 |
|
|
|||||
My daughter is 7 years old, and when she wakes up, the first thing shell often do is position herself in the center of an unruly pile of stuff on our basement floor. Construction paper. Tape. Stuffed animals. Pipe cleaners. Markers. Bits of ribbon.To me, its the definition of disarray. To her, it puts the creative process in arms reach. It provides exactly what she needs to, minutes later, emerge with a charming invention or piece of art. I mention this not only as a proud father, but because its the best metaphor Ive been able to find to describe Soot. Soot is a visual catalog thats in many ways reminiscent of Pinterest, Behance, or even Instagram. But with $7.7 million in funding, its team is focused less on building the next social network than challenging the status quo of creative UX. Instead of showing just one image or a few images at a time, Soot displays hundreds to thousands of images on your screen at once, allowing you to mainline loosely sorted visual information.[Image: courtesy Soot]Built upon open-source AI and data viz technologies, Soot sorts and organizes images by visual similarity, or by metadata like an artists name. The spacing is intentionally organic rather than overly rigid, so that what youre looking at becomes a resolved shape instead of a grid. And what youre left with is less a feed or website than it is a digital painters palette, or a vast mood board of visual inspiration for you to wade through with your cursor.[Image: courtesy Soot]In this sense, the premise of Soot is perhaps more philosophical than directly practical. Its 2025, and were still surfing in the vertical linear scroll. [People] look at the feed as the upper limit of what we can do, says Soot cofounder Jake Harper.Harper believes that the file structures of the Macintosh share the same logic with the scroll of TikTok or Instagram. These are linear organizational views optimized to show you one thing buried under another at a time. The folders and subfolders that inhabit our desktop interfaces force us to inefficiently dig for information and can devolve from discovery to compulsion.Instead of having information in a scroll, you could see from structures that [pool] like a well thats not as insidious as the feeds, he says. A lot of the negative impact of computers is inherent to the geometries of the interface.[Image: courtesy Soot]An exploratory interfaceHarper began his career designing as a sound artist with Soundwalk Collective, before making his way to the self-driving car company Zoox (acquired by Amazon) to lead the expression and communication of robotic vehicles. His cofounder, Mary Nally, is the founder of Drop Everything, a creative retreat taking part every two years on the tiny Irish island of Inis Oírr.Soot is organized into invite-only personal spaces, and then everything from the service combines onto a site called Soot World. That includes 4 million pieces of media at the moment, from its 25,000 users in a private beta. Each Soot space can be built from media sourced in all sorts of ways, from direct uploading to copy and pasting URLs from YouTube or a social media account. Monthly subscriptions will be available for individuals, and also companies, as the service scales.But what about the Soot experience itself? A tour through the Guggenheims catalog demonstrates how the interface sings. Drag around, and youll see the groupings of impressionists like Monet abutting geometrically focused futurists like Gino Severini, before arriving at the dynamic explosions of Wassily Kandinsky. In terms of art history, you can tap into each piece to see its name, year, and provenance, revealing that its all a bit of a blender. But zoomed out visually, Soot creates a gradient vibe that just makes sense.[Image: courtesy Soot]I remember the first time I saw all my own artwork in Soot, Harper says. It was like, damn, seeing things from 15 years agoa rejected student project next to something I made a week ago. It was a really weird experience. The interface is fascinating in that it demonstrates just how low a lift our single image feeds are in an era when we all have supercomputers in our pockets. The fact that I can mouse over thousands of images through my browser, without my aging Macbook cursing at me through the fan, is a most certain demonstration that our computers are able to do a lot more than we ask of them these days. Zooming in and out in Soot with my trackwheel is instantaneous. And the entire school of images (they do self-organize almost like fish) moves with a satisfying inertia. [Image: courtesy Soot]That said, in my own observations, I found tht I was really only focusing on one image at a time. Soot didnt open some new capacity in my brain. But seeing these interrelated ideas in my peripheral vision still seemed meaningful. And being able to explore a swatch of images in X, Y, and Z space felt more like true exploration than the whims of the algorithm.[Image: courtesy Soot]I am curious to see where Soot goes next, and can only imagine how we might begin to push the norms of UX as ideas like this leave the web browser and entire spaces like VR. I honestly dont know if the next 20 years of visual interface looks more like this, or more like the conventions in the 20 years weve had before. But I do think that, in the era of AI and seemingly limitless processing, we need more experimentation rather than less. We need to stretch what we think might be possible before we settle for whats worked so far.Were not fully there yet. Right now were in our GPT2 era, says Harper, alluding to the moment before OpenAI went mainstream. The core users love it, but its not ready for mass-market adoption.
