The Mind of a Yoga Mat Designer

Many thanks to Doreen for providing this guest blog!

The Mind of a Yoga Mat Designer 

By Doreen Hing, Owner of Plank Designs

I’m asked from time to time how I came up with idea of creating Plank Yoga Mats. Typically, I give some light, off the cuff anecdote that I wanted to create a cool looking mat, which was the initial goal. However, as a designer, I am trained to create something that adds value beyond an idea’s original conception. So let’s breakdown a product designer’s # 1 tool, the Form and Function tool…

FORM
Imagery: When I first conceived the idea of Art Images on Yoga Mats I found the opportunities of imagery to be limitless. From simple graphics, to loved one’s pets, to yoga symbolism and beyond – every image under the sun seemed to be at my disposal. So for Plank, it was important to define what makes a Plank image and what a Plank image is NOT. Here is some of the what Plank images are NOT…

• Cute like Pets. Pretty like Flowers. Cool like Clouds

• Gag producing, yoga obvious or generic images, e.g. Lotus flowers, OM symbols or inspirational words like ‘Breathe or Karma’

Seriously does anyone need another version of the OM symbol...

• What a Plank image is…

• Trompe L’oeil
• Thought provoking, with several layers of interpretation
• Ironic, audacious and relevant
• Gallery Quality images

Making it relevant, or at least audacious...

The Photographer: Due to the art quality nature of Plank’s images, we thus require to use photographers who can meet the design brief and also work with the hidden technical issues that go along with creating high resolution images for large surface areas. For this initial series of images, we used Christopher Harting, whose ironic stills, skills best captured our intentions. For those that maybe interested, the logistical stories behind the visual stories of each yoga mat image, one day I’ll share…

Materials: It goes without saying that for Plank, the base material for the yoga mat has to be made with the latest eco technologies and materials. Of all the materials that are currently available, we used Natural Rubber for its density, natural grip qualities and its ability to breakdown when its time is up.

FUNCTION

Grip: As a product developer, when creating a product, we are typically presented with several options that can answer the project brief. It is our job then, to weigh the pros and cons of each suggestion. Here is a typical question from my supplier: “Do I want the mat to be grippy in hot or room temp yoga classes?” Of course, my answer was, “I want the mats to work for all yoga styles.” To which they asked me, but not using idioms or metaphors, if I want Plank to be a Jack of all trades or a Master of None. To which, we choose Mastery. Thus, they presented a grip layer that is activated with the heat and pressure from hands and feet. We saw this an opportunity to create an incredible mastery of Foundations. All training tools work when all criteria are properly applied or engaged, e.g. Fitness Balls or SLKZ Refiner Pro Graphite Golf Club. These tools show you the muscle memory required or else you fail. Thus, at Plank we state clearly, we make no apologies if you slip when using a Plank Yoga mat. We want the practioner to discover and apply every square millimeter of their hands/feet foundations to a PYM, to then witness immediately a power and strength created in their arms and legs.Ideally, once you have gained what we call “Ridiculous Body Awareness” or “Mastery of Foundations” as a result of using a PYM, Plank would love you to take this insight to be able to practice anywhere, on any surface, with or without a Plank mat.

As a designer, floating my boat = creating a product that looks great and is often reward enough. However, creating a product that can really make a difference to an individuals health and well-being, by having the practioners experience more advanced muscle memory, is the most satisfying part of a product designer’s job. Like the iPhone makes the complex functions of a computer and telephone seamless and easy, Plank Yoga Mats makes the complex body technology creating optimum body effectiveness of power and/or self-healing, immediate, doable and real.

Gift worthy: Plank Yoga Mats were specifically designed to create gift worthy yoga products. It was an intentional part of the design brief to create an opportunity for gift buying that could make a difference to people’s health and wellbeing, whether it be a gift to self, or for a loved one or even a stressed out boss.

