I know I should be working hard while I’m in Quebec City. I did actually work quite hard on Wednesday when I presented a talk about the business case for color and design trends to 25 presidents of Canadian companies, and then guided them through a workshop. The purpose of the workshop was to practice answering the question: If this is the trend, what is the product/color line/marketing program/font/web design, etc. Only two or three of these people are engaged in businesses that are Continue reading...

The view out my hotel window in Bangkok is a mix of beauty, leisure and industry. I have a great site line to the hotel’s well-manicured hedge and floral bushes, a golf course across the street and the elevated train tracks between them. Unable to sleep more than a couple of hours, I got showered and dressed this morning, and then walked to the Zen department store. That’s where Big Design Week 2009 is taking place. This weeklong event, sponsored by the Thailand Department of Export Continue reading...

I spent two days at the end of last week in Denver. I was invited by BellaLu Home & Design to give trend seminars in their store. What a blast! I spoke to consumers in a special invitation-only evening event on Thursday. I spoke about trends for 2009 and 2010. On Friday morning I gave a different talk for interior designers, both on-staff and from the surrounding region. In this case, I began with 2010 and reached into my forecast for 2011. The consumer group was wonderful, attentive and Continue reading...

The Trend Curve™ gets calls all the time asking when I am giving my next seminar. I am pleased to announce that my new seminar schedule is posted on this site. Just pull down the News & Talks tab above to see where I will be presenting in the near future. The next event is one I am really looking forward to. On November 11 I will talk about home décor trends in San Francisco on behalf of the Interior Design Society (this group was the first of any in High Point to invite me to speak Continue reading...

I am at the end of an amazing week of work in Ireland. I have been busy,giving trend seminars and workshops to craftspeople and retailers of craft products in Drogheda and Leitrim. Both places have a delightful craft community. And each has a community shop dedicated to local craft products. A picture of the products at Craftmark, where I visited with the staff in Drogheda, is included. Take a peek at the lovely vases on the left below. I can’t decide which sessions I enjoyed Continue reading...

I am both exhausted and energized. I spoke to 200 or so people today, presenting my forecasts for 2007 and 2008 (depending on the audience) to three groups at Showcase, Ireland. I am taking a short break at the hotel to regroup before I head out again. Tonight I will attend an event sponsored by Enterprise Ireland at the National Museum of Ireland. This will be the only piece of Ireland, apart from the trade fair, that I will get to see on this trip--my first ever to Ireland. Tomorrow Continue reading...

Yesterday I traveled from Minneapolis to Amsterdam on the 9pm flight. Leaving so late, I thought I would sleep like a baby. I was wrong. I slept not at all. After a delay of more than an hour due to high winds, I went on to Dublin, Ireland. Once again, no sleep. I arrived at my charming hotel call Butler’s Townhouse, located in Ballsbridge. I was so tired I could hardly see straight. How delightful that they got me to my room, brought me a sandwich in the sitting room (I have included Continue reading...