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Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Showing posts with label design. Show all posts
Tuesday, March 13, 2012
Print + Pattern Trend: Modern Patchwork
Wednesday, February 22, 2012
2012 Trend Report
Contents of My 2012 Trend Report
The 2012 Design | Intuition Trend Report is organized in sections (96 total) beginning with an analysis and forecast from 50,000' viewpoint and progressively narrows focus towards color and design trends for the consumer products industry. For each section I have outlined 12 trends that will begin their life cycle in 2012. And for each I have created a hashtag which facilitates internet searching and twitter conversations on each topic.
- Macro Trends ( #macroTrend ). this is the 50,000 foot level view of the economy, politics, and consumer sentiment.
- Business Trends ( #bizTrend ) These are trends that will be disruptive innovations for all businesses from sole proprietors to global conglomerates.
- Retail Trends ( #retailTrend ) These are innovations and threats that will dramatically effect the way retailers do business during the year and going forward.
- Design Trends ( #designTrend ) Taking inspiration from historical cues, the design trends in 2012 all incorporate modern interpretations, materials, and function with historically significant eras.
- Color Trends ( #colorTrend ) While nothing will replace black as the "new black", there are colors that come in an out of favor over generations and decades. 2012 will be a year of beautifully rich, deep colors paired with neutral grays. (Peacock Blue, Persimmon, Cassis Purple, Mint, Hematite, Navy Blue)
- Motif Trends ( #motifTrend ) . For example, Owls were hot hot hot in 2011. Elephants are now coming in as the new hot trend, followed closely by Peacocks.
- Material Trends ( #materialTrend ) Ostrich Feathers and Velvet were prevalent on the Fashion Runways during New York Fashion Week to be hot in 2012 and will be paired with warm walnut veneer, natural finishes, and greige neutrals in wood.
- Print & Pattern Trends ( #printTrend ) Chevrons, Ikat, and Zebra Stripes, oh my.
My approach to trends and forecasting:
Identifying and highlighting trend that have or will survive past the early adopter stage and move up the curve towards mass popularity. Trends have a lifespan of 5-10 years, whereas Fads have a shelflife of 1 year or less; While Fads come in hot and fast and may look like the latest and greatest must have product, service, or business tool, Fads also burn out fast, and the must have becomes a write off quite quickly. Trends are something that can be banked on. In 2012 trends include the social media platform Pinterest, the color "Cassis" purple, and the appeal of the "Golden Age of Hollywood Glamour" in fashion and home decor. All of these trends will gain in popularity in 2012, and will remain in fashion for years to come.
Happy forecasting!
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Design and Intellectual Property
Fascinating discussion on intellectual property and design happening now on Linked-In here.
question posed:
question posed:
Should Christian Louboutin own Pantone No 18-1663 TP?
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Apple's Failure - Sacrificing Ergonomics for Aesthetics
Form follows function. Always!
So why are all the tablet computers ergonomic disasters?
I admit, I was a very late adopter of the iPhone, I thought it would anchor me to e-mails and communication 24/7. I finally submitted after my mum and dad each had one.
Needless to say, I don't have a tablet yet. I know I would love the larger screen, because I prefer to read blogs, digital papers, and mags on my tiny iPhone screen but I also know that the current iPad, and all its competitor clones have the following limitations:
Needless to say, I don't have a tablet yet. I know I would love the larger screen, because I prefer to read blogs, digital papers, and mags on my tiny iPhone screen but I also know that the current iPad, and all its competitor clones have the following limitations:
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| after market strap $49.94, seriously?! |
1. You can, in fact be too thin!
The iPad shape is thin, sleek, and sexy. But it's a bitch to hold for a long time when you are reading an article. Not to mention, the cramp you get trying to hold it with one hand while using the touch screen to zoom, scroll, and type.
Apple, please hire someone from Herman Miller, where they know how to study at work real work ergonomic needs and how to apply that knowledge to beautiful, minimal, and timeless product designs.
Apple, please hire someone from Herman Miller, where they know how to study at work real work ergonomic needs and how to apply that knowledge to beautiful, minimal, and timeless product designs.
