Top Design Wooden Gadgets

As technology continues on its upward trajectory, designers occasionally grow nostalgic for simpler forms. Consumers also want the basic aesthetics of yesterday, without sacrificing the technological advances of today. One way to get the best of both worlds is wood-based electronics. Whether for the eco-minded, who prefer it to non-biodegradable plastic, or for pure classicists who are charmed by its timelessness, the wooden form is at once visually striking and practical. Better examples we’ve come across recently.

Collection of creative gadgets and product designs made out of wood.

Wooden iPod Dock

Eco-friendly Apple iPod dock made from salvaged materials. [link]

Magno Wooden Radio

The Magno radio is the brainchild of Indonesian entrepreneur Singgih Kartono. Handmade by local carpenters from sustainably-harvested wood, it comes in two sizes (pictured above). In addition to AM and FM frequencies, Kartono satisfies the true retro-philes with two bands of shortwave radio. He also bows to modern conventions by including MP3 compatibility. It’s currently available with the small version costing $200 and the larger $250.

Wooden Camera MP3 Player

Handmade wooden MP3 players can play MP3, WMA and OGG files. [link]

Swedx

Since 2002, this Swedish company has been producing electronics embedded in polished wood. They claim to bring a “more human” feeling by using warm, natural materials on their computer monitors, television screens and accessories. But despite the unconventional material, they didn’t skimp on technology. Their engineers designed one of the world’s thinnest TFT-LCD monitors and didn’t sacrifice on usability. Swedx products cost are close to the industry standard.

Wooden LED clock

This LED clock, designed by Kouji Iwasaki, is covered in a very thin layer of veneer that permits the LEDs to shine through. [link]

Solid Wood Stapler

Standard stapler with a natural wood exterior. [link]

Wooden Laptop Case

Creative laptop case with magnetic lock and leather lining. [link]

Wooden Computer Mouse

This wooden mouse is handmade from Chinese flowering ash. [link]

Wooden Computer Keyboard

Keyboard from Japanese electronics company Marubeni Infotec. [link]

Wood Plinth Clock

Clock made from a slice of natural wood with a clear lacquer finish. [link]

Wooden Bicycle

Marco Facciola, a 16-year-old high school student, created a functional bicycle from wood. [link]

iWood Cobra iPhone Case

Wooden iPhone case carved from one piece of the finest wood. [link]

Split Wood Vase

Creative vase designed by Japanese design collective Teori. [link]

Wooden Speakers

Korea’s I-Dear speakers can hook up to your favorite media player. [link]

Wooden Tape Measure

This useful tape measure is created from beautiful dark wood and is small enough to fit in any handbag. [link]

Wooden Clamp USB Flash Drive

USB flash drive designed to look like a regular wooden clamp. [link]

Plywood Headphones

David Burel’s headphones made of nine layers of varnished plywood. [link]

Wooden Gun Ruler

Unusual hard wood ruler that is shaped like a handgun. [link]

WALL-E Wooden Sculpture

This wooden sculpture was commissioned by Disney as a gift for Pixar/Disney chief creative officer John Lasseter. [link]

Treebuttons Magnets

Wood magnets made from salvaged cross sections of branches. [link]

Maple Cell Phone Concept

Hyun Jin Yoon and Eun Hak Lee designed a cell phone concept covered in thin wooden film, with touch sensitive buttons that light up through the housing when you touch the phone. [link]

Audiowood Turntable

Custom turntable by Joel Scilley made from a raw-edged wood. [link]