DDB Hong Kong's app lets users craft jewellery with their heartbeat
DDB Group Hong Kong is turning heart rate data, a mainstay of fitness analytics apps, into an opportunity to create a personalised gift that is quite literally from the heart. CRAFTED BY MY HEART is an iOS mobile app that lets users lay down their heart beat as a one-of-a-kind gold, silver or black silver (gunmetal IP) ring. More than a year in the making, the app records a user’s heart beat through registering subtle changes in the coloration of the skin by way of an index finger placed over the phone’s flash and camera. Users can choose one of two unisex design templates, and watch as the ring is shaped by the rhythm of the heart. Each ring is also assigned a different algorithm to ensure that no two pieces are alike. The pioneering initiative marks the first time DDB Group Hong Kong has designed, produced and launched a product of its own. The agency collaborated with Tribal Worldwide Singapore to develop the app, and partnered with up-and-coming jewellery designer Nomera Ajmal on the base design templates.
Andreas Krasser, Head of Strategy & Innovation at DDB Group Hong Kong, said: “While our industry is obsessed with data, we often fail to notice its versatility and all the compelling stories data can tell. CRAFTED BY MY HEART goes beyond the question of whether data enables or hinders creativity by showcasing that data itself can be creative.” Manolis Perrakis, Creative Technologist at DDB Group Hong Kong, added: “Controlling every single aspect of the process, from conceptualisation and design, to manufacturing and delivery, has taught us not only how to embrace uncertainty, but also that innovation requires true commitment and stretching of resources. CRAFTED BY MY HEART is a true testament to the entrepreneurial spirit at DDB. We can truthfully say that we have walked in our clients’ shoes, and understand their business challenges better than ever.” The manufacturing of each unique design starts with a high-resolution 3D wax printed model of the ring that ultimately gets moulded and coated in one of the three available finishes, and delivered to the user’s doorstep. The rings themselves are actually surprisingly affordable, at between $155 and $205, and they take around 15 to 20 working days to complete. So if you order one now you'll definitely have it with you in time for Christmas!
Sainsbury's introduce Argos click and collect
Argos has launched its first concession within Sainsbury’s, following the supermarket chain’s acquisition of Home Retail Group in September. Sainsbury’s new retail concept, designed by Dalziel & Pow, includes click and collect points for both Argos and eBay, which the supermarket says are designed to make for a more convenient shopping experience. The first Sainsbury’s branch to include the concession is the new Nine Elms store in Battersea, London, with a further ten stores identified for a wider roll out. The flagship store also features its first Mini Habitat concession, which was launched in ordered to further brand awareness and increase shopper confidence. Sainsbury’s CEO Mike Coupe, said: “It’s an exciting time in retail. Customers want convenience, flexibility, speed and the choice to shop in stores or online, whenever and wherever they want. Whether it’s home delivery, Click & Collect, or a visit to one of our stores, Nine Elms demonstrates just how our customers will benefit from great quality products, services and fast delivery.”
Malibu and SharpEnd aim to abolish bar queues with Coco-nect
The Malibu alcoholic drinks brand wants to consign bar queues to the history books with the launch of a ground breaking cup that will bring club and festival goers’ drinks directly to them. Featuring state-of-the-art ‘internet of things’ technology, the new “Coco-nect” cups send signals to bar staff every time a fresh drink is required. All customers have to do to place their order is twist the base of the special coconut-shaped vessel (ideal for Malibu-based cocktails) and then carry on talking, drinking or dancing while their drink is prepared and delivered straight to them. Making clever use of existing WiFi and RFID technology, the cup is a drinks industry first, and is set to bring the internet of things to clubs, bars and festivals in time for summer 2017. Twisting the cup’s base sends an order to the bar at the same time as pinpointing the user’s location. Once the order has been accepted a light on the bottom of the vessel changes colour to let the partygoer know that their drink will soon be delivered to them, while a special app then helps bar staff find the customer. Once near, the vessel light starts flashing to identify the right recipient. The cup was developed in just 12 weeks by the Malibu brand team at The Absolut Company, working with the innovative, internet-of-things focused agency SharpEnd.
