On behalf of the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology, the style experts have researched which social influences and developments will have an impact on lighting design in the 2024/25 season. The designers will give information on this in daily presentations at the Design Plaza in Hall 3.1. Visual impressions and additional information will be provided by the accompanying trend show.

“With inspiring examples reflecting creative expressiveness, material research and technological innovations, the Light + Building Trends 2024/25 spotlight pioneering approaches in the field of luminaire design. Also in focus are modern manufacturing methods, including the potential of materials and the power of traditional handicrafts. In this connection, exciting impulses with a variety of different focal points have been translated into three independent themes that reveal current trends and demands in the world of contemporary design”, says designer Annetta Palmisano of trend bureau bora.herke.palmisano.

The designers have defined three main trends that they expect will play a role in the colours, shapes and materials of 2024/25. They are: ‘’Welcome Tomorrow’, ‘Embrace Simplicity’ and ‘Create Uniqueness’.

Welcome Tomorrow: magical – inventive – visionary – sensuous – supernatural

‘Welcome Tomorrow’ presents a unique synthesis of magic, ingenuity, vision and sensuality made possible by advanced technologies. The pioneering designs of ‘Welcome Tomorrow’ offer a fascinating insight into a world where the silent observation of natural phenomena and magical lighting effects, fascinating designs and supernatural elements merge into a hypnotic aesthetic whole.

The colour palette is dominated by soft, luminous pastel shades, which seem to radiate from within – magical and graceful. Nude and light-blue shades have a satin or shimmering effect. They are complemented by a dark aluminium, as well as a pale violet an aqua nuance and reed green. Warmth is generated by solar yellow, sorbet orange and artificial pink.

Illusory effects are a recurring design element. For their luminaires, many designers use materials and shapes that play with perception through shadows, reflections and movement. The visual phenomena lead to sensual lighting effects in the room. For example, magical natural phenomena from the realms of air, water and light, as well as transparent, organic shapes and structures, serve as inspiration. 

Designers, artisans and development engineers explore the intersection of materials, aesthetics and feasibility. Inventive processes are employed in the production of the luminaires, bringing together craftsmanship and technology. In the creative process, the designers use innovative materials and take account of ecological and sustainable aspects.

Embrace Simplicity: pleasant – calm – holistic – emotional – pure

‘Embrace Simplicity’ focuses on pleasant, calming and holistic designs. This design trend combines modern manufacturing technologies with an unerring sense for the essential, creating a space that appeals to the senses, and promotes well-being. Overall, the emphasis on structural and material honesty creates a design clarity and authenticity that is not only aesthetically pleasing, but also highlights the values of sustainability, functionality and emotion.

The colour world of the trend theme is characterised by natural and untreated material colours. Sunlit pastels and lightened tones bring lightness and sun-drenched freshness to rooms and have a positive impact on mental and physical well-being. The colours differ in their characteristics: a matt, light mist, soft grey and a dark grey-brown alongside deep, shaded dark blue, a subtle, restrained shade of green and a natural sage, as well as a delicate yellow, a beige-blonde wood tone and an ultra-soft rosewood.

This trend combines modern, ergonomic room concepts with warmth and cosiness. As well, the rooms are always a place of tranquillity. Lighting, furnishings and decorative elements are unobtrusive, authentic and durable. They are evidence of simple modernity with clever influences and contemporary beauty.

The designers and developers emphasise honesty and have future demands in mind by focusing on the principles of circular design. In many cases, they consider materials detached from their original context, giving them new meaning and value.

Create Uniqueness: unique – curated – artistic – charismatic – freethinking

When it comes to ‘Create Uniqueness’, the extraordinary and incomparable is transformed into an eclectic mix of multi-faceted designs, each with a distinctly unique character. In this case, craftsmanship goes hand in hand with a freethinking expression, and an inspiring dialogue between industry and craft yields designs of unmistakable originality.

The colour character is charismatic and rich in contrast. Colour sophistication plays a key role and brings the designs and materials to life. The palette is colourful, vibrant and allows for unusual, artistic and special colour schemes. It promotes exciting, eye-catching, unusual and unexpected compositions and sets striking accents that become eye-catchers. From a dark slate shade to a light grey, via a light porcelain, decorative, classic blue, sky and a deep glass green, plus honey yellow, to a deep brandy tone and intense chilli red.

The overall effect is artistic, curated and charismatic. The creation of living areas, in which each individual design always has its own special context, attracts attention and emphasises the impact of each object. Luminaires are a key part of this. They are created using a variety of techniques, high-contrast materials and shapes. The result is an unconventional, playful and lively image. Vintage appeal is combined with clear modernity and craftsmanship with a freethinking approach. Aesthetically different concepts are often combined, e.g., strong motifs and patterns with clear shapes.

