Our FASHION and CULTURE impressions shared with you!
Pantone Colors of the Year 2021
Pantone Colors of the Year 2021- Image via Pantone
As this year slowly comes to an end, Pantone Color Institute has proceeded to release the forecasted color to best represent the upcoming year 2021. In a fairly unusual manner, Pantone CI has selected a two-color combo: Ultimate Gray and Illuminating [Yellow]. The forecast occurred much later in the year than expected compared to previous cases.
At Design Land NYC, we attended the official Online Webinar presentation of Pantone Color Institute, focused on the Pantone Color of the Year 2021 and the way this color trend is affected by the ongoing events. During the Webinar held on the Pantone Color of the Year 2021, Leatrice Eiseman, Executive Director of Pantone Color Institute, expressed that the delay was a result of perpetual consideration of current events, in areas of social, political and economic change. Working in forecasting color often has much more to do with the social and political climate in understanding what people will engage and react to most, than will mere aesthetic. Both colors picked each represent two different aspects of our recovery from 2020, and offer a peaceful rejoice for the year that is about to begin.
Why Gray and Yellow
Meaning behind the colors:
Ultimate Gray: Gray stands for resilience, strength and emotional encouragement. It forms fortitude, a firm foundation and creates hope and clarity for the human spirit. Gray is our solid piece and commonly composes gravel, stones, everything that our feet stand on.
Illuminating: This hue of yellow represents brightness, brings a cheerful attitude into the future picture, adds optimism and brings light after the darkness.
The combination of Grey and Yellow is a splendid blend in its natural state. The two colors can be observed in nature together, in pebbles in the stream, bumble bee jasper stones, and sunlight radiating in changing leaves. Together these colors offer the much awaited reset and new beginning, reflecting the wanted strength to overcome past hardships and joyful attitude to the future.
Leatrice Eisemen pointed out that 2021 is not the first year that the Pantone Color Institute selected a pair combo, something that occurred once before in 2016 “a marriage between soft blue and pink”. During the 20 years the Pantone CI has been announcing their color forecast, this year is the first that is partially represented by a neutral color, something that has never happened before. Yet, although some colors of the year are derived from the same family they are always reinvented and Pantone CI has never repeated the same hue.
Application: In application, we can expect the colors to appear in combination, or on their own. They can be incorporated in prints, fabrics textures and accessories, in accent walls for interior, and in monochromatic creations.
How was the color selected
The major telling factor in the decision making, was considering all major events occurring in 2020 to understand what emotions people are looking to find in the near future. This year, the Pantone Color Institute had a clear idea that the color should convey hope and resilience as to affect change in the ever less pleasant current reality.
It is generally accepted that one of the colors most people associate with feelings of joy and happiness, or perceive as bright and positive is within the family of Yellow. Yellow alone seems too happy and bright, and would not accurately reflect a recuperating and recovering society. Knowing how difficult and challenging it is too pair yellow with any other color that clashes, or adds on to the cheerfulness, the only best alternative was to pick a mute or neutral color that balances out the positivity with some physical grounding. Gray is one of the most common neutrals used in design, easily found in capsule wardrobes, interior decoration, and is simultaneously modern and timeless.
Image Via Condé Nast Traveler
Our conclusion
After a year of a major global crisis, we are all in need for some bright colors in our environment. This color pairing, sparks a newfound affection for parts of nature that are fleeting, as the combination appears in instants of time that we can only catch a glimpse on, such as the first moments of sunrise, and certain reflection of light on still-water. This pair is also present in industrial elements, in the solid structure of cement and constructed roads foundations, in contemporary interior and futuristic raw designs.
We feel that this color combination is a proper one that will spark joy this year. How do you feel about this color after reading on the reasoning behind their selection? We hope you are healthy and happy and may your world be Illuminating next year!
Xoxo Lori / Design Land NYC
Bumble Bee Jasper Stones: Image Via The Crystal Council
Global Design Trends 2021 - 2022
Happy Monday, hope you are rocking your week!!
Today in this post we will point out and illustrate some of the emerging design trends for 2021 and 2022. As 2020 comes to an end, we look at patterns dominating the end of year to forecast their effect on the next. The following 10 top trends will help reshape the design landscape and prevailing visuals in advertising, social media and digital marketing, as well as graphic, product, interior and fashion design. Their applications are universal.
