Imagine releasing a product today with the name “Baby Gays.” 100 years ago, that’s what the world’s first mass-produced cotton swabs were called. (The name was later changed to “Q-Tips.”)
How to Make Baby Gays
Cotton swabs consist of two parts: The spindle and the absorbent stuff at the ends, typically cotton. The spindles are typically made from either paper tubes, extruded plastic tubes, or wood. Adhesive is applied to the tips, which are rolled over a sheet of cotton that gets cut off after enough material has been deposited. Here’s a vid if you want to see it in action:
Interestingly, Poland-based industrial designer Maciej Glowacki writes that cotton swabs are made differently in his region. “The swabs available [in our] market are produced in two stages: injection molded and then flocked,” he writes. “In order to obtain the right parameters of the smear, specific flocks are needed, and therefore also proper machines for their application.”
This production-intensiveness led to supply problems during the pandemic, as Glowacki learned from medical professionals at his job. (Glowacki works for Sygnis, a technology solutions company with medical-industry clients.) Swabs were needed for COVID testing, and demand quickly outstripped supply. He thus set out to design an easier-to-produce swab, called CRN_01, that could be produced in a single shot.
“[CRN_01] has a one-step production process, faster and cheaper – just [injection] molding.”
“In the spirit of biomimetics, the form of the swab was inspired by the hummingbird’s tongue, adjusted to collect nectar from flowers. The designed grooves and cavities allow for collection and deposition of large amounts of sample material, thus ensuring testing efficiency. Moreover, due to the lack of flocks, CRN_01 swabs ‘give back’ for testing more of the collected sample than regular swabs.”
“The project passed diagnosticians’ verification, and the first injection mold and production series were already made. Years of experience with advanced 3D printing and design for injection molds allowed me to create a project in the spirit of ‘rapid prototyping.’ Less than two months passed from the idea to the implementation of the first series of swabs and more than a week of it was taken by the process of intricate electro-drilling of the mold.”
Glowacki’s CRN_01 was selected as a finalist in this year’s Make Me! Design competition at the Lódz Design Festival.
Marketing is an incredibly powerful tool, and it comes in all shapes and sizes, whether it’s a Nike commercial that brings tears to your eyes, a memorable presidential campaign or a simple-yet-effective ad on Instagram that made you think, “I’ve got to buy that.” Behind any great campaign or ad is a talented, dynamic team of marketers.
From graphic design to content writing to drilling down into website analytics, marketing has something for everyone. And, as we continue to evolve and find new ways to consume media – like TikTok, Clubhouse or Substack, for instance – marketing will continue to be in demand.
Through their creativity, marketers have a real opportunity to influence and impact the world for the better. So, whether you’re looking to help a business drive sales or boost awareness for an impactful non-profit, below are five tips to help you kickstart a career in marketing.
Choose your area
Choosing a marketing path can be daunting – after all, there are hundreds of roles and opportunities available – but, it doesn’t have to be. Start by identifying your interests. Maybe you spend a lot of time on Instagram and are looking to get into influencer marketing. Avid reader? Maybe content writing. Can’t drive without a podcast in your ears? Maybe you’d enjoy pitching clients via public relations. Or, maybe your favorite class back in high school was film study, to which videography may be a good fit.
Now that you have your top interests identified, it’s time to drill down even further and look for opportunities to build experience. Lucky for you, the building blocks are all around us (and usually free)!
Build your experience
One of the best ways to build your experience when you’re just starting out is through personal projects and channels. For example, if you want to become a video marketer, you can start your own YouTube or TikTok channel, Grace Wells is a great example of this. If you want to be a content writer, you can launch your own blog. In addition to practicing the actual work, become engrained in your corner of the industry. Subscribe to newsletters with insights on film, attend writing workshops, listen to marketing-focused podcasts. There’s nothing wrong with starting from where you are with what you have – yourself and your resources.
As you gain confidence in your area, you’ll want to start looking for opportunities to bridge the gap between your desire to pursue marketing and the actual professional experience you bring to the table. This will help you to build your work portfolio.
