The world of contemporary design is resurgent, drawing on the past and on current moods while respecting certain nonnegotiable truisms

In the past few years, I think we’ve all seen white turn from just a color to a revolution. Globally, the movement has been very significant, probably starting with the release of Apple’s first iPod. From there, it went on to the automotive sector and even to furniture, eventually making its way to everyday culture. This is most definitely not a trend. I would advise anyone to get something in white; it’s never too late.

Like all things in life, trends have a constantly evolving lifespan. They come and go without anyone really knowing how long they ever lasted for. Not every fresh idea becomes a trend, after all, and not all trends become relevant. We live in a time where trends are revitalizations of what had already been done before. They are now a reinvention of the old to create a new, from material exploration to concept recycling. Personally, I think it’s all about improvement.
One could easily say, I don’t follow trends, but with so many pervasive influences around, how can anyone truly proclaim ingenuity these days? Along with relentless blogs and easy access to current styles, the newfound respect for the environment also affects our inspirations. It is crucial to be aware of these changes happening around us because they can have a permanent effect on the way we live. Times change, and with that comes new responsibilities for designers and their innovations, which have the power to affect our future.

While some consciously keep away from the latest trends, the latter will nonetheless inexorably catch up with the former. Our world is one of give and take, of shared knowledge. It shouldn’t be a competition between the latest trends or the most recent ideas, but a joint venture for improvement. That is why I have a dream of collaborating with the great Filipino designers I look up to. Together we can effect a change, one that is bigger and more essential.
I personally think trends are set for a reason. Maybe it’s a documentation of how we’re all changing—or not.

Seeing the light
People now are more aware of the importance of lighting in a space, and seeing it as a functional artwork. As a manufacturer, I’ve seen the demand for these types of lighting grow year after year. It is fast becoming a very dominant factor in space planning and design. With abundant materials and new technology available, designers are creating pieces that create an experience, one that consumers can both see and feel. From a range of products that either gives you a sense of the future or a hint of tradition, it all comes down to one factor: lighting is a very powerful aspect in our lives and in design.

One could easily say, I don’t follow trends, but with so many pervasive influences around, how can anyone truly proclaim ingenuity these days?

The Great White
Perhaps the most recurring trend in history is white, a color that we associate with cleanliness, precision, and simplicity. White is universal. It is bold, yet at the same time delicate . . . quiet, but when used in volume, becomes loud. From classical designs to New-Age modern, adding the color white to a piece gives it a sense of timelessness. You can never go wrong: it is not a short-term trend; it is a megatrend.
The last time I launched a collection, during the 2009 CebuX furniture show, I chose to keep everything natural and white. I must say that it definitely worked to my advantage, as orders increased, and I managed to attract new buyers. Showing pieces in white gives the viewer the sense of an empty canvas, where they can choose a color or finish off their choice.  
 
Organic flow
There has always been an apparent relationship between nature and design. This alliance is an endless source of inspiration: shapes and textures are developed, more materials explored. We have learned to embrace nature and have invited it inside our spaces, almost to imitate what’s outside. It is because of this relationship—and the sensitivities involved—that we give importance to the conservation of our environment. Organic design is about being environmentally conscious: using natural materials, fixing pure forms, emphasizing recycling, energy conservation, and more importantly, loving our earth. Our world is broken and wasted—luckily, we have the time to fix it.

Fast forward and rewind
Time is the only constant essence in life, and so we learn to adapt to its changes. The advancement of technology and the development of new techniques have paved the way for a generation of inventive materials. Even with so many fresh things arising, we still always have the past to inspire us. It is the fusion of the old and the new that has always been a trend, and it is nowhere near its peak yet. Finding a balance between two very different materials, or two very different styles, has always been visually very interesting. Designs that refer to traditional techniques juxtaposed with a postmodern material will usually give a piece that extra flair. The world of design is definitely going to see a new visual language developed, year after year.
 
F-Art 
Furniture design is both art and communication. It is a form of expression that is to be appreciated on its own. Designers communicate through this, but without sacrificing comfort and purpose. It will always be a battle between form over function, and in most cases, function should come before form. Personally, however, I think it is about finding a balance between both that really makes a design stand on its own. Furniture as an art will always be a trend.
So designer furniture as an art will always be a trend, but in times of economic hardship, isn’t it about needs? If I had a choice, I would still choose to approach design as an art. Yet in today’s world, this is no longer enough. To be a designer, you have to be practical and find that mutual understanding—a compromise of personal expression and current global demand.
 

Today, there is more emphasis on responsibility when designing, both social and environmental. There are too many things changing around us, along with new demands. Trends are the outcome of these changes, which are really there to keep us aware. Constant change is about progress. It is our responsibility to keep up with the evolution . . . and to find solutions to problems that keep arising.

Trends are just that—as one dies out, a few more surface—or maybe that same one returns in a few seasons, with some genius publicist christening it a new name. These affairs are tricky. Great artists set themselves apart because they never become just a trend—they become a lifestyle. That’s the point.

After years of being in this industry, I realized that sometimes it is not about an abrupt change, or creating a trend. Sometimes it is about inspiring people and letting them see that designs are here to evoke emotion.
As a designer, I constantly find myself questioning my own work: “Is this really necessary? Will it really make a difference?” I don’t think these questions ever stop oppressing a designer’s mind. It is not merely because we’re unsure, but because the whole process is simply bigger than us.

With that, I leave you with a question as well: would you rather follow a trend or be the first one to leave it behind?