6-16-2016

Views and Observations

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsContents

First Impressions

Rise of the Mushrooms

Attack of the Clones

Sit/Stand Observations

Friendly Lighting

Hooking Up

Materials in the Mix

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsFirst Impressions

Every time I attend a NEOCON event I get a little giddy about what is going to be in store for me. I always get excited about the possibility of what new ideas and visual delights might I uncover as I walk the many floors of the Merchandize Mart. So at the risk of sounding a bit negative, this year’s event (more than ones in the past) felt like a “me too” scene with many companies replicating other companies successful ideas of the past two years. What I mean by this is the show was a bit of a let down that didn’t meet my expectations for the new and novel. This is not to say that there wasn’t anything new and novel to talk about but I can say there are a few new and continuing trends that, in my opinion, has stagnated the contract furniture industry a bit. So read on if you are interested in what I have to say about these trends and what it means to the industry.

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsRise of the Mushrooms

This kind of seating has become popular with the rise of the sit/stand health craze for a better work environment. Last year there were only a few of these designs available and now they are everywhere. Some adjust in height and others offer different fixed heights for varying sizes of people. They all have some movement baked into the design, usually a rounded base providing a rocking motion for all day movement.

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsAttack of the Clones

Brody by Steelcase is described as a work lounge and was introduced last year. It’s introduction comes on the heals of bullpen style collaborative workspace distaste. It answers a question about filling a need for a form of individual privacy and has become popular for them. Popularity breeds more of the same and this year several companies introduced similar single seat “micro environments”. All of which are making similar claims to fame as Brody has. Imitation is a form of flattery but some of the designs are blatant rip offs that Steelcase should take offence to.

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsSit/Stand Observations

The adjustable desk/standing trend has evolved a bit with more companies offering manual and electric adjustable height desks. The new adds to this category is now the “active” seat-stool-chair designs. For example the company Focal offers some of the best ideas in this arena and the rest seem to fall into the “mushroom” stool category to support this style of active office. I personally have been involved with a seating company (Ergo Impact) that is offering a seating situation that solves the need for a multi purpose seat that actually goes from seating to perching to standing. This kind of seat will give the user the freedom to move easy from one position to the next creating the healthy environment situation that everyone is looking for. With the adjustable desk trend looking like it might not slow down too soon, I expect more of this type of product to show up at next years event.

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsFriendly Lighting

Office lighting has been evolving from under bin design being the dominant player to the switch to free standing task lamps taking over as the illumination of choice. The main reason for this is collaborative offices embraced lower panels and no overhead storage thus eliminating the typical mounting location for under bin lighting. In the free standing light category there are still a fair amount of “Luxo style” lighting (with the adjustable mechanical arms) being used in this years displays. Having said that – there is a genuine style movement away from the mechanics of these lights and a move towards softer, friendlier designs that are reminiscent of residential interior lighting. Attention to materials choices and details make these lights a bit more inviting if not more human than their mechanical brethren.

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsHooking Up

Adding electrification in one form or another is becoming the norm for the industry. Whether it is an integrated table top unit with USB and 12V hook ups or a add-on block that hovers at the edge of the desk, many furniture companies are building electrification into their systems. On a trend of lesser need/want, wireless charging locations are still showing up on some desk tops. This trend is a slower moving one that is starting to see more demand as more and more personal device companies build in the wireless charging element into their systems.

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsMaterials in the Mix

A few furniture companies are experimenting with material usage in their products. Some more adventurous than others. EPP is showing up in some designs as the class A material of choice not only for its uniqueness in look and feel but for its structural and light weight properties. Two shot molding is being utilized in areas that will want a softer feel to the touch. Compression molding of hybrid materials are also being employed to create interesting wall panels. And - blow molding and roto molding are still in the mix too for creation of complete one piece seating designs. I found these material and process uses to be the most interesting part of the show this year.

6-16-2016

Views and ObservationsThank You

I appreciate your interest in my thoughts about this years NEOCON event. If you have your own comments and want to add to this discourse then drop me a note at:

barry.hutzel@bazzadesign .com

Regards,Barry HutzelBazza Design