See full version: Most innovative design of 2019 in the world
Creative agency WhiteBalance followed a simple rule for the design of its headquarters: one space with no visual obstructions. Removing partitions in the former pharmaceutical warehouse created a large hall that's used for meetings, video shoots, and events. The office also houses private workspaces including an editing suite with a separate sleeping nook for video team members working late nights.
Think of Slack's headquarters as an office version of planet Earth. Each floor of the business software company's office is modeled after a different region of the Pacific Crest Trail, which extends from Southern California to the Pacific Northwest and includes deserts, forests, and mountain summits. The lobby level is a base camp of sorts, where employees can huddle up or meditate in tentlike structures before starting their ascent. here
If your company is in the market for an office upgrade, you've come to the right place. This year's World's Coolest Offices package has something for everyone, whether you draw your inspiration from converted shipbuilding facilities or from the wacky shapes and colors of Barcelona's famous Gaudi buildings. Inc. took a look at offices completed since the beginning of last year, and the resulting list below proves that tech companies aren't the only ones who have a kick-ass headquarters: Any startup, from co-working space operators to protein-supplement makers, can create a truly awe-inspiring design.
Architecture and interior design firm Ideaworkshop increased usable space by more than 30 percent by building split-level mezzanine platforms. The jungle-gym-like steel and glass structures lend a sense of playfulness to the space while also creating more privacy for employees. Wellness facilities include an in-office gym, hypnotherapy rooms, and bed pods for "power naps." More than 800 plants help bring the office to life and reduce ambient noise. here
Before sitting unoccupied for decades, this warehouse on San Francisco's Pier 70 was used to construct and repair ships from the 19th century through World War II. It's now the home of Gusto, a company that makes cloud-based HR software for small businesses. When the startup moved into the building last year, it collaborated with architecture firm Gensler to create a design that left many of the industrial elements intact, including the lifts and cranes.
Music literally takes center stage at the headquarters for JoyTunes, which makes a mobile app that teaches piano playing. A wooden stage for performances, jam sessions, and video shoots sits directly under a central skylight, creating a natural spotlight for performers. Architecture and interior design firm Roy David Studio chose what founder Roy David calls an "open-edge design," dividing the office into sections using custom made shelving that creates a minimalist, slightly unfinished look. more
Last year, the Netherlands came second but has now been displaced by Sweden, dropping down to fourth place. The top-three is completed by the United States which has a score of 61.73. Last year was notable with China managing to make the top-20 for the first time when it came 17th. Increasing levels of innovation in Asia has seen it improve its position even further and it has now moved up to 14th. India has risen the most in the rankings since 2018, jumping five places to become the 52nd most innovative nation. [links]
The World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) has released its 2019 Global Innovation Index which gauges levels of innovation in 126 economies across a host of criteria ranging from business sophistication to levels of education spending and creative output. This year's index has found that innovation is blossoming despite the global economic slowdown, particularly in Asia. Overall, Switzerland topped the 2019 ranking with a score of 67.24 out of 100, the ninth time it has been named the world leader in innovation.
WIPO Director General Francis Curry said that "the rise in the GII by economic powerhouses like China and India has transformed the geography of innovation, and this reflects deliberate policy action to promote innovation”. Unfortunately, being innovative is simply impossible for some economies for a variety of reasons, particularly due to political instability and conflict. This year, the lowest-ranked countries in the index were Niger (18.13), Burundi (17.65) and Yemen (14.49). more
[links]
Ammunition Group has been recognized and honored by Fast Co. as the World’s Most Innovative Company in Design for 2019, and why not, especially given their inventiveness in redesigning everyday objects to perform better, be it the temperature maintaining Ember Mug or June, the computer that cooks! Founded in 2007, Ammunition is led by partners Robert Brunner (who previously led the design team as Director of Industrial Design at Apple and was succeeded by Jonathan Ive) and Matt Rolandson. Their diverse team combines expertise in physical and digital product design, service design, brand identity, user experience, graphic design, and packaging. They work across disciplines to transform great ideas into experiences that create an emotional connection with customers and achieve business success for our clients.
