PSFK Weekly
PSFK Weekly
Creativity, trends & futures selected by Piers Fawkes with AI research tools. Includes links, links and more links: case studies, reports, podcasts, other stuff we're tracking.
This Week’s Ideas
Spot the color trend too.
Milan's Illusionary Mural by JR
JR's Illusionary Mural in Milan: Street artist JR has transformed Milan's Stazione Centrale with an illusionary mural for Milan Design Week, blending art with architecture in public spaces. Learn More
MSCHF's Subversive Art Exhibition: Featuring recreated sculptures and microscopic handbags, this show in LA challenges traditional art norms and discusses authenticity. Learn More
Lanvin's Collaboration with Erwin Wurm: Lanvin and artist Erwin Wurm have joined forces to add a fresh and playful twist to luxury fashion, highlighted by a large-scale sculpture of the iconic "Cat" bag. Learn More
Glass-walled Courtyards: Foster + Partners unveil The Edge in Uruguay, a luxury residential project featuring sustainable design and private gardens. Learn More
Floating Glass Museum Project: This innovative museum design by Luca Curci will float on water, highlighting climate change awareness through glass art exhibitions. Learn More
Bhutan's Mindfulness City: A new city in Bhutan emphasizing sustainability with clean energy and conservation practices, designed by leading landscape architects. Learn More
In With The Old: Urban care-homes company wants to create a partnership between generations to re-invent the places where people grow old. Learn More
Land-Art Installation: In rural France, Mathieu Nouhen's land art installation, 'Fossile', evokes thoughts on human-environment interaction and the passage of time. Learn More
Cool Line Liquor Bottles: Featuring unique 3D forms with rotational and foldable tubes, these bottles provide a new approach to product design and an alternative user experience. Learn More
Limited Edition Espresso Machine by Rimowa and La Marzocco: Showcasing a fusion of German and Italian design, this machine marries functional coffee making with artisinal flair. Learn More
Craighill's Sidewinder Pocket Blade: An elegantly designed knife features a unique mechanical hilt inspired by drafting tools and rattlesnakes, offering both function and artistry. Learn More
Kohler's Brutal Smart Toilet Design: The Formation 02 smart toilet by Kohler, inspired by brutalist architecture, offers innovative features in a striking orange color. Learn More
LG's Flow TV: Redefining home entertainment, LG's Flow TV features a detachable frame and spatial audio, tailored for the flexible needs of modern single-person households. Learn More
Robotic Air Hockey Table: Microsoft and Fresh Consulting have introduced a robotic air hockey table that features inclusive design and advanced gameplay technology. Learn More
Desk Solution: The Macintosh Studio: Scott Yu-Jan cleverly declutters his workspace by merging technology with nostalgia, creating the Macintosh Studio—a 3D printed device that integrates an iPad Mini and Mac Studio. This homage to the original Apple Macintosh not only enhances desk organization but also pays tribute to the iconic design that revolutionized personal computing. Learn More
Digital LP Player: A minimalistic digital LP player reimagines vinyl music enjoyment with a touchless sensor and a modern design. Learn More
Heineken's Interactive Tour of Irish Pub: Transforming pubs into museums, this initiative offers a deep dive into the artifacts, history, and cultural impact of Irish pubs. Learn More
Spotify Executive's Interactive Website: Designed to resemble a continuous Google Meet call, this website offers a creative approach to personal marketing. Learn More
From Our Retail Innovation Week Newsletter
Our sibling newsletter includes stuff like this (You should subscribe):
LN-CC's Psychedelic Redesign: Artist Gary Card revamps the British fashion store LN-CC with a surreal design featuring a psychedelic tunnel and thematic rooms. Learn More
Decorate Cafe with Micro Pigs: A cafe in Japan offers a unique relaxation space complete with interactive micro pigs. Learn More
Nike's Fresh Take on Store Design: Sports brand unveils a new store concept at the Mall of America, emphasizing sustainability and bright aesthetics. This design caters to the athleisure enthusiasts and daily gym-goers, focusing on a practical yet visually appealing merchandising approach that marks a shift from high-tech displays to more relatable retail experiences. Learn More
