SBID Members and pioneering British design brand Bisque has announced Radical 40, an exclusive competition to find the ‘next big thing’ in stylish radiators and celebrate its landmark 40th anniversary.
The company, having transformed the humble radiator from being regarded as merely a technical plumbing item into a desirable design-led product in its own right, is on the hunt for the next generation of stylish radiators. From statement-making pieces to sleek, space-saving towel radiators and compact school-style models, Bisque design luxury radiators to complement and enhance any interior, be it traditional, contemporary or somewhere in-between.
Budding designers and Bisque fans alike will be invited to join the movement and make their mark on the design industry by creating the brand’s newest model.
The competition deadline for entries is in October, where all entrants will be judged by a panel of industry experts, including journalists, designers and Bisque officials. The winning model is then set to be unveiled during an exclusive preview in November. The winning design will be awarded a cash prize; plus, provided the design works technically, will go into production!
Bisque Radiators featuring the Archibald
Eagle-eyed Bisque fans may recall the last time Bisque invited the public to design a new model to join its repertoire of unique luxury radiators. The prize model, the Archibald – designed by Italian Leo Salzedo – went on to win the 2006 designboom competition and is still one of the brand’s most iconic and instantly recognisable radiators today.
Named one of The Observer’s CoolBrands three years in a row, Bisque paved the way for a radiator revolution. Notable models include the Leaf and Cactus radiators, while partnerships with the likes of Paul Priestman have kept Bisque at the forefront of cutting-edge radiator design ever since.
Speaking of the competition, brand leader Ellie Sawdy commented: “We are thrilled to be launching this competition to commemorate four decades of innovative radiators. Here at Bisque we have always maintained that radiators don’t need to be boring, and this philosophy remains a core part of our brand’s ethos. We are equally excited by the fresh, young design talent the UK has to offer, so are incredibly excited to see what the British public comes up with”.
For further information on entering, click here or search #Radical40 on social media to find out more.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a historic high-rise given new life with contemporary design concepts. The new office space is designed with sleek, contemporary elegance and the creation of unique angular dimensions. The design was developed with the preservation of historical monuments in mind as the building was placed under preservation for its historic, architectural quality. The elegance and generous proportions, together with a mix of unusual, high-quality materials and a striking lighting design concept, distinguish the office areas and conference zones across the four floors. With regard to the architectural quality of the building and the demands of the customer, the combination of materials used was inspired by the building's original era - with modern interpretation. Black marble, brass, carbon and glass runs throughout the entire interior design scheme.
Sector: Office Design
Company: Landau + Kindelbacher
Project: Real Estate Office of Landau + Kindelbacher
Location: Zurich, Switzerland
What was the client's brief?
The Swiss branch of a property developer wanted us to take on the interior design for their new representative office. Including office areas and a conference zone over a total of four storeys with an area of about 100 square meters, and at the same time to take monument conservation into consideration.
What inspired the interior design of the project?
The Hochhaus zur Bastei, designed by the famous Zurich Architect, Werner Stücheli and completed in 1955, is considered the first high-rise building in the city of Zurich. Situated directly on the Schwanzengraben, the tower block sets an urban development accent and acts as a gateway to the city. As an example of high architectural quality, the Hochhaus zur Bastei was placed under a preservation order a few years ago.
With regard to the architectural quality of the Bastei tower and the representative demands of the customer, a unique material combination of black marble (polished Nero Marquina), brass, carbon and glass was selected for use across the floors, walls and ceilings. As a reminiscence of the architecture of the 1950s, the classical materials are newly interpreted in their use, colourfulness and gloss value. Like a passe-partout, the resulting spatial effect frames the view and allows the low room heights of the existing building to retreat into the background.
Designed with a sleek, contemporary elegance and generous proportions, the mix of unusual, high-quality materials and accentuated lighting systems help to distinguish the office areas and conference zones. In contrast to the black space continuum is the high-gloss furniture, highly polished brass elements and golden lighting channels to make the design features stand out and illuminate against this dark, black backdrop.
What was the toughest hurdle your team overcame during the project?
The greatest challenge in this project was to combine the conditions presented by the existing situation with the requirements of a contemporary office world.
What was your team’s highlight of the project?
The furniture and fittings were mostly designed and individually installed on site by Landau + Kindelbacher. A speciality is the floor pattern with the brass seams as a visible, high-quality separation. The subject of ‘seams’ is mirrored again and again in the whole design – from the integration of direct and indirect lighting in the cooling ceiling to the special furniture.
