Grand Theft Hamlet is a documentary film, kind of. Its also an experimental theater project. Its also a rough-and-ready feature-length machinima, made entirely in-game in Grand Theft Auto Online. Its also a slapstick comedy of errors about three friends trying to fill an empty period in their lives by staging a production of William Shakespeares Hamlet inside this chaotic online space. Its a strange, funny, and even poignant film that takes place in a dreamlike space between gaming and theater.In January 2021, actors Sam Crane and Mark Oosterveen were out of work and depressed. The U.K.s third COVID-19 lockdown had begun, and London theaters were shut again. Crane had been due to start a run as Harry Potter in Harry Potter and the Cursed Child on the West End, which would have supported his family for a year, but that chance was shot now. Oosterveen was single, rootless, and had just started trying to get back to work after losing his father to a long battle with Alzheimers.We were buggered, Cranes wife, filmmaker Pinny Grylls, who co-directed Grand Theft Hamlet with Crane, told Polygon.There was nothing to be done about the situation except play video games. Oosterveen, the gamer of the trio, showed his friend around Grand Theft Auto Online on PlayStation. Crane and Grylls hadnt played games since they were kids, but had bought a PlayStation for their son the year before, somewhat reluctantly. We argued about it, Grylls said.Crane initially had misgivings about GTA. You just think, Oh yeah, thats that one that is super violent, and theres no redeeming characteristics to it at all, he said. And then when I started playing it, I was shocked at how beautiful it was, and how fun it was, and how freeing it was to play, and how broad it was.Crane wasnt going in completely blind, though, and he wasnt purely killing time, either. He was aware of the role-play and machinima communities in gaming, and interested in exploring them as a performance space. I didnt quite know what we were going to do in there thought maybe we might just try and do some weird little YouTube skits or something like that, he said.Responding to this vague impulse, Crane and Oosterveen started capturing footage of their gameplay before they really knew what they were doing. Thats why, at the start of Grand Theft Hamlet, we can watch in real time as the pair stumble upon the Vinewood Bowl open-air theater in the hills of Los Santos, and hit upon the idea of performing Shakespeare there. Soon, they invited Grylls to join them in-game to document their efforts.At first, it seems like a joke, suggesting that any actor encountering a new space immediately envisions themselves standing there in front of people, reciting To be or not to be. And theres an obvious culture clash between Shakespearean tragedy and the crude violence and low-culture irreverence of GTA. The movie gets great comic mileage from rehearsals being interrupted by drive-by shootings and rocket-launcher accidents. But the trio also felt they were taking an unconventional route back to Shakespeares roots.Grylls said Crane laid it out: [Sam] said to me, it was probably similar to what it wouldve felt like to do Shakespeare 500 years ago in an irreverent space, where you were at the Globe and people were half-listening, and they were probably going to throw apples at the actors if they didnt think they were any good, and someone went off with a prostitute, and then somebody had a fight. You had to maintain the attention of the audience. It was really quite hard. [For us] the liveness of that kind of challenge was fresh and exciting and funny.A lot of theater, and especially Shakespeare, has this hushed reverence around it, Crane said. And it was really refreshing to find a space where none of that existed, and it was just rough and raw and kind of funny and violent.Crane and Oosterveen assembled a small company of misfits to act in their Hamlet. But like many small theater troupes, they also attracted some oddball hangers-on that contributed to the chaotic energy of the production as it evolved from a stage show at the Vinewood Bowl to an immersive theater experience that would roam across the Los Santos map (on the back of a zeppelin, at one point).One of these hangers-on makes a particularly big impression in the movie. GTA player ParTebMosMir wears a green alien skin, recites the Quran at his audition, and runs security for rehearsals in a VTOL jet, gunning down disruptive elements from the skies. I should say, everyone seems to like ParTeb, and he comes across very well in the film, but I really want to make it clear that that guy was a nightmare to work with, Oosterveen said, displaying a bit of actorly impatience. To get him to do anything, anything, took hours and hours and hours.Theres this apocryphal story about [famed German playwright and director] Bertolt Brecht, who in one of his productions thought it was all going a bit too smoothly, Crane added. So he found this local drunk guy and just brought him onstage, and he had to just deal with it. So I think maybe ParTeb has something of that quality, the kind of rogue element, the bit of chaos that you put in just to shake things up a bit.Throughout the movie, ParTeb and others like him are surreally funny reminders of the weird context the actors put themselves in. Another