This year has ushered in a more robust return to the office, with companies across industries now putting an end to remote work for most employees. The likes of Amazon, UPS, and Boeing are now requiring workers to be in the office five days a week, along with several banks and finance companies. Walmart has required that corporate employees not only return to the office, but also relocate to the retail giants headquarters in Arkansas.These edicts have faced significant pushback from employees, some of whom have threatened to quit. Many workers have been frustrated by the loss of flexibility they enjoyed since the pandemic upended how we work. But another recurring complaint has been that companies often offer little explanationand notice, in some casesfor their decision to bring people back to the office.Its an issue that AJ Thomas often raises when she advises startups and other companies. Thomaswho was formerly the head of talent at Googles moonshot factory and continues to advise therehas worked across talent, product, and teams and now runs her own coaching firm. (She is also a CXO in residence at tech hiring platform A. Team and the founder of the venture capital fund, Good Trouble Ventures.) In an interview with Fast Company, Thomas talked about what companies are getting wrong with their messaging around RTO and what they should be considering before rolling out a strict in-office mandateincluding the impact on marginalized employees. This conversation has been edited for clarity and length.The return-to-office push is obviously not new. But there has been a change in the kinds of mandates were seeing, with companies asking people to come into the office full time. What do you make of this shift and the pushback companies have received from employees?Its now a pull, not a push. I think were actually focusing on the wrong thing. Its not about returning to the office. Its really about, What is the work youre returning to that requires for you to be in the office? In my time at the moonshot factory, we had robotics and hardware and experiments and wet labsand all of these spaces where we needed to have people come in.For me, its just, What is the job that is required? I dont think organizations have gotten really good at articulating that, which is why theyre getting the pushback. Companies [think], Well, this is the way that we need to work.My view on itadvising different CEOs, startups, and teams, and coaching individuals as theyre working through thisis really to just get crisp around the problem that theyre solving for. It has to be based around the principles of what that organization is trying to get done.The blanket messages really do a disservice. Companiesespecially HR leaders and the C-suitehave to get really good at personalizing the message and having it be both inclusive and accessible. Inclusivity, for me, means: Here are the principles by which we decided this. Here are the top priorities that we have. Based on these priorities, here are the skills and the areas in which we will need people either in office, remote, or hybrid. You create the infrastructure for that. And then you say, Okay, lets communicate this to make sure that people understand.Are there any companies that you think have articulated the rationale behind their return to office mandates more clearly?Roblox did a really great job in how they talked about bringing everybody back to the office. What they did was they said, Hey, look, this is our mandate. We want people to be co-located and in the office most of the time. Everybody who has moved outwe want to give you the option. If you want to relocate, we will pay for that. If you dont want to stay, we will give you two quarters to find a new role and then severance.They had a whole policy and a process to make sure it was an inclusive decision. What mattered to them was the culture they were trying to preserve. So it didnt become: Do it, or else. It was, Look, we need to do this. This is the goal. For us to be thoughtful about the workplace culture that were trying to put together, we have these options for you.You dont want somebody going in because they feel obligated to. [And] you dont want somebody because they have to. You want somebody because they want to. And the companies that I see doing this well are articulating the work.We have a sense of what is driving the decision to go back to the office full time. But it seems like a real risk, especially for companies that are trying to retain top performers or employees who need more flexibility. What do you think could be the impact of these mandates?As an employee, you will weed out if its right for you. And as an employer, you will weed out if you actually have people who are just staying and quitting[people who say,] Okay, I need the paycheck, so Im coming back five days a week.Somethings going to giveand whats going to give is performance. Theres going to be a dip in performance because of the mental health toll and physical [and] emotional toll that employees are going through. And you will run the risk of top performers maybe leaving because thats not what they want. You want to look at the design of your system. What is the data? If [of] the top 10% of the company, 8% already work remotely, theres probably something there. [If your] policy is saying they need to come back to the office five days a week, that doesnt quite match.A broad brush policyeverybody comes back or else were going to track all your badgingjust instills fear thats unnecessary. As an organization, I have to cater to the persona of my customer. My customer is the employee waking up every day, choosing my company to do the work I need [them] to do. So I think we need to think about that organizationally as people leaders. We always say that people are the largest bottom-line cost and expense that we have. But