Luxury & Consumer Brands

An automated litter box has to satisfy the person paying for it and the animal deciding whether to use it. That is a demanding design brief.

How I approached an old international contact archive for a luxury watch client, from positioning and personal outreach to Apollo, email validation, and a sold-out collection.

Friends and clients across the world keep asking versions of the same question. Rob Urban explores recommendations in twelve languages, from dinner and hotels to books, tools, and business.

Why do people collect Mini Brands and Miniverse? I explore recognition, tiny worlds, making, duplicates, and the pleasure of keeping ordinary things.

PaperBoat MediaWatches Worth KnowingAn essay by Rob Urban A study in legibility The Watch You Can Read Without Putting Your Glasses On The Sinn 556 I makes legibility an interesting design ambition. Its appeal begins with a simple courtesy: the time should not have to compete with everything else the watch can show you. By

PaperBoat MediaLuxury goods & experiencesAn essay by Rob Urban The thoughtful unknown What Happens When a Luxury Client Says, “Surprise Me”? The invitation sounds wonderfully open. The thoughtful response discovers what can remain unknown while making the person feel understood. By Rob Urban · About 12 minutes What stays known?What stays open?Who takes care of

PaperBoat Media/Companies I Admire Companies I Admire · Dualit Classic Dualit Classic: The Business Behind a Replaceable Part A repairable product asks the company to remain useful after the first sale. The interesting work begins where the spare part meets a particular object and an owner who needs an answer. By Rob UrbanCompanies I AdmireAbout

A perfume can make a beautiful first impression. Choosing one to live with deserves a longer conversation.

The appeal of a task lamp begins with an ordinary courtesy: the light can come to you.

A mechanical watch, a numerical display, and a prism that changes the direction of the conversation between object and wrist.