Can a trophy also be a triumph of sustainability?

When the Junior Tennis Foundation invited Joe Doucet to commemorate the new Eastern Tennis Hall of Fame inductees, he felt it important to create something that was celebratory while also emphasizing the roles that materiality and process can have to improving sustainability. Supporting the Junior Tennis Foundation’s mission to provide support to underprivileged and at-risk youth, as well as people with disabilities, the trophy takes inspiration from the tennis racket’s form and morphs into a triumphal arch through a series of progressive steps that represent the hard work required to achieve success.    

To ensure the trophy met the highest in sustainability and circularity objectives, Doucet selected an aluminum made with more than 90% recycled content from Norsk Hydro produced by the company’s Spanish Fork, Utah, facility, which has one of the lowest carbon footprints of any such facility in North America. The precise, sculptural form was fabricated by Neal Feay, the global leader in creative aluminum. While the visual inputs may be classic and recognizable, the resulting simple design has a modernity and focus on sustainability that takes the world of sporting trophies into a new, more evocative direction.

Can the power of art help power our buildings?

Wind energy has played a key role in helping national grids around the world reduce dependence on fossil fuels to generate energy, but wind turbines for homes and businesses have encountered very slow uptake due, in part, to their intrusive physicality.

Designed to be as aesthetically pleasing as it is functional, the wind turbine wall is made up of an array of rotary blades that spin individually, driving a generator to create clean, renewable electricity on site. As a modular and scalable solution created specifically for urban and suburban built environments, the wind turbine wall can augment or exist alongside other forms of power generation. The electricity can be utilized onsite, stored, or be fed back into the grid.

You can learn more and sign up for updates through its dedicated website through this link:

Airiva

Can sustainability be integrated into everyday life?

Horrified to learn that more than 31 million plastic hangers end up in landfill every day, the Henri team partnered with JDXP Ventures to be the design lead for the brand and its mission to bring premium design, smart features and sustainable solutions to everyday home items typically made from plastic.

JDXP created a friendly and inclusive visual identity for the brand to reinforce its planet-positive mission. We designed its launch product, the henri hanger, with a central ‘O’ feature that allows for accessories to be easily paired with garments, but which can also hold a sustainable, charcoal-filled disc insert that helps purify the air and remove odors from closets.

As partners in the business, JDXP has been developing numerous other products in the air care, storage and cooking categories that will aid households in reducing unnecessary waste and lessening their environmental impact.

Visit Henri

Can your environment heighten your senses?

Mortlach, one of Scotland's premium single malt whisky brands, invited Joe Doucet to collaborate in its inaugural Mortlach by Design program, for which global design stars create one-of-a-kind pieces that communicate the brand's ethos. The brief? Create something that contributes to the ultimate whisky experience and reflects the obsessive nature of Mortlach's distilling process. Joe's response was to create the ultimate chair for contemplation with a design that envelops the user within a curved upper form featuring a mirror finish that reflects the person within the space, shields them from external visual stimuli and focuses their senses. With anything obsessive, the devil is in the detail so the design is crisp, the materials premium and the finishes flawless, elevating the act of sipping whisky to an art form.

MortlachxJoeDoucet

How do you create a sustainable tea company that looks to the future instead of the past?

Through JDXP Ventures, we partnered in a start-up on a mission to completely rethink tea and create a brand fit for the 21st Century rather than trade off heritage and ritual tea-making tropes.

JDXP devised a name - Firebelly - that speaks to tea's benefits in a modern, characterful way then created a visual identity that is resolutely modern and simple to reframe associations with the beverage. Beautiful packaging that focuses on sustainability, including the first-ever biodegradable loose-tea pouches, was developed to display as a library on kitchen shelves.

JDXP also designed a line of contemporary accessories, including sleek tea pots, a convenient travel infuser and smart, stackable cups that create an overall brand experience that suits busy lifestyles. With a well-edited selection of teas that focus on performance benefits and provide alternatives to the one-note wonder that is coffee, Firebelly is bringing tea to a whole new audience.

firebelly

Can public seating protect the public?

Traditional concrete barriers meant to provide safety from vehicles tend to be brutalist, intrusive and function as an ugly reminder that we are not safe in large congregations. Rely was developed as a more humanist and beautiful alternative, offering a place to congregate and relax while also providing a discreet protective barrier in urban environments.

The infinitely configurable seating system consists of digitally manufactured concrete units, each weighing over one ton, which attach to each other via steel rods. In the event of a vehicle posing a danger to pedestrianised areas, the linking system allow the benches to respond as a unit to absorb impact and to stop the vehicle.

Each component is made in a wholly digital manufacturing process which has never before been applied to concrete. This special process, HyCoEx™ has been developed by Concrenetics enabling the Rely production by Urbastyle in partnership with Autodesk, ABB and Cementir Group. The project was spearheaded by Victoria Milne and 6¢ Design for the Times Square Design Lab and installed in Times Square in partnership with the Times Square Alliance.

Does inflatable have to correlate with disposable?

Kids love inflatable pool floats. So do a lot of adults, but let's face it, the majority of them easily puncture, split and ultimately end up in landfill. BYX pool furniture is a collection of inflatable floating seats and loungers constructed from recycled PVC, so they're much more hard wearing. They'll actually make pretty comfortable home furnishings out of the pool as well.

Can a jean be adapted for the 21st Century?

Luxury denim brand 3x1 has partnered with award-winning designer Joe Doucet to create a pair of jeans expertly altered to address the needs of 21st century life.

The catalyst for the invention of the 3x1 | Joe Doucet jean was to address the basic fact that, “the classic 5-pocket jean we all know, and love is really a piece of 19th-century technology designed for workmen,” explained Doucet, winner of the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Award for 2017. “Rather than focusing on making aesthetic changes, I wanted to update the technology to accommodate how we work and live today.”

Addressing the fundamental differences between the jean of the past and the jean of today, Doucet and 3x1 Founder Scott Morrison fashioned a jean that employs simple yet impactful finishes: microfiber pockets, to clean and protect one’s devices, a slightly larger coin pocket to accommodate credit cards, lined with RFID blocking fabric, and a 3M singular reflective black 8” strip that runs down the center back leg for extreme reflection while commuting in low light. Crafted in a 12 oz. stretch selvedge denim from Kurabo (Japan), the jean is not only beautiful but also extremely comfortable.

“The subtle changes Joe incorporated make a huge difference,” noted Morrison. “At 3x1 our central focus has always been to invite people into the jean making process in our SoHo atelier, and give them the opportunity to make something completely unique; together we have been able to create something that is more than just a jean it is a utility.” 

The 3x1 | Joe Doucet jean has been constructed for men and women in a slim and straight fit. For men, in the best-selling M3 fit and for women in a WM3, both styles will retail for $395 and will be sold exclusively at the 3x1 store, located at 15 Mercer St., in SoHo, NYC and online at 3x1denim.com. As part of 3x1’s Custom Made Program, patrons will be able to add the 3x1 | Joe Doucet Custom Made Package to any custom pair for the price of $750.

3x1denim.com

How do you make a New York icon even more iconic?

New York’s Times Square is colorful, vibrant and at times utterly chaotic, but all this bustle can take its toll on those it attracts.

The Times Square Alliance realised that weary visitors had few options to pause and rest, but felt that typical urban street furniture wouldn’t do the area justice. They commissioned a select group of designers to devise public seating that would reflect the area while also acting as public art to inspire visitors while they rested.

JDXP designed a series of totemic structures that reflect the iconic New York skyline, using soaring height and bright colors to make them easily visible above the heads of the crowds in the square. Understanding that broad, flat surfaces end up being canvases for graffiti, the structures were created using metal wire to discourage vandalism and give a lightness to their presence in the square.

The Village can be seen at 42nd Street & Broadway in the heart of Times Square.

