NCS Austria

Newsletter November 2011

2011-11-09T14:43:00.001+01:00

Dove Grey NCS 2005-B

Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2011/12 story Curve is all about a return to smooth, organic shapes, earthy shades and greyscale tones, in this case a lovely soft neutral dove grey. Grey is a colour choice that has been in the ascendancy for a while now, and its low-key elegance means that this looks set to continue. This trend is a natural fit with the burgeoning interest globally in objects with integrity and the return to craft as a respected art form. This was well illustrated in the popularity of London craft show Origin this autumn, where ceramicist Akiko Hirai (pictured) showed elegant riffs on dove grey with delicate glazes and simple, curved shapes. In a trend all about texture and organic shapes, this soft, tranquil, cool grey proves to be the perfect fit.

www.akikohiraiceramics.com

Observer: Colour Focus by Mix magazine

Every month in Mix we highlight a specific colour micro trend that is making an impact on the mass market. In issue 25 we chart the logical progression on from navy towards air force blue, a catch-all term to describe a whole range of tones from a deep mid blue through to blues with a decided hint of green.

For more information on essential micro trends, Mix is the magazine for you. Check out our dedicated colour section along with stories, colour trends and industry news, available quarterly. For information on the latest issue click here.

http://www.globalcolor.co.uk/

Materials: Dent Cube by Inax

On show at Cersaie, Inax by Lixil Corporation came up with this innovative Dent Cube, a porcelain stoneware tile supplied in a 30x30cm format with a mesh backing. Each module is made up of individual tiles measuring 4.7x 4.7cm in two different thicknesses, smooth or with a border, allowing designers and architects to play with different indented patterns. For more information about trends in ceramic tiles, Mix’s December issue features a review of the show.

www.global.inax.lixil.co.jp

Trends From America

Mark Woodman writes: “Appearing now, and perfectly timed with our prediction, the Fable story from Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2011/2012 has come to life on television and film here in North America. Inspired by fairytales and the steamy underside of those stories, two television networks have introduced programmes that combine modern living incorporating the classic battle of good and evil. Once Upon A Time thrusts characters from fairy-tale land into modern times, literally banished there by the Evil Queen. The offspring of Snow White and Prince Charming must fight what plans the Queen has. Grimm takes us on a journey to two sides of the well-known tales. One of the hunter, catching the evil monsters and the other, of the young creatures being told the monster-hunting Grimms are going to find and kill them. Then there’s Snow White, out next year. These are contemporary fables and fairytales that offer a modern take on what happens after happily ever after. The journey of the Fable story is now here for us to take.”

American colour nuances are published in Mix Trends click here to view latest copy available.

http://www.globalcolor.co.uk/

Industry: CR2arquitetura + FGMF Architects

South America is the place to go it seems for inspiring architectural projects at the moment; we like this modest but innovative development by a couple of Brazilian based architects, Clara Reynaldo, from CR2arquitetura, and Lourenço Gimenes, from FGMF Architects. They have designed a small house in São Paulo, Brazil, which works hard to maximize the continuity of its spaces, uses light intelligently and gets away from the rigid preconceptions of a conventional house. Clever features include a green roof, a top floor deck that shades the metallic tiled roof and elevating and dropping floor levels.

http://www.cr2arquitetura.com.br/

http://www.fgmf.com.br/

Newsletter Oktober 2011

2011-10-12T15:41:00.000+02:00

Pink NCS S0540-R30B

Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2010/11 story Botanic draws inspiration from plants, resulting in a powerful and positive palette including this ebullient pink. This pink, with its slight feeling of artificiality and a hint of Barbie girliness, is what distinguishes Mix’s Botanic trend from gentler, more naturally inspired stories. This is the perfect shade to use as a pop of colour for fabrics, as can be seen on this cushion by London based illustrator and surface pattern designer Abigail Borg for her Dahlia Fox Sky cushion, or on walls to add a bit of energy and drama to public spaces, hotels or restaurants. Take care though, this Pink Panther pink should be used cautiously; as can be seen here it is best used in combination with more sober shades of green or even yellow.

http://www.abigailborg.co.uk/

Observer: Colour Focus by Mix magazine

Every month in Mix we highlight a specific colour micro trend that is making an impact on the mass market. In issue 25 we look at the low key and sophisticated appeal of stone perfectly illustrated by the slightly retro Zoffany collection where the 70’s styling is updated and avoids pastiche with this neutral palette.

For more information on essential micro trends, Mix is the magazine for you. Check out our dedicated colour section along with stories, colour trends and industry news, available quarterly. For information on the latest issue click here.

http://www.globalcolor.co.uk/

Review: London Design Week

Much like Milan, London Design Festival 2011 was increasingly spread across the city. Notable highlights this year included the V&A hub with Ronan & Erwan Bouroullec’s Textile Field, embraced by members of the public who used the space for everything from a crèche facility to yoga mat. The Power of Making also drew the crowds and celebrated an underlying theme throughout the event. Over at Tent there was a plethora of new and not so new talent; notably Curiosa & Curiosa’s lovely lights, Ercol’s dipped classics and Mix favourite Ary Trays. In Central London, Designjunction brought us the honest utility of Dublin based Aodh, new work from Bocci and Australian design celebration Matilda. Other highlights included BarberOsgerby at the Haunch of Vension, Faye Toogood at Phillips de Pury and Hemma: Swedish Design in Residence. We also couldn’t resist Lee Broom’s glitzy salon, John Pawson’s St Paul’s Swarovski installation or Tramshed’s Autoban collection in dark wood. For more on London’s best products and trends read Mix December issue, out on 11.12.11.

http://www.londondesignfestival.com/

Trends From America

Mark Woodman writes: “It was London Design Week and the city was an embarrassment of design riches. Purposely mismatched wallcoverings? Check. Porcelain figurines of pugs and chihuahuas? Check. LED lights used in monumental overhead sculptures? Check. It was all tongue in cheek, irreverent and contemporary. Decorex International, however, added a different layer to the week’s proceedings. I mean, a lush champagne bar in the middle of the exhibition? How lovely is that! It’s theme this year, ‘Love Design’ couldn’t have felt more appropriate. Classic designs felt authentic and their celebration underscored that we love design in all of its interpretations. To be sure, there were contemporary touches but the root was one of classicism. There may have been reverence but it was not dull.”

