From turkey tv to couture consoles, here are some things that made us say “That’s Interesting” in the studio this week.
Office pod.
Returning to a communal office after two years working from home can be difficult. Chatter, teas being slurped, music playing – these are just a few of the distractions that can make you appreciate the sanctuary of your own home. Anton Andrews, who leads the ‘Office Envisioning’ team at Microsoft, has come up with a solution: A soft, inviting compromise in the form of an office pod, which includes everything from comfy seat to a supersized screen. A few hours in the pod and you might not even want to go home. In communal workspaces privacy and concentration can be challenging. What else could be designed in order to improve the at the office life?
Get podded here
The Turkeytron.
It’s that time of the year again. The time to be thankful for what you’ve got (depending on what side of the Atlantic you’re on). But food and blessings aside, for many the Thanksgiving sporting schedule is the main even. Pepsi have decided to tap into this, substituting festive tradition with a one-of-a-kind ‘Turkeytron’ that turns Thanksgiving dinner into an unapologetic (American) football fest. New traditions arising within age-old ones are fertile areas for brand fandangles.
Tron you turkey here
Scan and learn.
Jerry de Vos, a student from Delft University of Technology, has won this year’s edition of the James Dyson Sustainability Awards. His winning creation is an open-source, handheld scanning device that instantly identifies whether a plastic is suitable for recycling or not. ‘The Plastic Scanner’ uses near-infrared spectroscopy to detect and categorise plastic polymers, allowing users to determine the type and recyclability of a material. The young designer believes that if this technology becomes readily available, it’ll help increase recycling rates. Being sustainable requires physical and mental effort, any brands that shortcut people to sustainability is sure to win.
Scan here
Gucci player one.
Despite having a movie coming out, Gucci isn’t resting in its entertainment conquest. Next up is a collaboration with Xbox. The iconic fashion house has just launched one-hundred limited edition Gucci branded consoles. Through this project the brand is hoping to tap into new cultural arenas and continue the refreshing of its image from old world classical elegance to modern agent provocateur. Well executed collaborations with equitable partners can help brands refresh their images and reach new audiences.
Play with Gucci here