The key design trend predication revealed at Stationery Show London, entitled Satori – was even more relevant given that the show coincided with the abdication of the long serving Japanese Emperor Akihito, which added to the world focus on the 2020 Olympics taking place in Tokyo is likely to uplift in Japanese inspired design.
Forming a central display feature at The Stationery Show London (which took place this week – April 30 and May 1) was a collection of products from exhibitors which demonstrated four key trends, as highlighted by trend forecasters Scarlet Opus, who curated the display.
Here are the four key design trends that Scarlet Opus believes will become more evident in stationery this year…
Satori – a Japanese word that refers to the experience of seeing into one’s true nature. This trend encourages consumers to find a natural rhythm and balance in their lifestyles in order to cope with the complexities of modern life and the distractions of the online world.
During the summer of 2020 the Tokyp Olympics will focus attention on Japanese traditions, arts, crafts, designs and nature.
The Game Changer – an innovative and experimental trend focused on the strengthening connection between technology and sustainability to achieve environmental improvements. It speaks to concerns about mass urbanisation, population growth, climate change and pollution. A movement toward clean air, oceans, energy and living.
Fellowship – this trend promotes the power of the collective: working together to carve out a better future.
It has a global outlook: celebrating cultural diversity and placing ethics at the centre of decision making.
Collaboration and community are key. It is experimental, colourful and joyous; showcasing a cultural mix of pattern and materials.
The Traveller – This trend has a mature luxuriousness; an understated glamour that is controlled, ordered, stable, made to last, disciplined, precisely crafted and pristine; demonstrations of our attempts to bring order and control into our lives at a time of great uncertainty.
Dark woods, brass, plus velvets, dark marbles, faux tortoiseshell, Bakerlite-like resins and fine grain leathers set the tone of this trend that has Art Deco influences as we enter the roaring 2020’s.
The show, which fell in the middle of National Stationery Week (which runs until this Sunday – May 5), also included the unveiling of the winners of the Stationery Awards.
And the winners of the stationery product award categories are…
DIARIES, ORGANISERS, CALENDARS – Quadrille Publishing for Oliver Bonas: Work Hard, Play Hard & Be Kind A6 2019 Diary
GIFT PACKAGING & WRAP – ExaClair Limited for Tiny Roll Kraft Gift Wrapping Range
LICENSED STATIONERY – Quadrille Publishing for English Heritage: Fold & Post
ART & CRAFTS – Chameleon Art Products for Chameleon Fineliners
DESK ACCESSORIES – Makers Cabinet for Høvel
EVERYDAY WRITING INSTRUMENTS – Studio Pens for Kaweco FROSTED Sport Series
FILING & STORAGE – JPT Europe Ltd for +KRAFT
NOTEBOOKS & JOURNALS – Leuchtturm1917 for Bauhaus 100 Years Collection
NOVELTY STATIONERY – Securit by Vermes BV for 3D Chalkboard Whale by Securit®
SOCIAL STATIONERY – Petra Boase for Balloon Card Range
WRITING INSTRUMENTS (OVER £25 RRP) – Lime Stationery & Art for Troika Capmatic Pen
GOOD DESIGN – VENT for Change for Ideas Collection
JUDGES’ CHOICE 2019 – ExaClair Limited for Tiny Roll Kraft Gift Wrapping Range
DESIGNER STATIONERY AWARD – Laura Jackson of Laura Jackson Design
The judging panel this year’s Stationery Awards included Katy Golden, head of gift at GBCC; Chris Lambert, founder of subscription box service Scrawlrbox; Sarah Laker, owner of Marple Stationery Supplies and figurehead for this year’s National Stationery Week #StationeryShopSaturday campaign; Sidonie Warren, co-founder of Papersmiths; Mark Hayhurst, sponsor and editor of Craft Business; Debbie Wigglesworth, Paper Passionist from consultancy The Paper Collaborative and Abigail Ball, deputy stationery buyer at Fenwick.
RETAILER STATIONERY AWARDS
The winners are…
Best Customer Initiative (Instore or Online) – Scrawlrbox for The Scrawlr Challenge
Best POS/Merchandised Display of Stationery – Scriptum Ltd for Vincero!
New Store of the Year – Papersmiths Brighton and Papersmiths Chelsea
Best Non-Specialist Stationery Retailer – Papersmiths
Best Specialist Stationery Retailer – Cult Pens
The judging panel for the Retailer Awards included Kerri Middleton, md of Busy B; George Wilkinson, md of Nuco Internationall; Jane Reucroft, founder and Chloe Bayles, head of A Gift From The Gods; Rebecca Saunders, independent retail and e-commerce consultant; Michael Owen, co-founder of Lime Stationery & Art and Gemma Bassett, marketing manager at Sinclairs and a Star Choice in the Thirty Under 30 stationery initiative.
