PUMA and MIT Design Lab have been conducting research in the field of biodesign since June 2017. Biodesign is the practice of using living materials such as algae or bacteria to create products. It makes possible a football jersey made from the silk of a spider or a shoe box grown from mycelium, the root structure of mushrooms. PUMA Biodesign explores the new frontiers of biological design and fabrication to bring advances in science and biotechnologies closer to our daily lives through sport products.

Four initial experiments that derived from that study were exhibited at this year’s Milan Design Week. The four initial projects include a Breathing Shoe, which is a biologically active shoe that enables personalised ventilation by growing its own air passageways to keep the foot cool; Deep Learning Insoles, which collate realtime biofeedback by using organisms to measure chemical phenomena that indicates things like fatigue; Carbon Eaters, which is a microbially-active t-shirt that responds to its environment to change its appearance and inform the wearer about air quality; and Adaptive Packaging, a biologically programmable material that can change its shape and structure to become a new type of alive, biodegradable and adaptive packaging. See the videos here.

By Kristina de Verdier on 17 May, 2018 In bio design, fashion, Innovation, MIT, packaging, Puma, smart, sport, Technology

Consumers can shop anytime, anywhere and are becoming increasingly demanding in terms of convenience. New technology integrated in consumers’ product experiences is only going to grow, advances in materials science, components are getting smaller. As this sector is quickly evolving in many areas, one thing is clear though; consumers and brand owners now want usable products, that adds real value to their lives, rather than short-term marketing gimmicks. How can smart components help prevent food waste, ensure product safety, generate and store meaningful data for medical purpose, or make the weekly shopping easier? Consumers are embracing the smartness which is seamlessly integrated in their reality. It is the marriage of technology and simplicity that will help brands connect with consumers in exceptional ways.

TO CONSIDER

-What real consumer problems needs to be solved?

-How can I create a seamless experience, integrated in consumers’ lifestyle?

-How can the solution be intuitive?

GOOD EXAMPLE

Amazon Go is a new kind of store with no checkout required. Amazon created the world’s most advanced shopping technology so you never have to wait in line. Use the Amazon Go app to enter the store, take the products you want, and go! Amazon uses sensors, video-technology and AI-algoritms to enable this convenient shopping experience.

By Kristina de Verdier on 24 March, 2017 In consumer, Living, smart, Trends

Smart Package from Le Creuset. For the mini cocottes – super-easy to flatten. A magnet keeps the package closed. It’s quite a premium package, their intention is probably that people should re-use the package…good intention, but my believe is that people don’t need more stuff in their houses…..make packages lean and easy to throw away…..A simpler package, meaning less material, with the very same construction would be great. Convenient for the consumer, flatten it in 2 seconds – ready to dispose of.

By Kristina de Verdier on 6 November, 2010 In box, Design, flat package, foldable, Food, Kitchen, le creuset, packaging, Paper, smart, sustainable packaging

A flat sheets of recyclable corrugated cardboard. The patterns make it easy to fold and conform to almost any shape while maintaining structural rigidity and protecting the contents. Clever! See more here

By Kristina de Verdier on 12 May, 2010 In 2ndary package, Cardboard, Distribution, flexible, package, packaging design, recyclable, smart

 GoGo Squeez, 100 percent fruit no sugar added in a squeeze pouch. For kids on-the-go. The package was originally designed for NASA astronauts. The value is a non-spillage package, you just squeeze out the content through the in-built straw. The first product they put in the package was what they called “no-mess-applesauce”.

By Kristina de Verdier on 2 November, 2009 In Beverages, Design, fruit, gogo squeez, innovation, NASA, natural, packaging, pouch, smart, space