University News Last updated 06 January 2011
With the weather so cold and dreary, students at Birmingham City University are looking to a warmer continent for inspiration for what will be the next big theme in home interiors.
‘Afrika’ is one of four trends identified by Global Color Research and Mix Publications and interpreted by the group of design students set to be unveiled at Interiors 2011 at Birmingham’s NEC later this month.
The students, using Global Color Mix 2011/12 Autumn Winter’s trends, will illustrate through eye catching pavilions a fusion of textile, product and surface finishes which reflect future seasons colour palettes for the interior design sector. Rainbow bright colours, tribal designs and a safari park exotica form the basis for the ‘Afrika’ trend. Other trends being launched are ‘Curve’, ‘Botanic’ and ‘Fable’.
The concepts are drawn from the ideas of more than 80 undergraduate design students from Birmingham City University and the exhibition is a culmination of work Birmingham City University has built in partnership with UBM Live, the country’s largest interiors exhibitor; Textura, internationally known digital wall covering manufacturer; and Global Color, International Trends Prediction Agency.
The partnership aims to raise the profile of the University’s design talent to the interiors industry - now in its fifth year it has resulted in over 500 students engaging with industry resulting in placements, internships and employment.
This year Birmingham City University is collaborating with a range of design companies including Glassdomain Ltd, Hille Educational Products, Sitting Firm (Interiors) Ltd and Textura.
Midlands based furniture maker Sitting Firm (Interiors) Ltd are are providing a Windsor chair for the Afrika trend pavilion, which will be embellished with student work. Stephanie Green, Sales Director at Sitting Firm, said: “This project is a great way to not only offer support and encouragement to young new talent. But also for us to embrace new ideas and help develop the business in a very fast changing market.”
Joanna Birch, Head of Enterprise Development at Birmingham City University, added: “This project highlights the benefits of industry and university collaboration in which the students, academics and businesses all benefit from each other’s skills and abilities, representing just one of many ways in which we engage with industry.”