PSFK Weekly
Creativity, trends & futures selected by Piers Fawkes & our AI research tools. Includes innovation case studies, a trends report on Performative Collaboration, and links to download our latest reports
This Week’s Ideas
I guess this week the bigger themes are ‘woven experiences’ and ‘alterered perceptions of space’. - Piers
A new box set from Nose Music combines the senses of smell and sound, featuring scents inspired by classic albums like overripe banana and acrid cigarette smoke, intended to inspire creativity and curiosity in listeners. Learn More (via
)
Artist Mariko Mori has created a stunning, sculptural residence in Japan inspired by natural coral stones. Learn More
Heatherwick Studio is set to design a unique school and makers' space in Bogotá, featuring a facade inspired by traditional basket weaving and biophilic strategies celebrating the city's biodiversity. Learn More
LVMH's unique art residency promotes creativity and creates an immersive artistic experience for visitors. Learn More
Artist Frank Stella's "Recent Sculpture" exhibit at Jeffrey Deitch Gallery in New York features massive sculptures with color-shifting elements and gravity-defying illusion. Learn More
Prada's pop-up carnival in LA's Arts District offers an immersive brand experience with carnival rides and DJ sets, showcasing the power of creativity and experiential marketing. Learn More
Tapping into the trend of dynamic and interactive digital art, A.A. Murakami's neon art creations invite viewers into a world of vibrant color gradients and light. Learn More
Experience the power of collective diversity with Daniel Arsham's "Interwoven Existence." See the beauty and strength of interconnectedness in this unique, interactive kinetic artwork. Learn More
British-Ghanaian artist Ibrahim Mahama's monumental art installation at The Barbican features woven cloth and embroidered robes, highlighting community and collective labor. Learn More
Artist Francine LeClercq transforms surveillance footage into thought-provoking hand-embroidered artworks, challenging perceptions and emphasizing labor-intensive creation. Learn More
Hero Flooring offers high-performance flooring made from recycled athletic shoes, featuring zero waste, vibrant colors, and custom designs. Learn More
A Barbour jacket rental initiative at Glastonbury with Oxfam promotes circularity and sustainability, offering a creative way for visitors to stay stylish while supporting a good cause. Learn More
Industry veteran Robert Roope has trained a digital-twin based on his years of experience matching the right glasses to the right face. Learn More
US-based entrepreneur changes wellness with a virtual reality body painting experience, allowing users to express and reflect on emotions through art. Learn More
Ruinart, a French champagne house, is engaging in art and nature by collaborating with artists and landscape architects to create unique experiences for visitors. Learn More
BMW-commissioned artist Asma Belhamar's experiential installation at Art Dubai captures the city's transformation and features motion-driven projections, experimental prints, videos, and installations. Learn More
Artist Kimsooja's exhibition in Paris features a mirror installation that changes the perception of space, along with 24 display cases showcasing her recurrent themes of identity, borders, and movement. Learn More
Gearbox's new office leans into Montreal's culture, combining creativity, color psychology, and functionality to create an energizing and inventive workspace for employees. Learn More
Punchdrunk's new show offers a unique audio-driven adventure, appealing to audiences' desire for novelty and transformation. Learn More
A vending machine in Terminal 8 at JFK airport dispenses luxe truffle mushrooms, oil, and salt from Urbani Truffles, creating unique consumer experiences. Learn More
Renault has unveiled an unconventional collection of electric leisure vehicles for watersports and snowmobiling, designed as a promotional stunt for its Renault 5 electric car. Learn More
HAHA Studio's innovative furniture collection, Ghost, features untreated aluminum pieces that are a by-product of material experimentation, pushing the boundaries of sustainable design. Learn More
The Breeze Block stereo, a one-of-a-kind product created by industrial design studio Semblance, integrates audio technology with the visual and tactile appeal of decorative concrete masonry units. Learn More
This Week’s Reports to Download
Transformational Initiatives for Enhanced Efficiency in Transportation & Logistics (FEDEX)
Market Performance & Expansion Strategies in Apparel (Lululemon)
Innovation & Originality in Apparel Product Lines (Nike)
Consumer Behavior Adaptation & Profitable Sustainability in Footwear (Shoe Carnival)
Loyalty Boost Blueprint: Elevating Customer Satisfaction in Food Service (Darden)
Electric Mobility Innovation & Sustainable Future Report (BMW)
Accelerate Strategy: Building Brands, Innovating Operations in Food & Beverage (General Mills)
This Week’s Trend: Performative Collaboration
For the next few week’s, we’re sharing an extract from Piers Fawkes’ new 2025 trends report: Machine Thinking. This week we look at the trend of Performative Collaboration.
