Cecile Poignant Page 3

Charity is the new black

11 December 2012

courtesy of charity: water

Last week at leWeb – the biggest european event on internet and tech – a lot of smart people, post nerds, young geeks and successful entrepreneurs announced on stage new products, new services, new apps … One of the things that caught my ears in that future oriented event was an “old fashioned” word : charity.

Loic Le Meur leWeb ‘s founder, invited Scott Harisson the charismatic young man behind charity: water for a sensitive talk that moved the whole room. During the first part of his life, Harrison spent 10 years working in the nightclub industry in New York. He was successful but totally unhappy. In 2006 he started charity: water when travelling to Africa he saw the terrible plight of so many without the most basic of human needs – water. Charity: water is not an average nonprofit, it has very successfully found new ways of fundraising and got it story out to millions of people globally through the clever use of technology and social media. In fact, Harrison didn’t just want to provide clean water; he wanted to reinvent charity. For that he runs his “business” as a tech start up and found partnership with the biggest .

courtesy charity : water - scott harrison

courtesy of charity : water – Scott Harrison

Disco soupe

2 December 2012

Branding & packaging by Blend-it of Soup-Co

Soup is a comfort and sensible food. It’s not the most glamorous and sexy option of all, but once the weather gets rough, everyone needs a little comfort food action with humble, homely soup.

Soup is today perceived as a healthy food, an easy way to eat vegetables. Americans sip over 10 billion bowls of soup every single year. Market research predict that by 2012 in USA soup sales will reach $6.3 billion, projected growth of more than 25% in just a few years! A trend that is not over….

Recently, we have seen the openings of many “Bar à Soupes” in our cities. More and more fresh, “home made” soups are stored in our supermarket. We also started to eat cold soup in summer with the rise of gazpacho followed by cucumber, carrots…

This somehow regressive food is getting more and more trendy and stylish. Read more…

Gangnam for freedom

23 November 2012

If you had no access to internet during the last 6 months then you might not know anything about a world phenomenon.

“Gangnam Style” is a dance pop single written and performed by Korean pop singer Park Jae Sung, aka PSY. Since the release of the song and its video in mid-July 2012, the video has gone viral on YouTube and had already been viewed more than 795 955 000 time! “Gangnam Style” is a Korean neologism referring to the upscale fashion and lavish lifestyle associated with trendsetters in Seoul’s Gangnam district. “Gangnam” means swag.

With that huge success the video was parodied hundred times and becoming a mème – a part of our modern culture. The visual language of the video is somehow surrealistic and baroque giving us an exotic escape to our daily life. Excatly what we need right now!

Some renewed worldwilde artists started to use “Gangnam Style” as a self -expression. In october, less than a day after dissident and Chinese artist Ai Weiwei parodies “Gangnam Style” to laugh at Chinese government, the Chinese government censor has banned and removed the video from all Chinese sites.

Sculptor Anish Kapoor just made a special Gangnam Style video in support of the artist, Ai Weiwei. “Gangnam for Freedom” by Anish Kapoor and Friends has been released to promote freedom of speech and in support of Chinese artist Ai Weiwei. Kapoor’s Gangnam Style video is supported by human rights organizations including Amnesty.

What a great humorous and joyful way to fight for freedom!

Smart bicycles

21 November 2012

Cardboard Bike by Izhar Gafni

Cycling is the simplest, most natural means of transport, after walking. It’s cool, green and money saving. From Berlin to New York… all hipsters have a bicycle. But, it ‘s not only just fashionable: it is a long term trend.

For the first time since the end of the Second World War the number of bicycles sold in Italy – a real car aficionados country – has overtaken the number of cars. In more than 170 cities around the world, public bike sharing programs are getting more and more popular. Since 2007, velib in Paris is the biggest bike-sharing in the world. Even in USA young people are driving less and not only because of the recession!

Bicycle is now one of the favorite products developed by designers who are no longer only interested in lamps or chairs as during the turn of century. Some designers really want to change the world and they understood the potential of this object.

