First, I don't link to this site as an endorsement to the quality of the site itself - only because it is a useful place where you can learn about the ten tenets of Chindogu (and because it came up first when I Googled Chindogu).
Second, Chindogu, if you don't know, is the Japanese art of the "unuseless." It is the ultimate in Not Form Over Not Function. Or something like that. You've probably been forwarded one or more example of Chindogu in some hilarious office e-mail forward at some point. But, if you don't know, you should start learning...
Third, and in conclusion, why would I waste a blog post at a serious brand experience firm like Method on Chindogu? Because part of being a serious brand experience firm is recognizing that the sense of humor, joy, and surprise that design can bring to a brand can be central to building a meaningful relationship between you and your clients. And to that end (well, the end of humor, joy and surprise), we will willingly invoke the spirit of Chindogu. Be warned!
(And if your interest in building your brand involves a healthy dose of the Chindogu ethic, well, please, please, please call us. We'd love to get a little crazy with you.)
