Educational and Ethical Products

http://www.ethicalsuperstore.com/category/electronics-and-appliances/educational/

Weather Station

gnite an interest in science in your child with this Weather Station kit, an ultra smart tool with many different functions. Track the weather changes, learn facts about the weather and do experiments on the greenhouse effect all with this plastic station. The plastic bottle can be recycled for you to make your very own mini greenhouse!

Kit includes: A plastic weather station (assembly required), screws, thermometer, compass and detailed instructions on how to get going.

Recommended ages 8 years +

http://www.guardianecostore.co.uk/products/green-science/green-science---weather-station/

I found The Guardian Eco Store when researching for eco friendly educational toys and found this. This is definitely something that is educational but also appealing to children. We could try selling this product on our website or even try to get the Ecoglobe sold on the Guardian Eco Store!

Gadgets for Green Kids

Fastronauts are green kids gadgets powered by play. Fastronauts, created by Sara Paculdo, haverechargeable batteries and dynamos.
If kids attach them to their bikes, roll, crank, spin, or perform any other type of movement, the batteries are recharged through the kinetic energy conducted.
Fastronauts have power indicators that can be pressed to make them talk, giving children instant feedback on the energy they created.
Fastronauts are a great green kids gadget to teach about eco-friendly energy production in a playful way.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-kids-gadgets-fastronauts

National Geographic Shop

Since receiving good feedback about Ecoglobe through the National geographic Magazine, we have decided to research into the products launched in their shop. In a few weeks we intend to make a trip down to london to visit the shop on regent street, to find out some competitor research and some visual merchandising tips.

Hemp Snack Bags

Bebeloosh Mini creates eco-friendly sandwich and snack bags made from 55 percent recycled hemp and 45 percent organic unbleached cotton. Made specifically for babies and children, these sacks can carry all the nuts and Cheerios that your little one desires.
With a Velcro fastening, all the crumbs will stay where you want them—in the bag. Bebeloosh Mini’s creations have cute handmade designs on each bag.

Micro Plants!

Pinky Tree is a tiny plant that lives in a 2” incubator capsule. It can be used as a key chain, a handbag or mobile phone charm, or as desktop decor.
The little plant will grow inside the capsule for 6 to 12 months. Once it outgrows the confines, you can move it to a real pot. It’s an easy process: Take the lid off the capsule and put the plant into a new pot filled with potting soil.
Pinky Tree helps the environment. For every four plants that are sold, a tree is planted in the US territory in partnership with American Forest.
Concerned about the Environmental issues, Weeplant has decided to contribute to the reforestation of our planet by participating into a worldwide program developed by the United Nations Environmental Program (UNEP). Parts of the company’s profits are reversed to American Forest to reforest the US territory (for each 4 Pinky Trees sold, a tree can be planted). (pinkytree)

I Love this concept and it could definitely be something aimed for children. Giving them something to care for like a plant would be a great way to help them save the planet and make them aware of environmental issues.

Adopt an Olive Tree

Have you always imagined having your very own olive tree on a romantic Italian hillside? Now you can! Olive oil producers Nudo, lets you ‘foster’ an olive tree in their groves in La Marche Italy. You even get to choose the area of the grove from where you want your tree.
With adoption comes reward; during the next year you will receive a “personalized adoption certificate and booklet about your tree”, a Spring package containing the olive oil produced from your tree and a Fall delivery of 3 flavoured extra virgin olive oils. They even encourage you to come for a visit, to photograph, water or just give your tree a big ol’ hug. An update on how your tree is doing will be sent, if you request it.
I’ve seen this mode of marketing used for environmental causes, such as sponsoring endangered animals and rainforests. Interesting, how the adoption approach has migrated to the food industry.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/virtual-plant-ownership-nudos-adopt-an-olive-tree-promotion