Malibu’s joint Global Marketing Brand Manager, Deborah Nunez, said: “Traipsing to a crowded bar to face a lengthy queue for drinks can put a real dampener on many social get together, while our research shows that FOMO (the fear of missing out) can be a real frustration for young people who don’t want to miss out on the fun of the party.” Hedda Helgesen, also Global Marketing Brand Manager, added: “Our new Coco-nect cups will mean they may never need to miss a single moment of fun again. We have successfully trialled 10 prototype cups this summer, and will be looking to roll them out commercially in time for next year’s summer festival season. We expect them to be a real hit.” It's also worth nothing that this isn't the first time Malibu has tested the potential of the IoT. In August this year the brand used the technology to turn its bottles into digital touch-points. The brand implemented the same technology used for contactless payments to create 40,000 ‘connected’ bottles, allowing users with Android phones and the latest iPhone 6/6s to access exclusive content, including prize draws, drinks recipes and playlists, as well as a bar locator.
Vello introduce the self-folding electric bike
The Austrian bicycle design studio Vello claims to have created the first bike to combine electric, self-charging and folding features. The Vello Bike+ charges as it travels by converting kinetic energy generated by the rider into electricity, which can then be used to help cyclists uphill. The bike harvests power from the rider's braking and pedalling, using it to recharge a lithium-ion battery. Vello claims a fully charged battery provides constant pedalling assistance lasting around 20 miles (32 kilometres). The bicycle can also be plugged into power sockets to charge. An accompanying app lets cyclists control pedal support and lock their bike remotely. The bike weighs less than 12 kilograms, and uses a magnetic locking system to fold into halves for transportation. Vello launched the bicycle last month on Kickstarter, where it has already reached 200% of its funding target. Vello designer Valentin Vodev, who founded the company in 2013 with Valerie Wolff, said: “I wanted to create the best-ever electric folding bike with groundbreaking new technology. It's the first self-charging electric folding bike on the market, plus lighter and more compact than any other folding bike on the market. A self-locking magnet allows hands-free folding, which makes it very different from a typical folding bike with complicated hinges to open.”
The Telegraph look to catch up to mobile market with new app
The Telegraph has redesigned its mobile app in order to catch up with the mobile market and appeal to a wider audience, with a palette of bright colours, an animated logo and an interface similar to Facebook and Snapchat. The app was designed by The Telegraph’s in-house design and digital team, and developed by The App Business (TAB). It's free to download and the news content is also free to access. The interface includes a scrolling news feed rather than individual pages for sections, with a Top Stories channel highlighting the day’s biggest stories, and a bespoke menu allowing readers to hand pick their news from 18 sections such as sport, fashion, entertainment and business. It also includes push notifications, and aims to be more intuitive to use, and encourage people to stay on the app longer.
The heavier use of imagery aims to make the feed more visual and akin to the likes of Instagram, Facebook or Snapchat. Jon Hill, Creative Director at The Telegraph, explains: “The new app is based on people’s habits in mobile. We’re trying to keep up with current smartphone trends. The redesign was about catching up with the market. It doesn’t need a heavy tutorial, you can just open the app and start swiping. Dwell time on the app is also increasing, whereas people would leave it fairly quickly before. My mum spends as much time on Facebook and Instagram as I do, as does my child. It’s about making sure the app is appropriate for the device, platform and reading mind-set. Of course, commercially, it’s expected the app will appeal to a slightly younger demographic than our print readership.” The refreshed app follows the redesign of the print paper, website and iPad edition last year, and comes alongside a new marketing campaign developed by Adam&EveDDB, which also incorporates the app’s colourful look. The new app is available to download now for free on iOS and Android via the App Store and Google Play.
Virgin America and Eleven design the most high tech trainers you've ever seen
Virgin America has teamed up with creative agency Eleven to create a pair of leather high-top sneakers complete with a seat buckle, Wi-Fi and video screen. The First Class Shoes were created for a one-off eBay auction, which currently has a highest bid of just under $9000. Designed to incorporate components from Virgin's First Class cabins, the sneakers feature a seat buckle, lights, video display, USB phone charger, and a Wi-Fi hotspot. Virgin claims they are the only shoes to date to incorporate these unconventional elements, which are powered by a rechargeable battery. When the auction ends on Sunday 23 October 2016, all proceeds raised will be donated to Soles4Souls, a non-profit charity that aims to fight poverty by distributing shoes and clothing. The shoes will be delivered to the highest bidder in a custom plexiglass display case with LED lighting. Mike McKay, Chief Creative Officer at Eleven, said: “Virgin America fliers are fashionable, sophisticated, and almost impossible to reach with traditional advertising. But we knew sneaker trends were very popular with our target audience. So we wanted to showcase the airline's features in a unique way, so our target would actually take notice.”
idea add October 18th, 2016, around noon
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