Of all the unique product designs that have come about in our modern lifetime this one stands out for its quirky style and simple structure. This is the work of a German design student, Alice Gruhle, who, having been inspired by the world of Origami and Lego has created a lamp that can adapt into different sculptural shapes. It is bendable and fits together just like a Lego!

Grule entered a competition at Hochschule für Gestaltung Offenbach and to her surprise she won, with her Polymorph design concept using diamond shaped modules that are linked together and allows for it to fold at the joins. Jörg Müller, part of Protomold, gave some helpful advice on manufacturing the product with the US, Germany, Japan and other European countries. Grule used the concept for her end of term show, using modules linked together that were made from milled polypropylene sheets.

The Electrolux Design Lab competition this month threw up some interesting, if a little scary, technological ideas.

First prize went to Cocoon, 27-year-old design student Rickard Hederstierna’s new invention which ‘grows’ meat and fish from a pre-mixed food packet containing muscle cells, oxygen and nutrients.

The Star Trek-esque idea was billed as having the potential to tackle the world’s impending food crisis, as well as meaning less animals being slaughtered.

It’s a controversial idea, and not one that everyone’s going to be comfortable with. But the food developed would have the make-up and the nutrients of real meat.

Equally fascinating was the sun lounger that cleans your clothes for you while you sit back and relax. It runs negative ions through the grass on its surface, which prompts self-cleaning chemicals in the clothes.