PSFK Weekly
Creativity, trends & futures selected by Piers Fawkes & the PSFK research team. Includes a special trends report on Intent Based Experiences and a reminder re. next week's meetup in Tribeca.
This Week’s Ideas
This section in today's email focuses on the themes of creativity, experience, and innovation across a variety of industries, from fashion and automotive to technology and art. Learn about how brands like Vans and BMW are pushing boundaries with bold collaborations and sustainable practices, while innovative projects like FibeRobo and the Tapico Typer are reimagining traditional design concepts. Stay informed on the latest trends and developments shaping the future of creativity and innovation.
Art & Music Make The Edges
"Parallels" is a touring installation by Architecture Social Club that uses fragmented beams of laser light to create mesmerizing choreographies, accompanied by a musical score by Max Cooper. Learn more
Skateable Art
PlayLab Inc and Vans celebrated LA's art week with a 12-ft skateable pyramid made from reused materials, promoting Vans' new skate shoes. This interactive installation merges art with sport in a unique way. Learn More
Jo Di Bona in Paris
Street artist Jo Di Bona is showcasing his playful and colorful creativity in Paris. This exhibition offers a vibrant display of Di Bona's distinctive blend of graffiti, pop culture, and collage techniques. Learn More
Mended Murals
A campaign by Vaseline restores city murals while raising awareness and resources for skin health. It emphasizes the importance of health and wellness in advertising and promotions. Learn more
Distraction Free CE
A 3D-printed E Ink typewriter inspired by a calculator, the Tapico Typer provides writers with an ergonomic and engaging tool for distraction-free writing, except for the fact you have to plug it in. Learn more
Electric Bubble
Available for drivers 14 years and older, the Microlino Lite is a unique electric vehicle that combines retro charm with modern technology. Its design includes high-strength steel construction and a rollable sunroof, making it a fun and sustainable way to navigate urban environments. Learn more
Ndebele e-Inked Car Art: Following up on a previous ‘art car’ collaboration with Esther Mahlangu, BMW's concept car features a color-changing E Ink film exterior, illustrating the intersection of art and technology in the automotive space. Learn more
Shape Shifting Space
Step into the future with the ACROMNIA Orbital Hotel, offering autonomous and shape-shifting living spaces for an innovative experience in space tourism. This concept introduces a new era of creativity and experiential living in space travel. Learn more
The Perception of Ritual
Raise the Moral is a creative studio that emphasizes beauty, connection, and mindfulness through its art and design works. Their experiential exhibition and collection focus on rituals, perception, and encouraging viewers to slow down and reconnect with their environment and themselves. Learn More
IKEA’s Raw Color
A dynamic collection of furniture and homeware features 15 different colors, optical illusions, and an experimental approach to lighting. This unique collaboration between IKEA and design studio Raw Color brings innovative and engaging choices to shoppers, elevating the home design experience. Learn more
Sculptural Surveillance
Danish design firm Swift Creatives has unveiled a unique system that combines home security with style. Their "Sculptural Surveillance" offers aesthetically pleasing devices that blend into the home environment while providing security. Learn more
Sculpting Alternatives
Aleph Geddis crafts intricate geometric sculptures that blend traditional woodworking techniques with modern aesthetics and esoteric influences. Inspired by his travels, Geddis' work is a testament to the beauty of natural materials and the precision of craftsmanship. Learn more
Gin Workshop
A creative and educational experience awaits mixology enthusiasts at a gin workshop located near the Louvre in Paris. Participants learn about distillation and visit a production facility, offering a unique blend of education and enjoyment. Learn More
Sound Scents
An ultra-exclusive, multi-sensory musical experience was created through a collaboration between Cartier, the San Francisco Symphony, and a perfumer, evoking emotions through scent. This innovative event merges the worlds of music, perfume, and emotion in a unique performance. Learn more
Next Week: Meet Up For The Creative Industry
PSFK and Spring Studios invite our communities to connect and discuss the practical uses of AI technology in our work. March 6th, Tribeca NYC. Everyone is welcome
This Week’s Reports from PSFK
Future Mobility Transformation: Product Evolution & Consumer Trends
Data-Driven Customer Acquisition & Retention Strategies in Food Service
AI Acceleration Strategies: Future-Proofing Tech Competitiveness
Operational Efficiency and Productivity Enhancement Strategies in Home Goods
Sustainable Business Evolution: EverGreen Strategy Implementation
Demographic-Focused Product Line Development Strategies in Fashion & Apparel
Profit Boost: Maximizing Market Expansion and Innovation in Food & Beverage
This Week’s Trend: Intent Based Experiences
For the next few week’s, we’re sharing an extract from Piers Fawkes’ new 2025 trends report: Machine Thinking. In this thought piece, the PSFK and Broadmind.ai founder looks at the creation deeply personalized, intuitive digital experiences with AI-led interfaces.
