Eastman’s Precious Pebbles Convey ‘Whole New Dimension’ of Design

WASHINGTON, D.C., Aug. 23, 2005 — Eastman Chemical Company has launched an exclusive Q&A with Robyn Waters, founder and president of RW Trend LLC, on the Eastman Innovation Lab Web site at www.EastmanInnovationLab.com. According to Waters, who is best known for putting design at the core of Target Corp.'s differentiation strategy, the selection of materials is key to design. She also predicts that the next level of design will be multi-sensory.

“More companies are recognizing that design is a critical tool in connecting with the end-user . It’s how you, as a consumer and designer, can make a product come to life,” said Waters. “Materials do a lot to tell the story. Maybe the end user doesn’t know how to describe it, but they see it and they sense it. We’ve moved beyond just functionality and value to get to the soul or the essence of a product.”

 Precious Pebbles : A Story To Tell
Waters states that Eastman’s plastic pebble samples, made of Tenite cellulosics material, have a new dimension that other product samples are missing. Designers can now experience a variety of sensory qualities achieved with Eastman’s cellulosic plastics, including aesthetic appeal and encapsulated fragrances.

In February, Eastman launched its palm-of-your-hand sized pebbles, the first phase of its Material Difference sampling program for brand owners, designers and product manufacturers. Today, designers who want samples of Eastman’s Tenite cellulosic plastic can now get a multi-colored set of pebbles that demonstrate the material’s unique tactical qualities. Each pebble is made of two fitted halves, allowing a designer to mix the colors and fragrances, or share the sample with a client.

Previously, Eastman provided tiny resin pellets to demonstrate its materials’ features and benefits. However, the samples did not communicate the materials' characteristics such as clarity, toughness and versatility. Determined to create something simple, yet visual and memorable, Eastman designed the Precious Pebbles to convey the sensual attractions of the material while connoting its message: Innovation.

“The pebbles, too, tell a story in a very different way,” said Waters. “The pebbles show you the possibilities and all the different ways you can look at something really basic. You’ve reframed a commodity.”

The entire Robyn Waters interview can be found on the Eastman Innovation Lab Web site, www.EastmanInnovationLab.com, an interactive, community-based resource for designers and brand owners. The Eastman Innovation Lab Web site facilitates inspiration by providing a resource for brand owners and designers to discover innovative material solutions for advancing design.