Design Trends EVOLVED- NeoCon 2014 by Christie House

e·volve- to develop gradually, especially from a simple to a more complex form NeoCon- the largest commercial interiors show in North America for the last 45 years, draws over 40,000 designers, manufacturers, and sales professionals to The Merchandise Mart in Chicago, Illinois to tour over 700 exhibitors and showrooms. I was fortunate enough to attend on behalf of the IIDA Rocky Mountain Chapter’s Education Fund, in honor of Pam Weeks. Pam Weeks continues to touch people's lives in such a unique and enduring way, and I am extremely grateful to have been able to be a part of this effort to keep her memory alive. In exchange for this opportunity to travel to Chicago, I was tasked with sharing my experience with the Rocky Mountain design community. In 2010, I attended NeoCon, as a student, accompanied by fourteen eager, collegiate twenty-something year old classmates. Needless to say, we had a great time but our focuses were different then and the experience was a little overwhelming. Recognition is in order for our chaperone, Lauren Pillote, former Dean of Design at Rocky Mountain College of Art + Design, for successfully undertaking the challenge of introducing us into this extensively diverse and fascinating industry. My experience this year, while still amazing, was less focused on what parties I could sneak my way into, and more centralized on soaking up the opportunity to become immersed in ground-breaking, innovative design progressions and trends. The IIDA Annual Meeting was so inspirational, to be surrounded by such accomplished and influential designers and architects was truly an honor. Because of a deep passion and love for design, this sensory overload was a significant and lasting experience for me for years to come. There were several pronounced and easily recognizable design trends, which were not necessarily new in 2014, but undoubtedly evolving and distinguishable above the rest. As with many other industries, designers are always pushing to be better than before, attempting to break the boundaries set against them, and creating awe-inspiring designs. Our passion is not only rooted in creativity, but also in bettering the built environments. We don't just make things look nice, we improve the quality of life for everyone who inhabits our spaces. Design is evolutionary, changing over time to adapt to people’s needs as they themselves change as well.

Open Collaboration evolved: Individual Privacy The open office trend has been gaining momentum in the design community for years now, and was brought on initially by many contributing factors; one example being LEED points, which are granted for the natural light provided when offices are moved to the core. The evolution of the gen-x demographic slowly phasing out and the new Millennial generation or gen-y work force requesting open collaborative areas and more team focused environments has changed the design of office floor plans as well. It is very apparent in recent years that the slow economic growth has contributed to smaller square footage allotment per work station and private office, requiring companies to downsize their foot print while still maintaining the same number in workforce headcount if possible. We have literally gone from 84” high work station panels and closed door offices to benching solutions with no panel privacy and complete glass front office solutions. There have been several helpful strategies that companies have been using to negate the noise and visual distractions brought on by this trend, such as sound masking and fabric wrapped tack boards and privacy screens. However, the rumblings are starting to grow louder in protest due to loss of work productivity because of the high levels of distraction that are caused by this new evolving trend. At NeoCon this trend continues to evolve, but this time in a slightly different direction. In response to the back lash from the open office environment, designers have created several different solutions to help heighten productivity and bring back areas of refuge for introverts in the workplace. Steelcase partnered with Susan Cain and developed Quiet Spaces, which won Editors Choice this year. They developed five different types of quiet spaces, each catering to different needs for the users. Susan Cain states, "Introverts recharge their batteries by being alone; extroverts need to recharge when they don't socialize enough." Her ‘Studio’ Quiet Space for example, is one design that allows the user to customize the environment and feel of the space by controlling the lighting and music, based on their individual preferences. Research shows that "31% of full time employees do most of their work away from their employers’ location. Workers are looking to eliminate distraction, but also seek physical and emotional comfort and familiarity that is often found more at home than in the office." (Steelcase.com) These spaces create a safe, secure and private environment in the workplace for employees to momentarily retreat to in order to recharge.

Steelcase Flow Quiet Space

Steelcase Green Room Quiet Space

Open Collaboration evolved: Individual Privacy Haworth won Best of Competition with their Openest Collection by Patricia Urquiola and was my personal favorite. These spaces are created using decorative acoustical panels and various furniture compositions. The Openest collection can ranges from lounge areas, small gathering niches, and private heads down work stations that incorporate power modules and various accessories. “Openest is an ensemble for a variety of collaborative spaces where people work or relax. Sofas, pouf seating, tables and space-dividing screens offer flexibility in space design. Used together or alone, these inclusive lounge elements function as single pieces with different purposes or integrate into an open plan to create innovative environments that bring furniture and collaborative tools together.” (Contractdesign.com)Haworth’s extreme attention to detail with the stitching, form and design aesthetic really made this product stand out above the rest.