Eco Friendly Pillows

Next time your pillow gets all old and grubby, just throw it in the compost. Coated in years of drool, stained with makeup from those nights you were too drunk to wash your face, pillows can get pretty nasty. Janther cushions are eco-friendly and bio-degradable. As we all move towards greener lifestyles, it makes sense to have organic bedding too.
Ranging in price from $125 to $425, they’re more expensive than Ikea’s, but they’re handmade and made of organic material (they’re stuffed with Kapok from Malaysian rainforests), and in the end, a healthier planet is priceless.
We spent over 2 years searching the globe to find certified organic materials to use in the LoooLo Textiles line of interior furnishings. Our full product line of products is made using Climatex Lifecycle yarns and felt from Switzerland (free of toxic chemicals and hazardous by-products), organic cotton and Kapok, a fibre from the Rainforest in Malaysia. Every pillow or blanket we make uses our own hand and machine knit biodegradable textiles available in a full range of colors. Yes, you can throw them in your composter at the end of their useful life and they will biodegrade within 1 year. (looolo)

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecofriendly-pillows-looolo-cushions-dissolve-in-the-compost

Promotional Products for Ecoglobe

In order to get the EcoGlobe Brand out there, we thought it would be a good idea to release some promotional products that were education focused...

Pencil Cases, Pencils, Rulers, key rings to hand out at Schools, conventions and Exhibitions

http://www.recycled-products.co.uk/

Kiehl's Earth Day Campaign Photos

Kiehl’s Earth Day Campaign is a clever one. They’ve taken four celebrities—Pharrell, artist Jeff Koons, surfer Malia Jones, and Julianne Moore—and had them create their own Acai-Damage Protective Mist. These promo posters make me want to save my skin the eco-friendly way.
The Kiehl’s Earth Day Campaign is pretty ingenious. Using celebrities to sell protective sprays is a smooth move. 100% of the proceeds are going towards the Rainforest Alliance, so you can trust the system on this one. Save the planet, one Acai-Damage Protective Mist purchase at a time.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kiehls-earth-day-campaign

Puzzle Ball advert

Puzzle Ball Advert

I really like the simplicity of this advert. It shows off the product well and I feel this is somthing which we could do for our promotional advert.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZsBq5kE-zlk&feature=fvw

Green Story Books

These green story books selected by the TreeHugger website is the perfect way to celebrate Earth Day. These books have an eco-friendly agenda that is fun to read and green concepts that are easy to digest.
From famous children’s literary characters like the ‘Magic School Bus,’ to our favorite monkey, ‘Curious George,’ these green story books help parents to educate their young ones about the ails of our planet and encourage them to participate in saving it.

http://www.trendhunter.com/trends/green-story-books

Germ Fighting Gloves

It’ll soon be that chilly time of year again. The gloves we have to wear are also where we pick up germs and where they get to multiply like crazy. One new germ-fighting strategy could well be the bamboo fiber gloves from GetGlovd.
Bamboo is naturally antibacterial and antimicrobial. The bamboo gloves will retain these properties through repeated washings. The breathable gloves are also hypoallergenic and definitely eco-friendly, as bamboo is a sustainable crop. They are available in different sizes for men, women and children.
The makers point out that hand sanitizers, while effective against bacteria and some viruses, are usually alcohol based and thus very drying. Just what we don’t need during winter! GetGlovd bamboo gloves are another alternative.
One thing is certain, the bamboo content will definitely solve the odor problem of sodden, unwashed gloves!

http://www.trendhunter.com/photos/91123

Throw Away Watches

Some people enjoy traditional, expensive and luxurious high-end watches while others prefer a more eco-friendly paper thin watch called the ‘Patch!’ Made by Geneva-based watchmaker Altanus, the Altanus ‘Patch’ watch is the world’s first-ever biodegradable watch!
This wicked cool ‘Patch’ watch comes in 10 luscious colors. Available for approximately $33.50, the Altanus ‘Patch’ watch is perfect for the individual who’s passion lies in keeping the world a greener place and of course, those who love switching up their watches to match your every day wardrobe!

http://www.trendhunter.com/photos/91374

Umbrella Powered Planters

Growing plants is about to become fool-proof thanks to Junjie Zhang and ‘Green Trace.’ ‘Green Trace’ is an inventive new umbrella rack that collects rain droplets and uses them to grow plants.
The seeds below slowly feed off of the water and eventually start growing trough the stand itself. ‘Green Trace’ is an easy way to make your home a little more eco-friendly as it requires almost no attention or skill to use. Check it out ‘Green Trace’ as well as other Junjie Zhang designs and umbrella innovations below.