Grow for free
Whether you work as a nurse, at a restaurant or in a bank, there will likely be opportunities available to help those businesses with their own marketing. Offer to take over the branch location’s social media, citing the work you’ve done on your own channels. Offer to shoot a video promoting the restaurant for them to use on social media. While you may be doing these projects for free, you’re building your working portfolio. In the event you aren’t able to merge marketing with your current line of work, reach out to small, local businesses, offering to help support their marketing efforts for free in exchange for experience.
Turn your experience into a career
As you keep seeking out opportunities for experience, attending workshops and building your own expertise, you will continue to grow your skillset as a marketing professional. Now it’s time to take that portfolio of work you’ve built and turn it into a career. Here’s where the choice is yours again. Do you want to work for one brand, or multiple at once (in marketing we refer to this as working at an agency)? Or maybe you want to pick up freelance projects or even start your own marketing business. Take this one step further to think about what industry you would like to focus on. Did you enjoy creating content for restaurants? Perhaps you want to focus on that industry. If that’s the case, there are plenty of agencies that work specifically in restaurant marketing as with most other industries.
Button up your resume, pull together a creative portfolio and start applying, leaning on your varied experience and passion to pursue marketing in interviews.
Expand your skillset
Now that you’ve established a career path, continue to look for ways to grow. Take on new projects, different roles and remember that every experience will help shape your skills and, best of all, your ideal career in marketing. This goes back to our first tip: Choose your area. Did you work your way into social media and realize you like writing or PR? Don’t freak out just yet. As you’ll come to learn, many marketing components relate closely to one another, especially when you start working on campaigns that integrate social media, PR, content and more. If you find your interests shifting, look for opportunities to take on new work to grow your expertise. Throughout my 13-year career, I grew from media relations to PR to Social Media to Influencer Marketing to Internal Communications to Brand & Marketing Director and to, now, the CEO of my own business. Your path is your own, so OWN it.
Marketing has the power to influence and inspire, which is why a career in marketing can be so rewarding. Taking the time to reflect on your interests will help you pinpoint what area of marketing you’d like to specialize in. And, merging a career with any passions you have in life will help you feel fulfilled. Remember, it’s never too late to try something new and there’s no better time to start than now.
Every year, travel publication Capture the Atlas gathers images of the Milky Way taken from around the world. The photos attest to how cameras open up a myriad of worlds invisible to the naked eye and showcase the stunning beauty found in nature, bolstered by photographers’ skills for composition, lighting and creativity. This year’s winning images include a starry night alighting the yardang-shaped eroded hills in China by Jinyi He; a green- and orange-tinged Milky Way behind Native American petroglyphs by Marcin Zajac; an arching galaxy, interspersed with meteor showers in Slovenia from Uroš Fink and more. View the other dazzling, winning shots of the galaxy at The Guardian.
Image courtesy of Evan McKay/Milky Way photographer of the year
Apple’s AirTag is perhaps one of the most popular mini trackers in the market today. It is being honored with related accessories that allow the small device to be attached to different objects.
The AirTag is one convenient tracker so expect it to have rivals. Pebblebee wants to join the game by introducing new tracking products. The Pebblebee Clip and Pebblebee Card can be worthy alternatives to the AirTag by Apple as they are rechargeable and are also affordable.
This little thing can help you locate missing items. You see, misplacing things is a common occurrence even among young people. But, admit it, you often forget when you placed your phone, car keys, or the remote control. Don’t worry, Pebblebee is here to help not only with one product but two.
The AirTag alternative works with Find My, which means it will work with most Apple products like the iPhone, Mac, iPad, and even the Apple Watch. Like most trackers, Pebblebee products make use of Bluetooth wireless connectivity. As a result, both devices are ideal for locating nearby items by reporting to you the approximate location.
The Pebblebee Card and Clip include end-to-end encryption technology for the security and protection of the users. The process is also anonymous, which makes it very secure. The Pebblebee app also works on Android and is part of the CrowdGPS network.
Pebblebee Card and Pebblebee Clip are rechargeable, but their battery already lasts longer than usual. In addition, they feature a loud buzzer, so they are really helpful in keeping track of your items. Pebblebee’s Founder and Chief Technology Officer Daniel Daoura had this to say about the products: “Pebblebee Clip and Card are designed to put minds at ease the second they are attached to or slipped into something of value to a customer.”
