Mini's Scooter E

The first two-wheeled electric Mini will make its world debut at the Paris motor show this week. The Scooter E, defined as 'spontaneous, flexible, CO2-free mobility in the characteristic style of the brand', features a host of Mini design cues transferred onto a vehicle with a much smaller footprint. 

Via Cardesignnews 

Ora Ito for Conforama

Ora Ito, he who designed Toyota's showroom at the Champs Elysee in Paris, currently designed 5 different sofa's for Conforama. Seems they are adjusting the same strategy as H&M by using a famous designer to attract customers to their shop.

for more info visit Conforama 

Lexus LFA commercial

LEXUS Dark Ride

http://lexusdarkride.com/ 

24 Issey Miyake shop - Shibuya parco by Nendo

Based on the concept of the Japanese convenience store, 24 issey miyake shops combine  inexpensive prices, a large variety of colours and frequent changes in the product lineup.

The miyake team wanted a new design concept for the 24 issey miyake shop in shibuya's parco shopping complex, which includes a store that specially features Miyake's new Bilbao bag.

Via Designboom 

2010 Toyota Prius "Harmony" TV Commercial (US)

Lexus Hybrid Bicylce concept

Lexus introduced its Hybrid bicycle concept. The bicycle has two different modes, Eco and Power. Although the bicycle is made out of carbon fiber it, still weighs 17 kg. Currently, there are no plans to bring this bicycle into production.

Lego and Muji teamed up

The Japanese retail brand MUJI and LEGO teamed up to develop a set of 4 different boxes. Inside those boxes you’ll find the classic LEGO bricks but also a few sheets of paper. When you have the right punch hole tool, you can combine both to create something new. 

Mercedes expanding towards industrial design

Mercedes has announced that "the portfolio of the newly established 'Mercedes-Benz Style' division will comprise not only transport-related products, but also furniture and lifestyle products and industrial design" through special licensing agreements.

Is this a sign of the (economic) times that even Mercedes is now trying to turn their design resources into a new revenue stream?!? It is interesting that primarily German and Italian car firms branching out, while the Japanese auto manufacturers, which have similarly strong cultures of design, have not.

For now, mid-level design firms will have little to fear from Mercedes; for now that firm will focus on the luxury vehicle market, tackling helicopters and yachts.

Via Core77 

Toyota Sienna commercial in the US

Meet the Sienna Family: http://www.youtube.com/user/Sienna 

Puma and Yves Behar's eco-packaging

After three years in the making, a new solution to the shoebox is announced- and it's pretty sleek too!

"It's hard to imagine something as simple as the shoebox being completely overhauled. But Puma and Fuseproject have done just that, in a design that will completely transform the brand's supply chain—saving millions in electricity, fuel, and water. 

The bag tightly wraps an interior cardboard scaffolding—giving it shape and reducing cardboard use by 65%. Moreover, without that shiny box exterior, there's no laminated cardboard (which interferes with recycling). There's no tissue paper inside. And there's no throw-away plastic bag. The bag itself is made of recycled PET, and it's non-woven—woven fibers increase density and materials use—and stitched with heat, so that it's less manufacturing intensive.

The impact: Puma estimates that the bag will slash water, energy, and fuel consumption during manufacturing alone by 60%—in one year, that comes to a savings of 8,500 tons of paper, 20 million mega joules of electricity, 264,000 gallons of fuel, and 264 gallons of water. Ditching the plastic bags will save 275 tones of plastic, and the lighter shipping weight will save another 132,000 gallons of diesel.

Via The Dieline 

Karl Lagerfeld for Coca Light

Designer Karl Lagerfield recently teamed up with Coca-Cola to make a limited edition package for Coca Cola Light to be sold at Colette starting April 28. Designer prices included: the $80 boxed set comes with one bottle of Coca Cola Light, display box and bottle opener. 

Via The Dieline 

Nokia's way to improve the environment

Easy to be green – give your phone a second life, be energy efficient with your mobile and use your mobile to avoid unnecessary travel
To stay up to date with Nokia latest developments please go to Nokia's Beta Labs. 

Cardboard record player

Audio firm, GGRP’s introduced this brilliant “cardboard record player”, designed by Geoff Dawson and part of GGRP's rebranding.

