevitably drop them at some point, they may break. When you break the display of a Pixel 9 Pro Fold, however, it's going to cost a lot more than you might expecteven if you have experience with the Fold's history of repair costs. As spotted by 9to5Google, iFixit now has listings for official parts for the Pixel 9 Pro Fold. If you need to repair the inner screen of your Foldsay, if you dropped it while opened into "tablet" modethat's going to run you $1,199.99 (or $1,206.99 for the entire "Fix Kit"). Compare that to the original Pixel Fold's inner screen replacement part, which cost $899 on iFixit, or $909.99 for the Fix Kit. $1,200 for a display is an enormous ask. For that price, you can buy an iPhone 16 Pro Max, or a MacBook Air, or four Nintendo Switches. $1,200 for just the inner display means that, if you break and fix your Fold 9 Pro, you'll have spent $3,000 all-in, all for a device that runs Android.Now, that's if you're not protected: Google does offer insurance on the Pro 9 Fold for $15 per month. That covers up to two instances of damage per 12-month period. So, you could potentially run Google up a tab of $2,400 for just $180 of insurance fees. While no one wants to add the extra $15 a month to their bill, it's a lot better than facing down the MSRP on that display part.Still, it's a staggering number. Again, it's $300 more than Google's previous foldable inner display cost, and when you look at the competition, it gets even worse. Samsung charges $499 to repair the inner display of the Galaxy Z Fold 5, a fraction of the cost. My advice? Get the insurance, and keep a death grip on this thing.