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Where are the trends coming from? 2011 Trends are honest and straight for ward. They express desires to learn more about far off countries and cultures lesser known than our own. Visions of floral fields juxtaposed with masculine forms and textures demonstrate trends in human characteristics globally. As common home front trends become less predictable, the market is becoming saturated with a wide variety of products that allow consumers to display their personality through the simplest objects. These days you aren’t simply what you eat; you are what you wear, sit on, live in and “tweet” about. Without a doubt we are seeing a submergence of youthful, artistically driven trends. Whether it be color, materials, subject matter or scale we are seeing the tables turn right before our eyes as the Millenials step into the world of housewares consumption. The trends that are being star ted by the 20 somethings are fusing into the cultures of the boomers and beyond. The trend of Millenials leading the way in following technological advances and internet communication has spread wildly. Approximately 58% of typical Anchor Hocking consumers read blogs, 85% are on Facebook, 56% are on LinkedIn and 22% are on Twitter. That being said, the internet is surely one way we can easily determine upcoming trends based on the chatter found via social media outlets.
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The upswing in internet communication across all age ranges of consumers also presents an interesting twist in the world of housewares trends. Now that high level fashion trends and design world news are more readily available, that average consumer is looking for emerging trends for their home faster than ever. In response to a wavering economy, we’re finding humor in design. Laughter is the greatest remedy for or worry worry, so Americans are finding themselves falling in love with small items with big emotional impact.
POP
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As Generation X settles into maturity a rekindling of youth is desired. We are seeing an educated and artistic visit to intense pop culture and cartoonized trends of the 70’s and 80’s. Artwork by Roy Liechtenstein and color palettes inspired by Mondrian are in high demand. Whether for entertaining sets, dorm room decorations or Lacoste teeshirts, we’re seeing a flood of this power punching theme.
*Incorporate bright colors, modern accessories and artful graphics.
SQUARE
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An easy transition to modern, that any material or texture can play nice with. Across the board square shapes are appearing in a variety of sizes and scale collections. We’re ďŹ nding them in wearable and home fashions. The shape lends itself to easy storage and eliminating wasted space. These pieces commonly come in stackable or nesting form, making them the perfect purchase for the small space dweller.
*Our line of Walther pieces, new concepts for pitcher/beverageware sets and candle holders.
CULTURE RICH
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Themes from Africa became largely apparent in early 2010 at the Maison & Objet Show in Paris, France. There was a large focus on the continent’s art history and growing use of modern material mixed with their native traditions. This trend continues into 2011 as such high attention was directed toward the African nations during The World Cup. Ornate detailing, wild patterns, open knits and complex weaves, etching and modeled finishes are just some of the things that we’ll see over then next year in home and fashion trends.
*Patterns and accessories inspired by woven goods, celebrating imperfection and using vase type vessels as pitchers/serveware.
STITCHED
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We’ve been watching a trend labeled as “Urban Craft” for the past few years. It is a subculture driven trend that began in Portland, Oregon in the 1990’s, and exploded in proportion with the creation of Etsy in 2005 (online based craft/vintage community). This has led to mass adoration of handmade objects. Now we’re finding handmade inspirations and celebrations of imperfection in every area of design. If it looks handmade or one of a kind, it has instant added value.
*Table linens, bakeware totes, and screen print graphic sketches.
HIPSTER
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“Hipsters are the friends who sneer when you cop to liking Coldplay. They’re the people who wear t-shirts silk-screened with quotes from movies you’ve never heard of and the only ones in America who still think Pabst Blue Ribbon is a good beer. They sport cowboy hats and berets and think Kanye West stole their sunglasses. Everything about them is exactingly constructed to give off the vibe that they just don’t care.” — Time, July 2009 Although “hipsters” have been the butt of many jokes, we find that the anti-trend revolution that they adore is becoming mainstream. Being in trend now involves a little more research and a lot less MTV.
*Incorporation of plaid to add depth along side classic patterns, wooden accessories and vintage interpretations of existing patterns.
MOVEMENT
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An energized trend that is inspired by artistic dance and the celebration of interactive artwork. On a variety of scales this theme of movement can be found. The idea of objects moving through space, either perceptually or physically, is evident in a wide range of context.
*Organic shaping, tangled weaves, ight inspired shapes and embossments.
DESSERT
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The reality television world has given us an abundance of shows teaching us about fondant, macaroons and cakes shaped like anything under the sun. This idea has translated rapidly across the United States in a boom of bakeries, candy shops and food bloggers. With party planners like Amy Atlas and homemaker inspirations like Martha Stewart, the world of dessert making and display is ever changing and growing.
*Surrounding the idea of being the perfect hostess - dessert cups, spoons, tiered platters and cupcake displays.
LATIN INFLUENCE
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Following the desire to travel and explore the unseen, the world of Latin culture (European and American), is growing. The recently fast paced art world of Latin cultures has drawn extreme attention to both their traditional and modern styles. The study of the cultural diversity between various countries has become inspiration for artists and designers globally.
*Floral patterns, horn accents, crochet inspired pieces. Vibrant colors and entertaining solutions.
QUIRKY
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The world of color and material is constantly changing and the idea of harnessing these innovations has become the focus of many of today’s most attention getting designs. By using humor and material intelligence products are more useful and thought out than ever before. Be it a tie made of recycled cassette tape or a platter with push ups to accept finger tips, today’s designs strive to be more exciting than yesterday’s.