they are also our customers.What do you think is being left out of the conversation around return-to-work mandates?The thing that we are not focusing on enough is the part of the population that now had accessibility to this flexibility because of the pandemic. Folks who are differently abled [who] thrive in a virtual environment. Working moms or single working parents who have to juggle many different things.I just dont think weve had enough dialogue around: What are the new ways in which work happens? Because we are now more aware that people actually have lives outside of work. Who are the most marginalized employees when it comes to this kind of policy? What are their needs, and how do you design for that?Is there any other advice you would give to companies that are looking to bring employees back into the office full time?Is return to office really the problem youre solving for? Or is it high performance? Because those are two different things. If its just return to office, youre going to be okay with getting 100% return to office but a 52% engagement rate. But if it is about high performance, then youre going to redesign your systems to get to whatever that goal is. If you care about return to office? You can get an outcome of a return to office, but you [will] get a totally different barometer of impact if youre not clear on what youre incentivizing.Ill leave you with this. Thinking about culture as a product: In the tech space, as an analog, there is usually a tech stack youre working with. Theres an operating system, an application layer, and a feature layer. If you think about these layers, the operating system is analog to your mission, vision, and values as an organization. The application layer are the teams that need to execute to make the operating system come to life, and the features are things like RTO, policies, revenue, OKRs, etc. I find most of the great teams debug at the operating-system layer. If youre just going in and tacking another feature on top of a broken operating system, then your application layer is going to be screwed 100% of the time because the teams arent going to understand what command to execute on. We just [have to] debug at that operating-system layer.

Mid-century modern and traditional Japanese influences blend inside this Los Angeles home, which the principals of design studio OWIU have reimagined for themselves.Close to Silverlake Reservoir on the east side of the city, the house was originally built in 1962 by renowned mid-century architect Carl Maston, then later owned and re-designed by Swiss architect Pierre de Meuron.OWIU's renovation of the mid-century home involved incorporating several Japanese design elementsThe property was sold to OWIU principals Joel Wong and Amanda Gunawan by de Meuron's son, and the duo set about restoring the building while tailoring elements to their tastes."For Wong and Gunawan, it was a symbolic opportunity to extend the legacy of the home," said a statement from the studio.Shoji screens were installed throughout the home, while the original brick floors were retainedThe couple retained structural elements like the brick flooring across the ground floor and left the basic layout relatively untouched.However, they imbued the spaces with Japanese design elements similar to those typically found in traditional ryokans, or inns to create a sense of tranquillity within the city.Akari lamps suspended above the dining table create an intimate gathering space"A home shouldn't energetically spark you," said Gunawan. "It should be a place for meditation. You come home to recharge, re-balance."For instance, floor-to-ceiling sliding shoji screens were installed across both floors to offer options for partitioning the spaces and enabling privacy.OWIU added a custom kiln-dried Douglas fir platform at the base of the staircaseThe light-filled living area enjoys a double-height ceiling and is furnished with a mix of contemporary and mid-century pieces including a Le Corbusier LC4 chair.A mezzanine over the dining area creates a more intimate space that's warmed by Akari lamps over the wooden table.The rooms upstairs are equally bright, open and calmingOWIU added a custom kiln-dried Douglas fir platform at the base of the staircase "to remind the guests they are 'ascending' into a more intimate space" and also installed a bespoke console to fit the curve of the landing.The rooms upstairs are equally bright and open, with white walls, wood furniture and flooring, and pale linen fabrics all used for their calming qualities.Read: OWIU creates tranquil environment in mid-century LA homeDespite being in the centre of Silverlake, the home is surrounded by greenery and feels relatively secluded, according to OWIU.The connection to the outdoors is enhanced by large windows that face the lush foliage, breaking up the weathered timber facades.OWIU extended the building with a wellness centre"I never understood why we needed to leave town or go far away to feel we're in nature," Gunawan said. "I love that we can build a home that brings the feeling of retreat and peace to my everyday life."She and Wong also built a glass-wrapped extension that houses a wellness centre with a sauna and cold plunge tub for rejuvenation and meditation.The house in Silverlake was originally built by mid-century architect Carl Maston, then later owned and re-designed by Swiss architect Pierre de MeuronThis isn't the first time OWIU has looked to traditional Japanese inns for references for their projects in LA.The studio previously took a similar approach when renovating another mid-century home as well as an apartment in an old biscuit factory both times adding Japanese design elements to the spaces.The photography is by Justin Chung.The post Japanese ryokans inform OWIU's renovation of Duane House in LA appeared first on Dezeen.