The trend scouts: trend bureau bora.herke.palmisano

To analyse moods and market demands – and to derive reliable trend forecasts from them – calls for a high degree of specialist expertise. Claudia Herke, Cem Bora and Annetta Palmisano analyse international trends on behalf of Messe Frankfurt. With their many years of experience and their extensive expertise in trend forecasting and materials research, they offer valuable guidance in the form of analyses, presentations and inspiring special shows.

Further information about the Light + Building Trends 2024/25 can be found at
http://light-building.com/trends 

Light + Building – the world’s leading trade fair for lighting and building services technology. The next Light + Building opens its doors from 3rd to 8th March 2024.

Image courtesy of Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH/Pietro Sutera. 

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In cooperation with Stylepark, Magazine & Platform for Architecture and Design, Messe Frankfurt offers exhibiting companies the opportunity to take part in the Designplus competition, including an exclusive special show, an awards ceremony and an extensive communication programme.

New categories for even greater inspiration

In addition to the new partner, the coming Designplus competition features four newly developed categories. The orientation of the criteria to the complete spectrum of products and services offered by Light + Building and its exhibitors ensures that all sectors involved are targeted equally and have the opportunity to take part in the competition. Besides the overall concept and product use, the following evaluation criteria are of decisive importance for the jury:

• Light + Creation PLUS: Innovations in the fields of lighting and technology, new design language and inspiring product design.

• Sustainability + Efficiency PLUS: Future-oriented ideas, system solutions focusing on energy efficiency and energy management in buildings, creative approaches for environmentally-friendly production and sustainable applications.

• Smart + Connectivity PLUS: Smart building automation, integrated safety and security technology and holistic system solutions for interconnecting all disciplines in the building.

• Sustainable Exhibition Stand

The new supplementary ‘Sustainable Exhibition Stand’ category is aimed at those exhibitors who have integrated and implemented the subject of sustainability as a component part of their exhibition-stand concept. It also seeks to promote environmental responsibility in relation to trade fairs. Accordingly, the evaluation criteria include factors, such as waste reduction, sustainable design and CO₂ reduction, and thus encourage the inclusion of CO₂ emissions in the design and operation of the exhibition stand. Additionally, the focus is also on innovation and, therefore, the promotion of creative, sustainable design approaches.

The jury of the Designplus Award comprises experts who are extremely well versed in the leading themes of Light + Building. They assess which of the products entered are essential for a sustainable building sector. From technical luminaires, lighting components and smart building automation to safety and security technology – the Designplus Award will be given in all segments of Light + Building 2024.

The award-winning entries will be on show during Light + Building at a specially designed exhibition. Concurrently, these products will also be presented in an online gallery with images and textual explanations. Furthermore, the companies will be the focus of an awards ceremony during the leading international trade fair for lighting, building-services technology and networked safety and security technology.

Products honoured with the Designplus Award also enjoy a benefit after the trade fair closes its doors: the award is regarded in the industry as a benchmark and helps with the positioning of new products in the market.

Enter now

All exhibitors of Light + Building 2024 are invited to enter with their innovative and well-designed products. The closing date for entries is 24th January 2024 and the judging will take place on 2nd February 2024.

Further information about the Designplus Award, FAQs and General Terms of Business can be found at www.light-building.com/designplus.

Image: Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH.

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The promising development in the event industry and the positive feedback from the sector are reflected in the manufacturers’ commitment to Prolight + Sound. A large number of well-known companies have already declared their participation for 2024, including Adam Hall, Adamson, ADJ, ALFA-SYSTEM, Area Four, ARTTHEA, ASM, Astera, Aura Audio, AV Stumpfl, Ayrton Lighting, BÜTEC, Cast, Chauvet, Clay Paky, ComputerWorks, CSI, Das Audio, Dataton, Elation, Electronic Theatre Controls, Eurotruss, FACE Bvba, Gerriets, GLP, Harmonic Design, Hearsafe, Highlite International, InEar, inoage, JB-Lighting, Kling & Freitag, KS Beschallungstechnik, KV2, KVANT, L-Acoustics, Lawo, Lightpower, LMP, LumenRadio, MA Lighting, Major, Meyer Sound, Milan, Mipro, Movecat, Music & Lights, Music & Sales, Portman, Riedel, ROBE, Robert Juliat, ROE, Rosco, Roxx, SBS, SICA, Sixty82, SRV, Steinigke, TAIT, TMB, Tronios, Unilumin, Vision Ears, Waagner-Biro and Zactrack. Mira Wölfel, Director Prolight + Sound, emphasises: “We are creating an internationally oriented stage in the heart of Europe where the industry comes together to develop innovative ideas for the future and to set trends. At Prolight + Sound, the industry not only underlines its economic importance, but also its awareness for sustainability, networking, creativity and the promotion of young talent.”

