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CMF Colour Finish Industry Expertise Material Trend

WE WON GOLD at the GERMAN DESIGN AWARD 2024!

WE WON GOLD at the GERMAN DESIGN AWARD 2024!

Today I am celebrating that our RAL COLOURS Trendbox 2025+ including our RAL COLOUR FEELING 2025+ Trend Report has won the German Design Award Gold in the Excellent Product Design, Material and Surface category. Company/Client: RAL COLOURS, Design: Institute International Trendscouting at HAWK Timo Rieke and Alina Schartner

For the fourth year in a row, Timo Rieke and I were responsible for the research, colour selection and content of the RAL Colour Feeling series. Our mission has always been to inspire colour education for all. Our tools help designers and architects to make well-informed decisions for contemporary colour design with long-term value that is purposeful and inclusive.

It’s a pleasure and honour to work with and for RAL COLOURS.

Thanks to everyone on the project team for RAL COLOUR FEELING 2025+ (alphabetical order): Markus Frentrop, Martin Kern, Meike Kettenuß, Laura Kilian (RAL), Beate Breitenstein, Sabine Hirsch, Melissa Lindemeyer, Timo Rieke, Alina Schartner, Markus Schlegel and Lina Schmidt (IIT).

I’m so proud of our teamwork! How nice to end my business year on such a high!

Read more about our award-winning project here: https://www.german-design-award.com/en/the-winners/gallery/detail/48616-ral-trendbox-2025.html


Categories
Industry Expertise Interior Design Trend

Design direction Dutch Design Week 2023

After years of exaggerated self-optimisation and toxic positivity, there’s a growing understanding of the need to embrace all emotions – so that we can bounce back fully from life’s small and large adversities. Contact the designers to collaborate with them!

1 Design for wellbeing, promoting quiet moments by Alissa+Nienke

2 Humorous chair design expressing awe by Studio Erik Stehmann

3 This is more than dopamine decor, its diverse emotional collectables in the group exhibition Messmerizing

4 A reminder that we are all interdependent and need more communal bonds than connecting via digital devices by Ana de Fotecha, Karma Hamed and Camila Capra

5 Bitter-sweet design to help us heal from heartbreak by Michaela Castagnaro

These are just a few examples of what I loved at DDW. Could you use some feedback on your collections or help to update them? With 17 years of experience in the Home & Interiors and Lifestyle industries, I can give you sound advice on what makes sense for your brand.

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Industry Expertise Interior Design Trend

Cutting-edge shapes from Dutch Design Week 2023

As a design consultant, I am always on the lookout for small details and changes within the overall direction of interior and product design. Frayed edges and seams felt really fresh this year.

Here are 5 fabulous designs that stood out to me at #DDW23 (clockwise from the large image):

– Poetic lamp made of Korean mulberry paper by Jungeun Hong.

– Knits designed to relieve and comfort migraine sufferers by Laura Dieckwisch in collaboration with Textielmuseum.

– Icons Re/outfitted by Hannah Brabon for The Visionary lab; pre-loved Eames chairs by Vitra with repurposed denim by Levis.

– Explorations in form and colour by art and design platform and label Transnatural.

– Unique ceramics by Willem van Hoof. He also showcased other collections that I loved.

This is just one of the new aesthetics I have discovered at DDW. I’m happy to help brands make informed decisions on how to keep up to date.

Could you use some feedback on your collections or help to update them? With 17 years of experience in the Home & Interiors industry, I can give you sound advice.

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Industry Expertise Material Trend

Material Insight Dutch Design Week 2023

Material Insight Dutch Design Week 2023

#DDW is always an inspiration for material direction. This year I noticed more projects working with industrial and agricultural waste or simple raw materials. Designers showed that you don’t always have to reinvent the wheel to be innovative. This was an interesting change from previous years when there was more of a focus on new bio-composites. I found it fascinating how everyday materials were elevated to something aspirational.

