In early 2020, Inpro’s design consultant, Aga Artka, participated in a two-part blog series on the making of Inpro’s 2020 Centered Collection and the inspiration behind creating collection palettes. She shared insight into her process of trend forecasting, color and material selection, and much more. Many of the actions and decisions made during the development process of a collection occur months before its introduction, influenced by past and current environmental, civil, political, and economic happenings. During that initial process, nobody could have ever predicted how the relevance of the Centered Collection’s theme would evolve, and how it was reinforced as the year unfolded.
Once again, we sat down with Aga (virtually this time), to discuss her perspective on the 2020 Centered Collection and its new relevance in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, and many other unanticipated happenings.
Q: What has your day-to-day looked like in recent months?
A: I had a hard time making sense of the situation at first. A friend suggested a meditation program and I agreed to try it, though I never meditated before. Frankly, that's what helped calm my anxiety and find my center again. Now, I try to start my day with a cup of coffee and a centering thought, an intention so as to not lose myself in the whirl of negative news and the severity of the current situation. I try to focus on what I can control, my health, and my family's health and well-being.
From a design consultation standpoint, on a day-to-day basis, I work with a lot of different people including architectural and construction teams. Construction is a physical world/profession, and for the most part, I’ve been proceeding as usual with some modifications. We’re meeting in smaller teams with greater distancing between workers. I haven’t had the opportunity to go on-site and physically touch and see projects, but technology has allowed us to continue by uploading photos and conducting virtual walk-throughs of spaces.
I have found video conferencing and virtual tools to be invaluable and, in many ways, more efficient. By not running from site to site as often, meetings have been dispersed in a way that allows me to work in my creative environment, uninterrupted. I even see these efficiencies carrying over as social distancing standards lessen and workplaces re-open.
Q: What were some of the highlights of creating the 2020 Centered Collection, and how has the collection’s meaning evolved?
A: For the 2020 Centered Collection, we researched trends in colors, fabrics, and prints and looked at what was highlighted repeatedly. We considered how these trends were influenced by many factors taking place in recent years and the world around us. I also analyzed what products were popular in the market and how to marry these elements with Inpro products.
One of the greatest highlights of creating the collection (and all collections) is that every story is a collaborative team effort. As much as I am inspired by my travels, the publications I read, and more, there is great influence from Inpro’s team members who are in constant communication with the users of each product. In addition, I love that creating each collection is the freedom to begin with a new concept that often arrives at something I didn’t envision from the start. This process never fails to surprise me.
The conversations happening leading up to the creation of the 2020 Centered Collection were about an inevitable 'burn out'. Forecasters said that people were working at an unsustainable pace and not taking enough time for self-reflection. As that conversation and ideology expanded, we saw a gradual resurgence of health and wellness practices such as meditation and yoga.
These practices encourage individuals to disconnect from the outside world and their devices. Some could even say their biggest luxury was disconnecting and allowing themselves uninterrupted time.
At that time, nobody could have predicted a pandemic that would force disconnection, but it highlighted just how fast-moving and connected we were living.
We see a commonality in how trends transition over the years. The concept of seeking inner peace and balance started years ago. At the most basic level, this trend that greatly influenced this year’s design collection continues to evolve and be relevant in ways we didn’t expect.
Q: How have recent events reinforced the 2020 Centered Collection?
A: I shared in the previous post that the Centered Collection as a whole is the ultimate representation of ways we can deal with what is, at times, the chaos around us. The trend of becoming rooted and finding balance has certainly only amplified in recent months. In fact, it seems like we’re just getting more and more ingrained in this concept, and our minds are coming around to finding ways to understand how to deal with life in this very unpredictable and stressful world. The collection is inspired by the world around us and its powerful factors and influences. The design elements of the collection offer ways to escape, manage, heal, and find harmony.
Q: What parallels have you witnessed concerning anticipated trends, versus events and trends that have, or are currently taking place?
A: The four palettes that make up the 2020 Centered Collection are called Balance, Grounding, Intention, and Contemplation. While the Contemplation palette has not yet been introduced, I can touch on the parallels that have taken place this year that align with the themes and stories each palette represents.
The Balance Palette
The Balance Palette was the first introduced in 2020 and is inspired by tranquility and peace, and the art of doing nothing. Finding balance can be achieved in many forms, with rituals, calming techniques, and interacting with each other. The palette explores balance with light colors and neutrals set against deep patterns featuring botanicals and elements of glass, stone, wood, and sky. We could have never known how this palette’s relevance would evolve and how many parallels we would see in the months ahead.
Parallel: Uncertainty Evokes a Greater Need for Balance
Many of the typical demands of life, from work commitments to social events, kids’ sports to family gatherings, to even the simple tasks like running errands–all stopped abruptly. We were required to pivot our priorities, responsibilities, and processes to accomplish the tasks of living day-to-day. Even something as simple as obtaining groceries took thought and planning.
These transitions affected people differently. Before, we may have looked for ways to slow down, reflect, and focus more on ourselves due to the hustle and bustle of daily life. Where now some have found themselves with more time on their hands, looking for ways to come to terms and deal with what is happening around them.
