Check out these two innovative concepts that have been made into design reality: the Copenhagen Wheel and the Floyd Leg. Originally featured on trendwatching.com, these are just a couple examples of new technology and simple ideas with a big impact. https://www.superpedestrian.com/ http://www.thefloydleg.com/theleg/ We can’t help but be impressed with the genius of these ideas and the ways in which they are really quite revolutionary. Read trendwatching.com/briefing for other concepts like these that are making their mark.  

  Ever need a short course on all the different big name social media platforms, and what exactly it is they do? Check out this cool graphic that gives a quick tutorial on the most popular ones: http://image-store.slidesharecdn.com/cd67f540-82af-11e3-b81a-12313d14c88b-large.png.

  The latest trend briefing from Trendwatching. com focuses on a term called “upgradia” in which any device, any object can be upgraded. This concept stems from the digital world’s constant ability to upgrade and it has now seeped over into the physical world. What is driving this trend? Infinite Newism: The expectations of digital upgrades have transferred to physical objects. More for Less: Upgrades satisfy the need/desire for spending less money with less guilt. Hacker Chic: Upgrades are increasingly becoming DIY. Included in the article are several real-world examples, ranging from seemingly simple, to intricate and complex. Read it…

Is the new "Dumb Starbucks" a smart move? Opened as a sort of Starbucks-satire coffee shop, Dumb Starbucks is legally able to use the Starbucks name (which is trademarked) because of parody law. Part performance art, part coffee shop, folks waited in line for over an hour to get free coffee. Rainn Wilson, who plays "Dwight" on the TV show "The Office" even showed up for some "dumb coffee" and tweeted about it. Read more about the social media sensation here.

Super Bowl commercials are a pretty big deal. Even if someone doesn’t care about football, they’ll watch just for the entertainment of the commercials because of course they need to be able to discuss them with their friends the next day! So, to give you both a preview and keep you updated, here is a chart that Ad Age created to keep everyone abreast of teasers and provide a summary of the buy, the creative behind the commercial, and who is producing it. http://adage.com/article/special-report-super-bowl/super-bowl-ad-chart-buying-super-bowl-2014/244024//.