2. Remember the Gorilla & The Suitcase?
American tourister had it right when their ad campaign rolled out in 1970. Apple designers, please listen and learn. This IS the next innovation generation for tablets - real world use!
American tourister had it right when their ad campaign rolled out in 1970. Apple designers, please listen and learn. This IS the next innovation generation for tablets - real world use!
I know I can't drop it a million times, but I also know I'd be using it outside most of the time so I would want to be able to nudge it a bit, clean off dirt and the occasional dew moisture. Toughbook has been designing laptop cases for use on construction sites, for the Air Force, and in hospital environments (think bacteria) why can't Apple hire some of Toughbook's designers, or...better yet, buy the freekin' company, Apple has a few billion dollars on their books in cash.
4. I want to be able to read in the sunlight
Seriously Apple, you are on the iPhone 5, that is a big problem that I have to angle my screen or go under a tree to be able to read my screen. If the Kindle can do it, why can't you? This is a serious no brainer.
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| Tablet by Toughbook for Hospitals |
I want to be able to carry it easily not precariously. Again, aftermarket supplier has designed for industries to integrate additional functionality, including a nice sturdy, ergonomic handle.
Imagine if briefcases didn't have handles. Or back packs didn't have straps. What if DB Cooper's parachute didn't have straps on the harness? Please, can we have an integrated handle of some sort so we can carry these things? There are some great 'innovations' in the good'ole clipboard.
Imagine if briefcases didn't have handles. Or back packs didn't have straps. What if DB Cooper's parachute didn't have straps on the harness? Please, can we have an integrated handle of some sort so we can carry these things? There are some great 'innovations' in the good'ole clipboard.
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| the clipboard was a good idea, but better when it had a handle! |
6. Missed Product Development, Increased Sales, Increased Margin.... Opportunities really irk me!
In addition to the annoyance of the overlooked functionality, it is equally frustrating that a company that should be a leader in brand innovation and capitalization has missed such a massive branding opportunity. Handbags, baby strollers, and cars are all consumer products that are purchased for their brand and what it says about the user as it's function.
Any woman or stock analyst can attest that luxury fashion consumers pay exorbitant (in my opinion) prices for handbags from coveted brands. From Coach, to Louis Vuitton ($LVMUY.PK) After all, 94% of Toyko women in their 20s own a LV bag! these brands are ubiquitous across the globe. And Asia is soon to surpass all markets as the largest. (previous related blog posts here, here, here) What a missed opportunity to sport the fashion statement of the Apple brand while pairing the functionality of a handbag, or as is now popular in China a man-bag. Apple, I suggest you try to steal away Burberry's CEO Angela Ahrendts to lead up the non technical product development division of Apple.
So, I'll be waiting Apple.
Monday, July 11, 2011
What I'm Listening to Today: The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business Is Selling Less of More (Audible Audio Edition): Chris Anderson, Christopher Nissley: Kindle Store
I was referred to this book through my last Audio-book listen by author Tony Hseih, Zappos Co-founder in his book Delivering Happiness: A Path to Profits, Passion, and Purpose . It is one of several books he recommends, and I have a stack from my public library of the others lined up for listening.
I am mid-chapter 5 right now, and so far my takeaway notes are 6 pages long. The most important point of the book, and the origin of the title is that the old 80/20 rule of product sales is no longer a valid merchandising rule in the digital retail era.
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| Chris Anderson |
The new rule, the "Long Tail" is a 98% rule. The author Chris Anderson, a former editor at the Economist and the Current Editor of Wired Magazine provides numerous examples of the lost sales opportunities which were caused by the fixed resources of brick and mortar retail of shelf space, inventory, and distribution. In order to make profits through inventory turns only the better and best sellers are inventoried.
My big questions mid-read/listen:- This concept great for digital, but how can this rule apply to durable consumer goods, like Furniture?
- How can smaller brick and mortar stores benefit from this digital attack on the big box retailers?
- How can furniture designers benefit from the Long Tail sales opportunity. (Etsy!!)