Haworth Openest Collection

Haworth Openest Collection

Ergonomics evolved: Sit to stands Sit to stand work surfaces have been exponentially growing in popularity. These work environments are no longer reserved for those with a ‘doctor’s note’. As more studies produce information to support standing, the catch phrase “sitting is the new smoking” has caught fire. "Research states moving while working makes for healthier, more engaged workers. A palette of postures and stretching of muscles supports creative thinking, problem solving and idea generation." (Steelcase.com)This year ergonomics is evolving by taking the traditional work surface attached to a height adjustable base a bit further. Humanscale developed the Quickstand, a monitor arm type mechanism that clicks to any desktop and adjusts only the monitor and keyboard to standing height while concealing the cords with wire management. This allows the work surface to be suspended by a center beam or panel and only the monitor to move up and down with the user. Another notable innovation to the sit to stand this year was designed by DIRTT, which incorporates a sit to stand work surface inside the demountable wall itself. Creatively, this sleek new design conceals all wires and disguises the adjustability with small reveals in the wall. Also to be mentioned, Nucraft has taken the sit to stand a step further by designing the Aerial Refreshed collection. Their case good solution incorporates height adjustability in the desking unit and is a great standard alternative when it comes to height adjustability requirements for ADA countertops at reception desks.

Nucraft Aerial Refreshed Collection

DIRTT sit to stand

Humanscale Quickstand

Shapes evolved: Subtle Triangles & Forms Last year's shape was the hexagon. The hex is yet to be a thing of the past, but a new shape is starting to evolve, by deconstructing this shape into individual parts. This year the triangle is transforming design by building upon the sharp points or taking on smooth edges and curved angles. Triangles are unique in that they can expand upon each other to make larger organic shapes. The HBF Triscape Collection, designed by Todd Bracher, uses this concept by developing the triscape table, triscape bench and triscape poof. The triangle can also be seen in case goods and conferencing products. Davis' Apex collection includes a softened triangle shaped table, which allows small groups to collaborate around a fresh new evolving shape, opposed to the rectangle or square conference table traditionally seen in the past. I was fortunate enough to speak with Steffen Lipsky, Haworth's Best of Case goods Gold winner at NeoCon, about his design of the Suite Collection. During the conversation, Lipsky emphasized that the way people are working is evolving. No longer do people sit behind over sized desks in front of credenzas and book cases. He has designed a case good collection that promotes movement and variety. His designs are easily personalized and very efficient by incorporating multiple uses and configurations into one office layout. His passion and commitment to his craft was apparent and admirable throughout our conversation.

HBF Triscape Collection

Haworth Suite Collection

Pantone Color of the Year evolved: Radiant Orchid 18-3224 "While the 2013 color of the year, PANTONE 17-561 Emerald, served as a symbol of growth, renewal, and prosperity, Radiant Orchid reaches across the color wheel to intrigue the eye and spark the imagination. An invitation to innovation, Radiant Orchid encourages expanded creativity and originality, which is increasingly valued in today's society. An enchanting harmony of fuchsia, purple and pink undertones, Radiant Orchid inspires confidence and emanates great joy, love and health. It is a captivating purple, one that draws you in with its beguiling charm." (Leatrice Eiseman, executive director of the Pantone Color Institute.) Bolon is a flooring product that has burst onto the design market of late. "It’s a story we’ll never tire of hearing. Over 60 years ago in Stockholm, Sweden an idea sparked into life. Textile waste became rag rugs and Bolon was born. In many ways, our founder Nils-Erik Eklund was ahead of his time and today, his ability to see opportunity where others couldn’t still inspires us." (Bolon.com) This company has not only incorporated the pantone color of the year in their newest collection, but also the tile shapes they offer in their product are astounding. No longer are we limited by generic tile sizes, Bolon is at the forefront of evolutionary products. DIRTT has incorporated the Pantone color of the year as well in their demountable walls. "We are (DIRTT) Doing It Right This Time, because last time with conventional construction, the computer power didn't exist to go from design, to real-time 3D, to specifications, to the production floor." (DIRTT.com) DIRTT's ability to incorporate almost any vertical wall material possible, including but not limited to technology walls, living walls, and writable magnetic glass, sets its standards high. They are continually evolving and moving their product to the forefront of the demountable industry every year.

