During the summer months, Relay Design Agents takes the opportunity to sit down and review the first half of the year. This has been especially important this year with such a busy start to 2024 filled with new products, innovations and design events.

During the summer months Relay takes the opportunity to sit down and review the first half of the year. This has been especially important this year, as 2023 saw the rush of our industry getting back out and re-establishing themselves in the real world. The result is our annual Mid Year Design Report.

Our annual Mid Year Design Report is always an important moment to collectively sit down as a studio and assess the last six months. This has become even more important this year, as the start of 2022 saw us come out of two years of rolling lockdowns and reenter the world of in-person product launches, exhibitions and events.

Sustainability has been one of the founding principles of Relay Design Agency since we were established in 2009. In the ensuing decade we have seen the spotlight on sustainability increase in both scale and intensity.

For this edition of Future Focus, we look at the role of traceability & transparency in evaluating raw materials and providing roadmaps for innovations in material development. We look at those championing traditional forms of manufacturing as well as those exploring the latest in new technologies, alongside innovative uses of recycled and reclaimed materials.

Since spring there have been a large number of product updates from our brands. From innovative new materials & processes, to new colours & finishes. Combined, they push the boundaries of furniture and lighting design whilst increasing the level of choice for your projects.

This recent report focuses on the bold and oversized silhouettes which have dominated recent product launches. At first glance this trend seems to be an obvious reaction against the fine filigree of earlier collections, however on closer inspection these bold forms underline more practical considerations as product design briefs frequently demand multiple uses and adaptations to ensure market success. Especially in the current climate where successful design needs to function in multiple locations.

Curve Appeal explores the aesthetics of architectural archways and its recent influence on product design. The report spotlights recent product launches which not only exemplify this trend but link to other post-Covid-19 design strategies - including wayfinding & zoning, barrier design, and video conference call acoustics.