On Friday, our design team at &us - Ben Serbutt, Fiona Tout, Josh Baddiley, and I - spent the day exploring the design festival exhibits around Shoreditch. We started with the ‘Weird and Wonderful Things from Around the World’ by the Travel Things Museum, which got us thinking about the value of everyday objects and how they can inspire the spaces we work and live in. It was such a great reminder to look at familiar things in new ways.
Next up was ‘Oyster[Crete] by Matter Forms, where they’re turning discarded oyster shells into beautiful, sustainable design materials. Seeing these unexpected materials used in new ways made us rethink what’s possible, especially in our own work around life-centered design - thinking about how what we create impacts humans, non-humans, and the environment.
Taking a break from our usual workspace was a breath of fresh air. We got to see what other designers and artists are up to, which is so important in staying connected to what’s happening out there. Plus, just hanging out together, exploring, laughing, and yes, eating ice cream, reminded us that sometimes the best ideas come when you’re not working at all.
So here’s your reminder: get out, get inspired, eat ice cream, and embrace the creative energy that comes from sharing new experiences with your team.