Colour Changing Umbrellas!

It changes colour, and is not a chameleon. It is an umbrella! Rains bring with them rains designer raincoats, designer umbrellas and headgears that flood market shelves. But somehow black and umbrellas have always gone synonymous with each other despite design variations.

While umbrellas, the most basic equipment against rains, have undergone a great deal of experimenting and colour additions in the recent years, a UK-based firm has turned innovative, ahead of time among umbrella designers. Squid London’s limited edition collection of umbrellas got sold out recently. Reason: their offering on umbrellas was incredible. For, they brought forth umbrellas that had hydrochromatic inks, which literally means, colours that react when touched by water. Which means, rain drops prove their magic touché when they hit the umbrella, turning the umbrella colourful, almost rainbow like.

The otherwise insipid piece can turn out to be a fashion statement, cause excitement in the showers, when water touches it. The limited edition umbrellas by Squid London could well become the statement of elan among those who can afford them. It’s a product with immense mass market potential. On the design front too, it offers a lot of scope for innovation.

Edible Cups

Take the simple act of drinking to a whole new level with Jelloware cups fromThe Way we see the World, innovative product design consultancy in New York. The Jelloware cups look like real cups but are made of agar agar, with different flavours to complement your drink like lemon-basil, ginger-mint or rosemary-beet. Nibble on your cup as you go and when you’re done, any left over parts are composted, so it won’t leave any harmful imprints on the environment. Absolut are developing a concept of Jelloware cups that complement different vodka cocktails like a pepper celery cup for a bloody Mary or a garlic olive cup for a dirty martini. What a delicious and fun way to keep the environment out of harm’s way!

The mobile that charges in your pocket!

Mobile phones are now ‘smart’ (what were they before?) and becoming increasingly complex in nature. London designer Patrick Hyland has come up with a mobile phone concept called the Nokia E-Cu (E for environment, Cu for copper) that can be charged by the heat in your pocket. It works by using an integrated thermo generator that converts heat from any source into electrical energy. The benefits include eliminating the waste generated by discarded mobile chargers and reducing the amount of electricity needed to charge them. The design is cleverly made up of engraved heat sinks, which resemble dried earth, a nifty way of saying we need to go back to our roots.

Eco-Friendly Innovations- The Paper Cup!!

If we were asked to make a cup out of one piece of paper, we’d say it cannot be done. Yet not so fast everyone, Shamrock Cups are in the post production phase of creating an extremely effective eco-friendly cup, and yes, they are created from only one piece of paper. Made from renewable and recycled bioplastics, the cups are biodegradable, unlike their fellow plastic pals which dominate the cup world at present.
The best part – there’s no separate lid, and so there’s no top to fall off and therefore no liquid flying everywhere. However what we love most is that the Shamrock Cups are made using the art of Origami, through folding the top part of the cup together, forming the secure ‘lid.’ And with a sipping hole at the fold rim for coffee as well as a punch out straw hole, who knew this ancient Japanese tradition could be so useful in saving the environment?

http://www.shamrockcups.com/

Den Kit - High Street Dreams May 2010

Recently I appeared in BBC1 show, High Street Dreams with Jo Malone and Nick Leslau, and I thought I’d take this opportunity to talk a little about my contribution to it. I barely appeared on the screen but some of the work I did became a important part of the episode. The show itself has a very good focus on branding and packaging and it was great to be involved as a graphic designer in the project.

I was asked to work on it through David Strang of Wicked Vision, who was mentoring Jo and Kay, the two women featured on the show, about their toy, the Den Kit. The Den Kit is a fantastic item, a kit bag stuffed full of ground mats, ropes, torches and even camouflage paint, all there so that kids – and most likely their parent’s too – can make their own little den anywhere that you can string up the cover sheet. The whole point was that it was rough and ready and there wasn’t one set way to put it up, so it encouraged experimentation and play. All good things. David recommended me to help out with the branding and packaging, since when they came to him the Den Kit was in a haversack and while the visual identity was good, it wasn’t going to cut it on the shelves of Hamleys and the like.