News from Mix-IMM Collaboration

Mix magazine is working with IMM on its prestigious Das Haus project. This year London design studio Doshi Levien has been invited to create ‘Das Haus - Interiors on Stage’, essentially an artificial living environment, public, and yet personal, for the show.

To effectively record this project Mix will produce a dedicated magazine highlighting everything from the design process to up to the minute products contained within Das Haus’s walls.

http://www.imm-cologne.com/

Review: Maison & Objet

Although some of the big names chose to follow what looks like becoming a prevailing trend of showing in Paris showrooms, nevertheless, Maison & Objet’s last edition of the year, held at the beginning of September, was fairly bustling with activity, especially in Halls 5 and 6, where business looked particularly brisk. With Christmas around the corner, buyers are taking the opportunity to stock up on gifts and Maison is the place to go for everything from automated reindeer to silk scarves. The big story was colour in a myriad of different forms, particularly bold colours as seen in Mix trend Block (issue 24 Spring Summer 2013) and fluorescents, as could be seen on the Normann Copenhagen stand (pictured), along with earthier and forest tones as seen in Ember (issue 23 Autumn Winter 2012/13) trend story. While this dominated most halls, interestingly in the outdoor furniture hall everything was very muted and tasteful, with an emphasis on texture and low-key luxury.

http://www.maison-objet.com/

Newsletter September 2011

2011-09-14T21:50:00.050+02:00

Welcome to E:mix, Mix Publications' monthly update of essential news,
views and colour palettes. We aim to show you how to work effectively

with colours, choosing the right combinations to keep you ahead of the

crowd and on track for making the right decisions.

Yellow NCS S 0550-Y

Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2011/12 story Afrika

sets itself the challenge of encapsulating the glorious

diversity of Sub-Saharan Africa with a palette of bold

and beautiful colours including this bright yellow.

Vibrant and sunny, this colour works well with purple,

violet and indigo and is seen as being optimistic.

This is also a highly visible colour, hence its use for

road markings and warning signs. The energy of this

Afrika trend and the exuberance of the colour yellow

is perfectly combined in Ian Wright’s Colourful Life;

artwork made from cut, torn, folded and sculpted

paper referencing contemporary youth and street culture,

along with visceral attitudes and visual aesthetics.

Wright is KeayKolour Paper’s artistic ambassador

and his work is on show at Shop 25, Hanbury Street,

Old Truman Brewery, during London Design Week.

http://www.tentlondon.co.uk/

Materials: Industrial Revolution 2.0: How the Material World Will Newly Materialise

New York-based design gallerist and curator
Murray Moss will collaborate with Belgium-based industry leader Materialise to create this special exhibition that pushes the parameters of 21st
century 3D ‘printing’. A series of unique ‘printed’
works, using cutting edge laser and digital
technologies to build three-dimensional objects,
are placed throughout the Victoria &
Albert Museum’s most important galleries,
wittily referencing eight key pieces and spaces.

These will include the ‘Fractal.MGX’ table, recently acquired by the V&A for its permanent
collection, based on growth patterns seen in nature, which can be described with mathematical
algorithms.
http://www.designfestival.com/

Observer: Colour Focus by Mix magazine

Every month we highlight a specific colour micro trend that is making an impact on the mass market. In issue 25 we find that, despite its niche appeal, rose is tellingly featuring in many young designer’s collections. For example, at this year’s DMY, Dirk vander Kooij featured a candy stripe chair. With early adopters choosing this colour, it seems that rose is a colour to watch. For more information on essential micro trends, Mix is the magazine for you. Check out our dedicated colour section along with stories, colour trends and industry news, available quarterly.

Industry: Estudio Cinco

In the most recent copy of Mix magazine, we looked
at the emergence of an exciting new wave of
Mexican architects. Now another project by T3arc / Alfredo R. Cano Briceño has caught our eye.
Estudio Cinco is a low budget workshop for artists in Cuernavaca City.

It is made up of five spaces integrated into the
rugged landscape. The main gallery connects to
all the ateliers allowing the artists to share their
work in a direct way. Both the ateliers and the
gallery have windows open to the light from the
north, while some of the views look out over Popocateptl volcano. The materials chosen,
including recycled steel and fibreglass panels,
are in extreme connection with the site, making it almost an extension of it.

http://www.t3arc.com/ / http://www.cafe5.com/

News: Latest from Mix…

In each issue of Mix Trends, we feature a dedicated palette targeting the North American market, recognising that there are regional nuances in colour that need to be acknowledged for success. In the case of Precious, Mix Trends 24 Spring Summer 2013, we find colours that channel bold crystalline forms, suffused with ultraviolet light, at once alluring yet dangerous and unknown. So six colour changes from the European palette include a brighter red, a darker brown and violet, an eau de nil with less grey and a green with less yellow.

News: Åry Trays

Last year Global Color Research collaborated with Åry Trays to create a Botanic trend inspired collection, so we were interested to see that this year this innovative company has picked up on the strong African trend about at the moment (see Afrika, Mix trends Autumn Winter 2011/12). This design by Michael Angove features a striking and colourful design.

http://www.arytrays.com/

Newsletter Februar 2011

2011-02-15T22:11:00.002+01:00

Ox Blood NCS S4050-R10B

In Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2010/11, Ransom is where film noir icy elegance is expressed in a neutral palette of greys and blues, hit through with rich and slightly edgy darks including a rich and slightly decadent Ox blood. This colour is already making its presence felt in furnishings with leather treatments, for example a Chesterfield sofa, either matte or high shine, but would also give a strong retro feel to appliances and ceramics, particularly if mixed with cream. Ox blood coloured stone also makes for a high impact treatment for a public space like the men’s bathrooms in London’s Hotel Verta, with fittings by Axor. “This colour is the ideal highlight for Mad Men style interiors and exteriors, adding gravitas and depth to more neutral greys and creams,” says Mix Trends creative director, Andrew Tucker.

