In our previous post in this series, we shared how Motiv scours the world seeking inspiration for What’s Next. After that, our job is to understand trends at such a deep level that we can transform them into brand-right solutions for our clients. It’s how the lines of a gorgeous artisan-crafted table in Paris can make their way into sink faucets in homes across America—with nothing lost in translation.
Find the Nuggets
Back on U.S. soil at the Motiv product design studio in Boston, we put it all out there, filling our space with image after image of our discoveries from our European travels. The beautiful fireplace surround we saw in Milan’s Salone del Mobile, the stunning textile patterns we adored in Frankfurt’s Ambiente, the color palettes that captivated us at Maison & Objet in Paris—they fill the room. We organize. We sort. We find the nuggets.
Next, we categorize the trends:
Eclectic: Combines different styles, colors, and textures to create a unique and personalized look.
Natural: Focuses on materials like wood, stone, and plants to create a calming and serene atmosphere.
Vintage: Incorporates vintage and retro styles, colors, and patterns to create a nostalgic and cozy feel.
Minimalist: Features simple and clean designs with a focus on functionality and practicality.
Artisanal: Highlights handmade and handcrafted products that showcase traditional techniques and craftsmanship.
Contemporary: Features modern and sleek designs with a focus on technology and innovation.
Glamour: Incorporates luxurious and opulent materials such as velvet, gold, and crystal to create a glamorous and sophisticated look.
Translate
Then, on to the most critical step—translating the inspiration and trends into brand-right solutions for our clients. That means not only having a deep understanding of our clients’ needs, but also their customers’ lifestyles, preferences, tastes and wants. In kitchens, this means focusing on minimalism and simplicity—with appliances that blend seamlessly with the overall décor. Shiny is fading away, matte is taking over. Sterile is losing ground, warmth from natural materials like cork and bamboo are inching in. Across all consumer products categories, sustainability and eco-friendliness have come to the forefront—right alongside smart, digitally connected objects. Overall, ease and convenience reigns. It’s the perfect convergence of design and technology that puts What’s Next directly in Motiv’s wheelhouse.
Bringing it All Home
Beyond discovering emerging design trends in Europe, Motiv also conducts competitive audits to find inspiration closer to home—including taking stock of near-neighbor categories for common trends and details. Keeping a pulse on what US consumers are seeing domestically at retail, in magazines, and online helps us predict the right time to introduce trends.
Case In Point
Inspired by trends in furniture design, we brought the clean lines, beveled edges, symmetry and visible support cues to this gorgeous faucet design. It feels at once timeless and modern—with sculptural hints of art deco that make it decidedly right and exceptionally versatile. It would work in a remodeled 19th century kitchen or in an urban high-rise. It touches just right on What’s Next without going overboard. It looks great today and it still will in twenty years.
