On September 23, 2019, the annual world ceramics industry event was held grandly in Bologna, Italy. As a trendsetter for the world's ceramic tile trends, countless ceramic people from all over the world come to this exhibition every year for "pilgrimage". China Ceramics Network, as the mainstream media in the industry, is no exception. So, what are the different changes at the Bologna exhibition in 2019? What is the nature of the feedback? You might as well follow the reporter’s lens and take a look.
01. Digital spray glaze, dry granules,
Various overlay processes and more detail improvements
At this year’s exhibition, in the Glaze Technology Museum, the reporter saw that there were not many particularly breakthrough technologies, and what was more displayed was the further improvement and upgrading of the original process. For example, compared with digital glaze spraying, which was only a conceptual display in the past, this year more glaze ink companies displayed very mature digital glaze spraying products, and more finished products were displayed in Fulu and Carobbia. At the same time, the dry granulation and mixing and superposition processes have also been further improved and refined.
▲Surface superposition process
The richness of decoration and superposition technology on the surface of ceramic tiles is a never-ending exploration. This exhibition in Bologna is no exception. Throughout the exhibition, both glaze technology and ceramic tile design are continuing to improve in the direction of refinement.
▲Tile texture, within reach
With the improvement and maturity of digital glaze spraying, dry particle technology and full-body fabric, technical support has been provided for richer and more detailed decoration on the surface of ceramic tiles. Therefore, it is perfect to see the colorful display forms.
02. Mature application of full-body fabric technology
Perhaps because the whole-body products are widely accepted by more Chinese markets, this year’s decoration technology has been more displayed at the whole-body level. In the glaze technology exhibition hall, several large and well-known glaze companies displayed their latest full-body fabric technology and products. You can see that the full-body body texture and surface texture achieve a more refined connection. It can be said that compared with The previous all-over fabric technology has been taken to a new level.
03. Richer and more diverse from color to size Performance
At the exhibition, reporters found that both colors and sizes, as well as the uniqueness of each company's design innovation, were more diversified than in the past.
From "black, white and gray" dominating the screen to the intervention of Morandi color and high saturation color
▲Morandi color system intervenes in the field of ceramic tiles< /span>
In fact, in the past few years, as the public has converged on aesthetics, a consistent modern minimalist style has emerged. In the past, the "black, white and gray" status that dominated the major exhibition areas at the Bologna Exhibition in Italy seems to be slightly shaken. Not only were the large-scale "Morandi" colors popular at the exhibition, but there were also some very bold colors and high-saturation colors that were particularly dazzling at the exhibition.
▲Highly saturated colors, gorgeous
▲Flower tiles (swipe left and right to see more)
The unified large board size has been replaced by a variety of colorful sizes
▲Colorful sizes
In addition to the rich and diverse colors, the sizes of ceramic tile products also show a more colorful and diverse trend. In the past two or three years, the size of ceramic products has been rushing towards large specifications, until the final series of ceramic large slabs became fully popular. However, at this year's exhibition, in terms of the number and categories of displays, the trend of large ceramic plates and various super-large sizes has been significantly reduced. Products of different sizes have gradually become more prominent. The sizes within reach on the booth have become more colorful, and small-sized hand-made glazes have become more popular. From surface tiles to medium-sized products with different glossiness, and then to the mix and match of uneven specifications, they all show a more diversified trend.
Breaking the trend of uniformity and entering into colorful diversity
As large sizes and black, white and gray tones are replaced by more diversified sizes and colors, reporters at the exhibition saw more brands tending to "do their own thing".uo; and the state of "letting a hundred flowers bloom" and "striving for beauty".
For example, some highlight their handmade products, some highlight their antique qualities, some have unsaturated tones, some are moderate and conservative, some are large and flamboyant in size, and some are small and delicate in size. In short, you can see more different characteristics in different companies.
04. Inspiration materials shift from natural materials to artificial materials< /strong>
At this year’s exhibition, the reporter, along with an Italian translator, visited a large number of Italian companies and some Spanish companies. Whether they were design companies or ceramic tile manufacturers, the product designs they displayed all showed a common theme. Characteristics: The inspiration elements shift from imitation of natural materials to imitation of artificial building materials.
There are two directions of understanding: First, in the past, we mainly imitated all natural materials, striving to achieve a realistic restoration of natural materials. For example, marble textures, various natural wood textures, leather textures, etc. Now, designers are taking more materials from the walls and wood of some ancient buildings, and using them as raw materials to copy and create ceramic tile products. The second is to directly copy some artificial materials, such as imitating plant patterns on the surface of ceramic tiles. It is worth mentioning that it uses materials such as silk to restore some silk or fabric patterns and textures and even highly realistic restorations of textures. Relying on technical craftsmanship, its expressive power is excellent.
05. The reproduction and return of hand traces and handcrafts
Many mainstream design companies have begun their return to manual craftsmanship.Under their guidance, many Italian companies have launched products with handmade traces. This includes products such as handmade bricks.
At the exhibition site, three design companies unanimously said in interviews with reporters: The return of handcrafts is a trend. "Italy is a country that attaches great importance to handcrafts. Handicrafts have a long history in the country. Italian handmade leather goods are also well-known around the world. With the development of industrialization, over the years, this heritage has been gradually replaced by modern manufacturing. But people will still miss the pursuit of craftsmanship, so this return trend is reincarnated. As a part of the design field, it will also be affected by this retroactive trend," Luigi Ricci, head of Digital Design, told reporters. So said.
06. Chinese exhibitors showed more of their Thoughts
Another outstanding point at the exhibition is that the performance of Chinese exhibitors is quite bright. They boldly demonstrate their understanding of trends and products through a series of combinations such as product and space design.
▲China Ceramics Network interview team checked in well-known Chinese and foreign companies participating in the exhibition
For example, the smart home theme displayed by Samit reflects its research in the field of heating and combines ceramic tile products across borders to bring a new smart home experience; Jianyi marble tiles combine seamless paving and interlocking patterns It has extended its own unique style and become a unique scenery at the exhibition; Dongpeng continues to strengthen the display of its classic products and continues to promote its thin-layer fabric technology products; Eagle Brand, as the first Chinese brand enterprise to participate in the Bologna Exhibition, The Beijing brick products displayed this time are based on the Beijing brick elements in Beijing, and use Chinese national elements and international designs to perfectly combine to create their own characteristics; Bode perfectly combines fine bricks with all-over fabrics, and its fine jade products are transparent The degree of accuracy is excellent; Nobel's display this time more reflects the application advantages of its magnetically polished tiles in the field of cross-border home panel materials; the champion's display more returns to the material essence of the product, from more easy-to-match Product display is carried out from different angles, allowing ceramic tile products to play more advantages in the hands of designers; Owen Lai continues its modern power 2.0 to the end, continuing to focus on the size of 900×1800mm to meet the needs of the world market.
07. Various mix-and-match trends continue
▲Unique mix and match style
Mixing and matching is always a trick that cannot be abandoned on the trend stage, and the same is true in the ceramic tile display and design world. At this exhibition, various mix-and-match styles can also be seen everywhere, such as: mix-and-match of colors, mix-match of textures, mix-match of sizes and even mix-match of materials, which greatly enriches the display and space effects.
More Bologna exhibition style: (multiple pictures warning)
