# Social Distancing Picnic Blankets Paul Cocksedge Creates a Blanket for Life After Lockdown By Kalin Ned | Published 2020-05-04 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/life-after-lockdown References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2020/05/03/paul-cocksedge-here-comes-the-sun-social-distancing-blanket/) & [youtube](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jIBV5X_kQ4o&feature=emb_title) There is a lot of speculation of what life after lockdown will be and one London-based designer is sharing his idea in this space. Paul Cocksedge has debuted the 'Here Comes the Sun' [blanket](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rumpl-retro-elements-blankets)—a design that will allow for people to "[socialize safely and confidently](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/buddy-bench1) once [COVID-19](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ecoconscious-covid19-testing-kit) lockdown restrictions have been lifted." 'Here Comes the Sun' has an interesting and mindful silhouette. Cocksedge makes his design open-source. The shape feature a circular loop and four pieces of fabric that can be placed at a proper distance. Paul Cocksedge was inspired to create this tool for life after lockdown on one of his walks. He found that he had a "neet to talk and be close to people" which is an inherent human desire. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 5.0/10 - Popularity: 68% | Activity: 72% | Freshness: 9% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Gen Alpha, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) > [Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/design) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Open-source Social Distancing Designs:** There is an opportunity for designers to create open-source social distancing designs that allow safe and confident socializing after the COVID-19 lockdowns. - **Circular Loop Design:** A circular loop design like the 'Here Comes the Sun' blanket by Paul Cocksedge has the potential to be a disruptive innovation opportunity for outdoor furniture and picnic blanket industries. - **Mindful Silhouette Design:** Designers can create more mindful silhouette designs that promote safety and confidence in group gatherings as a disruptive innovation opportunity for the outdoor gear and furniture industry. ### Where This Applies - **Outdoor Furniture:** The outdoor furniture industry can take advantage of disruptive innovation opportunities by developing designs that promote social distancing and mindful gatherings. - **Picnic Blanket:** There is a disruptive innovation opportunity for picnic blanket industries to create unique designs that incorporate social distancing and safety for outdoor gatherings. - **Outdoor Gear:** An opportunity exists for outdoor gear industries to innovate and incorporate designs that promote safe and confident socializing after the COVID-19 lockdowns. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Social Distancing Measurement Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/the-social-stick.md) - [Pandemic-Friendly Transparent Dining Lanterns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tokyo-lantern-dinner.md) - [Multifunctional Park Picnic Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/foldable-picnic-furniture.md) - [Post-Pandemic Art Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lakwena-maciver.md) - [Sustainable Soft Beach Blankets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/nomadix-festival-blanket.md) - [Redesigning Restful Moments](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/anew-project.md) - [Solar-Powered Blankets](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/solarpowered-blanket.md) - [Collaborative Playful Bright Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/picnic-series.md) - [Experimental Prototype Exhibitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/designs-for-global-crises.md)