camera design | designboom.com https://www.designboom.com/tag/camera-design/ designboom magazine | your first source for architecture, design & art news Tue, 17 Feb 2026 13:29:45 +0000 en-US hourly 1 vintage film roll flips into miniature and functional digital camera https://www.designboom.com/technology/vintage-film-roll-miniature-functional-digital-camera-opt/ Fri, 13 Feb 2026 23:01:15 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1177768 sized at 35mm, the film cartridge can fit into a pocket, small bag, or even hang as an accessory.

The post vintage film roll flips into miniature and functional digital camera appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
Miniature digital cameras inside retro film rolls

 

The OPT100 NeoFilm 100 by Opt! brings back vintage film rolls by making the rear part into miniature and functional digital cameras. Sized at 35mm, the cartridge device can fit into a pocket or small bag or even hang as an accessory. Colorways such as Yellow and Black, Multi, and White and Orange reinforce the retro reference, and these combinations are also seen in the graphic language of analog packaging. The film roll digital camera may be miniature, but it can still capture images at 3760 x 2128 resolution and record a full HD video at 1920 x 1080 (30fps). It stores the files on a microSDHC card of up to 32GB, which users can connect to a reader to transfer files.

film roll digital camera
all images courtesy of Opt!, via Rakuten and Sincere Store

 

 

silicone-looking barrel as the device’s case

 

Over time, designs from the past catch their second wind, as the current generation stumbles upon them and tries to bring them back. It’s the same case for the OPT100 NeoFilm 100, which steers away from holding bulky smartphones in hands. The device fits two fingers, and the small display at the back already reflects the retro filters that apps and social media platforms offer. The lens is positioned at the center of the film roll digital camera, and near it is the sensor, almost invisible with its size.

 

Just above the sensor lies the tiny flash. Wrapped around the film roll digital camera is the retro design of the skin, and from the images, users may be able to peel them off. The shutter button is on the side of the canister, and to protect the device, the brand even includes the silicone-looking barrel, similar to the ones that film rolls had. The miniature digital camera is rechargeable, and users can continuously use it for around an hour. It weighs just around 25 grams, and its proportions are 47 by 25 by 25 millimeters. Looking at it, the film roll digital camera is a familiar reminder of the past, coming back to playfully let users capture images and videos the retro way.

film roll digital camera
the OPT100 NeoFilm 100 by Opt! brings back vintage film rolls as miniature digital cameras

film roll digital camera
there’s a flash just above the sensor

film roll digital camera
a small display at the back

even the skin's designs are retro styled
even the skin’s designs are retro styled

the cartridge device can fit into a pocket, small bag, or even hang as an accessory
the cartridge device can fit into a pocket, small bag, or even hang as an accessory

the gadget can still capture images at 3760 x 2128 resolution
the gadget can still capture images at 3760 x 2128 resolution

 

 

project info:

 

name: OPT100 NeoFilm 100

brand: Opt!

marketplace: Rakuten, Sincere Store

The post vintage film roll flips into miniature and functional digital camera appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
palm-sized retro digital toy camera hooks around belts or bags for portable picture-taking https://www.designboom.com/technology/palm-sized-retro-digital-toy-camera-portable-studio-seven-11-12-2025/ Wed, 12 Nov 2025 11:50:06 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1163811 made by studio seven, the device resembles a toy but is actually functional and can capture images and videos in low resolution.

The post palm-sized retro digital toy camera hooks around belts or bags for portable picture-taking appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
retro digital toy camera takes pictures and videos

 

Studio Seven releases a palm-sized retro digital toy camera that hooks around belts or bags for portable picture- and video-taking.  A means to celebrate its seventh-year anniversary, the device resembles a toy but is actually functional and can capture images and videos the retro way. The camera is compact and lightweight, measuring small enough to fit in the palm of a hand and weighing around 15 grams. Its body is made from molded plastic with a smooth surface finish, and the color design follows the studio’s signature palette, which is orange and white.