Dezeen School Shows: furniture which is specifically designed to suit the needs of women's bodies is included in this school show by students at Instituto Tecnolgico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey.Also included is a musical tool designed for visually impaired people and ceramic condiment holders inspired by Mexican culture.Instituto Tecnolgico y de Estudios Superiores de MonterreyInstitution: Tecnologico de MonterreySchool: Architecture, Art and Design (EAAD)Course: Horizontes 2024Tutors: Professors of Tecnolgico de MonterreySchool statement:"EAAD is conformed by students all over the country at Tec de Monterrey Institution and it focuses on training professionals capable of facing contemporary challenges in these fields through innovation, creativity and sustainability, by supporting the students' initiatives and giving visibility to their work."Since the founding of our school, it has been a member of prestigious organisations such as the International Association of Universities and Colleges of Art, Design and Media (CUMULUS), the World Design Organisation (WDO), the Association of Collegiate Schools of Architecture (ACSA), UN-Habitat and the Association of Institutions of Architectural Education of the Mexican Republic (ASINEA) and it has stood at the top 50 according to the QS World University Ranking by Subject, 2024."Each exhibition showcases the best projects created by design students. All the selected projects stand out for their high conceptual and execution quality, as well as their alignment with the principles and DNA of the Tecnolgico de Monterrey School of Design."Every end of the semester our students put on a final exhibition on each of their campuses. This is a small sample of ten of the most significant collections and projects of the Tecnologico de Monterrey School of Design."Acobijo by Airam Ruelas"Designed to help those who keep culinary traditions alive, 'acobijo' is born from the feeling of security of the kitchen of our childhood home, which nourished us body and soul."It consists of a molcajete and a mill, limiting the movement of the wrists to avoid pain and reduce wear and tear in the area."Winner, Sustainable Category CEM."Student: Airam RuelasCourses: Thinking and Creative Process, Specification of Products and Services, Design and InnovationTutors: Mariana Sols, Joel Olgun, Laura Nino, Raymundo Acosta and Christian GmezMachila by Emilano Snchez"Machilia is a set of ceramic condiment holders inspired by the street cuisine of Mexico, which seeks to reflect the vitality of food stalls and the values related to food as a collective action in our culture."This family of products consists of a salt shaker, a pepper shaker, a bowl and a sauce boat."Home Category Winner CEM."Student: Emilano SnchezCourse: Product Family Design, Modularity and Optimisation and Extended ExperienceTutors: Montserrat Castan, Liliana Ovalle and Leticia GatynMusic. All by Nimbe Ruis"Music, a universal language except when it comes to studying it."Music. An inclusive tool for people with visual disabilities, it uses potentiometers that simulate the staff and emits musical notes."Thus, with a raised score, users identify and memorise notes by touch and reproduce them in music."Winner, Emotions Category CEM."Student: Nimbe RuisCourse: Integral Project: Design and Emerging TechnologiesTutors: Lobsanth Ortega and Ricardo EspinosaFmina 01 by Valentina Gonzlez"Fmina 01 is furniture designed in line with anthropometric measurements of Mexican women, criticising androcentric standardisation in design."Its reversible seat allows the user to choose the side that best suits their body."The reddish tones symbolise strength and hope, promoting dialogue about the role of women in design."Winner, Entrepreneurship Category CEM."Student: Valentina GonzlezCourse: Integral Project: Development of Strategic Design ProjectsTutors: Andrea Pazos and Manuel