We’re witnessing people be more reflective of time spent by themselves and with their family, leaning on spirituality to find meaning and move forward in their life. They are seeking surroundings that inspire peace, calm, and healing.
The Intention Palette
The Intention Palette was introduced in April and inspires one to analyze the past, focus on what is happening at the moment, and understand the future impact. The palette considers futuristic possibilities of someday while recalling familiar modernism trends of yesterday. It incorporates bold oranges as embers of passion toward future exploration on a cool brown base that is familiar and comfortable. I find this to be a very active palette right now.
Parallel: Cosmic Exploration
The deep reds and oranges, spherical references, and the depiction of a dry desert and heat of the Intention Palette are representative of looking out into the cosmic world; exploration and interest in space travel–particularly Mars.
Coincidentally, on May 30, 2020, SpaceX sent two astronauts on a test mission to help prove that its systems meet NASA’s requirements for certification to carry astronauts to the International Space Station and back.
On July 22, 2020, NASA plans to launch the next rover to Mars from the Kennedy Space Center. This is the next step in the exploration of the planet and a potentially habitable place.
Cosmic exploration is a reality. Major progress is being made in terms of discovery and setting precedent for space tourism. The warm tones we have been seeing all around are a reflection of that.
Parallel: Brush Fires and Global Warming
The ember-inspired colors, earthy tones, materials, and patterns align with the recent and tragic burning that has occurred in California and Australia, as well as global warming and other issues in the spotlight. It was late last year when our team watched and discussed what took place on the west coast and the Oceania continent. The presence of reds and oranges, as well as the materials and patterns incorporated in the Intention Palette, depict an incredible parallel with these events.
The Grounding Palette
The Grounding Palette just launched in July and aims to find a deeper connection to self and ultimately to the earth. It is simplistic and elemental, as it examines the root of personal being. The palette is literal in its connection to biodiversity with shades of green and earth tones combined with curved shapes and wood patterns.
The theme of this palette is so interesting to me at this point because when I think about the nature-themed tones coming through–the woodgrains, mushroom hues, yellow undertones–it’s representative of our desire to rethink our values, simplify our life, and make do with less.
A lot of the tones from the palette have been prominent on the market this year, whether it’s fashion or automotive or home goods–any of the products we experience have a reference to nature.
Parallel: Connection to Nature
Experiencing a quarantine forced many to slow down and develop a greater connection to nature and biodiversity. We’ve decreased our use of petroleum and the hustle and bustle that takes place on many roadways and waterways. It’s resulted in an incredible response by wildlife within habitats throughout the world.
Many individuals and families have also spent more time in nature because frankly, there isn’t much else to do. We’re left with exploring nature because it’s one of the safest things to take part in. Free time is spent taking walks, riding bikes, and connecting with the outdoors on a deeper level. The heavy biophilic elements of the Grounding Palette have certainly had significant meaning in the past few months.
Parallel: Alternative Leisure Activities
The nature-themed tones of the Grounding Palette are amplified by the new ways we are exploring nature. This summer, we aren’t able to travel the world or go to concerts or festivals. It’s likely that more time will be spent at a local beach or camping in the forest. The increase in alternative leisure activities brings new meaning to the palette's biophilic elements and emphasizes people’s need to get out of their homes and maintain some normalcy.
The Contemplation Palette
The Contemplation Palette will be introduced in fall 2020 and draws from isolated natural settings, including mountainous landscapes, flowing waters, and awe-inspiring skies. It features tranquil, adaptive solids on a backdrop of deep blues and patina patterns.
The palette seems heavy in its incorporation of materials represented, such as rock. Sometimes when you look inside and reflect, contemplate your inner-state, it can be an emotional journey. And that’s ok to have a heaviness in this exploration of reflection and growth. Yet, in the message of this palette, we envision a space that allows us the freedom to take a breath, reflect, and envision how to grow in the future.
Parallel: Contemplating What’s Ahead
The Contemplation Palette is an incredible closing theme for the year as everyone reflects on a busy decade and the especially challenging year 2020. There are many unknowns in how we move forward and where we are headed from here. The colors and imagery of the palette nourish one’s need to look out on the horizon and navigate towards a more fulfilling, stress-free future.
Q: How has the 2020 Centered Collection taken on more significant meaning?
A:The themes we sat down and talked about a year ago are now more relevant than ever. As discussed above, burnout was a big topic, and it was apparent that our pace and our habits (be it waste generation, over-scheduling, unhealthy living, etc.) were not sustainable.
As the world slows down, I think a positive outcome is that people are introspective and finding ways to establish a greater connection. As we develop creative ways to live life with intention, we become more grounded with nature, and contemplate what was happening in the world to define what will advance civilization in the years to come.
The past months allowed people to slow down and reflect on what is important in life. As conferences were canceled and sporting events postponed, individuals and families looked for other ways to spend their time, which increased time with each other and the outdoors. As we look back at our initial introduction of the 2020 Centered Collection, we are intrigued by the parallels that occurred and remain hopeful for what’s to come.
Would you like to learn more about Inpro’s 2020 Centered Collection and the design attributes of each palette? View the palette overview videos and dive into color, fabric, and pattern inspiration here.