We always document the end product of our NeoCon environments during the show. For the last three years we've counted on James McCarthy to come through for us. He is easy to work with and is always flexible to our last minute needs. Stay tuned as we post the outcome of this years collaboration sometime next week. I will remember not to schedule all three shoots consecutively at 6:30 am each morning next year....I'm still recovering!
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Documentation
Destination Unknown
NeoCon 2007 is over, and Grant Design Collaborative is flying on to the next phase. Here's a little video of flight DL6512 from MDW to ATL on June 13. I added an audio track entitled, "Destination Unknown," and I think it is very appropriate. We never know what will become of the contacts we make atNeoCon, but great work begets great work. I want to take this opportunity to thank my co-creators at Grant Design Collaborative for their great work, enthusiasm and dedication. I truly have the most talented and ethically sound design team in the country. I also want to thank our clients for their vision, support and trust.Without trust, great collaboration is not possible. I also want to invite our friends and colleagues to comment and contribute to the product2market blog. Hopefully this experimental site will take flight, and everyone is welcome to come along for the ride.
Wednesday, June 13, 2007
Wiping Our Hands of NeoCon 2007
Well you know it is time to leave the Mart when all of the hand towels have been used! All of our clients had a great NeoCon, and now Matt, Jason and I are at Midway airport waiting to fly back to the ATL. Of course, our flight is delayed by an hour so far. Looking forward to getting home and on to the next projects!
Never Trust the Pizza Guy!
Matt DeFrain looks a little suspicious of the waiter upon the arrival of his pizza on the last day of NeoCon while Jason Moody appears to have pizza envy...
Geigerlicious Two.
Yolande and Jessica are even more striking than Geiger's custom designed reception area designed by Grant Design Collaborative. Through thick and thin, these two superstars remained calm, cool and collected, and they never stopped smiling! Thanks ladies for all of your help and support. Great job!
Herman Miller A+D Super Duo
John Newland and Megan Carrella strike a pose in the Herman Miller showroom. We will see them at Grant in two weeks for our 2007 A+D strategy and planning meeting. John rocks, and Megan is a great addition to the team!
Highlights from the temporary exhibits
Contract once again hosted their Connection Lounge space on the 8th floor, offering Mart visitors access to information on all of the Best of NeoCon entrants and winners. In the Grant-designed exhibit space, products from last year’s BON winners were showcased. These manufacturers included Bernhardt, HBF, IzzyDesign, Keilhauer, Shaw Contract and Wolf-Gordon.
Benjamin Moore introduced its Affinity Colors line, a collection of 144 colors utilizing the company’s new Aura paint system. Created with their ColorLockTM technology, the system allows deeper paint colors to go on with full paint coverage in one or two coats, whereas more traditional paint lines often take 3-4 coats for darker colors. It’s water-based technology also meets the highest level of VOC regulations.
Material Connexion set up a small exhibit near the cafeteria area on the 7th floor, displaying some of their newest material discoveries. Some of the interesting new products include an eco-friendly cement containing large amounts of magnesia, which absorbs CO2 during its drying process, ceramic tiles with anti-microbial properties, magnetic paints for wood finishes and exotic new leathers made from fish skins.
Casually Sensible
One of my personal favorites of the show so far is the Brayton showroom on 11. The use of materials, neutral color scheme and overall simplicity gives their product great focus. The total experience and liveliness of the space changes during cocktail hour with stark lighting and thumping bass. Kudos to the design team!
Connection Lounge drawing
Contract publisher, John Rouse, shuffles entries for a giveaway at the Connection Lounge. On Monday and Tuesday, Samsung's new Blackjack phones were given away during cocktail parties hosted in the space.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Back Stabber...
NeoCon can be very competitive at times, so you have to watch out for those back stabbers, especially the tall ones!
Shine on.
I would like to give a shout out to my K & J friends, Mr. Williams and his shoe shine crew. I met Mr. Williams a few years back when creating a NeoCon promotion for one of our clients. We gave away free shoe shines in the form of coupons tucked into plastic test tubes (art & science of PatternLok).
Day Two - Judgemental Me.
Best juxtaposition in showroom space.
The Maharam showroom on the 11th floor has beautiful ribbon-like product curtains adorning the outer walls while angular padded lounges nestle in the middle of the space.
Flooring, on the floor?
More flooring companies are choosing to display their product in non-traditional installations this year. Curious if I'm one of the few who prefers a more natural perspective of viewing new products under my feet?
Speaking of feet...
San-serif outranks serif type at least 2:1 for companies displaying their identities, messaging and marketing collateral around the Mart.