 

The lens sits on the front in a simple circular housing, and a small button above it serves as the shutter control. There’s a small viewfinder, and next to it, users press the button to capture images and videos directly. The design takes inspiration from early film cameras, especially compact point-and-shoot models from the late 20th century. But unlike those analog versions, the retro toy camera is digital and stores images and videos on a microSD card. In this way, the stored files can be transferred to a computer using the included USB cable.

retro digital toy camera
all images courtesy of Studio Seven

 

 

Single shutter button refers to disposable cameras in the past

 

Specs-wise, the device can save images with a resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels and AVI video files in 640 x 480 pixels. These settings are basic and designed for casual use, plus the built-in sensor captures color images that are slightly grainy, imitating the visual effect of older film photographs. This gives the output a low-resolution appearance similar to early digital and toy cameras. The device’s body includes a metal keychain ring, which allows it to be attached to bags, belts, or clothing. This makes it possible to carry it easily and use it whenever needed.

 

The package also includes a strap, a USB cable for charging and data transfer, and an instruction manual. The camera does not include any internal memory, so users must insert a microSD card before shooting. A note from the studio that the retro digital toy camera is not waterproof or dustproof, so it is not intended for outdoor use under harsh conditions. The gadget also operates with a single button, meaning one press for photos and a longer press for videos, to keep it simple, similar to a disposable film camera but with the ability to reuse and download images.

retro digital toy camera
Studio Seven releases a palm-sized retro digital toy camera

retro digital toy camera
there’s only a single shutter button

retro digital toy camera
there’s a mini viewfinder, too

retro digital toy camera
sample shot taken by the device

the device can save images with a resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels
the device can save images with a resolution of 1280 x 960 pixels

the visual effect mimics the ones taken by older film photographs
the visual effect mimics the ones taken by older film photographs

 

 

project info:

 

name: Retro Digital Toy Camera

brand: Studio Seven | @seven.official

The post palm-sized retro digital toy camera hooks around belts or bags for portable picture-taking appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
eleven lenses on moon walker camera capture multi-angle animated sequences https://www.designboom.com/design/eleven-lenses-moon-walker-camera-multi-angle-animated-sequences-woodlabo-11-11-2025/ Tue, 11 Nov 2025 04:45:56 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1163308 multiple cameras trigger instantly to record the same moment from different viewpoints.

The post eleven lenses on moon walker camera capture multi-angle animated sequences appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
Moon Walker Multi Cam Captures Motion from eleven Angles

 

Moon Walker Multi Cam by Woodlabo is a photographic installation designed to capture simultaneous images from multiple perspectives. The system employs eleven cameras, each triggered instantaneously from distinct viewpoints, producing a composite animated sequence in Boomerang format.

 

Structurally, Moon Walker features an aluminum internal frame. The upper and lower facets are constructed from birch plywood finished with natural oil, while the front surface is mirror-polished stainless steel. This combination of materials provides both stability and reflective visual quality, contributing to the system’s precise operation and distinctive aesthetic.


all images courtesy of Wild Stories Photobooth

 

 

Woodlabo’s Multi-Camera Installation is Inspired by Cinema

 

Developed by Woodlabo, a design and manufacturing workshop, the project was commissioned for a client in the event planning sector. The installation draws inspiration from the visual language of Close Encounters of the Third Kind, translating cinematic influence into interactive, multi-perspective imaging. Moon Waker Multi Cam captures moments in time from different viewpoints, creating a unique visual spectacle.


Moon Walker Multi Cam captures simultaneous images from multiple angles


eleven cameras trigger instantly to record the same moment from different viewpoints


the system produces a composite animated sequence in Boomerang format


the photographic installation is inspired by the cinematic visuals of Close Encounters of the Third Kind


aluminum forms the internal structural frame of the installation


upper and lower facets are crafted from birch plywood with a natural oil finish

eleven-lenses-moon-walker-camera-multi-angle-animated-sequences-woodlabo-designboom-1800-3

the front surface features mirror-polished stainless steel

 

eleven-lenses-moon-walker-camera-multi-angle-animated-sequences-woodlabo-designboom-1800-4

the combination of materials ensures structural stability


the installation operates with mechanical precision and visual clarity

eleven-lenses-moon-walker-camera-multi-angle-animated-sequences-woodlabo-designboom-1800-2

Moon Walker is developed by Woodlabo, a design and manufacturing workshop

 

 

project info:

 

name: Moon Walker

designer: Woodlabo
design team: Gaël Wuithier, Benoit Beaupuy

client: Wild Stories Photobooth

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post eleven lenses on moon walker camera capture multi-angle animated sequences appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
kodak’s miniature keychain digital ‘charmera’ brings back retro point-and-shoot photography https://www.designboom.com/design/kodak-miniature-keychain-digital-charmera-retro-point-and-shoot-photography-09-11-2025/ Thu, 11 Sep 2025 10:10:34 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1153885 a modern twist on the kodak fling, the device brings back the throwaway cameras of the 1980s.