Observer: Colour Focus by Mix magazine

Every month we highlight a specific colour micro-trend that is making an impact on the mass market. For February we look forward to spring with a sunny shade of yellow, the exact shade of those double parking lines seen on roads in the UK. We are seeing it on soft furnishings, plastic treatments, as a wood stain, in bright and cheerful fabrics and even felt for walls. Yellow is certainly moving off the roads and into our interiors.

For more information on the latest micro-trends, Mix magazine is essential reading material, presenting stories, colour trends and industry news.

Industry

We’ve been talking about purple being a big story for 2011, so we were pleased to see that Giorgio Armani’s latest La Femme Bleue advertising campaign was a celebration of this colour. Photographed by Nick Knight under the guidance of Giorgio Armani, the campaign will be rolled out on billboards and magazines this month.

http://www.armani.com/

Trends From America

Mark Woodman writes: “ ‘Watch for curves’ is the warning on the road, but in design we’re racing ahead with the Curve trend from Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2011/12 forecast book. Lord and Taylor in New York displays bedding with undulating tree backdrops and Calvin Klein has swirling filament vases on offer. Artist Veronica Cavides’ steel sculpture mimics cascading hair and visually softens the actual steel used. Mannequin maker extraordinaire Ralph Pucci has created the curvy Girl 2 and teamed with the Pratt Institute to dress Macy’s Herald Square windows. The results are all curve, softened line and playful texture. While you’re in the stores, look to pleats, rolls and embellishments to create a shaped blouse, or prints, like Emma Schonenberg’s. This will keep you off the straight and narrow.”

http://www.globalcolor.co.uk/

Mix Trends

We are really proud of our new section in Mix Trends book 23 for Autumn Winter 2012/13. Web Tones - Using Colour Online advises you on how the colours of each palette can be used online for maximum impact and which combinations you should avoid, in accordance with web best practice guidelines. While all the colours of each trend can be used online, we think that this advice is essential for all designers working in this digital age.

Newsletter Jänner 2011!

2011-01-21T15:11:00.002+01:00

Ich freue mich sehr, Sie auch heuer wieder auf der NCS Newsletterseite begrüssen zu dürfen!
Ich wünsche Ihnen ein erfolgreiches Jahr 2011 und freue mich auf Ihre Anfragen und Rückmeldungen!
Nachfolgend die Neuigkeiten von MIX!

Bronze NCS S4050-Y20R

In Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2010/11, East celebrates the Western perception of orientalism with a colour palette of rich lacquer shades with an essentially feminine feel: fuchsia, carmine, plum and red are grounded with cream, ochre, and most importantly bronze, which is making its presence increasingly felt in the market. This bronze works perfectly when combined with violet and cream as can be seen in this suggested palette. “This colour palette is ideal for luxury interiors, for hotels and restaurants as well as having applications for lighting and ceramics,” says Global Color ResearchTM colour expert Justine Fox.

Mix Trends

Bleep is one of four trends in Mix Trends 23 Autumn Winter 2012/13; a retro look at technology with primary colours accented by pink, white and grey. Brightness and high chromicity are all important and Bleep colours are already turning up in unexpected places, in this case Prodomo’s effervescent yellow, pink and white kitchen solution (pictured). For more on Mix Trends 23, and the other trends featured; romantic and genteel Tender, the autumnal richness of Ember and the aquatic palette of Shanty, click here.

www.prodomocucine.it

Observer: Colour Focus

Every month we highlight a specific colour micro trend that is making an impact on the mass market. A good example is dirty turquoise, a logical progression on from the mid blue seen in Mix trend Gran (Spring Summer 2010). We’ve seen this colour on wall treatments, glass, rugs, tables and even bathroom fittings, making it one to watch for 2011. For more information on essential micro trends, Mix is the magazine for you. Similar articles together with stories, colour trends and industry news are available quarterly. Subscribe today to make sure you keep ahead.

Trends From America

Mark Woodman writes: “From baskets to Broadway, African design and colour is appearing on the North American scene, reflecting Mix’s Afrika trend. Macy’s ‘Rwanda-Path to Peace’ collections of baskets and jewellery add pattern and colour while Larson-Juhl has just launched a campaign of custom frames with African inspirations and Madeline Weinrib Atelier has cast Moroccan designs onto pillows and ottomans. And for sheer listening enjoyment, get the original cast recording of Fela, the Broadway show about legendary Nigerian musician Fela Kuti.”

Newsletter November

2010-11-04T13:32:00.003+01:00

As things settle down on the global exhibitions front, we are currently hard at work putting the final touches on the next issue of Mix magazine, which is out next month. This issue will contain our most comprehensive show coverage yet, and introduce a new section entirely devoted to colour product analysis. Added to that we have features on retro cars, an interview with New York designer Marc Thorpe and a story on South African design. Make sure you put in an order now!

Due to really positive feedback about our forward thinking trends talks, last month saw us expand our seminar programme ever further, this time at the Designers’ Open in Germany where Global Color Research’s Tanja Burmeister spoke about Mix colour trends for Autumn Winter 2010/11. More is planned for 2011; look out in December’s E:mix for a handy schedule of events where you can hear our speakers.

Tamsin Kingswell

Editor
Mix Magazine

Colour of the Month:

Shocking Pink- NCS: S1060-R30B

Justine Fox, colour expert at Global Color Research™, presents colour of the month, helping you to understand how colour psychology affects trends. This month she looks at the punchy pop of hot pink.

“Featured prominently in Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2010/11’s East story, this is not a pink for the faint hearted. Not for nothing did fashion designer Elsa Schiaparelli call this colour ‘Shocking’. Unlike other pinks this particular shade isn’t soft and feminine, instead it has quite an aggressive and subversive edge to it, helped by the plentiful blue in the mix. If you like, this is Barbie on a bad day. There’s a lot going on here, there are references to the 80’s which makes it quite an aspirational shade but there’s also some sly humour too. This isn’t a colour that takes itself too seriously.

