Flex-N-Gate’s Post

Design in the workplace goes far beyond aesthetics. Influencing how we connect with one another. It's not just about how it looks; it's about how it works. We're looking forward to seeing the creations of those joining 40 Leadenhall who believe in the future of work. #40leadenhall #workplacedesign #futureofwork

Advance Design: Shaping Tomorrow's Vision Advance design isn't just about aesthetics, it's a powerful tool for brands to navigate their future. Take BMW's 𝗚𝗶𝗻𝗮 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁 𝗖𝗮𝗿 as an example – introduced in 2008, it broke traditional design norms with its adaptable exterior! But why showcase a product that won't reach production life? Because that’s not the point ! The point is : • 𝗗𝗲𝗳𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗱𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗶𝘁𝘆: Advance design shapes brands' identities by envisioning what's next. • 𝗗𝗿𝗶𝘃𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗜𝗻𝗻𝗼𝘃𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: It crafts experiences that seamlessly integrate into users' live. • 𝗘𝗻𝗵𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗕𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗻𝗴: It tells a powerful story that enhances how the brand is perceived. It’s branding as much as it is to shape their tomorrow’s vision. #AdvanceDesign #Innovation #FutureVision #industrialDesign #BMW

Lately, I’ve been speaking with Product Managers (PMs) about the challenges of building products inclusively. Too often, PEOPLE forget to SPEAK to PEOPLE, i.e. your customers. Too busy beating your competitors (with no evidence they’ve spoken to their customers). I’ve significantly found it concerning that there’s a gap in communication and understanding between those who build (designers/PMs), those who decide (Managers/CEO/CTO) and those who receive (people who end up using the products). So when I hear that the challenges of building products inclusively are that: 🧐 It’s too hard 🧐They don’t have time 🧐 It’s not a requirement (KPI) 🧐 Leaders (those who decide) don’t understand the value 🧐 Leaders (those who decide) want to see an ROI 🧐 It’s perceived as a social cause (BTW, there’s a difference between “social cause” and “designing products inclusively”). The answer seems to be that PEOPLE who are at the receiving end are not at the center of designing for and with them to feel valued (that’s your inclusive angle). Because if you understand people, you’d understand that we’re multifaceted, we’re multidimensional and experience the world uniquely. Like Philippe’s son, he couldn’t tell the difference in colour between priority seat and other seats in a tram because he experiences life as a PERSON who is colour blind. So, really, is the challenge of designing inclusively more so the challenge of not understanding people? _____________________________________ Thanks Philippe Guichard for sharing your story and I’m glad our conversation got you thinking! 🚀 #CustomerInsights #ProductInclusion #DesignWithPeople #DesignWithPurpose #innovation #InclusiveDesign

In July's issue, we’re dusting off our crystal ball to see what our industry might look like 10 years from now. Gloves that let us ‘touch and feel’ furniture in VR? Personalised #mattresses, 3D printed to suit? A pill that means we never need to sleep? Alongside the more leftfield suggestions, you’ll find common themes – #AI assistants, #automation, smart #furniture and the rise of #D2C among them. There’s also the growth of #sustainable practices and the circular economy, and we’re looking at the industry’s eco-conscious directions in this month’s issue, too. We preview the Manchester Furniture Show, which promises a return to form from 10-11th July, and look back at Long Point and the Spring Furniture & Bed Show. On top of that, we’ve interviews with MattressNextDay, Emma – The Sleep Company and furniture consultant Nathan Edwards, retailing tips from our regular columnists Steve Pickering, Adam Hankinson and Gordon S. Hecht, the recipients of this year's Design Guild Mark, and articles on AI in design, cash flow, and return-to-vendor (#RTV) situations – all capped off by a look at how to stay positive when faced with bad news. Read it at https://lnkd.in/edQcAs4N The Furniture Shows - MFS & JFS Minerva Furniture Group Samantha Horscroft #furnitureindustry #b2b #magazine #tradeshow Sci-Net Business Solutions #ecofriendly #green #fulfilment #designguildmark The Furniture Makers' Company Gearing Media Group Ltd #beds #upholstery #buying #product #news #smartfurniture #july #2024