LpezEntropa by Brenda Lee, Ana Hernndez, Paola Zarate and Sebastin Arroyo"Entropy is a machine that generates patterns based on human interaction, representing the chaos in migrant life."It has three moments: the migrant's routine, the trigger of migration (user's interaction) and the chaos after the loss of everyday life."It reflects the experience of Angie, a Colombian migrant in Mexico, seeking to generate empathy."Winner, Social Category and Honour Category CCM."Students: Brenda Lee, Ana Hernndez, Paola Zarate and Sebastin ArroyoCourse: Form, function, sense and valueTutors: Jos de La O, Pier Paolo Peruccio and Oscar MirandaSilvestre by Valeria Casas"Inspired by an iconic and mystical plant from Mexican culture, the cactus."The shape resembles the thin and asymmetrical arms of this plant, seeking stylisation and elegance."Student: Valeria CasasCourse: Concentration of art, object and fashionTutors: Ayrton Miranda, Zita Gonzlez, Claudia Kleemann, Alejandro Diaz and Cristina RoblesDualidad by Monica Isobel Lemus"Duality is a unique vase that creates a fascinating optical illusion focused on the flower and its beauty."With a minimalist and elegant design, this vase features a mirror strategically placed behind the flower, giving the impression that there is an additional flower floating in space and allowing different angles of the flower to be seen from a single position."This visual effect delights the eye, transforming any space into a scene of beauty and mystery."Student: Monica Isobel LemusCourse: Workshop: plant-basedTutors: Henry Julier and Jorge Diego EtienneHihamt by Ana Sofa Valenzuela Hernndez, Ana Sofa Yeomans Molina, Victoria Moreno Cruz and Carla Paulina Fuentes Hernndez"Hihamt arises from the need to create a fun educational resource for children and young people to learn Cmiique iitom, promoting interest in their native language and preserving the language."Inspired by the natural resources of Punta Chueca and the Comca'ac calendar, the board game incorporates elements such as the sea, sand, sky and stars."Students: Ana Sofa Valenzuela Hernndez, Ana Sofa Yeomans Molina, Victoria Moreno Cruz and Carla Paulina Fuentes HernndezCourse: Form, Function, Sense and ValueTutors: Hugo Martnez, Ren Corella, Edgar Ludert, Luis Franco, Jaime Solorzano and Diana JimnezGr by Bruno Daz, Diego Carrillo and Joshwa Gutirrez"Gr is a modular system for people with physical and cognitive disabilities, implemented in the New World IAP."It optimises ergonomics and efficiency in greenhouses for heavy use, with trays that make cleaning and transporting plants easier."Its adaptable structure allows for efficient material handling, prioritising accessibility."Outstanding Winner QRO."Students: Bruno Daz, Diego Carrillo and Joshwa GutirrezCourse: Form, Function, Sense and ValueTutors: Ayca Kinik, Francisco Martnez, Luis Cordoba and Mario MartnezEntrelazos by Ximena Monroy, Michelle Daz and Juan Carlos Rodrguez"Entrelazos transforms the painting experience into a three-dimensional game with moving beads and curved tubular structures."This playful furniture allows unlimited combinations, stimulating the creativity and motor development of childhood, evoking the freedom and fluidity of the stroke when painting, and encouraging free play and exploration.""Outstanding Winner CCM."Students: Ximena Monroy, Michelle Daz and Juan Carlos RodrguezCourses: Thinking and Creative Process, Specification of Products and Services, Design and Innovation (CCM)Tutors: Gerado Osio, Daniel Zuita, Marcelo Ramrez, Hilda Varela, Yuruen Lerma, Romain Roy-Point and Alberto MendozaPartnership contentThis school show is a partnership between Dezeen and Instituto Tecnolgico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey. Find out more about Dezeen partnership content here.The post Ten student design projects from Instituto Tecnolgico y de Estudios Superiores de Monterrey appeared first on Dezeen.

