Table Type Soy Sauce Bottle (1960)

Instantly recognisable and familiar to everyone, the classic soy sauce bottle is, or has been in everyone’s kitchen cupboard at sometime or another.

A simple study of form and function that works together, a perfect form that is both elegant and practical. The Table Type Soy Sauce Bottle is a great example of a creative modernist design that owes much to Raymond Loewy’s streamlined style.

As a form, the bottle designed by Kenji Ekuan is reassuringly familiar yet mildly exotic. The design was conceived in 1960 and was an immediate success. The design has practical and sturdy elements, such as a wide base for stability and the flowing tapering form suggests a teardrop and gives the bottle a soft organic shape. However this is sharply contrasted by the iconic red flat-topped cap, which has an ingenious double opening ensuring against drips when pouring.

It took three years for Ekuan and his team to arrive at the dispenser’s transparent teardrop shape. More than 100 prototypes were tested in the making of its innovative, dripless spout (based on a teapot’s, but inverted). The design proved to be an ideal ambassador. With its imperial red cap and industrial materials (glass and plastic), it helped timeless Japanese design values - elegance, simplicity and supreme functionality - infiltrate kitchens around the world.

Ekuan wanted a design that could be placed directly on the table and would make elegant centrepiece. Originally the Kikkoman Soy Sauce bottle was intended to be part of a table-top condiment set, but this never happened.

The successful design is made from dishwasher safe glass, it’s refillable and virtually unbreakable - an item intended to keep, re-use and enjoy.

More than 300 million dispensers have been sold, in more than 70 countries. In 2007, to mark its 50th year in the United States, Kikkoman issued a gold-capped version, and the company has also given souvenir bottles, bearing the image of Mickey Mouse, to groups of schoolchildren visiting the factory. But Ekuan’s original design persists.The Kikkoman Soy Sauce bottle may be just a sauce bottle but it shows that simple design principles mixed with functionality can have a longevity and become true design classics, everything has been considered even it’s re-use, quite futuristic thinking in the 1960’s and it still looks as contemporary and modern as it did when it launched 50 years ago.

Frazer Morgan

Food Sells

Now I may be showing my age here, but back in the day everything from cars to chocolate bars were being sold with some oozing sexual undertone.



But gone are the days of a seductively bitten chocolate bar or a bikini clad girl draped over a bonnet. Food is the new sex that sells. Car manufactuars are making cars out of cakes in the television adverts, rather then showing their latest gas guzzler speeding round a coastal road driven by some chiseled chin Lothario, accompanied by a panting, pout lipped companion.



Even the press adverts extol the benefits of writing on fruit, rather then displaying the retaining skills of their models bikini. But this shift isn’t just the provenance of the motor industry, even the media are using food to capture their audiences attention with this latest advert from Sky.

So why this shift? I think it’s because food appeals, it makes your mouth water! Food can offer an experience that is achievable to everyone. It’s one of the reasons I enjoy working here so much, we understand the power of the food experience.

Steve Humber

Brand Building - Off the Wall Thinking

Offices were once designed to keep people apart and controlled. Partitioning, deliberate hierarchy and closed private meeting rooms. At EWYE we work as far from that concept as we can push it, to stimulate creativity and the flow of new ideas.

Open desks, open meetings, open everything. Everyone knows every project here and that’s how we like it. That’s how we get deep into a concept quickly. We all collaborate, share thoughts, stick our noses right in and we question and challenge everything to stimulate creativity and discussion. We do this as a team, because we are a team. It’s what any good agency does to be honest, but we go a little further in our own unique way. We’ve gone beyond our sketch pads and flip charts, and our strategy now adorns our office walls. We are literally immersed in our food ideas and strategy. Surrounded by seasonal references, examples of every food retail concept. Every creative benchmark, everything that takes branding and marketing for food retail to the next level. Our offices are now a physical example of our collective approach and passion for what we do. The really nice thing is our space constantly evolves with new influences. It’s really organic – like the seasons. Our offices have become who we are and what we stand for. Take a peek in to our home of work… 

Steve Oakey

Born Again.

Being of a certain age, and possibly at risk of showing signs of a mid life crisis I find myself embracing the world of motorcycling again.

Latterly owning sports bikes I found myself longing for the adventure of enduro. No doubt inspired by Mr Boorman’s and McGregor’s adventures I found myself exploring the world of BMW’s aptly named range of GS adventure bikes.

This bike is fast becoming a modern design classic. The BMW GS series of dual purpose off-road/on-road motorcycles have been produced since 1980, when the R80G/S was launched. The GS refers to either Gelände/Straße (German: off-road/road) or Gelände Sport.

BMW R80G/S

The most valued version at the time was the R80G/S-PD "Paris-Dakar" model featuring a larger tank, which was launched in celebration of the R80G/S wins in the Paris Dakar Rally.

BMW R80G/S-PD



The horizontally opposed two-cylinder "boxer" engine provides a comparatively low centre of gravity compared to other configurations. This contributes to the ability of these machines to travel on both dirt roads and trails.

In 2004 Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman rode GS’s in their journey Long Way Round, riding from London to New York via Europe, central Asia, Alaska and Canada.

Ewan McGregor and Charley Boorman | Long Way Round

For a more foodie connection the R1200GS has also featured in the BBC TV series The Hairy Bikers' Cookbook.

Hairy Bikers | GS in action

Sales of adventure bikes in the UK are booming, and who can argue when these bikes offer such flexibility to cover mile after mile either on or off road.

