Hello GameDev.net Community,Ive been working on a personal project since January 2023a multiplayer card and board games platform with over 20+ games, including classics like Tetris, PopStar, and GoldMiner. The project is built with a scalable backend and is designed for seamless multiplayer experiences.Now, Im looking to take this project to the next level. Im seeking a partner who has expertise in game ownership, marketing, or business development to help push this platform

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Editors note: This article, originally published on May 20, 2022, has been updated.Advances in extended reality have already changed the way we work, live and play, and its just getting started.Extended reality, or XR, is an umbrella category that covers a spectrum of newer, immersive technologies, including virtual reality, augmented reality and mixed reality.From gaming to virtual production to product design, XR has enabled people to create, collaborate and explore in computer-generated environments like never before.What Is Extended Reality?Virtual, augmented and mixed reality are all elements of XR technology.Virtual reality puts users inside a virtual environment. VR users typically wear a headset that transports them into a virtual world one moment theyre standing in a physical room, and the next theyre immersed in a simulated environment.The latest VR technologies push these boundaries, making these environments look and behave more like the real world. Theyre also adding support for additional senses, including touch, sound and smell.With VR, gamers can become fully immersed in a video game, designers and customers can review building projects to finalize details prior to construction, and retailers can test virtual displays before committing to a physical one.Augmented reality is when a rendered image is overlaid onto the real world. The mobile game Pokmon GO famously brought AR to the mainstream by showing computer-rendered monsters standing on lawns and sidewalks as players roam their neighborhoods.AR graphics are visible through cell phones, tablets and other devices, bringing a new kind of interactive experience to users. Navigating directions, for example, can be improved with AR. Rather than following a 2D map, a windshield can superimpose directions over ones view of the road, with simulated arrows directing the driver exactly where to turn.Mixed reality is a seamless integration of the real world and rendered graphics, which creates an environment in which users can directly interact with the digital and physical worlds together.With MR, real and virtual objects blend, and are presented together within a single display. Users can experience MR environments through a headset, phone or tablet, and can interact with digital objects by moving them around or placing them in the physical world.There are two types of MR:Mixing virtual objects into the real world for instance, where a user sees the real world through cameras in a VR headset with virtual objects seamlessly mixed into the view.Mixing real-world objects into virtual worlds for example, a camera view of a VR participant mixed into the virtual world, like watching a VR gamer playing in a virtual world.The History of XRTo understand how far XR has come, consider its origins in VR.VR began in the federal sector, where it was used to train people in flight simulators. The energy and automotive design industries were also early adopters. These simulation and visualization VR use cases required large supercomputers. It also needed dedicated spaces, including powerwalls, which are ultra-high-resolution displays, and VR CAVEs, which are empty rooms that have the VR environment projected on each surface, from the walls to the ceiling.For decades, VR remained unaffordable for most users, and the small VR ecosystem was mainly composed of large institutions and academic researchers.But early in the previous decade, several key component technologies reached a tipping point, which precipitated the launch of the HTC Vive and Oculus Rift head-mounted displays (HMDs), along with the SteamVR runtime.Individuals could now purchase personal HMDs to experience great immersive content. And they could drive those HMDs and experiences from an individual PC or workstation with a powerful GPU.Suddenly, VR was accessible to millions of individuals, and a large ecosystem quickly sprung up, filled with innovation and enthusiasm.In recent years, a new wave of VR innovation started with the launch of all-in-one (AIO) headsets. Previously, fully immersive VR experiences required a physical connection to a powerful PC. The HMD couldnt operate as a self-contained device, as it had no operating system and no ability to compute the image.But with AIO headsets, users gained access to a dedicated device with a simple setup that could deliver fully tracked VR anywhere, anytime. Coupled with the innovation of VR streaming technology, users could now experience powerful VR environments, even while on the go.Latest Trends in XRHigh-quality XR is becoming increasingly accessible. Consumers worldwide are purchasing AIOs to experience XR, from immersive gaming to remote learning to virtual training. Large enterprises are adding XR into their workflows and design processes. XR drastically improves design