Can a day at the beach get any better?

We've all come back from a day at the beach to find we've brought quite a bit of sand along for the ride. Syft’s solid mesh base allows any sand collected to sift its way back onto the beach with a few simple shakes, while also giving it a sturdy base for everyday shopping needs. An offset handle naturally orients the bag around the body so it is less likely to bump into door frames, gates and people walking alongside you. Both the bag and base are made from recycled ocean plastics to respect and promote circularity.

Can the sun power the fun?

Leisure motorboats are difficult to reconcile with our urgent need to drastically reduce carbon emissions, but suggesting everyone switch to sail is impractical. Joe Doucet's Neris EV boat concept addresses the issue by delivering a pleasure boat that not only incorporates zero-emission technologies, but also a sophisticated design that will appeal to consumers beyond its environmental credentials.

Neris integrates solar panels within the innovative, aero- and aquadynamic form, rather than awkwardly retrofitting them onto traditional silhouettes. The use of solar technology emits zero pollutants into the atmosphere or the sea and autonomously recharges its onboard battery to minimize plug-in charging. Electric motors have fewer moving parts, so require less maintenance and have lower operating costs. The electric craft is much quieter than combustion engines, reducing disruption to fellow beachgoers and wildlife.

Can fine wine pair with contemporary design?

Napa Valley's Double Diamond asked Joe Doucet to collaborate on a piece that would bring functional, contemporary design to one of their best wines. Joe created the limited-edition Ruby by Double Diamond wine holder, which plays with the notion of balance to reflect the elegantly balanced flavors of their cabernet sauvignon. Using the brand's alliterative Ds as inspiration for the table-top wine holder's form, it cradles the wine at a useful angle when at the table for serving. When not in use, it looks very unique and elegant in the home.

Is there a better way to build in the environments we want to protect?

Building the rural retreat of your dreams is generally at odds with preserving the natural beauty of the location you want to build upon. The Helix House is a modular set of forms that can be configured to take advantage of the best views on any given site and the entire structure sits on stilts to minimize its imposition on the natural landscape. Constructed from 3D-printed concrete directly on site, we can also greatly reduce the environmental impact of the building process.

Can Vices be Virtuous?

Under our growing JDXP Ventures program, we worked with the team at Air Co. to help bring their first product, the world’s most sustainable vodka, to market. NYC-based Air Co.'s extraordinary, patented technology transforms the core inputs of air, water and sunlight into ultra-refined alcohol products, removing excess carbon from the atmosphere in the process. Every bottle of pure alcohol produced removes 1 pound of carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

Joe Doucet x Partners worked with Air Co. founders to develop a packaging program that supports the company's mission to be the most sustainable alcohol brand in the world. JDXP looked at all aspects of sustainability to ensure every aspect of the brand's packaging was 100% recyclable and reusable. Labeling was kept at a minimum to not only reflect the purity of the vodka, but to minimize materials usage.

The label is adhered with a custom natural, non-toxic adhesive that allows it to be easily removed so the glass bottle can be kept and used for other purposes. And as partners in the company, JDXP continues to work with the team to refine the packaging as new materials and methods become available.

Advanced Active Safety Helmet

Can a helmet actually prevent accidents?

There is a reported 80% chance of injury or death on a motorcycle in the event of an accident, compared to about 20% for passenger vehicles*. While most helmets are designed to minimize injury after an accident, Sotera is designed to actually prevent them by making the rider more visible to other drivers. The helmet is equipped with a USB rechargeable LED lighting panel to make the rider much more noticeable in an array of lighting conditions. Built-in accelerometers detect when the rider is braking and switch to a red color, alerting drivers behind them.

Believing the innovations to have the ability to reduce accidents and save lives, Doucet has refused to patent the invention and offers it freely to all manufacturers.

*National Highway Traffic Safety Administration

Can design destigmatize cannabis use?

The benefits of cannabis vs. alcohol are well documented. Although not an avid user, I really enjoy working in categories where serious design has yet to play a major role. I wanted to create a series of accessories one would not have to stash away in a drawer but proudly display. Teaming up with the good people at MAE, I feel we have created just that. The collection includes a pipe, roach clip, grinder, ashtray, humidifier, and water pipe.

Available at

mae.la

How do we encourage mass adoption of an unwanted necessity?

In response to the Covid-19 pandemic, JDXP looked at ways it could help consumers re-engage with daily life through PPE that felt more comfortable, less scary and served multiple purposes. Studies showed that face shields or visors, worn in conjunction with surgical style face masks, were optimal for preventing wearers from touching their faces, but consumers found them uncomfortable and awkward.

Attempting to create a face shield that people would actually want to wear, Joe Doucet designed a shield with a nose bridge and arms so they sit on the wearer just like eyeglasses. This simple solution makes them more practical and feel less alien on the wearer than a typical face shield would. The shield itself is curved to better fit the face. All-clear, as well as versions with integrated men’s and women’s sunglass lenses were created and all versions have full-face UVA, UVB and blue light blocking protection to maximize usability whether outside or in office environments.

JDXP worked with production, sales and distribution partners to launch Vueshield within an 8-month development timeframe during the pandemic.

Can bacteria be put to work?

Each year, 470,000 tons of milk containers are simply disposed of through municipal waste in the US alone, resulting in 1.1 million cubic yards of landfill space. Start to look at these numbers on a global scale, and the toll becomes alarming.

Milk containers currently aren't recycled due to the polyethylene aseptic inner lining of the cartons that protects the liquid. Our solution is to replace this lining with a natural layer which only breaks down by the bacteria that causes milk to spoil (lactococci and lactobacilli). While the milk is still potable, the internal layer remains intact, but as the milk spoils, the lactic acid breaks down the internal layer and comes into contact with the paperboard container. It then reacts to pH pigments in the outer layer, prompting a color change signaling to the user that the milk is no longer good to use. The container could then be safely composted in a garden or municipal composting system.

Can we create the first sake brand asked for by name in the west?

JDXP Ventures partnered with the Soto team to create a sake brand specifically for Western audiences. The name Soto, meaning “outside,” refers to the fact that the brand would be seen as an outsider, and inspired the idea to brand the packaging with a hole through the bottle was a direct offshoot of the name, allowing one to view the “outside” world through the sake. Japanese characters on the bottle reflect the fact that this wasn’t a western sake, but a super-premium sake brewed in the Niigata region.

As the traditional bottling facility in Kyoto could only work with screw tops, we had to address the concern that Western audiences see them as “cheap” compared to corks while our product is of the finest Junmai Daigingo quality (the highest level of sake). The solution was to cover the cap with Japanese denim, which also inspired the sales teams to teach a ritual when taking off the cloth topper. First to use it to wipe down the inevitable condensation that would appear on the chilled bottle, and then to set the cloth on the table and present the bottle on top of it. This completely distracted from the screw cap, and turned a potential liability into a powerful strength.

sotosake.com

Can completely rethinking aircraft design lessen the impact of air travel?

Although technology allows us to be more closely connected at a distance, family, friends and business often necessitate travel. Carbon emissions from plane travel, focused as they are in the upper atmosphere, are considered amongst the greatest contributors to global warming.

JDXP created a concept aircraft utilizing advances in electric engines, pioneered in the automotive industry, and further adapted for aviation. The plane's innovative design and material composition work together to minimize weight and maximize aerodynamics, allowing the electric engines to achieve required minimums in distance and duration for flight times.

How can we help the oceans from our own backyards?

It's one thing to remove plastic from our oceans, but we need to reuse it so it doesn't just get incinerated. Recycled ocean plastic can be made into a very durable, weatherproof material, so we've utilized it as the cradle material in our TMPL Hammock. Designed to be a temple for relaxation, you can lull summer days away knowing you're contributing in some small way to a solution rather than the problem.

Could humanity be recreated in the future?