The post kodak’s miniature keychain digital ‘charmera’ brings back retro point-and-shoot photography appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
Kodak unveils compact and digital Charmera with a keychain

 

Kodak revives the retro point-and-shoot photography and vintage filters with the miniature keychain digital Charmera. A modern twist on the brand’s first signature single-use camera, the KODAK Fling, the device brings back the throwaway cameras from the 1980s, now able to save and transfer photos and videos using a USB-C cable and without using any film rolls. The compact and portable device functions as both a digital camera and a collectible item. It is so small that four of these can fit in the user’s hand.

 

The Kodak digital Charmera with a keychain includes seven different retro-style filters replicating the nostalgic film and vintage photography aesthetics. Alongside these, there are four different Kodak-branded frames that add decorative borders to images and the return of classic photography elements like film sprocket holes or vintage camera branding. A date stamp feature allows users to mark their photos with shooting dates, which is a common feature from film cameras of earlier decades.

kodak’s digital charmera keychain
all images courtesy of Kodak

 

 

 

Retro Device model with transparent shell 

 

Inside the compact case sits a digital image sensor that captures both still photographs and video recordings. The camera processes images through built-in software that applies vintage-style filters and frames automatically. There’s no need for them to develop any film; it is all digital. The Kodak digital Charmera with a keychain also connects to external devices through a USB-C port for file transfers without needing WiFi connections. The device requires a micro SD card to store the images and videos, another feature that now seems unusual in personal gadgets.

 

Kodak offers its digital Charmera with a keychain in seven designs, and one of them comes with a transparent shell so users can partly see the components inside. When they flip the device, a small screen allows them to see the pictures and videos they’ve taken. Another stunt that the brand pulls is the ‘blind box’ selling, meaning users don’t know what kind of design they’re getting until they open the box. Retro photography appeals to the new(er) generation, and Kodak hopes to contribute to the trend through its digital Charmera with a keychain.

kodak’s digital charmera keychain
Kodak revives the retro point-and-shoot photography and vintage filters with the miniature keychain digital Charmera

kodak’s digital charmera keychain
view of the device with keychain

kodak’s digital charmera keychain
it is so small that four of these can fit in the user’s hand

kodak’s digital charmera keychain
Kodak offers its digital Charmera with a keychain in several designs

kodak’s digital charmera keychain
one of the designs comes with a transparent shell so users can partly see the components inside

users don’t know what kind of design they’re getting until they open the box
users don’t know what kind of design they’re getting until they open the box

kodak-miniature-keychain-digital-charmera-camera-retro-point-and-shoot-photography-designboom-ban

the device also connects to external devices through a USB-C port for file transfers

 

project info:

 

name: Charmera

brand: Kodak | @kodakfilm.reto

The post kodak’s miniature keychain digital ‘charmera’ brings back retro point-and-shoot photography appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
sasquatch 617: a panoramic film camera that captures wide, uninterrupted landscapes https://www.designboom.com/design/sasquatch-617-panoramic-film-camera-wide-uninterrupted-landscapes-derek-chiang-ellie-kim-09-02-2025/ Tue, 02 Sep 2025 09:20:58 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1150637 the design balances robust construction with lightweight handling.

The post sasquatch 617: a panoramic film camera that captures wide, uninterrupted landscapes appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
A panoramic camera built to capture uninterrupted landscapes

 

The Sasquatch 617 is a panoramic, medium-format film camera developed by industrial designer Derek Chiang in collaboration with industrial and graphic designer Ellie Kim. The project responds to the challenge of capturing wide, uninterrupted landscapes beyond the limits of standard photographic framing.

 

Unlike stitched digital panoramas, which reconstruct scenes from multiple images, the Sasquatch 617 produces a continuous photograph, making it suited for dynamic environments with movement, such as trees in the wind or breaking waves.


all images courtesy of Derek Chiang and Ellie Kim

 

 

Sasquatch 617 expands the limits of panoramic photography

 

The camera is constructed with a 304 stainless steel exterior frame combined with 3D printed polycarbonate components. With a lens attached, the system weighs approximately 1kg. Functional features include a focusing ring, a rear door panel for full access, and manual film advance knobs. Optional accessories extend usability and include a magnetically attached viewfinder, a magnetically attached shutter release cable, and a protective lens cover.

