Friday Fives, Vol. 145
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.
With their trendy outfits and unique styles, influencers may be the newest guide to fashion, but I’m sure not even they expected this turn of events. Here with the latest update on 2020 fashion: Mucinex — your friend for cough, cold, and flu relief — has launched a fashion line. Yes. Say goodbye to your old quarantine sweats. Through a livestream on its Youtube page, Mucinex introduced Sickwear, a line designed by Steven Alan and Christina Viviani to help people “look good, and feel better”. Sadly, all the pieces are now sold out, but if you managed to swipe the $370 Zzzimono, $200 Slumpsuit, or any of Mucinex’s other fashion pieces, shoot me a message, I’d love to hear more about it. — CC
Today Charmin, tomorrow Cottonelle
Consumer behavior has experienced a tremendous amount of change in 2020 and brand loyalty is no exception. From sold-out toilet paper and hand sanitizer to online delivery services, Covid-19 has certainly redefined what products we prioritize and how we go about getting them. According to a July report from communications firm Ketchum, 45% of American shoppers have altered their brand preferences amid the rapid changes in the world. A month later, research from McKinsey put that number at 75%. Consumers are increasingly relying on online reviews before purchasing products, are opting for generic brands because of price, and are choosing larger companies like Amazon and Target for more efficient and convenient delivery. Unfortunately for the brands forgotten or left behind, their customers may never come back. Check out this article to read more about the changing landscape of brand loyalty. — EO
If you have 12 hours to spare…
I feel like Adidas has always been known for some pretty amazing and beautiful advertising, but recently it has done something very out-of-the-box. Now on its YouTube channel, you can find a 12-hour long video of bizarre and surrealistic representations of its shoes. The article labels it as ASMR-like, but personally, I don’t see how any of it is relaxing. Intriguing, yes, but I won’t be falling asleep to a woman painting her face to look like a shoe. As I scan through the video (since I don’t have time to watch a 12-hour video in one sitting) there are points where I feel like I’m in a contemporary art museum. It’s definitely an interesting concept, but I feel it might not gain as much traction as their other campaigns. — SS
Saving the world with mac & cheese
Alright… when it comes to boxed mac & cheese, Annie’s has always been my go-to brand. “Warm, creamy goodness,” as the article puts it, in just 10 minutes. And, as if you needed any other reason to choose them over their competition, Annie’s is experimenting with farming practices that are more environmentally friendly, and could ultimately save the world. Annie’s, now a subsidiary brand of General Mill’s, is looking beyond the idea of using organic ingredients in their products. They believe being organic is “not enough,” and are moving into “regenerative agriculture,” which entails farming practices with the power to enrich soils, restore watersheds, and more. Grocery buyers, including myself, increasingly want to do their part in supporting eco-friendly, organic products. But it’s refreshing to hear one take a step further to not only make better food, but also better farmlands. — GR
Putting the great subway map debate to rest
The Great Subway Map Debate has ensued for over five decades, with graphic designers around the globe fighting over pragmatics vs. aesthetics in John Tauranac and Massimo Vignelli’s New York subway map designs. On Tuesday the issue was finally put to bed with MTA and tech firm, Work & Co., unveiling a new digital map that uses data streams to update reroutes and service changes in real-time. You can even track the moving trains, rendered as little caterpillar-like creepers along the lines. The map is still in beta testing and hasn’t yet made it to a mobile app, but this revolutionary project is sure to make life much easier for commuting New Yorkers. — ZL
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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