University News Last updated 19 January 2010
Birmingham City University will launch its vision for the 2011 interior trends at a major feature exhibition at Interiors Birmingham later this month.
Four trend pavilions created by 120 students from interior, textile and product design will be unveiled and will stimulate thinking amongst the interiors industry about the challenges of interpreting future season's trends.
The exhibition is part of a long term strategic partnership between Birmingham City University, UBM Live (the largest international exhibitor of trends events in the world) and Global Color ResearchTMMix Publications. It will be a fantastic showcase of Midlands based talent which will move on from Interiors Birmingham to tour around the London interiors shows and onto Abu Dhabi. It highlights the huge potential of industry and education collaborating together to deliver innovative, dynamic solutions in a very cost effective way.
Joanna Birch, Head of Enterprise at Birmingham City University, said: "At a time when funds for many businesses are tight this project has provided an insight into how businesses can engage with higher education to drive innovation. The project has engaged with floor, wall and fabric manufacturers and moving forward will be engaging with lighting and furniture designers. The businesses who have engaged have benefited from the more lateral thinking, innovation, new ideas and change through access to consultancy provided through the innovative process that this project provides. In return, students have benefited from addressing real industry challenges and made important connections from which to build their future careers."
Interiors Birmingham is taking place at the Birmingham NEC from 24th to 27th January. For more information about the work at Birmingham City University and its industry engagement visit Business Services.
Notes
The featured colour palettes for Spring Summer 2011 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.
For more information contact Joanna Birch on 0121 331 6243, email joanna.birch@bcu.ac.uk.
Added by Chris Davies on January 19, 2010