Friday Fives, Vol. 127
Every Friday we highlight five things we have on our radar that we think should be on yours, too.
Here’s this week’s Friday Fives.
A rain check on the flight deck
The weather rained on NASA and SpaceX’s parade on Wednesday, leading to the postponement of the world’s first private company orbital spaceflight launch to 3:22PM tomorrow. With uniforms pulled right from the scenes of sci-fi films of the past, this historic launch will prime America for the future, finally bringing orbital launches back on home ground and removing NASA’s reliance on Russia to send astronauts into space. And while we wait with anticipation for tomorrow’s launch, weather willing, at least we can pass the time by watching Steve Carrel’s new space comedy, Space Force. — MC
Tonya Ruiz, also known as “Grandma Gets Real,” has just come out with her Quarantine Barbies Project and they hit far too close to home, no pun intended. Some of the Barbies in this pack include Stay Home Curvy Doll “Wearing Stretchy Pants,” Zoom Ken, and Quarantine Quarreling Couple. My favorite? Quarantine Bread Baking Barbie. The dolls are certainly an internet sensation, but hopefully they can also remind us that no one is alone and we are still all in this together. — EO
Ikea is bringing back imagination
Ikea recently came out with 6 different types of DIY fort assembly kits that allow kids to have fun while staying at home. What I love most about these is that Ikea provides just enough materials and instruction for assembly, while still imploring kids to use their good ol’ fashion imaginations. It’s also comforting to know that the fort building traditions of our fathers and forefathers are not forgotten. Yes, tables, couches and chairs remain essential in the forts’ architectural framework.
The adult version of these can be seen if you search #IkeaHacks. This is where customers share how they use basic Ikea furniture to come up with creative design solutions. I suppose this is Ikea’s way of passing down the creative challenge to the next generation…even though we should really be thanking these kids (and the inner child within us all) for inspiring this challenge in the first place. — DB
At a time where there is seemingly no control over much of anything anymore, Open Collab is offering a similar concept for designers. It is an online tool that randomly combines creative submissions, generating unique and collaborative pieces of work. When a user uploads their design, it will then be paired with another submission. A unique hybrid is formed! This is a rare opportunity for most designers and it forces the owner to renounce some control. And while the outcome is creating unusual collaborations, the experience of interacting with creatives is even more rewarding! — RW
June is the month of pride, and unlike some companies who are putting inclusivity on the back-burner because of COVID-19, Fast Company is celebrating the LGBTQ community with its first ever “Queer 50” list. In partnership with Lesbians Who Tech & Allies, Fast Company put together a list of fifty LGBTQ women and nonbinary innovators who come from a wide range of industries. The most surprising fact? It’s the first time a mainstream or editorial publication has ever recognized LGBTQ and nonbinary individuals in a list like this. — EO
The Working Assembly is an award-winning multidisciplinary design studio with a focus on branding and visual design.
Founded in 2014, we partner with clients and agencies for end-to-end brand building, including strategy and visual identity, print and digital design, content and creative communications.
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