Bolon Create Wing Tiles

DIRTT Demountable system

Technology evolved: Planning for the Future Technology is by far the fastest changing trend in most industries. As soon as the majority of people can afford the newest version of their phone or computer, the next model is already available in stores. Technology in the commercial furniture industry is changing so quickly, the trend this year is not focused on building the product around the technology, but allowing the technology to evolve and change without affecting the product itself. Nucraft's Kai table, Best of NeoCon Gold winner, designed by Joey Ruiter incorporates power beneath the table in removable power modules. This design is already a step ahead of our time, foreseeing the soon to be wireless world the office is moving towards. The OFS Eleven Sound Driver won Silver for the Technology-Integrated Solutions category. This product won by integrating the audio technology into the conference table. This allows for the control over a meeting through a cell phone via Bluetooth rather than a conferencing phone system. Also, speaking of evolving, ESI’s Edge-Evolve monitor arm won Gold in the Technology Support category at NeoCon this year. It can be comprised of up to six 32” monitors on one arm, in different configurations through an extended range of a motion sliding mechanism. Technology advancements and improvements each year are a vital part of the NeoCon product launch.

Nucraft Kai Conference Collection

ESI Edge Evolve Monitor Arm

OFS Eleven Sound Driver

Textiles & Carpets evolved: Colors & Patterns From a young age I was always interested in fashion design. The eighties were full of colored socks, stirrup pants, and oversized hair bows. The nineties outfits were usually based on the latest fashion trends from TLC or the Spice Girls. The colors, materials, prints, and accessories in the fashion world are continuously changing and regenerating themselves. The same can be said about the furniture world as well. In fashion like furniture, retro designs come and go and the classics are never out of style. However, furniture is a bit more timeless than fashion. Furniture design trends are slower to catch up to themselves and loosely based on several different contributors. This year at NeoCon Milliken designers were inspired by geometric shapes when designing the Dissemblage Collection, winning Silver in the Broadloom Carpet category. This collection incorporates the Pantone color of the year and the trending triangular shape as well. It varies from vast fields of solids to intricate designs in the 12’x35’ overprint pattern. The Mohawk Breaking Form Collection won Editors Choice in the Modular Carpet category. This collection, “pushes past tradition, giving designers new approaches to color, shape, scale and movement. Our collaboration with Mac Stopa of Massive Design explores bold lines and geometric patterns that transform the floor, a two-dimensional product, into something three-dimensional. Available in 3 patterns and 9 colorways, in our new 12"x36" planks.” (Mohawkgroup.com)

Mohawk Breaking Form Collection

Milliken Dissemblage Collection

Textiles & Carpets evolved: Colors & Patterns British studio Wallace + Sewell won Editors Choice in the Textiles: Upholstery category for designing their colorful and graphic fabric collection for DesignTex. This line transfuses the combination of bright and muted colors together through stripes, checks, and geometric shapes. Knoll won Silver in this same category for the Archival collection which, “consists of five upholstery fabrics that are based on the archives of KnollTextiles’ rich history spanning 65+ years.” (Contractdesign.com)Most of the textile collections this year pulled from a broad base of geometric shapes and patterns with intense and bright colors.

Knoll Archival Collection

DesignTex Wallace + Sewell Collection

Wrap Up My overall experience of NeoCon this year was fantastic and I am extremely grateful to all of the people who made it possible. The IIDA Rocky Mountain Chapter Educational Fund is an amazing scholarship and will inspire designers for years to come. I not only was on a mission to expound my knowledge of the furniture and design industry, but of myself as well. NeoCon is a time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the one ahead. I took this very personally as well. Everything around us is continually evolving. The design industry is on the cusp of this journey each year, and NeoCon is the platform to show our progress. “Design is about demonstrating how beautiful something can be. It has a very profound quality. Design is a way of changing life and influencing the future.” Ernest Hall. Let’s all remember why we do what we do every day; because we are all talented artist and our canvas is the city in which we live. Special Thanks to all the wonderful people who took time out of their busy schedules to teach me about the products and make my trip possible: Kathy Fulscher, Haworth Katie Cavallo, Shears Adkins Rockmore Lauren Redlich, Stir Denver Tina Turner, Stir Denver Maria Kebschull, OfficeScapes Rachael Clendenning, HumanScale Robin Tardy, Workplace Resource Leah Samuelson, Herman Miller Ali Pilgrim, Replines Stacy Fulenwider, Replines Becca Schaapveld, Workplace Elements Esther Davy, Mayer Fabrics Sarah Barker, RNL Design Emily Richards, RNL Design Cody Roberdeau, Workplace Elements Rob Hill, Workplace Elements Skip Ellender