The Companion - Inspiration from outside the box

Inspiration from outside the box

Where do creatives find inspiration? Everywhere. When some people see a pile of dried out pens, last season's makeup, old army tents, and automobiles they may take those items at face value. To a creative imagination those objects are the basis for new product designs. This piece explores inspiration from outside of the box.

Offices discard huge numbers of pens every day. The fillers are sent back to the company that makes the pens. However, it is more expensive to clean and refill the old ones than to throw them out and manufacture new ones. The result is that fifty thousand fillers are thrown out by the pen companies every week! Osisu has taken the discarded fillers and put them in a wood frame to make seats claiming the names of 'Star fish' and 'Clam.'

Another discarded subject Osisu injects with new life is make-up. Cosmetic powder, like the kind used to make lipstick, out of fashion after six months, can be used to finish furniture.