 

The Sasquatch 617 model is designed as a robust tool for outdoor use while maintaining precision in construction and operation. Pre-orders will be available on Kickstarter in September 2025, with shipping planned for late December.


built to capture uninterrupted landscapes


shot on Sasquatch 617 | Kodak Ektar 100


shot on Sasquatch 617 | Kodak Gold 200


shot on Sasquatch 617 | Kodak Portra 400

sasquatch-617-panoramic-film-camera-designboom-1800-3

avoids the stitching required in digital panoramas


constructed with a 304 stainless steel frame


uses 3D printed polycarbonate components

sasquatch-617-panoramic-film-camera-designboom-1800-2

balances robust construction with lightweight handling


all components


camera parts sketch

 

project info:

 

name: Sasquatch 617
designer: Derek Chiang, Ellie Kim

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post sasquatch 617: a panoramic film camera that captures wide, uninterrupted landscapes appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
waves camera glasses for content creators record, clip, and stream to any platform https://www.designboom.com/design/waves-camera-glasses-content-creators-bould-design-08-24-2025/ Sun, 24 Aug 2025 11:10:07 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1146220 a discreet 12MP camera is integrated below the nose bridge, enabling natural, uninhibited interaction while recording.

The post waves camera glasses for content creators record, clip, and stream to any platform appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
Waves All-Day Camera Glasses for effortless IRL Streaming

 

Waves by bould design, llc are all-day wearable camera glasses designed for creators who want to record, clip, and stream moments effortlessly. Available in three styles, onyx round for a softer, more approachable look, onyx square for a sleek, understated profile, and y2k silver for those who prefer a bold, expressive statement, Waves combine high-performance video capture with everyday wearability. A discreet 12MP camera is integrated below the nose bridge, enabling natural, uninhibited interaction while recording.


all images courtesy of bould design, llc

 

 

Waves Support Uninterrupted, High-Quality Recording

 

Waves capture 3k video in a 4:3 aspect ratio, with support for 16:9 and 9:16 formats at lower resolutions. Industry-leading stabilization and low-light performance ensure quality results in any setting. Controls are intuitive: a shutter/record button sits on the top of the right temple, with an interior LED indicator providing status feedback. Soft silicone nose pads offer a secure and comfortable fit for extended wear. Developed by bould design, llc, Waves feature a dual-battery system: an internal battery and a hot-swappable external cell. Together, they enable continuous, uninterrupted recording. A protective charging case holds two spare batteries to keep creators powered throughout the day.


record, clip, and stream effortlessly with a single touch


all-day camera glasses designed for creators on the move

 

waves-bould-design-camera-glasses-designboom-1800-1

designed by Bould Design for real-life storytelling


stream directly to any platform from your glasses


hot-swappable external cell keeps creators powered

waves-bould-design-camera-glasses-designboom-1800-3

discreet 12MP camera sits just below the nose bridge


Waves capture life from your perspective, hands-free


sleek design for daily wear


stay informed with a subtle interior LED indicator


dual-battery design supports continuous recording


record without disrupting the moment


see the world, share the world, with Waves

 

project info:

 

name: Waves Camera Glasses
designer: bould design, llc | @bould_design

 

 

designboom has received this project from our DIY submissions feature, where we welcome our readers to submit their own work for publication. see more project submissions from our readers here.

 

edited by: christina vergopoulou | designboom

The post waves camera glasses for content creators record, clip, and stream to any platform appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
what would new cameras such as sony alpha 7R look like if they were made of wood, again? https://www.designboom.com/design/what-would-new-cameras-sony-alpha-7r-look-like-wood-ridhima-saini-07-28-2025/ Mon, 28 Jul 2025 10:50:29 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1146855 student designer ridhima saini helps bring back the period when photographic devices used wood as the primary material, like the camera obscura.