Wide-reaching platform for the industry

Whether concert stages, opera houses, clubs, museums, theme parks or worlds of experience: Prolight + Sound presents the entire spectrum of technological innovations from the world of event technology and provides them with an internationally relevant platform.

Sound, studio and production equipment, as well as media and camera technology, are once again at home in Hall 11. One of the highlights is the newly developed Image Creation Hub: In cooperation with the Bundesverband der Fernsehkameraleute e.V. (BFVK – Federal Association of Television Camera Operators), a unique area is being created for everything to do with moving pictures. The heart of the site is the Speakers Area in the style of a television studio.

Hall 11 will also be the stage for innovations in DJing and digital live performance, complemented by various audio demo rooms and workshops.

In Hall 12, everything revolves around lighting and theatre equipment, projection and display technology as well as event services, equipment and planning. The outdoor area will attract visitors with spectacular live presentations of outdoor solutions for audio and display technology as well as mobile stages, tents and inflatables.

Shining trends in the spotlight

From moving lights to tracking to LED: Prolight + Sound is home to all segments of lighting technology – and on an internationally unique scale. In 2024, the trends in the industry are all about sustainability and creativity. One focus is on energy-efficient LED solutions that not only create breathtaking lighting effects but also reduce the ecological footprint. Another focus is the increasing integration of artificial intelligence in lighting technology. AI-based control systems make it possible to adapt lighting designs to the mood of the audience in real time, creating immersive, unique experiences.

Innovatively produced: The stage of the future

A mainstay of Prolight + Sound is the theatre and stage technology sector. The upcoming event will highlight the most exciting developments in the industry – including the increased use of augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) in theatre productions. These technologies create completely new possibilities for stage sets and visual effects. The increasing automation of stage elements and control systems will also be addressed. It allows theatre productions to seamlessly switch between technical elements while ensuring safety and precision.

Creating new sound worlds

The audio technology segment will also be updated at Prolight + Sound 2024. The ProAudio College, established in April 2023 together with the Verband Deutscher Tonmeister e.V. (VDT – Association of German Sound Engineers), will enter its second round – larger, more versatile, more international and with an even more extensive programme. The four-day advanced training programme is dedicated to current trends in the sound reinforcement scene, innovations around studio productions and exclusive training modules. In the Performance + Production Hub, product presentations and live showcases meet workshops with experts from well-known brands. Created in cooperation with the Sample Music Festival, it also provides a stage to forward-looking topics such as live remixing and looping, controllerism and the latest software and apps. In the Live Sound Arena, visitors can experience the sound of powerful PA systems under real conditions.

From sustainability to promoting young talent

Prolight + Sound 2024 will place even greater emphasis on energy efficiency and sustainability than in the past. In this way, the trade fair is taking into account the industry’s growing awareness of ecological responsibility. The EVVC (European Association of Event Centres) will provide important impulses for a greener event industry with its Green Sessions.

The Main Stage in Hall 11, where top keynote speakers will discuss current industry topics, has been redesigned with sustainability in mind. With the “Urban Garden” project, the Future Hub will also focus on the topic of sustainability. The area, which is also located in Hall 11, will focus in particular on the promotion of young talent. Educational institutions with event study courses, companies with vacant positions and start-ups will present themselves. In addition, the Future Talents Day 2024 on Friday, 22 March, invites young professionals to learn more about career opportunities in the event industry and to network. The Prolight + Sound Conference, which is being organised in cooperation with the VPLT e.V. (Association of Media and Event Technology), also offers first-hand specialist know-how.

Let’s connect, let’s grow 

As the leading trade fair for event technology, Prolight + Sound places a clear focus on networking and the growth of the industry. The Hosted Buyer Programme, which was successfully launched in 2023, is now in its second round. It is aimed specifically at selected decision-makers from the industry who receive an exclusive invitation to the show – including travel and accommodation. Guided tours enable visitors to familiarise themselves with new products from various thematic areas – from theatre and stage to sustainable technologies – and to make direct contact with suppliers.

Traditionally, Prolight + Sound is not only about business but also the bilingual supporting programme. In 2024, this will be comprehensively expanded: At the upcoming event, the PLS Community Nights will take place for the first time. Throughout three evenings, Prolight + Sound will invite all participants of the fair to major networking events, which will take place in exclusive Frankfurt locations. Glitz and glamour meets business in one of Europe’s most modern metropolises.

Participation in all lectures, workshops and product demos as well as the PLS Community Nights is free of charge for visitors with a valid ticket.

Further details on Prolight + Sound at www.prolight-sound.com.

Photo: Mathias Kutt.

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