implementation with the inclusion of a digital twin.Image courtesy of Innoactive.And one of todays biggest trends is streaming XR experiences through 5G from the cloud. This removes the need to be tethered to workstations or limit experiences to a single space.By streaming over 5G from the cloud, people can use XR devices and get the computational power to run XR experiences from a data center, regardless of location and time. Advanced solutions like NVIDIA CloudXR are making immersive streaming more accessible, so more XR users can experience high-fidelity environments from anywhere.AR is also becoming more common. After Pokmon GO became a household name, AR emerged in a number of additional consumer-focused areas. Many social media platforms added filters that users could overlay on their faces. Organizations in retail incorporated AR to showcase photorealistic rendered 3D products, enabling customers to place these products in a room and visualize it in any space.https://developer.download.nvidia.com/cloudxr/videos/compressed/CloudXR_mclaren_002.mp4Plus, enterprises in various industries like architecture, manufacturing, healthcare and more are using the technology to vastly improve workflows and create unique, interactive experiences. For example, architects and design teams are integrating AR for construction project monitoring, so they can see onsite progress and compare it to digital designs.And though its still fairly new, MR is developing in the XR space. Trends are shown through the emergence of many new headsets built for MR, including the Varjo XR-3. With MR headsets, professionals in engineering, design, simulation and research can develop and interact with their 3D models in real life.Varjo XR-3 headset. Image courtesy of Varjo.The Future of XRAs XR technology advances, another technology is propelling users into a new era: artificial intelligence.AI will play a major role in the XR space, from virtual assistants helping designers in VR to intelligent AR overlays that can walk individuals through do-it-yourself projects.For example, imagine wearing a headset and telling the content what to do through natural speech and gestures. With hands-free and speech-driven virtual agents at the ready, even non-experts will be able to create amazing designs, complete exceedingly complex projects and harness the capabilities of powerful applications.Platforms like NVIDIA Omniverse have already changed how users create 3D simulations and virtual worlds. Omniverse allows users from across the globe to develop and operate digital twin simulations. The platform provides users with the flexibility to portal into the physically accurate, fully ray-traced virtual world through 2D monitors, or their preferred XR experience, so they can experience vast virtual worlds immersively.Entering the next evolution of XR, the possibilities are virtually limitless.What Is Spatial Computing?Unlike traditional digital experiences, which are confined to screens, spatial computing places virtual elements directly into the physical world, creating more natural and intuitive interactions. The technology combines sensors, cameras and AI-driven software to recognize and respond to real-world elements, so users can interact with digital objects as if they were tangible.Supported by platforms like NVIDIA Omniverse, spatial computing has broad applications, from industrial design and training to navigation and entertainment. For example, designers could use it to visualize 3D prototypes in real space, or field teams could harness the technology to receive AR guidance overlaid onto real equipment.As spatial computing evolves, its poised to reshape interactions with digital information, making it part of everyday physical environments and expanding the possibilities for XR in practical and creative ways.Learn more about how organizations can use NVIDIA XR technologies.

Email us at PSPodcast@sony.com!Subscribe via Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or download hereHey gang! This week, Final Fantasy creator Hironobu Sakaguchi stops by to discuss his latest game, Fantasian Neo Dimension. Plus, the PlayStation 30th anniversary celebration continues as the crew shares their favorite games on PS5 and PS VR2. Through the end of the year, well continue featuring picks from listeners and developers (and Kristen will return to share her top PlayStation games from the past 30 years).Stuff We Talked AboutNext weeks release highlights:Flint: Treasure of Oblivion| PS5Alien: Rogue Incursion | PS VR2Interview w/ Hironobu Sakaguchi (begins at 4:41)Special listener and developers favorite PlayStation games segmentThe podcast crew highlights their top games on PS5 and PS VR2 (discussion to be continued)The CastView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageSid Shuman Senior Director of Content Communications, SIEView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageTim Turi Content Communications Manager, SIEView and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageODell Harmon Jr. Content Communications Specialist, SIEThanks to Dormiln for our rad theme song and show music.[Editors note: PSN game release dates are subject to change without notice. Game details are gathered from press releases from their individual publishers and/or ESRB rating descriptions.]