Why did you enter the SBID International Design Awards?
We consider the SBID International Design Awards to be an excellent platform for presenting us and our projects to an international audience.
Questions answered by Gerhard Landau and Ludwig Kindelbacher, Managing Partners at Landau Kindelbacher
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a show home which blends artistic, Oriental concepts with modern design, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's office design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
Landau + Kindelbacher | SBID International Design Awards
As September approaches and the design industry springs back to life with the newest designs, innovations and inspirations, make sure you plan ahead to get the latest insight into the international design industry - and where it's heading. Kicking off with Maison&Objet with a host of clever design solutions to help attract and retain customers, London Design Festival is set to transform London with the freshest contemporary designs, trailblazing talents and industry trends to celebrate London as the design capital of the world and a gateway to the international creative community.
6th - 10th September
MAISON&OBJET PARIS - Paris, France
MAISON&OBJET (M&O) 2019 will be serving up inspiration for Hoteliers and Restaurateurs. Having been around since 1995 as the international trade fair for the lifestyle, decoration and design sectors, M&O has become the not-to-be-missed event over the past 25 years for industry professionals seeking clever design solutions to help attract and retain customers. This edition is set to celebrate the art of hospitality, sharing and savouring. The perfect opportunity for professionals to explore new concepts, make new contacts and discover thousands of brands. To help café owners, hoteliers and restaurateurs, a special trail is dedicated to focusing on their specific needs. Not only will the trail enable them to explore cookware and tableware solutions, but it will also invite them to discover design pieces and furniture that suit the hotel and restaurant trade’s specific usage needs, such as customisation.
This September, the event will also be turning the spotlight on a brand new theme: WORK! Uniting the entire sector and expressing today’s new art of working, the upcoming event encourages office designers take a fresh approach to the workspace through creative selection of furniture and decorative objects. The very best furnishings for today's offices and work spaces will be showcased in a dedicated zone, accompanied by a special WORK! trail pinpointing all the exhibitors offering work-related design solutions.
Image by THG Paris
18th September
SBID Breakfast Meeting with THG Paris - London, United Kingdom
SBID Breakfast Meetings aim to bring together relevant industry professionals to facilitate business networking and partnerships between designers and suppliers. The upcoming Breakfast Meeting on Wednesday 18th September 2019 will be hosted by the manufacturer of luxury, design-oriented bathroom and kitchen fittings, THG Paris in Belgravia, London.
To attend or register your interest in attending, please email [email protected]
Held on 14th - 22nd September 2019, London Design Festival is an annual event, designed to celebrate and promote London as the design capital of the world and as the gateway to the international creative community. The event stages several major trade shows, known as 'Design Destinations' throughout the week. These are the commercial pillars of the Festival and are key meeting places for designers, manufacturers, buyers, specifiers, the media and design enthusiasts to discover new product releases and identify current trends.
100% Design featuring Tapio Anttila Collection
18th - 21st September
100% Design - London, United Kingdom
2019 marks the 25th anniversary of 100% Design, the UK’s leading design trade event. Celebrating a quarter century of introducing some of the industry’s most influential designers, makers and producers, the 2019 show will present a stellar line-up of more than 400 exhibitors showcasing the latest products across furniture, lighting, textiles, glazing, surfaces, accessories and more. Striking installations, inspiring collaborations and innovative projects feature thought-provoking experiences and push the boundaries of design. 100% Design will again cover four key areas: Interiors; Kitchens, Bathrooms & Bedrooms; Emerging Brands and 100% Build London. The return of leading brands and presentations from new, emerging talent cement the show's position as a cornerstone event of the London Design Festival.
New for this year, 100% Design will showcase ‘A Sense of Finland’ curated by Finnish/English designer Hanna Laikola, founder of HEMLO in collaboration with renowned Nordic brand Tapio Anttila Collection and Polar Life Haus. Voted the happiest country in the world for the second year running, the Finland pavilion will allow visitors to experience the sounds, sights, touch, smell and taste of Finland in the middle of London, showcasing the Finnish philosophy that simple things make us happy! Other key trends for 2019 are also set to appear with themes of wellness and upcycling taking centre stage.
London Design Fair featuring Armani/Roca
19th - 22nd September
London Design Fair - London, United Kingdom
The London Design Fair is set to open its doors to 29,000 visitors at the iconic Old Truman Brewery in Shoreditch. With a host of new components, including The Bathroom Gallery in partnership with ELLE Decoration and Crossovers by Adorno, the event is set to present an inspirational, hand-picked line-up of superlative contemporary design, offering visitors a truly absorbing and informative experience. This highly creative exposition will once again transform the Old Truman Brewery into a thrilling centre of original, innovative and aesthetic design.
