Instagram updates are hurting small businesses, the Oscars stage will feature a futuristic design, and HD’s annual Development Issue is now out. All that and more in this week’s Five on Friday.
More and more food industry workers push to unionize
Photo by Joe Piette/Flickr
Recently, the U.S. has seen an onslaught of food and farm workers banding together to unionize. The uptick is a result of the pandemic, which put the demand placed on low-wage workers front and center, Eater writes. Those individuals are now being empowered to organize. (The first Starbucks was unionized in December in Buffalo, New York.) “Momentum is at an all-time high,” says Jose Oliva of HEAL Food Alliance. The article also references a 2016 report, conducted by the Food Chain Workers Alliance and Solidarity Research Cooperative, which revealed workers across the food chain have the lowest average wage compared to other industries and are more likely to be food insecure and rely on public assistance programs.
Instagram’s algorithm versus small businesses
Many companies that have relied on Instagram as a tool to build and grow their small, independent businesses have recently had to begin reassessing due to the social media platform’s algorithm changes, according to The New York Times. One of the app’s largest most recent changes is the prioritization of video content, namely Reels. In many instances, this has caused business owners to bring in freelancers to help with video production, lean into TikTok instead, or change up their strategy altogether. “With the way Instagram has shifted everything to video, it has really decreased the amount of traffic we get to our Instagram account, and that means to our website,” said Skyler Mapes, cofounder of EXAU Olive Oil. “You have to fight harder than ever to get out there and get seen.”
Oscars stage to showcase 90,000 Swarovski crystals
A rendering of the 2022 Oscars stage
This weekend, the work of creative director David Korins and Swarovski will come to life on the Oscars stage. The futuristic design will feature more than 90,000 Swarovski crystals. The 94th annual Academy Awards, taking place on Sunday at Los Angeles’ Dolby Theater, marks the 14th time that the Austrian brand will assist in the creation of the star-studded stage. “The beautiful thing about working with Swarovski crystals is that you use them just the way they are. They shine and sparkle the way you want them to,” says Korins. “With Swarovski crystals, there’s no need for scenic enhancements, what you want to do is accentuate what they are already meant to do and that is capture and reflect light beautifully.”
New York City selects architecture firms to envision new public buildings
Snøhetta collaborated with AJ Capital Partners and Stonehill Taylor on the design of the Graduate Roosevelt Island
Twenty firms have been chosen for New York City’s Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Project Excellence Program, ArchDaily reports. Among the architecture practices are 10 certified Minority- and Women-Owned Business Enterprises (M/WBEs)—in line with the city’s goal to support M/WBEs and generate culturally competent designs. SHop Architects, Snøhetta, Leroy Street Studio, and Studio Gang were all selected to take part in the program. “Several changes were implemented to the program to guarantee fair compensation and flexibility for the firms,” ArchDaily notes.
HD dives into the 2022 hotel landscape
The Royal Senses Resort & Spa Crete, designed by Studio Lost
Hospitality Design’s annual Development Issue is out now! The magazine’s February/March 2022 edition features the latest numbers from Lodging Econometrics, along with input from leading brands and hoteliers that paints a comprehensive industry outlook. We also took a deep dive into 10 areas on our radar, including Toronto, Saudi Arabia, Dubai, Greece, and the Maldives. Plus, we curated 40 of the most anticipated hotel openings of 2022 in our annual Hot List. Read the full issue online now!