Some of my favs (clockwise from large picture):

Studio RENS x Tarkett revealed the hidden side of linoleum. Such a clever way to update this often underrated material. Did you know that its main ingredients are linseed oil, pine resin, ground cork and sawdust, calcium carbonate and jute? 

Rik van Veen‘s sculptural bench made of welded plastic tubes was a real eye-catcher. A great example of how collectables don’t have to be made from precious or scarce materials. 

Studio WIES beautifully upcycled discarded vinyl tiles.  MATERIAL IDENTITY CRISIS’ was a fitting title. Vinyl is always defined by the texture it is printed on, as Wies van den Maagendberg points out. Lovely work seeing non-recyclable waste as a resource instead of sending it to a landfill.

Collectif MONO has made wool sexy. They used local wool from Swedish farmers. Felted qualities are naturally water-repellent. Unlike materials derived from fossil fuels, microfibres from sheep’s wool do not harm the planet. Fantastic to see more designers rediscovering the positive qualities of #undyed natural fibres. At Milan Design Week 2023 I was already raving about Formafantasma‘s research project for Tacchini on the benefits of working with (merino) wool. 

orange or red featured rattan in its purest form. I loved how it added texture and interest to this side table sculpture. Isn’t it beautiful how you can still see the wood texture through the transparent bright green glass? I have been a fan of designer Marieke van Heck ever since I saw her at Rossana Orlandi‘s gallery during Milan Design Week.

So to sum up, there is still a lot of potential to work with tried and tested, mundane materials. Another bonus is that recycling facilities are already in place for many of them.

Categories
Colour Industry Expertise

Colour Insight Dutch Design Week 2023

This is how we should think about the future of colour! Much more than just aesthetics – although aesthetics do have a very valid function as well. Such a wealth of colour innovation coming out of Eindhoven this year. To my delight, there was a high amount and quality of designers developing/working with natural and more sustainable colourants.

Some highlights (clockwise from large picture):

– Textiles, pigments and sunflower waste impregnation. The water-repellent sunflower coating retains the breathability. Designer: Jess Redgrave.

Why is it important?

The use of sunflowers could be a regenerative alternative to cotton. Cotton requires large amounts of water to grow, tends to deplete soils through monocropping, and is often heavily treated with pesticides. In addition, cotton can only be grown in certain parts of the world and often has to be transported over long distances.

– Circular varnish to protect wood made from harmless fungi and linseed oil. The fungi are nourished by the linseed oil and can even repair themselves if damaged. Designers: Frans Van Rooijen and @Michael Sailer

Why is it important?

Wood painted with chemicals often can’t be recycled. The toxic substances often end up in our natural environment. This bio-finish doesn’t harm the planet.

– Pigments derived from algae. You may have seen seaweed being used to dye textiles previously. ‘NORI PIGMENT’ was first shown at Milan Design Week in April this year. I missed it there. Now it was great to see the tile work at Dutch Design Week, which extended the initial research. Designer: Kaori Akiyama of STUDIO BYCOLOR.

Why is it important?

Algae are naturally abundant resources.

– Literally honeyed light to enhance your living space. Designer: Akira Nakagomi

Why is it important?

Using the inherent colour of materials is an important aspect of future-forward colour design. The designer also points out that honey can be used as emergency food because it can be kept at room temperature for a long time. It also has a sterilising effect and is thought to reduce inflammation when applied to wounds. Pretty sweet, eh? (pun intended)

– Using living bacteria as co-designers in block printing. I first saw ‘PRIMORDIAL PIGMENTS’, during Milan Design Week 2023, and when I saw it again, I just had to feature this beautiful project. Designer: Annelise Payne

Why it matters?

Microbial-based colour palettes that work with pigment-producing bacteria instead of conventional dyes certainly need to be explored more.

Bravo to all the mentioned designers!

