The Concentrate Supercase is a pencilcase that can be easily turned into a stationery pot.

• Pencilcase can be easily turned into a stationery pot: unzip the case until the fold and turn over the first part to make a stationery pot
• Washable in the washing machine – NB better handwashed
• Dimensions (approximately): 11cm x 22cm (WxH)
• Material: neoprene (the same material used to make wetsuits)
• Available in: red (outside) and black (inside)

Read more information about the Supercase in the Supercase FAQs.

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Everyone wants to know the right thing at the right time, to find ingenious solutions to puzzling problems, in a word, to act smarter. This goal is not so far as we may imagine, even if we are not born with an extensive database of “how-to’s”. Instead we have the entire life to practice our natural ability to solve problems that psychologist have baptized “intelligence”.

Modern people believe in multitasking, but the old-fashioned focus on what you’re doing still works best. Concentrating our attention on the main things helps us learn and adapt quicker to the situation.

We should use those methods of learning we are keen to. Put into good practice the inborn abilities, whether they are mostly intellectual or practical. If we have them, there’s no point in pretending we are good at something totally opposite.

A book a day keeps your intelligence awake. Ok, likely not an entire book, but a daily reading routine is what teaches us something new, like new ways of dealing with common tasks. Try about an hour /40 pages of literature, non-fiction, scientific books, whatever makes your day and try the real thing instead of e-books.

Seems like a luxury, but creative activities are accessible for the artist in every one of us. The hobbies you enjoy are the seeds of creativity – don’t waste anything!  You will see things from new angles, change perspectives and eventually come up with out-of-box solutions!

Of all the existing materials in this world, how do designers know what to choose for their creations? And why choose one material over another? The first answer that springs to mind is rather common: every object is made of something we are used to, in a word, traditional uses for existing materials and objects.

But following this principle only, we would be deprived of ingenuous designs and people would never dare to leave the traditional paths.

Examples come from the works of industrial designer Mark Newson, hired to think out of the box. His designs are considered among world’s hottest designs and are being sold for record prices (the sculptural “Lockheed Lounge” is the most expensive piece of furniture ever to sale at an auction).

What does a man who already designed (almost) everything, think about choosing the right materials? “It’s the same skills you apply in design, just the material changes”.

We don’t know exactly the process from idea to the object, but his objects are bravely approaching various matters: fiberglass, plastic, metal, wood, marble. Mark Newson is playing with expensive materials like Carrara marble to design mass-made lookalikes, endowed with a particular kind of desirability.

So the whole selecting process speaks about the unspoken things that make the artist an artist: perception, intuition, imagination and other unpredictable factors?

Obviously, choosing the materials mainly depends on the effect the designer wants to create. Maybe the secret behind being different in a world of sameness is changing the perspective.

Mark Champins

Oi – You with the funny face and no hair! Weren’t you on Harry Hill or Dragons Den or something. Oh Yeah – It was Dragons Den – How was that then?

“Going into Dragons Den was a really nerve wracking experience, but in fact, the worst part was the waiting around. All the “contestants” had to sit in a room waiting to be called for – like being at the Dentist. In many ways I think I would rather have been waiting to have my teeth pulled out. I was there for about six hours before I got called in.

When I was eventually summoned, I didn’t have a great deal of time to compose myself, and before I knew it, I was in the middle of the pitch.

Fortunately I didn’t lose the ability to talk, and I remembered my two minute presentation and fielded most of the questions OK.

Four of the Dragons started to show signs that they wouldn’t invest and duly dropped out. I didn’t feel bad because I didn’t think they had really grasped the point of the products, and to perfectly honest, didn’t seem to be listening too carefully. They were very complimentary though. Finally I was left with Peter Jones, who, it was revealed had been waiting for the others to drop out to make it easier for him to negotiate!!

When he said he wanted 40% I decided I would walk if he didn’t move on the percentage. 40% is too much – and I was confident I could get the money elsewhere. However, after a little negotiation I managed to get a 5% claw back if I make £250K profit. We shook on the deal, and I left the Den.

Apart from playing the “wacky inventor” a bit too much, I was reasonably happy with what happened. I now look forward to developing Concentrate into a dynamic business and I aim to produce a whole range of clever products designed to have a beneficial impact on the way kids learn.”
How has that experience helped you with your business?

The whole experience of Dragons Den was quite hard work, but like doing anything that is hard, I think you learn lots from it. Subjecting my business to the scrutiny of the Dragons, and listening to what they had to say to take onboard their criticism and suggestions has been particularly helpful.

What’s it like working with Peter Jones?

Peter Jones is a shrewd character. He is quick to spot opportunities and I think he is a genuinely nice person. He has a good team around him who help to develop the companies he invests in, and a great set of contacts to help make things happen. I have learnt lots from him! He’s also ridiculously tall.

Wotcha!

Which superfoods help our brain function at optimum level? Would it be walnuts, sage or turmeric, or all of these? Actually, there are many natural ingredients doing a great job for our brain, but here we present you a list of five, based on researches and consumer’s reports:

Green tea- that’s too easy! Not if you’re looking for the real deal: stone-ground Japanese Matcha is not the regular green tea bag, but the green tea leaf itself, whole, the powder being mixed with hot water. Very rich in chlorophyll, calms the nervous system and reputedly has anti-cancer and anti-aging benefits.

Fresh berries- especially Acai and blueberries-have the highest content of antioxidants and vitamins. Brain benefits rise and disease risks lower.

Cacao beans (don’t jump on your chocolate!)- enhances cognitive functions and positive moods, because of its rich content of flavonoids and antioxidants. Either chose organic high-quality cocoa powder or dark chocolate bars (at least 75% cacao content or higher).

Do you like fish? If not, you should. Wild salmon is one of the best sources of essential fatty acids and high-quality non-land animal protein. It was proven to improve brain matter, synaptic connections and even mood, reducing the risk of Dementia, Alzheimer’s and stroke.

Controversial coffee beans are also rich with antioxidants, amino acids, vitamins and minerals. Fresh-ground gently roasted coffee bean powder reduces the risk of mental decline and diseases. Just keep your coffee simple, without artificial cream and sweeteners.

And don’t forget overall moderation IS the mother of health.

Super!