NeoCon 2019 Top Trends
We were excited to get the opportunity to attend NeoCon this year in Chicago! It is one of our favorite events of the year. We are often asked by those that we work with why we attend NeoCon. As an art consulting firm, is there a benefit? The answer to this is very simple ... We go to get inspired. We travel the country throughout the year for art industry shows as buying trips and to get introduced to new artists to work with. We travel to NeoCon to get inspirited and to keep up with the current trends in the industry. "NeoCon serves as the commercial design industry's launch pad for innovation -- offering ideas and introductions that shape the built environment today and into the future." Year 51 of the show taking place was quite the success, and we came home truly inspired by the new trends.
Let's talk about the trends that we saw and how this will shape the way that we source and select artwork for our upcoming projects.
Trend #1 . . . Texture
There is something about texture that makes you want to reach out and touch. It draws your eye in, your senses become alive, and ultimately makes you reach out your hands to touch it. It makes you curious. It makes you wonder. It makes you ask questions on how it was made. Texture was one of the top trends that we saw pouring out of the NeoCon showrooms.
Trend #2 . . . Scale it up
Is bigger really better? Perhaps when it comes to the latest trends in artwork. Large scale artwork is a popular new trend that we are loving. Less pieces but with a bigger impact by scaling the size up is an art strategy not just a trend. It is a philosophy that we feel strongly about at TOC Artwork as we are often telling our clients that 'less is simply more'. Fewer pieces of art with a greater scale is a strategy that we fully support.
Trend #3 . . . Rich Colors
There was certainly no fear of color at NeoCon this year. The color spectrum was bold yet rich and sophisticated. Rich jewel tones with deep blues, mustard yellow, and earthy greens. Let's also not forget about the popular rose pink that seems to be showing up everywhere. The color spectrum had a vintage vibe that gave us a feeling of comfort and warmth. The hospitality market and corporate market have truly collided when it comes to color story.
Trend #4 . . . All about that Pattern
Repeating patterns draw interest and attention. When done properly, they can make a space feel alive yet organized. The rhythm of the pattern gives the space a heartbeat that allows the viewer to smile with curiosity. Whether it was in 2D or 3D format, the use of patterns was truly alive at NeoCon this year. The patterns were often simple and un-complicated, but they certainly sparked a high level of interest.
Trend #5 . . . Make a Statement!
Why stand quietly in the background when you can courageously stand out? Design and art is intended to make a statement which is exactly what we saw at NeoCon this year. We witnessed art moments that made us stand in awe. These are moments that made us stop (take a picture) ... then stand in wonder at what was created. Art is intended to tell a story and to draw emotions. So we fully support when this is done is a bold, courageous format that makes a statement!
And that's a wrap on our NeoCon 2019 "wrap up" of the top trends that will transform the way that we select artwork. Get ready to see these ideas at work in our upcoming projects!