Author's Summary
Our world is being transformed by the Internet and the near limitless choice that it provides to consumers; tomorrow's markets belong to those who can take advantage of this. The Long Tail is really about the economics of abundance, an entirely new model for business that is just starting to show its power as unlimited selection reveals new truths about what consumers want and how they want to get it. The record business has been transformed by iTunes and Rhapsody; a similar transformation is coming to just about every industry imaginable.
What happens when everything in the world becomes available to everyone? When the combined value of all the millions of items that may sell only a few copies equals or exceeds the value of the few items that sell millions each? When a bunch of kids with no profit motive can record a song or make a video and get the same electronic distribution for it as the most powerful corporation?
Chris Anderson, editor in chief of Wired magazine, first explored "The Long Tail" in an article that has become one of the most influential business essays of our time. Using the worlds of movies, books, and music, he showed how the Internet has made possible a new world in which the combined value of modest sellers and quirky titles equals the sales of the top hits. He coined the term "The Long Tail" to describe this phenomenon, a phrase that's since appeared in boardrooms and media around the world.
"In short, though we still obsess over hits," Anderson writes, "they are not quite the economic force they once were. Where are those fickle consumers going instead? No single place. They are scattered to the winds as markets fragment into a thousand niches." ©2006 Chris Anderson. All rights reserved; (P)2006 Hyperion. All rights reserved.
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Wired editor Anderson declares the death of "common culture"—and insists that it's for the best. Why don't we all watch the same TV shows, like we used to? Because not long ago, "we had fewer alternatives to compete for our screen attention," he writes. Smash hits have existed largely because of scarcity: with a finite number of bookstore shelves and theaters and Wal-Mart CD racks, "it's only sensible to fill them with the titles that will sell best." Today, Web sites and online retailers offer seemingly infinite inventory, and the result is the "shattering of the mainstream into a zillion different cultural shards." These "countless niches" are market opportunities for those who cast a wide net and de-emphasize the search for blockbusters. It's a provocative analysis and almost certainly on target—though Anderson's assurances that these principles are equally applicable outside the media and entertainment industries are not entirely convincing. The book overuses its examples from Google, Rhapsody, iTunes, Amazon, Netflix and eBay, and it doesn't help that most of the charts of "Long Tail" curves look the same. But Anderson manages to explain a murky trend in clear language, giving entrepreneurs and the rest of us plenty to think about. (July)
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Copyright © Reed Business Information, a division of Reed Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
From Bookmarks Magazine
In The Long Tail, Chris Anderson offers a visionary look at the future of business and common culture. The long-tail phenomenon, he argues, will "re-shape our understanding of what people actually want to watch" (or read, etc.). While Anderson presents a fascinating idea backed by thoughtful (if repetitive) analysis, many critics questioned just how greatly the niche market will rework our common popular culture. Anderson convinced most reviewers in his discussion of Internet media sales, but his KitchenAid and Lego examples fell flat. A few pointed out that online markets constitute just 10 percent of U.S. retail, and brick-and-mortar stores will never disappear. Anderson's thesis came under a separate attack by Lee Gomes in his Wall Street Journal column. Anderson had defined the "98 Percent Rule" in his book to mean that no matter how much inventory is made available online, 98 percent of the items will sell at least once. Yet Gomes cited statistics that could indicate that, as the Web and Web services become more mainstream, the 98 Percent Rule may no longer apply: "Ecast [a music-streaming company] told me that now, with a much bigger inventory than when Mr. Anderson spoke to them two years ago, the quarterly no-play rate has risen from 2% to 12%. March data for the 1.1 million songs of Rhapsody, another streamer, shows a 22% no-play rate; another 19% got just one or two plays." If Anderson overreaches in his thesis, he has nonetheless written "one of those business books that, ironically, deserves more than a niche readership" (Houston Chronicle).Copyright © 2004 Phillips & Nelson Media, Inc.
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Tuesday, March 22, 2011
Product Idea - Bring Back the VW Bus
The new VW bug is sooo popular that I have a bruise on my right arm! (If you've ever played slug bug with your nieces, you'd understand.)