The post what would new cameras such as sony alpha 7R look like if they were made of wood, again? appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
Wooden Scale model of Sony Alpha 7R camera

 

Ridhima Saini shows what modern cameras such as the Sony Alpha 7R could look like if they were handcrafted from wood again. The student designer helps bring back the period when photographic devices used wood as their primary material, like the camera obscura. For this project, she crafts the wooden camera to match the Sony Alpha 7R’s real shape and size, guided by Mr. Trilok Chauhan, as her goal is to make the scale model look and feel like its real counterpart. While the main body and material are wood, she uses metal and acrylic for the details, with the latter being used around and in the part of the lens alongside medium-density fiberboard.

 

The Sony Alpha 7R wooden camera’s grip comprises 22 fiberboard pieces, each having the same size, so when they’re stacked together, they form a curve. There’s a movable dial inside the grip, and a three-millimeter aluminum rod works as the axis. The designer also uses a small diamond file to cut the grooves on the dial’s edge, giving it texture and making it easier to turn. The knobs are also made from aluminum rod, and for the screen that can rotate 180 degrees, the team cut three small cuboids, two of them longer to let the screen turn, and a steel rod is inserted into the holes to act as the hinge pin, allowing the screen cover to rotate all the way around the axis. Finally, the team sands every wooden part of the Sony Alpha 7R camera to smoothen its parts.

sony alpha 7R camera
all images courtesy of Ridhima Saini

 

 

The Role of Wood in Early photography devices

 

In the past, the frames of camera obscuras were made of cardboard boxes and paper, with lenses made of plastic magnifying glasses. Controlling light was important in these devices because the light coming from outside could ruin the image, so wood was an ideal material because it was dark and blocked light well. The material was malleable, so it took on shapes easily, and it didn’t react with chemicals or give off odors, which were then useful features in traditional photography. Wood was able to keep the temperature and sound stable inside the camera too, as it is naturally ideal for vibration absorption, a handy helper during long camera exposures.

 

But wood was also heavy, as seen in the dubbed first daguerreotype camera, made by French art restorer Alphonse Giroux. It was a wooden box design with sliding parts weighing over 40 pounds, so it absorbed water from the air and could make it expand or shrink. This caused the wood to change shape, crack, or bend. As camera designs became more precise, it became a serious issue because small changes in shape could ruin the picture by misaligning the lens or film. Because of this, at least as one of the reasons, the cameras shifted from using wood to metal when the technology became more advanced.

sony alpha 7R camera
Ridhima Saini shows what Sony Alpha 7R could look like if it were handcrafted from wood

 

 

Shifting to Metal in Camera Design

 

During the Industrial Revolution, machines were invented that could produce metal parts, and cameras began to use metal bodies, a material considered stronger and more stable than wood. When Austrian optician Peter Friedrich Voigtländer made a metal camera in 1841, it was a step forward and a shift because it consisted of metal instead of wood and featured the faster Petzval lens. By the late 1800s and early 1900s, metal cameras became more prevalent, and they were found to be easier to carry, last longer, and allow for more complex features. The camera body was more than just a container but a part of the system that produced high-quality images. It also helped that metal did not change shape with heat or moisture, and it could support better lens systems.

 

Photography improved over time, as better lenses needed more accurate camera parts. Wooden parts were not cut out for lighter, faster, and more convenient cameras, and so the manufactured, metal-looking photographic devices began spreading out. These days, however, shifting to metal from wood misses the touch of manual craftsmanship in exchange for faster production using machines. The distinctive care in crafting cameras is absent, as human hands were replaced by machines. But designers like Ridhima Saini are able to bring wooden cameras back, even if, at the moment, her Sony Alpha 7R is a scale model and not a functional one. It poses an example that, given the current technologies at hand, new cameras have a future of using natural materials that revive their distinctive character and traditional craftsmanship amidst automated production.

sony alpha 7R camera
the knobs are machined from aluminum

sony alpha 7R camera
the wooden screen can rotate 180 degrees

while the main body and material are wood, the design uses metal and acrylic for the details
while the main body and material are wood, the design uses metal and acrylic for the details

view of the acrylic design around the lens
view of the acrylic design around the lens

cameras-sony-alpha-7R-wooden-ridhima-saini-designboom-ban

the wooden devices’s grip comprises 22 fiberboard pieces

 

project info:

 

model: Sony Alpha 7R

design: Ridhima Saini | @melon.at.work

The post what would new cameras such as sony alpha 7R look like if they were made of wood, again? appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
poetry camera writes and prints poems about the people and objects it captures https://www.designboom.com/technology/poetry-camera-writes-prints-poems-captures-ai-claude-06-12-2025/ Thu, 12 Jun 2025 09:50:55 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1138553 reminiscent of an instant camera, there’s a slit below the lens where receipt-like paper prints out the poems.

