As we all try to adapt, cope, be safe and do our part to control and overcome the Covid-19 pandemic, it is important to find ways to stay motivated and positive. That is why, over the last few weeks, That’s Interesting has been focusing on initiatives and ideas that are uplifting and inspiring in these challenging times.
So, from pints for pups to clay-powered food storage solutions, here are some things that made us say “That’s interesting, and uplifting!” in the studio this week.
Puppy pints.
Sunshine, your best mate and an ice cold pint: it’s a great way to kick back, catch up and spend quality time with your best buddy. But what about our ultimate amigos, our furry, four-legged friends? The answer – offered by ABInBev – is Dog Brew by Busch. With this special “beer” made for dogs, the brand ventures into a new category and flavour territory: each can contains a pork bone broth made with vegetables, herbs and spices brewed to suit the pup-palate. However, by sticking to the conventional 330ml can format and a familiar beer-esque graphic style, the packaging honours the consumption rituals and design codes of human brews.
Go fetch that brew here
Toy box 2.0.
Ikea and Lego have teamed up for the first time to create a range of simple play structures that double as storage solutions. Launching in the US in October, each box in the play-inspired Bygglek collection is designed to store Lego bricks, but also to serve as a base for construction. The tops and interiors of the containers are covered in Lego studs, so kids can stack, build and create to their heart’s content. Then, when play time is over, the entire structure can be tidied away (or proudly displayed!) quickly and easily, without taking anything apart.
Play, display and replay here
Clay Pantry.
According to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), each year an estimated 1.3 billion tonnes of food is wasted globally. Not only does this squander the precious and finite resources that went into producing the food in the first place, the decomposition process in landfills is also a source of greenhouse gas emissions. One way to address this is to help consumers store their food for longer and build a stronger, modern connection with the concept of a pantry. Therefore, drawing inspiration from traditional storing methods, contemporary furniture design and the power of 3D printing, designer Lea Randebrock has created the Clay Pantry. The furniture-container collection features a stool, a shelf, a box and a jug, all of which leverage the natural protective properties of clay to keep fruits and vegetables fresh for longer, without resorting to electricity-fuelled refrigeration. In addition, they also double as modular objects and pieces of furniture that fit into contemporary living spaces.
Store for more here
Tech-free play.
From Alexa to smart appliances, the modern home is packed with advanced technology. And, naturally, all members of the household – including children – are becoming accustomed to interacting with these intelligent objects, and projecting human-like behaviours on them. Concerned about how the blurring line between humans and machines could impact the development of children, a team of entrepreneurial dads have created Timio, an educational toy that strips back the tech to a minimum and reintroduces wholesome analogue features to learning and the playroom. Through a series of magnetic discs, the audio toy and music player offers quality sound, interactivity and content to help develop a child’s vocabulary, intellect, and imagination – all 100% screen-free.
Click, tap and learn here