We shudder to think of the worst-case scenario in the battle to correct climate change but think of it we must. While burying our heads in the sand is not an option, perhaps we should think about sending our DNA - and we mean our collective DNA - into a non-decaying orbit midway between the earth and the moon.

This record of humanity, encased with a material containing every stable element on the planet, would certainly be the most unique object in orbit, thereby signaling it as deserving special attention. It gives humans a shot at a second chance if our evolved future selves or another advanced civilization decide to revive us. Think of it as a backup drive for humanity.

Out there? Perhaps, but at least we'd be somewhere for the next 5 billion years until all is consumed by our dying sun.

What is the relevance of art in the era of social distancing?

Art galleries may be closed, but art itself is irrepressible and will always find a way to be expressed. Looking to reconnect with aspects of our life that we now take for granted, such as visiting an art exhibit, Joe Doucet has used augmented reality to bring the intimacy of a gallery visit to whatever space you're in. Using your iPhone or Android, you can move between a virtual installation of a dozen people in your space spaced 6-feet apart. Walk amongst them and never feel afraid to get close – something we hope will never be taken for granted again.

The Augmented Reality installation is free for all and without the requirement of any apps. Simply click the link here on a mobile device and enjoy it in your own home.

We would like to encourage everyone who enjoys this technology to donate to the local charities who are aiding the frontline workers who are sacrificing so much to help get us through this difficult time. A full list can be found at charitynavigator.org

With special thanks to allworld.io who made this possible. Stay safe, stay home and we hope this brings an element of escapism to your day.

Link Here

Can your bag become your travel companion?

For its first full travel collection, Montblanc called on Joe Doucet to partner with the luxury brand to elevate and bring a tech-forward approach to the MY4810 series.

JDXP designed functional improvements by adding an OLED luggage tag that holds not only your passport information, but also your itinerary and can give real-time updates on flight and gate status. It can even call for ground transport when you land, making it part personal organizer, part travel hold-all.

We refined the case by distilling its design, focusing on the beautiful Montblanc logo by making everything else on the bag a uniform, deep matte black with just the logo popping on its front. Sophisticated and subtle, yet incorporating helpful technology, the Montblanc MY4810 case by Joe Doucet epitomizes the future of travel.

Can an electric car be electrifying?

In searching for a new car, naturally, I want to go electric. The issue is I couldn't find one I would actually want to drive. Soooo, I spent some time developing this...

Can an old game learn new tricks?

Frog Design reached out to JDXP to participate in an event for charity to design a dartboard along with other American talents. Rather than just re-style the classic dartboard or create an unusable showpiece, Joe Doucet created an entirely new game that referenced the original.

Playing a game of darts involves a complicated scoring system, so he decided to create an intuitive game anyone could learn in seconds. Using the popular game of “21” whereby players have to hit exactly 21 points without going over to win, our version tasks players to simply hit three darts in the 7 circle to win. Miss, and a point is deducted. You must hit the 1 circle to add a point. Go over 21 and you lose. The original was auctioned off for the charity Art Start.

How do you visualize power?

FuelCell Energy is a leading US technology company that provides fuel cell power solutions to enable a safe, secure and practical transition to carbon zero. In developing their new solid oxide technology systems, they commissioned JDXP to work with them to ensure the new platform's aesthetic would capture both the public's imagination and the industry's attention to ultimately help foster adoption.

Prior to starting the design process, JDXP spent time with FCE's engineering and technology teams to gain a full understanding of the requirements and parameters associated with the new solid oxide systems. Everything from access points, maintenance needs, security, weather resistance, logistics factors to materiality constraints and competitor analysis was reviewed and interrogated to ensure design proposals would be relevant and executable.

JDXP responded with a simple, monolithic design leveraging a bold color palette that not only met the parameters of the solid oxide technology, but that FCE could also adapt for use across other systems to create a powerful and consistent visual language for the brand. The result elevates the brand in the category and delivers a distinct identity that can be immediately recognized by its audiences.

Can designing a rug be a social statement?

Joe Doucet x Odabashian

For our second collaboration with the Odabashian, I wanted to do something quite meaningful and to serve a larger purpose. Odabashian works in several traditional techniques, and Jaime Odabashian and I spoke about doing a different rug for each technique around a central theme. There is little difference in designing a rug than designing a poster. It is in essence a work of graphic design which is placed on the floor rather that a wall, but it serves as a large canvas which could be used to express an idea. I put this thought in the back of my mind and let it simmer for a while with the hopes that something would present itself to me in due time.

It didn’t take long. A day or two after the conversation with Jaime, Trump tweeted a ban of transgender people serving in the military. A brief period of shock quickly turned to anger. How could we single out a group of people so brave that they are willing to endure so much to live their lives the way they feel they were born to be? What could I as a designer do to show support for them. The rug project came to mind, but honestly didn’t at first seem like a likely medium for support. It also seemed a risk that I might be tone deaf in using a series of rugs as a form of protest. I decided that instead of protesting their discrimination, it might be better to celebrate their bravery. With no small trepidation, I opened up my sketchbook and began working.

The uniting theme of the series became Transcendence. I wanted to capture the beauty of outwardly becoming what you are internally. The four rugs each attempt to convey this thought in a different visual language. I shared the concept and designs with Jaime, not knowing if he was willing to go down this path with me, but to my delight, he was willing to throw his hat into the ring. A few months later and the entire collection was ready. I hope the rugs and the thought behind them are received with and understanding of the intent that each of us have a responsibility to use our skills to stand up for what is right. We chose to donate our royalties to the ACLU, the organization who fights the fight for equality for all in the US.

Odabashian.com

How do you make a cactus synonymous with comfort?

The Dune Collection utilizes a luxurious, vegan leather made from cacti as the material covering this range of organically inspired sofas and chairs.

Cactus leather is a sustainable alternative to traditional leather, eschewing animal agriculture, vast water usage and highly polluting production processes for a renewable, natural resource. Unlike synthetic leathers, cactus leather is breathable so it is less likely to trap moisture or become uncomfortable in hot, humid conditions. The material is hypoallergenic and very durable, making it a fantastic choice for homes and businesses.

The texture of this eco-friendly leather is both unique and quite natural, giving it a comfortable touch and distinct look that can be created in a range of colors and finishes.

How can electric vehicles be even better?

Private and public sector courier services have benefitted from the huge rise in-home delivery spurred on by the pandemic, creating a perfect storm of environmental challenges as a result. While some are slowly adding EVs into their fleets, many of these vehicles are simply electric versions of straightforward vans and the innovation is solely in their electrification rather than their functionality.

This EV concept which we've devised for the beloved USPS, which has circa 230,000 delivery vehicles on our roads, has a number of small innovations that can help deliver packages smarter as well as cleaner. The compact form of this vehicle improves its maneuverability, has an integrated solar roof to help extend range, large LED light arrays to the front and rear to improve visibility, and cockpit doors on both the left and the right for maximum accessibility. Small innovations can add up to great impact.

Can gloves make running more exciting?

Reebok commissioned Joe Doucet to ideate on new product categories for its proprietary “Flexweave” material to showcase its usage potential beyond footwear. After considering the material’s beneficial properties, JDXP designed technology-enabled running gloves to address the issue of boredom, which is cited by occasional runners as the primary reason they do not pursue the activity more frequently.

The running gloves incorporated Bluetooth sensors and light strips into the design to communicate suggested directions to the wearer while jogging, indicating whether to turn left or right through vibration and light cues. An app that uses geolocation to suggest different routes from the runner’s location based on the desired distance entered communicates the chosen route to the wearer through the gloves while jogging.

The solution not only demonstrated greater use cases for the material, but opened up new possibilities for Reebok to further expand its relationship with and usage of technology.

Reebok x Joe Doucet

How do you create an icon from an icon?

