The Ask the Cock coatrack might first look like a charming low-tech front door organizer, but it actually has a hidden talent. Modeled on the familiar farmhouse weathervane, the object can genuinely tell you what the meteorological conditions are like outside, even more accurately than your own eyes can.
The rooster component that caps Rui Pereira's hatrack has been treated with cobalt chloride, and thus changes color with the changing humidity. A blue-tinted chicken signifies fair weather with possible clear skies; meanwhile, a pink-hued bird warns you that rainfall may be experienced later.
Made from metal rods, the Ask the Cock coatrack provides you with four hooks for hanging your assortment of outerwear, and it cleverly helps you decide which items you should wear.
What's Driving This Trend
- Weather-responsive Decor
- A trend towards furniture that displays real-time weather data presents opportunities for makers of home goods and technology alike.
- Dual-purpose Products
- As consumers increasingly seek out homeware items that can serve multiple functions, there is potential for designers and manufacturers to innovate around everyday objects.
- Humidity-sensitive Materials
- New materials sensitive to changes in humidity offer possibilities for new product designs, such as clothing and outdoor gear that changes color with the weather.
Who This Affects Most
- Furniture and Home Goods
- Manufacturers of home decor and furniture can capitalize on the growing interest in design that has real-time functionality, such as the Ask the Cock coatrack.
- Technology
- As more consumers seek out smart home and Internet of Things devices, there is room for tech companies to expand their offerings, incorporating weather data into their products.
- Clothing and Outdoor Gear
- New materials that change color with changes in humidity could lead to exciting innovations in clothing and outdoor gear that not only offer protection from the elements, but also display real-time weather data.
