Our trend prediction: Positivity
POWER TO THE POSITIVE PEOPLE
As the rapturous sound of applause for our key workers begins to fade away, we’re finding new ways to bolster our positive vibes. We’re big believers in the power of positivity, creativity and what it can do for everyone. It’s in our DNA and the driving force behind everything we do – “To inspire and empower others through creativity.”
What we're seeing
ILLUMINATING EACH DAY THROUGH CREATIVITY
Throughout lockdown there’s been some amazing grassroots initiatives that have sprung up in response to the Coronavirus. Illustrator Nikki Miles has created daily artwork full of bright pops of colour and motivational messages. It’s even grabbed the attention of Coca-Cola and Snapchat. Her book, Be Kind, Be Cool, Be You: Inspiring Words to Live Your Life By, is full of pick-me-up pages beautifully illustrated to help raise a smile.
The spirit of charity has been captured in Artist and Designer Morag Myerscough whose energetic and colourful I Have the Power print was created as part of the Artist Collection to raise money for the British Red Cross.
Beyond rainbow signs being hung from balconies and on windows, there’s the rise of the positivity poster everywhere – from the underground and Carnaby Street in London (with words like Hope and Future lit up on LCD screens to resemble neon) to the streets of Glasgow with the Cobalt Collective’s “Power tae the key workers” posters.
COLOUR MY WORLD
As theatres across the world have gone dark for months, with the fate of the arts hanging in the balance, it was encouraging to see the talents of six artists working in theatre and set design displayed in the windows of Fortnum & Mason. Their theme? Joy. The displays feature everything from woodland creatures catching up on their sleep in an enchanted forest to miniature models painting the project’s central subject on a billboard. Set and costume designer, Alex Berry says,
"I love seeing the making of things. Those halfway moments when the ladders are out and the paint is still wet – they’re beautiful. And these little people working together to paint their big message, it’s a tribute to the power of community and to all the people who work behind the scenes to bring joy into our lives.”
Anthony Burrill ditches small scale and opts for a seven-storey-high mural in Leeds. The piece is another marvellous commission from In Good Company, which aims to bring “more art, fun and colour to the streets” by collaborating with artists from around the world.
Meanwhile, Pantone have recently announced their Color of the Year for 2021, an ‘illuminating’ yellow and ultimate gray which very suitably represent, “A marriage of colour conveying a message of strength and hopefulness that is both enduring and uplifting.”
Closer to home, our own founder Judy Andrews’ artwork and blog is a celebration of the power of positivity told through vivid colours and uplifting type and musings.
OUR TICKETY TAKE
From what we’ve already seen there are a myriad of ways brands (big and small) and individuals are using positivity to make things a little better, every day. As we look back on a year that changed life the way we know it, we hope this positive outlook will carry on well into 2021 and beyond.