The post poetry camera writes and prints poems about the people and objects it captures appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
Poetry Camera can write poems with the help of AI

 

Poetry Camera makes and prints poems about the people, objects, and surroundings it photographs using AI. Reminiscent of an instant camera, there’s a large, protruding camera lens on the boxy frame, which scans the subject. Below it, there’s a slit where the receipt-like paper prints out the poems that the AI Poetry Camera digitally pens. The design looks comical with the sizeable shutter button and viewfinder, but there’s also a nostalgic sense about it, knowing that it gives the user stanzas on a piece of paper rather than projecting them on a screen.

 

The AI language model that the Poetry Camera uses is from Anthropic named Claude 4. It’s the reason the device can write poems almost instantly using literary language. The user can choose the type of AI-generated poem they want, from haiku, sonnet, and limerick to alliteration and free verse, using the built-in knob. So far, the images and poems aren’t stored digitally on the Poetry Camera, meaning that the only copy the user has is the printed receipt.

poetry camera poems AI
all images courtesy of Poetry Camera | photo by Kaylee Pugliese/RISD

 

 

Device needs wifi connection to work

 

Kelin Zhang and Ryan Mather, the masterminds behind the Poetry Camera, have a ‘microfactory’ in New York where they assemble the device by hand. It’s a small team because they want to individually piece the parts together to add their personal touch to the end result. The frame is made of vacuum-cast plastic housings, and the device runs on a Raspberry Pi Zero 2 W with a Raspberry Pi Camera Module 3. There’s a catch, however. The device can’t work without a WiFi connection. It relies on it to make the language model work and start churning out AI-made poems. The team says that the Poetry Camera that can write poems doesn’t train the AI model it uses. About Anthropic’s Claude 4, they add that they ‘care to pick reputable AI model providers that do not train on your data.’ 

 

The design team says that the device is a toy for creative expression. Ryan Mather shares with designboom that he and Kelin Zhang choose printed poetry instead of photos ‘to invite you to slow down and appreciate the world around you. It’s kind of like how people tend to prefer the book version of a movie more than the movie version because their memories and imagination feel more personal and special.’ For those who are crafty, they can build the device on their own, as Kelin Zhang and Ryan Mather make it open-source. In case the user isn’t so handy, they can just order the Poetry Camera and allow it to write and print the poems on a piece of paper.

poetry camera poems AI
there’s a slit below the lens where the receipt-like paper prints out the poems

poetry camera poems AI
sample AI-generated poem by the device

poetry camera poems AI
the design team says that the device is a toy for creative expression

the frame is made of vacuum-cast plastic housings
the frame is made of vacuum-cast plastic housings

the AI language model that the Poetry Camera uses is from Anthropic named Claude 4
the AI language model that the Poetry Camera uses is from Anthropic named Claude 4

poetry-camera-write-print-poems-designboom-ban

the team assembles the parts by hand in New York

view of the poem printed on a receipt-like paper | photo by Sam McAllister / Anthropic
view of the poem printed on a receipt-like paper | photo by Sam McAllister / Anthropic

first test assembly with the new main board
first test assembly with the new mainboard

poetry-camera-write-print-poems-designboom-1800

view of the redesigned camera with a knob that lets users choose the type of poem they want

 

project info:

 

name: Poetry Camera | @poetry.camera

design: Kelin Zhang, Ryan Mather

research: Anthropic | @anthropicai

language model: Claude 4

files: here

The post poetry camera writes and prints poems about the people and objects it captures appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
david lynch artifacts, from movie memorabilia to his own furniture designs, head to auction https://www.designboom.com/design/david-lynch-artifacts-movie-memorabilia-furniture-designs-auction-06-05-2025/ Thu, 05 Jun 2025 10:10:25 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1137325 on june 18th, 2025, the david lynch collection auction event by julien’s auctions and turner classic movies takes place.