The Bathroom Gallery will be a bespoke exhibition for world-leading bathroom brands. The aim is to offer a highly-curated glimpse into the brands and products shaping bathrooms today. The bespoke exhibition design by acclaimed architectural designer Ioana Lupascu provides brands with the opportunity to transform a 20-square-metre space with six options of freestanding wall configurations. Adorno will present Crossovers: 10 curators, 10 collections, 10 global design scenes. As a celebration of designers and communities around the world striving to preserve and revitalise local design and craft cultures, Kristian Snorre Andersen, the CEO of Adorno, remarks: ‘The show will highlight the aesthetic traits and beauty of each scene, facilitating a cross-cultural dialogue", showcasing collections from Finland, Sweden, Norway, Iceland, Denmark, the Netherlands, Belgium, Switzerland, Mexico and Turkey.
Designjunction 2019 Image Credit: Ruth Ward
Designjunction - London, United Kingdom
The award-winning interiors show, designjunction, is returning to King’s Cross during the London Design Festival, 19 – 22 September 2019. Now in its ninth year, designjunction has proven itself to be the most anticipated event of the Festival, attracting over 27,000 visitors across four days in 2018. This year, designjunction will present a curated mix of over 100 world-renowned furniture, lighting, accessory and technology brands alongside installations, pop-up-shops, temporary structures and major brand activations. These features are set across several key areas throughout the Kings Cross Design District including Cubit House, the Light tunnel, Kings Boulevard and The Canopy.
The event's theme for 2019, (Re)act calls upon exhibitors to act as agents of change, to react to issues and re-imagine opportunities whilst re-connecting with their audiences. The 2019 exhibitors will create challenging products and activations which encourage visitors this year to think differently about the world we are living in and the spaces we inhabit.
This year, designjunction have also launched a brand-new Talks programme at the Everyman Cinema in King’s Cross sponsored by Clippings. Set against the millennial-pink backdrop of the cinema and curated by design and architecture writer and commentator Grant Gibson, the two-day platform (Thursday 19 - Friday 20 September) is set to challenge, provoke and engage with an eclectic range of topical issues that include sustainability and the circular economy; the relationship between dyslexia and design; the need for increased diversity in design; and the importance of wellbeing at work.
Click here to view the entire Talks programme or register now for your ticket.
The prestigious SBID International Design Awards have been accredited to GOLD standard by The Independent Awards Standards Council. The SBID Awards are the first interior design award scheme to be accredited to this standard.
The Awards Trust Mark Scheme was established with the aim of encouraging more award programmes to focus on their own ethics and transparency. The scheme scrutinises everything from criteria, scoring, feedback, transparency and judging.
Considered as one of the most prestigious accolades in interior design by the best in the industry, the SBID International Design Awards are awarded purely on the quality of the design, innovation, aesthetic and value-added to the project. Each entry undergoes an exhaustive two-tier judging process by panels of leading industry experts for both technical content and aesthetic creativity. Evaluating essential elements such as compliance with the brief, budget, health & safety and fit-for-purpose design.
Chris Robinson, Co-Founder of the Independent Awards Standards Council commented: “The SBID International Design Awards scheme is an exemplar in how awards should be operated. Their attention to every detail, from the transparency of the scoring system, to the briefings provided to judges, to the quality of websites, the clarity of the entering process, and the quality of customer service throughout is exemplary. I hope more schemes will aspire to this level of service and also earn the Gold Standard Awards Trust Mark.”
SBID Award categories cover all aspects of interior design including Retail design, Public Space, Healthcare & Wellness Design, Residential Design, CGI, Club & Bar Design, Restaurant Design, Office Design and Hotel Design. The highly anticipated finalists of the SBID International Design Awards 2019 are due to be announced on Friday 16th August, the public will then be invited to vote for their favourite projects which accounts for 30% of the final results.
Last year saw one of the most globally represented editions to date with an astounding 225,000 unique voters during the voting period.
Founder and CEO of SBID International Design Awards, Dr Vanessa Brady, OBE comments “We’re thrilled to receive this accreditation and recognition which is a further endorsement of the value that an SBID Award generates to winners and one of the many reasons why the industry hold the SBID Awards as the ultimate recognised achievement for Interior Design”.
