Reports: Latest

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Empathetic technology: an interview with Ben Bashford

Ben Bashford is a designer whose work focuses on bringing empathy into our relationships with technology. He spoke to Canvas8 about how subtle design cues can be used to create systems which behave less like machines, and more like friends.

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Culture luxe: breaking into emerging luxury markets

With the rapid expansion of luxury brands into Asia, BRIC and other emerging markets, there is a pressing need for luxury retailers to communicate more meaningfully with diverse audiences and to understand differing cultures and attitudes.

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Aspiring connoisseurs: the evolution of the Chinese luxury consumer

Chinese consumers are buying up luxury goods both domestically and abroad at an unprecedented rate, and there seems to be no limit to the growth in their luxury purchases. But the question remains – why do they buy?

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The implications of open data: an interview with Rufus Pollock

Dr Rufus Pollock is the founder of the non-profit Open Knowledge Foundation. He spoke to Canvas8 about the implications of making knowledge open for consumers and businesses, and the value of open data in developing a coherent CSR strategy.

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Getting away from it all: the changing face of festival branding

A new generation of consumers is looking to escape the ubiquitous 'sponsored experience' that characterises many festivals. At the same time, brands are becoming more attuned to the needs and attitudes of festival-goers.

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Self & System

After hovering in academic and design circles for decades, systems thinking is going mainstream. Recent technological developments are now giving us a tangible, global picture of how we as individuals fit into a broader ecosystem.

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The city as an identity anchor

The city has achieved a status in contemporary culture as a focal point for counteracting the Global Mindset that has emerged. This report explores the role of the city as an increasingly important aspect of our identity.

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Evolving home lives: an interview with Stefana Broadbent

Stefana Broadbent is an anthropologist who researches the impact of digital culture and new technologies on our behaviour. In the following interview she discusses the consequences of the evolution of home, work and family life.

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The darkweb and proactive privacy seekers

The seeming indifference of giants like Google and Facebook to user privacy concerns could be driving net users to an increasingly viable alternative; the dark net. Kate Mew documents the emergence of an Identity Game.

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From metrosexuality to inclusive masculinity

Dr Mark McCormack undertook ethnographies of three groups of male sixth form students in the south of England, developing a picture of the role that masculinity and sexuality play in their day-to-day existence.

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New and booming: spending power in Canada

Canada's large immigrant population and economically powerful older generation present clear opportunities for brands. But the full potential represented by the changing face of the typical Canadian consumer has yet to be fully realised.

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Forever Now

How has nostalgia been affected by the digitisation of culture? People are using the internet to focus on curating their own histories, viewing every moment as ripe for potential documentation and attempting to create an online legacy.

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Self-gifting beauty shoppers

Recession-hit shoppers have learned to do more with less over the past few years. Now, they are seeking small indulgences – a pat on the back for a savings job well done, using special offers from retailers such as gift cards or coupons.

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The Chinese beauty industry: a fine balance

With an increasing number of marketing-savvy homegrown brands taking on China’s beauty market, how can the multinational giants keep up? This report explores how different colours have been used in China’s beauty sector to signify meaning.

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Beautyligion and the rise of Halal cosmetics

The needs of Muslim beauty consumers, particularly in western cultures, remain relatively unexplored. This article explores the changing relationship between the Muslim faith, Halal lifestyles, and the beauty industry.

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Hyperawareness of Health

The focus on personal health has been one of the dominant trends of the past few years. This report explores how as people's behaviour adapts to current technologies, it is beginning to reveal itself in fresh and exciting new ways.

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Frictionless intimacy

How has the way we communicate online evolved? In the midst of raging debate around privacy and frictionless sharing, what does ‘ambient sharing’ tell us about modern forms of communion and intimacy?

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Preparedness

As fears of financial meltdown in 2012 take hold, there is a palpable sense of unease spreading across many sections of society. From the boardroom to the back garden, more people are embracing the importance of being prepared for the worst.

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Txt and the city

Today’s cities are pervaded by a variety of visible and invisible media technologies, and the boundaries between distinct urban domains like work, home and travel are becoming less clear. What are the implications of this for brands?

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First-World giving

Britain is more awash than ever with messages that urge consumers to give money to those less fortunate. But as hardship and austerity kick in at home, the message of international aid can easily become marginalised.