Today we take some time to discuss a couple topics that have slipped by in the last couple weeks. We talk about the changing attitudes of business, a city of mystery, great music and end with a culinary note. Agree? Disagree? Let us know what you think.
Saatchi CEO- This article led us to talk about how financial stress is effecting business. When you have to start letting people go, you reshape their lives. And that can be kind of intimidating. It’s important during this time, to treat people (employees, customers and all society) with respect and care. We’re coming into an age where more people follow a higher purpose. Money isn’t the sole focus of businesses anymore. Leaders guide and inspire. They have an obligation to promote creativity instead of fear.
MIT’s Legatum Center- This article spurs us to talk a little more in depth about the shift in focus. Recently, people have been having a much harder time getting money from banks to start a business. This program helps to start connecting some of the ideas with the capitol and advice they need. It promotes the rise of new ideas, which will in turn start to stimulate economy. It shows, again, that when we all start working together for the greater good, we really can create change.
Air Powered Motorcycle- We think motorcycles in general are pretty neat. They’re the closest thing to make you feel like you’re flying. This air powered one is really interesting. even if we’re not quite sure how it works yet. The use of an air tank makes is almost like scuba diving on wheels, above ground. Hopefully this kind of green thinking will start to influence other motorcycle companies as well. We’ll keep an eye on where this goes.
Marfa, TX- Marfa is an interesting little town. There’s not a whole lot there. It was discovered by Hollywood as a prime filming location. Since then, it swings between being super busy during filming and being abandoned. Very few people actually live in Marfa. And most visitors seem to be drawn by its emptiness and absurdity. It’s a tiny piece of humanity in the middle of nowhere. To further punctuate this, Prada has built a fully stocked store/ art piece here. It’s a complete store, but you can’t buy anything. Creating this isolated bit of preciousness speaks to the brand’s ability to explore and become a little vulnerable.
It Might Get Loud- This movie is a collection of interviews and collaborative experiences of Jack White, Jimmy Page and The Edge. One of the things that struck us while viewing this movie, is how articulate they each are. They speak animatedly about their roots and the music they love. It’s pretty cool how the magic of music can transport people. These very distinct creative personalities have a little trouble relating to each other at times, but are definitely in awe of one another. They appreciate each others differences and learn from them. We loved watching each one play guitar with such different creative processes.
Save Food from the Fridge- This is such a beautiful and interesting idea. It’s a wooden rack system outside the refrigerator that keeps food at its freshest. They store certain foods together that help preserve each other. the aesthetics drew us, but we also like how it promotes your connection with the food. We would love to see how this kind of thinking could be used at grocery stores, such as whole foods.
Historical Food Tour of Paris- In the Napoleonic time, when France was wealthy, Grimod wrote a guide to the local restaurants. This article retraces those steps, looking for any places that might be the same or similar. This journey reminds us of how much dining influences life. The act of sharing food and new experiences creates a connection and helps the mind start to free up. This is part of the reason that companies take clients out to eat. Or why creative teams brainstorm over dinner. Taking that a bit further, the act of actually cooking the food becomes an exercise of creation. making something new from many parts.
Let us know what you think of these designing moments.
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