ELSEWARES

Mobi makes resealable sandwich/storage bags that are a lot like Ziploc bags, but with cute, design-y patterns printed on them. They’re clearly aiming for the design-savvy consumer, and now they’ve licensed patterns from Todd Oldham.

The problem is that this product has nothing at all to do with design. It’s just packaging (which, like all packaging, ends up in the trash). I’m climbing up on my soapbox here, but I don’t think design is about making things look different with shapes and color, but about creating innovative solutions. Even if these bags were made of recycled plastic (they’re not), aren’t they just non-biodegradable garbage waiting to happen? Mobi has been around since 2004, so I’m willing to bet that there are already more of their bags in landfills than in use by consumers. That’s a very odd mark of success.

Why not create a different, better way to carry a sandwich or store your Q-tips? IMHO, that’s where design-thinking should start, looking for a solution that’s not just different, but better.

UPDATE - Mobi sent a note with the following info:

Todd Oldham, a generous and environmentally aware designer, and Mobi are donating proceeds from the new bags to NRDC to help the environment. NRDC is, as you are aware, very influential and impacts causes from the environment to animals and more.

Also:

1. They are RECYCLABLE AND REUSABLE
2. Because of the HEAVY GAUGE, they can be reused, and are not as easily disposed.
3. The inks are vegetable dye
4. We offer less bags per box than the typical national brand, thus producing LESS waste than the market.
5. WE have partnered with a film company who makes biodegradable plastic that will disintegrate within 1-3 years and will be using that by 2008.

Of the points above, #5 is the one that will most satisfy eco-minded critics, for sure, and is pretty awesome. As for the bags being recyclable, it may be true, but it may not be as simple as throwing them in with household plastic. I found conflicting suggestions via Google.

Via the Minneapolis StarTribune:

Q Why can’t Ziploc or other heavy-duty bags be included in plastic bag recycling? A It’s the type of plastic film in the heavy-duty storage bags. In a Ziploc bag, two types of plastic are mixed together and they’d have to be taken apart for recycling. They have a different melting point than the thinner plastic dry cleaning and grocery bags.

Via the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials in Boulder, CO:

Can I recycle Ziploc bags?
A. Yes, if they are clean, dry and empty and the zip part is removed with scissors (and discarded).

Anyway - it was never my intention to tie Mobi to the whipping post here, and it’s cool that they chimed in. We don’t live in a society that makes green living easy, for sure. But every little smart decision counts, even if it isn’t always the most convenient or affordable. I don’t particularly like to think of the many thousands of dollars ELSEWARES has spent on biodegradable packing peanuts in the last few years. The styrofoam ones are way, way cheaper…

“The only difference between a little hobby and what we have now is that we follow through.”

I love that quote, but my favorite part of this interview is how he seems to correlate customer service and politics. Responding to people’s needs. Being a stand-up guy. Fighting disinformation professionals.

I wish Mr. Newmark were at least moderating a Presidential debate (if not participating in one).

I just added a link in the footer to our Testimonials page, where you can check out what our happiest customers have to say. Here’s a nice simple one:

YOU GUYS TOTALLY ROCK. Melissa from Oregon

Thanks everyone, we love you more than a blog post can say.

Behold The Design 100 - a “best of” list for design, according to Time magazine.

I wonder…do they really, truly think the Batman-drinks-Yoo-hoo-from-a-beer-bottle thing that Coca-Cola Blak has going on is an example of great design? (I also wonder how you’re supposed to pronounce that umlaut-thingy in the name, but that’s a different problem.)

For the record, if you just gotta celebrate a beverage bottle, it’s hard to go wrong with Orangina. Here’s a photo of an Orangina bottle mesmerizing a crowd. It has a way of making you crave orange juice that is at once pulpy and carbonated. That’s the power of good design.

That and maybe more sunshine.

I expected to get a kick out of AMERICAN LOOK - a 1958 film celebrating American design (in “Superscope” technicolor!) - but instead I found it kind of a bummer.

Why? Because it’s a goofy cold-war portrait of design’s role in bourgeois life? Because it combines modern design with weiners on the grill? No, I actually like it for those reasons. What I don’t like is that it doesn’t seem as dated as it actually is. Some of the furniture in the piece is still being manufactured and is selling well in 2007, which just doesn’t say much for American design in the intervening 50 years. Imagine a film about computers made in 1958. You wouldn’t recognize the technology, because we have computers today that are a whole lot better.

It seems there’s a strong trend in the design world that would have you believe that the Eames made a dozen or so perfect pieces of furniture. They got it right the first time, things just can’t get any better, and resistance is futile! The same mania surrounds almost anything with four legs that was designed and manufactured “mid-century”.

Look, a lot of it was great work. Some of it deserves to be celebrated and preserved. But I look forward to the day when selling people on the genius of mid-century furniture (or affordable simulacra) is passe - there’ll just be too much incredible contemporary design to ignore. I know that day isn’t far off!

Last night Audrey & I watched the trailer for Lollilove (written & directed by Ms. Fischer) and then turned to each other and said, in unison, “she should be our celebrity spokesperson!”

Lollilove is an act of zany creative satirical abandon. Thumbs up to that!

So if you’re reading this, Ms. Fischer, we have gobs of store credit waiting for you, just drop us a line for the checkout code. No kidding. And no strings attached. Just give us a heads up if you’re considering a Mel Gibson movie.

hey everybody, today is election day, so please get out and vote! no matter where you live, your vote is important, but if you live in ohio or a state with a tight race, definitely get out there and bring all your friends along.

It’s true!

See all the exciting details on our Shipping page.

From the website:

When was the last time your class saw how “HOT” God’s Word is? Open this authentic looking “bible” and begin to share the scripture for the day as real flames are seen coming from your “bible”. This full size book comes with a battery operated ignition system. All you supply are the batteries, lighter fluid and composure as your class gets excited. (special note: Fed-Ex shipping is available if you absolutely have to have the Fire Bible for this Sunday!)

This makes me “afraid”.