News 05.05.2021

News

Pentagram sheds light on invisible air pollution, Degree designs an accessible deodorant and German shoppers spend more on sustainable groceries.

Pentagram visualises the air-polluting impact of plastic

Plastic Air by Pentagram in collaboration with Google Arts and Culture, Giorgia Lupi, Talia Cotton and Phil Cox

UK – Using an interactive data visualisation, the design studio draws attention to the microplastics that invisibly pollute our air.

The visualisation, PlasticAir, invites users to interact with free-floating particles that represent microplastics, adjusting various environmental elements such as rain, snow and urban or remote locations. Clicking on each particle allows users to view the chemical composition of the plastics, as well as household items they may originate from.

Designed in collaboration with Google Arts and Culture, the platform also provides educational and actionable ways of reducing and monitoring plastic consumption. By providing this visual platform, people can better understand the impact of non-visible pollutants. Pentagram comments: The experience offers a speculative window onto a data-driven approximation of the plastic particles that exist all around us, but remain hidden to the naked eye.

From shrinking typefaces to offset apparel, we recently explored the range of ways in which designers are responding to the climate crisis.

A vitamin brand harnessing the power of astrology

Cosmos Vita, US Cosmos Vita, US
Cosmos Vita, US Cosmos Vita, US

US – Cosmos Vita is a new multivitamin brand fostering a community around holistic healthcare and astrology.

Launching with three vegan and gluten-free multivitamins, Cosmos Vita centres on the idea of creating balance for the mind, body and spirit. Each multivitamin includes active ingredients such as elderberry, zinc and apple cider vinegar to boost overall health and immunity. Created in gummy formulations, the vitamins provide an accessible way for people to build supplements into their daily routines.

Alongside the vitamin range, Cosmos Vita is also building an astrology-focused community, providing education around the health impact of events like new moons. To bolster this element of the brand, Cosmos Vita is partnering with an astrologer and spiritual adviser to write monthly horoscopes.

As Alternative Spirituality gains momentum among Generation Z, wellness brands have an opportunity to create products and services that align spiritual beliefs with healthcare.

Degree makes deodorant disability-friendly

US – The inclusive deodorant uses packaging design to enable greater accessibility for people with disabilities.

The deodorant, Degree Inclusive, has been launched by Degree, also known as Sure. Developed by a team of occupational therapists, engineers, consultants and people with disabilities, the product features a number of accessible design and packaging elements. Its hooked design allows for one-handed usage, while magnetic closures make it easier for users with limited grip or vision to remove or replace the cap. A braille label featuring usage instructions supports those with visual impairments, while a large roll-on applicator allows users to reach more surface area.

‘More than 60m people in the US live with a disability, yet products and experiences are still not designed with this community in mind,’ says Kathryn Swallow, global brand vice-president at Degree. With Degree Inclusive we hope to inspire bold action across the industry to ensure that people with disabilities have an equal playing field.

Building on the innovations we explored in the Adaptive Beauty sector, brands are now catering for the needs of disabled people within the larger personal care industry.

Degree Inclusive

Stat: German shoppers spend more on eco-friendly groceries

Shaping by Eyla Llarena Aliaño proposes a different lifestyle where environmental care in consumption is a priority Shaping by Eyla Llarena Aliaño proposes a different lifestyle where environmental care in consumption is a priority

According to a global study by YouGov, many grocery shoppers are willing to pay more for eco-friendly products.

This is especially the case in Germany, where three in five (60%) shoppers express a willingness to spend more on products that are better for the environment. Similarly, more than half of grocery shoppers across other key regions expressed the same mindset – this includes the US (58%), the UK (57%) and Australia (53%).

Meanwhile, in Japan, grocery shoppers remain largely on the fence when it comes to paying a premium for sustainability. Some 42% of Japanese consumers neither agreed nor disagreed with the statement: I don't mind paying more for products that are good for the environment.’ With this in mind, brands must consider the price barriers when it comes to encouraging consumers to buy eco-friendly products.

To see how we’ve been tracking the attitudes of eco-minded grocery shoppers over the years, meet our Low-impact Eaters community.

Previous News Articles
Dehydrating Book highlights the global water crisis

News

Dehydrating Book highlights the global water crisis

Water for People, Edelman and Toronto studio The Gas Company have designed a book that can only be read when wet.
Books : Design : Climate Crisis
Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

News

Foresight Friday: Fiona Harkin, director of foresight

Every Friday, we offer an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, director of foresigh...
Foresight Friday : Ff : US Economy
Stat: HNWIs in China shift toward luxury travel rather than possessions

News

Stat: HNWIs in China shift toward luxury travel rather than possessions

China’s wealthy elite are increasingly prioritising cultural and immersive luxury experiences over traditional material possessions, according to a...
Stat : Statistic : China
SmartSKN introduces AI-powered customised Korean skincare

News

SmartSKN introduces AI-powered customised Korean skincare

South Korean beauty company SmartSKN has launched K-OWN, an AI-driven skincare platform that uses real-time diagnostics and on-demand manufacturing...
AI Skincare : Skincare : AI In Beauty
Stat: US parents are embracing digital fashion resale

News

Stat: US parents are embracing digital fashion resale

The second-hand market is becoming an essential parenting tool, driven by financial pressures and digital convenience.
Shopping Habits : Thrifting : Secondhand Selling
McDonald’s Japan and girl group XG team up for fandom feast

News

McDonald’s Japan and girl group XG team up for fandom feast

McDonald’s Japan has launched Fandom Feast: McDonald’s Live Party (#リアタイマクパ), an interactive experience blending fandom culture with mobile ordering.
Japan : McDonald's : McDonalds
Skinny Mobile clones its happiest customer to star in AI ads

News

Skinny Mobile clones its happiest customer to star in AI ads

Telecommunications company Skinny Mobile has digitally cloned its happiest customer, Liz Wright, turning her into an AI-powered brand ambassador fo...
Advertising : AI : Skinny Mobile
Danish grocery chain introduces new hack for boycotting US products

News

Danish grocery chain introduces new hack for boycotting US products

Grocery giant Salling Group is introducing a black star symbol on price tags to highlight European brands
Retail : Grocery Shopping : Denmark
Stat: India’s digital media surpasses tv for the first time

News

Stat: India’s digital media surpasses tv for the first time

Indians spent a staggering 1.1 trillion hours on their smartphones in 2024, averaging five hours daily.
India : 5G : Statistic
Estée Lauder claims Advanced Night Repair mimics beauty sleep

News

Estée Lauder claims Advanced Night Repair mimics beauty sleep

Estée Lauder is harnessing the viral appeal of beauty dupes with its latest campaign, positioning its Advanced Night Repair serum as the ultimate s...
Estée Lauder : Beauty : Retail
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN