Magical Lyricism

Serbian industrial designer Branko Lukic came up with an unusual concept for his four-person design consultancy based in Palo Alto. NonObject began as a book proposal in which he detailed “out-there” concepts for radical new products. “Jules Verne wrote about a submarine before such a thing existed, and that inspired people to actually create one,” Lukic says. Now he’s attempting to be the Verne of products with his own “design fiction” ideas, including a line of MP3 players that look like organically shaped pebbles, each one slightly different in form. His Tarati cell phone design has holes for dialing instead of keys. “I’m trying to make objects that will touch people,” he says. “I didn’t ask any expert in ergonomics, or any expert from anthropology or sociology. I just went and created a phone without a mechanical keypad or touchscreen. It’s more magical.” In 2008, the firm is planning to produce its latest innovation, the Webble, a wheeled footrest that exercises the feet. It’s still early days for NonObject, but Lukic’s intention is to use his years of experience within consultancies such as IDEO to put the soul back into technology. More of his concepts can be seen at nonobject.com.

Pebble. These MP3 players are designed to look like sea-polished rocks.
CUin5. This mobile phone has no screen; instead it has keypads on all sides.
Webble. A footrest that promotes wellness in the workplace.
Tarati. A prototype of a cell phone that uses holes rather than buttons for dialing.


Taken from the January 2008 issue of our sister publication, California Home + Design. For more than a decade, CH+D has informed, celebrated and inspired the nation's most influential home and design market. Subscribe now.