PSFK Weekly
Creativity, trends & futures
This week’s newsletter dives into an eclectic mix of design, sustainability, and innovation. From Louis Vuitton’s tribute to architect Frank Gehry at Art Basel Paris to Mulyana’s sculptures made from plastic waste, we highlight stories that explore creativity and environmental consciousness. Whether it's cutting-edge AI tools, sustainable shopping initiatives, or nostalgic gaming events, these key ideas reflect the intersection of art, technology, and social responsibility.
And before we start - to remind you of 2 things:
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This Week’s Key Ideas
Louis Vuitton’s Exhibition Honoring Frank Gehry
Louis Vuitton's exhibition at Art Basel Paris celebrates its collaboration with architect Frank Gehry, showcasing his iconic white fish lamp and a Monogram trunk. Learn More
Deepesh Sangtani’s Art Honors Ice Cream Vendors
Sangtani's Firki project celebrates the craft and tradition of Indian street ice cream vendors through contemporary print and design objects. Learn More
An Additive-Free Approach to Health
Truth is a conceptual brand offers young adults a healthy alternative in a food industry dominated by ultra-processed products. Tonya Mazaeva’s idea focuses on providing trustworthy, additive-free options, catering to various levels of health awareness and aiming to build a healthier future generation. Learn More
Mire Lee’s Unsettling Skin-Like Sculptures
Mire Lee’s eerie factory installation at Tate Modern’s Turbine Hall explores themes of beauty and grotesque with skin-like sculptures. Learn More
Indonesian Artist Mulyana’s Plastic Waste Sculptures
Mulyana’s sculptures, made from discarded plastic, imitate ocean textures, drawing attention to environmental preservation. Learn More
The Value of American Workwear
Reece Donnison reimagines vintage American workwear from the late 19th and early 20th centuries, using denim and interactive design to explore work culture and value. Learn More
Kumagaya House Rethinks Family Dynamics
CHOP+ARCHI's Kumagaya House in Japan introduces innovative design elements to foster family harmony, offering a calming central space. Learn More
Autonomous Micro-Mobility Scooter
The “Hop” platform, designed for city cycle lanes, is a multi-person scooter reducing congestion while offering sustainable transport. Learn More
ESC: A Game Challenging Existence
Emma Grosu’s game, ESC, explores existential themes through gameplay, offering a unique commentary on freedom and limitation. Learn More
Victoria Cheredeeva’s Dance Interface
Artist and designer Victoria Cheredeeva blends fine arts and interaction design to explore improvisation and experimentation in pop culture and music. Learn More
Designing AI for Medical Devices
A thoughtful project that engages users in empathic conversations to develop more ethical and effective engagement. Learn More
Casio’s Moflin AI Pet Robot
Casio’s AI-powered pet robot provides emotional support through touch and sound, offering a comforting alternative to real pets. Learn More
More Links of Inspiration
PSFK’s
wonders if AI could reduce the need for the TSA agent. Learn MoreNike introduces dumbbells made from recycled rubber from footwear byproducts, aligning with its sustainability goals. Learn More
UK charity Wrap calls for a ban on plastic packaging for 21 fresh produce items to reduce waste and promote sustainable shopping. Learn More
Earthseed article encourages the food industry to adopt radical sustainability practices, inspired by Octavia Butler’s speculative fiction. Learn More
The UK’s Wine Society promotes sustainability with wine in flat-shaped bottles made from recycled ocean plastic. Learn More
Guess launches an online clothing recycling program, promoting sustainability and environmental responsibility in the fashion industry. Learn More
The Perfume Shop promotes sustainability with bottle recycling and waste reduction during National Recycling Week. Learn More
Google plans to power its AI operations using energy from small nuclear reactors, ensuring sustainable, reliable energy for its data centers. Learn More
Levi Strauss & Co. automated over 25,000 hours of repetitive tasks in 2022, allowing employees to focus on innovation and growth. Learn More
Amazon's new AI-powered tools enhance retailers' advertising capabilities, optimizing campaigns and improving customer targeting. Learn More
Apple strengthens its smart home ecosystem by launching homeOS and IoT hardware, competing with Google and Amazon in the market. Learn More
Zoom’s new AI avatars can speak and engage in meetings on behalf of users, creating potential for fully AI-attended meetings. Learn More
Nintendo’s Alarmo clock features sounds and music from popular Nintendo Switch games, with motion control and immersive audio. Learn More
GM’s new PowerBanks offer modular energy storage, powering homes for up to 20 hours and integrating with solar systems. Learn More
Chick-fil-A will open its first location in Singapore in late 2025, marking its debut in the Asian market and signifying its global expansion strategy.
Learn More
Target partners with Taylor Swift to launch exclusive holiday merchandise, appealing to fans and shoppers during the festive season. Learn More
New Balance opens a premium retail store in Dublin, offering a curated selection and immersive brand experience for customers. Learn More
Foot Locker deepens its NBA focus through a multi-year partnership with the Chicago Bulls, furthering its basketball engagement. Learn More
Fenty Beauty collaborates with Netflix’s "Arcane" for a gamer-inspired makeup collection, highlighting the characters and themes from the show.
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Sony celebrates 30 years of PlayStation with a global concert tour featuring live performances of iconic video game soundtracks. Learn More
Porsche partners with Lollipop Racing to promote its high-performance vehicles through an interactive game and streaming series. Learn More
DeWu's rise as a grey market app is disrupting the luxury brand market in China, as consumers seek lower-priced alternatives. Learn More
Teens' brand loyalty is shifting, with declining popularity for Chick-fil-A and Starbucks, signaling a need for adaptation in the food service industry. Learn More
Moby Dick House of Kabobs thrives in the fast-casual market by focusing on ingredient quality and customer engagement. Learn More
Adidas must balance supply and demand to maintain the exclusivity and appeal of its trendy sneakers, while meeting consumer interest. Learn More
Australian retailer Harvey Norman opens a store in the UK at the Merry Hill shopping centre, offering a range of tech and home products. Learn More
PSFK’s Piers Fawkes spots signs of kidulthood in Las Vegas. Learn More
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