Need to Know
14 : 06 : 22

US – With sudden cardiac arrest (SCA) a global health concern, design firm NewDealDesign has created an accessible healthcare gadget that can provide a life-saving heart shock. The compact automated external defibrillator (AED), Avive, can easily be mounted on walls at home, in the workplace or in public, or can be carried during journeys.

To make the device more intuitive to use, Avive’s design takes inspiration from the shape and large screens of mobile devices, with an unmissable red tab for activation. While the device is currently under review by America's Food and Drug Administration (FDA), it has the potential to drastically improve SCA survival rates by allowing people without medical training to respond in advance of paramedic support. ‘[Other AEDs] look professional in the wrong way,’ says Gadi Amit, founder of NewDealDesign. ‘We wanted to make people feel like it was an iPhone: You could grab it and immediately relate to it.’

Here, both NewDealDesign and Avive have set an example to other healthcare providers by reworking a medical tool into something that is accessibly sized and can empower citizens to respond in emergencies. For similar innovations, look out for our exploration into Sidewalk Science, part of our upcoming Innovation Debrief report.

Los Angeles – While gummies are largely associated with vitamin and CBD brands, wellness company LF Herbify is shifting attention to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), with a range of functional gummies made with natural medicinal herbs.

To introduce the health benefits of herbal medicine to a younger, Western consumer, the company has enlisted the help of Beijing-based studio Nicelab to create its visual identity. The packaging of the brand’s two products has been designed to reflect their characteristics. Good Dream Candy, a natural sleep aid, comes in soothing shades of blue, whereas Hot Blood Sugar, a herbal stimulant to boost energy, is packaged in punchier shades of orange.

Created by four international students studying at the University of Southern California, LF Herbify’s mission is to introduce TCM to wider markets, amid growing acceptance of TCM practices by health authorities. By creating snackable gummies and using expressive packaging, the company is helping to reframe Asian food culture and wellness for global regions.

With more UK citizens prioritising their local neighbourhoods and communities, many are opting to shop at independent businesses. Indeed, research by Simply Business shows that nearly nine in 10 (88%) of UK consumers prefer to shop at small, local or independent businesses rather than larger chains, or a mixture of small businesses together with larger chains.

In terms of their reasons, 41% said they liked being able to see that their money has a direct impact, while 39% said service is better with small and independent businesses. Meanwhile, the research also reveals that the type of businesses that perform well are those with clever names. Nearly a third (28%) said they would be more likely to shop at a business with a funny, witty or otherwise creative name.

These findings indicate the importance of communicating a sense of humanness through local retail, whether it’s through customer service or a memorable brand name. As we explore in Eco-venience Retail, retailers are increasingly reconsidering where their stores are situated, and shifting their operations to focus on Neighbourhood Networks.