1. Reinvented Retro – Leveraging Nostalgia
In art and photography we see a rise in reinvented retro aesthetic, straying away from perfectly curated visuals and merging mismatched playful coloring into letters and symbols. This pattern involves evoking the past and leveraging nostalgia to live present time. Reinvented Retro also serves as a means to escapism, to take consumers away from the current disturbing situation the world finds itself into and offer cheerful optimism. This trend emerges as a result of individual’s longing for comfort, simpler times, security, the mundane and a craving for past moments of joy in their pre-isolation life. To deliver this security and optimism, we see brands tapping into the retro phenomena of recreating campaigns and products that utilize nostalgia to spark joy and place this nostalgia in the context of close future.
2. True Authenticity and Inclusion
In the scope of social media, the heavily curated images and perfected visuals will have a significant further disruption. In 2020 we noticed the growth of TikTok, a platform notable for its candid and raw video creations. This will continue on in 2021, translating into other social media platforms and influencing the way digital marketing visuals are perceived by consumers, especially Gen Z and Millennials.
This authenticity also expands in brand transparency and innovation. Consumers demand for all-inclusive designs and diverse representations. These initiatives are reflected in the brands’ and designers’ brand mission, and such purpose-driven innovations will help abridge the social climate with brand perception. We see human visuals that shift away from unrealistic beauty standards and an increase in appreciation of real human beauty. Inclusive accessibly will be of main focus in interior and landscape design, and media will reflect an enhanced awareness in neurodiversity, with brands becoming more socially conscious and take bigger steps toward all-inclusive goals.
Image Via Everyhuman
3. Sustainability: Back to nature
After a long year of reflection and self-isolation, we have identified a need to better our relationship with nature. In packaging and advertising we will see an increase of organic art, repositioning nature as the forefront in design, as well as composition. Brands will feel more inclined to invest in sustainable product designs and packaging, finding ways to become transparent in their processes of sourcing and production and utilizing that property in brand image, efforts in sustainability and integrate it throughout their business model.
Customers show longing for the outdoors, in a time that they should contain in self-isolation. Thus, the uprise of more organic and plant dominated visuals will prove to be impactful and successful in connecting and communicating to the customer’s wants.
4. Optical Illusions and Engaging Visuals
Optical illusions and fun mixed-media texture manipulations will reach an innovative peak. Inspired from the 60s, we notice spike in psychedelic graphics, offering absolute freedom to artists in line and color exploration. Most emphasis will be placed on bright colors, engaging 3-Dimensional artwork, print and digital advertising that simulate integrated sensory action. This will be key in 2021, when most advertising unfolds online and aims to provide a most holistic sensory experience to clearly communicate to the consumer.
5. Calming Breaks
A new emerging trend this year is the engineering of micro breaks, with the aim of amplifying consumer’s happiness. These micro breaks are often executed in the form of peaceful social media ads, utilizing visual and auditory ASMR techniques, relaxing products and slow-paced browsing systems. Consumers are currently seeking for a soothing break and will likely pay attention to such visuals as another way to momentarily detach from reality.
6. Connectivity
More than ever, people are in need for communication and connectivity innovations. The lack of frequent human contact has led to a new era of seclusion, causing for anxiety and depression rates to spike up. Consumers are experiencing mental challenges and feelings of loneliness in a level that was not reflected before the pandemic. This is the right time for brands to push their limits in innovation and provide products and services designed to connect and bring people together virtually. There will be a redefinition of community groups and local people-focused coordination. Projects, companies that promote human engagement, long-lasting connections and community bonding as a brand strategy will help consumers feel well understood. These projects will include progress in the field of XR (mixed reality) and VR (Virtual Reality), developing tactile tools to mimic human touch and interaction.
Image Via WGSN
7. Eco Action
As emphasized by the Sustainability in the Third trend explained in this post, Eco action aims to push the ultimate change in the mass-market industry and radically change the production system. There is little time to take action and retrieve some damage that the consumeristic culture has caused to our planet before it is too late to save. That is why in the next two years, we will see an increase in environmental awareness, corporate social responsibility and clear action points. Brands that do not shift their values toward long term sustainable goals, will risk turning irrelevant. According to WGSN, Biodesign will be mostly favored in research and development, with a new chain of materials and processes to work in nature, for nature and with nature. Design will be altered into new concepts of removing humans from the center focus.