When Pabst asked JDXP to reimagine the much-loved, if a little forgotten, Schaeffer beer brand, we couldn't wait to get reacquainted with one of the first beers we drank (legally, of course) as young adults. Schaeffer is New York's oldest beer brand, around since 1842, and Pabst charged us with modernizing the brand so that it once again reflects the hope, courage and optimism that New York City itself symbolizes to the world. Not asking much then. We knew that we had to be respectful of the brand's past as it was loved by legions of consumers, so we sharpened the logo up without losing its character and recognizability, then set it off against modern elements such as a matte, neutral can and contrasting color palette which instantly updated its identity. Ultimately it passed the biggest test: if we were 21 today and standing in a bar, we would definitely be ordering it.

Can a bike appear different in the morning and evening?

JDXP was asked by Tokyobike to create a limited-edition bicycle for their window during NYCxDesign in New York. The brief was to only use paint as custom parts would not be practical given time and fiscal restraints.

In NYC, bicycles are a mode of daily transport back and forth to work, one direction in the morning and the reverse in the evening. This idea, translated onto one bike, was to make it appear as two different versions of itself: Fresh in the AM and showing the wear of the day in the PM, painted in two colors split straight down the middle.

How little is too little?

Areaware x Joe Doucet

MINIM is a deck of regulation playing cards that explores the idea of how much can be taken away while still maintaining a playable deck of cards.

Simple geometric symbols are reductive versions of hearts, clubs, diamonds and spades and while it's necessary to mark the back of regulation playing cards for regulation purposes, we've done so with a minimal diagonal line.

Available for sale at Ode to Things

$12

For Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

Can limited resources Inspire us?

Commissioned by the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum to represent dining in the 21st Century, Joe Doucet’s Talblescape Cutlery, Cookware, Serving and Storage Sets are designed with limited resources in mind.

We are living in a time where 1BN people are being added to the planet every 10 years. Not only is living space a dwindling resource, increased agriculture will tax potable water as the need to feed greater populations arise. How will these factors impact daily life in the near future?

Our contribution deals with the act of dining in particular. By creating hybrid vessels which act as cooking, serving and storage for food, we eliminate the need to use separate items for each step and avoid wasting potable water to clean each item between uses. 

These multifunctional items allow for maximum flexibility as lids can be used as plates and trivets. Even the raised pattern serves to spread heat evenly during cooking, but also quickly dissipate it during serving and eating.

The cutlery is designed to take full advantage of 3D Printing by being customized to the user in both scale and handedness for the 10% of the population not right-hand dominant. Additionally, the set promotes one of the great benefits of globalization through the adoption of cross-cultural cuisine.

3D Printing courtesy of Shapeways

Photo Credit : Donatello Arm

Can a 3-dimensional digital model elicit emotional resonance?

Digital or computer generated imagery is undergoing an extraordinary, and at times scary, transformation through the possibilities created by AI. The reality is that digitally created art has been with us for a long time, but is often derided as lacking the ability to elicit emotion in the way traditional artworks can.

Joe Doucet set out to explore the relationship between the digital and the emotional through a series of haunting images that explore isolation, loneliness and interrelationships through human-inspired, but not actually human, forms. The exhibit challenges the idea that empathy and sympathy can only exist between people by drawing the viewer into the emotionally charged landscapes and context of the computer model's subject matter.

Can contemporary design preserve tradition?

Joe Doucet x Nude

When the design legend Gaye Cevekil, founder of Gaia & Gino, asked me to design a collection for the Turkish glassware brand Nude, where she had recently taken the role of Creative Director, I lept at the opportunity. I had known Gaye for many years and we had been looking for a project to work on together. The brief was quite open and there was a long list of typologies to choose from. In scanning the list, whisky decanter jumped out at me. It was a dusty category which brought to mind mustachioed gentlemen pouring drinks in a Victorian parlor. It seems the perfect item to be rethought for a modern home.

I began the project with a bit of research into the history of decanters. There was a time when it would have been considered quite gauche to serve a whisky or gin to a guest from a bottle with a label on it. Fast forward to the early 21st Century, and the opposite is true. One is almost defined by the brands they associate with, and the label on the bottle you serve to a guest says more about you that the glassware it comes in. Could we change that?

Having recently been indoctrinated in the appreciation of single malt scotch, I decided that rather than focusing on a general decanter, I would work on one specifically designed to house Scotch and pay tribute to the spiritual home of whisky, Scotland. There was born Alba, the Gaelic word for Scotland. Nude is known for its exquisite and detailed glass cutting techniques, and I chose to employ this to create a deconstructed Tartan pattern on the bottom of the decanters and glass, both reflecting tradition and giving a literal contemporary edge to the collection.

The defining feature, however, was the stopper. I wanted something that both lent an edge to the piece and made it immediately recognizable. After running through an assortment of materials, we settled on marble, both for its nobility and its unusual association as a stopper for a decanter. The material choice in itself didn’t seem strong enough to set this apart from historical decanters. It needed something more. The idea then came that if the stopper wasn’t vertical, it would truly look unique. We further tied this into the concept, by suggesting the owner always lean the stopper in the direction of Scotland no matter where they were in the world.

nudeglass.com

Joe was honored to be featured on the new advertising campaign for Theory's new Neoteric textile. More information to be found at Theory.com

Theory.com

Can a solid form blur boundaries?

DuPont commissioned an installation to showcase their versatile Corian material as part of their sponsorship of the inaugural Design Pavilion in Astor Place, NYC. The theme of the event was “Blurring Boundaries” to celebrate the intersection of the different fields of design.

We designed a central bar where visitors, exhibitors and journalists could work and unwind over a cocktail in the evening. The overall form is an intersection of two angles that welcomed visitors from all directions. Each angle coming from divergent directions as a metaphor for different points of view and experiences, but that converged into something interesting, complex and beautiful in the center. The resulting twisted form where the two angles met could only really be achieved using the Corian material.

Can we create the first sake brand asked for by name in the west?

Soto kicked off when I was approached by Billy Melnyk, who wanted to create the first brand of Sake that one could order by name in the west. Billy and I had worked together on a few projects when he was at the Bacardi Group based in Miami. We got along very well and shared an ambition to do great work, so when he proposed introducing an exquisite sake to an American audience, I immediately agreed to come on board.

While Billy and his team were hard at work recruiting the top sake brewer in Japan, we were hard at work on the brand and packaging. After reviewing hundreds of names, we all settled on Soto, meaning “outside” in Japanese. It seemed appropriate for countless reasons, but most pointedly as we were bringing the very best of this spirit at the heart of Japanese culture to the west in a way never done before. The idea of a hole through the bottle was a direct offshoot of the name allowing one to view the “outside” world through the sake. We chose to keep a great deal of Japanese characters on the bottle to reflect the fact that this wasn’t a western sake, but a super premium sake brewed in the traditional methods in the historic Niigata region.

One hurdle we faced was that our bottling facility in Kyoto wasn’t equipped to insert corks in the sake, only the screw cap found on most sake bottles. This was an issue as most westerners see a screw cap as “cheap” when our product was one of the finest Junmai Daigingo (the highest level of sake) ever produced under $50. The solution was to cover the cap. Billy suggested Japanese denim, which was a stroke of genius. We the chose to train our sales teams to teach a ritual when taking off the cloth topper. First to use it to wipe down the inevitable condensation that would appear on the chilled bottle, and then to set the cloth on the table and present the bottle on top of it. This bit of sleight-of-hand completely distracted from the screw cap, and turned a potential liability into a powerful strength.

In addition to winning numerous awards for the packaging design, we are most proud of the fact that the sake itself has received even more accolades, including “Best in Show” at the Beverly Hills Mico Liquor Competition out of every category, and has received a rating of 92 whereas the “World’s Best Tasting Vodka” has a rating of 87.

sotosake.com

Can 3D printing yield flawless creations?