Last week, asked you to share your favorite PlayStation games, consoles, and gaming collections using #PSshare #PSBlog to celebrate PlayStations 30th anniversary. Here are this weeks nostalgic highlights:View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imagedwardlozano shares the in-game 30th anniversary celebration in Astro Bot.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imagecall_me_xavii shares a picture of their old PS One.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imagesilentgear1 shares their expansive PlayStation collection, which includes the full God of War gaming lineup.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageMrioMoreno5 shares a collection of games across the generations that spell out PS.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imagerumunskibugarin shares Castlevania: Symphony of the Night booted up on PS1, surrounded by a PS2, a PSP, and PS VR2 headset.View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageUnlimitedGamesX shares their PlayStation collection laid out by era, with PS1, PS2, PS3, and PS Vita.Search #PSshare #PSBlog on Twitter or Instagram to see more entries to this weeks theme. Want to be featured in the next Share of the Week?View and download imageDownload the imagecloseCloseDownload this imageTHEME: Astro Bot Winter Wonder LevelSUBMIT BY: 11:59 PM PT on December 18, 2024Next week, were blasting back into Astro Bot to explore the newly released Winter Wonder level. Share moments jumping through the snow and presents using #PSshare #PSBlog for a chance to be featured.

Each week on Polygon, we round up the most notable new releases to streaming and VOD, highlighting the biggest and best new movies for you to watch at home.This week, Maria, Pablo Larrans biopic on the life and career of opera singer Maria Callas starring Angelina Jolie, comes to streaming on Netflix. If virtuoso sopranos arent to your liking, not to worry: There are plenty more exciting new releases to watch this week on streaming and VOD. The holiday action comedy Red One starring Dwayne The Rock Johnson and J.K. Simmons drops onto Prime Video this week, while the religious horror thriller Heretic starring Hugh Grant comes to VOD. Thats not all Atlantics director Mati Diop has a new documentary on Mubi, and the Catholic thriller Conclave is available to stream on Peacock!Heres everything new thats available to watch this weekend!New on NetflixMariaWhere to watch:Available to stream on NetflixGenre:BiopicRun time:2h 4mDirector:Pablo LarranCast:Angelina Jolie, Pierfrancesco Favino, Alba RohrwacherDirector Pablo Larran continues his trilogy of biopics about important 20th-century women with opera singer Maria Callas. Starring Angelina Jolie, Maria follows the titular opera singer as she hallucinates a young filmmaker and tells him her life story. Callas was the subject of a number of scandals, including an affair with Aristotle Onassis Jackie Kennedy Onassis husband. Which is fitting, since Larran directed a biopic about Jackie Kennedy back in 2016.It Ends with UsWhere to watch:Available to stream on NetflixGenre:Romantic dramaRun time:2h 10mDirector:Justin BaldoniCast:Blake Lively, Justin Baldoni, Jenny SlateRaise your hand if your social media algorithms think that just because you like to read, youmustlove Colleen Hoovers books.It Ends with Usis based on Hoovers bestselling 2016 novel, which follows a florist in an abusive relationship who reconnects with her first love. Despite what the TikTok edits would have you think, its actually about breaking the cycle of domestic abuse.Carry-OnWhere to watch:Available to stream on NetflixGenre:Crime thrillerRun time:1h 59mDirector:Jaume Collet-SerraCast:Taron Egerton, Jason Bateman, Sofia CarsonThis ones for all you Die Hardis a Christmas movie people out there! In this new Netflix thriller, a TSA agent cheerily shows up for a Christmas Eve shift only to get threatened by a mysterious stranger into smuggling a dangerous package onto a flight. If he doesnt follow orders, says the stranger through an earpiece, his girlfriend will be killed. But as the agent continues to defy the stranger, the consequences heighten. Nothing says holiday cheer like high-octane thrillers, apparently!New on HuluSugarcaneWhere to watch: Available to stream on HuluGenre: DocumentaryRun time: 1h 47mDirectors: Emily Kassie, Julian Brave NoiseCatCast: Julian Brave NoiseCat, Ed Archie NoiseCat, Charlene BelleauThis documentary follows an investigation into the Canadian Indian residential school system, which came under fire in 2021 following the discovery of several unmarked graves on the grounds of a school run by the Catholic Church. Sugarcane documents the national outcry against a system designed to destroy Indigenous communities, and the efforts by said communities to reconcile with the horrors inflicted upon them.New on MaxJoker: Folie DeuxWhere to watch: Available to stream on MaxGenre:Psychological thrillerRun time:2h 18mDirector:Todd PhillipsCast:Joaquin Phoenix, Lady Gaga, Brendan GleesonArthur Fleck (Joaquin Phoenix) is back and this time, hes got a girlfriend! Todd Phillips sequel to 2019sJokerpicks up two years after the previous film, with Arthur still in custody at Arkham State Hospital awaiting trial for murder. Upon meeting Harleen Lee Quinzel (Lady Gaga), Arthur finds himself torn between his attraction to her (and her subsequent attraction to the Joker) and his uncertainty as to whether he wants to be the Joker anymore. Question is, doesJoker: Folie Deuxland the punchline, or is this curtains for Arthurs story?From ourreview:The truth, whether or not Phillips would