To find out more about the SBID Awards, visit www.sbidawards.com
When it comes to the bathroom, homeowners are increasingly prioritising designs which are not only functional, but also luxurious. Charlie Williams, Interior Designer at Heritage Bathrooms, thinks about how to blend form and function within your clients’ bathroom spaces and shares her expert advice on how best to do so; keeping your bathroom designs ahead of the curve and in line with current client demands and expectations.
Spa-inspired bathrooms are rapidly growing in popularity, providing a relaxing space for homeowners to relax and recharge. But moving away from traditional structures and blurring the lines between vanity areas, bathing areas and the bedroom can be an effective way of creating an immersive space.
You don’t need to knock down walls or reconfigure rooms to achieve this look. Simple additions such as an upholstered chair, statement mirrors or warm metallic accessories can help to redefine the boundaries between different spaces.
Space is a highly valuable luxury and, with smaller homes on the rise, a commodity that is often hard to come by. Storage solutions, such as wall mounted vanity units, like those available within the Caversham range from Heritage, are ideal for providing a sleek finish alongside the storage required for an organised space.
A luxury freestanding bath is the epitome of boutique style, and a popular choice amongst both hoteliers and homeowners for bathrooms of all types. They look beautiful when positioned in the centre of the room alongside a side table or chair.
The Madeira freestanding bath by Heritage is perfect for achieving this look, and combines traditional simplicity with on-trend opulence. The cast iron material is paintable, allowing for designers to select a custom shade of their choice. Or, why not opt for a bath with a metallic finish such as the Holywell from Heritage, which is available in copper, gold and stainless-steel effect finishes. For smaller spaces, opt for ‘baby’ version of the cast iron roll top baths, which are smaller than the standard size and provide spa style that fits the space without compromising on luxury.
Basins are often viewed as a basic essential and can be easily overlooked when bathroom planning. However, a bold, on-trend basin can provide a striking, but subtle focal point for a washroom space, while options like double console basins help to bring a hint of hotel-chic style.
The Victoria double console basin from Heritage Bathrooms is a beautiful example of this style. The design draws inspiration from the Victorian era with beautiful, curved sculpted legs which offer a striking upgrade to a standard pedestal, giving an on-trend twist to traditional styling.
Alternatively, for rooms where space is not an obstacle, two identical basins in a ‘his and hers’ formation can be used to create a Jack and Jill style arrangement. Increasingly in demand, this design will not only aid busy morning routines, but provide users with the luxury of an independent space.
For more inspirational tips on how to create elegant bathroom designs or to see Heritage Bathrooms’ full range of functional yet luxurious bathroom products, visit www.heritagebathrooms.com
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a harmonious blend of artistic, Oriental concepts with modern design. The environment, light and temperament of the space was designed to imbue occupants with a sense of calmness. Elegant materials set the tone while the design strives for simplicity with an undercurrent of Oriental influences. The furnishings are also simple in style, their lightness, outline and clean lines of the interior scheme achieves a perfect balance. The pure colours, rustic materials and changes in light and shadow are unique, graceful and restrained throughout. Together they combine a modern design language with traditional culture, infusing the Oriental artistry with the minimal aesthetics.
Sector: Show Flats & Developments Design
Company: INNEST Interior Design
Project: Foshan Green Island Lake Villa
Location: Foshan, China
This project was designed for our client, YANGO Group. Established in 1995 in Fuzhou city, Fujian Province, China, YANGO has now become the top 500 enterprises in the world, providing services in real estate, business operation and property management. It has now set up more than 30 branch offices around China.
As designers, we think to convey a cultural temperament through a space is necessary for interior design. Every era has its own design language. This particular project brings an oriental artistic conception into each room with unique design techniques so as to enable more people to enjoy its artistic atmosphere, which us designers hope can also exert positive influence on the next generation with a nod to the heritage which inspires it.
Integrating all the design concepts we developed for the space to convey the right tone and impression for the interior. As the images demonstrate, in the shape of modernity, the project portrays Oriental connotations, integrates elements of nature and architecture, as well as cultivate an atmosphere of tranquillity and prosperity. With history and culture reflected in the details, it emphasises the simplicity and low-key oriental luxury. The overall space conveys a subtle and restrained temperament. The project also uses the changing natural light and shade in the space to achieve a balance between oriental perception and fashion.
The environment, light and temperament of the interior creates a supreme sense of calmness and underlying luxury. The materials used create the luxurious temperament of the space while the overall design strives for simplicity. Furnishings, which are also simple in style and structure to complement the minimal aesthetic, are placed in careful alignment together to create synergy; with amiable styling and the integration of oriental design features, we achieved a good balance so this is a key highlight for us.