This years been exhausting, hasnt it?! Especially the last few weeks have been emotionally and mentally draining, and it isnt just the news, but more specifically, its the information overload weve been subjected to. Even for a device small enough to fit in our pockets, the smartphone is capable of creating a lot of noise in the form of news, texts, calls, notifications, ads, and a lot of data clutter that can overwhelm our brains. This data clutter and relentless bombardment of information is what led to the creation of the Mudita Kompakt, a phone that prioritizes mindful living over doomscrolling.Created by the minds behind CD Projekt (think The Witcher, Cyberpunk 2077), Mudita Kompakt reflects co-founder Micha Kiciskis personal journey toward a more balanced life. After years in the gaming industry, where endless connection was the norm, he sought a solution to keep people both connected and grounded. That drive led to Muditas mission to design devices that encourage simplicity, privacy, and a conscious digital experience.Designer: MuditaClick Here to Buy Now: $316 $465 (32% off). Hurry, only 2/900 left! Raised over $336,000.The Mudita Kompakt keeps things refreshingly simple. Its 4.3-inch E Ink display is easy on the eyes and demands very little power. Thats rightthis phones battery can last up to six days, which, in todays daily-charging world, feels almost revolutionary. Inside, it packs a quad-core MediaTek processor, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of storage (expandable via memory card). Sure, these arent flagship specs, but thats really not the point. Its all about cutting the clutter and retaining only the things that spark joy here. Mudita keeps it lean, pre-loading only the most basic apps like phone, SMS, a calculator, and a voice recordernone of those attention-demanding apps or bloatware that love to ping you at all hours.For a phone, the Mudita Kompakt offers dual-SIM capabilities, with 4G LTE compatibility. You can make and receive calls on either SIM and even make/receive VoLTE or Wi-Fi calls, offering connectivity without much of a compromise. Given its entire premise is to stay disconnected from the clutter of the internet, it clearly doesnt come with 5G, but thats more of a feature than a bug, truth be told. Theres even support for eSIMs, which is perfect for carriers that dont traditionally offer SIM cards.For a phone that strives to be different from the status quo, it still makes a conscious effort to retain features that are cutting-edge only if they matter to Muditas overarching ethos. You may not have a flashy screen and 5G connectivity, but the Kompakt DOES come with a fingerprint sensor to unlock your phone, ensuring biometric-grade security feels reassuring. Surprisingly enough, the phone comes with NFC support too, allowing you to use existing NFC tags around the house, as well as ensuring future compatibility with NFC-ready apps that Mudita may introduce down the road.Whats remarkable about the Kompakt is its genuine intent to keep users focused on the real world, not the screen. It features an Offline+ mode activated by a physical switch, cutting off cell networks, Wi-Fi, and Bluetooth, and even disabling the mics and camera for a true offline experience. Think of it as Airplane Mode on steroids, with no features that cause you to linger on your phone for too long. You can read existing messages (you wont receive new ones), browse through your gallery, or listen to music without any distractions. All these actions have heavy intent behind them, so youre less likely to end up in a doomscrolling spiral.Tailored for E InkOn the design front, the Mudita Kompakt feels compact, sturdy, and unassuming. It boasts an IP54 rating, meaning its resistant to dust and splashes, so it can hold up to daily wear without needing a bulky case. While it does include a modest 8MP camera, this isnt about capturing every detail of your dayjust the moments you truly want to remember. Photos get displayed in greyscale on your E Ink display, adding a rather retro touch to your photography chops. And for the rare occasion you need to recharge, its conveniently equipped with wireless charging and a USB-C port, keeping up with modern conveniences.The Kompakts software is built on a custom OS based on the Android Open Source Project. The twist? Theres no Google lurking in the background, collecting data. Mudita promises three years of software updates to keep things smooth, even though this isnt the kind of phone thatll be weighed down by big updates. Thats another angle to the Kompakts appeal: minimal fuss, minimal distraction, and maximum control over what you interact with.Of course, going minimalist does have its trade-offs. Theres no Google Play Store here, so you wont find a wide selection of apps. Mudita provides basic offline maps, a music player, and a few utilities like a meditation timer, voice recorder, an e-reader, and even a chess app that promises you wont find yourself getting bored. You can, however, sideload other Android apps, although compatibility isnt guaranteed. For those of us used to feature-packed smartphones, adjusting to a stripped-down OS could be tricky. But thats the appealits a purposeful move away from digital noise, offering just enough functionality to meet core needs without temptations. A true digital detox, if you will.Another perk of the Kompakt is privacy. Since it doesnt sync with most cloud services, your data stays on your device. Sure, it may feel a bit old-fashioned to manage contacts and files through Muditas desktop app, but for privacy-minded users, this setup grants peace of mind. Its a minor detour to ditch the endless cloud syncs and data-hungry services tracking your every move. The Kompakt is available starting at $316 for early adopters, with a 14-day money-back guarantee just in case the Kompakt feels like too much of a culture shock. Mudita offers Global and North American versions of the Kompakt, so its compatible with networks worldwide. Just dont expect it to work everywhere yetcurrently, its only shipping to select countries in Europe, the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Oh, and just in case you were wondering it has a 3.5mm audio jack!Click Here to Buy Now: $316 $465 (32% off). Hurry, only 2/900 left! Raised over $336,000.The post This Compact E Ink Phone Promises to Simplify Your Digital Life first appeared on Yanko Design.

