From 3D printed, biodegradable chairs to AI-generated lullabies, here are some things that made us say “That’s interesting!” in the studio this week.
Inspired by nature.
‘Rise’ is a new chair designed by ZHA (Zaha Hadid Architects) that is 3D printed using a non-toxic, biodegradable material from renewable sources. It is made by nagami, a company that specialises in 3D printing and robotic manufacturing. Rise is a combination of Mother Nature, technology and design: it uses the structural optimisation processes found in nature, innovative materials and fabrication methods, and the power of beautiful design. For more on how Nature can inspire us to design better and more sustainably, check out our latest Earth Matters article, Mother Knows Best.
Grab a chair here
The price is green.
Recently, we have seen a number of supermarkets move away from traditional models and step into the future, offering a more sustainable and circular approach. (If you’re a That’s Interesting aficionado, you may remember our recent example of ASDA’s reduce, reuse and recycle store.) Swedish food brand Felix offers its own take on sustainable shopping by opening a pop-up named The Climate Store, where products are priced according to their carbon dioxide emissions. The higher the emissions, the more expensive the product, and consumers pay with carbon dioxide equivalents (instead of standard currency) and are encouraged to stick to a specific budget. A bold move to change consumer behaviour by creating a clear link between our purchase decisions and environmental impact.
Go shopping here
The show must go on!
Amazon’s Christmas campaign for this year features a young ballerina whose plans for a winter performance fall through because of Covid-19. In the video, her school closes because of the pandemic but the ballerina continues to train in the hope that the performance will not get cancelled. And then, even when it does, her loved ones and the community pull together to give her a stage and an audience, and make her dream come true. An emotional video that celebrates the power of tenacity and community, both values that have helped brands and consumers cope with the pandemic.
Keep dancing here
Sing me AI Lullaby.
Hush, little baby don’t say a word… AI’s gonna sing you a lullaby! Famous artist Grimes has collaborated with soundscape app Endel to generate a lullaby that is scientifically engineered to help children and adults sleep and nap better. The creators have used neuroscientific and pshycoacoustic studies and have worked with sleep experts in order to create this new application. The unique characteristic of AI Lullaby is that it has endless soundscapes and can adapt in real-time to the user’s location, weather and natural light exposure, making it unique to each person. There can be something slightly unsettling about AI putting us to sleep, but with so many people having trouble with stress and anxiety, there is certainly scope for technology to provide targeted and effective solutions.
Go into sleep mode here