To share our design concept with others around the world in the interior design industry and to better improve ourselves.
Questions answered by Yu Chao and Guanghui Zeng, Founder and Creative Director of INNEST Interior Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a fun family beach house with a vibrant, colourful aesthetic, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's design for show flats and developments! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
INNEST Interior Design | SBID International Design Awards
Member of the SBID Education Design Council and Founder of Super Power Agency, Maxine Sloss shares how her life-long experience as a professional designer and history using art as therapy has shaped her perspective on creative environments and the essential impact they can have on wellbeing and learning. Her current realm of expertise is also informed by the Super Power Agency mentoring centre which aims to improve literacy, foster aspiration and boost self esteem through the most fundamental super power; the ability to read and write.
As a designer for almost 20 years, I saw first hand how aesthetics can change peoples behaviour and how creative environments can transform attitudes from outside in. I found joy in transforming a space into a more delightful environment for an individual, or a group. There is a clear body of evidence and understanding which highlights the direct link between our surroundings and our mental health. This in turn could be described as unconscious therapy, bringing out the best in us without us being aware it is even happening. Creating spaces for a client that use expression and communication is often life changing! Clients often get a clearer understanding of the language of colour, texture, harmony and abundance and also a greater understanding of the art and artisans used in the interiors. Changing the energy of their spaces was frequently very therapeutic for the clients.
After training as an art practitioner, I realised that Art Therapy and Design are one and the same thing. Working with children who needed time away from the pressure of mainstream school and were struggling to keep up in the school system, only confirmed all I had learnt.
The spaces created to help children engage are therefore essential to their wellbeing. There is no difference between the needs of a client wanting a secure, creative space in their home to write or unwind and a child who needs to feel secure and be given a great sense of wellbeing.
There are many aesthetics that are required to help stimulate our brain with emotion and hopefully create a sense of natural wonder and in turn, a feeling of great pleasure and contentment. These are the same elements that were used when transforming a school classroom into a creative space for art therapy, or recently, in transforming a school bus into a creative library space to inspire creative learning for children with low literacy skills.
Colour & Light
Using colour was my signature design trait as it has always had a profound effect on my happiness. Transforming dark spaces using colour into light spaces for learning is key; natural light is essential and can make the best of classroom environments with the right choices of paint colours.
Colour has a very transforming effect on wellbeing. I have watched clients gasp with delight at a newly painted room and we have to ask ourselves, “why do most children paint rainbows and adults do not?” We are often preconditioned to think that as we age, colour is childish and frivolous, with neutral hues often being thought of as the more 'mature'. Colour works on a deep emotional level, mentally and emotionally, changing our mood and sense of wellbeing. Knowledge of colour theory can help us express our feelings in an artwork. The importance of colour has been transmitted into our everyday language; you can be red with anger, green with envy and tickled pink. We often speak of cheerful bright colours, as well as sad and dull ones. A grey day may be depressing and result in the blues. Colour also has immense spiritual significance and has been intertwined into religious ritual throughout time. This can be seen in saffron robes of Tibetan Buddhist monks, to green being the sacred colour of Islam. Colours have the power to symbolise and communicate with an extraordinary immediacy, which words can never match. Colour therapy is a noted form of therapy, which can work alongside art therapy for children. Colour therapists believe that the seven colours of the rainbow relate to the body’s seven main chakras. How does creativity and colour contribute to our emotional wellbeing? It is believed that a catharsis takes place through positive use of colour. For example, if we are feeling sad or let down, wearing bright colours immediately changes our mood and a positive shift of energy occurs.
Red – gives courage and strength and shows a pioneering spirit. Red is the colour of exhilaration and often, a colour of war. For example, Roman Soldiers carried red battle flags and many nations have had red battle tunics. In the western world, red can also mean love/passion, action and dynamism.
Orange – an energetic colour, without aggression. It frees and releases emotions, stimulates the mind; renewing interest in life. Orange can lift spirits and is the colour of laughter and humour of frivolity.
Yellow – is happy, uplifting, optimistic and logical. It is also mentally stimulating and bright. In Jungian psychology, yellow symbolises the flash of insight called ‘intuition’, which seems to come from out of the blue – the visual field of the right side of the brain. It builds self confidence and encourages an optimistic attitude.
Green – creates a feeling of comfort and relaxation, calmness and space, lessening stress. Offering balance and links to nature, green helps us to connect with the natural world.
