Trend Spotting
New materials and techniques may be the source of the next great product introductions.
Quinn Halford -- Gifts & Decorative Accessories, 3/1/2003
Trend spotting is easy when a new trend arrives on the scene with such force that it grabs even the attention of novice trend watchers. The Asian design influence, the return of color, the organic look, and the power of flowers are a few examples of that kind of momentous event. Other trends, such as embellishment, texture, and fragrance are subtler. And there are times when one is hard-pressed to find a definable new trend. That happened to us recently at Frankfurt's Ambiente show, where there was lots of great product but little in the way of a trend that hasn't been reported on before. According to what we saw, the Asian influence still sways, garden-themed decor still blooms, flower patterns still proliferate, and the color green is abundant (so is the non-color white).
There was one display, however, that may have contained the seeds of the next generation in product design. It showcased materials and techniques that are being used in other industries, from aerospace to microchip manufacturing. Among the examples was malleable porcelain, capable of being formed into practically any shape before being fired. Another nugget was a 3-D technique of weaving that creates seamless product, such as a one-piece sweater or upholstery fabric that covers an entire chair with no stitching or zippering. Just imagine what such inventions might do one day for wind chimes and jar candles!
Another movement is what we call niche trends, which develop within broader trends. Products such as the vineyard-inspired decor that we reported on in the November issue, or the personal oasis movement in the candle market featured in September reflect these niche trends. Scouting the domestic winter gift shows this year, we spotted the niche trend of retro kitchen decorative accessories, part of the larger "nesting" trend. As editor Bessie Nestoras writes in "Kitchen Classics," page 30, manufacturers are cooking up kitchen collections inspired by the past to decorate the most popular room in the house.
Sure, trend spotting can be challenging, but when it hits on something like kitchen classics, it's also a lot of fun.