reminder comes from the presentation of the footage, which is intentionally raw and unvarnished, with the games UI elements still visible. Explaining this decision, Grylls said simply, Its a documentary, its not a fiction film. But GTA Onlines on-screen alerts also provide an ironic meta-commentary during the performance of Hamlet (Hamlet_thedane killed King_Claudius) and a strangely poignant sense of what was going on beyond the actors experiment.Someone who got in touch with us said they were so moved by watching the film, and the constant thing coming up in the corner So-and-so has died this almost ticker-tape thing of death, Crane said. And how that was so redolent of the pandemic and seeing those news stories of the number of people who were infected and had died.In person or on a video call, anyway the trio seem like typical London theater-and-the-arts types. Crane looks like, well, a middle-aged Harry Potter. Grylls has short peroxide hair and a Day-Glo Def Leppard sweater. Oosterveen is wearing a Hawaiian shirt on a cold January evening. Their actorliness makes it tempting to suspect that some of the movies most dramatic moments, like an in-game row between Crane and Grylls, were staged. But while they admit they rerecorded a few lines of dialogue to clean up the audio, they deny setting up any events in the game just for their movie.The argument actually did happen, Grylls said. It happened in real life the day before because it was my birthday, and hed missed my birthday, and I said to him, when we went to bed, You are an arsehole, basically. And then in the morning I woke up and he was on the fucking game. So actually, that was real. I jumped into the game and I said, Where are you? Its 7:30 in the morning, youre already in this game, the only way Im going to talk to you is to go in the game. She said she was worried about Oosterveens obsessive game-playing, too, but he shrugs it off. I literally had no responsibilities, he said. I was full goblin mode.For all that Grand Theft Hamlet is a comedy of contrasts, the trio ended up with a feeling that video games and theater have a lot in common.I think that they are so similar, Grylls said. Think about it: They are live spaces where things unfold and anything could happen. And its about pretending to be something youre not.Gaming can often be a test of empathy, Oosterveen said. If youre playing a game and the lead character is nothing like you, it can be very interesting, because then you are seeing things from their perspective. [] I think a lot of people are actors without realizing it, because theyre playing Baldurs Gate 3, or theyre playing Mass Effect, and theyre basically making the same thought processes and choices that an actor makes.That element of chaos in the game, I think, is so inherently theatrical, Crane said. For me, I want to try and hold on to this when I go back and do theater normally. To try and keep an element of that absolute chaos and carnage. Because thats really fun and exciting.Grand Theft Hamlet is in theaters now.

AI & economic pressures lead to an inevitable futureone where Designers do more while PMs & Engineers disappear.Continue reading on UX Collective

We may earn a commission from links on this page. Deal pricing and availability subject to change after time of publication.The Microsoft Surface Pro 11 is a tablet/laptop hybrid that came out last summer and quickly rose to become one of the best laptops for college students, even in 2025. It is sleek and has a long battery life, and its comfort and ease of use as a tablet make it great to be hands-on. You can get it for $879.99 (originally $1,199.99), $3 off the lowest price it has ever been since its 2024 release, according to price-tracking tools. Microsoft Surface Pro 11 (2024) $879.99 at Amazon $1,199.99 Save $320.00 Get Deal Get Deal $879.99 at Amazon $1,199.99 Save $320.00 Last year, Microsoft unveiled a new lineup of Surface computers included in its Copilot+ PC Windows AI lineup, which Microsoft claims are faster than the new M3 MacBooks. It runs the Snapdragon X Elite and Plus chip and comes with all the Copilot+ PC perks. Here is how Senior Tech Editor Jake Peterson described the Surface Pro:If you're looking for a machine with a detachable tablet, that's the Surface Pro. The latest 2-in-1 Surface comes in an optional 13-inch OLED configuration, with an ultrawide camera, two USB-4 ports, Wi-Fi 7, and support for outputting to up to three external 4K displays. Notably, you can actually replace many of the parts of the Surface Pro, including the motherboard, battery, and cameras. (What year is this?) Finally, the new Surface Flex Keyboard actually works while detached, so you don't need to physically connect it to the display in order to type.Lifehacker tech writer David Nield got his hands on one of these Surface Pro 11 and called it "almost the perfect tablet/laptop hybrid" in his review. I've been a loyal customer of the Surface Pro tablets for many years and can attest to their user-friendliness, reliability, and performance. I love being able to use my hands when needed, and turn it into a tablet when using the stylus to take notes, sign documents, or just sketch. You'll get a 13-inch touch LCD display, 16GB of RAM, and 512GB of storage. Keep in mind you'll still need to buy the keyboard and stylus separately.