Category:
E-Commerce
To be a good leader, you must do more than lead teams. You need to cultivate self-awareness, conversations, and relationships. Its not enough to practice leadership in the office. Today, the skills we need at workhumility, listening, and emotional intelligenceare just as necessary at home, in friendships, and community life. Unfortunately, many leaders feel less confident when tough conversations or messy emotions arise outside formal settings. Without titles, power, and staff to rely on, you strip leadership down to its rawest form: connection with others. Here are six leadership lessons that apply whether youre managing a project, having a hard conversation with your teenager, or navigating a disagreement with a neighbor, a practice that I personally recently failed at. 1. Be aware of stories that influence your reactions Whats shaping your reactions? We might not realize it, but every interaction is influenced by the private stories we tell ourselves. Recently, during a tough conversation with a neighbor, I got triggered. My story made perfect sense to me; their story was a strong no to any compromise. That didnt fit our friendship, and I didnt handle it well. Later, I used a tool I call CADSConcerns, Authority issues, Desires, and Standardsto explore my reaction. My trigger came from an unmet standard: my belief about what good neighbors should do. I wanted a mutually acceptable solution, but they did not want to discuss options. Accepting that I couldnt control their position helped me move forward with less judgment. I could wake up from my patterned reaction, accept their choice, and ground myself in what I could (and couldnt) control. To watch your stories, ask yourself: What is my desire? What are my concerns? Are there power dynamics at play? What standards are driving my judgments? This enables you to deconstruct your opinions and examine the underlying feelings that are shaping your reactions. 2. Adopt a more humble attitude Are you willing to be wrong? Many of us probably received the message to be the strongest voice in the room. Real leadership, however, begins with humility. Leaders must be willing to be wrong, to listen, and to learn. One senior executive (lets call him Josh) was passionate and intelligent, but when he met with his team, there was little interaction. Hed kick off meetings with strategy ideas and challenges, then ask for input. He heard crickets. With coaching, Josh realized his passion and unintentionally sent the following message: I have the answers. He committed to changing his style. Instead of presenting solutions, he reframed his meetings: Were here to explore tough issues and possible solutions. My perspective is one of many. I might be wrong about this. Who sees it differently? That shift transformed the meetings. More ideas surfaced, and better ideas emerged 3. Truly collaborate Are you balancing advocacy and inquiry? Collaboration and psychological safety arent just about agreement and niceties. True collaboration requires balancing productive advocacy with sincere inquiry. I once worked with finance and legal teams who found themselves trapped in politics and blame. During an off-site retreat, they played together, ate together, and explored the stories that the other group carried. Slowly, they began questioning assumptions and listening to each other. As camaraderie grew, they began to trust each other and created agreements for how to move forward together. Whether youre leading a project, planning a family trip, or navigating a community issue, collaboration demands humility, self-awareness, and openness to other perspectives. To truly collaborate, its important to present your view as one possibility among many. Share the thinking behind your position. Inquire sincerely into others perspectives. What are their desires, concerns, or standards? Examine your assumptions and dispel mistaken beliefs. 4. Think beyond the script Many leaders subconsciously self-censor. We stick to safe scripts, relying on old conversational patterns. But creativity often begins when we allow ourselves to explore whats unfamiliar. Recently, a client felt stuck in a job she didnt enjoy. She didnt respect her boss and felt dismissed. When I asked her to shift focus to what might be possible, she began to move away from fixating on what was wrong with her job and allowed herself to imagine alternatives. Once she opened that door, she made thoughtful choices about her future. To think beyond the script, give yourself permission to explore possibilities. Its a freeing practice. Imagination can spark breakthroughs and deepen relationships at home and at work. 5. Explore alternatives Are you