At PSFK, we can sense a paradigm shift where we unshackle our machines from our historical perceptions of design. What if let the machines reimagine interaction with the unfiltered essence of human senses? Consider the possibilities: your device experience isn't a carbon copy of mine; it's a unique narrative, tailored to your sensory profile and personal quirks.
Why shouldn't our digital interfaces adapt to our individual visual experiences, ergonomic needs, or even our fluctuating moods? It's time for technology to become an intimate companion, attuned to our personal symphonies – from the unique hues we see to the private melodies we hear. Commenting recently, IDC analyst Francisco Jeronimo said, “The intelligent phone we will see in the future [will be a] a truly digital personal assistant where the phone adapts to your use…Over the last 10 years it was all about how many apps are available out there that can help us.Now? The fewer apps, the better the phone."
And we can see what Jeronimo means when we look at one of the ‘hits’ of CES2024: the Rabbit R1. At the convention, Rabbit Inc unveiled R1, an AI assistant with a pocket-friendly design. The device ignores classical UX and app experiences and can perform tasks like calling an Uber or making a restaurant reservation through voice commands and automated scripts called "rabbits."
Design is about to move beyond the rigidity of standardization to a fluid, real-time adaptability. This isn't just about creating accessible technology; it's about designing empathetic, personalized experiences. With AI as the conductor, we're on the cusp of transforming interfaces into deeply intuitive, inherently understanding extensions of our individual selves.
, an emerging technologies expert argues, “The future is what I call Intent-Based Computing. I express intent through whatever modality is most convenient for the context I’m in. This could be natural speech, a subtle gesture to a camera, or through some non-intrusive Brain-Computer Interface (BCI). From that input, an intelligent, hyper-personalized agent manifests the optimum outcome and expresses it back to me in the most optimum modality. … What will be certain is that I won’t have to wade through a myriad of disparate Apps, Websites, and User Interfaces to get stuff done.”We’ve started to some early adoption of the Intent Based Experience philosophy. Google’s “circle to search” and Fiverr’s upcoming AI-personalization of its homepage are clear examples. Writing for 365 Retail, Terry Clark says it could intent bases experiences can creeping into many different categories - including gambling, “These technologies are completely changing the way users interact with the internet. AI is able to comprehend your preferences and learn about your gaming patterns in order to customise the gaming experience to your liking. It resembles having a personal concierge at a casino!”.
In this evolution of immersive interfaces, we're withnessing a redefinition of the boundaries of human-tech interaction. We're stepping into a future where technology isn't just a tool but a reflection of our diverse, multifaceted humanity.
Keep subscribed to this newsletter to receive an alert regarding the publication of ‘Machine Thinking’ to PSFK’s report library
Quote of Note
"Doesn't anything on the planet taste better than a Hershey’s bar?"
Mr Beast
This Week’s Podcasts from PSFK
Our Earnings Calls podcasts use AI Agents created by our Broadmind.ai team to extract business strategies, market trends and consumer insights from investor reporting. This week we tracked the following companies:
AMC Entertainment Holdings, Anheuser-Busch InBev, Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holdings, Beyond Meat, CAVA, eBay, FIGS, Fresh Del Monte Produce, Hilton Grand Vacations, Hims & Hers Health, Jack in the Box, Lenovo Group Limited, Mastercard, Planet Fitness, Urban Outfitters, Vita Coco, Virgin Galactic Holdings
Available for free on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.