Yesenia Thibault-Picazo- Image Via WGSN
8. Home Comfort
While 2020 marked the most significant increase in working from home phenomena, we will see its effect for the next two years as professionals find ways to adapt and build the new normal. During this time, products and designs created to give ultimate comfort and encourage productivity will be of utmost importance. Brands will find solutions to evolve and morph around this new reality by being flexible, resilient and creative. Innovation in this scope will also include creating high security items in a time that consumers feel uncertain and concerned. Utility and adaptability will be key elements.
Image Via WGSN
9. Optimism
In the end, after an extended period of fear, discomfort, and grief, consumers will be targeted with a myriad of optimistic campaigns, carrying undertones of hope and understanding. Brands will cater to consumers’ want for utility, adaptability and resilience, by offering products and services that strengthen their connection with customers, as well as demonstrating their willful partnership to stay by consumer’s side. In this case, brands will serve as allies, who find themselves in the same place as consumers.
Image Via WGSN
10. Materials
Following the Global Macro trends, materials will include the following:
Copper, Minerals, Soft Fabrics, Silver, Translucent Glow, Matte Surfaces, Nature-inspired, Antique metals, Natural Pigments, Artisan Wood, Grainy Textures, Biodegradable, Psychedelic and Holographic, Mosaic Tiling.
Material Trends 2021-2022
This was our recap for our top anticipated trends in the upcoming year, most of which connect to consumer’s craving for an alternative to their current time, finding joy in the past mundane activities that are no longer happening, and reminiscing a pre-pandemic reality. We see imagination reincarnating into technological innovations and playing a key role as a coping mechanism as well as whimsical design structures that play between characteristics of quirky and eccentric. The human spirit stays alive, and so does creativity.
As always, we hope you are safe and healthy!
Sending joy,
Xoxo Lori / Design Land NYC
Freelance Designer Starter Pack: Tools and Resources
When starting out as an independent designer, especially in the Fashion industry, it can be overwhelming to choose among the many tools and expertise provided online. In this post, we will be listing our Top Design Tools that assist us in all projects, some more popular than others and followed by alternative options. Keep on reading for an additional list of free resources to inspire, motivate and to help you easily navigate through your projects.
Image via Pexels
Vector Design
This powerful piece of software is our most utilized vector design tool, perfect for logo design, fashion technical flats and floats, pattern and print making, as well as icon and art mock-up. Let’s say that at Design Land NYC, we prefer Adobe Illustrator to Microsoft Word, but that’s only because we are more visual than we are wordy! :). As of recently, this software just became available for iPads, so guess what we will be playing with lately? Adobe Illustrator APP for iPad
Pixel Design
Our second most used software of Adobe Creative Cloud, Photoshop is great for photo editing, pixel art creation, Fashion CAD illustrations, collages, and so much more, giving you absolute freedom to create just about any image combination you like. You can utilize this app for image manipulations, layout and with the help of an external tablet, you can create elaborate multi-layered artwork. There are many free available brushes that are built into the app, and many others you can find on free brush databases like Designious.
Alternatively, you can utilize PIXLR and Gimp as free versions of this photo editing software. PIXLR can be accessed and used directly on your browser, providing numerous in-site tools to add onto your design projects. Similar to PIXLR, Gimp is another free image editor app, which can be downloaded and works in most operating systems. Gimp is similar to Photoshop in its format, photo manipulation tools and useful artwork creation.
This app is made for freeform art on your IOS devices, and it is best when utilized on IPad Pro. Procreate can be used for a myriad of artwork shapes, from Lettering, to elaborate Illustrations and Photo Collages. Now, you can have Procreate Pocket on your iPhone, and enjoy its powerful illustration tools specifically made for the iPhone.
Image via Procreate
Fonts
Fonts certainly come into use in many projects, and they are crucial in setting your tone and mood when compiling content. Our favorite font databases, where you can download free fonts or acquire customized fonts for your preferences are: Dafont, Fontfabric, Google Fonts and the subscription base service Adobe Fonts.
Adobe Fonts
Templates:
Our to-go site for templates, layout inspiration and visual formatting is undoubtedly Canva. This template database contains professional designs for Social Media content, Website layouts, Logos, Presentations, Infographics, Newsletters, Cards, Brochures and so much more. Aside from using and downloading templates, Canva can also serve as a catalyst for your original creative ideas.