We wanted to put 3D printing to the test to determine if we could achieve a finished quality level, opening up the medium for use beyond prototyping as it is primarily used for today. The Cru Serving Set was designed with a very sleek form to emphasize the need for perfectly clean lines and subtle curvatures, something not associated with 3D print quality. We chose 3D printed bronze as the material which, for the time, was new territory for the machinery. The result was beyond expectations and signalled that 3D printing as come of age.

Cru can be seen in the permanent collection of the Cooper-Hewitt National Design Museum

Can appliances be better integrated with our lifestyles?

This project for Whirlpool in Europe was to create an innovation program around different appliance categories that could act as a “show kitchen” marketing opportunity.

JDXP approached Whirlpool’s existing categories as well as ideating on product extensions for the brand. Our designs addressed both aesthetics and function that could be easily incorporated within existing product lines, such as the “cooking door” in the refrigerator, which eliminates the need to keep opening the fridge door when cooking, thus saving energy. JDXP also designed washer/dryer units that look more like cabinetry, complete with integrated storage areas, for urban homes where dedicated laundry areas are rare.

New product areas created for Whirlpool included toasters and electric kettles with distinct aesthetic profiles, as well as an innovative wall mounted task light that doubles as a magnetic knife and utensil holder.

Can your tie help you get dressed?

Thursday Finest, a brand that utilizes 3D-knitting technology, commissioned Joe Doucet to create a tie design that would form the base for consumers to customize by entering their height and weight to determine the appropriate length, preferred knot, as well as colors.

Thinking about how tie bars are used to hold a tie in place, generally fastened between the second and third button of the shirt, the technology of the 3D knitting machine could be utilized to create a stripe in the correct position of the tie based on the parameters entered by the consumer, indicating where to position a tie bar.

www.thursdayfinest.com/collaborations

How do you create a sustainable tea company that looks to the future instead of the past?

Through JDXP Ventures, we were asked to become partners in a start-up whose founder is on a mission to completely rethink tea and create a brand fit for the 21st Century. Tea brands typically trade off heritage and propagate myths around tea-making traditions, which just leave consumers with a sense that tea is too fussy, complicated and inconvenient. JDXP devised a name - Firebelly - that speaks to tea's benefits in a modern, characterful way then created a visual identity that is resolutely modern and simple to reframe associations with the beverage. Beautiful packaging that focuses on sustainability, including the first-ever biodegradable loose-tea pouches, was developed to display as a library on kitchen shelves. JDXP also designed a line of contemporary accessories, including sleek tea pots, a convenient travel infuser and smart, stackable cups that create an overall brand experience that suits busy lifestyles. With a well-edited selection of teas that focus on performance benefits and provide alternatives to the one-note wonder that is coffee, Firebelly is bringing tea to a whole new audience who can thankfully keep their pinky fingers on their cup handles.

firebelly

Can a table make a party?

Italian design company Horm asked Joe Doucet to work on a design for an extending dining table that worked more smoothly while still appealing to the contemporary design lover.

JDXP focused on the process for extending the table to make an incredibly smooth system that one person could easily handle and, together with Horm’s expert engineering capabilities, developed a simple sliding system.

Adding to the table’s functionality, extra storage space was built in to house not only the extension piece, but other objects that may only be used when the table is fully extended. The legs were designed with an interesting turn to give the table more presence in a room.

Can office furniture instantly adapt to changing needs?

JDXP designed a flexible work system for open plan offices that allows workers to quickly configure a series of elements for different purposes.

At the core of this seating system are flexible leg supports which allow tables, lighting and power supply to be connected on and through them. A simplified construction method was employed to make the leg system accommodate the different options and also allows the entire system to be assembled in the warehouse just prior to being shipped to the customer. Typically, pieces of this scale are assembled in the factory, then shipped to the warehouse, taking up a great deal of space and significantly increasing its environmental footprint. This simple innovation led to one of the most environmentally-friendly office systems to date.

Skandiform.com

Can we harness the sea for beauty?

JDXP Ventures are founding partners with the creators of Masami, developing the brand aesthetic and packaging for their revolutionary mekabu (a type of seaweed) and botanicals-based haircare products. As equity partners, JDXP worked with the founders to create a compelling brand proposition to support the rich ingredients-based foundational story.

We created a brand identity that literally flows naturally from the oceanic source of mekabu. The seaweed inspired M logomark and rich, deep green color reinforces the key ingredient in Masami products in a sophisticated and understated way to support the premium positioning of the brand.

lovemasami.com

Can you blur the lines between hard and soft?

Meld is an installation created by Joe Doucet for New York's Design Week. Fascinated with the idea that a seating installation might be able to confuse people into thinking a hard substrate is actually plump and soft, Doucet created a bench from Carrera marble with sculpted, softened edges and bulges that make it look as though it were a large soft cushion covered in a printed marble-effect material - sumptuous and inviting, yet solid and permanent.

Can an artifact of a disaster become art?

Artwork

9 unique objects in a series.

Solid moulded acrylic and dye.

Like most people in the path of storm Sandy, the first thing Joe Doucet did was to wait in line to stock up on water. The irony that an excess of water was the cause of the destruction was not lost on him and led to the creation of this artwork.

The empty water bottles from that time were used to create moulds that were cast as solid acrylic forms, ranging from clear to opaque black, symbolizing the deepening crisis that the water caused over time.

Can you burn a candle at both ends?

Founder of the American Design Club, Kiel Mead, commissioned Joe Doucet to create a candlestick which would be debuted in their “Curse of Darkness” exhibition.

Rather than having to choose between a holder for either a tapered candle or a tealight candle, Doucet designed Janus, named after the Roman god with two faces, whose simple form can be turned either way around to reveal the appropriate size holder for either candle type.

Finished in solid steel, plated and polished in copper, silver and black nickel.

Photo: Kendall Mills

Can a mirror expand your horizons?

Richard Shemtov, founder of Dune, commissioned Joe Doucet to bring something new to the mirror category.

Looked at from the idea that a mirror is there to show you how you appear from the perspective of someone looking directly at you, what if a mirror didn’t show the viewer from one perspective, but showed their environment from multiple perspectives? A person standing in front of the mirror wouldn’t see themselves at all, instead they’d see different views of the world around them.

This thought is the basis for the Loverboy series of mirrors. Rectangular and hexagonal wall mirrors whose faceted designs celebrate the environment they are in.

Available through dune.

Loverboy Rectangular: 44.5"w X 5.25"d X 35.75”h

Loverboy Hex: 50"w X 5.25"d X 43.25"h

Photgraphy: Albert Vecerka

Can design keep climate change top of mind?

Edition of 1

24" x 24"

Silver and Blue Mirrored Acrylic

Commissioned by Jean Lin and Jennifer Krichels to create a unique object for auction in aid of the victims of Hurricane Sandy, the concept references how quickly we forget about events of such devastation.

Fathom was created as a thoughtful reminder. When one passes in front of the object, the top part of the body is reflected in a natural way, but the bottom half of the mirror creates a deep refraction and convincingly makes one appear as though neck-deep in water.

How do we revitalize a classic technology suddenly made relevant again?

The pandemic has had far-reaching effects and changed how we work. Working from home more often actually can improve both the environment (less travel) and a work/life balance (more family togetherness). Complementing video conference technology, a redesigned landline phone can also have a place to help maintain a sense of “home” in our home office spaces. Joe Doucet's elegant design for a landline phone brings an elegant and altogether less "hard tech" influence to the home study space, helping it blend a little more seamlessly into our interiors.

Can warmth be made physical?

For the second commission by Nude, Joe Doucet referenced the traditional whisky flask, designing a pressed glass form with a wide body that became thinner on the sides to give a strong presence. To add needed stability at the base, he took inspiration from a campfire, adding a copper base referencing logs crossed over flames.

