LONDON DESIGN FESTIVAL 2017
Yep. A few months later, and my London Design Festival post is up!!!! So, I've had plenty going on including several projects, featuring within a magazine and of course...that £9,000 a year thing I'm paying for called.....uni? thats the one. So there's my excuses out the way. But finally, here's the London Design Festival post, filled with tips for those thinking of going, a heads up on what to expect and of course, just exactly what caught my eye from this year's event. Stay tuned.
WHAT IS LDF?
For anybody unaware, London Design Festival is an annual event held to celebrate and promote London as the design capital of the world. The Festival programme is made up of over 400 events and exhibitions staged by hundreds of partner organisations. LDF is by far one of the best opportunities to meet with suppliers and discover new products on the market, however attending all 400+ events is simply impossible, so if your thinking of going, select a small handful suited to your interests.
HOW TO PREPARE/WHAT TO EXPECT:
Anybody who has visited LDF before, will know just how tiring each day can become, so preparation is key to ensure you gain the best experience possible! Thinking of going? - I've put together a small 'Prepare & Expect' list below giving you the best tips for a 'better experience'.
1. Keep light. You're going to be on your feet all day, receiving brochure after brochure and there going to become seriously heavy. Keeping your belongings to a minimum allows for less 'back breaking walking' and the ability to say 'yes!' to more brochures (thats the reason your there, after all)
2. Bring the essentials. Okay, so I'm not about to contradict my last tip, but don't forget the important stuff. If there's anything I recommend taking...its a camera. Whether it's your phone or the real deal, you're about to see a hell of a lot. Snap it. Snap the company, then snap the product. Thank me later.
3. Trendy, yet practical. Them ugly trainers at the back of your wardrobe are gonna need to come on out. I'm not saying you need to dress fugly as hell for LDF - everyone looks mega trendy, but ensuring your feet are going to be able to hack the thousands of miles ahead is key.
FRESH @ LDF:
There's plenty of events and exhibitions to view during your time at LDF, but selecting a view suited to your needs is the best way to ensure your going to travel home with some fresh ideas. We attended the FOCUS17 show at the Design Centre - Chelsea Harbour, Decorex International 2017 held at Syon Park and also a little trip down London's King's Road.
While many designers can be seen taking on an Italian appearance, the events proved that 2017 is the year of pushing aside rules within design. As designers, we've moved forward from strict design schemes and have become fascinated with the idea of combining materials, colour, and furnishings - even Armani/Casa's expected neutral palette can be seen following 2017's biggest trend. Here's a taste of what I loved from 2017's London Design Festival. (For anybody wanting more information on the products shown, feel free to message me in my contact page)