Temperature is a crucial aspect of grilling. Whether youre searing steaks and burgers or slow smoking brisket, you need an accurate reading of both your grills heat levels and the internal temperature of your food. There are tons of options, from instant-read thermometers to probe-based devices that keep tabs on your cook the entire time. Of the latter, some are wired and some are wireless, and the lack of cords criss-crossing your grates can be a real upgrade. Wireless grilling probes arent new, but they are for a big name in grill thermometers that only launched one this year. ThermoWorks, the company behind the popular Thermapen, finally debuted its take on wireless temperature tracking with the RFX Meat ($159). For the sake of supreme accuracy, the company takes a different approach than many of its competitors, giving both backyard and commercial grill masters a reliable and versatile sous chef. The RFX technology ThermoWorks RFX series relies on sub-GHz radio frequency (RF) wireless tech instead of solely using Bluetooth. This enables 1,500 feet of line-of-sight range between the probe and the receiver, although youll likely want to keep the latter close to your grill just to be safe. Like previous ThermoWorks probe-based grilling thermometer sets, there are magnets on the back of the probes charging cradle and receiver, so theyll stick on a cool side of your grill with ease. The RF signal is strong enough to consistently beam though the thick walls of an offset smoker or the confines of a Dutch oven even when it's inside the grill. Beyond the wireless tech, ThermoWorks offers some key features that stack up well with the wireless probe competition. For example, by charging the RFX Meat probe in its skinny charging block for just 10 minutes, youll get up to 52 hours of cook time. The Gateway receiver provides the necessary Wi-Fi connectivity that allows you to monitor the grill remotely from anywhere. It also can connect to up to 70 wireless probes at once, which makes it suitable for commercial environments. The RFX Meat is IP69K rated, so its dishwasher safe and built for deep frying and sous vide cooking. The probe can also withstand temperatures up to 1,000 degrees Fahrenheit, which means you can use it to precisely monitor steaks during a high-heat sear. Lastly, the RFX Gateway supports ThermoWorks Billows BBQ temperature control fan. This device turns smokers offset, ceramic, barrel or drum into smart grills by maintaining the desired temperature. Billows gets temperature updates from the Pro-Series Air Probe via the RFX receiver. Its great when you prefer to use wood or charcoal for low-and-slow cooking instead of a pellet grill and still want a slightly hands-off workflow. The RFX starter kit and standalone options Since you need both the RFX Meat and the RFX Gateway to get started, the best initial option is to get one of ThermoWorks bundles. Dubbed the RFX Starter Kit, this package includes the Gateway receiver and the wireless probe. It also includes a Pro-Series Air Probe for ambient grill temperatures, a grate clip, charger (for the Gateway) and colored probe rings. The company gives you the choice of one, two or four-probe bundles, all of which will save you money over buying each item separately. They currently cost $159, $239 and $349 respectively, but ThermoWorks notes these are the introductory lowest price, so I expect everything to get slightly more expensive soon. If you really need to purchase the RFX Meat or RFX Gateway separately if you lose one or encounter some other culinary tragedy the wireless probe is $89 while the receiver is $79. Again, those are initial prices that I anticipate will go up. Using the RFX Meat on the grill Billy Steele for Engadget The RFX Meat is the fourth ThermoWorks product Ive tested. Ive used two models of the Thermapen instant-read thermometers as well as the Smoke X. The Thermapen One remains a kitchen and patio staple at my house, especially for checking the internal temperatures of meat and fish. Im consistently amazed by how the company builds devices that are reliable, easy to use and highly accurate. All three of those traits also apply to the RFX duo. Like some of the competition, ThermoWorks put multiple sensors in the shaft of the probe. Those four components give you a more accurate reading for the internal temperature of your food within 0.9 degrees. The company opted for the separate, wired Pro-Series ambient temperature probe that plugs into the RFX Gateway receiver for keeping tabs on the grill. There are a couple of benefits to this. First, the