SODA

🌍 Is design the missing link in the green skills revolution? In the latest SODA x Design Council Digest, Irene Håkansson (Design Council) and Anna Whicher (PDR International Centre for Design and Research, Cardiff Metropolitan University) unpack the findings from the Design Council’s Design Economy research—and the message is clear: 👉 Design is a critical green skill—yet it remains overlooked in national policy and industry frameworks. From driving circular innovation to reducing carbon emissions, designers play a pivotal role in the UK’s journey to Net Zero—but without recognition and structured support, we risk falling short of our sustainability goals. With 71% of designers anticipating growing demand for environmentally-focused work, how can policymakers and businesses step up? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! Read the full piece below to explore: ✅ How design fuels sustainable innovation across industries ✅ Why businesses must invest in green design skills ✅ The Design Council’s plan to upskill 1 million designers by 2030 https://buff.ly/b6ilVBE

Design education isn’t just about making—it’s about thinking. 💭 The best ideas don’t come from rigid goals or New Year’s resolutions. They come from staying curious, embracing new influences, and allowing creativity to evolve naturally. In our latest article, Tony Ryan MIET FRSA, CEO of the The Design & Technology Association, reflects on a thought-provoking design education conference at Nottingham Trent University. From industry collaboration to the role of creativity in problem-solving, his insights challenge us to rethink how we teach and apply design in the real world. 🔹 Design must be a thinking subject that makes—not just a making subject that thinks. 🔹 Education needs real-world context—bringing industry into the classroom and exposing students to the true impact of design. 🔹 We have a once-in-a-decade opportunity—a new government could redefine design’s role in education, but only if we push for change. Creativity thrives when it’s allowed to evolve—how can we make design thinking a constant part of the curriculum and beyond? Let’s start the conversation. ⬇️ Read Tony’s full piece here: https://lnkd.in/eHnUMWFR #DesignEducation #CreativityInLearning #FutureOfDesign #DesignThinking

Design as a Catalyst for Sustainable Transformation Sustainability is a design and innovation challenge and to address it effectively, businesses must take a reflective, holistic and challenging look at a very deep level to: 🌱 Understand the problem that sustainability poses (what they do, what their impacts are, and what are the implications of physical and transitional risks) 🌱 Create an ambitious vision of what success looks like by redefining sustainability as an opportunity to do better business  🌱 Create viable, feasible, desirable and flexible pathways to that vision (including the perspectives of all stakeholders and end-users) In SODA's latest Design Council Digest column, Design Council Expert Graeme Heyes Ph.D. argues that design, with its core competencies in creativity, problem framing, and stakeholder engagement, can play a crucial role in driving sustainable business transformation by helping organisations approach sustainability as an opportunity rather than a risk. Read Graeme’s piece here:  https://lnkd.in/e4xMMUJ9 #Sustainability #DesignForGood #DesignCouncil 

British Vogue, Bottega and Boozy Luxury 🎁 Rounding off our festive favourites series, Design Bridge and Partners’ Creative Director Yvonne Eng-Hall shares her top three seasonal releases to add to your Christmas wish list: 🗓️  British Vogue Advent Calendar: A beautiful blend of luxury and purpose. Handpicked by Vogue editors, this calendar gives back in a big way, with £75,000 in proceeds supporting grassroots London charities like Sistah Space, akt and Women for Refugee Women. Under the guidance of Chioma Nnadi, British Vogue is setting a new standard for meaningful impact.  🎁  Bottega Veneta for Bottega 2024: A tribute to artisanal craftsmanship and Venetian heritage. Featuring stunning pieces like micro-sculptures from Fonderia Artistica Valese and the Laguna-B vase, this collection highlights emerging artisans and reimagines the art of gifting. 🍸 No. TEN x Alessi Luxury Gifting Set: A dynamic collaboration between two bold brands, brought to life by Design Bridge and Partners’ London and New York Studios. This vibrant set redefines cocktail artistry, pushing creative boundaries and making a statement under the tree. Check out the full list of festive favourites here: https://lnkd.in/eWrgzxzb #FestiveFavourites #Craftsmanship #CreativeDesign #HolidayGifting

Kahlúa Unveils a luxurious treat for the holidays 🍫 One of the standout festive campaigns this year is Kahlúa’s new ‘Chocolate Sips’,  a ready-to-enjoy indulgence just in time for the festive season. Pernod Ricard found that consumers are increasingly seeking everyday indulgence as a source of comfort and reward. Chocolate Sips offers all of the deliciousness of Kahlúa mixed with smooth chocolate and white chocolate flavours without the need for complicated recipes. Designed by Pearlfisher, the packaging blends the richness of chocolate with Kahlúa’s distinctive brand identity, offering a treat that feels both luxurious and convenient. NICOLA ROBSON Studio Partner at Pearlfisher, puts it best: “The design celebrates the richness of chocolate while drawing on the brand’s distinctive visual language to create new rituals for the brand.” Discover more of our favourite campaigns for the festive season here: https://lnkd.in/eWrgzxzb #FestiveFavourites #HolidayCampaigns #PackagingDesign #ChristmasMarketing