NUDEGLASS.COM

Can memory be made manifest?

Joe Doucet x Coca Cola

Commissioned to contribute a design celebrating the debut of the iconic Coke bottle 100 years ago, Joe Doucet tapped into the childhood memories shared by millions of people.

Resurrecting the idea of the recycling deposits on glass bottles and returning the empties in exchange for a full bottle that used to be an integral part of the consumption experience, Doucet’s concept celebrates the alchemy of turning empty glass into refreshment.

A glass block form was hollowed out with an idealized version of the original Coke bottle shape that only becomes truly visible when filled with Coke.

Can self-assembled, flat-pack furniture become an heirloom?

When the Smithsonian Cooper-Hewitt Design Museum asked Joe Doucet to create a piece of furniture for its shop, Doucet played with the contradicting notion of heirloom flat-pack furniture and designed the Annex tables.

Utilizing Carrera marble due to its high perceived value and the appropriate weight that would hold the design together, Doucet’s design includes an X-shaped void in the top of the table that allowed the base to be slotted into it and hold without fasteners, while also providing a beautiful design detail.

ANNEX LOW 26" square x 13" tall. $5,750

ANNEX HIGH 16" square x 24" tall. $5,550

Photo: Kendall Mills

Can sculpture serve everyday needs?

When commissioned by Wallpaper* for its annual Handmade Exhibit, Joe Doucet wanted to create something as useful as it is beautiful, so he enlisted Neal Feay Studio in Santa Barbra, California, to sculpt an extraordinary series of wine chillers he designed.

The textures engraved in varying depths which wrap around the chillers are inspired by the wind patterns of cold fronts as they move around the globe, reflecting the global outlook of Wallpaper* Magazine.

Another start-up in our stable, JDXP Ventures partnered with the entrepreneur behind Makku, a refreshingly fun and delicious brand of makgeolli, a Korean lightly-sparkling alcoholic beverage made from rice. Hugely popular in Korea where its health benefits in relation to digestion and immune systems, makgeolli is gaining ground in Western culture with consumers looking for alternatives to the usual varieties of alcoholic drinks.

JDXP created the clean, simple logo to reflect the drink, its ingredients and reputed beneficial qualities. Makgeolli needs to be shaken before being consumed, so we created packaging with the opening on the bottom, requiring the consumer to rotate the can before drinking. The action effectively stirs the contents while creating a distinct ritual for consumers. Launched in NYC, Makku is expanding quickly through a groundswell of early adopters attracted to the novel drink and brand.

drinkmakku.com

Can two halves be more than one whole?

Commissioned by Claesson Koivisto Rune, the preeminent design studio, for their retail brand Smaller Objects, Joe Doucet designed a container that is simple, yet multifunctional. The two halves can either work independently as bowls or together as a lidded container.

Smaller Objects

Can a passive video game stimulate active movement?

AMU is the world's first mobile game that not only takes place on your screen, but also takes place in the world around you.

JDXP partnered with game developers Sirqul to create an entertaining test of agility, coordination and spatial awareness. AMU uses a very simple and graphic design interface that challenges the player to catch a target that moved 360 degrees at increasing speeds as the game progressed. The game requires the player to stand up and move within their environment rather than simply manipulating a screen from a seated position.

AMU is available for download for iOS from Apple's App Store by clicking here.

Development by Sirqul

www.sirqul.com

Can tradition be contemporary?

The “The World’s First” blended scotch whisky, Dewar’s, was looking for an agency to give the brand a refined and premium update that translated its distinctive heritage in a way that would appeal to modern consumers. Playing on the brand’s “original” scotch whisky status, we arrived at a strategy for a look and feel that emphasised “Authenticity”. We then researched Dewar’s archival history to create a branding icon from the founder’s signature, a bottle shape that elegantly expressed its earlier incarnations and a series of branding details across both the primary and secondary packaging that all supported its prestige heritage and authenticity claims.

Can packaging communicate brand purpose?

Flow Water is nurtured for thousands of years in a deep, artesian aquifer where it naturally collects essential minerals, electrolytes and alkaline pH. No industrial process or additives necessary, just pure, holistic H2O straight from the earth – an incredible product and brand value to be protected and communicated.

JDXP created packaging with a positive, low carbon message to reflect the positioning of the water brand. Made from renewable materials that are BET and BPA free, the cartons are transportation efficient. That means three times as much Flow can be shipped in one truck compared to water packed in plastic bottles. Fewer trucks = less fuel = less greenhouse gas emissions, reducing its carbon footprint.

flowlikewater.com

Can design make the mundane more interesting?

The real challenge of this piece for Hatchhub was to make choices that resulted in an object that was more appealing, better in function and, importantly, considerate of manufacturing processes.

The cheese knife was designed to be stamped from a sheet material with an edge ground on it’s one side, a very simple form of manufacture which doesn’t require expensive, complex molds to produce. For the plate, a wooden base in walnut with a bevelled edge to make it easy to be picked up from a table, again simple and inexpensive to produce.

Can objects be intuitive?

This elegant line of products and home appliances demonstrates that taking a considered and strategic approach to product design within any brand portfolio should lead to products that are recognizable to consumers through their design ethos and not simply through the application of a logo onto the products.

JDXP looked at a mixed portfolio of products with the goal of adding innovative functionality and unified design, creating a recognizable brand line and plan for future product launches. The "circle" element, which lights up to indicate usage on each product, is prominent and distinctive as a branding device while also serving a purpose.

Pieces from the series were featured in the Dieter Rams retrospective at the London Design Museum (2010 - 2011) in recognition of Rams' influence on today's great designers.

Could a feminine brand become masculine?

Artistry asked us to develop their first skincare line for men sold exclusively in Asia with a minimal capital investment, as it was a yet unproven market for them. The result was the most successful product line launch in their history, a fact we are especially proud of.

Can a seat automatically adjust to the sitter?

Sling is a simple and elegant chair which holds a surprise. The backrest is actually a flexible silicone tube which conforms to the body, giving support to the appropriate area of the back as it naturally adjusts to each individual body type.

Exquisitely crafted from solid birch, the tubing slips on to extensions protruding from the legs using only friction allowing for many variations by way of color and texture of the tubing. Once weight is applied, however, the tube grips the housing and will hold fast until tension is relieved.

Can being obsessive lead to obsession?

Hand woven New Zealand wool rug by Odabashian.

“A place for everything and everything in its place,” was the inspiration for our Align rug. Hand woven by the expert craftspeople at Odabashian Rugs using the finest silk and New Zealand wool, our design expands on the 2mm x 2mm grid that forms the base of all rugs to create a design feature from its production with the benefit of facilitating the perfect alignment of furniture upon it.

Can storage be elevated to an art form?

We were excited to participate in this collaboration with Fritz Hansen/WeAreFamilia to create a storage box that allowed you to enjoy artwork and at the same time keep it safe. Joe Doucet incorporated the PK8 chair designed by Poul Kjaerholm for Fritz Hansen as well as lighting so the simple storage unit also allows for appreciation of the artworks held inside.

Can a new textile for infants give more than warmth?

Learning that one in five babies in the USA is born into poverty, Joe Doucet x Partners teamed with American textile giant 1888 Mills to create bundl, a beautiful infant necessities kit that has a variety of things a new mother needs to help comfort a newborn baby through the first year of his or her life.

JDXP not only designed the branding, the multifunctional kit and all its contents, but we also consulted on the exclusive bundl™Tencel® fabric and Bundl’s launch with the Project Night Night charity partner.

Can a name redefine an identity?

One Madison Park is an iconic building with a widely-publicized, troubled past, so its developers asked JDXP to create an identity that was both appealing and transformative.

We created a logo that evokes the silhouette of the building and its resemblance to the street address. The brand visuals ask you to imagine yourself reflected in the window looking out at the building’s commanding views of Manhattan.