Omnibath, a combination of Omni and bath, represents a groundbreaking 2-in-1 faucet system that redefines the bathroom experience. The word Omni implies all-encompassing, without limits, while bath reflects the cleansing process. Together, Omnibath is designed to be an inclusive, accessible solution for people of all ages and abilities. This innovative product not only addresses common issues with conventional faucets but also offers a more intuitive and efficient bathing experience. With Omnibath, the complexity of managing water flow is replaced by simplicity, comfort, and reliability.Designer:Jeongwoo SEOThe motivation behind Omnibath stems from persistent issues that plague traditional faucets. One of the key problems is the high risk of malfunction, particularly with complex levers that often fail at inconvenient times. In humid, slippery bathroom environments, operating these levers becomes difficult and frustrating. Furthermore, the design of standard faucets is not user-friendly for those with mobility issues, making simple tasks like turning on the water or adjusting the temperature unnecessarily challenging. Omnibath was created to directly address these challenges, providing a faucet system that eliminates these frustrations and is suitable for a wide range of users.One of Omnibaths standout features is its intuitive design, making it incredibly user-friendly for everyone. The operation process is streamlined into three easy steps: first, users turn on the water with a simple motion, making it ideal for those who may have difficulty with standard faucets. Next, the pull-and-use mechanism allows users to easily switch between the faucet and shower functions, enhancing convenience. Finally, the jog dial enables precise temperature control, with the temperature visibly displayed for added safety. This design ensures that Omnibath is accessible to people of all abilities, from young children to the elderly.In terms of aesthetics, Omnibath is as much about visual appeal as it is about functionality. The faucet is crafted with a sandblasted metal finish, providing a soft texture that is comfortable to grip even in wet conditions. Its cool gray color is a timeless and versatile choice, easily fitting into most bathroom decor schemes. The faucets shape is also thoughtfully designed, with soft, flowing lines that enhance its modern aesthetic while avoiding harsh edges. This creates a sleek, elegant look that complements its user-friendly features.Even the packaging of Omnibath reflects its focus on practicality and ease of use. Inspired by the utility of a toolbox, the packaging is equipped with a hook on top that doubles as a handle, making it easy to carry. This clever design ensures that from the moment of purchase, users are met with convenience and functionality. The packaging not only protects the faucet but also serves as a nod to the products blend of form and function.Omnibath is designed for effortless installation. It adheres to the standard dimensions for one-hole sinks, meaning it can easily replace existing faucets without the need for extensive modifications. The handle is easy to operate, further enhancing its accessibility for those with limited mobility or strength. This combination of thoughtful design and straightforward installation makes Omnibath an attractive option for homeowners looking to upgrade their bathroom fixtures with minimal hassle.Safety is another core feature of Omnibath. The faucet is equipped with a visible water temperature indicator, reducing the risk of scalding and ensuring a safer bathing experience for all users, particularly children and the elderly. This added layer of protection gives users peace of mind, knowing that they can control and monitor the water temperature with precision.Omnibath is a cutting-edge faucet system that merges style, functionality, and safety. By addressing the flaws of traditional designs, it offers a more intuitive, accessible, and reliable bathing solution. Whether youre looking to enhance the aesthetic of your bathroom or need a faucet thats easier and safer to use, Omnibath delivers on all fronts. Its sleek design, user-friendly features, and thoughtful packaging make it a must-have for any modern home.The post This innovative 2-in-1 faucet system simplifies showering while enhancing your bathrooms style first appeared on Yanko Design.

Ruckus Games is aiming for "a community-centric development process that focuses on getting direct feedback from players from the very start."Ruckus Games is a new studio being headed up by Paul Sage.

Fish fear me, but I also fear them.Lake of Creatures is out today.

Download if you dare!

Colorist Deidre (Dee) McClelland CSI shares her creative process.

If you use screens for work and play, your child probably does too. These are the best pairs weve bought and tested for our own kids.