From revolutionary tech-driven creations to visionary collaborations, these five projects stood out this year for their boldness, creativity, and impact. Today, D5 MAG is spotlighting the top industrial design innovations defining 2024. Each one represents a leap forward, pushing the limits of design to improve functionality and inspire new ways of experiencing the world around us.
Amazon’s Kindle Colorsoft
Amazon‘s newest Kindle has made headlines across the web for its groundbreaking innovation, Kindle Colorsoft. Its 7-inch screen, designed for reading in color and equipped with a bright LED display, provides a vibrant and improved reading experience, making text and comics more engaging. One of the updates that booklovers enjoy with this innovative e-reader is the variety of four different colors to highlight passages in the book—making it easier to organize your annotations and review them later.
Bad Bunny’s Off-White/Black Gum Gazelle Sneakers
Bad Bunny’s latest sneaker design for the iconic adidas Gazelle has, hands down, become one of the most popular sneakers this year. Its minimalistic design combines classy neutral hues with some creative twists. Bad Bunny’s Off-White/Black Gum Gazelle Indoors design is enhanced with the use of a multitude different materials—from beige suede to brown gum—it makes these sneakers one of the most anticipated releases of this year.
C Seed N1 Luxury TV
C Seed N1 Luxury TV reimagines the implementation of technology into our living spaces. With its foldable design, this TV redefines the boundaries of integrating tech innovations into home decor. With a gentle touch, the N1 TV rises gracefully to a height of three meters, with its five MicroLED panels unfolding like the petals of a blooming flower in just 45 seconds. The screen comes alive with 64 billion colors, providing an ultra-high resolution that will transform any living room. However, the most innovative aspect of the design is its ability to fold into an elegant minimalist piece of furniture that takes up very little space when you’re not watching TV.
Project G-Class Past II Future by Mercedes-Benz, Moncler & NIGO
NIGO’s creation is the second art piece to emerge from the collaboration between Mercedes-Benz and Moncler. Like the PROJECT MONDO G, launched at Moncler’s The Art of Genius show in London in February 2023, this art piece merges the distinctively quilted aesthetic of the Moncler puffer jacket with the unmistakable edginess of the G-Class.
This limited-edition G-Class and capsule collection mark the debut products from this exciting collaboration, celebrating the 45th anniversary of the G-Class. The Mercedes-Benz G-Class Past II Future draws inspiration from NIGO’s one-off art piece, featuring a two-tone green and grey exterior, classic checkered upholstery, and a rear-mounted spare wheel with the collaboration logo. This new edition highlights the G-Class’s timeless appeal and ability to evolve with modern lifestyles.
Jordan I Mid Subway: Tribute to NYC’S Unsung Heroes
The Jordan Wings Design Program, launched in 2015 to expand educational opportunities, unveiled the Jordan I Mid Subway this year, designed by NYC students as a tribute to the MTA staff, the city’s unsung heroes. Over six weeks, over 130 high school students from cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Philadelphia worked with the Jordan Brand team to create Air Jordan I designs inspired by the theme of “role models,” with only one winner chosen for production.
At first glance, the limited-edition Air Jordan 1 Mid may resemble other gray Jordan sneakers, but its unique details set it apart. The toe features the phrase “Always Go Forward,” honoring the resilience of NYC transit crews, while “Thank You For All You Do” appears on the tongue’s backside as a tribute to their dedication. The quarter panel displays the ironic “Do Not Lean On The Doors,” and “WINGS” is inscribed on the heel in MTA-style lettering, adding a playful nod to the collaboration.