Can constraints provide answers?

Lexon commissioned Joe Doucet to design a series of desktop electronic devices using a cube format. As there are already a number of such devices in cube shape, we had to devise some aspect to set it apart from what was already in the marketplace.

By creating an angled facet on the bottom edge, reminiscent of a cube sinking into the surface upon which it rests, the devices therefore angle upwards to allow for better visibility of the clock, speaker and MP3 player and its touch controls.

Can a table reflect resource and craft conservation?

For centuries, master furniture makers prided themselves on the technique and artistic flourish allowed through marquetry using precious wood veneers. WL03 showcases the beauty of wood veneer - in this case maple - while highlighting the importance of conservation, creating a table with joinery that would be otherwise impossible to craft without wasting the better part of a solid block of wood.

Can poetry and precision define an identity?

Crystal is a fascinating medium. To begin with, it really only exists because of light and has a miraculous effect when the true nature of light is revealed through the prismatic effects of crystal. In addition to creating the Visual Identity for Swarovski, we developed many different print materials for them, incorporating various printing techniques that subtly reflect and respond to light as they are viewed.

Can self-assembly become a design feature?

From an environmental standpoint, the benefits of shipping an object with as small a footprint as possible are numerous. Unfortunately, flat pack furniture has long been associated with cheap. WL01 proudly displaying its construction as a design feature, taking the idea of self-assembly and elevating it to a fetish. The extra-large screws which join the table’s top to its legs are crafted from bronze or brass and can be easily removed for ease of shipping.

Can a nesting table be as interesting expanded as when stacked?

As much a brain tease as nesting tables, Abscissa uses form and perspective to inject new dimension to an otherwise unassuming furniture concept. These tables sequentially torque to reveal the inner tables when stacked together. The tables perspective-challenging lines and angles create the illusion that surfaces are not flat even though they're perfectly capable of holding your drink.

Can mental stimulation be art?

Puzzles are generally perceived as simple play objects for children or pastimes for the elderly. WL06 introduces the need for a high level of mental dexterity to fit into place its array of geometric shapes, which have all been cut from one solid piece of marble. As sculpturally pure as it is intellectually demanding, WL06 proves that not everything that looks simple is simple.

Can “richness” be heard?

Wallpaper* magazine commissioned Joe Doucet to create a project promoting their client, Chivas Regal 18. The brief was to take the qualities of a rich, luxurious drink which one must take time to enjoy, and translate that into physicality.

The answer was Stereotype, a speaker system whose decadently rich sound is derived from both the material, carved from a solid block of sustainably sourced American walnut, and the primary and secondary sound from the dual-faced speakers. The design allows for the speakers to be suspended or set upon a flat surface.

Can the passing of time be represented physically?

Sync is an artwork that uses sub-bass frequencies within a liquid medium to intensify the ticking sound of a clock and create visible sound waves so that you not only see, but feel time tick away.

Is there beauty in chaos?

It's said that a little chaos can lighten up any situation. Joe Doucet liked the sentiment so much, he decided it needed to come alive. Hadron is an artwork consisting simply of a pure form in hand-blown translucent black glass containing a 20 meter stretch of EL (electroluminescent) wire to create some wonderfully contained chaos.

Can a chair define a space without defining the aesthetic?

When Bernhardt asked JDXP to design a conference chair, the requirement was that the chair needed to be simple enough to work within the variety of interior aesthetics specified by architects. The chair was designed with a single detail line which wraps around the chair and creates its arm rests, a simple detail that creates a clean look that blends into any environment. In addition to its clean lines and exquisite comfort, the chair is also 95% recyclable.

Can an ashtray help you quit smoking?

I used to be a smoker. And I loved it dearly, but like every smoker I knew I need to quit. Each time I did (and it was a dozen or so times) it was like breaking up with someone you loved passionately but knew they were nothing but trouble. That last cigarette you smoke as nonchalantly as possible, saying “I won’t miss you at all”, and knowing it was a lie you were telling yourself. After my last failed attempt, I decided that next time I would try and treat it like a bad breakup. And what is needed to get over any past lover is – closure.

I thought that rather than just quietly smoking that last cigarette and flicking it to the curb, what was needed was a ritual. And what rituals need are altars. A place to focus your energy and to make the occasion solemn, and binding. What the final moment of smoking needed, I thought, was a very special ashtray. But what form should it take?

I settled quite early on that it should provide rest for only one cigarette. Room for more would confuse the point. A pair of scissors, some paper and a few moments later I had a shape I thought would do quite handsomely. Then it was time to decide what type of material to use. I thought it should be quite precious, to show how serious you were and of a quality that you would want to keep around to reflect on what you had accomplished by giving up the vice. It seemed to me that only gold would suit these purposes. The result is Fetish, a tool of commitment and pride, which would surely pay for itself in a few months no longer having to buy cigarettes.

PLAY EXHIBIT

May 17-21 2013

Wanted Design

NYC

One of the best achievements that good design can bring to mankind is joy: a very simple concept that requires a sense of playfulness. For his yearly foray into the experimental and unexpected, Joe Doucet tackles the relationship between design and "play" through a series of concepts that re-imagine our interaction with the digital world, re-invent our perspectives on furniture and space, revamp some old-school modes of play and realize the potential of playing with some friends.

Can retail technology help relationships?

Whether the communique is of a loving or legal nature, SMS and IM conversations are only in electronic format, leaving no physical copies as a means for remembrance. BlackBox is a portable unit that plugs into a phone or laptop and uses a standard receipt printing system to create two matching records of any length of conversation, allowing instant records of conversations with a second copy that can be shared with the other party.

Can switching on a lamp enlighten you?

Modern technology does a wonderful job of making power consumption less noticeable when in fact we should all be more aware of the power we consume and often times waste. In an effort to make consumers more cognizant of their energy consumption, Joe Doucet designed Switchlamp, a beautiful piece of home lighting with a difference. Switchlamp requires the user to press a large lever to turn the light on or off, reinforcing that they are about to consume or conserve energy. The large lever also has the benefit of making late-night entrances less of a fumble in the dark.

What makes a seat?

Created from a simple form which flows around a curve, Halo is an object which becomes visually interesting from any angle. Comfort and beauty merge into a stool which is equally at home in a cafe as it is on a pedestal in a gallery.

Can design help shape a brighter tomorrow?

Brightfox is a brilliant new beverage launch with a focus on maintaining hydration and a powerful mandate to help consumers shift away from single-use plastic beverage bottles and help create a "Brighter Tomorrow".  The Brightfox team engaged JDXP to develop a modern, clean aesthetic for their brand identity and develop packaging that would support their mission.

The logo cleverly morphs a traditional star shape into a fox head to create an instantly identifiable and iconic symbol for the brand, while using subtle changes in spacing to create a wordmark that helps consumers understand the brand name.  The color palette for the product line's three flavors is bright, cheery and optimistic against simple black and white bottles to distinguish between still and sparkling variants.

Most importantly, JDXP worked with the Brightfox team to source and develop aluminum bottles for its primary packaging due to its low energy consumption in the manufacturing process, its light weight which reduces its shipping footprint and its efficient recycling properties, which make aluminum the most recycled material in the world.

Brightfox

Can technology save us from technology?

In an age where technology allows for a constant bombardment on our senses, where tablet computers and smartphones mean we are reachable 24/7, One Sense symbolizes the human need for periods of peace and tranquillity.

One Sense obscures environmental sight and sound from encroaching on the wearer and utilizes the color red and a display of spikes, drawn from nature's symbols for warning and defence, to alert others not to intrude.

Can a camera see what the eye cannot?

The Shyft ultra-high definition camera has a lens that can be angled in different directions to quickly capture footage from alternative perspectives to that of the photographer, allowing for more creative and engaging content.