Categories
Colour Industry Expertise Interior Design Material Trend

Dutch Design Week 2023 General Analysis

#dutchdesignweek is always one of the events that give me hope for people and the planet. Here designers are increasingly offering solutions to major global problems such as the waste pandemic, toxic pollution and social inequality. It is one of the most influential springboards for design graduates and new(er) design studios. This makes it a rich source of innovation. But the input can be overwhelming.

What is shown in Eindhoven is diverse. Design in all its forms is covered; from the ultra-conceptual to the commercially scalable, and from the personal to the systemic. For many, it is difficult to find the information and inspiration that is relevant to them. In my design consultancy work, I filter the insights for my clients (drop me a line if you are interested in this service).

It’s worth noting that Dutch Design Week has a reputation for being very concept-driven. However, #DDW23 was also surprisingly inspiring in a very tangible way. Woven through the indicators of emerging/growing macro and micro trends (tendencies in culture, technology, work, lifestyle, etc.) were many wonderful examples of where colour, material, finish and shape are heading. As my focus as a consultant is on interior design and CMF, I’ll be writing more about this in the coming days. I’ll also share more on key themes.

However, my verdict for this year is that several exhibitors tried too hard to load things up intellectually. This does not make the design more valid or accessible. Frankly, I question whether it’s an efficient design proposal if you have to read the full project description to understand what it’s about. Some have even topped this by expecting a high level of design/trend education from the reader.

In the coming year, I’d like to see more contributions to designing fair supply chains, creating local recycling facilities, and mending and repairing. It would also be great to see many more practical, affordable, robust yet sustainable solutions that make life easier for the millions of disadvantaged people around the world. Let’s face it, too much design innovation is focused on privileged audiences. It’s time to change that.

In conclusion, Dutch Design Week continues to be a leading event for learning more about global issues and design direction. I went there to broaden my horizons and the show made that possible. Soaking up fresh ideas, discovering cutting-edge aesthetics and meeting top creatives was a fantastic experience.

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Industry Expertise Trend

Analysis of Maison & Objet and Paris Design Week 2021

I didn´t spot completely game-changing innovation, however, for the trained design and trend-savvy eye, there were beautiful move-ons from previous themes and lovely touches of newness throughout the exhibitions. Most of the designs and colours shown I forecast two years ago.

At the press office at #MO21. Thanks for the excellent support dear M&O team!

Three major influences drive this slow-down:

– Brands have less money to spend due to the global impacts of the corona crisis or have shifted their budget more towards macro-trends rather than investing in design trend consultancy. However, really good design needs really good research – insight and inspiration are equally as important. The results are now vastly indistinguishable product lines.

– Brands are more risk-averse. Falling back to classics and cash cows is a common strategy in times of uncertainty. However, customers still expect a certain level of fresh input to be enticed to buy.

– Brands consciously stop pushing for newness for the sake of it as a response to heightened pressure for sustainable business practices. More informed than ever, customers reject greenwashing and expect real commitment and brands taking responsibility. We now see some brands showcasing the new collections alongside products of former seasons. This approach is more similar to the layering in most people´s homes. Reworking well-selling products to be ecological and creating fair working conditions for the people producing the goods and working within the delivery chains is a viable option. Moving forwards intersectional environmentalism is key for future-proofing businesses.

Hübsch Interiors smartly combining products of current and previous collections.

Overall, the fair and surrounding exhibitions were smaller and visited by a lot fewer international guests. The Maison & Objet fair team did well to drastically cut down on plastic waste and to make recycling easier than ever.

Reach out if you want constructive, straightforward feedback or my input on your design or trend projects.

