Function with Feeling
Author Béatrice Lorans
This month, I’m celebrating objects that shift from standard to special by placing identity, adaptability and delight at the heart of their design.
Whether it’s a moped that morphs to your lifestyle or a router you actually want to look at, these projects reimagine function through the lens of personal meaning. Thoughtful, inventive, and sometimes playful, they prove that beauty and utility aren’t mutually exclusive.
Here’s what caught my attention…
Customisable Electric moped by Teenage Engineering x Vässla
The EPA1 Scooter is Vässla’s first release, shaped in collaboration with Teenage Engineering to support modern city life with a sense of joy. Its name, “En Passar Alla”, translates to “one fits all”, and the design holds true to that promise.
With multiple attachment points and swappable body panels, the scooter offers countless personalisation options. There are two battery sizes, two performance modes, and plenty of space for baskets, panniers or a second seat. Every choice has been considered to serve real needs, while keeping things light, clever and functional.
Vibrant WiFi by Korea telecom
Hands up… who keeps their WiFi router on display? Thought so. But the Vibrant WiFi router project flips that instinct entirely. Designed with a clean, sculptural base and a library of interchangeable skins, it turns a forgettable bit of tech into something you’d actually want to show off.
Created with artists, designers and brands, the skins range from warm wood and smooth ceramics to glowing glass and graphic prints. It’s a subtle but brilliant rethink of a daily object, made more joyful, more expressive, and more at home in your space.
The city is a playground by Eric Treillard
This one lit me up. A student project with real-world soul, ‘The City Is A Playground’ is a mobile streetball kit that turns any patch of pavement into a pop-up court. Designed by Eric Treillard, it packs everything you need into a wheeled trolley: hoop, ball, speaker, lamps, water container…
The design removes barriers and invites play anywhere, anytime – no booking, no signage, no waiting for your turn. Just show up, set up, and go. I love how it gives young people ownership over their space and their sport, with an edge that feels exciting rather than instructional.
Rebranding by Skintruth x TooGallus
The Skintruth rebrand offers a bold repositioning for a well-used beauty line. Too Gallus helped move the brand from wholesale into direct-to-consumer territory, with a science-led identity and flexible new tone.
Since the products serve professionals and students alike, the shift required careful consideration. The identity had to guide inexperienced users as effectively as it appealed to seasoned practitioners. The result feels clean, modern and confident, with enough clarity to carry across everything from treatment rooms to personal routines.
