Here comes the sun, the post-Covid social picnic towel

The world at the time of the covid is a strange hybrid between the desire to stay close and the need to stay away. Solutions are needed to design our sociality, between new common spaces and changed conditions of security. Many are emerging from this period.

London designer Paul Cocksedge's "Here Comes the Sun" (yes, just like the Beatles song) tarp, for example, would allow people to "safely and securely socialize" outdoors once Covid lockdown restrictions -19 will have been revoked. Maybe even afterwards, for cheerful outings in the name of picnic design.

The open source design includes a ring section and four separate pieces of fabric cut into circles, which can be positioned two meters apart.

Here Comes the Sun is a picnic blanket designed for a “post-lockdown future” to make sure people maintain the recommended distance of while in social situations such as picnicking or sunbathing with friends.

Inspiration came to Cocksedge while he was taking his daily walk and felt the need to talk, be close to people and take a look (needless to say) at his English Sun newspaper which does more entertainment than information.

It's strange that this instinct has been taken away from us and that we have strangely adapted to interacting in this new and unnatural way

Paul Cocksedge, designer

As much as designers work every day with proportions and measures, interpreting a distance like the social one is extremely difficult for them too.

This adds a level of concern to our future interactions. We also see it in these days of "phase 2" (in fact already anticipated by someone). It's not easy to judge distances well, especially when we're out socializing with friends and family again. It is especially difficult to resist contact, remember to keep your distance.

“Here Comes the Sun” is a brilliant answer to the problem: reassures people by allowing them to meet socially even if physically distant.

A democratic piece of design

The design of this post Covid picnic towel is open source: is available for free download and can be done by anyone. The original design was made of felt because it is easier to cut and sew, but many materials can be used.

The designer hopes that this will encourage people to dedicate themselves to creating different variations of objects and accessories to "keep in mind" the right distance.

Cocksedge decided to use a circular design for the blanket as it is "an innately pleasing shape" that also acts as a reflection of the shapes in which people naturally gather.

“Lockdown has given rise to incredible bursts of creativity and I wanted to create something positive that looked to the future,” added the designer.

A future still to be drawn.

Song or towel, to put it in English, the sun came because we can warm up ;)