skipping over discussions? In high-stress situations, its easy to rush to decisions. I call this the conversational bypass. We present our position, skip dialogue, and move straight to action. But rushing to action stifles creativity. In architecture school, one of my first assignments was to design a toy. I poured myself into a single idea. When I presented it, my professor raised an eyebrow and said: One idea? Come back tomorrow with five more. I was stunned. But the lesson stuck: Dont fall in love with your first idea. Dont move to action without exploring options. That mindset changed how I approached design and leadership. To ensure that you explore alternatives, dont settle for your first idea. Ask yourself and others, What else might be possible? 6. Only make promises you can keep Are you slowing down enough to commit wisely? In a fast world, its easy to say yes. But its also risky. I once promised my son that Id help him with a project later. But then I forgot. That small broken promise hurt more than I expected. It reminded me that sloppy promises, at work or at home, erode trust faster than mistakes. When someone makes a request, a rushed yes might feel efficient in the moment. But when we say yes just to please someone, we bypass a crucial step: understanding. Before responding with Sure, no problem, take the time to really understand the request. Ask a few clarifying questionsnot to challenge the person making the request, but to understand their needs and expectations: Whats the intent or goal? What concerns are you addressing? Who is this really for? What does success look like? Asked with sincerity, these quick, thoughtful questions can prevent misunderstandings and build trust. Slowing down creates clarity and confidence. A fulfilled promise is the foundation of trust. To make sure you keep your promises, before saying yes, pause and ask: Do I truly have the capacit to deliver on this? Ask clarifying questions to set the right expectations. And whatever you do, make sure that you can keep the promises you make. Lead where you are Leadership isnt a role you turn on at work and off at home. Its a daily practicea way of showing up with humility, curiosity, and care, wherever you are. You dont need a title or permission. What you need is the willingness to pause, reflect, and lead, moment by moment.
Category:
E-Commerce
Barbie x Keiichi Tanaami. Hot Wheels x Daniel Arsham. Masters of the Universe x Virgil Abloh. Uno x Shantell Martin, Takashi Murakami, Gary Baseman, Kartell . . . These collaborations might sound like an Andy Warhol pop fever dream, but theyre very real within Mattel Creations, the toy powerhouses hub for innovation and premium collectibles, which is celebrating its fifth anniversary as it continues carving out all-new business for the company. In February 2020, when the Cybertruck was more an anomalous conceptual piece of pop culture than a concrete political statement, Mattel was celebrating its 75th anniversary. The toy company launched its experimental wingand its first official producta 1:10 scale remote-control Cybertruck created in consultation with Teslas chief designer. The replica was priced at $400, could cruise up to 25 miles per hour, and even came with a cracked window decal. It was hobby-grade, large-scale, and full-control, Chris Down, Mattels chief design officer, says. It was absolutely beautiful, but not something that you would see at the local Walmart. Within three or four hours, it completely sold out. Chris Down [Photo: courtesy Mattel] In doing so, Down says it became the first real proof point that a high-end collectible platform could be viable for Mattel. It showed that the brand could connect with enthusiasts with more spending power than its average customer by creating high-quality toys with a luxe packaging and unboxing experience. And that was prescient. According to Circana, global toy market sales declined 0.6% in 2024. At the same time, sales of collectible toys increased 5%, accounting for 18% of overall volumes. Toy sales have been on the decline over the past couple of years at large, but adults have been buying more for themselves, a phenomenon that kicked into gear around the pandemic, and has only increased since. Down says that adult consumers have become Mattels fastest-growing consumer segment. Sales at the toy purveyor were down 1% last year, but perhaps it has a secret weapon in Mattel Creations, which a rep for the brand says has risen to become the companys fourth-largest domestic retail point, and its fifth-largest globally. [Photo: courtesy Mattel] MSCHF AND MASHUPS The brand within a brand takes its name from the sign that hung above the companys