I thought it would be interesting to look at the big cultural happenings of the year using the Bridgeman archive as a visual guide, to see how they might inspire the design of future on-trend products.
Monkey Magic
The Year of the Monkey began on 8th of February 2016 according to the Chinese Zodiac. Curious, mischievous, and clever, this practical joker is a great addition to any design. From Henri Rousseau’s delightfully naive paintings to Lucy Banaji’s digital illustrations, see more monkey art images.
Tropical Prints
Further afield the Olympics Games in Rio, Brazil will lead to a wealth of tropical prints, bright, energetic patterns with a Latino flavour. Taking inspiration from exotic paradise scenes, classic fifties styles, Latin American art to exotic plant motifs, modernist art deco buildings, old fashioned cars, warm landscapes to colourful Spanish Latino dancing.
Green is going to be big in 2016 according to experts as this colour epitomizes the sensory feast of a tropical rain forest. Check out Jacqueline Colley, a Bridgeman Studio artist, inspired by the Amazon Rainforest in her feminine, quirky designs. Expect to see bold, exotic flowers, ornate patterns, birds of paradise and mysterious creatures crawling onto gift products.
Jungle book
The tropical theme will spread further thanks to the hype expected around the release of major blockbuster films, The Jungle Book and Tarzan. It is also 150 years since Rudyard Kipling was born, once the most popular author in Britain, which should lead to images of characters or symbols from his works, and famous phrases from his cherished tales used on products. Check out the work of Colombia-born painter Cristina Rodriguez above.
Decorative floral imagery
Primavera: detail of flowers by Sandro Botticelli (1444/5-1510) / Galleria degli Uffizi, Florence, Italy
Major exhibitions in the UK in 2016 include Painting the Modern Garden: Monet to Matisse at the Royal Academy and Botticelli Reimagined at the V&A, reigniting a fascination with the horticultural world and decorative floral imagery.
The Queen
London will be celebrating the Queen’s 90th birthday in style with a flurry of events. Expect to see the monarch’s face everywhere.
Shakespeare
In Spring it is the major Shakespeare anniversary, celebrating 400 years since his death and this will lead to more gift products drawing inspiration from the great legacy left by the famous writer.