The next-gen Pebblebee devices’ batteries can last up to six months on a single charge. They can reach up to 500 feet for tracking. Aside from the loud buzzer, they also come with LED indicator lights to help you locate an item. They are also easy to find and connect as made possible by the industrial metal frame.
The two work with the Find My network, but the Pebblebee App may be enough on its own. The mobile app allows you to track lost objects through light and sound precisely. It uses a location service based on the geolocation data of an item. The app can be downloaded from Google Play and the App Store.
So that security standards are always high and met, Pebblebee regularly checks for critical privacy updates. The Pebblebee Clip and Pebblebee Card come in two different forms. The clip is simply a small device that easily connects keys, luggage, bicycle, golf clubs, camera cases, etc. The Pebblebee Card is also rechargeable, but the battery can last up to up 12 months. It’s very thin and comes with an intuitive magnetic contact charging design. It boasts a loud leave-behind alert so you can know where you left it.
You can use both the card and the clip every day. You don’t have to lose stuff now because these Pebblebee products will help you locate those items even if you forget. Each tracking device costs $29.99. You can get four clips for only $99.99. Check out pebblebee.com and Amazon to purchase.
The trend right now is for sleek, minimal desks with no drawers. But people still need storage, which has led to aftermarket add-on designs like Zenlet’s Rack Series and Otis Racks“
Laptops allowed us to take our computers anywhere with us, but there was a price to pay for their portability and compactness. Unlike their desktop counterparts, these thin and lightweight notebooks have most of their parts fixed and soldered down, preventing piecemeal upgrades or even replacements. For years, laptop users have been dreaming of portable computers that were easy to repair and easy to upgrade, and for years, manufacturers have been promising that. None of the big names have been able to pull it off, though, but an upstart startup seems to be on the cusp of success. Framework just announced its second-gen modular Laptop, but it’s the announcement more than the laptop itself that’s getting people excited.
From a technical and design perspective, the new Framework Laptop is definitely worthy of being called an “upgrade.” It makes a full jump to Intel’s current 12th-gen Alder Lake processor from last year’s inaugural release. The new laptop also sports a more refined and strengthened top cover, switching to a full CNC process that provides more rigidity compared to the old aluminum forming manufacturing. That, however, was just the tip of the iceberg because Framework is making good on what it promised when it launched its first laptop.
Those who own the existing 11th-gen Intel Core models can upgrade to the latest Intel processor just by buying a new mainboard. If, however, they aren’t satisfied with the somewhat flimsy top cover of last year’s Framework Laptop, they can upgrade only that or upgrade both at the same time by buying an Upgrade Kit combo. Those who never owned a Framework Laptop have the option to buy a pre-built machine or a DIY kit that lets the buyer choose the exact modules they want and install their own operating system of choice.
Just as important is the fact that the company sells these pieces by themselves as well as Expansion Cards like the PCI-E cards of old. In fact, the announcement also reveals a new 2.5 Gigabit Ethernet Expansion Card that will be joining the roster soon. Whether you occasionally need a DisplayPort or a card reader, the Framework Laptop has you covered. And, of course, you can also upgrade or replace the RAM, the screen, or even some cables, which are all sold by Framework directly.
Although everyday laptop users won’t be too excited about this news, it’s a very bold move toward making the laptop ecosystem better for everyone. This is the first modular laptop that has managed to reach a second generation to fulfill its promises, which means it’s really the first that will allow owners to upgrade to newer hardware just by buying the parts they need rather than the whole. You will, of course, require some knowledge on how to take things apart and put them back together again, but Framework also provides guides for those.
Having a modular laptop also means having an easily repairable laptop, which goes a long way in extending the life of the device and delaying the time it will become landfill material. The big question now is whether this business model will be as sustainable as the laptop itself. The Framework Laptop is still in its infancy, and it might take a few more generations before it can be considered stable or even profitable. Hopefully, the company will stick around long enough to change the laptop landscape and push bigger manufacturers in a similar direction.