original 1945 garage/workshop in Los Angeles. When Mattel launched Creations, Down says the goal was to hearken back to a creative time of product ideation and business models, offering a reset of how we think about opportunities. And its one that Mattels employees apparently love as much as toy collectors do. The core Creations team is made up of 20 to 25 people overseeing 150 to 200 high-quality limited-edition products annually, from exclusives like that first Cybertruck to artist collaborations, mashups, and more. But that team is also a conduit within Mattel HQ in El Segundo, California, to the companys larger beloved brands like Barbie, Hot Wheels, and Masters of the Universe. And the focus is on craft. From a design/product development and a care point of view, we put more into every single one of those items than we do on a $1 die-cast car that sells . . . half a billion units across the board, Down says. It’s good for Mattel, it’s good for the fans, its good for the creators. The teams internally love the stuff because it also showcases some of their most interesting work. Barbie x Tanaami [Photo: courtesy Mattel] That includes, say, a hypnotic, kaleidoscopic Barbie from pop art icon Keiichi Tanaami, alongside his Uno card deck and Magic 8-Ball (a life-size version of the Barbie was featured in his Tokyo career retrospective); a rusty, Frankensteined Hot Wheels Not Wheels by art collective MSCHF, created in homage to the beat-up but reliable car that many drivers start off with, as Mattel puts it; various Monster High mashups, with partners like Squid Games and Beetlejuice; and exclusives for the Barbie, Hot Wheels, Monster High, and Masters of the Universe fan clubs, which Mattel Creations has helped grow over the past five years. LeBron James Ken doll [Photo: courtesy Mattel] Reps for the brand declined to say how much it all contributes to Mattels bottom line, but the effort appears to be worth its weight in marketing goldparticularly when a product like the LeBron James Ken doll goes viral, as it did earlier this year. THE ART OF THE DROP While some Mattel Creations toys are sold outside of the brand’s dedicated site, the artist collaborations are entirely exclusive to it, and they have been a signature part of the innovation lab since the start. How do they come together? Organically, Down says. Mattel Creations works 12 to 24 months out, and the collaborations begin as conversations. They may never turn into anything, Down says. It’s not something that you can force. Barbie x Mark Ryden [Photo: courtesy Mattel] Other times, its kismet. Take painter Mark Ryden. Down says Barbie was a muse to the artist and had played a role in some of his pop surrealist creations, so collaborating on a set of dolls was effortless. Likewise with Masters of the Universe and Japanese artist Madsaki, who Down says learned English while watching the cartoons. Masters of the Universe x Madsaki [Photo: courtesy Mattel] The artist dictates the brand and format theyd like to create withinand ultimately the artist brings their fan base to the subsequent product, which no doubt is a boon to Mattel. Given the experimental nature of Mattel Creations, the product runs are sometimes as small as a few hundred and go up to the tens of thousands. Styling toy launches as drops kicks up the fervor, and has become a signature of the brand, with more than 100 over the past five years. Barbie x Mark Ryden [Photo: courtesy Mattel] On occasion, Mattel Creations has even tested ideas with crowdfundingsometimes to success in the case of, say, the WWE Ultimate Edition New Generation Arena, and sometimes not, in the case of Jurassic World the Gates. For the latter, that might mean 1,600 disappointed dino franchise fans, but for Mattel, fewer unsold units sitting in a warehouse (read: fewer duds). Not everything works, Down says, but a lot of what we put on Creations has exceeded our expectations in terms of how quickly it sells throughand how much it sells through. Monster High x Squid Game [Photo: courtesy Mattel] WHITE SPACE This year Mattel Creations debuted its second live Apple-style annual event, Revealed, where it announced what fans could expect from the year to come. Down says the brand is focused on new ways of engaging with those fans, as well as expanding the type of creators its partnering with on new products. Ultimately, It’s been a compelling creative experiment, he says. Our marketers, our folks in digital and e-comm, and our business leaders are also excited by it . . . because it represents white spaceand it fuels the rest of brand health and actually creates interest, where people start to realize the dimensionality of how our brands show up.