Image via Canva
Free Photos and Illustrations
For design work that does not require original illustrations, but can be executed acquiring stock images some of the top free image resources are the following websites:
One of the most used image websites that can be utilized for graphic manipulation is Flickr. It is also a great site to refer to regarding photo editing ideas and composition.
Similar to Flickr, Unsplash is another source of images, available for personal and commercial use, you can choose from a variety of themes and subject matter. Feel free to download the app for easy mobile use and check out the site’s blog for more tips and resources.
Image vie Unsplash Editorial
Another great free stock photo and video source that can be utilized for manipulations, content creation and various projects is Pexels. You can also contribute to the image database by becoming part of the community and creating your own photography boards.
Image via Pexels
In contrast to the previous free image resources, Humaaans is a site that offers a great range of free human illustrations, with interchangeable outfits and styles to fit the design’s theme.
Image via Humaaans
Background and texture
Aside from free image sources for your design manipulations, you may need to acquire background images and texture patterns. The following websites are our top two to find one of a kind background options and texture:
Simple, clean and easy to use, Subtle Patterns is dominated by free Geometric Pattern Prints that can be effortlessly modified to fit your intended work. You may also submit your own patterns into the website’s library and such contribute to common resources for other creators like you.
Lost and Taken is a unique image library, where you can get a hold of special realistic texture paper, old, vintage backgrounds, high quality tactile material textures, high resolution painted surfaces, etc. This website is a solid background resource and can be easily inserted in multiple projects. Whether you want a new background for your digital illustrations, a realistic vintage print on your brochure, or a fascinating texture on your website’s home page, this is the website to go to!
Image via Lost and Taken
Information and online classes
Most importantly, make sure to constantly improve upon your skills by enrolling in classes and acquiring new information on your area of interest. These are our top sites for free informative classes:
Skillshare has a wonderful selection of content creation, graphic design, digital marketing, branding and social media management and other skill-specific classes. You can sharpen your Adobe Illustrator or Photoshop practical knowledge and build authority on topics that relate to your chosen design career path.
Another similar free course-offering website is Coursera. Over 200 universities have collaborated with this site in tailoring many online programs to help you succeed in your selected and desired skills.
The last resource for classes and training that we will share is EdX. On this website, universities share their free and paid online programs, many of which are valid for school credit. While these classes are mostly linked with their corresponding college programs, EdX offers other self-paced classes that you can take for self-development requiring no payment or certificate.
We agree that tools are important in delivering quality work, but practicing and nurturing skills is by far the wisest investment in your career. This list was curated to help you in your own independent learning ride, and we wish it was helpful in providing some resources that you have not encountered yet and has served as an incentive to stay motivated.
In any case, you can always contact us with Graphic, Website and Fashion Design requests here, check out our services here, and we will get back to you shortly.
As always, we wish you are all safe and healthy! Sending joy your way,
Xoxo Lori / Design Land NYC
Special Announcement
Hi everyone,
How are you feeling this Fall? We hope you are recharging and taking care of yourself this season. Most importantly, we hope you are doing OK and your dear ones are healthy and safe! We are experiencing a once-in-a-century pandemic blues and we miss the human connection and those big hugs we used to give one another. Praying for this to end soon so we can go back to our happy selves.
Well, we want to share some information with you:
New Office Location in Soho, Hudson Square
Much has changed since our last post and we will utilize this space for a quick work update. Design Land NYC is now located in a new happy sun-drenched location in Soho, have taken up many more interesting design projects, have acquired new clients in the graphic design scope and fashion industry. What’s more, we have pushed boundaries and done something entirely different! Which brings us to our special news:
Selling Apparel on Our Online Store | Shop here!
We are excited to announce the official opening of our Design Land online store and we want to celebrate the birth of our clothing line! After 1 year of founding Design Land NYC, we have created our first line of Soft Plush Hoodies that are currently available in 3 color ways: Bubblegum Pink, Unisex Purple and Black Heather, as well as personalized orders. Feel free to contact us for any image or idea that you would like printed on your order and we will make it happen. Our hoodies can be ordered online via our shop. Alternatively, you can pick your order up in our Soho location: 101 Avenue of the Americas, 9th floor, New York, NY 10013. Our line will be available for purchase on Instagram shop for your convenience, so stay tuned for updates on our Instagram and Facebook and make sure to follow us to learn more!
