August 2010 / A World of Creation


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

We are fortunate to be living in this spectacularly diverse world. Take a look around you to absorb the reality that, unless you live in a bubble, life is touched by many cultures. This variety brings varied traditions to all four corners of the earth through globalization. And several nations are capitalizing on their very own brand, made on the grounds of a simple fact: location. Many trends addressed in this edition extend beyond aesthetics, some which include: process, relationship between materials, quality of workmanship, preservation of skill and craftsmanship, innovation and invention, efficient use of resources, brand creation and strategy. Get inspired with the August edition!

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REPORTING TO INSPIRE,
Jennifer Castoldi,
Chief Creative Director

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Features and Articles

Dare Studio

Jennifer's August Amusings

London — In this special edition of Trendease we look at numerous groups that are promoting their country’s design “brand” to the world. Trends and traditions emerge to make our homes warm and welcoming. From highly conceptual one-offs to collectors’ items through craft-based pieces and commercial objects with mass production potential, the products found within this issue cater to current market shifts.

IKEA plus 365+ Craft artist An-fu Huang

Yii is I, and I am Amazed

Multiple Taiwanese Cities — With Yii traditional Taiwanese crafts become the framework for contemporary design and cultural preservation. Over forty unique objects were developed under Taiwan's original craft design brand, some as inexpensive everyday items, and others as limited editions. See how Starbuck’s symbol of worldwide commerce gets localized and cultured, and don’t miss IKEA’s products transformed into one-of-a-kind masterpieces!

Young Creative Poland

Worldwide — Polish businesses are opening to the worldwide arena, proposing their own ideas to the design community and promoting their own brands on the global market. Poland may not be in the forefront of the mind when it comes to design, but don’t let that fool you. Three elements are apparent in their success: education, experimentation, and product specialty. In this feature see many product examples, learn about FiDU technology and market trends.

Vase by Maxim Velcovsky

The Czech Selection

Multiple Czech Cities — The Czech Republic has long been hailed for its glass and crystal designs. And while this sector remains steadfast, there is a birth of newness, humor, and unconventionality emerging on the local design scene. Also important is the understanding of preserving the level of craftsmanship and skill embedded in the culture. Fresh design is beginning to play an important and stimulating role alongside that of tradition; read more here.

By Steen Ipsen

Craft, Innovation & A Commercial Stage

Copenhagen — Modern Danish design reaches beyond the names Arne Jacobsen, Hans J. Wegner and Poul Kjærholm. There is a fresh pool of talent in the country and this is the platform for discovering it. In this feature see how the designers and craftspeople are grateful for the role Danish Crafts plays in creating an international brand for Danish products as well as a commercial stage for their creativity.

Continental Creativity

Multiple African Cities — The Department Trade and Industry, Republic of South Africa is busy sponsoring many initiatives to promote African design internationally. The Design Africa program has the mission to aid manufacturers of hand-crafted, high-end home décor products in accessing global markets. The South African Handmade Collection is celebrating the fusion of heritage with the future, tradition with the imagination, creativity with business know-how. The outcome is beautiful; see it here.

Design Deutschland Goes Global

Multiple German Cities — After Tokyo, Munich, Cologne, Nuremberg and New York, Design Deutschland is making appearances in Milan and again visiting New York in 2010. With the Design Deutschland exposition series, the German Design Council presents approximately 100 new product ideas from recognized German companies and designers, and for the first time, prototypes by young German designers, several of them not yet unveiled to the public.

New Talent: Meeting Future Needs

Multiple German Cities — In this gallery you will find an assortment of items from the future German design rock stars selected by the German Design Council. Here within General Manager of the German Design Council, Andrej Kupetz, talks with us about the present and future state of the design discipline, and the importance young designers play within it.

Responsible Design: Creating New Value

Multiple Japanese Cities — A traveling pavilion of Japanese product shown at fairs such as Maison&Objet and Ambiente, is looking to create a new value of “Made in Japan.” Japan is focusing on fusing state of the art technology with tradition to make products usable, environmentally-friendly and timely. This new strategy is the epitome of responsible design. It considers the people, planet, and profit.

NEWSLETTER #323

Worldwide — Continuing with the World of Creation theme this August, we bring you a gallery of over 100 innovative products from the Philippines, a place that has practically perfected the art of incorporating crafts and technology: craftology. The designers are proficient at integrating locally-sourced organic materials with creative handmade production capabilities. Discover innovations in outdoor items, baby and pet furniture, lighting, and home accessories here within!

NEWSLETTER #324

Seoul — Globalization turns innovation into commodities. Innovation is not enough. It's what happens to the innovation--how it gets sold, distributed, managed that really matters. Surely we have noticed that there is a huge affect that globalization has on design. And while design can be exported throughout the world, Korea has done an admirable job at maintaining its traditional skills while adapting them to modern design desires.

Fia carafe/vase by Nina Jobs

NEWSLETTER #325

Stockholm — In this newsletter discover Scandinavian humor, sensuality, individuality, and beauty embodied in product form. Where to use such sleek tabletop creations as discovered in this gallery? One idea is for the new trend of eating under the radar. Special attention is being paid to décor, cutlery, and everything in between. Also experience a 32 square meter apartment with 20 rooms!

R-E-C-0-N-N-E-C-T Trends 2011/12 from the Heimtextil Trend Table

NEWSLETTER #326 Heimtextil 2011-2012 Trends

Worldwide — In this newsletter we are overjoyed to bring you a very special sneak preview of the trends to be presented in January 2011 at Heimtextil under the theme R-E-C-O-N-N-E-C-T. They were unveiled to a privileged audience just hours ago! And now subscribers can get a taste of the 2011-2012 directions here.