The monthly design and color news update from the international color experts at Global Color Research. Providing you with inspiration in your inbox, together with Mix Publications, all you really need to keep up to speed with the latest color and design news.

Color of the month Green / NCS S2070-G10Y

Every month Justine Fox, color expert at Global Color Research, presents a color of the month, helping you to understand how color psychology affects trends. This month she explains how Green can have successful associations with both technology and nature.

Virulent on the high street for fashion, we saw bright lush fresh Greens being applied to ceramics at Masion&Objet earlier this year, while at Proposte accents were seen at David Walters Fabrics Ltd. This has been a key new launch color at Manuel Revert y Cia SA and has also made its way on to the Vitra Vegetal range of chairs. A key color for small electronics, ceramics, silicone and plastics. In terms of graphics Soda Stream is back and better for both kids and for the environment. To reinforce this message it has utilised this fresh Green in its brand communication. This shade's associations with technological advancements, and even futurism, stem from the positive psychological characteristics of this color. A warm and playful spring hue, this type of Green can be used to help make youth driven technology less intimidating.

Psychologically Green represents balance and universal love. Sitting at the centre of the spectrum Green requires little or no adjustment in the eye, which therefore makes it easy to look at. This is quite a saturated color with very little black in it, so it may be simple but is still visually interesting. Although typically a natural color, this month's color, from the AW2010/11 trend Show, is taken to the more synthetic end of the Green spectrum. A perfect balance of yellow and blue means it doesn't seem poisonous or cold, and as a result we are seeing it being used in kitchen products more and more.

The Mix trend Show (Mix Interior color trend book issue 20) is all about a day at the races or an agricultural show. This is country, but not for the bumpkin. The colors, including Green, render a scheme so alien that the whole environment may well be genetically modified.

To purchase Mix Trends Issue 18 contact us at marketing@globalcolor.co.uk
 

For subscriptions to Mix Trends click here. Issue 20 SS2011 also available.

Ceramics on show at Masion&Objet 2009

Design News Ryan Sorrell

Temporary work surfaces, seasonal designs or recycled tabletops can all be made by screwing the legs of Ryan's Clamped Table to the corners of a flat sheet of wood or any other material. The recent graduate of Kingston University exhibited his design at New Designers in London last month.

ryansorrell.com

Mix Park Life

Car parks may not be an obvious source for adulation but as Joss Debae points out, their often completely functional design represents an enormous opportunity for architects to create buildings that are not just evocative but exciting and just a little dangerous as well.

If ever there was a common symbol of urban dystopia it is the humble car park; a breeding ground for crime, brutalist architecture and expanses of crumbling concrete. These dark settings seem to invite all manner of illicit acts, from burglaries to raves, the spaces themselves a perfect makeshift studio for any director. It is no wonder that car parks feature so heavily in popular culture, as space, sound and light can be manipulated with ease and to great effect on screen. Car parks star in Tomorrow Never Dies and Fight Club while Trinity Square in Gateshead, North England, was immortalised in the cult 1971 film Get Carter starring Michael Caine. Then there's the Michigan Theatre in Detroit, US, once a movie theatre built in 1926 but now a car park. Probably the grandest of all car parks on Earth, this once bustling space now harbours the seedy narrative of urban decay, partly due to its use in the film 8 Mile.

To continue reading this article, click here to purchase Mix trend & design magazine issue 17.

Mix Interiors is now Mix Trends Issue 20, new trends for Spring Summer 2011

Proven color trend information that you can rely on

Mix Trends is a unique collaboration of international industry color specialists that provides you with accurate color trend information two years ahead of the season in a simple working format. This is a dynamic working tool, covering all aspects of the design industry including residential, contract and industrial color and design concepts. This unique publication offers not only global color palettes, but also explains how to adjust these color palettes for the American and Middle Eastern markets.

For the first time Global Color Research has an exclusive collaboration with NCS and Material ConneXions, providing you with reliable color pallets and inspirational material images respectively. The participation of these companies makes this book a unique working tool for any professional.

Mix Trends color forecast book offers:

• A seasonal overview

• Four directional color stories, which provide unique color palettes.

• All colors are referenced to NCS values as well as RGB and Lab.

• Each book contains a color fan and color sheets with NCS references.

• Inspirational images. More than 36 unique images per story plus 12 surfaces images

• Each Trend story gives you information and new directions in surfaces and textures, accompanied by Material ConneXions images.

• Color Charts for annual overview and comparison task.

• Things We Like; gives you extra information on what inspired us

Preview Spring Summer 2011

Issue 20 features color trends for Spring/Summer 2011 and is already on sale at www.globalcolor.co.uk and the featured color palettes for Spring Summer 20011 are previewed below:

Whisper: With a soft, smoky palette, Whisper draws inspiration from transparent and fluid elements of nature. In a world surrounded by concern and doubt, 'Whisper' offers a dream-like state to escape.

Spirit: Steeped in folklore, Spirit is an homage to the coming of spring. The message is simple. Fresh nature, fresh colors, rustic textures and hand crafted objects. A return to our roots.

Genteel: Genteel takes us on a journey through a traditional domestic setting where comfort is derived through familiar settings. With a largely neutral palette, drama is evoked through key highlights: carmine, scarlet and gold. A classic mood prevails.