WE ARE SO GRATEFUL! THANK YOU EVERYONE FOR YOUR SUPPORT AND WORDS OF ENCOURAGEMENT! IT HAS NOT BEEN EASY IN THE DESIGN INDUSTRY BUT WE ARE MAKING IT!
While 2020 has been a challenging year, we are grateful for all the support, numerous creative projects, our new inspiring office space and the people that envelope us with their positivity. As Design Land NYC grows to be 1 year old, we reflect on the exciting journey we have embarked on and remain thankful and driven with new ideas for more. In the light of Design Land’s One Year Anniversary we are planning to host a small celebratory get together, in the safest and healthiest way that the situation allows us, including our close friends, featuring many bubble gum pink balloons! Until then, we cannot wait to share our progress and upcoming designs with you.
FIRST THANKSGIVING IN DESING LAND NYC
Among so many firsts, today marks our first Thanksgiving together at Design Land NYC, doubling on these emotions and motivating air in an industry where we are constantly improving our work and service offering, we are thankful and amazed by your trust in us.
As always, feel free to contact us for any services, customized products or consultation sessions, as well as orders of customized products and we will be in touch with you.
What about you dear reader and friend, what are you thankful for in the brink of this year’s end? Write it in the comments below.
We hope you are all safe and healthy and we send lots of joy your way!
Xoxo Lori / Design Land NYC
November 2020 - Picture at the new location!!
We hope you are OK! :) We have been featured on Soulcycle! YAY!
Hi everyone, we have great news! We have been featured! :) Thank you for featuring us @Soulcycle!! We are happy to curate for you and supply you with intriguing images. #Mood #Energy #Do #Start #Motivate #Yourself
Yes, we truly are #capable of #great things! #Feeling pretty #humble!
We hope everyone is doing OK! We cannot stop #creating and #curating <3 <3 <3 #designlandnyc
#thankyou #success #feeling #yes #focus #humble #starting #greatthings #positivity #life
Inspirational Words for All of Us!!!
Creating in Times of Isolation
Having in mind the disruptive global health crisis, COVID-19 pandemic, our team created these mini posters to promote awareness, positivity & calmness. It is important that during this down time we help & check on our dear ones via phone calls, texts & especially video calls.
What matters now is our ability to communicate compassion, love, hope, caring and humor to each other in responsible & creative ways.
It’s been a few days that most of us are self isolating, and it is the right thing to do!
These are the times that we thank the grocery clerks, the delivery workers and especially the nurses, ER, Doctors and hospital staff. They are the true heroes in these hard times.
We created the “Stay In” poster campaign for no particular reason, other than to inform the public and to relate to younger audiences to take this Corona Virus or COVID-19 pandemic seriously and to protect themselves and the others around them.
Well, digitally & virtually! xoxo
Design Land NYC staff
Happy International Women's Day
March 8th, is a historic day for women’s rights and appreciation. It is the day that we celebrate and cherish them. We have helped launch a few women led companies on this specific and meaningful day to women business owners.
On March 7 & 8 2020, we finalized the logo of a New York City Lawyer, Joana Kaso! Here it is, for your viewing pleasure!
Finalist Logo Round - Up Joana Kaso Law
November 2019
So much excitement around us… Loving every minute!
A lot of changes & transition have happened this month. We are very thankful to have received some money for our business services! It feels amazing!! Thank you to our clients!!!
I have been exploring Sugar Hills neighborhood in Hamilton Heights, Harlem & I am loving the culture & history & sense of neighborhood.
Will keep you posted, xoxo Lori
October 2019
Illustration of Xhina as Goth Lady Liberty - by Lori Dilo
Hello world!!! We went live on October 2019! Showcasing our work to the whole wide world. We have had a lot of support!!! Thank you to all our friends and family!! So lucky to have you! Here is Xhina’s illustration gracing our web page and our hearts! <3
This month, Lori threw the annual 10th Halloween party on Macdougal Street! It was a success, despite missing some important persons who just had their babies, baby Matthew and baby Jameson!!! Feeling so overwhelmed with excitement, I will keep in touch!!!
Xoxo Lori / Design Land NYC