separate probe moves the sensor away from your meat, so that the initial cool zone or evaporation around larger cuts of meat doesnt skew your readings. Second, you have the freedom to move the probe around since its not attached to the main wireless device. Even if your grill has a built-in sensor inside the cooking chamber, ThermoWorks Pro-Series option is a good secondary sanity check because most grill companies dont position their probes level with the cooking grates where food sits. The RFX system provided a consistent connection during my test sessions, which included an all-day, low-and-slow smoke for a pork butt and a quicker, three-hour cook for my Thanksgiving turkey. I didnt experience any drop-outs, and in the case of that bird, I was able to keep the RFX Meat probe in place during the rest phase. This was crucial since I pulled the turkey off the grill at 160 degrees Fahrenheit in the breast, so I needed to make sure that it hit 165 with carryover cooking before I carved it up. ThermoWorks ThermoWorks app wont win any design awards, but it gets the job done. Frankly, Ill take reliability and ease of use over aesthetic polish any day. There are plenty of grilling apps that look better but dont work as well, and when youre trying to cook a $100 brisket, any source of uncertainty can be stressful. Similar to the competition, ThermoWorks app lets you set high and low alarms for any of the probes, and you can also choose how often the app updates its readings. This means that when youre searing a steak, you can track every degree, but for longer cooks you can opt for three-degree intervals. RFX sends updates based on temperature changes, not time, so youll want to give this some attention. True grilling nerds will also appreciate temperature graphs and the ability to add notes as needed. The company recently added an Advanced Mode that plots temperature data for all four internal RFX Meat sensors on a graph. Each line is a different color, giving you an in-depth look at changes over time during the entire session. One of the first things I noticed about the apps main (Devices) screen is that a carousel of the companys products and cooking tips appears by default. This was off-putting to me, taking up space in an area where I just wanted my valuable cooking data. Thankfully, you can hide that box, and Im sure I won't be alone in desiring to do so. The competition There are a few companies that make wireless grilling probes, but the brand Ive spent the most time with is Meater. The Traeger-owned company has several different options with the Meater Pro ($99.95), formerly the Meater 2 Pro, being the best Bluetooth tool for most backyard cooks. It has multiple sensors for internal meat temperatures as well as an embedded ambient sensor on the opposite end. The Meater Pro is extremely durable and can withstand both high-heat searing and deep frying. Its also dishwasher safe like the RFX Meat, which is a big perk. If you want Wi-Fi built in though, youll need to splurge for the two-probe Pro Duo, which is $100 more. Meaters app also provides estimated completion times, which is nice to have, but the guesses are not always accurate. Wrap-up Meater 2 Plus and RFX went head-to-head on my Thanksgiving turkey. Billy Steele for Engadget ThermoWorks initial RFX bundle is a reliable and simple way to keep tabs on your grill without standing right in front of it. The devices ensure that youre cooking at the correct temperature and that you achieve the exact doneness you desire. I like the separate wired ambient probe for the RFX gateway for its increased accuracy, and its easy enough to route the cable out of the way. Sure, the RFX starter kit is more expensive than the likes of the Meater Pro, but ThermoWorks has already confirmed that more products that work with the Gateway are coming soon. The company does need to deliver on its promise to offer an offline mode via Bluetooth quickly though, so grillers who arent in range of a Wi-Fi network can still use the RFX to cook. But having both is a key advantage over some of the companys rivals. And no matter how you connect to it, the RFX starter kit is further proof why chefs and pitmasters rely on ThermoWorks accuracy for their cooking needs. The company simply does not miss.This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/home/kitchen-tech/thermoworks-rfx-review-a-wireless-grilling-tool-with-unparalleled-accuracy-140056393.html?src=rss

Donut Lab recently showcased the next generation of its in-wheel motor technology that has the potential to change the EV game.