Risk: Sci-fi meets low-if in a reflection of our troubled times. As the old decays and collapses, our post-industrial society embraces the beauty of dereliction, while melding it with the modern and futuristic. The result: toxic color and science fiction references.

To purchase your copy of Mix Trends Issue 20, Spring/Summer 2011 click here
 

Contact us to purchase other seasons. Also available Spring/Summer 2009, Autumn/winter 2009/10, Spring/Summer 2010 and Autumn/Winter 2010/11

Exhibition News Design Accents Expo Tokyo 2009 (DESIGN TOKYO)

The International Variety-Gift Expo (GIFTEX), Design Accents Expo Tokyo 2009 (DESIGN TOKYO) and Baby & Kids World took place last month. For three days 19,077 visitors flocked to see the latest in giftware, homeware and interior design, pushing the number of buyers this year up by more than 4000. 476 national and international exhibitors showcase new trends in lifestyle, interior and fashion accessories to eager crowds. Plans for next years show are already underway with many anticipating an even busier event. A rapidly growing economy in Japan coupled with a soon to be sold out show (as most of 2009's exhibitors are already securing space for next year) put Design Accents Expo Tokyo 2010 on the list of shows to visit.

More details on next years show as well as a review of this years event can be found online at the Design Tokyo website.

designtokyo.jp

Material News Freya Godwin-Brown

A recent graduate of the Textiles BA at Chelsea, Freya's work was inspired by the architecture she saw in Shanghai on her travels. These decorative pieces utilise fabric and threads encased within resin before being carved and lathed to produce many household objects. Seen here are some early colorful experiments with this material.

freya.gb@gmail.com

Mix Force of Nature

A strong sense of underlying structure effortlessly combined with an intimate domesticity, Patricia Urquiola's work stands apart from her rivals for its sheer diversity, energy and unique view of the world around her. She talks to Tamsin Kingswell.

There's no doubt that Patricia Urquiola means business. Brisk and to the point, she is impatient with the process of defining herself for the press. This isn't really a surprise, as evading definition has become something of a defining feature for this designer. "I don't like labels. I am very intuitive and like to keep projects very independent. As a designer I don't have to have a signature style. I would rather the public can judge whether my designs work," she says. That said and despite the sheer diversity of projects she works on, there is something instantly recognisable about Urquiola's work. Avoiding vapid slickness and combining a strong sense of underlying structure with an almost intimate domesticity, her designs are unpretentious, comfortable and have a subtle, almost sly humour about them. It is telling that for Urquiola, the design process begins with looking about her, an approach that keeps her work grounded and personal. "If you try to be clever you don't do anything worthwhile; you must be honest," she says. Urquiola has stamped her mark on the design world with enviable speed. Back in 2001 few had heard of her, yet today all the big shows are liberally scattered with her products and she has won a string of prestigious design awards including Designer of the Year, Elle Decor International Design Awards, Chicago Artenaeum Good Design Award and the Cologne Design Award while her Fjord Armchair and Foot Stool by Moroso and Bague Lamp by Foscarini are now part of the permanent collection of MoMA, New York.

To continue reading this article, click here to purchase Mix trend & design magazine issue 17.

Exhibitions 100% Design: Color, Design and Creativity at the Mix Seminar Theatre

Mix Publications is association with 100% Design has created an inspiring seminar programme dedicated to bringing an inspirational series of talks focused on new ideas for the interior design market.

For this project Mix magazine has collaborated with a number of international companies whose unique presentations will guide the audience through new developments and products available on the market. 

Talks and Workshops include:

• CRYSTALLIZED™ - Swarovski Elements: talk and workshop showcasing new innovations including its new Crystal Gloss product.

• Patrick Blanc: 'The Vertical Garden, from nature to the city'

• Puff & Flock: 'Dangerous designs' talk and workshop

• Montaha Hidefi: Amarillo, Azul y Rojo – Before and After

• Justine Fox: 'Color Trends for SS2011' and impact on the industrial and decorative sector

• Dominic Lutyens and Kirsty Hislop: 'The 70s Reappraised'

• [re]design: 'Doing it for the kids' [re]strategies sustainable design workshop by Jason Alcorn

• RIBA Sessions: Fiona Strelitz presents the new book 'Buildings That Feel Good'

• Ptolemy Mann. Woven Textile & Architectural Color Consultancy

Each day Global Color Research will present an Inspirational color seminar on trends, while on Sunday a more relaxed program will be on offer, as topics such as fashion and art are covered with interior design. In addition to these talks and workshops, Mix magazine will also present new products and materials featured in the seminars at its trend area created in collaboration with Lori Pinkerton-Rolet of Park Grove Design Ltd. providing access to the design and trends most influential for the coming years.

Upcoming Seminar Global Color Research at MoOD

8/9.09.09 MoOD, Decosit: Justine Fox will present a talk on Trends in color, contract and outdoor fabrics for Autumn/Winter 2010/10 at 3:00 pm everyday. Brussels, Belgium

Click here to find out more about our seminars.

Global Color Research, publishers of Mix Publications, provides accurate color trend information and bespoke color solutions.

Mix Publications provide a comprehensive package to keep you ahead of your competitors and all work together as an essential source of inspiration.

Mix Trends color trend book. SS2011 forecast available now, click here to purchase

Mix trend & design magazine. Click here to purchase issue 17.

Contact us to find out more information marketing@globalcolor.co.uk

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