• Industrial design experience
• BS/BA/BFA degree (or equivalent) in industrial design (or equivalent)
• 3D modeling skills – preferably Rhino, Pro/E or Solidworks
• Confidence with 2D and 3D design visualization tools
• Evidence of prototyping abilities
• Great communication skills (visual, verbal, and written)
• The ability to think quickly and problem-solve on the spot with a maturity that maintains a positive team environment
• A portfolio that demonstrates wide-ranging concept exploration, innovative solutions, a clear process and is visually appealing [links]
• Maintain design intention from concept generation to final implementation
• A thorough understanding of design principles
• Personal commitment to quality, attention to detail
• Interface with UX, graphic and packaging designers to create seamless product solutions
• Ensure innovation by actively researching, sharing and implementing new trends and materials
• Excellent time management, organization & prioritization skills required to handle multiple projects simultaneously within tight timelines and meet deadlines
• Effective, articulate design communication and decision-making skills
• Coordinate with vendors to help define and spec materials and processes used in fabrication and assembly
• Report to the VP, Industrial Design Studio [links]
A lot of ink was spilled in 2019 regarding both laws and their impact on industry as businesses prepared for them to go into effect. As with all things California, it is suspected other states will follow suit in the absence of federal legislation. –Anat Mooreville, PhD here
Terracycle co-developed a Loop zero-waste packaging platform with consumer goods giant, P&G. The platform supports an impressive list of brands. Consumers in the Northeast can order deodorant, mouthwash, ice cream, diapers, washing detergent, and many other consumables in reusable packaging. Once the sturdy containers are emptied, they can be picked up via a UPS tote for cleaning, sterilization, and refilling. Each package in the system is designed for one hundred or more uses, and Terracycle is planning to expand the platform to leading grocery stores. –Chris Murray more
These releases have the potential to pave the way for a post-iPhone era and a new wave of smartphone designs, functions, and innovations.here
A second notable invention, called Unocup, is a folding, paper coffee cup with an integrated lid that does away with the need for plastic lids, which account for eight times more ocean waste than straws do. The appealing, origami-like Unocup by two NYC designers was the subject of a popular Kickstarter campaign. In addition to being a clever redesign of a problematic product, Unocup makes the list of biggest innovations of 2019 for successfully raising awareness of our plastic-lid issue and intensifying the urgency to find a solution. –Chris Marks and Chris Murray
Samsung and Moto were two manufacturers to introduce folding phones in 2019. Their Galaxy Fold and RAZR take novel approaches to foldable displays and introduce new interaction paradigms. These releases have the potential to pave the way for a post-iPhone era and a new wave of smartphone designs, functions, and innovations. (Just for fun, imagine what the first telephone looked like, and ponder how far phone technology has come since then!) here
Millennium Stadium [links]
Once inside the stadium, moving from one stand to the other is done through a 5,000 sq.m plaza under the pitch. here
The challenge for designer Populous was to create a new state of the art stadium that would act as a symbol for modern African culture and, crucially, meet FIFA's technical requirements. The design had to work around an existing historic stadium, and so theproject called for the right balance of renovation and rebuilding.
Architecture: Populous
The stadium had to be designed and constructed simultaneously to be ready in time to host last year's Eurovision Song Contest, so German firm GMP Architekten worked closely with contractors Alpine Bau Deutschland and Nüssli throughout the project. Conceived as both a concert hall and a sports stadium, the 25,000-seat venue comprises a lightweight steel structure with a faceted membrane facade intended to resemble cut crystal, giving the stadium its name. here
When one of the world's most innovative and creative architecture practices, Herzog & de Meuron, got together with world renowned Chinese artist Ai Weiwei to design a stadium for the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, the result was always going to be something special. Beijing National Stadium - known as the Bird's Nest because of its intricate latticework of steel supports - is without a doubt one of the world's most beautiful stadiums. here