DESIGNING FOR MILLENNIALS
As a part of this year's Fall Market Series at Pacific Design Center, I participated in an exciting discussion with fellow designers at the Kravet showroom! The topic: DESIGNING FOR MILLENNIALS
I think this generation of designers and dreamers are reshaping our field, fueled by a sense of creative freedom and embracing the endless possibilities! Here, I'm giving a full rundown of my responses to the panel questions.
What’s your number one piece of advice when it comes to work with/designing for millennials?
Have a strong social media presence and tools as this is how millenials are accessing information and inspiration from.
What differences do you notice in their décor style in comparison to older generations? I see the following difference:
PINK! There is a willingness to mix and match hardware and fabrics/patterns whereas the older generations tend to want everything to match.
What challenges do you face when working with/designing for millennials?
Information is at their fingertips so there is a constant influx of ideas and often, I have to keep them focused and streamlined. They can also price things out faster than we can, so being transparent is key.
Have you encountered similar challenges with other age groups?
It depends on the person and the age group, but yes!
Does social media play a role in working with/designing for millennials? ABSOLUTELY!
Is designing an “Instagrammable” spot/corner a must?
Duh…J In Jessi Malay’s closet, this fact literally drove the design. We created a staging area across from her vanity so it woud be in every shot and video she did.
What do you love about working with/designing for a younger generation?
I love the open mindedness and the thinking outside of the box aspect. They don’t know the rules and it can be fun that way, too!
Are there any recurring millennial design trends that surprise you?
The marble trend! Millenials are all about the marble—be it clothing, home décor, etc., which is surprising given that maybe 20 years ago, people saw marble as older/gaudy.
Are textures and patterns trending with millennials? In what ways?
I am seeing a lot of geometric patterns, florals, colors and textures. Fashion also plays a part and I see that influencing design and design choices.
The closet, in the past was rarley featured and now an organized aethetically pleasing closet is a priority --- what do you think has contributing to this shift?
Where do I start?! When I started LA Closet Design in 2007, the impetus was seeing ktichens as great spaces (heart of the home) and wanting closets to be treated in the same way—as legitimate spaces that people can dress in, as well as hang out in—multi-functional spaces. It’s become a lifestyle space and thanks to social media, we’ve been able to show what you can do practically and aspirationally.
