Trend Bible’s roundup from New Designers

You’ve seen our favourites from the recent New Designers show in London, now take a look at our friends at Trend Bible‘s guest post this month – a roundup of the best trends they spotted at the Business Design Centre…

The Trend Bible team regularly visits trade shows to keep our fingers on the pulse of new design trends. We then research, monitor and critically analyse social, cultural and consumer information, pairing this with creative ideas sparked from global travel to influential places- from trade events, seminars, and art exhibitions through to quirky craft fairs and flea markets in order to inform our future trends. The New Designers show has been introducing exceptional graduate design talent for over 25 years across a host of design disciplines. Home trends editor, Anri Hamilton, covered the show, finding examples of new and emerging trends.

New Designers 2012

Graduates from both product and textile specialism’s demonstrated a multi-disciplinary approach to their work. Products and furniture displayed interesting stitched and woven processes that act as both functional and decorative elements in their designs. Stitching onto wood and plastic using delicate fine threading to create texture and pattern on hard surfaces. Nylon string and large woven ribbons/ trims adding a softer tactile element when integrated with surfaces, adding structure and pattern.

Woven and stitched trend

Red veneer inlays, gloss treatments, painted panels and ceramic glazes were implemented as elements in design rather than all over application. Routering with red staining and tinting revealed bold lines and surface patterns in plywood. Red stripes and rings were brightening accessories and storage.

Red trend

Having recently visited the Bauhaus Art as Life exhibition at the Barbican Centre, London (3rd May-12th Aug 2012), it was easy to spot the Bauhaus influence throughout all the design disciplines. Bauhaus principles such as simplicity, symmetry, angularity and subtlety was clearly implemented in furniture & product design. Although the emphasis remained on function, the aesthetics of products also show the influence of mechanical production processes and geometric forms we associate with Bauhaus design. Joints and fixtures follow simple lines. Ceramic forms and patterns engraved using a 3D plotter on wooden furniture are clean and subtle.

Bauhaus influence

A mix of two-tone colours in bold prints work well for textiles throughout the home. Dispersing ink plunged into water, textured corals and flowing organic lines inspire textiles and decorative accessories. A zesty collection of colours ensures this look can be modern and urban without losing a sense of its natural roots. Key techniques include the African ikat dying technique and hand-drawn and hand-dyed fabrics, reinforcing the handmade quality central to this trend.

Two-tone trend

Blurred prints

For more images from our trade show visits, see the Trend Bible blog. Next month, we bring you a preview of our AW12/13 trend forecast for home interiors.