On give aways.
The "must-have" show premium has yet to be found. There are quite a few people carrying near-empty bags.
Drop shadows.
In addition to floral arrangements, there is rising competition for unique and distinctive showroom lighting...especially chandeliers.
Best place for hygiene.
Stairwell 10, Floor 11 - Mens Room
There are a total of three bathroom stalls yet they have four hand cloth wiping machines.
Stay tuned, more to come.
Lighten up...
Wood finishes seen at the show continue to depart from the deep espresso finish that's dominated furniture design in recent years. Showcased finishes shifted to lighter tones that played up the natural grain of the wood. These leaned towards more sophisticated walnut tones, rather than a return to the light yellow-gold and red finishes popularized in the late 80’s and early 90’s.
Color commentary
This year’s NeoCon has unveiled a new batch of hot “must-have” colors for the commercial furnishings industry. Orange was the color du jour, with the popular hue turning up on products and exhibit spaces across the Mart. Ranging from bright citrus tones to deep rust, the color seemed to be everywhere.
Greens were also a dominant story at the show. The bright lime greens of recent years have begun to be replaced by earthier, muddier tones of avocado and moss. Yellows ranging from cheery lemon to 1970’s inspired yellow-green’s, jewel-toned peacock blues, and vibrant fuschia also freshened up manufacturer palettes.
In the neutrals category, warm grays and blacks continued to make a comeback. They were often paired in unexpected combinations with other neutrals or “pop” shades of orange, yellow and green.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Day One.
NeoCon 2007 got off to a great start. The elevators were jammed early, and all of the showrooms were busy. Seems like more traffic than last year. Here are photos from the Mart entrance and the furniture trucks parked out front. Izzy Design parked their mini there as well! Interesting contrast...
(WWWFD?) What would Will Ferrell Do?
Getting Ready to Go
I thought I would provide the dramatic intercutting with the other posts. About to go to LAX to fly to ORD this Monday morning. I'll be there tonight.
If this were the 17th sequel to The Mighty Ducks, I would be the Dad (played by a guy who you recognize from a couple of Law and Order episodes) who works too hard and never sees his son play and Neocon would be the 7 year old kid who just wants his Dad to see him score one goal.
Don't worry, Neo-Son, I'll be there tonight to see you score the goal of successful marketing, sales and networking.
Ode to Jennifer Busch!
And this one goes out to the fabulous editor of Contract magazine, the lovely Jennifer Busch!
Sunday, June 10, 2007
NeoCon Eve
The Sunday before NeoCon is a big day for sales meetings. Today,
I went to the Geiger and Mannington sales meetings. Everyone was thrilled with our work. The Geiger team loves what we did with their product, color portfolio and showroom design. They especially loved the materials cart that we designed for them (photo to follow). It got a huge round of applause. Thanks to Mike Donahue and his team at Geiger for all of their trust, support and enthusiasm. It makes it all worthwhile. The Mannington team loved the showroom design, although many of them walked right by the space at first because it looked so different! They are really proud of the transformation, and the showroom design makes them feel good about themselves. Good design makes people feel better, and that is a powerful thing. MattDeFrain and I went to the Interior Design Giants event tonight and hung out with a few of our friends: Julie Kohl with the Mart, Craig Malcolm with Interior Design, Dennis Krause with IIDA and the Trykes with Tricycle. After the event, Matt and I met up with Jason Moody for dinner at Republic. I took this photo in the bathroom. Now, time to get a decent night's sleep before Day One. And away we go...
Astonishing?
Here is a quote from the brilliant Studs Terkel. We are using it on some of the Mannington brand materials and in their NeoCon showroom. Passion matters.
"Work is about a daily search for meaning as well as daily bread; for recognition as well as cash; for astonishment rather than torpor; in short for a sort of life, rather than a Monday-to-Friday sort of dying.
Where Have All The Flowers Gone?
The Saturday before NeoCon is always flower day. I venture down to
A New Leaf florist to visit my friend Paul and try to score some great flowers for the our clients' showrooms. Paul is a rock star, and I have worked with him for many years. He always tells me to "make myself at home," and he even lets me go in the cooler in the back to see what's not out on the floor – as long as I promise to shut the door when I am done! Today, Paul informed me that he is leaving for Paris on Tuesday. He is going there to do the flowers for a huge fundraiser for Versailles. I guess the world has disovered Paul's talent, so if you ever need beautiful flowers in Chicago, go to A New Leaf at 1645 North Wells. Ask for Paul, and tell him Bill Grant sent you. He will hook you up. Thanks Paul, and have a great time in Paris!