want to admit it, is that his rapt framing of Phoenixs performance, his dedicated homage to 70s grit and 60s musical fantasy, the smugness of a script that omits the punchline from a knock-knock joke and submits that as smart character commentary these things are not so distant from the rule-of-cool, Easter-egg-hiding, smug-quip-dropping world of comic book cinema as he would like to imagine. Joker and Folie Deux are no less indulgent than any other films resting on the legacy of generations of work-for-hire comics artists whose output currently falls under the ownership of the Warner Bros. Discovery conglomerate. Phillips just wants you to think it is.New on Disney PlusElton John: Never Too LateWhere to watch: Available to stream on Disney PlusGenre: DocumentaryRun time: 1h 42mDirectors: R.J. Cutler, David FurnishDisneys newest musician documentary is all about Elton John. The musician looks back on his career, going back to his really early days to the preparations for his final concert. He gets candid about his mental health, closeted sexuality, and drug abuse. The movie debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival earlier this year.New on Prime VideoRed OneWhere to watch: Available to stream on Prime VideoGenre: Holiday comedyRun time: 2h 3mDirector: Jake KasdanCast: Dwayne Johnson, Chris Evans, Lucy LiuDwayne The Rock Johnsons Christmas action movie looks a little bit like Rise of the GuardiansmeetsTaken. InRed One, a secret organization protects the balance between the real world and mythological figures like Santa Claus and the Headless Horseman. But when Santa gets kidnapped right before Christmas, one of Santas security details enlists a tracker to help him find Father Christmas himself.New on PeacockConclaveWhere to watch: Available to stream on PeacockGenre:Mystery thrillerRun time:2hDirector:Edward BergerCast:Ralph Fiennes, Stanley Tucci, John LithgowRalph Fiennes stars inAll Quiet on the Western Frontdirector Edward Bergers latest thriller as Thomas Lawrence, a cardinal tasked with convening a secluded conclave in order to decide on the appointment of a new pope. As interfactional disputes between the cardinals amassed give rise to conspiracies and questions, Thomas must weigh the future of the church against the weight of his own conscience.New on MubiDahomeyWhere to watch: Available to stream on Mubi USGenre: DocumentaryRun time: 1h 8mDirector: Mati DiopCast: Gildas Adannou, Morias Agbessi, Maryline AgbossiAtlantics director Mati Diop returns with a new documentary about colonialism, culture, and history as a living subject. Dahomey chronicles the return of 26 plundered treasures to the Republic of Benin formerly the African kingdom of Dahomey. Diops film asks whether or not the return of these items, which number among thousands of other artifacts taken from Africa, is sufficient restitution for despoilment of the continent and its people.New on Criterion ChannelIts Not MeWhere to watch: Available to stream on Criterion ChannelGenre: Biographical shortRun time: 41mDirector: Leos CaraxCast: Leos Carax, Denis Lavant, Nastya Golubeva CaraxDirector Leos Caraxs (Holy Motors, Annette) biographical short is a free-form retrospective of his career, looking back over the past 40 years of his life and films to meditate on the nature of time, art, and mortality. Originally intended for an exhibition at the Pompidou Museum that never happened, Its Not Me is Caraxs answer to the question, Where are you at, Leos Carax?New to rentVenom: The Last DanceWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Superhero actionRun time: 1h 50mDirector: Kelly MarcelCast: Tom Hardy, Chiwetel Ejiofor, Juno TempleTom Hardy returns for one last outing as the long-tongued parasitic vigilante. Following the events of Venom: Let There Be Carnage, Eddie Brock (Hardy) and the Venom symbiote are still on the run. Hunted by both the military and a mysterious extraterrestrial threat known as the Xenophage, Eddie and Venom must work together once more to survive and clear their name.From our review:The originalVenomfound success in the mess of Hardys gutsy performance straining against stakes as mundane as Eddie interacting with his ex and her aggressively normal new boyfriend, after they watched him feverishly climb into a restaurants lobster tank.Last Dance, however, removes every human consideration from the equation of Eddies life every social tie, every personal goal, every stake smaller than aliens and the government are trying to kill us.HereticWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Horror thrillerRun time: 1h 51mDirectors: Scott Beck, Bryan WoodsCast: Hugh Grant, Sophie Thatcher, Chloe EastStop me if youve heard this one: Two Mormon missionaries walk into a mans house right before a snowstorm. After realizing theyve been trapped, the missionaries are forced to participate in a twisted game for survival or be executed. No, youve never heard that one before? Well then, you gotta watch this movie its wild!The Best Christmas Pageant EverWhere to watch: Available to rent on Amazon, Apple, and VuduGenre: Holiday comedyRun time: 1h 39mDirector: Dallas JenkinsCast: Kynlee Heiman, Sebastian Billingsley-Rodriguez, Judy GreerSix unruly siblings suddenly decide to join the churchs Christmas pageant, much to the chagrin of most of the town. But the pageant director is determined to make this show the best Christmas pageant ever (ba-dum tss) and shows the siblings some kindness that they rarely get from the rest of the town. Now thats the true meaning of Christmas!The Best Christmas Pageant Everis based on a 1972 childrens book of the same name.

