Need to Know
18 : 10 : 22

The Netherlands – Dutch designer Boudewijn Buitenhek has constructed a solar-powered kettle and coffee bean roaster as part of an experiment in which he lived without gas or electricity for a week. As part of his wider studies for the industrial design master’s programme at KABK in The Hague, the project, Living with the Sun, explores the use of solar panels in rented accommodation without roof access. Exploring his curiosity for alternative solar methods, during the experiment Buitenhek found ways to live without mains power, including a method to make his daily coffee.

The kettle and bean roaster were inspired by an 18th-century method that consists of two glass tubes: one traps solar heat, reaching temperatures of over 200°C, and the second converts the heat into energy.

He hopes this will empower people to take the initiative to create solar systems. The devices help to give people a greater understanding of how energy is used in the home. This is further explored in our piece on solar-powered futures.

Australia – Hop Design’s new cutlery collection is designed to make everyone feel included at the dinner table. Called Font, this adaptive set caters for people with different disabilities, but doesn’t compromise on design.

The 24-piece collection can be tailored to people with various levels of hand strength, dexterity and control. Because each adaptability need is unique, the studio chose to 3D-print Font to make the set easily customisable and adaptable.

Tableware solutions for people with disabilities often focus on functionality and are lacking on the visual side, which can trigger a feeling of exclusion at meal times. Font’s rounded and cohesive look is designed to change that. ‘Everyone has a favourite spoon or cup that they use all the time. There is a lot of potential for leveraging aesthetics in inclusive design and design for people with disabilities,’ says Hop Design founder Michael Hoppe.

Divergent Design represents a largely untapped market opportunity and designers have a large role to play in acknowledging all accessibility needs while making assistive products appealing.

Global – Crypto market research company CoinGecko has conducted a survey of non-fungible token (NFT) launches across several industries since 2020, and found that apparel and luxury brands are spearheading the adoption of Web3 assets.

The report examined companies with core businesses unrelated to NFTs or cryptocurrency, mainly in the media, entertainment, automotive and beverage industries with an international presence and headquarters either in Europe or the US. The study revealed that more than twice as many luxury brands (37%) stepped into the NFT space than brands in the media industry (17%) in the past three years.

‘In spite of current market conditions, many ‘traditional’ companies are leveraging NFTs in their brand and marketing efforts to engage their audience and communities,’ says CoinGecko chief operating officer and co-founder Bobby Ong. ‘It will be interesting to see how this trend holds up next year – and if brands in industries outside of this list unlock NFTs in their marketing strategies.’

With some consumers still dubious about the true value of digital assets, this study suggests that Guilded Luxury is likely to continue to level up by pioneering Web3 adoption and innovation.