Back in March, when we all started to come to terms with the scope and extent of the pandemic, we decided to use That’s Interesting as a way of staying motivated and positive in the face of uncertainty, by focusing on initiatives and ideas that are uplifting and inspiring in these challenging times.
Almost 6 months in, we (brands and agencies, but also individuals and communities) have demonstrated how we can take the change in our stride, and find ways to cope, overcome and progress in the new normal. So from this week on, we’ll be reverting to the original That’s Interesting: still inspiring, still exciting, still creative and – for this reason – inherently uplifting.
From, revolutionary sustainable tyres to premium packaging made out of mushrooms, here are some things that made us say “That’s interesting!” in the studio this week.
Tyre revolution.
The Tyre Collective is this year’s winner of the James Dyson Award, thanks to its efforts in looking for ways to reduce microplastics and the amount of air pollution caused by car tyres (a pollutant many didn’t even know about!). Students from the innovation design masters run by Imperial College London and the Royal College of Art created a device which can be retrofitted onto vehicles. It works by attracting the particles shed by tyres through electrostatic and various air flows created around a spinning wheel. Once captured, these particles can be recycled and re-used for a range of different products. Congratulations! It’s great to see the next generation of design talent bloom!
Drive greener here
Beeline to the future.
Scarcity, stability and sustainability – all play a part in our thoughts about the future. The world is changing and growing fast: by 2050, the food supply will need to grow by 70% in order to meet the population’s needs. Yet, one third of all food produced each year is wasted. Formed out of Cambridge University, Better Origin is working to find a solution. The team have created unique, insect-based biosystems – mini farms – that can fix the food chain problem and turn waste into valuable resources, creating a circular model. For more on winning with waste, take a look at our Earth Matters article here.
More buzz here
Nature inspired.
Non-alcoholic spirit brand Seedlip shakes up the category once again. Their latest innovation is a new gift set pack created from mushrooms (Mycelium) and containing a 100% recycled glass Highball. Committed to using nature as inspiration, this time they embody it in their packaging, a nice evolution for the Seedlip story to complement the brand ethos, visuals and the product itself. An inspiring way of marrying elegance, luxury and sustainability!
Mindful gifting here
Critically Homemade.
For many, creativity has been crucial to staying sane and motivated in recent times. How many people started a new hobby, a personal project or learned a new skill during lockdown? Hands up, because we definitely did (see here)! The Design Trust in Hong Kong is celebrating the power of creativity to shine bright even at difficult times. Their Critically Homemade exhibition showcases the work of 130 architects and designers who have created whilst stuck at home during the pandemic. From antibacterial door handles to baked cutlery, the ideas are exciting, relevant and inspiringly collaborative.
Check out the designs here