The post david lynch artifacts, from movie memorabilia to his own furniture designs, head to auction appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
The david lynch collection head to auction in LA

 

David Lynch artifacts, from movie props and unfinished scripts to his very own cameras, musical instruments, furniture designs, and even a custom director’s chair, head to auction. On June 18th, 2025, starting at 10am Pacific Time in Los Angeles, the David Lynch collection auction event by Julien’s Auctions and Turner Classic Movies takes place. It is part of the auction company’s and network’s Hollywood Legends series of archival collections from the industry’s revered figures. For the David Lynch collection auction, the event presents over 450 items that come directly from the filmmaker’s home and personal possessions.

 

The sale hopes to offer a look at his creative life through the personal artifacts he used to use and work with in his everyday and cinematic life.  The items originate from his film projects, his personal woodshop, and his art studio, so much so that they include props, art supplies, furniture he designed and built, and equipment from his music recording studio. In fact, the handmade coffee table, one-of-one conference table, and homemade wheeled cabinet the filmmaker designed are in the auction event. Other items connect to his other films and personal interests, such as a set of four prop menus from the Winkie’s diner location in the film Mulholland Drive. There is also a boomerang-style sofa of the same model seen in the 1997 film Lost Highway.

david lynch collection auction
Twin Peaks – The Return Screen-Matched Nuclear Bomb Framed Photo from Gordon Cole’s Office behind David Lynch | all images courtesy of Julien’s Auctions

 

 

From film prints to custom director’s chair

 

Several items in the David Lynch collection auction relate directly to the filmmaker, artist, and musician’s work as a director. One lot features his very own custom director’s chair he used during productions (it even has his name on the back). Another item is David Lynch’s personal 35mm film print of his first feature film, Eraserhead. This print of the 1977 film is significant because Eraserhead launched his career.

 

It achieved a cult status, playing as a midnight movie for years in cities and establishing his signature filmmaking style. The auction also includes many items connected to his series Twin Peaks. One lot contains a red curtain and a black-and-white zig-zag rug from Lynch’s home. These pieces match the design of the Black Lodge, an important and otherworldly location in the show. Another item is a large, framed photograph of a nuclear bomb explosion. This photo appeared in the office of Gordon Cole, the character David Lynch played in Twin Peaks: The Return.

david lynch collection auction
Art Studio Chair and Stool of David Lynch as part of the collection auction

 

 

Objects include original finished and unfinished scripts

 

The David Lynch collection auction shows his life outside of film as well. Take the espresso machines and bean grinders, which hint at the filmmaker’s appreciation for coffee. The auction features several musical instruments, including a Parker Fly electric guitar he used on his solo albums. Another instrument is a custom five-neck console steel guitar that was designed by David Lynch and built by luthier Danny Ferrington. Some of the presented objects are his original finished and unfinished scripts, including Mulholland Drive, Ronnie Rocket, The Dream of the Bovine, The Straight Story, Wild at Heart, Lost Highway, and Twin Peaks: Fire Walk With Me.

 

The David Lynch collection auction allows the filmmaker’s fans a chance to own the objects, designs, scripts, artworks, cameras, musical instruments, and more from many areas of the artist’s life. He is a remembered filmmaker, artist, and musician. His body of work includes films and series such as Eraserhead, The Elephant Man, Blue Velvet, Twin Peaks, Lost Highway, and Mulholland Drive. His work across different media has influenced film and television for decades. This auction presents an opportunity for the public to acquire items he owned and used, and Julien’s Auctions accepts bids in person, by telephone, or online on June 18th, 2025, starting at 10am Pacific Time.

david lynch collection auction
the filmmaker’s Art Studio Stool also heads to bidding

david lynch collection auction
Personalized Director’s Chair of David Lynch

david lynch collection auction
Dune Production Office Vintage Telephone

david lynch collection auction
the event presents over 450 items that come directly from the filmmaker’s home and personal possessions

david-lynch-artifacts-movie-scripts-props-director’s-chair-auction-julien’s-designboom-ban

Eraserhead Memorabilia Group with Lynch Signed CDs

Homemade Wheeled Cabinet by David Lynch
Homemade Wheeled Cabinet by David Lynch

Conference Table Designed and Built by David Lynch with Twelve Chairs
Conference Table Designed and Built by David Lynch with Twelve Chairs

Eraserhead Behind-The-Scenes Photo Prints
Eraserhead Behind-The-Scenes Photo Prints

Montana Luxus Snakeskin Camera
Montana Luxus Snakeskin Camera

david-lynch-artifacts-movie-scripts-props-director’s-chair-auction-julien’s-designboom-ban2