Lore has always been a tricky subject for fans when it comes to adaptations: Too close an adherence to the original text, and you get a diminished version of the thing you already love; too loose an adaptation, and suddenly your beloved series is unrecognizable. Im fairly outspoken about my belief that as far as the Netflix TV show is concerned, Witcher fans have had it rougher than most when it comes to their franchise being sullied by poor decisions. So its no surprise that when CD Projekt Red revealed the first trailer for The Witcher 4, which features Ciri as its main character and seemingly a full-blown Witcher, some fans (albeit a minority) met it with skepticism. However, with three Witcher games under its belt already, CD Projekt Red has earned the benefit of the doubt.The most understandable of these fans concerns seem to be over how The Witcher 4 fits into the world and canon of Andrzej Sapkowskis books. For instance, Ciri, after the events of The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, would have been older than normal to undergo the Trial of the Grasses, and in the books, much of her magic was taken away from her as she saved Ihuarraquax yet in the trailer, she uses magic freely. Whats confusing about these concerns from fans, however, is how unaware they seem to be of the relationship between CD Projekt Reds games and the Witcher canon already. Its not that the two have diverged, necessarily, so much as it is that they werent ever tightly bound to begin with.The Witcher games have never been strict adherents to the books theyre based on. Instead, theyve always been more about committing to the spirit and themes of Sapkowskis series than about giving virtual life to his words. And, as a fan of Sapkowskis books, I think thats one of the greatest virtues of CD Projekt Reds game series. The rich complexity and detail of the world and characters that Sapkowski created always felt like they could be stretched far more broadly beyond the pages of his novels and short stories, and in the capable hands of CDPR, weve been able to see that expansion of the world.This is part of what makes The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt arguably the best entry of any variety in the entire Witcher franchise. That game jumps past the established canon of Sapkowskis novels, imagining a slightly extracanonical story that takes place several years after the books tale has ended. Its an expansion and continuation of the stories of Geralt, Yennefer, and Ciri, but it grasps the essence of their characters, and of The Witchers entire world, as well as anything in the series history.Throughout The Witcher 3, Geralts mission to find Ciri, then to save her, brings him into contact with the strangest inhabitants of his world. And while the game gives you choices about how to deal with them, CDPRs writing does a magnificent job of keeping you on your toes, constantly giving Geralts quests unexpected and often tragic outcomes despite his best intentions keeping them thematically resonant with the best of Sapkowskis short stories. In other words, its everything the Netflix series has failed at; thus far, the creative team for the show has pretty closely adapted the plot of Sapkowskis novels, but seems wholly uninterested in his themes.But whats even more confusing for the self-proclaimed fans of The Witcher 3 who now express skepticism over Ciris evolution in The Witcher 4 is that her transformation was first introduced in Wild Hunt. Depending on the choices players made throughout the game, Ciri could either end The Witcher 3 dead, as the queen of Nilfgaard, or on the path to becoming a Witcher. The question of how she got from that path to where we see her in The Witcher 4s cinematic trailer seems less like a plot hole and more like the exact plot of The Witcher 4 itself, something that was confirmed Friday on X by CDPR studio head Adam Badowski.And the truth is, as a fan of Ciri and of Sapkowskis books, I feel lucky that CD Projekt Red is committed to continuing her story and giving her a narrative future. Given the studios track record so far of capably expanding on Sapkowskis characters and world, its hard to imagine her in better hands including those of her original author. The only real downside is that it could be quite a few years before we actually get to see how her story plays out.