Blue – is the colour of communication. It is calming, relaxing and healing. Blue is used for the introvert to come out of their shell because it reduces nervous excitement. It relates to self expression, speech and the ability to communicate our needs.
Indigo – is a sedative colour. Soothing. It is believed in certain religions that indigo is the colour of divine knowledge. Indigo children are highly sensitive beings, with a strong sense that they want to make a difference. These children are said to have an indigo-blue aura. The aura is a field of luminous radiation surrounding a person and these auras can be different colours.
Violet – creative, intuitive and stimulates the imagination. It is associated with luxury, e.g. royal purple, as in some early cultures purple dye was extremely difficult and expensive to produce.
The painter who famously taught colour analysis, Wassily Kandisky (1866-1944) used colour to express emotional experience, rather than a reflection of nature. The painter Mark Rothko (1903-1970) used colour to convey a range of sensations near to what he described as a ‘religious experience’ thus illustrating that colour can transcend you to a happy place. Across every continent and every culture, colour dominates and permeates our lives. Colour surrounds us. Feeling and nourishing our senses; our minds, bodies and spirits are profoundly affected by it. Paul Klee (1879-1940), one of the greatest colourists in the history of painting, succinctly summarised its impact upon him; “colour possesses me. I don’t have to pursue it. It will possess me always. I know it”.
Abundance & Variety
Providing a therapeutic space with a variety of sensory stimulation. Our brains cannot develop in isolation. It requires a constant dialogue with its surrounding environment. Children particularly adore the abundance of textures, colours, and shapes. This can be jars of pencils, a variety of books, coloured stationary, jars of badges, buttons, and art material. It is well known in Europe, particularly in the Netherlands, where therapy called Snoezelen is used for developmental disabilities to create multi-sensory environments, letting the patients gravitate to the sensations that feel good for them. Watching students rummage through jars and jars of crayons or feeling their way through jars of buttons in an art space is a joy to watch.
Harmony
Harmony offers visible evidence that someone cares enough about the space to invest energy in it. Often the students we work with come from disorder. Disordered spaces have been linked to feelings of fear, anxiety and depression, causing a negative effect on their behaviour. Creating ordered vignettes of beauty with colour and shape can almost certainly lift spirits. For example, the small things make a huge difference; from toys placed with books, to beautiful flowers and plants.
Play
Everyone is born with a huge capacity to play and it’s very important to reconnect with that in a creative space of learning. Our culture needs more play. When we play, we learn without even realising it. Time diminishes and often our fear of self consciousness fades. This is obvious by the amount of adults dying to dress up on the Super Power Agency Bus in our dressing up costumes, releasing their creative inner child. Children go wild with the amount of play costumes available and all books they can touch and read - their joy is wonderful to behold. This play also removes the stigma of the dull, uninspiring classroom as they are blissfully unaware that learning is just about to become a lot more creative!.
Magic & Surprise
The permission to believe in magic is the true joy of childhood, from Santa Claus to fairies living in the garden. This magic is captured in thousands of books from Harry Potter to the Lord of the Rings. Creating spaces with the element of magic gives a huge sense of enchantment. Surprise an unexpected object can be in its contradiction, great for diverting the mind and creates humour and wit. Every student at the Super power agency adores the spider man hanging from the dashboard of the bus. They don a cape and immediately think they can conquer any disability in their writing skills!
Celebration
Reflective materials of all kinds can create sparkle; metallic, glitter, sequins are all associated with a celebration. The dressing up costumes and accessories on the Bus are designed to sparkle to celebrate the children who enter the Bus and in turn, the start of their creative learning with the agency. ‘Glitter celebrates’, Carrie Fisher once said; ‘Its happy. It makes you look like your up for a good time’.
Maxine Sloss Founder of the Super Power Agency
Click here to find out more about the SBID Education Council
With the flurry of social networking sites and apps that have emerged in recent years, traditional face to face networking has taken a backseat as we continue to navigate the new, commercial environment spawned by the technological advances of our modern society. As time becomes more of a valuable commodity, we’re far more frugal with how we spend it – and let’s be honest, sending a mail merge to 1000+ leads in one fell swoop to see what sticks sounds simple and convenient enough - and can still be considered a viable and effective way to reach potential clients… But this grossly impersonal approach doesn’t always reap the right rewards and with new GDPR policies in place for storing data, relationship building is more imperative than ever.