Lost Highway Luna Lounge Prop Matchbooks

 

project info:

 

name: The David Lynch Collection 

companies: Julien’s Auctions, Turner Classic Movies | @juliens_auctions, @tcm

auction date and time: June 18th, 2025, starting at 10am Pacific Time

The post david lynch artifacts, from movie memorabilia to his own furniture designs, head to auction appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
xiaomi unveils modular magnetic lens that turns smartphones into digital cameras at MWC https://www.designboom.com/technology/xiaomi-modular-magnetic-lens-turns-smartphones-digital-cameras-mwc-2025-03-03-2025/ Mon, 03 Mar 2025 22:00:53 +0000 https://www.designboom.com/?p=1119093 dubbed the xiaomi mobile optical system, the accessory clips right in the middle of the phone’s rear, reminiscent of the handheld devices back in the days.

The post xiaomi unveils modular magnetic lens that turns smartphones into digital cameras at MWC appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>
Xiaomi smartphone turns into digital camera at MWC 2025

 

Xiaomi reveals its modular magnetic lens that turns smartphones into digital cameras during MWC 2025 in Barcelona. Dubbed the Xiaomi Mobile Optical System, the magnetic lens clips right in the middle of the smartphone’s rear, reminiscent of the digital camera back in the days. It features a regular double-Gauss lens as well as Light Fusion X with a custom M4/3 sensor. This means the design team reshapes the light paths of the sensor and finetunes the sensor so that the magnetic lens can capture images and record videos like a digital camera.

 

The company says the result presents sharp images and videos, even if the modular magnetic lens looks compact and pocket-sized. So far, Xiaomi says that the digital camera-like lens can offer 100 megapixel capacity to the smartphones, independent of the megapixels already offered by the phone cameras. It latches onto the rear of the device and is removable, so it’s not bulky when the user brings it in their pockets. At the moment, the company says that users just need to plug in the modular magnetic lens to start using it.

xiaomi smartphone digital camera
all images courtesy of Xiaomi

 

 

Modular magnetic lens that takes sharp images

 

For specs buffs, the Xiaomi modular magnetic lens for smartphones has lossless streams of RAW data transfer for images and videos captured by the digital camera-like lens. The company shares that users can transfer these files wirelessly to the Xiaomi AISP, which is dubbed the first AI LM computational photography platform. It’s because of this technology that the images and videos captured have 16 stops of dynamic range, making them clearer and sharper compared to those taken by a smartphone without the digital camera lens.

 

The company adds that users don’t need to pair or charge the device. It hasn’t explained yet how the device fully works on smartphones, whether there’ll be an app associated with it or the in-house system operates the accessory. Xiaomi also hints that the digital camera-like lens may only be adaptable to their series of smartphones. For this reason, there’s a magnetic slot at the rear of their smartphones, so the lens can clasp on it and users can start using their devices like a digital camera. So far, there’s no news yet on the production date of the smart accessory.

xiaomi smartphone digital camera
Xiaomi reveals its modular magnetic lens that turns smartphones into digital cameras

xiaomi smartphone digital camera
the magnetic lens clips right in the middle of the smartphone’s rear, reminiscent of the digital cameras

xiaomi smartphone digital camera
view of the Xiaomi smartphone without the digital camera lens

xiaomi smartphone digital camera
the smart accessory features a regular double Gauss lens

xiaomi smartphone digital camera
the lens can offer up to 100 megapixel capacity

xiaomi-modular-magnetic-lens-smartphone-digital-camera-MWC-2025-designboom-ban

the modular magnetic lens for smartphones has lossless streams of RAW data transfer

detailed view of the lens
front view of the lens

side view of the lens
side view of the lens

inside the lens structure with Light Fusion X with a custom M4/3 sensor
inside the lens structure with Light Fusion X with a custom M4/3 sensor

xiaomi-modular-magnetic-lens-smartphone-digital-camera-MWC-2025-designboom-ban2

so far, there’s no news yet on the production date

 

project info:

 

name: Xiaomi Mobile Optical System

company: Xiaomi | @xiaomi.global

event: MWC 2025 | @mwcseries

The post xiaomi unveils modular magnetic lens that turns smartphones into digital cameras at MWC appeared first on designboom | architecture & design magazine.

]]>