Guest Post: Snorre MartinsenGuest Post: Snorre Martinsen

Guest Post: Snorre Martinsen

Guest Post: Snorre Martinsen // @snorrem

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Nothing is more inspiring than a simple, obvious idea well executed. And one brand that's been a true source of simplistic brilliance for the past couple of decades is certainly Ikea. 
Two of the projects that have caught my eye lately are a little untypical for Ikea. But the way they've captured the spirit of the brand, and indeed simplistic living in general, is just spot on. 

"KNÄPPA"; A cardboard digital camera designed by Jesper Kouthoofd for the launch of PS 2012. Jesper is the force behind Teenageengineering, and moonlights as a brilliant director for various film and advertising projects.

I don't think it's possible to strip digital camera functionality any more down than this, and it's just perfect. It doesn't zoom or flash or stabilize you images. It won't break if you drop it, and it sure as hell won't post your images to Facebook or Instagram. All it'll do is snap your frame and you can transfer it to your laptop. And most of all it's terribly weird how retro this whole thing feels.


Another fantastic project came out of creative agency SMFB in Oslo. 
To launch the iPad version of the IKEA-catalogue in Norway, they created a brand new Ikea product called "BERÖRA". A sewing kit with conductive thread to sew into say the index finger of your favourite pair of mittens or gloves. This little operation makes them work on a touch-screen, so you won't have to freeze your bloody fingers off in the harsh scandinavian winter. 

How cool is that? Ice cold.

I think it's a wonderful thing when the essence and legacy of a brand can give people ideas they otherwise wouldn't have had.

And judging on the success both of these products have had, I'm sure we'll see many more projects like these in the time to come.