We met first of all in David's warehouse to discuss the challenges and talk through some ideas. The proposition was a hard one. I understood the brief and it could be split into two clear routes: outdoor and rugged, and eco and natural. So far so good. However we were on a crazy tight schedule and more to the point I had to present some impressive and finished options at the next meeting. This involved two different logos for each idea, unique packaging solutions and the full layout for each route. I settled on three styles of packaging, from the cheapest to the most expensive. I have to thank Studio This&That, two amazing graphic designers, who were fantastic in giving me support, ideas and focussing my mind for the project.

The route that was chosen was the one that they showed on the programme for obvious reasons but I thought I'd explain the other routes aswell.

The cheapest option was to be a plain cardboard box, printed one colour and reversed out to give it some visual interest and make it stand out on the shelves. This was the style that most fitted with the old idea of the Den Kit, and felt very much like it was hitting the eco and the budget side of the brief.

The next in line was to be a cardboard box again but this time printed full colour and with a gloss laminate, as shown in the image here. Within the box the idea was to have a cutaway to make a feature of one of the best items in the Den Kit, the mallet. The mallet was made by Jo and Kay themselves and was two parts of a tree from their own land, stuck together. It is a great piece of equipment and sets the tone for the whole play experience of the Kit, and so it seemed a good idea to make a virtue of it. They loved the idea of the cutaway, but as time progressed it became obvious that money constraints were going to prevent that from happening.

The final option – which in my heart I knew they wouldn’t go for but I wanted to show as a possibility – was to make the box an additional part of the Den Kit. We spoke a lot in the briefing about possible ways to reduce waste in the packaging and it struck me that to do that really well you would need to make the box itself something that you wouldn’t throw away. By making it into a wooden crate, it has a number of uses. It can be a storage box, a chair, a table, or – if you are freezing cold – firewood. The box would have the design laser-etched on the front, and while the whole thing would be expensive to produce, it could have raised the price point to a stage where the Den Kit made good profit, rather than the pence they were working to when I first met them.

The render you can see was made on Strata 3D, a brilliant programme which I can’t say I’m an expert at but I kinda knocked them out through a process of late night trial and error and I was pretty happy with the result. The reveal itself went very well. They all responded fantastically to the ideas, some liked some, others like others, but the most amazing thing was that Jo and Kay got quite emotional during the meeting. Not only was the whole experience quite overwhelming but, seeing the renders on a big screen in a suitably-exposed-brickwork building in central London just drove home to them the fact that this was no longer the small cottage industry they had started in a corner of their houses, and they seemed emotional but resigned to the fact that to compete in a commercial market it needed to look bright and modern. Jo Malone and the girls all liked different ones but in the end the middle option was chosen. On that one, the font was almost universally disliked. In fact the only people who liked it were Jo Malone and myself. The type was Taroca and it struck me an excellent but ornamental way to show the typeface as if it were hewn out of wood. But, being an open sort, I have since shown them a number of other options and we have settled on a very nice alternative.

As was seen, the Den Kit shifted it’s look a lot from that reveal due to money constraints and other factors. Since their pitch to The Entertainer, there is more to be done. I am still working on it and can't show you anything until the items hit the shops in a few months time. The whole experience was great, if a little fraught, and I hope that the programme showed some of the challenges that face branding companies when they try to create a product that can withstand travel, sit well on the shelves and remain a bright and fun item that attracts consumers in the nanoseconds that they look at a product.

Simple Sustainable Shoes

 Here is a great website which targets women, me and kids selling shoes made out of sustainable materials...car tyres, eco suede and leather, hemp....

http://www1.simpleshoes.com/gb/index.aspx/?cid=eggl_ppc&s_kwcid=TC|20543|simple%20shoes||S||7173086629

Pictures of Ecoglobe

Reasons for Buying Toys

Reasons for Buying Toys and Games

Two third of adults buy toys and games for Christmas – hence the occasion accounting for around half of the year’s sales – and two thirds for a birthday.

