Trend Research and Development 2014

eudemonic remedy

Kaitlin Ertel Logan Bailey Stephanie Hasken

eudemonia NOUN | happiness as the result of an active life governed by reason.

remedy NOUN | something that cures or relieves a disease or bodily disorder; a

healing medicine, application, or treatment.

PROMPT & APPROACH I am a Research and Development Manager for a vitamin company and am interested in expanding our line across multiple categories. How can we reach a new audience and fulfill their desires for future health and wellness?

Our approach was first to understand what role vitamins play in the daily lives of consumers. We asked the questions: who is buying vitamins? What are the best-selling vitamins, and why do people take them? Finding the answers to these questions allowed us to take a step further and recognize opportunities for growth and innovation in the way vitamins are produced, marketed, and ultimately used by the consumer. We chose to look at our own area of study, the fashion industry, to see where this vitamin company can make a distinct impact in an industry whose focus is predominately on apparel.

OUR RESEARCH TARGET CONSUMER | The traditional “nutritionally-minded� vitamin consumer continues to be a part of the target audience. In addition, the latest consumer has the desire to be mindful about wellness, but struggles to find the time to learn and perform a healthy lifestyle. In order to maintain the relationship with established consumers, and reach out to new clients, vitamin companies must combine the old-school idea of pills with innovative methods for more effective and convenient vitamin intake.

WHY TAKE VITAMINS? | The main reasons for taking vitamins are to prevent illness and disease, boost immune system, amplify weight loss and weight management, accelerate and complement exercise routines and recovery, supplement vitamin and mineral deficiencies, and maintain overall health.

We want to push the potential of essential vitamins to perform beyond prevention, and aid in the acceleration and longevity of overall wellness.

Multivitamins are the most popular, and best-selling supplement for vitamin intake. However, most people do not know that taking a vitamin without a deficiency can actually hurt your health. We want to educate and encourage consumers to learn more about their individual health needs so that vitamins can be used as effectively as possible.

ESSENTIAL VITAMINS

eudemonic remedy CHRONIC HEALTH

APPAREL ENLIVENED

As consumer interest in medical

Revitalized recognition of human wellness

technology grows, there is a prevalent

has sparked a change in the future

desire to know exactly what makes up

direction of fashion. More consumers are

the products and foods that go into our

beginning to look toward textiles that allow

bodies. People want to be healthy from

them to be healthy from the outside in.

the inside out using products that are not only preventative but effective as well.

CHRONIC HEALTH As consumer interest in medical technology grows, there is a prevalent desire to know exactly what makes up the products and foods that go into our bodies. People want to be healthy from the inside out using products that are not only preventative but effective as well.

CHRONIC HEALTH vitaDRIP | Unconventional ways of taking vitamins are becoming popular. According to Living Green Magazine, people are now taking vitamins through an IV drip at places referred to as ‘drip bars’. This poses a whole new social take on vitamins and the possibility of more interesting ways to keep our bodies healthy in a fashion-forward manner. mediLENS | Contacts are now being made to gradually release glaucoma medication into the eye throughout a month-long period. According to WIRED, this form of medication is more efficient than the hassle of eye drops.

In the future medications as well as vitamins could be taken more inventively, directly into the body rather than through a pill. intRAVENOUS | The Washington Post reports programmer Rob Rhineheart has developed an all-in-one nutritional substance providing “all the nutrients a human needs to survive.” This substance challenges traditional sources of nourishment by simplifying food to its most basic elements. As a result, people will be hungry for the opportunity to accelerate their health and nutritional awareness through the efficiency of this solution.

APPAREL ENLIVENED Revitalized recognition of human wellness has sparked a change in the future direction of fashion. More consumers are beginning to look toward textiles that allow them to be healthy from the outside in.

APPAREL ENLIVENED SMART FABRIC | Bio-therapeutic textiles are making it possible to solve many bodily issues people are having through their clothing. Catapult states that microencapsulation technology infuses various substances into textiles such as aloe vera, vitamins, and antibacterials. This technology has the potential to help chronic illnesses such as cancer, diabetes, and more.

ENCLOTHED COGNITION | According to The Atlantic, the psychology behind what people wear is much stronger than one might think. Studies show that dressing in professional attire can increase the wearer’s rate of success. The same principle can be applied to athletic wear and the eagerness to exercise.

SECOND SKIN | Monitoring everyday health just became easier with flexible patches, which stick on the body like a second skin. The Illinois News Bureau states that this new invention works more effectively than other health tracking devices because of its wireless simplicity and the ability to send data to computers and cell phones in real time. Through devices like this, wearable technology is becoming more developed and sufficient.

eudemonic remedy IMPLICATIONS Recent studies from Medical News Today show that the only vitamin D that humans need is provided by the sun. A line of clothing constructed with smart fabrics to let vitamin D in the body, yet block out harmful UV rays will simultaneously aid and protect skin, using vitamin D to its full potential.

Implementing vitamins in social settings such as hot spots like bars in cities and around college campuses make taking vitamins a trendy experience rather than just a bland pill.

Stress and lack of sleep are daily issues many people face. Home textiles impregnated with vitamins help induce relaxation for a better night’s sleep.

Since the textiles are already infused with the vitamins, the consumer no longer has to consciously think about taking pills.

eudemonic remedy IMPLICATIONS With a portable water filter (similar to the Brita filter), people are able to customize their vitamin intake for the day by choosing which vitamins are filtered in and out of their water. This innovative design provides customization to the consumer, which is a huge selling point.

Customizable vitamins found on a website would create ease and stressfree ordering for the consumer. Vitamins would be available in many types and forms, such as pills, patches, clothing, and other textiles, created for the appropriate lifestyle.

Vitamin companies can pair with pharmaceutical companies in order to combine vitamins with prescriptions for chronic illnesses, boosting the effectiveness of the medication. This would give a greater purpose to vitamins, rather than solely prevention.

eudemonic remedy IMPLICATIONS Recent studies by The Poliquin Group have shown that vitamin C can lower cortisol levels after workouts. Create a line of fitness apparel infused with vitamin C that can be absorbed through the skin during exercise. The vitamin would be more effective and replenish the body without having to take another supplement.

Vitamin tongue strips make taking vitamins quick and easy. Their rate of effectiveness is greater than pills because they are instantly absorbed into the body, rather than slowly dissolved.

thank you.

Kaitlin Ertel Logan Bailey Stephanie Hasken