Vanessa K. Bohns, Associate Professor of Organizational Behavior at the ILR School at Cornell University is also a proponent of getting ‘up close and personal’ when it comes to doing business. In an article published by the Harvard Business Review, she advises that ‘if your office runs on email and text-based communication, it’s worth considering whether you could be a more effective communicator by having conversations in person.’ A study in the Journal of Experimental Social Psychology, found that people tend to overestimate the power of their persuasiveness via text-based communication, and underestimate the power of their persuasiveness via face to face communication.
The importance of face to face networking in an increasingly digital world, should therefore not be overlooked – with most of our professional communications in this day and age conducted online, SBID believes it’s more vital than ever to take things offline and carve out time in our busy schedules to establish meaningful connections, build lucrative business relationships and identify opportunities more efficiently. With the annual Meet the Buyer event, SBID aims to facilitate direct networking opportunities outside the depersonalised nature of cyberspace – with a whole day dedicated to just that!
The event works by bringing together world-class interior designers, architects and specifiers to the table, to meet face to face with the most advanced and design-led products and suppliers from around the world. Aside from the wealth of networking opportunities, back-to-back meetings and direct contact with key decision makers, the event also presents a series of business seminars for designers and manufacturers to gain valuable insight - as well as the chance to engage in discussions about key industry topics with the most respected and experienced experts in the field.
The one-day annual networking event is set to return this year on 24 October 2019 with a brand-new location in Grosvenor House, Park Lane in London.
What’s in it for you?
Generating genuine leads or sourcing trustworthy suppliers can be a time-consuming and often laborious task. With SBID’s professional network encompassing a global community of designers and manufacturers; SBID open the doors, facilitate the introductions and let you take the reins!
The event provides exclusive access to typically difficult to reach decision makers on a global scale. For Andrew Walker at John Lewis for Business the benefits seem clear; commenting on the event, he said “SBID has established a global network of design professionals across a broad range of sectors. Meet the Buyer attracts a really diverse range of people that we might not necessarily reach with other forms of marketing”.
For designers however, the event creates a relaxed and informal environment where everyone involved is open to learning from and engaging with each other in a comfortable setting; encouraging interaction and most importantly – mutually beneficial business opportunities. Zophia Amey, Co-Founder and Director of Minnie & Grouse Interiors shares her experience; “everybody is really friendly – very knowledgeable about what they do in their sector and willing to want to learn about other things that maybe isn’t particularly in their wheelhouse but could be’.
Advantages of face to face networking
What makes SBID Meet the Buyer so unique?
One of the elements that make SBID Meet the Buyer so unique is the carefully structured meeting format. By pre-arranging concise, back-to-back meetings throughout the day with designers who have travelled far and wide for the announcement of the SBID International Design Awards winners, suppliers can reach a truly international clientele - all under one roof and in a very short space of time! Last year saw designers fly in from a range of countries, from New Zealand and New York to China and the Middle East. With a desire to specify and source new suppliers for their upcoming projects, not only can the event save you time, but it will also expose you to a host of new business opportunities…
“The event really exceeded my expectations, I had over 15 meetings back-to-back today! Very happy with the result” – Adam Hult, Perennials & Sutherland
A chance to engage with the Industry
Alongside networking opportunities, the event will host a series of business seminars and talks from industry experts. This year’s seminars include an insightful talk about what makes a Superbrand, as well as a revealing and honest panel discussion designed to uncover the industry’s ‘dirty little secrets’; addressing challenges such as non-payment and offering advice on how to protect your copyrighted designs post-EU exit!
It’s apparent that the benefits of face to face communication can be significant, and far more conducive to establishing long-term relationships; providing opportunities for deeper client engagement. In fact, a survey of 760 business executives conducted by Forbes concluded that a staggering 84% actually preferred business communication in person over other forms of technology-enabled interaction. Of those, 85% agreed their reason was because it builds stronger, more meaningful business relationships.
Adding value to your marketing activities
Another notable advantage of being face to face which is worth mentioning centres around the personal contact you simply cannot obtain through online communication. The nonverbal component which comes solely with physical, human encounters is touch. Author of “The Silent Language of Leaders", Carol Kinsey Goman quotes a study on handshakes by the Income Center for Trade Shows, which demonstrates that people are twice as likely to remember you if you shake hands with them!
In light of this - and contrary to the new, global era of digital convenience, we believe investing in face to face interactions alongside other channels of communication can only add value to your marketing objectives. So, if you think it’s time to broaden your horizons beyond the constraints of a computer screen; whether you are a manufacturer wishing to showcase your latest products to professional designers, or a designer wishing to expand your catalogue of trusted suppliers with a good old-fashioned face to face, click here to find out more or register your interest.
