Interview with William Knight

Which are the news about 100% Design 2016? And which are the most important events?
2016 marks the second outing for 100% Design in its new venue, Olympia London.
This year’s “Talks with 100% Design” has been curated by the Design Museum as part of their “on loan” campaign: bringing the museum out in to the world and the design community. The talks will feature agenda-setting discussions exploring trends in contemporary practice and the future of design, as well as giving a glimpse of what to expect from the new museum when it opens in Kensington on 24 November 2016. The programme is staged in a specially commissioned auditorium, designed by Miska Miller-Lovegrove. Her design has been influenced by the show theme, as well as the Design Museum’s new brand identity. A separate talks programme focussing on professional development in the Forum will feature talks including discussions on how to build your brand and win work and the impact of Brexit on the design industry. Exhibitors and product launches are at the heart of 100% Design, and what makes it such an inspirational destination for visitors. This year’s show will see product launches from MARK Product, Sagal Group, Mineheart, MIRRICOL and BESSA design amongst others. A new showcase within Interiors, Design London, will spotlight the very best in design manufacturing, featuring a carefully edited selection of 15 young design brands.

The main theme of this edition is “Experience”. Can you explain to us?
For this year’s show theme “Experience” we want to highlight the experience of visiting 100% Design, and celebrate the importance of attending a design trade show. at 100% Design range from physically engaging with the latest product innovations, to establishing new business relationships and networking with design professionals. A series of specially commissioned installations, and the show’s unrivalled talks programme; Talks with 100% Design, will explore the wide-ranging aspects of experiential design, complemented by the latest UK product launches from a selection of world leading exhibitors. It will explore the ways in which the world’s most innovative companies are using design thinking to improve the experience of the workplace, and how leading brands use design experience to shape perceptions, as well celebrating the importance of experience at design trade shows.

What about Luxury Made?
New for 2016, LuxuryMade is a highly selective design event centered on the luxury interior design market, demonstrating paramount examples of craftsmanship across decorative and luxury furniture. Bringing together a selection of the best manufacturers in a unique setting, LuxuryMade will play a fundamental role in the fast up and coming district of West Kensington in September 2016. Set across two impressive spaces within one truly remarkable venue, LuxuryMade will take place in Olympia’s Pillar Halls, parts of which have been hidden from public view for over 20 years. By staging a beautifully produced and highly selective showcase of some of the best contemporary and decorative brands in a stunning central location, it responds to an expanding market in need of a new high quality event and visitor experience. We have placed this ambitious show within the emerging powerhouse of design in West Kensington – alongside the new Design Museum and resurgent 100% Design.

Kitchen, bathroom, interiors… which are the new trend for home?
From our exhibitors this year we have picked out the following key trends.
How is technology shaping furniture? Basalte, Scanomat and Se7e will all be exhibiting technology led product, whilst a real highlight will be Ron Arad‘s lighting sculpture in collaboration with LG Oled.
– Whether it’s interiors or workplace, ‘earth colours’ in green, blue, grey and brown are prominent, and can be seen in the latest products from Mass Productions, Johanson Design or Sagal.
– Plenty of patterns (tiles or flooring): KARAK, BluePrint Ceramics, Torra Barcelona, ALPI or CORA’PARQUET are all showcasing new pattern-led collections at 100% Design.