The ability to adjust the angle of the camera in real time affords greater flexibility and control, while intuitive interfaces and user-friendly controls means that any photographer, no matter their level of training, can create professional quality and visually surprising imagery suited to the myriad ways and platforms on which we share photographs.

Are control buttons always the right answer?

Control buttons are simple and work just fine - unless they are located someplace where you can't easily see or access them. To solve the problem of accessing control buttons located on headphones, Ecco was designed with simple, large, tactile control knobs that are easy to find and logical to use without having to look at them: turn the dial upwards to increase volume and downwards to decrease. Made from recycled PET, Ecco is a simple solution to an irksome problem.

Can limitations lead to better solutions?

When Hugo Boss asked JDXP to reinvent their body wear packaging system, we knew the challenge ahead. The category is a "sea of sameness," restricted by the cost implications of showing a model's face across the volume inherent in body wear.

The solution was to conceive the packaging as a three-dimensional space showing the model in three overlapping poses covering all surfaces. This approach also allowed potential buyers to see the product from all angles, minimizing confusion and returns for a product that cannot be tried on before purchase.

Can an electric car be electrifying?

I believe by now it should be evident that the ubiquity of self driving cars is unavoidable. And likely for the better. Why would you trust a human with such a potentially dangerous object such as a ton of steel moving at 65 miles per hour when we are so easily distracted by notifications popping up on our devices? I also think it is self evident that it will become illegal for humans to drive on a great number of roads in the future. I have trouble with this notion, as i love to drive and always have, but I see the logic in it and assume lawmakers at some point will as well.

With that thought in mind I decided to design the last driving car. A somewhat irrational, highly impractical, lust inducing driving machine. The last of its kind. I present her to you the last car one might be permitted to actually drive. Airbags are optional.

Can the feeling of a brand be conveyed in a few pages?

The following is project commissioned for BMW to develop a printed documentation of their beliefs as a brand, or a Brand Book as it is referred to in the industry. The solution; a highly emotional and visceral journey, where you feel the road, sense every curve and your heart races in anticipation of being behind the wheel. Bound in white perforated leather to capture the luxury of speed and precision, the oversized volume expands into an extreme landscape format to ensure the feeling of an open road.

Can drinking glasses modify behavior?

The Bacchic Glasses were created for the opening reception of an exhibit of the work in the studio called “Play”. I have long been of the opinion that most of the people attending the openings of exhibits, particularly in the design world are only there for a few drinks and to mingle with friends, meet people of influence and renew old acquaintances. I see nothing wrong with this, but after a few glasses of sub-par red people tend to put their glasses down anywhere they can find. Often on the podiums constructed to house the work. I decided to have a little fun with this behavior. After all, the exhibit was called “Play”.

The idea was to create a set of barware that the user absolutely could not put down anywhere. The second one would set one of these glasses down on the only available surface, the podiums containing the work, they would roll about and crash to the floow, making the temporary owner the center of unwanted attention. Perhaps a bit puerile, but we all have to entertain ourselves at design events. Even if it is your own.

Can fluorescent lights become elegant?

Most of us sit under them, and usually bemoan them, every working day. The humble fluorescent tube has been at the forefront of efficient office lighting for decades, but reconfigured and re-imagined as a modern, immodest chandelier, it finally finds a rightful place in the home with WL02 "Flourish."

Configurable in multiples of 2 to 12 units

Can a piece of jewelry be as interesting off the wearer as it is on?

Inspired from the idea that when one takes off a necklace or bracelet, the piece seems to lose some of its magic, Joe Doucet designed a bracelet that can be manipulated to look as wonderful laying dormant as on the wearer. By looking at ways to fold forms to create elegant objects, Doucet designed a bracelet with multiple facets that fold together to create a 3-dimensional diamond shape.

Can observation be an act of creation?

This project bagan like many in the MET Museum in New York. In one of my Saturday strolls, trying desperately to get my kids interested in something other that mummies, I took them through the hall containing the Grecian urns. I’ve developed a technique to distract children in places they would rather not be I will share with you here that you might find useful one day. It is a little game called Spot the Differences. For some reason, children like this more than Spot the Similarities, but I digress. Here is how it is played. Pick an object, vases for example, and have the tell you all of the differences between all of the ones they see. It works best in a place like the MET where you can travel across cultures and timescales in just a few paces.

It was in play such a game with all of the vessels we could find that I began to notice something quite interesting. Weather Mayan, Egyptian, Chinese or Native American, most of the vessels had a very similar pattern in terms of their structure. It seemed to me that there was some underlying rhythm to the choices the potters had made. Commonalities which couldn’t be just coincidence or cross-fertilization of cultural ideals of beauty. I decided I would investigate this further.

Over the next few weeks I set aside some time in the studio for some research. I began sketching over photographs of every vase and vessels I could find from as many sources as possible. I condensed the all to the same scale and began mapping points. Clear patterns started to emerge and I decided to simplify the common points into a series of typologies common to all cultures. I decided I had to make these into actual objects to get a full appreciation of them. I produced a series of drawings and went to a fantastic ceramicist I knew. I asked here to make a set for me for an upcoming exhibit I had scheduled with one change. I didn’t want openings as I wanted people to appreciate the forms and not see them as vessels. The result was the Archetype Collection. Although this was a project more about process than the product itself, it remains quite satisfying every time I look at them displayed

Can refusing a single label lead to a new category of furniture?

Like many projects from the studio, Scape began with a question. Does a seating system have to be clearly defined in its use by the designer? This may seem like an obvious question, but the answer may not seem as obvious. Seating systems are in fact defined by their use. A chair is an object for an individual to sit upon. A chaise for one to lie down upon. A sofa to sit comfortably and perhaps recline upon. On down the list. The act of naming the object defines how one uses it. I find this not only interesting, but a challenge of conventions to be met with an answer.

I chose as an answer individual seating pads in five different heights slide into and out of the gridded base easily by the sitter. If one chooses to sit upright, move a few of the taller units and they will give you support. If you wish to lie down, move as many of the lower units as you wish and a comfortable surface will present itself. If you wish privacy, a wall between you and your surroundings can be easily assembled. By allowing countless arrangements to be made, Scape transforms the passive notion of sitting into a dynamic and involving activity.

Can anachronistic elements create seduction?

The established fashion house of Yves Saint Laurent asked us to concept a day and night fragrance conveying elegance with a touch of trespasse.

YvesParis is an elegantly simple solution to the brief turning a classic aspirator into a fetishistic object, featuring a studded leather pump and an exaggerated long tube.

Can temporary shelters be made for less than $5?

The increasing frequency and strength of natural disasters around the world has created the need to temporarily house large numbers of victims with little notice and minimal expense.

PopShelter is an ultralightweight, easily assembled shelter construction that can be flat-packed and air-dropped in large quantities. Not only does the structure offer protection against the elements, but also considers the mental well-being of the victims with interior colors that are recognized for their ability to lift the human spirit. Made from waxed corrugated cardboard, the structure is waterproof and easily recyclable.

How do you carve out a unique positioning in a crowded market?

Verishop, the new online fashion retailer and brand incubator developed by former Snap executive Imran Khan, tasked Joe Doucet x Partners with creating a brand identity and packaging program that evoked a sense of affordable luxury and supported a trustworthy "seeing is believing" brand platform.

Understanding that the brand needed a font that was modern yet with a refined elegance, JDXP found inspiration in the font that has been universally used in medical eye charts since their inception, which was tweaked to give balanced forms that are legible and timeless. A logomark was also created to serve as a shorthand for the brand, injecting it with personality and allowing it to be instantly recognizable across all media applications. The easy-to-assemble and environmentally-friendly shipping boxes were designed in an extended palette of soft, modern colors that reflect a warm and welcoming approach to luxury that perfectly epitomizes the brand.