In terms of applications it takes a brave designer to use this colour on large expanses of walls although it wouldn’t look out of place in a nightclub or bar. It is currently a popular colour for small appliances including cameras and hairdryers, and has even turned up on washing up bowls. It’s a favourite shade for designer Karim Rashid who often uses the colour to add impact to his designs. Perfumes marketed at younger, less sophisticated consumers love this pink (it’s a fail safe colour for successful magazine covers too).

However it seems safe to say that an overload of this pink is a bad idea. Think instead of highlights of the shade, for example as an accent in a graphic print or as a way of lifting a more neutral carpet. It’s also a colour that sits uncomfortably with many colours; only cool grey, black or pure white will do. Kept simple there is nothing that has more punch, but beware the pitfalls, this is not an easy colour to work with. However, done right, it smacks of acid sophistication.”

Newsletter Oktober 2010!

2010-10-11T09:13:00.015+02:00

London Design Festival was a busy time for the Mix team at Global Color Research. An impressive lineup of speakers filled the specially designed Botanic theatre at 100% Design and our show stand, aimed at getting the message across about the way trends work (a surprisingly often misunderstood process), was a hive of activity. We also made our presence felt off schedule with appearances at cult location The Tramshed and also at Decorex.

The theme of our seminars at 100% Design was the importance of promoting well-being through a holistic approach. This included taking more social responsibility. One of our seminars focused on Architecture for Humanity and their mission to build a more sustainable future through the power of good design. To show our support we raffled off one of our exclusive Botanic chairs, part of a design collaboration with Åry trays and designer Michael Angove. We can now announce the winner, so congratulations H.Steele and thanks to everyone who bought a ticket and supported this excellent cause.

We have now collated all the information gathered from our panel meetings and the team is hard at work putting together not just Mix Trends colour forecast book for Autumn/Winter 2012/13 but also the next Mix magazine, both out in December. In the meantime we will keep you up to date with this monthly e-letter, by blog, LinkedIn and Facebook. We will also shortly be launching a new easy to use website, so keep in touch; we have lots to tell you.

Tamsin Kingswell

Editor

Mix Magazine

Colour of the Month:

Forest Green - NCS: S6030-B90G

Justine Fox, colour expert at Global Color Research™, presents colour of the month, helping you to understand how colour psychology affects trends. This month she looks at the traditional allure of forest green.

“This particular forest green is part of the Gran trend, (Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2010/11) and is the perfect grounding for the palette’s other shades of saturated pastels. Blue-based and cool, this colour has a look of British racing green that evokes a nostalgic feeling in keeping with the Gran trend. This is also a relaxing colour; as green is at the centre of the spectrum, the eye doesn’t need to adjust to look at it. However this darker, more sober green still makes for a strong statement; intense, cool and conservative.

This particular colour has a high shine which makes it a natural fit with enamel finishes and on cookware; in fact Aga has just relaunched a British racing green colour for its famous cookers. The heritage edge also works well for textiles, particularly in the contract sector where slick finishes, leather and sateens should give a low-key luxuriousness. Finally I think glass in this colour, with the light shining through it, would be absolutely amazing.”

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Show: Designers’ Open

If you would like to find out more about Mix Trends first hand, make time to visit Designers’ Open, held in Leipzig, Germany, from 29 to 31 October. Global Color Research’s Tanja Burmeister will be holding a trend seminar at the event on Mix’s essential Autumn Winter 2010/11 trends on Sunday 31 at 2pm. You should also make time to view this celebration of national and international young design with 120 exhibitors in fashion, industrial, interior and communication design. The show is located at two central hubs, one focusing on B2B, the other B2C. Look out too for design events spread out over the city.

www.designersopen.de

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Mix Seminar Success

As a colour trends company, one of the questions we get asked most often is ‘how do trends work?’ In the first of a series of seminars at 100% Design, Justine Fox explained the cycle of a trend, from initial inception at our panel meeting, to product placement on the high street. Fox also explained how in different geographical regions, individualized colour palettes are necessary and revealed how we make this work. This well received talk was followed by a series of seminars we will highlight in the coming months, which included Rebecca Weir talking about light and health, the art of resin by Mix panel favourite Lesley–Ann Blamire, Vanessa Brady on Design Thinking and finished with a talk and book signing by designer Naomi Clever.

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One to Watch: Jephson Robb

Bernhardt Design is famous for its ability to spot up-and-coming designers, so when it launched a chair by Jephson Robb we instantly took note. Robb is actually better known for his public art and conceptual work, but for Bernhardt he has designed a confident and very sellable chair called Amri that bodes well for his success in product design. The chair has a custom-made spring system designed for comfort and a self-returning swivel that proves irresistible. We think Robb is a man to watch. If you want to find out more, read our Observer interview in the December issue of Mix.

www.jephsonrobb.com

www.bernhardtdesign.com

Newsletter September!

2010-09-04T16:33:00.005+02:00

September is one of Mix’s busiest months: for London Design Week the team will be based at 100% Design, where our dedicated stand (K51) celebrates Mix Trends Botanic theme, and where our seminar events will be taking place throughout the show, held from 23-26 September.

There’s also an exciting tie up with Åry Trays and textile designer Michael Angove; we will be unveiling the new Botanic chair and tray at the show. And if that wasn’t enough, Mix is also sponsoring a collaboration with designer favourites PearsonLloyd, textile manufacturer Kvadrat and NCS Colour AB to create a collection of 36 one-off coloured 'PLC' chairs for Modus. ‘Pick a colour PLC’ can be viewed on 21 September at Modus’s Clerkenwell showroom. These chairs will then be auctioned off through sealed bids placed both online and on the night. Justine Fox will also be speaking at the Tramshed Live event (for the full story see below) and for Modus. But its not just about London in September; MoOD in Brussels is also well worth a visit to find out the latest and greatest trends and technological breakthroughs in upholstery, window and wall coverings. Justine Fox was one of the panel members invited to contribute to the compilation of a trend book for the next show so expect to find a product that is bang on trend. We are also very excited about a new venture for Mix Trends and Global Color Research as for the first time Justine Fox will be speaking on Colour Trends for Spring Summer 2011 and their impact on the jewellery sector. This is happening on 6 September at International Jewellery London, and will reveal how our trend books can be used in a broader capacity across all forms of design. Details of all this and other talks are on our website. It’s going to be a busy month.