Choosing a manufacturer: When researching a manufacturer to create Plank’s Yoga Mats, since the concept of Art on Yoga Mats was and still is new to the yoga market place, it was important to find a manufacturer who was had ethical business practices and was willing to investigate and become vested in the concept. Since Plank’s manufacturing partners practice yoga, they already were connected to the yoga community, and for me it was their mindset that set them apart. Their core vision is to care for the environment, their end consumers and their partners. Having worked with many manufacturers in Asia and domestically in the US, you just know when this is just talk or is the real deal. For me, I don’t look for Made in USA or Asia. What matters to me, is, Made with Mutual Respect.

Plank doesn’t mind not being the #1 yoga mat in the market place to service all types of yoga styles and levels. However, what matters to Plank is that we are the number #1 yoga mat to teach. We teach bigger and freer and more expansive poses which are the result of a muscle memory experience that allows the practioner to know what it takes to create truly grounded and real solid foundations.

Flash sale!

DownDogBoutique.com is holding its first ever Flash sale on Facebook!

The concept is pretty simple. We talk to our fabulous vendors and find out if they have items that they are overstocked on or are looking to promote. We negotiate a saving for our Facebook friends on a specific quantity and post a special coupon code just on Facebook that lasts through the weekend or until the items are sold out if earlier. You snooze you lose!

For our first sale we have secured 10 each of two ECO friendly Yoga Mats from Dream Yoga Mats at an incredible HALF PRICE of $31 (the regular retail price is $62.00)
Contains no toxic adhesives, PVC, latex or rubber, odor free and prevents bacteria buildup
Designs are embroidered in to the mats so no transfers to rub off!

You still pay our low flat rate shipping of $7.50 (unless you order more great Yoga stuff as orders over $75.00 ship free)

Only one coupon code can be used so cannot be combined with any other coupon.

http://downdogboutique.com/item_394/Pink-Lotus-on-Orange-ECO-Mat.htm

http://downdogboutique.com/item_393/Pink-Peace-on-Orange-ECO-Mat.htm

Sales ends Midnight Sunday firm or when 10 of each mat is ordered. No orders can be accepted later as they will be batched to the vendor on Monday.

Namaste
DownDog

Our brand ambassador Jenice in action!

Great clothing - great Yoga pose!

Here are a few action shots of one of our brand ambassadors, Jenice Gaddis demonstrating some of her favorite poses.

The shots were taken outside the local studio here in Sacramento.  Jenice is wearing Yoga Fit clothing, a brand she is very fond of due to its comfort and great value.  Jenice say's "Yoga Fit is a great staple to have in my wardrobe for wearing to Yoga and around town.

You can read more about Jenice at http://downdogboutique.com/pages/JeniceGaddis.htm

Fallen Angel

Hummingbird

Forearm Wheel

We have 1000 friends!

DownDog Boutique now has over 1000 friends on Facebook!

Our site and Facebook page have now been live for just two weeks and we have made over 1000 new friends already.

We are feeling truly humbled by the love & warmth but are also jumping for joy!

Namaste
DownDog

Our first Treasure Hunt!

The first DownDog Boutique Facebook treasure hunt is off and running!

DownDog Boutique will be giving away absolutely free of charge on October 1st the gorgeous sterling silver Yoga necklace (pictured below).

Handcrafted in the USA and designed by the lovely ladies at Random Balance Jewelry.

We know that a lot of you are coveting these beautiful necklaces by the feedback we are getting so we think it shouldn't be TOO easy to win one, after all if no effort were required and we just pulled the winner out of a hat then the people that REALLY want one will likely miss out. So here are the simple rules of the game:

1. Go to the Random Balance category on our website:
http://downdogboutique.com/category_19/Handcrafted-Jewelry.htm

2. Hunt for the 5 clues (which are letters) in the descriptions of the various pieces of Jewelry. Put them together in order and you have the Designers first name.

3. Go to our treasure hunt icon above the timeline on our Facebook page with the picture of the necklace and enter the competition. You need to click go to app and you will be taken to the entry form.

4, Invite your friends to have a chance to win or you will not be popular when they find out you stiffed them....

No purchase is required. See the full rules in the treasure hunt app.

One lucky winner will be chosen at random by the wildfire program from the entries (we don't actually get to use a hat) and they will be contacted by e mail to arrange delivery of the prize.

Good luck and happy hunting!