Though these mugs seem simple, there is something special about them. They are Heat-Sensitive Coffee Cups that have images that appear when hot liquid is poured into them.
These graphic changing mugs are available only in black, in two different styles, Pacman and Space Invaders. When cool, the Pacman mugs display empty an maze, but when exposed to warmth, geeky graphics appear between the spaces.
Implications - Consumers are no longer looking for items that just function properly. The need for an element of entertainment is necessary when creating attractive products. Companies could create items that are able to keep their customers occupied while completing everyday tasks that can be mundane.
What Makes This Trend Stand Out
- Heat-sensitive Products
- Developing more products that change or display images with heat could be an innovative opportunity to engage consumers.
- Interactive Consumer Products
- Creating interactive products that offer an element of entertainment could be a disruptive innovation strategy for companies.
- Geek Culture Merchandise
- Expanding product lines to include merchandise related to geek culture could be a profitable trend for businesses.
Sectors Adopting This
- Housewares
- Innovative and entertaining heat-sensitive products would be a natural fit for this industry.
- Retail
- Creating and selling interactive and entertaining consumer products could create an opportunity for retailers to differentiate themselves from competitors.
- Entertainment
- Expanding merchandise lines to include products that offer an element of entertainment related to pop culture could be an opportunity for the entertainment industry.