Meet Elodie Delassus, our Senior Industrial Designer ⭐ Elodie's drive has always been to help create products that enrich people's lives. Now, she’s at the forefront of innovation, bringing Loop earplugs to life alongside her talented team.     Elodie is quite a new addition to Loop, and she's joined us at a super exciting time of growth. She loves the fast-paced nature of our scale-up environment, which gives her plenty of opportunities to be inventive and come up with the most efficient methods for creating innovative products and experiences.     Elodie's knack for creativity and her constant approach to challenging the status quo are precisely the qualities we value in our designers. She’s unafraid to push the boundaries of design briefs with her outside-the-box thinking – or, should we say, her outside-the-cone thinking 🍦     Curious about what we mean? Swipe through the carousel to see for yourself 😉  #lifeatloop #industrialdesign #behindthescenes

We're excited about July's Furniture News edition, especially the 🔮 focus for what the next 10 years may bring! Given the... ... phenomenal rate of change with #AI, #tech and consumer patterns, even considering 10 years may be a stretch to what's imaginable... It's heartening to see that this edition will focus on #sustainable practices and the #circulareconomy, along with the industry’s eco-conscious directions. #retrunsmanagement #reverselogistics #returnsprocessing

Design for inclusivity. Did we miss anyone? I was recently interviewed on the topic of design for inclusivity by Junie Baptiste Poitevien, and this conversation got me thinking. First, I have noticed that few product companies know their stakeholders very well, by stakeholder, I mean all people that are involved with the product. Often, as an example, they confuse the buyer with the user, and they can be two very different persona with different needs. I had a stark reminder of inclusivity this morning as I was taking the tram with my son to school. My son asked: how do I know which seat is the priority seat in this tram? If you look at the image, this sounds obvious to most of us, but my son is colourblind and he does not see any difference between the two colours and the two seats. Which begs the question: do we design for inclusivity? In your experience, who else do we often forget? #colourblind #design #industrialdesign #innovation

Loads of relevant topics in July's edition of Furniture News, thanks guys! Dig in, some exciting topics in here for the #furnitureindustry. #sustainableretail #circulareconomy #returnsmanagement

🌿 Creating Inspired Workspaces: Cultivating Ambiance for Productivity and Well-being 🌟 Advanced Clothing Concepts, we understand the importance of fostering an environment where creativity thrives, productivity soars, and well-being flourishes. Our workspace isn't just a place to work; it's a carefully curated environment designed to inspire and empower our team members. ✨ Natural Light & Open Spaces: Step into our workspace and immerse yourself in natural light streaming through expansive windows, creating an atmosphere of openness and vitality. 🎨 Colorful Expression & Comfortable Design: Vibrant pops of color infuse energy into our space, reflecting our dynamic company culture and sparking creativity at every turn. 🌱 Biophilic Elements & Sustainable Practices: Greenery abounds in our workspace, bringing nature indoors and promoting a sense of calm and rejuvenation. . 🎵 Sensory Stimulation & Relaxation Zones: Engage your senses as you work with soft background music and soothing scents that create a tranquil ambiance conducive to focus and productivity. 🖼️ Artistic Inspiration & Personalization: Surround yourself with inspiration as you work, with curated artwork and motivational quotes adorning our walls. 💪 Experience a workspace where ambiance isn't just an afterthought—it's an integral part of our culture, empowering our team members to do their best work and thrive every day. #Workaholic #AdvancedClothingConcepts #Innovation #Workspace #Brainstroming #Infrastructure #WorkingCulture #Teamwork #Workwear #Floatingbubble

Defining the right functions is one thing. Having the right people is another. Competent and humble. Thanks both of you Melike Karadayı Gilles Debusschere for leading our global design approach.