Tamsin Kingswell

Editor

Mix Magazine

Colour of the Month:

Yellow - NCS: S0570-G90Y

Justine Fox, colour expert at Global Color Research™, presents colour of the month, helping you to understand how colour psychology affects trends. This month she looks at the sunny appeal of canary yellow.

Canary yellow was one of the key colours of Mix Trends’ very popular story Show (Autumn Winter 2010/11), where it was matched with perky shades of red, blue and green. Reflecting influences such as idealised country motifs and home-grown produce blended with artificial colours and a hi-tech feeling, the basis of this trend is a clear driver for the season and is likely to impact on the design world in the future.

The canary yellow of Show has proved to be the most popular of the primary colours featured in this trend, turning up on products varying from furniture to kitchen appliances. Despite its associations with sunlight and positivity, this punchy yellow isn't an obvious fit with domestic interiors. However I think that when used in the right proportions and in the right areas it can be great for updating and reinterpreting the traditional, for example a coat of paint on a Windsor chair. German furniture manufacturer Gemla showcased this on their products at Stockholm this year.

Canary yellow also proves to be an ideal and often surprisingly sophisticated colour for well-chosen accessories like ceramics, providing a welcome focal point to a room. It seems that recession conscious buyers are still sticking to neutrals in larger pieces, but are now likely to update and accent with lively optimistic colour like this to lift the winter spirits.

Yellow is also a good gender-neutral colour, but I think its appeal to children has to do with its high visibility and friendliness that draws us towards it. However this colour hasn't made much of an impact on the electronics market which is quite traditional and aims for a more sophisticated market than this yellow appeals to. Where it is used to great effect is in underwater electronics; this is to do with visibility and the fact that it is quite distinctive from the blue of the sea. In terms of architectural applications, yellow is used to define and delineate a building in the context of its environment; the use of this colour can help with many architects’ goals of creating an iconic and very visible building that is uplifting.”

To keep on eye on which colour will be key in the future, Mix Trends offers you colour trend predictions two years ahead of the season. Trends for Spring Summer 2012 are now out.

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Product Watch: GE WattStation™

GE WattStation, designed by fuseproject for GE’s ecomagination initiative is an easy-to-use electric vehicle (EV) charger designed to help accelerate the adoption of plug-in electric vehicles. It significantly decreases time needed for vehicle charging and, with the use of smart grid technology, allows utility companies to manage electricity use on local and regional grids. The prototype GE WattStation will be available in the fourth quarter of 2010 in the U.S. and Europe with commercial and residential availability as soon as 2011 in the U.S., Europe, and Asia.

www.ecomagination.com/wattstation

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Letter from Amerika:

Mark Woodman, Global Color Research’s colour expert in the US writes:

“Red is entering the US marketplace as a dramatic accent in the home. Included in the Genteel story from Mix Trends Spring Summer 2011 as an accent to the palette’s subtlety, red is making early headway. At its boldest we see it at Cappellini’s New York studio, where red wraps the entire space from floor to walls to ceiling. It becomes a background colour that appears neither in your face nor wallflower dull. It just is.

For the slightly more subdued, individual furnishing pieces provide a splash of colour without the large commitment. Judson Beaumont at Straight Line Designs produced the Little Red Dress that is actually a dresser, adding a little tongue in cheek style to storing your clothes. For storing books, OON offers Beautifulmess bookshelves with a slightly disarrayed pattern. Then there’s the Maun Windsor chair from Mabeo and Varier’s Peel chair, which literally add a twist of colour. In the contract furnishings sector there’s the Perillo chair from Dauphin.

Red, the colour of passion and drama, is a transfusion of energy for safe neutrals. Yet it is familiar and comfortable and plays well with others, be it home or office. To wrap yourself further in red, order the Mix Trends book, Spring Summer 2011 and immerse yourself in the Genteel story.”

For more information on the Spring Summer 2011 Genteel Story, see the current issue of Mix magazine and other back copies of Mix Trends. Contact us for more details at office@ncs-farbkommunikation.at!

Newsletter August 2010!

2010-08-09T12:25:00.007+02:00

Following on from the runaway success of Mix’s involvement with last year’s 100% Design, everyone here is working hard to ensure an even more impressive contribution to 2010’s show, not just from Mix magazine and Mix Trends forecasting book but also from our parent company Global Color Research. 100% Design is of course the hub of London Design Week and we will be basing ourselves from stand K51. This year we have chosen the theme Botanic from Mix Trends Autumn Winter 2011/12 as the best way to show how vital colour trend information can be used in all aspects of the design industry.

Global Color’s packed seminars last year will be matched in September by a comprehensive programme including Mix resident colour expert Justine Fox, who will be presenting Mix Trends stories for Autumn Winter 2011/12, and Lesley-Ann Blamire, one of our international panelists for Mix Trends. Mix’s colour creative Hannah Malein will also be leading visitors on trend colour tours of 100% Design; a first for the event.

Global Color Research’s exhibition space will also chart the life of a trend from its initial conception to its prominence in the mass market, the unique purpose of both Mix magazine and Mix Trends. All of these events are expressly designed to show visitors prime examples of how trends can be incorporated into market-ready products.

Don’t forget either that the August issue of Mix magazine is out this month and is dedicated to revealing the best of British design and the role that Mix Publications plays in promoting and supporting our industry across the board. We hope you enjoy the issue and, if you are planning your diary, advise you to prioritise a trip to London next month; we guarantee you will be inspired.