Israeli engineer and systems developer Izhar Gafni has invented a sustainable cardboard bicycle “alpha” that’s strong, waterproof and costs less than £10 to manufacture. Alpha is mostly cardboard and 100% recycled materials, yet uses a belt-driven pedal system that makes it maintenance free. Read more…

Low-tech factory

16 November 2012

We are living in a world where high tech is a major topic. Most often, new in our world is synonymous of more powerful, speeder, faster, further… It’s an endless quest. Sometimes we just forget about the simplest way to do things. Every action doesn’t need an elaborate tool or a brand new product or a lot of energy. It can be done differently. And one of the answer is Low Tech, a growing major Deep Trend. We see more and more projects developed with that idea.

“Low-Tech Factory” is one of the latest project realized by students at ECAL – a famous Swiss university for Art and Design. During an exhibition, a selection of machines designed by Bachelor’s and Master’s students of Industrial Design and Product were presented.

“Low-Tech Factory” tackles the subject of automatic production beloved by designers, bringing together six entertaining machines which throughout the exhibition produce mirrors, hats, sacks, toys, lamps, and even popcorn!

I particularly enjoyed “Rocking-Knit”, a new interpretation of the rocking chair which offers its user productive moments of relaxation. And, you don’t even need to know knitting!

COOKENING

15 November 2012

One of the major deep trends is our unlimited interest on Food. We all have seen the growing importance of sharing your best meal on Instagram, the success of TV shows dedicated to Food , the renew of grocery stores…The next level is that we want to be more involved in real life.

Cookening is a new platform that aims at connecting people and cultures through food. It is an adaptation of the French concept “Tables d’hôte” mixed with the power of internet. Complete strangers will be able to meet through the platform and to share a home made meal. It is a real privileged experience where locals and travelers can exchange on food and culture.The Airbnb for food is born!

The team who’s behind Cookening is a French team passionate about three things: discovering new food, meeting new people, and traveling around the world. Currently the platform is on alpha, focused first on Paris before spreading.

cookening.com

TOYS FOR GROWN UP

13 November 2012

photo by arnout hulskamp

Adults miss toys … Fortunately there are many solutions to resolve that! Some real “old classic” toys have now versions devoted solely for adults. Lego has developed several architectural kits like the impressive one for Frank Lloyd Wright’s Fallingwater.

Ingrid Hulskamp, recently graduated from Central saint Martins, has created a series of contemplative toys for adults.
She says:”these objects remind us of the candid fun we had as a child, when we fully got caught up in the moment.” She wanted those toys to catch our attention, to afford us a poetic moment with different sensory experiences: tactile, visual and sonorous.

The ideas behind those signals, coming from major companies and from young talent, are that tangible items are taking on a new allure in a very digitized world and that we, as adults, really want to have our own toys which are more than just fun and games.

BODY IS THE MEDIA

13 November 2012

Well Being is a long term trend that we have been watching since years, and we still are…. We now can find a range of health and fitness related apps that keep track of our health, today, two major companies in this industry have launched real new products.

Runkeeper, one of the major actor of the “digital wellness” has attracted since 3 years a massive databank of users : 8 millions health-conscious enthusiasts are keeping track of their miles, time and calories burned on iOS, Android or Windows devices! Runkeeper has partnered with a number of companies, sites and healthy lifestyle blogs.They also announced integrations with Wi-Fi body scales from Withings, heartrate transmitters from Polar …

But they want more Read more…

CreativeMornings

11 November 2012

CreativeMornings is a global breakfast lecture series for creative types. Each monthly event is free of charge and includes a 20 minute talk, plus coffee!

And it’s a super idea invented by Tina Roth Eisenberg aka @swissmiss. She started CreativeMornings in September 2009 in NYC, wanting to create an accessible, inspiring morning event for people to meet. Some have called it the “TED for the rest of us”.