Category:
E-Commerce
The workplace is changing faster than most leaders can keep up with. Were seeing changing expectations around work-life balance, the rise of burnout, and the prevalence of economic pressures leading to the rise of generative AI. This leaves little time to adapt, let alone rethink how we engage and inspire our teams. This shift has impacted the workforce. According to the latest Glassdoor Worklife Trends 2025 Report, 65% of employees feel stuck in their current jobs. But when it comes to managing and motivating people, some things never change. Employees want to feel valued, supported, and integral to something bigger. Trust, human connection, and purpose remain key to any companys success, no matter how fast technology evolves or how much the workplace shifts. Fostering these values requires more from management than just hiring the best people. Its about creating an environment where workers thrive. This means they take ownership, contribute ideas, and collaborate. While strong leadership is vital for setting the companys vision and strategy, real energy and innovation emerge when those ideas come from the workforce. Employees who align with the companys broader goals drive innovation in ways that no algorithm or technology can replicate. Fostering a culture that explicitly values and empowers staff leads to creativity and allows companies to tap into the true potential of their workforce. This approach invites employees on every level to emerge as leaders and innovators. The great detachment from momentum Were witnessing a massive evolution in the workplace. When Amazon announced its return-to-office policy for 2025, the backlash was swift and unsurprising. Weve all seen this coming. Employees have found new ways to create an impact that doesnt fit the traditional office-bound, 9-to-5 mold. Gen Z is poised to outnumber baby boomers. And the impact will go beyond their numbersmany of them have a different way of working and what they expect from the workplace compared to previous generations. They grew up during the pandemic when remote learning and hybrid environments became the norm. Gen Z employees are comfortable contributing in flexible, nontraditional waysworking in bursts of focus or sending deliverables at midnight. For them, the emphasis isnt on showing up to the office but on the impact of their efforts. However, a recent Gallup poll indicates an alarming trend of employee detachment, particularly among those under 35. This raises a critical question: Is your company still focused on activity? Are you measuring for actual impact? RTO mandates alone wont change the culture or drive performance. Real progress happens when we trust our employees to experiment, share, and make meaningful contributions. Empowering staff from the bottom up means prioritizing outcomes that create value and drive our businesses forward. Businesses can no longer rely on traditional productivity. Continuing to think in outdated ways will not position companies to keep pace with competitors with a workforce that is more flexible, innovative, and thriving. As leaders, we must create space for impact and let go of outdated performance metrics that hold us back. Listen to your experts Leaders have the power to set the tone. Consider asking yourself,what do you need to learn or unlearn, and who can teach you this? Remember that its not your job to know everything. Thats what experts are for. Lean on them, trust them, and empower them. Elevate viewpoints from employees at all levels and champion their wisdom. Nurture a learning environment where you welcome candid conversations, and employees can exchange ideas without fear of judgment, blame, or backlash. Promote teamwork and collaboration. This requires removing obstacles and providing opportunities for talent that break down organizational silos and give life to new ideas. Create a collective spark Collaboration fuels creativity and impact. Leaders can foster this by creating space for employees to share ideas through brainstorms or reverse mentoring programs. They also need to find ways to empower employees to tackle challenges to encourage trust, innovation, and fresh thinking. These moments of connection and cocreation spark momentum that drives meaningful engagement and impact. The questions you ask shape the culture you create. Ask yourself, What steps can you take to empower leaders and employees to foster a sense of community? Who speaks freely, and who remains silent? Who receives credit, and who gets overlooked? Which employees get to create culture, rather than just to follow it? Create an environment where employees can influence processes. Encourage open conversations and employee input to simplify processes and make improvements that truly work for the team. This allows employees to sharpen their critical thinking, problem-solving, and leadership skills while contributing to meaningful outcomes. Create an empathetic culture Today’s employees are overloaded with information, juggling constant communication, evolving expectations, and endless demands. Leading with empathy is essential to fostering an environment that truly supports employees. A high say/do ratiowhere you consistently align your actions with promisesis critical to building trust and modeling the behavior you want to see. Your organizations culture is its most significant competitive edge. It can drive or hinder exceptional results, inspire a willingness to learn or a fear of failure, promote teams poised for problem-solving or riddled with distrust and toxicity, and encourage inclusivity or exclusion. Effective leadership isn’t about perfection; its about being present, intentional, and empathetic. When leaders intentionally tend to culture, they demonstrate to their employees what matters and is possible.
