As I said, I was busy making bespoke Recycled Magic Wallets lately. Here they are. I enjoyed making them and once more I realized how differently you have to handle different materials. They are made of plastic bag material, watersnake leather, silk, old map and printed/painted paper. Have a closer look checking out the Recycled Magic Wallet gallery.
By the way, I was also working on the Recycled Magic Wallet websites. Have a look and please leave a comment on my getsatisfaction.com account. It’s only with your help that I can improve my sites, products and service!
In case you have some spare time, I highly recommend you to have a look at the links that I put as my sources of inspiration. Of course I have many more, but those are a selection that anyone interested in sustainable design respectively in a change for a better designed world should see.
I keep saying “better design”. What is that, you might ask. I’m working on a post which will explain what’s better design to me. Till then, have a great time!
Whenever I see this Apple clip I have to think of my studies at the art school in zurich. Basil Rogger, head of Specialization in Style & Design ZHdK, Chief editor Lucerne Festival and Member of the board of Swissfuture, the Swiss Futures Studies Association kept showing us this clip when explaining what our studies should stand for: revolutionary thinking and innovative design.
This was in 2003 and the iPhone didn’t exist at that time. Now, looking back, this movie is still up to date. Apple is still innovating and to me way ahead of many other companies. Maybe because although being a tech company Apple, (or Steve?) applies design thinking. (Also see Tim Brown blog.)
Here is why I think Apple’s design rock using my iPhone and monkeys as an example:
Fist of all, the iPhone as a material object is designed nice and sleek: It’s not too big and not too small, not too heavy and not too light. Its material feels nice to touch. No unnecessary buttons, nothing that stands out so it slides easily in any pocket. I’m thinking of a washed stone. Any child likes to keep a round stone in their palms (and adults too). It just feels nice. I don’t know exactly why.
(It might have something to do with very ancient times and how we were using our physical tools back then. After all, we’ve been living almost like monkeys for a long, long time and only recently we became “super-monkeys” as Philippe Starck calls us in his TED talk. So, maybe it’s not bad having the monkeys in mind when we design for future “wise-super-monkeys” as I’d like to call the comming generation. Just a thought of mine.)
But then the iPhone is much more than it appears to be. It’s only a case for its immaterial services. And living in the super-monkey period of time, where you hardly ever have to grind corn, (altough you might be able to do that with the new iPhone), these services/immaterial tools became even more valuable.
The iPhone is a telephone, a music player and an access to the internet in the first place. Those are three main domains Apple specializes in - very valuable as essential, intangible ones that even the early-super-monkeys loved: communication, music and learing. In other words it’s the possibility to connect to each other on three levels using one tool (whereas I think the communication and learning are linked and could help us become wise-super-monkeys).
All monkeys from all times need connection, otherwise we feel lonely and sad and might eventually die.
That the telephone connects us in times we are disconnected physically is obvious. Here I remember a poem I had to learn by heart at grade 3 that would fit:
“Gestern habe ich mir vorgestellt,
ich wäre der einzige Mensch auf der Welt.
Ganz einsam war ich und weinte schon,
da klingelte leider das Telefon.”
Also music connects us and speaks right to the heart. It probably has since its existance. Music is a very emotional phenomenon that has (and always had) the power to connect (to our feelings and other people). (See this years TED wish by José Abreu). Do you turn on the music too whenever you feel lonely? Or even sing a song? I know a lot of super-monkeys who do that.
Finally the internet. At first it has been used to give us information. But more and more we understand, that its true value lies in being able to connect to people. (Facebook is a good example most people might know by now.) And eventually even interact, meet in person and make a difference for us and our world. Through interaction we learn best. It has always been like this. Here another poem that fits, my favourite one actually: Tell me and I may forget. Show me and I may remember. Involve me and I will understand.Confucius
This is where the next domain opens up that Apple can’t really control anymore. (And maybe don’t want to as their capacity of expertise is full with taking care of the other domains). Apple might be tracking the developments by giving license in order to build Apps but basically they let the tech people tinker with the software. Apple seems to enter the next step that design thinkers predict to be a hot topic: Cocreation.
Though I’m not sure if this is going to happen. I think Apple are masters also in their software designbusiness: Apple does have outstanding intuitive interface for their software a very characteristic aesthetic design language. Can co-creation harm Apple’s very good reputation and brand as the new Apps might not come up with Apple’s quality standards? Will people be able to distinguish Apple offers from all the other offers? How (much) can you open up while still being true to yourself and (therefore) unique?
Might be that there are many other things that I like about Apple and its design (physically, visually and strategically). But this post has become too long already. So I’ll leave it as it is.
I know this sounds crazy. Becoming a nomad Crafts Person but well, In our times nothing surprises me anymore. Almost anything (except for flying like a Butterfly - or flower) has become possible.
Well, this wish doesn’t come from nowhere. I told you how I always wanted to become an Indian American Girl. They not only live in harmony with nature but also move from place to place. By moving and taking your time you can learn and understand things.
I wouldn’t be the first to do this. My ex boss at Futerra, Ed Gillespie, did it and enjoyed it a lot. And I don’t have to mention Matt. Really, who the hell doesn’t want to be him?
Anyway. I’m working on my dream. I hope that eventually I’ll get there. I think, it’s just about getting to know the right people now.
I would like to tell you why Mayari has been calm lately. It’s because I was listening more than talking. Thinking more than making. I need focus. I need a plan. Lots of confusion but also insights.
I KNOW I’m an idealist. Are you laughing at these people? Or do you pity them? WHY?! I’m proud to be a dreamer! In fact, it’s very difficult to remain a dreamer, believe me. I almost can’t…
The economy is in a crisis. Might be that we deserve it. I see it as a perfect chance to remake our somehow f***** up system. I inherited this world and its system. I’m not proud of it. I can’t support it no longer. I believe I don’t have to. We cannot afford to do business as usual anymore. I want to do busines as UNusual. And I start by making and offering wallets in a responsible way.
You cannot win trust in a lottery. You cannot buy trust with money. You can only EARN trust - acting authentically and respecting ethics. This takes time. I’m patient.
My aim is to earn nice people’s trust. To make people feel good. To heal mother earth. To help people and nature. My plan slowly becomes materia… Hold on. And see yourself. Within this month.