A month after announcing its first funding round and debut insurance product, Stand is seeing a huge surge in interest due to the LA wildfires.

Millions of TikTok users in the United States are no longer able to watch videos onthe social media platformas a federal ban on the immensely popular app takes effect.The companys app was removed Saturday evening from prominent app stores, including the ones operated by Apple and Google, while its website told users that the short-form video platform was no longer available. The blackout began just hours before the law took effect.Users opening the TikTok app on Saturday encountered a pop-up message preventing them from scrolling videos that read, Sorry, TikTok isnt available right now.A law banning TikTok has been enacted in the U.S., the message said. Unfortunately that means you cant use TikTok for now.We are fortunate that President Trump has indicated that he will work with us on a solution to reinstate TikTok once he takes office, the notice continued, in a reference to President-elect Donald Trumps pledge to save the platform. The company told its users to stay tuned.The only option the message gives to U.S. users is to close the app or click another option leading them to the platforms website. There, users are shown the same message and given the option to download their data, an action TikTok previously said may take days to process.Before the announcement went out, TikTok said in another message to users that its service would be temporarily unavailable and the company was working to restore its U.S. service as soon as possible. But how long the platform will remain dark is unclear.Apple said in a statement on its website that TikTok and ByteDance apps were no longer available in the U.S., while visitors to the country could have limited access. Apple is obligated to follow the laws in the jurisdictions where it operates, the company said.If you already have these apps installed on your device, they will remain on your device. But they cant be redownloaded if deleted or restored if you move to a new device. In-app purchases and new subscriptions are no longer possible, the statement said, adding that the change could impact performance, security and compatibility with future versions of iOS and iPadOS.TikTok CEO Shou Chew posted a video thanking Trump for his commitment to work with the company to keep the app available in the U.S. and a strong stand for the First Amendment and against arbitrary censorship.We are grateful and pleased to have the support of a president who truly understands our platform. One who has used talk to express his own thoughts and perspectives, connecting with the world and generating more than 60 billion views of his content in the process, Chew said.In an interview with NBC News on Saturday, President-elect Donald Trump said he was thinking about giving TikTok a 90-day extension that would allow them to continue operating. If such an extension happens, Trumpwho once favored a TikTok ban aid it would probably be announced Monday, the day that he is sworn in as president. TikTok CEO Shou Chew is expected to attendTrumpsinauguration with a prime seating location.In Washington, lawmakers and administration officials have long raised concerns about the app, which they see as a national security threat due to its Chinese ownership. TikTok is owned by ByteDance, a technology company based in Beijing that operates the well-known video editing apps CapCut and Lemon8, both of which were also unavailable for service on Saturday evening.The federal law required ByteDance to cut ties with TikTok by Sunday or face a nationwide ban. The statute was passed by Congress in April after it was included as part of ahigh-priority $95 billion packagethat provided foreign aid to Ukraine and Israel. President Joe Bidenquickly signed it, and then TikTok and ByteDance quickly sued on First Amendment grounds.While defending the law in court, the Biden administration argued it was concerned about TikTok collecting vast swaths of U.S. user data that could fall into the hands of the Chinese government through coercion.Officials have also warned the algorithm that fuels what users see on the app is vulnerable to manipulation by Chinese authorities, who can use it to shape content on the platform in a way thats difficult to detect. But to date, the U.S. has not publicly provided evidence of TikTok handing user data to Chinese authorities or tinkering with its algorithm to benefit Chinese interests.The Supreme Court unanimously decided on Friday the risk to national security posed by TikToks ties to China overcomes concerns about limiting speech by the app or its 170 million users in the United States.After TikToks service started going dark, some in China slammed the U.S. and accused it of suppressing the popular app. In a post