Category:
E-Commerce
The color of the summer is here, and it started with a chocolate bar. Pistachio (both the food and the color) is all the rage right now. The nut entered the limelight over the past several months after various food creators on TikTok popularized Dubai chocolate, an indulgent chocolate bar filled with pistachio cream, tahini, and shredded phyllo dough. This spring, Dubai chocolate officially made its way into the mainstream, appearing as a cookie at Crumbl, a shake at Shake Shack, a chocolate bar at Trader Joes, a donut at Krispy Kreme, and a returning latte flavor at Dunkin. [Photo: Patislove] Demand for Dubai chocolate has spiked so high that pistachio producers in Iran exported 40% more nuts to the United Arab Emirates in the six months leading to March 2025 than they did in the entire 12 months before. Some stores have had to limit sales of the bars due to disruptions of the global pistachio supply chain. But it turns out that for customers in the U.S., theres a bonus to the trend besides an influx of tasty treats: The nut is relatively shielded from potential tariffs. Come what may, chances are that its about to be a very nuttyand very greensummer. A mechanical shaker harvests pistachio nuts on a farm in Californias San Joaquin Valley. [Photo: Ed Young/Design Pics Editorial/Universal Images Group/Getty Images] America dominates the pistachio market The U.S. is the top producer of pistachios globally, accounting for about 75% of the worlds supply, according to Zachary Fraser, president and CEO of American Pistachio Growers (APG). The second-largest producer is Iran. The 2024-2025 U.S. pistachio crop harvest, Fraser says, was 1.1 billion pounds in-shellthe third-largest harvest in the history of the industry. So far, Fraser reports, the Trump administrations tariffs have not had an immediate impact on the nut’s production. The industry is closely monitoring tariffs as the situation evolves, and we are active in the conversations with government officials to stay on top of the changing dynamics, Fraser says. Continuing to invest in market development and new countries to drive demand is part of that strategy. From APGs perspective, theres been a marked rise in interest in pistachios over the past several months. Recognizing the trending Dubai chocolate bar, its been exciting to see the popularity of pistachios grow across many other food and beverage products, Fraser says. Were seeing pistachios incorporated across baked goods, spreads, snacks, ice cream and more. [Photo: Shake Shack] Pistachio goes beyond the bar Pistachios arent staying confined to sweet treats, either. As the nuts flavor profile has risen into stardom, so, too, has its signature sage-green hue. In the past two months or so, pistachio green has exploded from the chocolate wrapper to fashion runways, mood boards, and even interior design. In March, Homes & Gardens called the hue designers go-to color for spring and summer 2025. In May, Harpers Bazaar noted that the gastronomic shade defined recent fashion shows by Miu Miu, Prada, Alexander McQueen, Gucci, and others. The average American is also becoming enamored with the color. According to Pinterest global data from January to March 2025, searches for pistachio chocolate bar surged 1,989%, while searches for pistachio outfit ideas jumped 361% and those for pistachio green weddings were up 285%. Sydney Stanback, global trends and insights lead at Pinterest, says pistachios are “having a major moment” on the app, noting, What started in the kitchen is now spilling over into style, with this earthy green inspiring everything from homemade desserts to intentional fashion choices.”
Category:
E-Commerce
Sites : [29] [30] [31] [32] [33] [34] [35] [36] [37] [38] [39] [40] [41] [42] [43] [44] [45] [46] [47] [48] next »