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Trend

Behind the scenes: Creative direction for Trend Bible’s SS21 Home + Interiors trend book

©Trend Bible all images except snapshots

It feels so long and not long ago that I worked on the Trend Bible SS21 Home & Interiors trend book in-house based in Newcastle. The trends we published in 2019 are a huge success. You can now find them anywhere: H&M HOME, Habitat, West Elm, ferm LIVING, Anthropologie, Target, Westwing, MADE.COM, Maisons du Monde, La Redoute, Dunelm, Matalan, AMARA Living Ltd., Broste Copenhagen,…

Some of you already know that I have continued collaborating with the TB team remotely. Today I have done my last review on SS23 which I creatively co-directed with Naomi Pollard. On the 5th of July, the ebook will be published. Well proud of what we have achieved. Great work, team! Special thanks to trend researcher Jamie Hannah Shackleton for going above and beyond to make this look and read as ace as it does. Think it’s the most well-rounded book I’ve worked on so far. Sooo much inspiration for designers, retailers, manufacturers and brands working around #lifeathome. Mid-July we’ll already start on the in-depth work for AW23/24 which I’ll creatively direct again.

These images are a glimpse into the making of a trend story called Urban Retreat. It was already set to have a big impact on interiors for 2021, but the pandemic has accelerated the need for green spaces within urban environments. Expect to see more architectural details influence design direction as a whole for the seasons to come.

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Colour Material

Colour in Context: Ultramarine Blue

Colour of the day: Ultramarine Blue
Simple description: a deep vivid blue

Notes for usage: Ultramarine blue is high energy. Its vibrant, mesmerising glow is so powerful, that it even adds zing to shady spaces. This colour is always a statement. Consider softening it with chalky white for small spaces, to avoid an overwhelming effect. Even little amounts of this colour will draw attention.

For a straight, graphic look try pairing it with crisp white and black. Small accents of Ultramarine next to gentle pinks make the colour seem more approachable. The brave add a colour pop with crimson red or neon orange; however, I would recommend sticking to homoeopathic doses, unless you know exactly what you’re doing.

Made globally recognised by artist Yves Klein, who described the colour as the expression of ultimate freedom, it has never lost its edgy appearance since the 1960s. Historically, ultramarine blues were won from ground Lapislazuli, meaning they were extremely expensive for centuries. Synthetic ultramarines are cheap, which make them popular choices for mixing wall paint or neutralising unwanted yellow tinges from paper to bleached hair.

For surface design, I prefer ultra-matte, dry-looking finishes for these shades of blue, to not take anything away from the depth and intensity of the colour. Glossy ceramics can work well though, particularly when handmade effects are still visible. High-shine surfaces can seem artificial and but also visionary. Admittedly, Ultramarine Blue is not the easiest colour to work with on a large scale, but sometimes that is exactly where the serious excitement starts.

PS: I had shared information about ultramarine blue before, but this colour group continues to grow in imporatance from product to lighting design.

Categories
Colour Interior Design Trend

2022+ Trend: With Pleasure

WITH PLEASURE is an ode to indulge in exquisite hedonism elevating every day. This trend fully embraces maximalism, a premium touch for daily goods and making the most of any situation after prolonged feelings of having missed out.

With stretched budgets due to the corona crises, 2022 is likely to be another year for many not to be able to go on holiday. Instead, interiors and campaigns are reminiscent of plush hotel treatment. For the homebody economy, this is an excellent opportunity to offer more of life´s little luxuries.

Mix bold stripes with ditsy florals and wiggly line-work for cutting edge clashes with vintage-inspired patterns. Powdery red, blue and peach freshen up a base of classic, dark shades. Absolute must-haves? Ramie or lotus silk sleep masks, serving trays and twisted candles.

Image sources clockwise from top left: Hotel Deux Gares 〰️ Liberty London 〰️ Hoste London 〰️ So Yeah Studio via The Branding Collective 〰️ HAY House Amsterdam 〰️ Olivia Morris At Home

Powdery, sophisticated reds such as RAL “Light Tomato” have little in common with the nuances that first come to mind when red is mentioned. Its nonchalant elegance is heart-warming. This colour works best in matte and velvety qualities.