Via The Dieline 

This month's trend: "FUNCTIONAL"

Why simple, small & cheap appeals to all?!

Captures the phenomenon of simple, small and/or cheap products and services designed for low(er)-income consumers in emerging markets, with cross-over appeal to consumers in mature consumer societies.

FUNCTIONAL is not only about all consumers, it’s also about all brands. Count on brands from established consumer societies and brands from emerging nations to come up with numerous FUNCTIONAL innovations. From Tata to Nokia.


FOR EXAMPLE::

Footwear:

Adidas has announced plans to produce 1 euro trainers for millions of consumers who would otherwise be unable to afford shoes. Pilot production is planned to begin this year in Bangladesh, with the final design yet to be confirmed.
Gaming:

Zeebo is a low cost games console targeted at consumers in developing markets. Games are downloaded via a 3G wireless connection, and the console uses only 1 watt of power.

Automotive:

- The Logan range, a series of low-cost cars produced by Renault's Dacia subsidiary in Romania, has been outpacing overall car sales in key European markets by appealing to budget-conscious consumers.
- After the much-hyped introduction of the Tata Nano in India, Tata plans to offer the Nano Europa starting in 2011 and it's likely to cost around EUR8,000.
- Meanwhile, Renault-Nissan has claimed that its partnership with Bajaj Auto will result in the ULC model by 2012, at a cost that will be 'lower than any car today made in India' according to CEO Carlos Ghosn.
Real estate:

In April 2009, Tata Housing announced plans to build 1,300 small apartments outside Mumbai, selling them for as little as USD 7,800. The floor area of the miniature apartments will be between 218 and 373 square feet. When the scheme was opened to booking in Mumbai in May 2009, more than 7,000 customers queued to pay the initial booking fee.
Computing:

In December 2009, One Laptop per Child unveiled designs for the XO 3. The computer, which is basically a single sheet of flexible plastic, featuring touch screen technology, is due to be released in 2012. Costs should remain under USD 100, making it affordable for poor and rich consumers alike.

More examples can be found on the website from TRENDWATCHING .

Droog brings Dutch fashion labels to NYC

Get ready America. Droog brings Dutch fashion labels to NYC, including Corné Gabriëls, Pascale Gatzen, Gluejeans, Painted, orson + bodil and Jan Taminiau.

Last Wednesday Renny Ramakers was on hand at the Droog New York store to launch garments made by Dutch fashion houses especially for Droog. The fashion designers were not directed to Droog-ify their work. In fact, they were given no brief at all. “I know they are good, and that their work reflects the Droog spirit,” Ramakers says. Although the garments range from mass-produced affordability to limited-edition prices, they hem to several familiar themes. Elevating everyday materials to preciousness is one example. 

Via: Design.nl 

1st Apple store in Paris

Located in the Carrousel du Louvre, Apple’s first store in Paris was inaugurated after much anticipation. Much like its products, Apple’s exquisite design taste shows through in its stores too.

Source: home-designing

Nissan CUBE store

The Nissan Cube store launched a few days ago in London's East End by giving it a young, fresh and urban feeling.

But right in time for Christmas, Nissan also opened a Colette Pop-Up store to promote the Nissan Cube, open until the 3rd of January 2010. Japanese inspired lifestyle products have been handpicked by design guru Colette and will be on display and up for sale at the Colette Cube Store London pop up shop. At the centre of the exhibition is the new Nissan Cube car, which motor fans can see on display for a limited time.

But the Nissan Cube also has a T-shirt shop on the internet.

Colourless Coke Cans

A convex logo is not only good for the environment as it does not contain any paint and can help to reduce air and water pollution but at the same time it seems to create a nicer look and a more premium value. Instead of toxic paint, manufacturers process aluminum with a pressing machine that indicates brand identity on surface. This definitely will work for well-established brands such as Coca Cola. 

+ info on thedieline.com

Louis Vuitton for French Red Cross

Louis Vuitton created a new hard case to commemorate the 150th Anniversary of the Red Cross. The bag is prepared to be auctioned off at Sotheby’s on November 17th 2009 to contribute to Nigeria pauper for confronting hunger.