Tamsin Kingswell

Editor

Mix Magazine

Colour of the Month:

Clay - NCS S 4010-Y30R

Justine Fox, colour expert at Global Color Research™, presents colour of the month:

The catwalks this autumn are all embracing a low key, wearable chic that perfectly chimes with the current ‘forever fashion’ idea. This search for the ever-stylish colour always leads us back to this perfect neutral. Somewhere between brown and beige, this colour generates feelings of warmth, quiet comfort and security, making it the ideal support to these troubled times. Clay is a natural colour so it is associated with a lack of artifice but can also be very sophisticated when used for soft furnishing treatments in leather or suede. It appeals to the new minimal backlash against ostentation and has strength in its reserve. This colour appeals to both sexes and works well for linens and fabrics where it can be teamed with other neutrals.

The chalky heritage tone of Clay is perfect in matt paint for both domestic living spaces as well as commercially in areas of quiet contemplation, for example libraries and private members’ clubs. In Filigree (Mix Trends Spring Summer 2010) Clay is shot through with highlights of saucy orange and even pale coral that make it perfect in lingerie. Trimmed with white ivory, Clay also adds a touch of retro to car interiors. This tone is becoming increasingly important in cosmetic packaging as we see a trend to strip back graphics to a natural eco-lux. In fact you will see this colour across most design applications as it enjoys such broad appeal in the current collective mood.”Mix Trends can advise you of similar trend predictions two years ahead of the season. Trends for Spring Summer 2012 are now out.

Colour Focus: Gold

It seems we haven’t seen the back of gold quite yet; if anything this is a trend that looks set to run and run. First seen in Midas (Mix Trends Spring Summer 2010), we are now seeing further developments, building the colour into architectural treatments. And we are not talking about gold effect here either; Meissen architectural tiles from the Royally Opulent range are covered in 24 carat gold.

Meissen has the largest colour laboratory of any porcelain manufacturer in the world, and on the back of the tiles is their famous logo, the crossed swords, scratched into the surface so that they will adhere to the walls easily.

http://www.meissen.com/

Mix Issue 21 Preview: Flying the Flag

in a dedicated feature celebrating the best of British design, Mix examines Britain’s unique cultural heritage.

There’s no doubt that design remains one of Britain’s big success stories. “Britain’s unique contribution to design is without doubt, individuality and a rebellious streak which breeds unrivalled creativity,” says Justin Pratt, Knoll studio manager for UK and Europe. And the stats bear this out; despite the fraught economic climate in Britain, a recent national survey* of UK design by the Design Council shows an industry bucking the trends with encouraging signs of growth and numbers of designers increasing by an impressive 29 per cent to 232,000.

Juli 2010

2010-07-08T12:21:00.015+02:00

After months of consultation and preparation, the next issue of Mix Trends is out this month with four directional stories that we believe will show the way for seasonal colour palettes in Spring Summer 2012. Along with inspirational images and material samples provided by Material ConneXion, there is also a breakdown of specific colour palettes for different international regions, a unique feature we are justifiably proud of.

Following on from last month’s success on the international seminar circuit where Justine Fox shared trend insights with an impressive 2000 people in Brazil on behalf of Tintas Saquin, a Brazilian paint company, an architectural congress in Recife and in the UK where Hannah Malein spoke at Pulse, there’s more to come for July. Watch out for Global Color Research talks at this month’s New Designers show in London led by Hannah, and over in Australia at Furnitex, where Justine will be speaking, the first opportunity to see a Mix presentation in Australia. This takes place on 15 July in Melbourne. For more information on our seminars, please check out our website.

Tamsin Kingswell
Editor
Mix Magazine

Colour of the Month:

Lavender Ice - NCS: S 1010-R60B
Justine Fox, colour expert at Global Color Research™ presents colour of the month, helping you to understand how colour psychology affects trends. This month she looks at the sugary pastel shade Lavender Ice.

“There is something pleasingly old fashioned about lavender; traditionally this is a colour associated with genteel old ladies, soft femininity and timelessness. Unlike its more boisterous root colour purple, there is a delicacy and refinement about lavender. The name comes from the flowering herb, famed for its healing and sedative qualities and has a long heritage; the word lavender was first used to describe colour in 1705. The term covers shades varying from the addition of grey or pink to purple through to a lavender blue. In this case, it’s clean, cool and fresh, hence the ice, which makes this colour a strong and almost luminous yet subtle addition to any palette.
This is a colour that works well on products targeted at women or to give a soft masculine approach it can be used with a high gloss finish for deep marine blues. This particular version has got quite a bit of blue in it so wouldn’t necessarily ostracise men. Think Karim Rashid or exterior cladding in powder coated metals. It also has a strong overtone of nostalgia; heritage cosmetic products that reference the 19th century boudoir use this colour as a handy short hand.
Lavender is well suited to soft furnishings, curtains, cushions and throws for domestic bedrooms or you can use it in a hot space (a conservatory or even a kitchen) where it can help trick our minds that the heat has been turned down. Retail wise this is a fit with beauty parlours and health spas. Lavender is best tempered with more sophisticated neutrals, for example silver greys, grey-green and stone, as can be see in Mix trends Blur Spring Summer 2010. Or for packaging, this colour looks great for confectionary, especially when teamed with gold.

The danger with any sweet and sugary pastel is to dissolve into a little girl’s fantasy boudoir theme; the way to avoid this is by choosing shapes and textures that are severe and unfussy. Clean lines, simple ceramics and restrained and minimalist planning all remove any risk of girly pastiche.”

