Gift Wrapped: Yves Béhar

Pioneering industrial designer, sustainability advocate and one-man innovation think tank, Yves Béhar curates a selection of inventive gift ideas for gizmo lovers in this short film by Marcus Gaab. From a personalized wireless hi-fi speaker to a domestic cleaning robot and a knife set masterminded according to the Fibonacci sequence, the San Francisco-based entrepreneur chose items as practical as they are beautiful. Through his design and branding firm Fuseproject, which he founded in 1999, Béhar has employed his product and communication interventions on clients as diverse as Birkenstock, Swarovski, Toshiba and One Laptop Per Child. Here Béhar, who won this year’s Condé Nast Traveler designer of the year award, details why these five gifts made his grade. 

Jawbone Jambox Speaker

During this season of sharing and socializing, how about adding music to that? The Jambox comes in four different colors with metallic textures and in robust rubber, making it a perfectly portable audio experience. 

Déglon Meeting Knife Set

The most unique knife set I know—a knife puzzle! Made in high-quality stainless steel, each knife fits inside each other, and is stored snugly on a flat metal block.

Danese 16 Animali Puzzle

A true classic created by Enzo Mari. Perfect for children, adults, and lovers of beautiful design. There is also a version made of 16 sea animals that turns the oceans into a puzzle. 

Bookman Bicycle Lights

The Swedes, who live through dark winters, know better than anyone that proper lighting is important. The many colors and smart attachment strategy means the lights will match any super customized “fixie,” no problem. Light patterns and good battery life reinforce this safety product.

Mint Plus Automatic Floor-Cleaning Robot

Ok, vacuuming is boring, but mopping is a chore everyone truly hates! The Mint Plus robot will smartly do that job for us.