NEW YORK, May 11, 2004—Eastman Chemical Company has launched the Eastman Innovation Lab Web site, www.eastmaninnovationlab.com, an interactive, community-based resource for designers and brand owners. The site is intended to add customer value by inspiring designers to develop new products and services, while improving existing products and opening new market categories. Innovation Lab offers a means for materials advancing design and reduced project duration, resulting in better and quicker decisions; and provides a focal point for brand owners and designers to find innovative materials solutions and be inspired.
“Eastman is committed to becoming an innovative partner for designers and brand owners, and our Web site sets out to inspire and help designers in their quest for innovation and product optimization,” says Gaylon White, manager, design industry programs, at Eastman. “The Eastman Innovation Lab Web site is the first step toward realizing Eastman’s vision of a creative resource to connect brand owners and designers with inspirational and innovative material solutions.”
The Eastman Innovation Lab Web site is the result of the increased shift in the product development process. In the past, Eastman channeled most of its technology and innovation through other plastic and packaging manufacturers and thermoformers. However, little attention was paid to designers. At the same time, a product’s design and form was determined before the material was selected.
Today, increasingly, materials are dictating the form. In many cases, designers are establishing criteria or driving choices of materials at the start of a project instead of the end. Because there are few interactive, material design resources available to assist designers in the development process, Eastman created an easy-to-navigate Web site, where designers will be able to interact with other design professionals. Unlike a typical plastics manufacturers’ Web site, the Eastman Innovation Lab approaches materials from the perspective of a designer and features material attributes described in simple, non-technical language. It also offers relevant applications with network links for additional information.
“The development of the Web site is a credible response to the realization that we can create a win-win situation—designers can benefit from our materials knowledge, and we learn the value of design in product development,” adds White. “Through ongoing dialogue with designers, we can develop this into a valuable resource that they will use time and again.” Eastman will be giving a demonstration of the Web site at Downtown—New York City’s annual off-site design event, taking place at the Chelsea Hotel in New York City, from May 15 – 17, 2004. Eastman is the only materials company sponsoring the event and will be exhibiting a number of stylish furniture pieces made from its various specialty plastic materials, and created by distinguished designers including Tom Dixon and Lars Diederichsen. Eastman’s participation in Downtown is just one more step the company is taking to reaffirm its commitment to being an innovative partner in the design community. Downtown is part of New York’s Design Week and runs concurrently with the International Contemporary Furniture Fair (ICFF).