Not that any consumer would feel compelled to considering the high-quality, attractive pieces, but if there were some sort of problem, consumers would have an easy time returning the items from IKEA's upcoming Markerad collection. That's because the collection, which was designed in collaboration with Virgil Abloh, features a giant receipt rug as its centerpiece.
Abloh and IKEA's rug design is an exercise in metathinking. The rug is indeed designed to look like a receipt from IKEA, including things like store hours and location (for IKEA's flagship in Sweden), a barcode, and monetary figures. Those figures reference the price of the Markerad receipt rug itself, making it a mind-bending example of the kind of self-referential tongue-in-cheek that IKEA has come to be known for.
Giant Receipt Rugs
IKEA Collaborated with Virgil Abloh for the Markerad Collection
Trend Themes
1. Self-referential Design - Opportunities for companies to create humorous and unique designs that reference their own brand and products.
2. Return-friendly Products - Opportunities for companies to make returning products more convenient and appealing to consumers.
3. Collaborative Collections - Opportunities for companies to collaborate with artists and designers to create unique and eye-catching collections.
Industry Implications
1. Home Furnishings - Companies in the home furnishings industry can create innovative designs that encourage consumers to make returns and provide more convenience.
2. Fashion - Companies in the fashion industry can collaborate with artists and designers to create unique collections that stand out from the competition.
3. Retail - Retailers can partner with designers to create products that enhance the consumer experience and encourage repeat visits.