From creating packaging from thin air to whisky brands playing with blockchain, here are some things that made us say “That’s Interesting” in the studio this week.
Making pollution packaging.
71% of carbon emissions are produced by just 100 companies? Shocking numbers, right? Well, L’Oreal are trying to make things right, partnering with US biotech start-up, Lanza Tech, and energy giant, Total, to create the world’s first packaging made from industrial emissions. The emissions are captured, turned into ethanol, then ethylene, then polyethylene – which is then used by L’Oreal as alternative plastic packaging. Society’s waste is a huge untapped resource. It’s now possible for companies to not just minimise impact, but to actively repair the planet through production processes.
Sample the packaging here
Pirating a brand’s colour.
Jewellery brand, Tiffany, is well known for its distinctive shade of blue. Well, now you need not buy their jewellery to enjoy it – you can simply buy the colour. Provocateur artist, Stuart Semple, who previously bottled Anish Kapoor’s ‘Blackest Ever Black’, is now selling 150ml vials of Tiffany’s blue for $28 (– which seems less expensive when you open Tiffany’s catalogue)! Being trademarked, Tiffany’s legal team could get involved, so we’ll wait to see where this one goes. Being part of culture is the most a brand can hope for. But is an outsider playing with brand assets a complement or a compromise?
Find the famous Tiff blue here
Whisky blockchain.
Whisky brand, Glenfiddich is experimenting with NFTs. Enlisting the help of London-based 3D artist, Stephanie Fung and fashion blog, Highsnobiety, together the brands created – and sold – three digital garments that celebrate Chinese craft heritage. Funds from the auction have been donated to organisations supporting young digital artists. NFTs raise interesting questions about art and ownership, is this a space that other brands can explore?
Check it out here
A warm welcome!
The pandemic has hit academic life hard. But now things are getting back to normal (hopefully), students are returning to campus. The University of Arts London has enlisted the help of one of its graduates, Jack Sachs, in creating ‘The Big Welcome’ – a warm and artistically bold campaign, existing across physical and digital touchpoints, that uses a range of 3D emoji-inspired characters to welcome back students. Here, UAL are using design to fulfil their obligation to students, whilst reinforcing its position as a hotbed for artistic pioneers.
You’re welcome here