Over the past two decades, preeminent gallery fair Design Miamihas led the charge as a vital platform for the ever-evolving collectible design industry, one forged out of the vintage furniture sector and to complement the fine art market. As numerous proponents have noted, starting in the late 1990s, collectors began understanding the importance of not just showcasing static paintings and sculptures in their homes but rounding out these spaces with functional and semi-functional furnishings that, in many cases, carry the same level of meaning and craft-led experimentation.In the early days, this branch of an ever-expanding design industry, much like the model of patronage common in Renaissance-era Florence, fostered wild paradigm-shifting ideation: talents pushing the limits of material and application. Though collectible design has veered closer to the aesthetically safe, escapist, and sometimes vapid realm of overly ornate decorative arts in recent years, a handful of galleries and cultural actors have held fast to the markets original impetus.Looking to shift the focus back to that mindset and redefine the term collectible design or what was once called art design as avant garde design is noted historian, writer, culture maker, and major craft revival proponent Glenn Adamson. As the curatorial director of this years Design Miami he implemented the succinct yet inclusive theme of Blue Sky optimistic ideas that are not limited by current beliefs or societal norms. In many respects, Adamson was brought in to shape this edition with a looking back to look forward perspective. This years particularly strong showcase shed fresh light on the talents operating in this space that continue to challenge the boundaries of typology, concept, and self-expression.From the 49 exhibiting galleries and special project Curio displays, Design Milk has identified 10 highlights that embody this thinking in various ways.Vessels Vespa Floor Lamp by Nader GammasVessels Vespa Floor Lamp by Nader GammasMaking his Design Miami debut with a dedicated Curio display, Dubai-based lighting and interior designer Nader Gammas unveiled his Vessels collection a flora-inspired series of ceramic luminaries that represent a marked departure from his proclivity for brutalist forms. The Vespa standing lamp is a direct representation of the especially sinuous metatrichia vesparium mushroom. The one-off piece demonstrates how natural forms not just those aesthetically rendered in flat pattern continue to inform the function of designed objects.Flap Chair by Chamar Studio, presented by quo GalleryFlap Chair by Chamar StudioMaking a significant splash at Design Miami for the second year in a row was qou, purportedly Indias first collectible design gallery. A strong sense of reinterpreting the countrys richly diverse craft tradition and openness to cross border collaboration permeated its display yet again, hinting at whats in store for Indias rapidly emerging creative scene and its potential on an international scale. A stellar standout was Chamar Studios ingenious Flap Chair series. Produced entirely out of rubber, these boldly hued settees reflect the potential of this materials properties in achieving the intended function.According to the gallery: Sudheer Rajbhar founded Chamar Studio in 2015 with the purpose of recontextualizing a term traditionally used as a derogatory slang for the leatherworking Dalit community. When a beef ban threatened the livelihoods of the leatherworkers, Sudheer innovatively introduced rubber as a sustainable alternative. The brand stands as an act of defiance, conserving the craft of a marginalized community and using its creations as activism to highlight social injustices in India. The Flap Chair series is the latest iteration in a long line of designs demonstrating this exploration.Double Knot Table by Nick Missel, presented by Wexler GalleryDouble Knot Table by Nick MisselPhiladelphia-based designer Nick Missel has shaped much of his practice around the idea of finding new purpose for conventional materials as a form of anthropological expression: translating the American working-class experience in particularly visceral applications. Produced using fiberglass, resin, and automotive paint, the REM Collection Double Knot table presented by Wexler Gallery resembles packing foam that has been freeze framed as a solid, elevated furnishing.Yellow Cubist Vessel VI by Christopher Russell, presented by Todd Merrill StudioYellow Cubist Vessel by Christopher RussellFor over 30 years, New York-based talent Christopher Russell has been busy evolving his draftsperson-led ceramics practice through the lens of various creative disciplines. His latest geometrically composed vessels defined by a spontaneous yet methodical application of colorfully painted patchworks plays on the tension between aesthetics and function. Ceramic containers have been essential since the dawn of civilization. The eclectic Yellow Cubist Vessel displayed as part of Todd Merrill Studios equally maximalist offering this year perfectly demonstrates Russells