It's tiiiiiiime (for design)🎄

Ho, ho, ho! 🎅 December is here—the month where designers juggle inspired brilliance with a whirlwind of red, green, and just a little glitter overload.

But fear not, my creative elves! We won’t let those tacky garlands steal the show. Instead, I bring you a design newsletter where you'll find a sleigh-load of inspiration and a sprinkle of festive nostalgia. 

So, grab your cocoa, get cozy, and let’s sleigh this season together! Are you ready to unwrap some creative magic? ✨

WHAT'S UP!

🎠 Louis Vuitton and the Enchanted Carousel

At Place Vendôme, Louis Vuitton invites us into a life-sized fairytale: a dazzling carousel adorned with sculpted animals, snowy mountain landscapes, and a festive atmosphere that evokes the most magical memories of childhood. What truly captivates is the visual paradox: a carousel in constant motion that somehow feels like it suspends time.

Inspired by Louis Vuitton’s stand at the 1900 Paris Exposition Universelle—where Georges Vuitton showcased trunks and travel accessories on a velvet-draped carousel—this haute couture attraction blends nostalgia and glamour to celebrate the timeless art of travel.

This carousel doesn’t just capture movement; it magnifies it. Here, design becomes a celebration of the infinite loop: moving forward while reconnecting to the essentials. It’s an invitation to rediscover the magic of motion—not just physical, but emotional. Because in the end, great design doesn’t just create objects; it spins stories that linger, long after we’ve stepped away.

🏠 Nostalgia at the McCallister House

A kitsch rug, retro walls, and mischievous booby traps… In London, Disney+ has brought the iconic "Home Alone" house to life, transforming an unforgettable movie set into an immersive, tangible experience. The meticulous re-creation spans three of the film’s most memorable spaces: the entryway, the living room, and Kevin’s bedroom.

But this goes beyond a simple visual tribute—it’s design as a portal through time. It’s not just about recreating aesthetics; it’s about crafting a story you can physically step into. Good design isn’t merely what you see—it’s what stirs emotions and revives memories. Ultimately, the magic lies in transforming intangible nostalgia into a vivid, tactile experience.

HOT & TRENDY

🍅 From Kitsch to Creative Brilliance

Basil-flavored wine with toasted pizza crust notes? Seriously? Yes, and it’s a bold move. a unique, limited-edition that captures the essence of your favorite slice of pizza in every sip. Pizza Hut is breaking wine norms with a bottle that embraces absurdity.

Subverting the sacred with a touch of the everyday is the essence of great design. In this clash of tradition and modernity, the message is clear: breaking conventions opens up unexplored paths. So, who will dare launch the next “tomato wine” in their field?

❄️ Miniature Magic, XXL Dreams

In Miami’s Design District, Gucci turns a storefront into a whimsical winter wonderland: a giant snow globe where meticulous miniatures meet timeless luxury. Displayed on Sweet Bird North Plaza until January 7th, the installation pays homage to the brand’s founder, Guccio Gucci, and his formative years as a porter at The Savoy Hotel in London. Watching guests’ luxurious luggage sparked the inspiration that led him to open his first shop in Florence in 1921.

Inside the snow globe, reproductions of Gucci’s iconic luggage pieces sit amid intricately crafted miniature buildings. Animated scenes bring to life flagship locations like Palazzo Gucci in Florence, the Wooster Street boutique in New York, and stores on Avenue Montaigne in Paris and New Bond Street in London.

But beyond its enchanting visuals lies a clever strategy: nostalgia reimagined through the interplay of scale. By shrinking its symbols of luxury into finely detailed miniatures, Gucci evokes emotion and fascination, capturing attention while spinning a timeless story. The takeaway? Sometimes, thinking small creates the biggest impact.

UNLEASH THE FUTURE

🎄 When brands make Christmas shine

Every Christmas, brands unleash their creativity to reimagine festive symbols. The Christmas tree, a universal icon, becomes a playground for blending tradition with innovation.

Take All Lit Up! by Anna Lomax at the V&A Museum: a luminous spiral transforming classic architecture into a contemporary celebration. The installation goes beyond aesthetics, creating an immersive sensory experience.

Meanwhile, brands repurpose their products to craft original trees—champagne bottles, sneakers, and everyday items become festive symbols. These creations, a cross between art and marketing, tell stories while forging emotional connections with audiences.

By leveraging design, brands tap into the power of Christmas: the ability to reinvent emotions, year after year. So, what will tomorrow’s festive imagination bring?

Discover our article on how brands masterfully embrace the magic of the Christmas spirit!

CHANGEMAKER

🎄 The Truth Behind the Baubles

Behind the sparkling artificial snow and joyful hues of red, design steps in as a storyteller, shining a spotlight on urgent, less festive truths. British retailer B&Q has partnered with the charity Shelter to craft Christmas baubles that are more than mere ornaments—they’re visual statements, exposing the harsh realities of unsafe housing in England.

With 159,380 children currently living in temporary accommodation, according to the latest government figures, these poignant decorations tell real stories. Each bauble bears powerful illustrations, like that of Sam’s family, enduring weeks without electricity and battling rodents.

Here, design provokes, shocks, and engages. It’s a statement piece: behind the decorative object lies a hard-hitting message. Engaged design reminds us that aesthetics can carry real weight.

BEYOND BOUNDARIES

👀 Awaken your senses

In Singapore, FairPrice Group Group transforms public spaces with billboards featuring gift wrap that can literally be torn off. The cherry on top? The scent! The paper releases sweet fragrances that invade your nostrils and spread throughout the mall, attracting passersby.

Design that grabs attention and immerses the senses. In a world dominated by screens and clicks, it creates unique sensory experiences that reconnect us to the real world, allowing us to live and feel more deeply. A lesson for 2024: let’s reinvent how we experience the world through design.

Dive into our article: How Brands Elevate the Customer Experience Through Exceptional Design ⤵️

☎️ Want to keep the design discussion going or share feedback on this newsletter? Let's get in touch!