Design trends: Purple, animal humour and Aussie

Flora Spens of Bridgeman Images.
Flora Spens of Bridgeman Images.

Flora Spens, account manager for Bridgeman Images picks out her three key trends to watch out for in 2018.

 

Purple passion

“Last year, Pantone announced new colour ‘purple reign’, and with the latest revelation of Ultra Violet unfolding in 2018, the colour purple shows no signs of fading.

Purple Leaves III, White, K.B./Private Collection/Bridgeman Images.
Purple Leaves III, White, K.B./Private Collection/Bridgeman Images.

After Prince ‘The Purple One’ Rogers Nelson passed away, the musician, who was forever associated with the colour purple, influence lives on. The Pantone Colour institute worked with his estate to create the new shade: Love Symbol #2, a colour inspired by his custom-made Yamaha purple piano.

The colour Ultra Violet has evoked a spiritual, magical quality. The colour is attached to mindfulness, providing comfort to those in need of escape in our over-stimulated lives. The use of purple-toned lighting in meditation spaces is said to offer energy to communities that gather and inspire connection.”

 

Northern Soul, 2014, (oil on linen), Watson, Gavin/Private Collection/Bridgeman Images. PLEASE NOTE: This image is protected by the artist's copyright which needs to be cleared by you. If you require assistance in clearing permission we will be pleased to help you.
Northern Soul, 2014, (oil on linen), Watson, Gavin/Private Collection/Bridgeman Images.

Creature chortles

Animal humour is going to remain a key trend in 2018, with a further wave of amusing interpretations of animals for stationery and cards. Birds are coming at all angles, and tend to be very Hitchcock-esque. From English Bulldogs to ‘keep calm and carry on’ penguins, to dogs doing yoga and then the more exotic – such as polar bears or flamingos – are the perfect inspiration.”

 

A Maori chief with facial moko tattoo, Sydney Parkinson, 1769/Pictures from History/Bridgeman Images.
A Maori chief with facial moko tattoo, Sydney Parkinson, 1769/Pictures from History/Bridgeman Images.

A voyage of discovery

Captain Cook inspired product will also feature in 2018 to celebrate 250 years since Captain James Cook set sail from England on board HMS Endeavour. Scottish artist Sydney Parkinson made a huge contribution to the records of the Endeavour voyage, being the first European artist to create drawings of Australia’s indigenous people, as well as Australian landscapes, from direct observation. These striking artworks will gain more attention from designers looking for something original.”

More from Flora and trends from other leading image libraries will appear in the February issue of Progressive Greetings.

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