iterative and ever formally experimental approach.Silver Chair by Lewis Kemmenoe for FendiSilver Chair by Lewis KemmenoeAmong a number of luxury brands that invent in creative and cultural projects debuted at Design Miami, major Italian fashion house Fendi unveiled a capsule furniture collection by British up-and-comer Lewis Kemmenoe. The works match his deeply research-based approach with the heritage producers undeterred adherence to artisanal tradition. The resulting chairs, cabinets, coffee tables, and back-lit wall pieces are meant to be both functional and subversive. The latter is accomplished as best evidenced in the Silver Chair in the near-jarring juxtaposition of roughly hewn wood and stone anchored by, and inlayed into, rigidly framed polished metals.Self Mining by Jan Waterston, presented by Charles BurnandSelf Mining Lounge Chair by Jan WaterstonAn unflappable purveyor of furnishings and decorative elements that emphatically push the limits of material and typological application, London gallery Charles Burnand presented the Haptic Horizons group showcase at this years Design Miami. According to the gallery, the display explored the future of materials, the progressive use of these elements, and the enduring importance of the artists hand in shaping our tactile world. One of the most striking pieces on view was British talent Jan Waterstons Self Mining lounge chair; an especially sculptural, almost rope-like design rendered in carved and ebonized ash wood. With this piece, the designer explored the notion of excavation while blending age-old techniques with instinctual processes.Tundra Freestanding Shelf by Rio Kobayashi, presented by Blunk SpaceTundra Freestanding Shelf by Rio KobayashiBlunk Space the particularly active estate of revered California-based studio movement master JB Blunk mounted a Curio exhibit with commissioned and sourced works by contemporary talents responding to his seminal and innovatively resourceful practice, perhaps best exemplified in his self-built home. Serving as a central anchor and even display element for smaller ceramics and utensils was London-based designer Rio Kobayashis Tundra freestanding shelf. The piece was crafted utilizing endemic redwood and in direct reflection of the homes distinctive architecture.Robo Lamp by Formafantasma, presented by Friedman BendaRobo Lamp by FormafantasmaA match made in heaven some in the know might say, thought-leading New York gallery Friedman Benda has teamed up with foremost research-oriented practice Formafantasma. Both entities share an understanding of designs potential beyond form and function: a conduit for deeper historical, social, and cultural meaning even provocation. Produced in cherry wood and LEDs, the Robo Lamp appears straightforward but it, unsurprisingly, signals so much more. The work explores the relationship between design, the domestic sphere, and the idea of the archetype embracing rigor and restraint, Formafantasma co-founder Simone Farresin explains. The gallery is set to host a solo show of new works by the Milan-based studio in spring 2025.Time Travel Installation by Nuova GroupTime Travel Installation by Nuova GroupFully immersive fair installations are rare at Design Miami, other than those mounted by brand partners. Its even more unusual to see this type of all-encompassing showcase at industry events in the United States altogether. Changing things up this year was Los Angeles-based luxury design practice Nuova Group, who chose to stage its Curio as a reconstituted domestic interior from 1971 a moment, for many, that was the last with a true sense of collective optimism for the future. Meant to activate all the senses, the Time Travel installation was conceived with no stone left unturned. Everything from the archival upholstery to the candles and Andrea sconce design imagined, like the other furnishings, with a contemporary twist were for sale by order.A protea lamp I by Jack Simonds, presented by Objective GalleryA protea lamp I by Jack SimondsShanghai and New York-based Objective Gallery chose to frame its booth presentation with work by nine of its current zeitgeist-defining talents. The platform titled the showcase after a David Hockney quote: All art (design) is contemporary if its alive a sentiment alluding to the increasingly stratified nature of the industry and the emergence of multiple concurrent trends. Among the illustrious roster of exhibitors was British, Brooklyn-based designer Jack Simonds, who often draws inspiration from biomorphic forms and natural occurrences. Almost as if freeze-framed in its near-decaying state, the A protea lamp is testament to that approach. The one-off design combines natural dried protea flowers with burn out cast leaves from the same flower, burned bamboo, cast bronze and hand carved marble as it solidifies as an otherworldly yet grounded light source. What nature brings is fire and brilliance, Simonds describes.To learn more about this annual showcase and all of its endeavors, visit designmiami.com.Installation photography by Adrian Madlener.