You can now enjoy those precious moments in more than 25 cities.

Black garlic

11 November 2012

photo by foodistable

There is an important trend and fascination with black food: wild rice, balsamic vinegar …. because it is uncommon and some how weird and strange to eat black food. There are still unusual products to discover such as black garlic. It’s a real garlic that’s been through a 3-week fermentation process and a 1-week drying process, using a variety of temperatures and humidity levels.The unique colour, taste, and texture of this product are accomplished without any additives.

It has a tender, gelatinous texture, which melts in your mouth like stewed fruit or prunes. Read more…

Thinking and feeling

11 November 2012

Learn from yesterday, live for today, hope for tomorrow. The important thing is not to stop questioning.

Albert Einstein

Ai Weiwei & Gangnam Style

10 November 2012

Join the Air Food Project

10 November 2012

Every time I see an adult on a bicycle, I no longer despair for the future of the human race.

H. G. Wells

Modern Learning

10 November 2012

“SparkTruck” is a traveling workshop and educational build-mobile, providing hands-on learning and encouraging kids to make and create. Through 21st century tools, technology and materials a team of Stanford d.school students tour the US sharing the power of creativity.

“SparkTruck” like a small Fab Lab enables communities the opportunity to use a laser cutter, 3-D printers, sewing machines, a clay oven and more.The project had been funded trough Kickstarter, the famous crowdfunding community.

Made by hand

9 October 2012

Local production is a deep long term trend corresponding to a need of roots and proximity. In Brooklyn a project called Made by Hand aims to promote what is made locally, sustainably, and with a love for craft. The project takes its influence from the handmade movement here and elsewhere.The things we collect, consume, use, and share are part of who we are as individuals. The food that we eat says something about each of us, as do the tools we buy. Objects that are in our space tell stories on us and on the people who made them.

Monumenta

10 September 2012

Each year, the Grand Palais in Paris offers the entire nave to a sole artist for a great challenge called Monumenta. This year, the French artist Daniel Buren followed in the footsteps of Anselm Keifer, Richard Serra, Christian Boltanski and Anish Kapoor. With his in situpiece, “Excentrique(s)” — which means both “elliptical” and “eccentric” — Buren has built a true artificial landscape: a fascinating forest with a canopy of circle-shaped colored pergolas.The visitors’ path in this forest leads to a sort of clearing under the Palais’ large central dome.

There, huge circular mirrors are installed, reflecting the ambient colours of the installation in a magical way.

After spending a while in the installation, “Excentique(s)” becomes a very intimate space; life is seen through many different hues and we simply want to remain and be immersed in its magic. A precious moment ! Read more…

Do it yourself at its best!

11 August 2012

It’s years now that I think the DYI movement is a huge trend in society that will change radically our way of seing the world.

What best example than the story of Caine a 9-year old boy who spent his summer vacation building an elaborate DIY cardboard arcade in his dad’s used auto parts store.

Caine dreamed of the day he would have lots of customers visit his arcade, and he spent months preparing everything, perfecting the game design, making displays for the prizes, designing elaborate security systems, and hand labeling paper-lunch-gift-bags. However, his dad’s autoparts store (located in an industrial part of East LA) gets almost zero foot traffic, so Caine’s chances of getting a customer were very small, and the few walk in customers that came through were always in too much of a hurry to get their auto part to play Caine’s Arcade. But Caine never gave up.

One day, by chance, Nirvan Mullick, a filmmaker & digital strategist , walked into Smart Parts Auto looking for a used door handle for my ’96 Corolla.

What he found was an elaborate handmade cardboard arcade manned by a young boy who asked him if he would like to play. Nirvan asked Caine how it worked and he told him that for $1 he could get two turns, or for $2 he could get a Fun Pass with 500 turns. He got the Fun Pass.

And that was the beginning of a viral & successful story. Nirvan made the buzz, created a website, a Facebbok page, a Twitter account, a flashmob and a Scholarship Fund for Caine.

What a great story !