This week's instalment of the #SBIDinspire interior design series features a striking beach house, created for a family who expressed a strong desire for the design to be vibrant, yet contemporary; creating spaces for both adults and children to have their own private areas, without being too disconnected from each other. The bright colours and stunning views make for a wonderful place to enjoy some time together with family and friends as the open plan design ensures an unobstructed flow within the main area of the property. Particular elements, such as the introduction of polished concrete, was key to this project as it’s very easy to clean and hard wearing – important as guests will be in and out often. The feature stainless steel slide, which runs from the games room upstairs into the living room was a fun element to add and highlights the playful manner of this family and their new home.
Sector: Residential Design
Company: Iggi Interior Design
Project: UK South Coast Residence
Location: South Coast, United Kingdom
To create a fun, family holiday beach home on the UK South Coast.
The family spends a lot of time in this location as they are keen windsurfers. They often spend weekends here with friends which meant that we needed to create a large open entertainment space that satisfies the needs of both adults and children.
A contemporary feel throughout was requested - without appearing too 'cold'. The family love colour and wanted this added into the project in an elegant way. As the house is right on the beach it was important that they be able to see the ocean.
Creating a fun, functional space for families that also looked clean, contemporary and relaxed all at the same time!
The entrance was particularly key to this project, a bespoke spiral staircase was created. This needed to look like a piece of art in itself. We added a mirrored wall to reflect both the curated artwork as well as the architectural sweep of the staircase.
At IGGI Interior Design, we believe that community is so important and design awards give us the chance to share our work with the wider community so that we can all learn and be inspired by each other too. Plus, it’s nice to win every now and then and be recognised for your work.
Questions answered by Susan White, Founder of Iggi Interior Design
If you missed last week's Project of the Week featuring a blend of Hollywood glamour and Art Deco to create a luxurious feminine home, click here to see more.
We hope you feel inspired by this week's residential design! Let us know what inspired you #SBIDinspire
IGGI Interior Design | SBID International Design Awards
Entering interior design awards can be a great way to showcase your work and network with others in the industry, but not all design awards are the same. With so many creative competitions out there, you need to look closely at what you’re really getting into. Here are our top tips for determining which awards are worth your time – and which are not!
Who’s really the winner?
It’s easy to get carried away with daydreams of clutching that prized trophy on the podium but what is the true cost of winning? Some Awards charge successful entrants’ extra fees for exposure, for example to be featured in a winners’ book. We’ve even seen competitions require the winner to pay for their own award! Attending the awards ceremony can be a caveat of ‘winning’ too. If there are hidden fees, you know the award is not really about creative merit. Find out before you enter what is included in your entry fee and weigh up whether it’s really worth it.
Stay focused
Achieving success in industry awards is an opportunity to maximise your professional exposure and reputation. With so many competitions around, you want to ensure you’re targeting the ones that will really allow you to shine. Don’t be seduced by the glitter and instead look at the organisation behind the competition. Are they an industry specialist? Do they really understand the business of interior design? Do previous winners embody the creativity you want to be known for? Why win a vanity trophy when you could collect a prize that resonates in your industry?
Something old, nothing new?
Awards should celebrate the latest and best talent. They are a chance to see how the interior design industry is innovating and discover the rising stars. If the entries include projects that are a few years old, the list of finalists can be a bit of a let down. Imagine a film from 2011 winning the 2019 Oscar for Best Picture? Check the T&Cs clearly to ensure your latest work sits side by side with the freshest creativity out there.
Disappearing deadlines
Pressing the ‘submit’ button ten minutes before deadline is a common (and stressful) aspect of awards entries, but some competitions mysteriously lack a deadline. This is confusing for entrants, not to mention unfair, and indicates that the entry process will continue until a category has been filled. Great design competitions exist to reward creative achievement, not to fill sales targets. Ensure the deadline date is clear and avoid the stress by not leaving your submission until the last minute!
Call in the experts
Interior design awards should go to innovative and exciting projects, but who exactly is making that call? Any honour worth its salt should be awarded by an independent panel of experts who display excellence in their own careers. Find out who the judges are: what is their experience? Do they work for reputable companies? Look closely at the judging process – does it note technical or creative excellence, or both? Understanding who the judges are and what they are looking for allows you to submit a project with a greater chance of success.
Use our tips every time you’re considering submitting an awards entry to ensure you’re only entering prestigious awards. If you do win, you’ll know your project has been judged by the best to be a truly inspiring example of creative excellence.
Good luck!
To find out more about the SBID International Design Awards, visit www.sbidawards.com
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