This is true for most of these Lazarus brands. The emotional connection consumers have for them has transcended time. There is something of meaning and value in the brand which, when re-introduced through the right category and product that can reflect that meaning and value, immediately has new leverage and cache. And this is the lesson for new brands out there. Creating something that is timeless and grounded in its compelling truths is critical to building equity and longevity. If a brand has meaning and value to your core constituents, and if you live up to those truths, you can build preference.

Amazing brand equity here.

Except that it is made of wheat straw. A nice juxtaposition and a nostalgic nod back to the past. Assuming we used wheat straws to drink from. Regardless, the sustainability impact here is clear and immediate.

Things people do with their iPad. Quite crazy.

Ahh...such designer geekery.

Propped by offcuts of guava tree branches, the umbrellas rest on an umbrella stand of made of a bent corian sheet over a maple wood base. The curved ledge channels remaining rain water from the umbrellas into a small, concealed container within the base.

via outofstockdesign.com

Check out this cool umbrella and stand installation by Outofstock, an outfit set up by one of my former students. Nicely done.

Students from the University of Cincinnati Interior Design (Huh, Interior Design???) program designed this Mechanical Dolphin Tails or flipper fins called Lunocets. Biomimicry at its best.

It looks difficult to ride!

Electrolux Design Lab 2010 finalists from Asia

The finalists (in no particular order) are Daniel Dobrogorsky (Australia)- designer of “The Kitchen Hideaway”, Peter Alwin (India)- designer of “The Snail”, Matthew Gilbride (USA)- designer of “Elements Modular Kitchen”, Ahi Andy Mohsen (Iran)- designer of the “Eco Cleaner”, Yuriy Dmitriev (Russia)- designer of the “Bio Robot Refrigerator”, Michael Edenius (Sweden)- designer of the “Clean Closet”, Guo Lichen (China)- designer of the “Dismount Washer” and Nicolas Hubert (France)- designer of the “External Refrigerator”.

Electrolux Design Lab 2010 finalists submissions. For larger images, please visit Electrolux’s Flickr page.

I like competitions like this that has a global spread of competitors, and more importantly view points of design from around the world. Check out the work of the 3 designers from Asia-Pacific! Good proof points on the strength of Asian design.