Designers at Hyundai and its luxury spin-off, Genesis, have been doing some interesting things lately, but I’m iffy on this one. This week Genesis began U.S. sales of their fully-electric GV60…
…which has a new design for the shifter that they’re calling Crystal Sphere. Down in the center console, where the driver’s right hand would fall, you see this thing:
When you get in the car it starts to glow, and when you turn the car on, it does this:
So now you’ve got your shifter, R-N-D, with a P button in the center.
I understand the luxury buyer wants something different and special, but I think glitzing up and motorizing something as crucial as the shifter is a bridge too far. What happens if you need to put it in neutral when the car’s off, like if it breaks down and needs to be towed? What happens if you turn the car on and for some reason the Sphere doesn’t flip over? Genesis’ designers have actually thought of these things—and released this 4-minute instructional video on how to use the Sphere, even if it goes wrong:
So…you’re supposed to manually force the Sphere to turn when it’s broken? Or you’re not? They show you how to do it in the video, while warning you that it may not be the appropriate course of action, depending. I think that’s either poor messaging, or someone important in the design process who was supposed to make a hard decision avoided making that decision.
The vehicle has only just gone on sale in the U.S., so I’ll be curious to see what user feedback is in a few months’ time.
How about a cargo trike that can instantly slim down into a trendy city bike? Yes, that’s what this highly practical automotive design is all about.
Cargo trikes are a good option to haul essentials in cities, but they fall short on looks when you have to ferry them around without any hauling goods. We live in times where the multifunctional aspect of anything pays dividends in the long run of use. Rhaetus electric folding cargo bike brings that useful multifunctional aspect to the forefront with its mindful design that I’m sure you’ll love to the core.
Designer: HTH Han
This electric drivetrain-powered cargo bike minuscules all the other cargo bikes on the market which are good for hauling cargo, pets or even children – but fall flat on thier face when it comes to normal biking. Yes, this is where Rhaetus shines with its expanding and contracting design to go from a city cargo hauler to a cool-looking electric vehicle for general commuting. The cargo bike has a foldable front storage area that can collapse to morph the ride into a small mobility vehicle suited for congested streets.
The folding middle structure is crafted out of tarpaulin fabric so that it can be folded neatly at the push of a button without much hassle. This is done via the folding mechanism actuated by the hydraulic device and structure of the rear spindle. The bike is capable of carrying 172 liters of load in the expanded mode. The possibilities of use of this vehicle are greatly expanded with this shape-shifting form. It can go from a compact city shuttle to a camping accessories carrier for long travel mode in no time.
The front and the rear sides of the storage area are loaded with lighting for night commutes. In the collapsed mode these join together to form the headlights of the electric bike. So, no one would ever guess in their wildest of dreams that this cool-looking electric bike is actually a cargo trike when needed. The dashboard on Rhaetus is flush with modern-looking telemetry displaying navigation mode, speed, battery levels, turn signals and the driving mode. It comes with a dedicated screen control knob to quickly toggle through the available options.
A vibrantly designed cultural epicenter built upon music, cocktails, cuisine and community
Nestled into the northern coast of the famed (and sometimes infamous) Balearic island of Ibiza, Six Senses Ibiza began welcoming guests in the summer of 2021. An apt marriage of destination and hospitality organization, Six Senses‘ commitment to impeccable design and wellness complements the more meditative spirit of Ibiza. In fact, checking into the resort from atop its cascading, organic architectural form, metaphoric doors immediately open to tranquility and mindfulness. Even the neutral color palette of the buildings align with those of the historic fisher huts along the brilliant blue Cala Xarraca Bay. All of this would be enough for most luxury hospitality groups, but not Six Senses; as such, the brand has introduced an array of cultural amenities through their community-oriented Beach Caves.
Etched into the Six Senses Ibiza along the seafront level, the Beach Caves are aptly named; they’re hospitality inlets dedicated to rest, relaxation, creation or celebration. Brightest among the inclusions, the Beach Caves’ indoor-outdoor restaurant and terrace celebrates fresh, local and regional produce. Of the two bars at the Beach Caves, one is a lavish speakeasy-style cocktail cavern with top-notch signatures; the other is affixed to a private dining room. Channeling another part of Ibiza’s international identity, the Beach Caves also incorporate a vivacious nightlife venue, Xarraca Room, capable of comfortably hosting crowds for DJ sets or live music.
