Picked up blowing around the streets of Wellington; an interesting comment about the internationalisation of business.

Spied during a conference in Italy last year. We need to be weary of thoughtless interpretations and crass commercialisation of serious issues.

Are you being served?

1. Pick the odd one out any one?
2. When shoes and sticks no longer interest your dog make a trip to your local market for pup cakes
3. Clever new coffee-making technology or wasteful pain in the proverbial? Plastic trays of foil-covered, single serves providing great income for the courier companies
4. Great scenic inter Island ferry terminal
5. So New Zealand or so sixties?

One team designs the building another team designs the beds. Ideas for process improvement anyone?

This cool bunch of products appeal to me as they illustrate our need to generate a greater pool of ideas from which to draw inspiration from during the design process. Ideas, the crazier the better, stimulate real advances in product development. The value of spending time extending and expanding our view of the world is underestimated. No wonder then that we frequently miss the mark.

Double umbrella: view again >>
I attended a conference in Italy whilst I had a broken foot. I frequently found myself, 2 crutches and an umbrella in continuous pouring rain, on slippery marble surfaces. Here is a knotty design problem – a combination umbrella and crutches?

Teeth in glass bottom cup: view again >>
The teeth in the glass- bottomed cup reminded me of a recent experience. Upon giving blood, I was offered a mug emblazoned with the logo New Zealand Blood. Whilst I think these people are doing a great and important job, and need all the promotion they can get, would I really want to drink my morning coffee from this mug?!