10. Nunc. Pairs German Engineering With AI to Brew Coffee PerfectlyYour coffee routine is a highly personal ritual. For some, its a way to bless the day before it begins, and for others, a nightcap bringing it to a close. Nunc. a coffee startup spearheaded by a two-time barista champion, rocket scientist, engineer, designer, and loT expert launched the Portafilter Machine and Grinder. This AI-enhanced brewing system is engineered to remove the guesswork from the art and science of making the ideal coffee-based beverage.9. JMGO Mini Triple Laser Projectors Have a Handle on Binging WhereverPortable and playful, the JMGO N1S and the N1S Ultra flagship model feature the brands signature pan-and-tilt gimbal design, allowing for easy setup and optimal viewing angles. The ingenious design operates as an intelligent stand taking the hassle out of propping the device up to an ideal height. The projector packaging also doubles as a cute, convenient carrying case for moments when you wish to take your shows on the road.8. FiiO Gives Portable CD + Cassette Players a Modern SpinThe Chinese audio gear company FiiO brought the technology of yesteryear into the modern era with the announcement of the new FiiO DM13 portable CD player alongside a refresh of the FiiO CP13 portable cassette player. Both boast instantly classic designs and modern features, and allow you to unabashedly embrace your previously-retired CD and cassette collections to enjoy once again.7. Marc Newson x Swarovski Optik AX Visio Binoculars Can Identify Over 9,000 BirdsBird watching and all of its slow-paced pleasures have cemented themselves into popular culture. The formerly niche, now in vogue hobby has also inspired crossover collaborations for products like the covetable Swarovski Optik AX Visio Binoculars designed by Marc Newson. This AI-enhanced optical instrument offers improved ergonomics and a slew of technology integrated with an easy-to-operate interface that users can acclimate to quickly.6. This CD Playing Turntable Pairs Analog Aesthetics With Digital FidelityVinyls resurgence isnt merely a matter of iconic analog aesthetics, its a generational trend towards reconnecting with music in a way that streaming cannot. But with albums sold at increasingly prohibitive prices it can be difficult to share in that experience. To make such a joy accessible, Korean designer Jaehyung Chu created the Viva turntable for compact discs. The Future-retro, high-fidelity device fashions a whole new way to appreciate CDs like never before.5. Serene Industries Carves Metal Into The Icebreaker KeyboardFilmmaker, designer, and Serene Industries founder Denis Agarkov pulled himself out of a professional rut with a design charrette, which resulted in the creation of his own keyboard The Icebreaker. This 65% mechanical keyboard was inspired by Manhattans triangular Flatiron building and manufactured from a solid block of 6061 aluminum for a brilliant edge. It is also outfitted with full-height MX switches producing the clicks and clacks that give keyboards of this kind their characteristic clatter.4. IKEA Enters the Smart Home Monitoring Game With a Trio of Safety SensorsSpeakers, light bulbs, air purifiers, and even roller shades. Charging devices and connected audio devices, too! Up until recently, the worlds largest furniture retailer was still missing a few essential pieces of the smart home pie. IKEAs introduction of VALLHORN, PARASOLL, and BADRING arrived as a welcome addition to the brands electrified lineup, bringing affordable and easy-to-install home monitoring solutions to an excited consumer base.3. Marantz TT-15S1 Turntable Reminds Us of Beauty in the DetailsTodays established vinyl enthusiasts have likely spent years meticulously building their record collections, with many now seeking to level-up their listening accoutrement from good enough to that special last-a-lifetime investment. The Marantz TT-15S1 turntable makes a strong case as one such component worthy to build a system around and proudly display.2. The Lon:HUBs Colorful Cure for Desk Clutter Hides Beneath the SurfaceSometimes, its the most functional and pragmatic objects the things that keep our cords collected and our surfaces tidy that allow our spaces to best articulate the traditional design objects we wish to display. The Lon:HUB allows just that with an innovative combination of cable management, wireless and cable-connected power supply, and a line-up of accessible ports to give your desk the glow-up it deserves.And the most popular home furnishings post of 2024 is1. SEGA x Anicorn Watch Turns Back Time to the 16-Bit EraGamer or not, youve probably heard of the iconic home system SEGA Genesis, which became a phenomenon in the early 1990s. While leaning into fond memories from game play, designer watchmaker Anicorn tapped into that energy for the release of his SEGA x Anicorn Mega Drive/Genesis Watch. Each of the three editions recreates the consoles signature aesthetic adapted into clockwork that is every bit of a fanboy flex as it is a fine timepiece.Check out the rest of Design Milks end of the year coverage here!

How the evolution of analog products and the rise of throwaway culture can offer insights into the future of digital design.Continue reading on UX Collective