Colour Focus: Purple

Purple in all its rich variations, from lavender through to violet and darker, richer shades is a key colour trend running throughout Mix Trends 2010 but all too often people are inclined to play it safe. This is why we particularly like the work of Elin T Carlsten, whose pixel table was on show at last month’s DMY in Berlin. Vivid violet fought with mint green, yellow and grey for a vital colour combination that won’t be forgotten in a hurry.

www.elincarlsten.se

Print Award for Mix Collaborator

Since 1994, the Sappi European Printer of the Year Awards have been considered the Oscars of the printing industry, contested by over 700 printing companies from 34 countries in Europe. Great news then that Global Color’s printer, Lechte Medien, scooped the gold winner in the General Print category for the Mix Trends book Spring Summer 2011. The judges were impressed with the vivid colours, with judge Ronald Widdershoven, commenting: “It is one of the best entries of the competition.” No arguments there from us.
www.sappi.com
www.silfox.de

2010-06-28T15:08:00.001+02:00

Mix Trends issue 22 is out, now with four new trends for Spring/Summer 2012 Vanity takes pink away from its girly roots to something altogether more sophisticated, while Epiphany looks to the past for inspiration, Monitor embraces new technology and Scratch focuses on texture. All four, very different messages are expressed through essential colour palettes, expressing a strong seasonal message with a strong identity that your customers will instantly identify with.

* Four directional trend stories providing seasonal colour palettes

* Seasonal overview that identifies what affect trends and consumers

* More than 36 unique images per story with 12 material examples provided by Material ConneXions

* Colour referenced in NCS, RGB and Lab values

* Colour fan and tear-out colour sheets, all with NCS references

* Each trend story also features specific colour nuances for North American and Chinese markets

2010-06-28T12:18:00.004+02:00

JUNE 2010

A visit to last year’s DMY cemented a conviction that Berlin is one of the most exciting design capitals in the world. A combination of cheap and plentiful studio space (compare that to London or New York), a usefully central geographic position in Europe, plus an enviably laid back lifestyle, are all contributing factors. Now too the city has a show that is growing to reflect Berlin’s contribution to design. Make time to visit DMY if you can; if you can’t, Mix will be reporting in depth on what we find there this year. This is a show we have high hopes for.

Watch out too for the June issue of Mix magazine, which is published on the 11th. In this issue we are evaluating the impact of colour on bar and restaurant design, focusing on the Middle East, checking out new developments in packaging and featuring an interview with Tord Boontje.

After growing out of its previous premises, Global Color Research™ Mix Publications now has a new home at King Henry Terrace, Sovereign Court, London. These larger offices will allow the Mix team to broaden its remit and further develop not just the publishing side of our business but also our special projects, working with companies to perfect bespoke colour solutions.

Finally, if you would like to meet us in person then Global Color Research™ Mix Publications can be found at London’s New Designers Exhibition, stand M29 from 10-11 July on the second week of the show. Hannah Mallein will be holding a seminar on Spring Summer 2011 colour trends, which will be well worth catching. On the opposite side of the world, Justine Fox will be in Australia for Furnitex on 15 July. For more information on our seminars, please check out our schedule.

Tamsin Kingswell
Editor
Mix Magazine

Colour of the Month June:

Peacock Blue- NCS: S3060-B20G

Justine Fox, colour expert at Global Color Research™, presents colour of the month, helping you to understand how colour psychology affects trends. This month she looks at the flamboyant presence of peacock blue.

“We have had a bit of a run on blues in recent issues, which says something about the impact this colour has had on recent trends. The final blue we need to talk about is peacock blue. Peacocks have always captured the imagination and are mentioned in ancient mythology and the Bible. The stylised form of the feather is a popular motif in fabrics and is synonymous with the British department store Liberty and the Art Nouveau movement, which I think we will be seeing more of in the form of a revival of Art Nouveau styling in textiles for next year, albeit in a deconstructed way. Fashion designer Matthew Williamson also uses peacock feathers as a recurrent motif in his work.

As far as colour forecasting is concerned, this is the richest and punchiest of all the blues we have featured, as can be seen in Spring Summer 2010’s Venom in Mix Trends, which also reveals the slightly more sinister side of this colour; after all peacock feathers are sometimes considered unlucky. Our peacock blue is pushed to the precipice between blue and green making it quite an aspirational colour; its richness and depth has quite a grandiose feel while still being familiar, respectful and serious.
I think that commercial applications would include accents in reception areas along with large statement pieces in a domestic setting like sofas. For branding peacock blue looks good used in financial and quality products; a slightly bluer version is seen a lot on networking sites.

The term peacock blue is currently used to describe a broad family of blue-greens with variations on the amount of blue or green used. This reflects the wide range of colour within the bird itself which is why its good to use a colour language like NCS to pinpoint the exact shade you’re talking about. Peacock blue in all its forms tends to sit well with purples, mid greens and golds or newly popular bronze and copper, reflecting the iridescent quality of the peacock’s feathers.”

Norway Now

For an exclusive look at Mix magazine, issue 19, read on…

Denmark’s got Arne Jacobsen and Finn Juhl, Finland can field Alvar Aalto, and Sweden brought us, for better or worse, Ikea. Norway, on the other hand, is better known for its timber, fish and recession-proof oil wealth than its design acumen. But that’s only half the Norwegian story, and one that belies the tenacity of a quiet and mostly domestic design and manufacturing industry.

For while the country may not be able to trumpet any big names from Scandinavia’s halcyon days of the 50’s and 60’s, that’s not to say that it hasn’t been a hive of activity all this time. And perhaps conversely, the very anonymity of its design has allowed original ideas to come to the fore as design’s profile has increased in the last decade or so world-wide. As Steinar Hindenes, designer and design professor puts it; “When we started our practice Circus in 1991, most people didn’t know or care about design. For the first ten years it was anonymous.”

2010-05-11T18:46:00.007+02:00

This is the monthly design and colour news update from the international colour experts at Global Color Research™. Together with Mix Publications (Mix magazine and Mix Trends forecast book), this is essential reading for the month f May.

First of all we need to apologise for the slight tardiness of this newsletter; like most of the design industry, we can plead an exceptional circumstance. It’s fair to say that Milan this month was somewhat overshadowed by the eruption of the Eyjafjallajoekull volcano in Iceland. Mix staff had to fight for Eurostar tickets, take buses to Spain and even throw themselves on the mercy of the British Counsel to get home. However an extended visit did mean more time in Milan so, on the upside, Mix’s coverage of the show this year will be even more thorough than usual.