Any smoothing out of this bunching of sales benefits the trade, and gives a greater opportunity to highlight products in a less crowded retail environment.

One such new opportunity has developed with the trend of buying a toy for a new baby – up from 13% in 2003 to 26% now.

On average consumers give around three reasons to buy, and more reasons directly translate into more sales. These may be specific occasions such as children’s parties, or to appeal to the traditional image of a happy family all playing a game together.

This section of the report examines the results of further research conducted by BMRB on behalf of Mintel into occasions/reasons for buying toys and games. The following question was asked:

“For which of these occasions/reasons do you buy toys and games, if ever?”

The response data are presented in the following sub-sections and in Appendix – Reasons for Buying Toys and Games, analysed by various demographic breaks and other lifestyle characteristics.
 
It’s not only the big events
Figure 23: Reasons for buying toys and games, September 2008
Base: 990 adults aged 15+

%
Child's birthday    68
Christmas    67
Present for a newborn child    26
A present for my child to take to a birthday party    17
As a reward (eg doing well at school/being brave at the dentist etc)    17
For the summer – beach or garden    17
To have something for the whole family to play together    15
Adult's birthday    14
To take on a holiday/on a long journey    14
To cheer children up if they have been ill etc    12
To play at a party (adults and/or children)    9
Easter/Other religious festivals    8
Giving in to nagging/pleading from my child/children    4

General Overview of the Toy Market

Mintel Report November 2008

How can Toy manufacturers capture the child's imagination?
The market for children’s toys and games is a substantial one – currently worth £2.1 billion, up by 18% in real terms on 2003. Given the widely differing needs of its target market by age, the market is necessarily highly diverse, ranging from cot toys, simple games and early learning toys for infants, through to more sophisticated toys for older kids up to adulthood. There is no cut-off point by age for many board games, for instance.

Increasingly, the market is characterised by licensed products, which are now estimated to account for around a third of sales. This is a vital driver to sales, but has drawbacks as discussed in the report.

Children’s innate enjoyment of play alone is enough to ensure the market is robust and will continue to be so. However, growth has stuttered to a halt at least temporarily, and sales are estimated to have declined slightly on 2007.

Strengths and Weaknesses in the Market 

The attractions of collecting ensure repeat sales once the initial appeal is established.

Toys and games have universal appeal to all kids.

Parents support many toys as a way to learn through play.

Non-parents – other family and friends – are also active buyers.

Regular infusion of new products refreshes the market.

Awareness of licensed products boosted by extra visibility in other formats (eg TV and film, books, comics, clothing).

Crossover appeal to adults (eg traditional board games, models, train sets).

Toys and games are a good holiday gift eg from grandparents – ‘here’s what I bought you when I went to Scotland’.

Kids’ tastes can be highly unpredictable and sudden fads cause problems in meeting demand.

But with no ‘must-have’ toy or game then sales can be sluggish.

Competition growing from more forms of digital media.

The window of childhood is shrinking as kids move more quickly to adult-oriented lifestyles.

A crowded and heavily branded market means new entrants face higher barriers to entry.

Pocket money toys are highly price-sensitive.

Top Toys of 2009

Top Creative Toy

Bendaroos from Spin Master- Magical wax over super strong string makes Bandaroos do almost anything - Draw, Build ,Transform and Decorate! Stick Bendaroos to any surface and they'll hold their shape!

http://www.spinmastertoys.co.uk/

Top Feature Plush Toy

Fluffy Go Walkies-Fluffy Go Walkies puppies are the must have fashion accessory!  With light up leads and cute puppy sounds, you and your puppy will be the stars of the neighbourhood!

http://www.vividimaginations.co.uk/pages/products/fluffy-go-walkies.php

Top Girls Toy -Sylvanian Car and caravan

                                                                        Top Boys Toy- Ben 10 Figures  http://www.bandai.co.uk/brand-home.aspx?BR_ID=16