April 2012 / Responsible Design Moves Forward


Located throughout the world, the Trendease Team continues to deliver our subscribers around the globe must-know market information and inspiration straight to their computer screens.

This March the Trendease Team attended many events in Europe and Asia to research the markets and bring you pertinent information from the design world at large. We’ve come back inspired after seeing how exhibitions, such as the international furniture fairs in Singapore and Thailand, demonstrate a growing number of designs and overall awareness towards our shifting environment. Cottage industries are gaining strength and popularity from consumer support and large manufacturers are shifting gears. See examples of these new design movements and more. Get inspired with the April edition!

We attend over 100 design events a year on your behalf to bring you trend insights and design movements to help you maintain cutting-edge knowledge of the lifestyle and design markets. Currently we keep readers within 170 countries/territories in the know! Are you reading Trendease.com?

Show us what you’ve got! For editorial consideration please email editorial@trendease.com with your latest original designs. Upcoming Trendease Market Edge PowWows and Trendease.TV scheduling can be found on the homepage.

REPORTING TO INSPIRE,
Jennifer Castoldi,
Chief Creative Director

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Features and Articles

Multiple panels repeated inside make small rooms and express depth of light. LEDs creates indirect lighting zones without heat.

Jennifer's April Antics

Multiple European Cities — On the eve after Earth Hour there is much more consideration given to how we light our spaces. This gallery includes a curated selection of images featuring the latest lighting designs from across Europe as well as two very thought-provoking videos. After reviewing the findings from the Trendease Team’s recent journeys, Jennifer shares her insights into this month’s edition of Trendease.

Pieced Together with Peace of Mind

Worldwide — What started as just plain good business has turned into a design trend. Using left over production scraps with the addition of creative thinking has been the name of the game for years in countries where “waste not want not” are words to live by. Handcraftsmanship and responsible creation brings peace of mind to this pleasing patchwork design direction.

'La Kopi' by EGG Creatives

An Archetype Gets a Face Lift

Singapore — Designs focusing around the idea of tradition are quite ‘in’ right now. How can creatives embrace the past while simultaneously thinking about moving full steam ahead? The objective of the projects seen here within was to let 30+ designers create a conversational piece of design or art installation that expresses their vision through an iconic chair design. The results of inventive community are intriguing.

Elitist in Autumn-Winter 2013/14

Worldwide — The user senses the affection put into making an object. “Craft”, “handmade”, “artisan” are all buzzwords today. Creativity is going from designer-artisan to digital-craft. Challenges of the present and future are faced with inventive out-of-the-box thinking to create smart engineered designs. Users are requesting producers and suppliers to be more responsible. Pleasure must now be linked with responsibility; grandeur and beauty are not the opposite of liability.

Orchids from the Queen's garden in Thailand

Majestic in Autumn-Winter 2013/14

Worldwide — Forecast for Autumn/Winter 2013-14 is the great return of textiles, including rich brocades, warp printing, the soft edges of ikat, damask and jacquards... Classic skills and new media are mixed together to bring a new life into design. Within find a Pantone color story with buzzwords and catch phrases for the years to come.

Synthetic in Autumn-Winter 2013/14

Worldwide — Included in this gallery is a Pantone color story for A/W 2013-14, key buzzwords and catch phrases, and inspirational images. Directions encompass the symbiosis of technology and biology, engineered materials, optically fogged, illusive stripes and color blocks. Pastel colors are given a kick with a periwinkle-like blue added to the mix.

Edible in Autumn-Winter 2013/14

Worldwide — Not only will you find the key buzzwords and a Pantone-referenced color story for the Autumn/Winter 2013-2014 seasons within this feature, you will also discover some of the most amazing and unusual leather available. It is extremely unique and can be used for upholstery, window tie-backs, and fashion accessories. It is hard to believe that such an upmarket innovation originates from a remote, small village—inspiration comes from everywhere!

A Storm in Autumn-Winter 2013/14

Worldwide — A storm is brewing and a torrential downpour of creativity is upon us. This A/W 2013-2014 color story with Pantone references is very gloomy, but a specific accent color shows that the clouds will soon part. Organic grown materials and waste scraps are the foundation for hope in a world where responsible design should be the only option.

'Chaise de Couture' by Page Tan

New Talent: Grandma, or Issey Miyake?

Singapore — Inspiration comes from many sources for many people. Whether it is natural, manmade, ethereal, or tangible, the influences are vast. Widespread and diverse, the products seen in this feature come from students studying in Singapore, all with very different visions ranging from one’s relationship with fashion to that of family members. Is it Grandma or Issey Miyake for you?

NEWSLETTER #394 - New Podcasts!

Singapore — This week’s gallery showcases the Trendease top picks discovered in Singapore. From sizzling hot designs seen on the big screen to outdoor furniture inspired by a broken bottle, subscribers will stay in the know by viewing the products shown within. And you can also catch the launch of the brand spanking new Trendease podcasts!

NEWSLETTER #395 - Live from Milan!

Milan — Buon giorno! It is that time of year again, when you wish for a spare pair of feet and a few extra hours in the days for sleep. Happy Milan Design Week!!! If we had to put our money on the biggest trend here it would be “process”. And this week’s gallery is a first. The online shopping platform eBay has envisioned an apartment, located in Zona Tortona, where everything is for sale at the snap of a QR code. All this and more within.

NEWSLETTER #396 - Original Design

Bangkok — Often people within the creative industry hear “Asia” and they automatically think “copyists”. While certain countries may have earned this reputation, other countries have a rich pool of design talent working on its own original designs. In this week’s photo gallery subscribers are welcome to discover 70 examples of products for the bedroom, living room, kitchen, office, and outdoors, which exemplify such skill.