on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, Hu Xijin, a former editor-in-chief for the Chinese Communist Party-run newspaper Global Times, said TikToks announcement to halt services in America marks the darkest moment in the development of the internet.A country that claims to have the most freedom of speech has carried out the most brutal suppression of an internet application, said Hu, who is now a political commentator. TikTok does not operate in China, where ByteDance instead offers Douyin, the Chinese sibling of TikTok that follows Beijings strict censorship rules.After the court ruling, both White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre and Deputy Attorney General Lisa Monaco said the Biden administration would leave the laws implementation to President-elect Donald Trump given that his inauguration falls the day after the ban takes effect.But TikTok said on Friday evening it will be forced to go dark if the administration doesnt provide a definitive statement to the companies, such as Apple, Google, and Oracle, that deliver its service in the U.S.White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre called TikToks demand a stunt and said there was no reason for TikTok or other companies to take actions in the next few days before the Trump administration takes office. But despite those statements from the administration, confusion lingered about what would happen until TikTok began blocking its service.Under the law, mobile app stores are barred from offering TikTok, and internet hosting services are prohibited from delivering the service to American users. Violators could incur fines of up to $5,000 for each user who continues to access TikTok, meaning penalties the companies could face if they continue offering TikTok could total a large sum.As written, experts said the law does not require TikTok to take down its platform, so its unclear if the company voluntarily shut it down or was unable to continue the service after losing access to support from its tech providers. The company did not respond to questions sent this week about its plans.The statute allows the sitting president to extend the deadline by 90 days if a sale is in progress. But no clear buyers have emerged, and ByteDance has previously said it wont sell TikTok.On Saturday, artificial intelligence startup Perplexity AI submitted a proposal to ByteDance to create a new entity that merges Perplexity with TikTok U.S. business, according to a person familiar with the matter.Perplexity is not asking to purchase the ByteDance algorithm that feeds TikTok users videos based on their interests and has made the platform such a phenomenon.Other investors have also been eyeing TikTok. Shark Tank star Kevin OLeary recently said a consortium of investors that he and billionaire Frank McCourt put together offered ByteDance $20 billion in cash. Trumps Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin also said last year that he was putting together an investor group to buy TikTok.Haleluya Hadero, Associated PressAssociated Press writer Kanis Leung contributed to this story from Hong Kong.

Nelumbo Restaurant by Thilina LiyanageIf theres one thing the internet has done a great job of, its helping new talent shine. Optimized for engagement, the algorithms have somehow figured out what humans will spend more time looking at, and as a result, its introduced us to a lot of new things both good and bad. Weve curated some of the good we saw in the past year, compiling a list of designers whose journey last year has led us to believe theyre onto something big.This curated lineup is meant to energize your imagination and offer a glimpse into designs boldest frontiers. Each name brims with fearless thinking that sparks conversation and inspires reflection on whats possible. Their work crosses boundaries between art, utility, and emotion, proving that the future thrives where creativity, sustainability, and human-centered sensibilities dance together in perfectsometimes eccentricharmony. Lets just say that even with the rise of AI tools, the future of design is in good hands1. Colby Geary (ForgeCore)Colby Gearys tapped into social media in a way that should envy all designers. Armed with nothing but a 3D printer and endless creativity, Geary (better known by his IG handle forgecoreco) is creating some of the most gorgeous nature-inspired 3D printed products. From Cactus toothpick holders to Monstera coasters, Geary has amassed nearly a million followers in a little over a year.His style is best described as putting the fun in functional. Geary has a unique way of looking at the world around him, and turning existing motifs and natural species into fun, reinterpreted products that delight. Bamboo shoot pens, succulent thumbtacks, lotus beer-can holders; Geary has a way of putting a creative