LSN : Big Ideas

Big Ideas

Hero connects online shoppers to experts on the shop floor

London – Showroom staff at Made are using the system to assist online shoppers in real time.

Retail : Digital : Technology

Big Ideas

Amazon constructs a permanent homeless shelter

Seattle – The e-commerce giant is demonstrating its commitment to philanthropic endeavours.

Culture : Architecture : Digital

Big Ideas

Subscription emails are thriving

Global – Contrary to popular belief, consumers are actively engaging with subscription emails from brands, according to a new report.

Advertising : Digital : Media

Big Ideas

Artificial Intelligence bots are to confront video game bullies

Global – Spirit AI has developed virtual entities that confront troublemakers in real time during gameplay.

Digital : Technology : Gaming

Big Ideas

Google launches a jobs search engine

San Francisco – Machine learning and artificial intelligence will be at the forefront of the new initiative.

Technology : Design : Digital

Big Ideas

Voice-activated devices boost radio listening

UK – A report from Radiocentre shows this is also re-energising audio advertising.

Media : Advertising : Technology

Big Ideas

The Just Design certificate recognises ethical architecture firms

US – The initiative endorses firms that provide good working conditions, treat staff with respect and promote diversity.

Architecture : Design : Finance

Big Ideas

Programmable credit card Root aims to transform the financial technology sector

South Africa – The card enables developers to fully customise their bank account.

Finance : Digital : Technology

Big Ideas

MIT explores the future of manufacturing through machine learning

US – Researchers from the university have created a system that enables robots to learn from each other with minimal human input.

Technology : Design : Auto

Big Ideas

New study highlights the negative aspects of fast fashion

Hamburg – The research, released by Greenpeace, says that we are caught in a ‘global virus of over-consumption’.

Fashion : Retail : Digital

Big Ideas

Affluent consumers in developing nations are positive about the future

Global – Affluent consumers in developing countries are more optimistic than those in developed nations, according to a new study.

Finance : Luxury : Culture

Big Ideas

Not asking for tap water fuels plastic bottle waste

UK – A new survey shows that 71% of respondents feel uncomfortable asking for free tap water without buying something else.

Sustainability : Packaging : Design

Big Ideas

Amazon unveils its first touchscreen Alexa

US – The Echo Show marks a significant shift for the brand by combining voice-recognition with a conventional monitor.

Digital : Technology : Amazon

Big Ideas

The British Museum unveils an educational collection of erotic artefacts

London – The collection is part of a wider programme that aims to teach students about the history of sex and identity.

Culture : Education : Civic Brands

Big Ideas

New York unveils proposals to fight climate change

New York – The Climate Resiliency Design Guidelines report is aimed at influencing new design strategies for architects.

Architecture : Design : Sustainability

Big Ideas

How sustainable is fashion right now?

Copenhagen – The Global Fashion Agenda and The Boston Consulting Group have partnered to launch the first 'Pulse of the Fashion Industry' report.

Retail : Sustainability : Fashion

Big Ideas

Citymapper launches a pop-up bus service

London – The brand hopes to use its wealth of data to create a dynamic transport network that reacts to consumer demand.

Transport : Big Data : Civic Brands

Big Ideas

American Apparel launches Made in America pricing strategy

US – Following a takeover, the brand will now charge more for US-manufactured goods.

Fashion : Retail : Branding

Big Ideas

Beauty companies need to do more to foster brand transparency

UK – Consumer trust is low in this sector, according to a new report by Mintel.

Beauty : Branding : Advertising

Big Ideas

V&A Museum launches art and design education initiative

UK – DesignLab Nation was developed to support the new Design and Technology GCSE.

Design : Education : Culture

Big Ideas

The ideas and innovations that hint at the future of the consumer landscape