This Week’s Trends Reports
We’re beginning to shift our report focus around the brands and retailers we are tracking. There’s plenty about trends in there - but we’ve reshuffled the documents to reframe them:
Abercrombie & Fitch: Target Market Diversification Strategy - Fashion Industry
Anthropologie: Immersive Retail Evolution: Elevating Customer Experience
CarMax: Influential Strategies in Automotive Retail Evolution
Conagra Brands: Convenient Dining Innovation and Marketing Trends Guide
Delta Air Lines: Streamlining Customer Satisfaction & Operational Growth Strategies
Ermenegildo Zegna Group Sustainable Innovation in Luxury Retail Strategy
Merchant Roots: Sustainable Product Expansion and Customer Satisfaction
PriceSmart: Optimizing Customer Satisfaction and Operational Profitability
Simply Good Foods: Evolving Trends in Snacking Industry Analysis
This Week’s 3 Minute Podcasts to Listen To:
While still available on Spotify & Apple, we’re now publishing our podcasts on the Substack platform. Check ‘em out to get the latest about the following companies, in order of recency:
Earnings Call Analysis: CarMax - KMXReview of CarMax's Strategic Positioning
Earnings Call Analysis: Roots - MRTS
Earnings Call Analysis: Tesco - TSCOEvolving Journey: A Synopsis of the Latest Earnings Call
Earnings Call Analysis: Delta Air Lines - DAL
Earnings Call Analysis: Tilray Brands - TLRY
A Few Thoughts On AI
Challenges of Plugging the Human into the AI Process
Where are the opportunities in value creation in AI?
Broadmind: AI services, advice and tools
Chainsaw Links
Just a few more ideas:
Consumer Behavior and Culture
Youth Trends in Social Media: Gen Z's increased time in bed "bed rotting" involves heavy social media use and snacking, a trend that retailers need to consider for marketing strategies offering comfort and relief. Learn More
… and so: Intimate Portraiture of Bedrooms: Barbara Peacock's intimate bedroom portraits in her documentary. Learn More
Disaster Preparedness: Discussing the importance of a "go bag" for emergencies, a newsletter highlights how folks can equip themselves for crises. Learn More
When Flowers Go Viral (& Escaped A Lab): An unauthorized genetic modification of petunias led to an insightful exhibition on biotechnology in agriculture, showcasing how art intersects with environmental awareness. Learn More
Retail Innovation and Experience
Hudson Yards Thriving: New York City's once risky retail development, Hudson Yards, now thrives with top luxury brands offering unique experiences to affluent shoppers. Learn More
Experiential Retail in Action: Companies are innovating by integrating local materials and craftsmanship into production, reflecting the ongoing transformation in retail strategies. Learn More
Fast Fashion Localization in China: Fast fashion giants like H&M and Zara face stiff competition in China, necessitating a focus on local tastes and long-term market investment. Learn More
Sustainability and Construction
Innovative Housing Solutions: Modular homes are being recognized for their affordability and sustainable benefits, promoting creativity and community engagement. Learn More
3D Printing in Construction: The construction industry is increasingly turning to 3D printing for modular homes, offering high quality, reduced waste, and cost savings. Learn More
Technology and AI in Retail
AI Enhancing Customer Experience: AI technology is making inroads into retail, with eBay using AI for personalized fashion suggestions and Best Buy employing AI for better customer support. eBay AI Tool, Best Buy's AI Support
Generative AI's Impact on Software Profitability: PwC's study suggests that implementing generative AI could significantly boost profit margins across various industries, emphasizing its diverse potential. Learn More
We Have A Few Ideas
If you like this - why not call us in for a presentation, or some research, or a few ideas for your business. We have years of experience working with the likes of Apple, BMW and Nike: hello@psfk.com / psfk.com
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(Like a red clay color, right?? - P)
