The Future of Innovation
Design Insider go out to BCFA members to find out their opinions on the future trends of innovation, here are their thoughts…
“What technologies and trends do you think will drive the biggest changes in your industry over the next 5 years?”
Audience Systems- Nina Parmenter, Group Marketing and PR Manager
“The continued drive towards BIM adoption will drive many key changes in the processes of both ourselves and our customers. But the drive for innovation will come from many directions – through evolving our products to suit new global markets, adopting new technologies such as sustainable fabrics, and through keeping pace with legislation”
Maine- Adrian Cook, Managing Director
“Newer computer driven machines that enable unique objects to be produced with the same benefits as mass production. Greater use of 3D printers into normal manufacturing methods. The drive to produce smaller and smaller batch sizes with improve delivery lead time so that you can have any quantity and any colour with any texture at an acceptable price.”
Morgan- Katerina McMahon, Design Director
“CNC technology remains key in the development of timber furniture and has already succeeded in creating commercial products with a handcrafted aesthetic. I believe 3D printing will transform many of the products available to the customer and the purchasing experience. As well as offering designers a whole new scope and geometry, 3D printing facilitates quicker production with reduced tooling costs, enabling smaller batch production and the potential for mass customization.”
Johnson Tiles- Darren Clanford, Creative Director
“Tile is now a real and tangible alternative to natural resources such as stone, wood and slate. All of the desired, natural effects and aesthetics can now be achieved using tile instead thanks to new techniques and technologies. The Natural trend is timeless and classic, always in demand, but the increasing move in the A&D community away from natural materials to sustainable, eco-friendly alternatives is going to drive the development of even better technology and replication.”
Newmor- David Johnston, Commercial Director
“At Newmor we see bespoke design becoming the norm, across all market sectors and international regions. Custom requirements, coupled with quicker turnarounds and shorter runs means that Newmor is well placed to cater for this demanding market. Authenticity is key, we are a family run business and believe our skilled workforce is essential to our long term success”.
GX Glass- Joanna Lush, Business Development Manager
“The increased adoption of BIM will continue to have a huge impact on our industry, as will the drive for more sustainable products. We’re delighted to say that we’re well placed to respond to both trends.”
Hansgrohe- Richard Grohe, Deputy Chairman of Research, Development and Products
“In advanced markets the impact of an aging population will lead to products which are easier to operate. Turning a knob is ambiguous as there are two directions; pushing a button is explicit. With the Hansgrohe Select technology we have already shown that the usability of our products will increase in the future. Our showers and taps will also become more efficient, not just because potable water is a valuable resource, but also because heating it is energy-intensive. And finally the role of the bathroom will evolve from a place of hygiene and relaxation to the room in the house where we monitor and look after our health.”
Chad Lighting– Sue Watkins, Head of Design
“A technological development that will drive change in the way that I design is the emergence of L.E.D lighting that is financially viable. The use of L.E.D light sources will open up possibilities in several ways. L.E.D light sources are much more compact and versatile in form than traditional light sources, meaning that we can develop slim/more discreet wall lighting that fits closely to the wall”
Trevira GmbH- Anke Vollenbroeker, Director Marketing
“One trend is certainly the demand for increasingly sophisticated products with multiple inherent functions that are at the same time sustainable. Inherent functions could substitute treatments and several functions could be added in one product. The special flame retardant Trevira yarns for interior solar shading and acoustic textiles lead into this direction, they combine three major inherent properties in one product: they are flame retardant, spun-dyed, and they contain a low-melt component which allows permanent shaping of the fabric.”
Harrison Spinks- Simon Spinks, Managing Director
“Recycling is going to drive change, with new laws being discussed surrounding the issue. However, in conjunction with our sustainable ethos, we’ll continue to increase our eco-friendly standing – something which other companies will follow.
Chelsom– Robert Chelsom, Managing Director
Further development of LED light sources is a huge driver when it comes to innovation and change within the lighting industry and this isn’t going anywhere. I think we will see refinements when it comes to improving better colour rendering, more dimming options and lower price levels. I also think remote switching and light level controls will play a bigger part in the lighting landscape in the near future.
Style Library Contract- Carolyn Mitchell, Contract Sales Director
We consider the development of digitally printed wallpapers to be an exciting advancement, enabling larger scope for design we can only see this technique to be used more and more frequently drastically changing the conventional way we use wallpaper.
Gresham- Karl Anderson, Head of Design
The ergonomics of technology and how we use it is going to be the biggest driver of future change in furniture. As technology becomes more portable, how we hold our equipment, work with it and use it, will lead to furniture having simpler, clean lines while being more sophisticated. It’ll be able to adapt for a worker who prefers to stand, one who sits upright or for another that sits in a more relaxed pose – it’ll shadow the individual and their movements while they work to optimise comfort, efficiency and productivity.