Stores & Spaces (136)
Karaoke without embarrassment
A Japanese karaoke chain is now offering single karaoke boxes where individuals can practice their favourite songs on their own, without the embarrassment of someone hearing the (poor?) performance.
Why it matters
Although karaoke is usually considered a nice relaxed social activity, for some it can also be a stressful affair. Single boxes allow for individuals to improve or to shout it all out without any prying eyes or ears. Will we see other sectors adopt this kind of privacy arrangement? Will fast food chains start offering single eating seats with privacy fences, so that no one sees what someone is eating?
Open space mobile divider
There’s been a design trend in the last decade that focused on open space offices. Even though it is seen to encourage communication between employees, a recent user study has also highlighted that it may be harder for workers to focus. An inventor designed and created a device named ‘Efi’. It consists of a connected space divider which enables office employees to isolate themselves when they need to concentrate. Lowering down the ring enables them to isolate from physical noise (visual and phonic) but also from digital noise by filtering data receipt (e-mails, phone calls, instant messages, etc.). Efi's system is made up of two elements : an online service where the employee will define his data filtering parameters and an adjustable space divider which works as a tangible interface with the online service.
Why it matters
It’s easy for people to get distracted nowadays - in and outside of the office. Can you think of a way to modify your product or service that allows your customers to make better use of their time and concentration?
Loyalty through Facebook check-in
In December 2011, the hotel group Accor improved its customer loyalty programme by allowing guests to accumulate points by simply checking in on Facebook when they are staying in one of their rooms.
Why it matters
The firm’s use of Facebook is changing. It no longer uses the social network simply as a communication tool with a lot of branded content. Companies are now beginning to integrate Facebook’s features in different ways. By facilitating the use of some services through social media, brands are getting more intertwined in their customer’s everyday life. What service can your company integrate within a widely used social media network?