spin on everything he sees. The best part? All his files/designs are up for grabs for free because he doesnt believe in gate-keeping.2. Nervous System (Jessica Rosenkrantz & Jesse Louis-Rosenberg)Nervous System operates at the fascinating intersection of biology, mathematics, and digital fabrication, where Jessica Rosenkrantz and Jesse Louis-Rosenberg conjure designs that seem more grown than made. Their work, inspired by natural processes like cellular division and coral growth, redefines the way we approach form and structure. Using algorithmic tools of their own creation, they produce objects that feel alive, pulsing with organic complexity and technical mastery.From intricately 3D-printed jewelry to experimental furniture and lighting, Nervous Systems portfolio blurs the line between art and science. Their ability to transform abstract biological patterns into functional, tangible designs speaks to a level of innovation that challenges traditional design methods. Each piece tells a story of discovery, translating the unseen rhythms of nature into works that captivate both the eyes and the intellect.3. Studio Drift (Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta)Studio Drift, helmed by Lonneke Gordijn and Ralph Nauta, operates like alchemists of the modern era, fusing technology with the ethereal beauty of nature. Their installations defy the limits of conventional design, using robotics, light, and motion to evoke profound emotional responses. Each creation feels like a living, breathing entity, whether its a flock of kinetic drones mimicking birds in flight or glowing glass structures that pulse like organic organisms.What sets Studio Drift apart is their ability to harmonize the precision of engineering with the poetic unpredictability of nature. Their work isnt just meant to be observed; its designed to be felt. By exploring themes like connectivity, fragility, and our evolving relationship with the environment, they craft immersive experiences that challenge perceptions and spark dialogue about the intersection of humanity, technology, and the natural world.4. Love HultnLove Hultn is a Swedish designer who seamlessly blends retro aesthetics with cutting-edge technology, crafting objects that feel like portals to an alternate timeline. Known for his handcrafted work in wood, Hultn specializes in transforming everyday electronicslike gaming consoles, speakers, and synthesizersinto heirloom-quality pieces that exude warmth and nostalgia. His designs often feel like they belong in a 1970s sci-fi film, merging analog charm with digital innovation.What sets Hultn apart is his obsessive attention to detail and his ability to inject a sense of playfulness into high-end craftsmanship. Each piece, whether a portable arcade or a modular synthesizer, is as much a piece of art as it is a functional object. By combining traditional woodworking techniques with modern technology, Hultn creates pieces that bridge the gap between past and future, delighting both design enthusiasts and tech aficionados.5. Pablo RochatPablo Rochat operates as a one-man creative powerhouse, disrupting the norms of digital media with his sharp wit and unconventional ideas. Known for his viral concepts and playful experiments across social platforms, Rochat transforms everyday objects and experiences into quirky, shareable moments. His work doesnt conform to any single mediumit dances between art, design, advertising, and pure mischief, often leaving audiences both surprised and inspired.What makes Rochats creative vision remarkable is his ability to find brilliance in simplicity. Whether its a clever guerrilla-style marketing campaign or an offbeat digital artwork, his creations exude a raw energy that challenges the status quo. By consistently pushing boundaries and finding humor in the mundane, Rochat proves that creativity isnt just about making something beautifulits about making people stop, think, and smile.6. Lautaro LuceroLautaro Lucero is an industrial designer based in Buenos Aires, Argentina, whose work exemplifies a harmonious blend of form and function. His portfolio showcases a diverse range of products, each reflecting a commitment to minimalist aesthetics and practical utility. Notable projects include the Curvo Stool, a sleek seating solution that combines metal and wood elements for a modern yet timeless appeal, and the Wooden Desk Clock, a minimalist timepiece crafted from solid walnut, cherry, or maple wood, emphasizing clean lines and natural materials.Luceros design philosophy extends to sustainability, as seen in his Wabo handboards, which repurpose old 3D printing prototypes into functional surf accessories, demonstrating an innovative approach to recycling materials. His collaboration on the Sense Glass Collection for OREA highlights his ability to create sensory-enhancing