Is the Pumpkin Spice we smell?
What tech brands are spicing things up this fall? We break it down – Piece by Piece!
Now that we’re approaching the fall season, new trends and themes are starting to emerge (and of course Pumpkin Spiced everything). However, what is becoming more and more evident is the power of collaborations across mediums. So this month, let’s take a look at some tech and traditionally non digital brands who are blurring the lines through creative technology and experience design.
In not-exactly-LA-cool-but-still-very-cool Pittsburgh, there are some amazing “shops” doing exciting work for collaborations across the world. This is fueled in part by the bustling higher ed scene, but also through an expansive history in making – including making the things that make things. We are the Steel City, after all. First up, Duoling o! Known for their free language learning app featuring Duo, the sometimes aggressive mascot, Duolingo A/B tests every nudge hundreds of thousands of times due to their immense user base, but did you know they also run a taqueria that encourages language learning – and that it brought in over $700,000 last year?
Another local favorite is Deeplocal, a full stop shop that prides itself in providing service from “insight to install.” From NAT GEO to G-O-O-G-L-E and Reese’s Puffs in between, the team has dreamt it all up and built it. They’ve even created a paid internship to grow their own talent right here in Pittsburgh!
It wouldn’t be a post without an update on LEGO. And before you ask – the Pittsburgh connection – Schell Games, the creators of the fabled VR series I Expect You To Die worked with LEGO in the past on their Brickheadz app. Flash forward to the heels of LEGO x Fortnite, NIKE and LEGO have recently announced a multi year partnership designed “combining the creativity of LEGO play with the energy and passion of sport.” The brief teaser only provides glimpses into what we can expect – clothing, LEGO models, shoes, but I would not be surprised to see more LEGO video games with NIKE endorsed athletes, etc. This is also leading into the LEGO x Pharrell Williams movie Piece by Piece landing in theaters a little over a month away on October 11th. Phew! They sure do love collaborations…
TLDR; Collaborations are driving brands and the top brands are investing in talent to create unique experiences. Whether it be creating tastes and smells at a restaurant that is designed to promote language acquisition (and provides discounts if you flex your skills), to goofy crossovers between cereal and recording artists, it’s worth taking a look around your neighborhood to see what you can be a part of if you opt to pursue creative technology and experience design. And if you’re in Pittsburgh, maybe play the custom Gashapon Machine (https://www.deeplocal.com/visit-pittsburgh-gashapon-machine) created by Deeplocal, or stuff your beak and aprende español at Duo’s Taqueria.
About the Author:
John Balash was instrumental in Digital Dragon’s launch in 2013 as its first Curriculum Director and is now back in the fold as a consultant on all the latest and greatest in tech education.This is John’s latest contribution to a monthly blog series we’ve launched, Tech News from the Frontier. John is the Director of Educational Engagement at Carnegie Mellon University’s Entertainment Technology Center. John has worked on educationally-focused initiatives with clients ranging from D.A.R.P.A. to Disney. Working from both sides of the desk, you can find John in classrooms and conferences around the world exploring new uses for technologies in learning environments.