We're Dreaming of a White Company Christmas ☃️ Today’s festive favourite campaign is The White Company’s 2024 Advent Calendar. The stunning design takes inspiration from their flagship store on Symons Street, brought to life by Japanese illustrator Yoco Nagamiya. Known for her modern ink-and-watercolor style, Nagamiya’s work perfectly reflects The White Company’s elegant brand aesthetic. Creating the beautiful piece was no small feat, the brainstorming process began 16 months in advance. The internal team collaborated closely with the artist to refine the palette, tone, and intricate details until everything was just right. This year, Nagamiya’s illustration extends beyond the Advent Calendar, appearing on Christmas cards, gift tags, and even as window decals in stores. The result is a seamless blend of art, design, and festive storytelling ✨ Discover more of our festive favourites here: https://lnkd.in/eWrgzxzb #FestiveFavourites #TheWhiteCompany #HolidayDesign #Illustration #ChristmasMarketing

We all love a splash of Bailey’s in our winter drinks, but it’s not a good idea to add it to your morning coffee! Luckily, Grind | Certified B Corp have collaborated with Diageo to create the perfect solution with their Baileys-inspired, Nespresso UK-compatible coffee pods. Now Baileys’ fans can enjoy all the creamy flavour of their favourite tipple, with none of the alcohol. We can’t wait to warm up our mornings with this festive twist. And the best part? The biodegradable pods are planet-friendly too 🌱 Discover more of our favourite campaigns for the festive season here: https://lnkd.in/eWrgzxzb #FestiveFavourites #FestiveCampaigns #ChristmasMarketing #HolidayCampaigns

Snow at Chanel ❄️ Today’s festive favourite campaign embodies the magic and sophistication of the season 🎄✨ If you're dreaming of a White Christmas this year, CHANEL’s limited edition No5 Perfume will bring that dream to life. An exquisite design transforms the iconic bottle into a frosty masterpiece, paying tribute to the elegance of Gabrielle Chanel herself. Sylvie Legastelois, Chanel's Head of Packaging & Graphic Design, shared with Forbes that the bottle’s "frosty appearance" is achieved by adorning its shoulders with delicate silk leaves, each cut and applied by hand in multiple layers to create a subtle, icy gradient 🧊 “This meticulous work makes each bottle unique and precious. The greatest challenge was the time required to develop this innovative process, finding the right balance of silk proportions, the time needed for the application while ensuring the quality and durability of this garment.” Discover more festive favourite campaigns from the Soda team: https://lnkd.in/eWrgzxzb #FestiveFavourites #ChanelNo5 #LuxuryPackaging #HolidayElegance #Craftsmanship

Great Design for a Good Cause 🎁 As 2024 draws to a close, we’re sharing a few of our favourite festive campaigns. Today’s pick is a feel-good venture that truly represents the season of giving. For the past four years, Lancaster-based agency Utter Creatives Ltd has partnered with Advent of Change, a social enterprise dedicated to building a fairer, more sustainable world. Together, they've crafted a range of Christmas products that do good. Starting with their 2020 project, including signature Advent calendars and cracker designs, these charitable products went on to become top-selling calendars at John Lewis & Partners and Waitrose & Partners stores nationwide. Each Advent calendar features 24 doors, opening to reveal a different charity and sharing exactly how your contribution has helped. It's a beautiful reminder that Christmas is a season of generosity and making a difference. Click here to learn more: https://lnkd.in/eWrgzxzb   #PurposeDrivenDesign #ChristmasGiving #SocialImpact #FestiveCampaigns

A Classic Christmas at Fortnum's🎄 This Christmas, with so many brands vying for attention, some design work truly stands out. Today, we’re highlighting one of our favourites: Fortnum & Mason’s ‘A Christmas Extraordinary’, a dazzling collaboration between creative agency OTHERWAY, artist olaf H, and STUDIO AKA. The result is a collection that celebrates storytelling, heritage, and the season's magic, with vibrant, hand-painted illustrations that bring Georgian-inspired characters and scenes to life. Studio AKA and director Marcus Armitage brought the detailed illustrations to life using a combination of CG products and photorealistic food renderings, with 2D textures in a whimsical stop-frame style reminiscent of childhood memories. The focus on provenance, craftsmanship, and whimsical, festive joy makes this campaign truly extraordinary. This is festive creativity at its finest. Discover more festive favourites here: https://lnkd.in/eWrgzxzb #FestiveCreativity #ChristmasMarketing #FortnumsChristmas #HolidayCampaigns #StorytellingThroughDesign