Six suites are also woven into the Beach Caves (joining the property’s 131 other guest accommodations), one of which—dubbed the Cave Royale—comes complete with a state-of-the-art recording studio. All, of course, peer out upon the Mediterranean Sea and provide sunset views. All of these compelling creations stems from a collaboration between Six Senses Ibiza’s owner and developer, Jonathan Leitersdorf, and Beach Caves creative director, Ben Pundole, one of the most influential hospitality figures in New York for more than two decades (from opening Ruschmeyer’s in Montauk to his Vice President of Brand Experience role at EDITION Hotels). Pundole, the founder of A Hotel Life, has visited Ibiza since he was a child.
“I really wanted the Beach Caves to look, feel, taste, smell like Ibiza,” Pundole tells COOL HUNTING. “I’ve been coming to the island for over 40 years and know very well its spirit. A few years ago I met a wonderful couple who have lived on the island for the past two decades. They are interior stylists, fashion designers and above all, they are incredible humans. They were the first people I called when I knew I would work on the project.” These two people—Alexeja Pozzoni and Diego Alonso—are the founders of diego&alexeja design studio, as well as the eclectic concept store ChAI ShOP.
“I’ve spent hours at their house over the past few years drinking chai, eating veggie curry (Diego is an excellent cook) and dreaming up projects that one day we’d work on,” Pundole continues. “I knew they would bring the spirit of Ibiza, that they would work with local artists and artisans, textile workers and landscapers. It was important for me that everything was local, and above all it had an edge and a sense of humor.” In addition to sourcing local designers, Pundole’s creative director role required him to envision the concept and use of each space in the Beach Caves and find the talent to bring it all to life. There’s “still lots of work to be done,” he adds, “but so far it’s been the highlight of my career.”
Sustainability is arguably the most important attribute underscoring Pundhole’s vision. “For anything to be considered luxury in 2022 it must have a focus on sustainability,” he says. It’s an attribute he refers to as “responsible hospitality.” He continues, “Luxury doesn’t use single use plastic! We have a no-waste kitchen and bar program, we challenge all vendors to provide Earth-friendly packaging, we’re hyper-local, seasonal and encourage a healthy employee culture. Supporting the local community is incredibly important.”
Six Senses’ multi-pronged approach isn’t passive—parts are whimsical, others quite substantial. “We’re introducing a carbon offset program for anyone wishing to offset their emissions when booking a Beach Caves suite and we’ve partnered with two ocean conservation charities—The Lonely Whale foundation and Project Zero—to ensure we hold ourselves accountable,” Pundole says. “There’s also a cocktail on the menu in the Beach Caves called Los Gatos, and one euro from each sold is donated to the Happy Hippie cat sanctuary. Often people think that doing good and having fun are mutually exclusive. This is not the case. We are still very much design and event focused. We just do it with a conscious, healthy approach and we hope to inspire others to do the same along the way.”
“Six Senses is chartering new territory with the opening in Ibiza,” Pundole says. “It’s a brand with incredible, inspiring, progressive values. It’s environmentally sensitive, socially conscious, community focused. They have an incredible focus on wellbeing, retreats and off season (aka cooler season) programming. It doesn’t however compromise the fun that Ibiza is known for.” From sweeping vistas to enchanting rooms and delicious culinary offerings, Six Senses sits atop the list of glamorous and luxuriant Ibiza escapes; the Beach Caves make it even better.
Beginning as an exquisitely textured folk track, “Caterpillar” from New Orleans-based singer-songwriter Julie Odell, undergoes metamorphic tonal and tempo changes. Odell’s vocals infuse a distinct beauty into the single, which is her first release since signing to Frenchkiss Records. “‘Caterpillar’ is about the transformative courage it takes to step into the unknown,” Odell says. “It’s about life’s inevitable change and the change that we choose. It’s all a free-fall of hoping and trusting that there will be something to grab onto before you land on your face. Navigating the emotional path of worry, doubt, fear, excitement, discovery, joy, peace and all the adrenaline in between.”
This is site is run by Sascha Endlicher, M.A., during ungodly late night hours. Wanna know more about him? Connect via Social Media by jumping to about.me/sascha.endlicher.
