nendo designs unconventional mobile cushion + meji umbrella stand for by | n

nendo continues to expand the product portfolio of his personal line, by | n. the japanese designer has envisioned his own brand with playful and unconventional objects that are meant to functionally and aesthetically enhance everyday life.

‘meji’ draws its formal influences from the joints of a tiled floor
all images by akihiro yoshida

nendo’s ‘meji’ stand stays clear of the typical containers or boxes usually used to hold umbrellas, which often seem out of place when they are unoccupied. by using grooves instead of holes, ‘meji’ draws its formal influences from the joints of a tiled floor. when necessary, an umbrella is simply set into the slots; and, when not in use, it maintains a neat appearance — even when there are multiple modules lined up in one’s entryway. the design is made using a dense resin called polystone, and then covered with silicon offering pliability and durability. options include a single-umbrella stand and a three-umbrella stand, each available in five colors.
‘meji’ comes as a single-umbrella stand and a three-umbrella stand

with ‘mobile-cushion’, also for by | n, nendo taps into our digitally connected lifestyles. the pillow is made from multiple types of fabric, sewn together in a patchwork style. two sections of the material each provide a pair of openings that can be used to secure a smartphone or tablet PC. this makes it easy to view the screen while relaxing on one’s sofa or bed, or propping up the ‘mobile-cushion’ on one’s lap to make use of the tablet keyboard more comfortable. while serving to protect devices, the design can also function as a normal cushion, with the device slots obscured by the patchwork motif when not in use.
when not in use, ‘meji’ maintains a neat appearance
three-stand version

mosaic of ‘meji’ umbrella stand modules

with ‘mobile-cushion’, nendo taps into our digitally connected lifestyles

a patchwork motif camouflages openings to store mobile devices
two sections of the material each provide a pair of openings that can be used to secure a smartphone or tablet PC
propping up the ‘mobile-cushion’ on one’s lap makes use of the tablet keyboard more comfortable

while serving to protect devices, the design can also function as a normal cushion

the ‘mobile-cushion’ is available in three different colors