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| "Nine Things we Love About VW Beetle" |
With larger cars necessary for carpools, 
transporting 2 Labradors, and Costco shopping trips....
transporting 2 Labradors, and Costco shopping trips....
I'd like to request that VW bring back the VW bus, in the same vein they did the bug . Updated style that still has that groovy VW brand identity!
Oh - and VW, I do not consider this 2011 introduction to be the answer to my request...its just NOT the same! This is more of the "you can go with this, you can go with that" car for a VW customer.
Friday, March 18, 2011
Thursday, March 10, 2011
Pantone Unveils 2012 Trend Forecast
Pantone Unveils 2012 Trend Forecast
see 2012 FREE webinar post here
I'm gonna check these out.... however it always seems to me that Pantone manages to cover the entire spectrum each year but with different adjectives....
...more to come.
see 2012 FREE webinar post here
Tuesday, March 1, 2011
Upcoming Events - Spring High Point ASFD Dinner/Seminar
Here's the invite I just completed for the ASFD (American Society of Furniture Designers) Spring High Point Market Dinner
It's promises be very informative and applicable to small business owners, especially designers. Kiersten Hathcock of Mod Mom Furniture is nothing short of a genius designer and her social media 'gift' is in the savant category. With a budget of US$0 (zip, zilch, zero, nada) budget, a gazillion blog mentions, national decor magazine articles and features, design books, and a forthcoming national TV appearance on ABC Shark Tank.
And, her latest weekend gig - a fancy schmancy Jayeoni Moore's pre-Oscar Studio gifting suite
- Check out some of the celeb's who are Mod Mom Furniture fans and customers.
Monday, January 10, 2011
Design Trend - Retro Robots ** updated 01-10-10 ***
New Retro Robots for your viewing pleasure
***01-10-2010 ***
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| Robots Wall Art $55.55 From Yahgie |
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| Yummm! Why stop building gingerbread creations when Christmas is over? This Retro Robot looks so cool and so delicious. From Weekday Carnival |
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| Rosie the Robot, The Jetsons |
Retro Robots are popping up everywhere from Fashion to Furniture. You can buy a $5 necklace, or $38,000 diamond pendant, both featuring a boxy headed robot.
Before you become concerned that the US, like California is going to be overtaken by the Terminator Robots. (sorry Gov. Arnold, I am actually a big fan and think you did a wonderful job as our Governator!) The robots appearing on t-shirts, pijamas, pillows, stationary, and underwear are friendly; these are the silly, fun loving, awkward moving robots made famous in the post WWII TV Sitcom era.
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| Robby the Robot, Lost In Space |
My Favorites are:
- Rosie from The Jetsons, she really ran that house hold!
- Robby the Robot from Lost In Space
- ...there is another robot, with a boxy headed one that i liked, but can't recall where I originally saw it.... stay tuned. (I'm sure it will wake me up at 3am in a "Eureka" moment)
Following is a long-ass list of retro robot schwag... the key to this trend is the retro part. These aren't terminator, transformer, star wars, or any other 'modern' robots. This look is iconic, boxy, very Mid-Century in design, color, and product selection.