The latest figures show motorcycle sales are in a sorry state apart from adventure bikes, with year-to-date UK sales up 36 %. The GS even formed part of the official 2012 Olympic fleet.

Handling so well, loving fast bends, and yet offering enough storage to take you around the world, you certainly wouldn’t take the short route.
 

My GS

Jason Beeby

Paws for thought... or maybe I’m just barking mad?

Wondering how to boost staff morale, encourage more team work and limit stress in the workplace? Maybe its time you got yourself an office dog.

Far from being a distraction, apparently pets, mainly dogs – can help colleagues get along better, reduce stress and raise efficiency! We thought we’d put the theory to the test by introducing design dog Dexter to the EWYE team. 

Mans best friend has long been deployed for their therapeutic value in rest homes, hospices, shelters, children’s hospitals, even disaster zones! In the US they are allowed into court to help calm witnesses giving potentially traumatizing testimony.

So apparently pets at work can help employees relax, reduce heart rates and lower blood pressure, which can decrease absenteeism and improve staff morale – now that’s pooch power!

The appropriately named Professor Barker carried out a recent study “pet presence may serve as a low-cost, wellness intervention, readily available to many organisations and may enhance organisational satisfaction and perceptions of support. The differences in perceived stress between days dogs were present and absent were significant. The employees as a whole had higher job satisfaction than industry norms”.

Consequently dogs can be an important marketing tool, one architectural firm in London swears by their dog for winning over new clients! It’s hard not to be positive when a dog is smiling at you!

So, did bring your dog to work day increase productivity in the EWYE office…probably not. Did he share his creative insight with the team – of course he did!

Helene Turner

The Word of ‘G’

No it’s not the word of ‘God’, but the inspired learnings of Gordon Ramsay – chef, TV icon, empire… whatever you want to call him, he’s been an inspiration to us all. If any of you have watched his ‘Kitchen Nightmares’ programmes, you’ll also know that the guy speaks a lot of sense. From a business perspective, he radically changes the fortunes of seemingly lost restaurateurs with drastically failing cafés and restaurants, with an all too similar set of criteria.

Here’s a snapshot of 10 key rules from the series for running a successful food business;

1. Research – know your local community. Where are the trendiest places, what are people talking about and why? Look at your pricing compared to local competition and keep reviewing everything. When in doubt ask the experts! We’re here to help you at every step of the way, even before you open.

2. Menu – don’t make it too big, keep it manageable and cost efficient. The menu is possibly the most important factor in your restaurant; it’s what sets you apart from everyone else. If possible try and be known for something great. Succulent steak dishes, longest spaghetti, the creamiest mash!

3. Seasonality – keep costs down and customers coming back for more by updating your menu along with the seasons. Keeping quality produce fresh all year round. Customers will also enjoy coming back and trying something new each time.

4. Suppliers – customers do enjoy the fact that their food is made up of ingredients from their local area. It gives them a sense of pride that the area is doing well, and that the food is the freshest possible. But don’t let this go to your head. Local suppliers, although ‘local’, may be more expensive than their counterparts so try to haggle wherever possible.

 
5. Décor – suit your environment to your food and style, keep it fresh and when in doubt ask Eat With Your Eyes! We work with award winning interior designers to help enhance your environment.

6. Local community and PR- embrace the local community as they’re your number one customers, especially if you are situated in a town or village with no great tourist traffic.

7. Customer is always king – treat your customers as if they were your family. You have to earn that service charge. 

8. Treat your staff well – they are your eyes, ears and hands on deck. Don’t let them down and they wont let you down.

9. Government positives – Some businesses, depending on the rateable value of their building, could receive some much needed reductions in their taxes. Just enquire with your local MP; & Government negatives - Secret ‘stealth’ taxes are crippling smaller businesses meaning ½ of all new businesses close after just one year. Be aware of all your local taxes. 

10. Marketing – always be aware of what your competitors are doing but don’t be afraid to be bold and do something different. That’s where we come in! Contact us on 01234 838 932 for more info.

Paolo Ventrone

Inspirational People

So have you been left completely inspired by The Olympics? 2 weeks of incredible drama, human endeavour and remarkable individual achievements. And now we have the quite amazing and provoking Paralymics. Between them, the most moving and humbling moments mixed in with the grand spectacle of it all.



One great event which reminds us why sport at its finest can really inspire our lives. I'd love to build the Olympic Ethos as expressed so powerfully at London 2012 into our company and the way we perform as individuals and a unit. The wonderful affirming team ethos as expressed by Team GB throughout  - no individual was greater than this. To have a dream and care so much over such a long lead up period just to deliver that one final brilliant performance. The pure and uncontrollable outpour of emotion at the moment of success and realisation of a dream achieved (I'm thinking in particular of Alexis Sanchez), and the humility and grace at the end of an incredible feat – Mo Farah.

The stories of personal endurance, gruelling day to day routines, pain, tragedy, overcoming adversity. Coming to terms with defeat on the day. Pride, determination, total conviction and belief. The ability to do amazing things which leave us in awe.

For some the dream was to be the very best. For others it was PB – to deliver a personal best performance. Now that's something our whole team here can strive to achieve, every day and on every project. I'm a great believer in the human spirit and the capacity of every unique individual to surprise and excel, and I'm a great believer in the great team of individuals we have here. Can we all be everyday Heroes? Olympians? Now wouldn't that be a wonderful legacy?


Tony Chambers