News 25.09.2020

Need to Know

Ascend Studio augments sustainable farm branding, an ethical search engine for charitable clicks, and APAC shoppers opt for international e-commerce.

A future-facing identity for insect farming

Better Origin by Ascend Studio, UK
Better Origin by Ascend Studio, UK
Better Origin by Ascend Studio, UK

UK – AI-powered insect farm Better Origin's new identity seeks to give sustainable farming a future-facing feel.

Breaking from traditional connotations around sustainability, Ascend Studio has created new branding for Better Origin – formerly known as Entomics – to reflect its mission of addressing the ‘broken food industry’. With an updated identity, marketing material, positioning and proposition, the rebranding communicates the farm's technology-led yet purposeful aesthetic.

Using black and metallic hues, its mechanical aesthetic is combined with curves to reference how Better Origin unites nature and science. ‘Ascend Studio understood the complexities of our work and scope of our ambition. They helped us identify fundamental truths, and took us through a journey helping us crystallise our vision,' explains Fotis Fotiadis, founder of Better Origin, on its work with Ascend.

As businesses adopt more responsible strategies, a bolder visual language is helping to communicate this New Consciousness as increasingly important.

Brother 2.0 gives visibility to intersectional models

Brother Models 2.0, UK Brother Models 2.0, UK
Brother Models 2.0, UK Brother Models 2.0, UK

Manchester – Modelling agency Brother Models is championing a more inclusive future for casting with its Brother 2.0 platform.

This new addition to Brother Models' portfolio is born from the increase in public and fashion industry interest in a more authentic and diverse representation of people in campaigns, photo shoots and content. In response, its 2.0 board features 22 new faces who break free from 'traditional' industry criteria, including gender-fluid people of colour, individuals with disabilities and single mothers.

‘I think that all kids should be able to walk around a shopping centre and see models who look like them – whether it be size, race or ability – so they don’t grow up feeling inferior to people who fit the dated beauty standards,’ explains Michael Mayren, photographer and founder of Brother Models.

Similar to Brother 2.0’s mission, Zebedee Management aims to increase the visibility of people with disabilities in the fashion and advertising industry so that it's no longer a tokenistic gesture.

Seva’s search engine enables charitable clicks

Search engine by Seva, US Search engine by Seva, US

US – Seva is a new search engine that allows people to engage in charitable giving by simply browsing the internet.

Unlike traditional search engines, Seva promises full transparency about its finances, doesn’t store users' search data, and uses minimal information to target ads.

To encourage clicks, the service generates funds from targeted ads, which it puts towards charities. Launching with a focus on the World Food Programme and Project Healthy Children, Seva promotes a more positive use of technology.

It uses Microsoft Bing’s functionality to power searches either through web browsers of its dedicated mobile app. 'I think technology is one of the greatest enablers of both positive and negative forces,’ explains Sean Kelly, founder of Seva. ‘We wanted to create a way for people to engage in effortless charity. Seva is allowing people to make an impact with something they do every day: search the internet.’

While Seva is taking an interest in philanthropy, environmental and ethical impacts have also come to the fore in the technology space, with UX and UI designers responding by creating Low-impact Interfaces.

Stat: Covid-hit APAC consumers crave international brands

A study from Rakuten Advertising uncovers shifting shopping behaviour among consumers in the Asia-Pacific region amid the pandemic.

Its Road to Recovery: 2020 e-Commerce in Asia-Pacific report found that 46% of 5,000 Asia-Pacific consumers surveyed shopped more frequently online during lockdown. During this time, APAC consumers also expanded their searches beyond borders, with 66% preferring to shop via international online stores.

The reasons for this increase in international purchasing vary between countries. The majority of Malaysian (87%) and Indian (84%) consumers choose to shop internationally due to larger product selections, whereas most Chinese consumers (78%) are driven by their belief that international retailers offer more genuine and authentic products.

In Omnilux Lifestyles, our new Luxury & Hospitality macrotrend, we explore the rise of digital-first solutions for consumers unable to discover international brands owing to Covid-19 travel restrictions. Read the macrotrend in full here.

Previous News Articles
AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

News

AirCar readies for launch, ushering in an era of casual air mobility

Slovakia’s Klein Vision has announced that its AirCar – a road-legal vehicle that converts into a certified aircraft in under two minutes – will be...
Mobility : Air Travel : Transport
Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

News

Foresight Friday: Seyi Oduwole, foresight analyst

Every Friday, The Future Laboratory team offers an end-of-week wrap-up of the topics, issues, ideas and virals we’re all talking about. This week, ...
Foresight Friday : Gen Z : Gen Beta
British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

News

British Gen Alphas are listening to CDs and vinyl

Nearly half of Generation Alpha are turning to physical music formats, according to new research from Key Production.
Gen Alpha : Music : Media
Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

News

Social media star Kai Cenat launches Streamer University

Twitch sensation Kai Cenat has launched Streamer University, a weekend-long experience for aspiring creators to collaborate, learn and produce cont...
Media : Entertainment : Education
De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

News

De Beers to close its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand

De Beers Group has announced the closure of Lightbox, its lab-grown diamond jewellery brand, signalling a strategic retreat from the synthetic jewe...
Luxury : Sustainability : Jewellery
Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

News

Financial mansplaining endures for a majority of British women

Gender bias in money matters is pushing British women out of financial conversations, according to new research commissioned by digital wealth mana...
Finance : Diversity : Inclusion
Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

News

Avanade Intelligent Garden gives trees a voice at Chelsea Flower Show

This year’s RHS Chelsea Flower Show invites visitors to interact with AI-enabled trees in the Avanade Intelligent Garden.
Technology : Nature : Sustainability
ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

News

ITV launches deaf-led drama with BSL and silent ad break

ITV is pushing the boundaries of inclusive storytelling with the launch of its new prime time drama Code of Silence, starring BAFTA-winning actor a...
Media : Diversity : Inclusion
Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

News

Stat: Boomerang generation return home due to cost of living crisis

The rising cost of living and unaffordable housing are fuelling a surge in adult children returning to the family home.
Family : Home : Youth
Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

News

Manchester City brings grassroots spirit to kit launch

Manchester City Football Club has marked the launch of its 2025/2026 home kit with a short film that playfully blends football fandom, nostalgia an...
Sports : Design : Creative
You have 2 free News articles remaining. Sign up to LS:N Global to get unlimited access to all articles.
BECOME A MEMBER
SIGN IN