Core77 2014 Year in Review: Top 15 Posts · Year in Photos · Drones · Transportation Design · Food & Drink · Wearable Technology · Power Tools and Hand Tools · Tool Storage · Organizational Solutions · Material News · Design Thinking · Architecture and Design GIFs

In 2014 the Core77 team reported from the best design festivals, exhibitions, conferences, design studios and manufacturers around the globe bringing you a firsthand look at the designs and processes that made us look twice. Our photographers, many who are practicing designers, captured the beauty and the spectacle of the landscape of contemporary design.

From Swiss skis to party cups, precision vehicles to kinetic sculptures in the desert, here's a look back on some of our favorite photo galleries and photo essays from the last year.

Click on each image to see the full galleries / photo essays!

One of the biggest trends was the resurgence in performance cars, possibly to attract the Millennial market who's lack of interest in car ownership has been widely reported. Or more simply, the industry has grown stagnant and senses it's time to inject some new excitement to appease the car enthusiasts like Toyota's FT-1 and Kia's GT4 Stinger concept cars. > >View Gallery

Bernhardt design, who have helped launch numerous emerging designers with their ICFF Studio partnership, celebrated their 125th anniversary this year and to mark the occasion, designer Frederick McSwain created a series of family tree wall sculptures inspired by the growth rings found in the cross section of a tree trunk. Chicago-based designer Felicia Ferrone launched her debut furniture collection bravely opting for white carpet in the booth, London-based Cycloc returned after a brief hiatus with some brand new wall mounting fixtures and accessories for bicycles, and Artek picked up an ICFF Editors Award with their multifunctional task chair 'Rival' designed by Konstantin Grcic. > >View Gallery

The Outdoor Retailer Summer Market Tradeshow in Salt Lake City, Utah, is known for featuring the latest and greatest in outdoor sports gear and apparel. To put it shortly, it's very much an industry show. We sent photographer Mark LeBeau to check it out and take some shots of the gadgets we should keep an eye out for. He noted the proliferation of electronics, chargers and smart devices, as well as the throwback to the much-loved "mom and pop" general-store aesthetic. A practicing designer himself, LeBeau also shot the event for us in 2013.

LeBeau's favorite design? A magnetized climber's grip by Garret Finny. > >View Gallery

They're the brain child of passionate skier and "son of the mountains" Simon Jacomet, whose main objective for designing these skis was to "create a tool which enables people to ski easier and have more fun—to forget about the skis and just be creative themselves in the snow." Educated in the local Disentis ministry by abbots, he developed this rather Zen design approach of "constructing a ski that is doing the skiing itself." > >View Gallery

In any case, we were excited to see the Design Debut section, where ten independent designers and makers—including our friends and some time Core-tributors Craighton Berman & Bruce Tharp—had the opportunity to present their work. Similarly, first-time exhibitors like Crucial Detail, Finell and Mollaspace made a strong showing in the Dine + Design section, while we also checked out new products from OXO, Kikkerland and a few of our other faves. > >View Gallery

Alongside all the productivity and involvement, don't forget to take lots of time to explore the art on the playa, and visit the many theme camps around you. There are some brilliant examples of experience design out there, and a lot of fun to be had. Imagine all your favorite classes in university thrown into the middle of the desert. Remove all requirements and grades, add some unnecessary decoration, stick an LED on it and always have a chilled drink at hand. Enjoy! > >View Gallery