*Use of visual puns and purposed based design. Strip down the product to bare minimum and add only what’s necessary or visually intriguing.
EGYPTIAN EDGE
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Look for hews of gold and finishes reminiscent of beetle shells. Opulence and mystery seem to have captivated both fashion and housewares designers alike. Materials and ideas that mimic palm fronds, amber and antique gilding will take center stage. These materials also seem to have put a large influence on the defining color palettes for next year; deep shades of navy blue and purple juxtaposed with neon yellows, blues and greens.
*Golden accents, faux amber adornments, diffusers with copper accents and palm inspired fragrance reeds. Story telling patterns and themes.
MASCULINITY
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With the past few years focusing on feminine details and lacy embellishments, the tables are being turned. Masculinity is becoming a focus in barware, giftables, graphics and brand characteristics. Details like wood burning, sharp angles, heavy glassware, wood accessories, plaid and denim inspiration will be evident across the board.
**Adding a rough hewn charger to glass plates, wooden textures, brick colors, plaids and sharp angles.
SILHOUETTES
Celebrating form is easily accomplished with the use of silhouettes and outlines. This trend comes in conjuncture with the introduction of artist Mike Miller to West Elm stores. This idea of shape solitude is also driven by scrapbook trends and graphic design minimalism.
THIS PAGE THE CHICAGO RIVER OPPOSITE PAGE EAMES LOUNGER IN ACID GREEN LEATHER BY HERMAN MILLER
NEOCON CHICAGO JUNE 14 - 16, 2010
TREND HIGHLIGHTS
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Chicago’s Merchandise Mart has been home to the NeoCon World’s Trade Fair for 42 years; this year, over 700 exhibitors played host to more than 40,000 attendees, making it North America’s largest design conference for commercial interiors and contract furnishings.
Stylus *Graphics of just the pattern sprayed on the glass. Artistically driven screen decorations become more valued.
NATURE’S GEOMETRY
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Geometric forms have become a crucial part of home decor trends over the past few years. The idea of taking shapes inspired by nature is an easy way to blend pattern with natural, eco-friendly themes. The continuation and expansion of the trend has led to mass appeal in both the art and home product world. Home trends for 2011 will show patterns still inspired by honey comb formations, but the addition of river rock and topographical patterns. Patterns inspired by webs and water molecules will show themselves on the modern edge, and trickle into the regular consumer market.
*Organic forms with rigid patterns, alternating traditional with whimsical.
START WITH STYLE
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Products for baby are looking less baby and more mini-adult. The idea of fun and whimsy still exists and follows similarly to trends such as “Pop” and “Quirky.” Starting baby off right with an eco-friendly attitude is also apparent. A return to wooden toys and natural materials also follows suit.
*Baby spoons and bowls; eco-friendly accents; trinket boxes and wooden details; small jars for keepsakes that will grow with baby.
FLORABUNDA
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Floral patterns always find a place in the home. This year big and bold along with sea twig inspiration are gaining popularity. Vintage floral themes will also make and appearance, keeping deep yellows and browns in the floral family mix. Using sea inspired floral patterns allows consumers to easily blend their summer seasonal items in with year long standbys.
*Lattice work patterns and petal inspired plate shapes. 1970’s inspired color palettes and intense saturation of pattern.
CEMENT
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While cement seems very heavy and utilitarian, innovations are making headway in the use of this age old material. From jewelry to beverageware, concrete is ďŹ nding new ways to appear in our lives.
**Accents/home decor//garden stones. Rough up material, using stone as an accent piece. Easy way to mix feminine and masculine.
EAST MEETS MODERN
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Having faded out of trend shortly after the 2008 Olympics, Asia is ramping back up to recoup from social issues and global distaste for mass manufacturing. Their art community is gaining positive light. Inspirations from historic and modern ideas and progressions will appear in 2011.
*Story telling design. Infusion of traditional with modern material sciences. Stacking pieces, bamboo accents and rounded edges.
REPURPOSE
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Recent consumer confusion and various cases of green washing has moved products to a different level. How can we make a product out of something old or seemingly no-longer usable? How can we make a product with a longer lifespan, or a secondary purpose? These ideas and questions have also inspired products that are made out of materials that are nontypical for their use, creating a new landscape of consumer goods
*Second life thinking what else does it do? “But, wait there’s more,” theory. Packaging helps complete this story. Multi-use. Travel ready.
ORNATE KITCHEN
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Artists and designers like Hiroki Yoshitomi have created excitement around the kitchen utensil. Ideas involving the experience of cooking, eating and drinking have inspired new shapes in beverageware and serving pieces.
*Cover all surfaces with pattern, texture and interest. Incorporation of simple, shape focused pieces. Using pattern shapes as silhouettes.
TEXTURE
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Heavy texture allows the consumer to create an artistic statement through one simple piece. Ideas surrounding natural formations Earth’s wonders create, along with man made knots and webs are popular among the intense volume that is being found in new product ideas.
COLOR
Mysterious and dusk-like colors, accented by pops of electric and science inspired bright tones. Metallic inspiration come from Indonesian and Egyptian cultures. Inuences also come from outdoor trends and modern graphics applications.
Energized
Garden
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Jeweled
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