products, with hand-blown borosilicate glassware designed to elevate the experience of enjoying specialty coffee. Through these endeavors, Lucero establishes himself as a designer who not only values aesthetic simplicity but also prioritizes environmental consciousness and user experience.7. Hassan RagabHassan Ragab stands at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into architectural design, pioneering a new visual language that fuses technology with artistic expression. With a background in architecture and computational design, Ragab employs AI tools like Midjourney, DALLE 2, and Stable Diffusion to generate conceptual art that challenges traditional design paradigms. His work delves into the symbiotic relationship between art, architecture, and technology, producing intricate designs that transcend conventional boundaries.Ragabs AI-generated creations have garnered international recognition, leading to exhibitions and collaborations across major cities such as Los Angeles, New York, and Paris. His approach emphasizes the harmonious integration of technology with cultural and humanistic elements, aiming to raise awareness of their synergy. By exploring the potential of AI in design, Ragab not only expands the horizons of architectural aesthetics but also invites a broader conversation about the future role of artificial intelligence in creative disciplines.8. Raw-Edges Design StudioRaw-Edges Design Studio, founded by duo Yael Mer and Shay Alkalay, thrives on transforming everyday objects into playful, tactile experiences. Their approach is defined by a curious exploration of materials and techniques, resulting in designs that surprise and delight with their vibrant colors, unexpected forms, and interactive qualities. From furniture to installations, their work often carries an element of movement or modularity, inviting users to engage and adapt the pieces to their needs.What makes Raw-Edges truly unique is their knack for storytelling through design. Whether its a cabinet that unravels like a ribbon or a series of gradient-dyed wooden pieces, their creations feel like living entities that evolve with the spaces they inhabit. By merging functionality with a sense of wonder, Raw-Edges consistently challenges conventions, creating designs that are as emotionally resonant as they are visually striking.9. Thilina LiyanageThilina Liyanage is a visionary designer renowned for his imaginative architectural concepts that seamlessly blend natural forms with built environments. His work often draws inspiration from flora and fauna, resulting in structures that mimic the elegance of lotus flowers, orchids, and various animals. By employing materials like interwoven bamboo, Liyanage creates designs that not only pay homage to nature but also promote sustainability and harmony with the surroundings.What makes Liyanages style remarkable is his ability to challenge conventional architectural norms, pushing the boundaries of what buildings can and should look like. His animal-shaped structures, such as the elephant-shaped safari observation deck, serve as functional spaces while simultaneously acting as monumental art pieces. These designs encourage a reimagining of architecture as a medium that can embody the beauty and intricacy of the natural world, fostering a deeper connection between occupants and their environment.10. Eslam MohamedEslam Mohamed is an international, high-end art director and 3D digital creator whose work masterfully blends classical artistry with modern technology. His portfolio showcases a range of projects, including collaborations with brands like Zotac and MSI Gaming, where he has developed compelling 3D digital campaigns. Notably, Mohamed has gained attention for his conceptual designs that infuse Baroque aesthetics into contemporary tech accessories. For instance, his Baroque wireless mouse concept transforms a standard peripheral into an ornate piece of art, featuring intricate floral carvings and an oxidized silver finish.Beyond his Baroque-inspired designs, Mohameds personal projects demonstrate his innovative approach to design. In House of Numbers, he reimagines numerical figures as tangible 3D objects, transforming them into modern interior elements that play with light and shadow. His Brands Mug project further exemplifies his creativity, where he designs unique mugs that encapsulate the essence of various brands through distinct materials and colors. Mohameds interpretation of aesthetics in modern design is definitely worth watching out for. He isnt afraid of some good old maximalism and intricacy, and letting his creativity stop at nothing.The post Top 10 Innovative Designers and Studios to Watch in 2025 first appeared on Yanko Design.

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I pit the two creative programs against each other.