Back to business then and this year’s Milan mix veered from the sleek and functional, with many pieces looking like they could be seamlessly transposed into the contract sector, to the self-consciously crafty. Thankfully there was still the odd flash of eccentricity and innovation (we loved Sony’s Barber & Osgerby installation). This kept us interested but there was much that felt a bit safe with lots of chat about the holy grail of enduring product covering up what was really conservatism aimed at weathering the still tricky market. You can’t blame anyone for playing it safe but it would have been good to see more excitement.

That said, Mix’s trip certainly wasn’t in vain, and there were strong pieces to be found throughout the city. Check out the Mix magazine June issue for in depth reports and analysis on what we feel were the key trends and labels to watch.

Tamsin Kingswell tor

Mix Magazine

Colour of the Month:
Powder Blue - NCS: S 0510 B10G
Justine Fox, colour expert at Global Color Research™, presents colour of the month, helping you to understand how colour psychology affects trends. This month she looks at the optimistic appeal of powder blue.

“Powder blue is the colour of a clear sky on a sunny day and so it’s no surprise to discover that this shade symbolises health, softness, harmony, dependability and trust. In Greece the colour blue is believed to ward off the evil eye, while in Iran blue symbolises paradise. In terms of Feng Shui, the colour blue is a water element, associated with wealth and abundance.

Powder blue in particular has an instantly calming effect that inevitably makes people feel relaxed and comfortable. This colour is also a natural fit for aquatic palettes; in Mix Trends Spring/Summer 2010 story Blur, it was mixed with more vibrant shades of aqua and ink along with highlights of lilac and black. Equally it can be used with neutral tans, beige and light brown to reproduce a fashion runway favourite.
And if pink is for a girl, powder blue is definitely for a boy. This colour is particularly popular for the baby market where it is an essential element of clothes and furniture ranges. It seems that when it comes to colour psychology, mothers inevitably know best, as pale blues are ideal for promoting a soothing and calm environment for babies.
Powder blue is often used in products to promote cleanliness and purity. Blue is also a colour associated with the intellect and is a great workspace choice if your job requires pure concentration. Consequently this shade is also associated with technologically advanced products and is arguably the most popular colour, outside of black, white and silver, in the techno sector. However it’s not a great colour for eating areas and restaurants as it is said to suppress appetite.
Finally powder blue is also synonymous with luxury thanks to its associations with the classic jeweller Tiffany & Co. This iconic company uses the colour for it’s packaging and is so well recognised that Tiffany blue is now a standardised colour.”
Mix Trends can advise you of similar trend predictions two years ahead of the season. Click here for purchases or alternatively contact us for more details at marketing@globalcolor.co.uk

2010-04-08T16:55:00.003+02:00

As ever, April is all about Milan. As design professionals across the world start gearing up for the most important design week of the year, we offer a short preview on what we are getting excited about in terms of new launches and events, along with keeping you posted on the key colour trends we expect to see. This will be followed up in the June issue of Mix with an in-depth look at the most exciting and inspiring designs on show.
Talking of Mix magazine, we have also had very positive feedback about our revamped trends section in Mix issue 19. In the past, stories were broken down into architecture and interiors sections, but it became increasingly apparent that this format was too limiting; we wanted to be more ambitious, covering everything from fabrics and electronics to packaging and commercial applications. The new format, which embraces all these market sectors while still boasting the same colour palettes using NCS Natural Color System notations, RGB and Lab values, has been very well received, notably for making the complex process of understanding trends far simpler and easier.
Finally, for April we have teamed up with Grand Designs Magazine to bring their readers our ever-popular Mix colour of the month. Check it out here

Colour of the Month:

Tangerine - NCS: S 0580-Y30R

Justine Fox, colour expert at Global Color Research™, presents the colour of the month, helping you to understand how colour psychology affects trends. This month she looks at the sunny optimism of tangerine.

“Tangerine is big in accents for design this spring. Most importantly this cheeky flash acts as a humaniser to the industrial taupes, greys and creams that have become the default colour greige representing our troubled times as showcased in the Mix Trends Spring/Summer 2010 story Filigree.

Tangerine is essentially an energetic fast paced colour that needs real confidence to be used in large proportions as seen in the recent Spanish youth centre by Mi5 Arquitectos. But looked at from afar, this project creates a small explosion of invigorating colour against Madrid’s cityscape that is easier to deal with.

Alessi’s Spring/Summer 2010 launch features the Essentiel de Pâtisserie collection, a collaboration between designer Matali Crasset and chef Pierre Hermé as previewed on the e:mixblog. Tangerine is the key highlight of extra functionality in the product which strengthens the link between the design, food and physical satisfaction. This bright fresh hue is again featured as the definitive line used in delicate proportions in Farrow’s clock range for SCP launched at Maison et Objet this year, giving a sharp, futuristic edge.
The importance of this colour as a pivotal fun accent is in full evidence on the high street as well for the coming season. As a light youth associated hue, Nike has played on this in association with powerful lilac like NCS S 1040-R60B also from the Mix Trends Filigree story, to create its new football boot Mercurial Vapor SuperFly II. Tangerine is perfect in applications for outdoor furniture like deck chairs and café tables as well as picnic cutlery and melamine dinnerware.

Tangerine NCS S 0580-Y30R is an accent hue to watch for the coming season and a big developer for the future.”

Mix Trends can advise you of similar trend predictions two years ahead of the season. Click here for purchases or alternatively contact us for more details at marketing@globalcolor.co.uk
Tamsin Kingswell
Editor
Mix Magazine (hier bestellen)

2010-04-07T10:48:00.003+02:00

NCS Colourcard als IPHONE Applikation erhältlich!

Link zu IPHONE Appstore

Messe "FARBE" in München

2010-04-07T10:20:00.000+02:00

Fotogalerie FARBE in München 2010!