Need to Know
11 : 05 : 22

Denmark – With indoor air quality increasingly front of mind for consumers, Danish designers Andreas Kofoed Sørensen and Hans Høite Augustenborg are proposing a minimalist monitor to alert users to high CO2 levels. Called Canairi, the bird-shaped mechanism spins 180 degrees when CO2 levels stay above 1,000 ppm (parts per million) for longer than 10 minutes. After a window is opened, the canary rotates back to its upright position.

This subtle, non-invasive design tactic references the historical use of real canaries in coal mines to detect toxic gases in the air. Choosing to rely on a playful visual cue was also an intentional strategy amid overused digital alerts. ‘We’re so used to getting alerts and notifications from products all the time, but you tend to ignore them or forget them or turn them off again,’ says Augustenborg. ‘When you see something from the corner of your eye, you always notice it.’

In his recent opinion article for LS:N Global, Rowan Williams further explores such design tactics through the lens of creating ambient home environments.

UK – Recognising that younger generations are feeling overwhelmed by skincare, the beauty brand is unveiling a microbiotic range for customers aged 12 to 15. Unlike Barbara Sturm’s existing collections, which focus on areas such as anti-ageing, the range aims to help balance sebum levels through microbiome science.

The Microbiotic Collection features a cleansing balm, hyaluronic anti-blemish serum, face cream and stinky pimple treatment. To bolster education about skincare, the brand also plans to connect with young beauty buyers through its online skin school and college ambassador programme. Through the curated product range and educational tools, Barbara Sturm is providing a targeted solution for young consumers navigating the beauty landscape. ‘Most brands’ approaches are so aggressive to the skin and create long-term problems for teenagers,’ says Barbara Sturm. ’You can prevent all this if you do the right thing from the beginning, by listening to trusted advice and using good products.’

With this younger range, the cult beauty brand is demonstrating the importance of science-backed ingredients – and education – when reaching Generation Z.

As the cost of living crisis and soaring energy prices take hold in Britain, citizens are expected to face even higher household bills. According to predictions from The Bank of England, the price of gas and electricity is expected to increase by another 40% in October 2022.

Given the wider state of the economy, the bank also said the impact of living standards and weaker growth would cause a sharp rise in unemployment to 5.5% – a figure higher than the jobless rate during the early stages of the pandemic. With these figures in mind, the onus is on policy-makers and businesses to ensure that financial support is available for people most in need.

In the food sector, we’ve been tracking austerity innovations that are supporting communities hit hardest by rising living costs. Elsewhere, there is an opportunity for workplaces to create job schemes and skills services that bolster people’s prospects amid this uncertain economic landscape.