print

Consumer trends alert THE DOMINO EFFECT OF ECOLOGY

For reasons of value added marketing or regulatory compliance, the ecological adaptation process for the most delicate products is underway, from low-cost to luxury products.

But the fact is that usual energies, materials and processes are disputed- coupled with change in the consumer’s buying and use patterns – which forces engineers to start from scratch to define tomorrow’s new product ideas.

Ecology is therefore a great innovation forum ushering in a revolution in new product ideas, in categories, trades and segments. Every product is potentially concerned in the long term, because all products consume non renewable energy and resources directly or indirectly (For example, transportation).

Among all well-known ecological trends, this review of trends seeks to emphasize

3 driving forces of change:

Consumer trends app. 1- Aesthetic transformation of product

Tomorrow’s winners – for modest everyday products like large architectural projects– will be those to have reinvented the object and not just integrated solar cells into existing object.
The design is better to sell when it serves a function (like usability) that the only fun.
With ecology, the design finds a very particular legitimacy.

 

 
     

The Nokia EC509 Green Core Phone is Environmentally-Friendly

  

Chinese designer Daizi Zheng proposes that the phone could run on a battery that uses enzymes to generate electricity from carbohydrates

http://static.dezeen.com/uploads/2010/01/dzn_Eco-friendly-phone-for-Nokia-by-Daizi-Zheng-3.jpg

 

Turanor
The world's largest solar powered yacht, 30 meters long, prepared to circumnavigate the world using solar energy alone. 		  Wuhan’s Lily-Shaped Zero Carbon Energy Center
Set to Bloom in China
http://inhabitat.com/

 

Consumer trends app. 2- Conceptual transformation of product

The opportunity to alter categories and re-segment the market to its advantage.
For example:
The cooled bed as ecological alternative to air conditioning
The printer which uses tea instead of ink!

 

  Evening Breeze
Canopi features an integrated ventilation system that gently directs sustainably cooled air over any bed without any noise or draft. The Canopi's climate system uses at least 60% less energy than traditional air conditioning systems.		  
  The RITI printer uses coffee or tea dregs to create computer printouts.

Conceptual transformation offers the consumer a new experience:
The Zoe ZE Renault, electric alternative to the Smart, with more elegance, comfort, protection and style.

 

  Renault Zoe ZE  
A zero-emissions car that could be put into production by early 2012.
A protective membrane insulates the car, charging it using honeycomb photovoltaic cells and a solar paneled roof.
Inside, passengers are offered a 'spa-like' experience: an air conditioning system that rehydrates the driver.

 

  Griffin’s AirCurve amplifier requires no power

Acoustically amplifies your iPhone
Custom-engineered waveguide

 

Consumer trends app. 3- Mutation of product's business model

The new LED Philips bulbs will cost 20 times the price of an incandescent bulb but will last 25 times longer.
Nissan will sell the electric Leaf at the price of an ordinary car and shall furthermore rent the battery.
Kiehl’s, Bata, VW (golf) “buys back” used products when client purchasing a new product.

 

Philips' first LED lightbulb that can replace a 60-watt incandescent bulb for only 12 watts of energy. It also lasts 25 times longer-     Nissan
Buy the car, lease the battery		  

 

Where are new product ideas?
The commercial success of an environmentally-friendly product is almost always linked to a personal benefit:  
the satisfaction of acting eco-conscious comes as a bonus.
A decline in quality or use “justified” by ecological adaptation will be rejected.

Product ideas are endless, but think of integrating ecology with,
 

Consumer trends app.  - Its proximity values.
For example,
Everything related to health, well being including relaxation.
Everything related to returning to the basics, to origins, to nature, to what is local.
Everything that is reassuring, gives mastery and control, averts risks.
Everything that saves resources and reduces the bill.
Everything that re-humanises and re-socialises relationships.


Consumer trends app.  - A new experience,
that makes dream, adds value, surprises etc
Ecology and hyper technology, a smashing cocktail
Ecology and femininity: motherhood, sensuality, fashion, beauty etc.
Ecology and travel in the mind or in reality, including the local milieu, communities…
Etc..

By comparing proximity values and new experiences, many new product ideas will see the light of day.


Consumer trends app.  - The new product's life cycle.

The outcome of the ecological idea is the re-use of the worn product: is it an opportunity to value the price of the product?

 

  The Life Box
Cardboard boxes with tree seeds and spores of beneficial mycorrhizal fungi.
The consumer can tear it up, plant the pieces and water them: tree seedlings will emerge.  
Penned as the green replacement for traditional cardboard
 

Telekom Austria
converts phone booths into charging stations.
 
http://pre.cloudfront.goodinc.com/posts/post_full_1273087180telekomaustria.jpg

Order now !