What have we got for you today? A quick trip down the nature trail with biophilic design, Louis Vuitton does some #brandeverywhere (that's our hashtag), Breakout Zones and how the tidiness of one's workspace effects the mind.

Biophilic ArtLast week we talked about biophilic design in our piece about well-being which lead to a number of posts being served to us about the topic. So we thought we'd look a little further.

Architecture and design have often worked with the interplay of the natural world and the built environment so there is nothing uniquely new here, however, there is a design trend that has gone from a quiet whisper to a loud voice extolling the virtues of biophilic design.

In case you subscribe to a totally different design methodology and have missed this biophilic design is an approach that incorporates elements of nature into the built environment in order to enhance the human connection to the natural world. This can include things like natural light, plants, water features, natural materials, and other design elements that mimic or evoke the natural world. Biophilic design can have a positive impact on physical and mental health, as well as cognitive functioning and creativity.

So what are some key things you can do now to get your 'Nature' on? Number one and the easiest and most cost-effective by far is, buy some plants. If you are not green thumbed you could go for artificial plants, but try to go for ones that are biodegradable. Using nature light where possible is another great step, so putting work areas under a window. If you cannot get natural light chose lighting that mimics the tones. We have installed a photographic mural of a beach and the sea and sky in a room without any natural light and it really transformed the room. The use of natural hues in the design scheme also helps, but it doesn't just have to be green, you can incorporate wood finishes and textures and finally, you can install 'plant walls' real or artificial for that wow factor.

Who is the 93-year-old Yayoi Kusama, she is known for her immersive installations, which often include elements such as mirrors, lights, and polka dots. These works are meant to create a sense of infinity and blur the boundaries between the artwork and the viewer. She began her career in the 1950s in New York City where she was part of the avant-garde art scene. She became known for her "Infinity Net" paintings.

Most recently Louis Vuitton transformed stores across the globe with a Kusama theme, The image above is the Paris Champs-Élysées store, which features a large inflatable Kusama looking over the roof of the building placing dots that cover the stores frontage. Harrods in England was also "Kasuama-fied" as the Louis Vuitton website says, we call it #brandeverywhere.

In the stores, there is a range of new products Louis Vuitton and Yayoi Kusama have collaborated on, but they also built a series of mini-games for mobile that are extensions of the artist's world and the brands. It's really interesting seeing a brand do something on a large scale like this with external elements, as well as the in-store artwork.

Breakout spaces are designated areas in the workplace for informal, non-work-related activities such as socializing, relaxation or recreation. They are designed to promote creativity, collaboration, and well-being among employees by providing a comfortable and relaxed environment that encourages social interaction and connection among colleagues.

Common features of breakout spaces include comfortable seating, natural light, plants, and sometimes games or other recreational activities. They can be used for informal meetings, socializing during breaks, or simply as a place to take a break and relax.

Breakout spaces can be beneficial for employees by:

Some cons of breakout spaces include the potential for distractions and can also lead to a decrease in productivity if not used properly. However, breakout spaces are becoming more and more popular in modern workplaces, as organisations recognise the benefits outweigh the cons they can provide to employees and the organisation as a whole.

We have created a new board on our Pinterest of Breakout Spaces, including some with a strong biophilic theme.

Is that true? Well, a Princeton study found that a cluttered environment can negatively impact our ability to focus. The researchers theorised that our brain unconsciously processes the clutter, taking up some of its attention.

This can lead to competition between the clutter and tasks requiring full attention. Additionally, research suggests that those who procrastinate may have messier work environments, which can contribute to increased distractions.

So let's get some top tips for decluttering your workspace:

Personally, I like to 'Hidy-Up', which is to gather up everything on my desk and just hide it all in a draw...out of sight.

This is our little recommendation section.We thought we'd do a little shout-out each newsletter to those businesses that help us in some way or we'll give our friend's businesses a space to promote themselves.

We work with all sorts of designers, creatives, trades and suppliers and this has to be one of our favourite, and most unique suppliers we know.

Map Sculptures create hand-finished elevation maps that showcase the unique contours of nature's landscapes, with a focus on the beautiful rolling fells of Ullswater in The Lake District and the moorlands of the North Pennines. We utilise a data-driven process to create custom 3D models, sometimes using LiDAR data from the shuttle mission to provide worldwide coverage. Our relief maps capture the exquisite detail of your favorite landscapes. Additionally, we only offer a small number of ready-to-ship relief elevation maps to support sustainable and local materials.

EVENTSWhat's going on in the world of design, architecture and branding?

Surface Design Show - 7th - 9th February 2023 - Business Design Centre, Islington

The only dedicated European furniture event of its kind taking place in the first quarter of 2023. Brands from around the world will gather to launch their new collections along with fresh new brands, industry insights, emerging trends and much more under one roof.

The Workspace Design Show - 27th - 28th February 2023 - Business Design Centre

The Workspace Design Show brings together the UK’s workplace interiors community to explore the experience of tomorrow’s workspaces.

Save the date - Clerkenwell Design Week - 23-25 May 2023Clerkenwell is home to more creative businesses and architects per square mile than anywhere else on the planet, making it truly one of the most important design hubs in the world.https://www.clerkenwelldesignweek.com/

What happened this week...

We were just revisiting this project for the Breakout piece above and were quite proud of the scheme. The design was created by the company's internal marketing team who also created the artwork all to size ready for us to print and install.

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That's it for now folks, I hope this was interesting. Send us any items you'd like to see.We wish you all the best for the rest of Jan 2023. Don't forget to #brandeverywhere