trends: pulse


Purpose meets pleasure New products seen at Pulse epitomise functional and contemporary design.


By Naomi Davis


Superb design was in abundance at the recent Pulse exhibition. Continuing in its reputation for offering an edited selection of innovative and design-led brands, the show successfully attracted 7.5 per cent more visitors than the last edition, and 15 per cent more international buyers.


T


he list of retail names that attended reflected the high caliber that the show has reached: Accessorize, Amazon,


Anthropologie, ASOS, Debenhams, Fenwick, Habitat, Harrods, Heals, House of Fraser, John Lewis, JOY, Notonthehighstreet.com, Oliver Bonas, Selfridges, Tesco, The British Museum Company, The White Company, WHSmith and many more besides. The overall mix of products on show


denoted two key trends across the home and gift categories: kitsch & nostalgia, and contemporary & functional. The former has been riding high for the last couple of years and continues to serve as a key influence behind the next season’s creations. Products


within this trend provide comfort, humour and historical and cultural references, all of which bring consumers elements of security and unity. However the latter, a trend which has quietly endured in the background, is coming to the fore. The recent exhibition saw a bold re-emergence of products that were minimalist, sleek and uber-functional in design. Products on show were designed to make a statement, but in a more understated fashion than the popular nostalgic and rustic trends. In direct contrast to craft techniques and natural materials, ergonomics and manufacturing are at the heart of these futuristic designs. Function - rather than emotion - acts as the attraction in such designs. Products serve a distinct purpose – and often more than one. Dutch brand, Royal VKB showcased some excellent examples of this, such as the Multi-Purpose Block, which offers a flexible way for homeowners to store utensils and knives of various shapes and sizes. The brand’s Balancing Bowls mean users can easily measure ingredients (the bowl tips when the desired weight is reached) or alternatively use to serve crips and crudités. DesignedMade showcased designs with


geometrical and scientific references. Founder, Jonathan Krawczuk explains how the purpose this trend serves: "Functional and minimalist designs tend to be practical and more neutral, perhaps not as loaded with cultural references. More functional, minimal designs will sit in the background and fit into the interior, they are easier for the consumer to coordinate. They perform when they need to and sit quietly when they are not in use.” He says that this is the philosophy behind


DesignedMade’s products, “As Le Corbusier said, “The house is a machine for living in.” The objects in this house (‘machine’) are


individual elements that form a bigger picture, like cogs in a wheel or pieces in a jigsaw; the whole is greater than the sum of its parts. Our designs are inspired by a need to function and perform. They are designed to be simple to produce, elegant and rational in their use of materials, functional, and fun to use.” Bold colour and smooth


curves were design elements seen across many pieces, lifting them from being solely utilitarian into the realm of the desirable and luxurious. Blue Marmalade took


“More functional, minimal designs will sit in the back- ground and fit into the interi- or, they are easier for the consumer to coordinate,”


Jonathan Krawczuk,


DesignedMade


geometric shapes and clean lines and translated them into stylish interior accessories. Chairs and magazine holders made from single sheets of plastic, foldable stool-cum-side tables and origami-style waste paper bins were striking examples of what could be achieved and with great eco-credentials to boot; products are all easily recycled and help homeowners create less waste. The concept of the folding chair was seen on the flux stand (pictured). The practical and minimalistic way the brand presented its space accentuated the clever design of the product, and won the company the Pulse award for Best Dressed Stand over 24m2 Designs such as these fill the


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niche for products that offer value and which serve both practical and aesthetic roles in the home. Whilst kitsch and nostalgia remain popular and relevant to consumer culture, there is an emerging group of shoppers looking for something fresh and contemporary making this a trend to watch! 


Gifts & Housewares 17


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