A new year often means new trends. We asked our Trend Panel what design trends they predict for 2011 and got the answer that paper products will become increasingly unique and exclusive.

Artworklove —  Paris, France

”We imagine that designers will be asked to produce engaging work or movementbased interfaces and be consulted about concepts and designs for mobile applications. Experts within editorial design will be connected with innovations in interactive design to create the next generation of magazines, editorial reporting, photography, books and newspapers.

Something that we have also seen recently is an interest in production technology for physical objects such as printed invitation and brochures for events or product launches. Everyone can send an e-mail to get attention about a new exclusive launch, but they are often impersonal and can  easily be copied and distributed further. At the same rate that people are gaining greater access to digital applications and when applications are becoming more sophisticated, beautifully produced printed items will be more on-demand and unique and through that have increased value. We are working right now with a pop-up printed item for an underwear company to present their new shop. The work that has gone into the printing consists of just as much concept work and research of content that we normally put into a much larger project. With the materials, colours and techniques for postproduction that we will use, this printed item will be very special.”

Nicklas Hultman, Valentin & Byhr — Gothenburg, Sweden

”More and more things become digital directly and never end up on paper. Digitalisation of EVERYTHING is becoming the new mainstream. Consequently, the trend will be that those few times when you actually do something analogue (on paper), it becomes exclusive and unique and almost handmade.

The majority of printers want to use their house paper because it is easiest and cheapest for them. This means that you have to make more of an effort to get through your specific paper choice. Hopefully, in regard to paper, the trend is that
there is more time and that the final product takes precedence over quick delivery.
In general, I believe that when you actually choose to make a printed item, paper that stimulates the touch and smell senses will dominate as a reaction to everything that is digital and emotionless. You want physical compensation for what you can easily see and then forget about on the web. I would wish that the trend was uncoated, high bulk “Bible paper”. Imagine how nice and ethereal everything would be!