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| Robot Junior Bedding Set from Rose & Grey. £85 via Furnish.co.uk |
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| Robi the Retro Robot iphone Case by Speck From Zazzle |
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| Robot Junior Bedding Set from Rose & Grey. £85 via Furnish.co.uk |
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| Robots Birthday Card $4.75 by Julia Rothman from Amazon |
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Enamelled Robot NecklaceIn Black And White With Silver Finish
from Amazon $6.99
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| I Am Not A Robot $24 Hand Made from Sense of Fashion |
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| Retro Style Space Robot |
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| Chillbots Robot Ice Cube Tray from Perpetual Kid $7.99 |
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| Juicy Couture Robot Key Fob $40 |
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| Robot Laptop Bag $47.99 from Irregular Choice |
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| Silver Robot Necklace $55 from Shana Logic |
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| Robot Hearts Underwear $4.80 from Forever 21 |
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| Ames Bros Robot Kong T-Shirt $29 from Buckle |
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| Lonzo Pirate Robot T-Shirt from Yes Style $25 |
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| Robot Ball from Amazon via Swissmiss $7.98 |
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Classic Windup Robotby Schylling from Amazon $10.48
via Swiss Miss
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| Build Your Own Robot Wall Decals by Roommates available on Amazon $12.99 via Swiss Miss |
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| Under the Christmas Tree from Atomic Living 1950's Electric Robot and Son were manufactured in the U.S.A. by Louis Marx in response to the immensely popular Robert the Robot by rival manufacturer Ideal Toys. |
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| "Thermochrome" Picture Dial Watch by Titanium from Nordstrom $14 |
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| New Breed Girl Konnichwa Robot T-Shirt £19.95from Chaotic Clothing |
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MR. ROBOTS PILLOWS from Ferm Living |
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| Robot Cupcakes (March 02, 2010) via From UK based Art at Heart Blog found at 'Cupcakes take the cake' by Hello Naomi. Image © Cup Cakes Take The Cake/Hello Naomi all rights reserved |
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| From Modern Nursery Flickr via Coochicoos |
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Walter No 37561 by Modern Pop |
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| Robot Hand Warmers from Pedlars £6.50 |
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| Wood Toy Robot with (as noted) Magnetic Hands and a hinged head (not shown in this view) via This Next, available exclusively at Mahar Dry Goods |
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| Broken Heart Robot via This Next |
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| "Robo Keys" from Rotofugi $5 |
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| Ugly Doll Brand "Uglybot" Wind Up By Artist David Horvath & Sun-Min Kim (US) $8 at Rotofugi |
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| From My Deco Blog (11/19/2010) White ceramic toy ornaments in iconic childhood shapes, from robots to spaceships from West Elm. |
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| I Like You A Bot Tee $29.99 from Modcloth |
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| Wind Me Up Necklace $24.99 from Modcloth |
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Owl Call You Back iPhone Skin
$17.99 from Modcloth
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| Robot Thumb Drive 2GB from Pedlars |
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| Swissmiss Blogger Tina Roth Eisenberg is, like me having a love affair with Retro Robots. Robot Ball, Schylling Classic Windup Robot, Build Your Own Robot Peel & Stick Wall Decals, Mudpuppy Robots Magnetic Figures, LEGO 8683 Minifigures Series 1 – LOOSE – Robot, Basic Fun David Kirk Stacking Robot, ROBO KEYS, Futurama Bender Wind-up Robot Action Toy, Hog Wild Robot Calculator Galactic Addition – White, Robot Bubble Bottles |
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| And yet MORE Retro Robot Blog love, this time from Nesting Newbies December 28, 2010 blog entitled "Robot Romance". Shown: Pilgrimage by Eric Joyner, Lilliput Robot Junior from Tin Toy Arcade, Robot Rob from 3 Fish Studios |
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| Super Rad, Must Have "Robots & Donuts" by Eric Joyner |
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| Robot Wallpaper by Aimee Wilder via Nesting Newbies |
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| Robot Wallpaper by Aimee Wilder via Nesting Newbies |
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| Robot Wallpaper by Aimee Wilder via Nesting Newbies |
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| ...again, from Swiss Miss Robot Wallpaper by Aimée Wilder |
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| Yumbot Cupcake Molds $18 from Perpetual Kid |
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| Artificial Intelligence Ice Cube Tray $9.99 from Modcloth |
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| Artificial Intelligence Ice Cube Tray $9.99 from Modcloth |
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| Robot Laptop Bag $48 from Irregular Choice Via Polyvore |
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| Retro Robot Belt $15 from Sick For Cute via Polyvore |
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| "Gold" Robot Charm Link from Miss Selfridge £5.00 |
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Space Cowboy Tee £20.50 by Tapete from Lulasapphire |
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| Robot Melamine Plates! From de Kleine Zebra (These would be awesome framed in shadow boxes and displayed on a wall, I'd totally do that!) |
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| Cool Robot Party Invites by Popje.com from de Kleine Zebra |
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| Tin Robot Toys available at Little Zebra (www.kleinezebra.com) |
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