NEOCON Observations June 2009

The following pages show examples of products that we found interesting or that stood out from the crowd. We did not try to analyze the state of the market or who is leading the pack in the furniture industry.

NEOCON Observations

Barry Hutzel Christy Ennis-KlooteLuciano Hernandez Raquel Rosas

Robust Actuations

“Micrometer” style keyboard Height adjustment

Mouse wrap strap

Retractable cord wrap

Human Scale > Integrated, aesthetically pleasing products

NEOCON Observations > Healthcare

V7 Wall StationT5 Point of Care Technology Cart

Clean details

Arms have a high quality feel and look.

We were impressed with the quality of assembly, material choice and the refinement of form.

Human Scale > “Element” LED Light

Meticulously designed details.

Heat sink has been designed into the look – Smart!

Wall mount and desk lamp base makes the design multi useful

One LED design makes for a clean “no shadows” light pattern

Replaceable LED module makes the design not a throw away

Our favorite lighting design of the event

NEOCON Observations > Lighting

Steelcase > Soto LED Light

NEOCON Observations > Lighting

Small and compact

Lighting Module is adaptable to many uses

Haworth > Lim Light

LED Lamps

These 2 LED Lamps have in several ways become similar in form. Taking advantage of the LED slimness makes for some companies to design similarly.

NEOCON Observations > Lighting

Ambient Lighting Large Circular Design makes for a strong Visual Effect

Lots of Green colored products

Interesting but may get you dizzy!

Larger and unique shapes for ambient lighting define office interiors. The larger designs are architectural elements as well as a light fixture.

NEOCON Observations > Seating

Herman Miller > SetuKinematics Spine design flexes with the body

93% recyclable

Has been adapted to a variety of uses including stools and lounge styles

One of our favorite chairs. It is a chair that is designed with clean lines, elegant forms and is comfortable.

NEOCON Observations > Seating

Why would a chair that looks like it is possibly not comfortable actually be comfortable?

Is it the shape of the back? Selection of cushion? The softness of the back cushion? All the above? This design is a great example of a unique design shape that is also comfortable.

Lounge ChairsWriting surface can be used for righties and lefties alike. We liked this idea, but it is a poor execution. The writing surface does not have an attachment and it is too easily removed and or slides off.

Interesting form study but an uncomfortable seat.

This chair represents exactly what is advertised. The look suggests “not comfortable” and it is exactly what it looks like.

Alterno Chair > Dauphin

Topo Chair > Coalesse

White Boards

Paintable Dry-Erase Surfaces:Tabrasa by ideapaintClearpoint by Wolf-GordonDry Erase by Rustoleum

NEOCON Observations > White Boards

Workrite > Poise

Adjustable Monitor Arms

NEOCON Observations > Adjustable Arms

Humanscale

Nurture

The forms are nicely refined and are not too “mechanical” looking.

Details, solidity, and subtle form sophistication are standards for Humanscale

Nurtures arms take advantage of a “universal joint concept to pivot the screen.

Collapsible “Accordion Wall” is a unique portable design wall. It’s shortcomings is it is only a temp divider wall and not structural at all. Steelcase “Wire Management” solution is generous space

for hiding electrical elements but also a great dust and garbage catcher.

Synthetic patterns keep getting better and better. Quality, Aesthetic, Longevity, Costs. It was a good combination with other materials.

NEOCON Observations

Materials, Space Dividers and Wire Management

NEOCON Observations > Environments

Work SpacesCollaboration spaces are the trend and these are examples of it. Multi tiered designs (below) allow for a tight space meeting with many participants.

Temporary spaces (to the left) are also interesting for their quick reconfiguration ability. Does reconfiguration actually happen in real life or do the elements in the space get set in place and not move again?

Burnt Sienna - Warm Earth Tone

Warm Olive - Natural Energetic Green

Mustard Yellow / Gold - Optimistic

Purple - Exciting side of nature

Teal - Exotic side of nature

White - Smart look for technology and business

Color and Pattern Trends

NEOCON Observations > Trends

Still all about Nature– textures primarily derived from nature and finding ways to add depth

NEOCON Observations > Patterns & Fabrics

Color and Pattern Trends

Hands on Inspiration

Lighting within Display Signs

Unique floral displays (working in the green)

Type Describing Design as Texture

Illustrator capturing thoughts/comments live

NEOCON Observations > Exhibits

The Best Swag

Bags and the stuffed monkeys were definitely the biggest hits!

You know it worked when you are on another floor and someone asks you “Where did you get that!?”

Definitely fewer printed materials shared than ever in the past. Haworth had most tech savvy printed material piece. As you see they used a barcode reader for your phone to provide a link to a the web for more information. Way to save a few trees.

NEOCON Observations

View of Chicago

Boys love the pink bags!Ariel on the highway– WOW!

NEOCON Observations > Conclusion

Raquel taking it all in

We hope you enjoyed this short overview of some of the products we saw at NEOCON this year. As you can see, we pointed out some interesting things and a few editorial comments.

Thank you,

Tiger Studio Team