Kevin Hung Blog

New Handbaskets

I love these new handbaskets that have recently debuted in a NYC drug store chain.  This evolved handbasket not only is more comfortable and easy to move for consumers, but it is deeper, and therefore can carry more items, thereby also encouraging higher ticket sizes for the store as one’s shopping is now no longer limited to how much weight one can carry up to the register. 

Cooking Oil

Another home-based solution to a common problem yet to be solved by the product manufacturers in their packaging.  The paper towel secured by the rubber-band effectively absorbs the dribble of oil which always leaks down the bottle after each use which over time, collectively renders the bottle extremely unpleasant to touch.

More and more, rubber bumper guards are appearing on parked cars in NYC. Isn’t the bumper on a car supposed to literally take and absorb bumps from other cars? Granted, an argument can be made that these rubber bumper guards preserve the aesthetics of the automobile. Yet, more and more, drivers are not even putting away the bumper guards when driving and therefore are diminishing the beauty of the car, which is rather counterproductive to the point of a bumper guard in the first place. Taken further, I’ve also started seeing a DIY version of these bumper guards – some are simply using dirty towels.   

No Sitting

 

Effective way to communicate that sitting is not allowed – without the need for a visually disruptive sign that states the obvious.

Parking Space

Parking facilities in Manhattan – scarcity of space inspires out of the box thinking. Other points of consideration – how is the storage and retrieval of vehicles scheduled in order to minimize customer wait-time?

Snack Traps

All parents recognize the need for a container which allows their toddlers to gain access to finger foods yet also is secure enough so that the food is not constantly being spilled . The device here does exactly that and while simple in design is also brilliant at solving the unmet need in the market

Chicken

A great example of a supermarket listening to its customers. Most customers buy large amounts of ingredients in order to take advantage of lower costs by buying at bulk. Additionally, sometimes the smallest unit one can buy certain goods is too much for one serving. Therefore, consumers when they get home from the market, must go through the arduous task of separating food into single serving sizes and putting away the unused portions into a freezer-safe container for storage. This task is always done with raw meat products (such as chicken breasts). The supermarket at which we shop now offers chicken (as well as other meat), separated into single servings and individually wrapped in freezer safe materials thereby eliminating this monotonous and annoying post-grocery store visit routine.

FedEx/UPS Pickup Times

Another simple and elegant solution on the drop boxes of each delivery service to answer the office worker’s perpetual question: “Did the FedEx/UPS guy come by yet?” 

Supermarket Aisle Directory

Another wonderfully easy solution to the very relatable problem of never knowing which aisle contains the products you are seeking. This supermarket has placed the directory right on the seat of the cart.

Traffic Flow

The trash can in the foreground is one located just before the exit to this subway station. Not surprisingly, it has filled up at a much faster rate than that at which the cleaners can empty them as passengers will drop off their garbage on their way out of the station. However, you will notice another trash can in the background of this photo that is completely empty. Even though it is merely a few steps away from this very full trash can, people are reluctant to “back-track” on their way out of the station and insist on leaving their garbage in (or in this case, around) an already full trash can.  (Further, during rush hour, it is probably impossible to back-track as one would be moving in the opposite flow of traffic). Natural crowd flows should be acknowledged in this case by moving the garbage can in the background upfront next to the one near the exit.