Collaboration has become one of today's most dynamic tools in marketing and sales. Typically this activity is about creating a fusion of experiences, be it with another brand or an influencer, that captures attention and encourages sharing. Interestingly, we’re now noticing how companies are partnering with other organizations that possessing unique values and audiences they lack or cannot cultivate quickly enough on their own.
The trajectory we're seeing points to partnerships where brands – both personal and corporate – can achieve tangible business values. Selectivity is key; companies are strategically choosing partners whose strengths complement their objectives or help to mask their shortcomings.
Saks recently teamed up with Lucid Motors to bring a unique luxury experience to its clientele by introducing Lucid Air electric vehicles at select Saks locations. This collaboration extends Saks' luxury offerings beyond traditional retail, incorporating demo drives and featuring Lucid content on Saks’ digital channels. The initiative reflects Saks' ambition to merge luxury retail with innovative lifestyle experiences, showcasing the synergy between high-end fashion and electric vehicle technology.
Walmart & PepsiCo have announced a performative collaboration where they plan to invest $120 million in regenerative agriculture, which aims to shift two million acres of farmland to regenerative practices by 2030 and reduce four million metric tons of greenhouse gas emissions.
Brand collaborations have evolved to become performative. They're no longer just about visibility or marketing synergy; they're functional, crafted to advance a company's goals, like driving its circular economy initiatives or cementing its status as a digital-forward brand. This approach sidesteps the traditional, resource-intensive path of redirecting a business's trajectory. Instead, performative collaborations offer rapid, tangible results, making their impact clear to consumers and investors alike. It's smart, it's efficient, and it's the way forward in an ever-competitive market landscape.
Keep subscribed to this newsletter to receive an alert regarding the publication of ‘Machine Thinking’ to PSFK’s report library
Chainsaw Links
A list of other stories that inspired us to learn more about business and consumer culture:
Brand Innovation and Collaboration
Play Studio's innovative design system for the OpenAI DevDay conference focuses on a memorable brand experience with interactive installations.
Gap's collaboration with skateboarding brand Palace celebrates 90s culture with a new collection.
Liquid Death's disruptive brand strategy discusses lessons from creative sabotage and unconventional tactics.
Admiral celebrates 50 years of the replica football shirt with a commemorative book.
Abercrombie & Fitch's modernized image and customer experience lead to a surprising comeback.
Cultural and Lifestyle Trends
A candy shop in NYC's LES attracts a diverse crowd with candy-themed cocktails.
Girls' wrestling becomes the fastest-growing high school sport in the US.
A dating app study reveals Gen Z's belief in astrology affecting relationships.
The rising trend of Latinx entertainers promoting Mexican cuisine highlights cultural authenticity.
The French increasingly choose American style fast food over traditional cuisine.
Technology and Innovation
Google's "Attention Is All You Need" paper revolutionizes AI with transformers.
Mastercard and MetaMask test a payment card for cryptocurrency assets.
The future of smart cities discussed at Merchant Payments Ecosystem 2024 focuses on integrated payments and innovation.
Environmental and Social Initiatives
Idris Elba develops a self-reliant economy and smart city in Sierra Leone, powered by wind.
Pamela Anderson's makeup-free campaign for Re/Done emphasizes authenticity and individual beauty.
The beauty packaging industry evolves with sustainability concerns.
Fact(?) of Note
According to a new study by Flirtini dating app, 71% of people believe that Mercury retrograde has a negative impact on their relationship, and 46% admit that their loved one was acting unusual during the astrological event. 37% have canceled a date due to conflicting plans with the planets and 1 in 4 people have been dumped because of Mercury retrograde. Source
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