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Spring Seasons Trends 2019
Spring Watch Observing the natural behaviour of the card illustrator’s inspirations and design trends, PG broadcasts some of the motifs and colourways sighted on Spring Seasons cards for 2019.
Capturing new hearts
Cuddles, caring and cake
Valentine’s Day - 14 February 2019
Mother’s Day - 31 March 2019
Celebrating passion, secret admirers and BFFs (best friends forever), Valentine’s Day has widened its arms to embrace multifarious forms of admiration and love in the modern age. And reflecting this evolvement, Valentine’s card designs for 2019 have a flock of loved-up flamingos, honey sweet bees, shy care bears and even the odd adorable otter, who lightheartedly share their loving, cute or quirky message of endearment in hand-written fonts or the brushstrokes of calligraphy. There’s a loose painterly feel to many of the designs too, with watercolour washes or gouache smudges ‘making their mark’ and contemporising the bursts of hearts and flowers that traditionally adorn Valentine’s designs. And mirroring the cosmic trend of ethereal and other-worldly starry states, dreamlike declarations of affection and love are ‘written in the stars’ in constellations and midnight blues, all twinkling with gold foil finishes.
The ‘art-house theatre’ of modernist artists exhibitions over the last few years continues, with Picasso at The Tate Modern and Frida Kahlo at the V&A this summer, influencing designers and perpetuating the loose painterly infusion on greeting cards, including 2019 Mother’s Day designs. Whether it’s bold brush strokes, dainty watercolour washes or calligraphic ink flourishes, designs are making a sweeping statement, and are especially magnificent on the burgeoning bright bouquets for Mum. Bold blooms in delicious tangerine, peach, rose and lemon hues, shining on snow-white board, burst with love and appreciation for mums (and nanas), and add a touch of green foliage, or soft turquoise, and a sprinkling of gold foil finishes for that luxurious feel, and mums will be in their ‘element’. Designs are also fizzing with treats for mums of Prosecco or vintage delicate china and delicious cream teas and cake, and adorable dachshunds and shy bears have been joined by sweet little birds as tiny messengers of adoration and gratitude, which are relayed in intimate and hand-written fonts or curling brush strokes to Mum for her cuddles, comfort and care.
TOP TO BOTTOM: l An ‘otterly lovely’ card from Stop The Clock. l A new Wendy Jones-Blackett starry Quicksilver design for 2019. l Love birds on a Talking Pictures card, enhanced with a sensational variety of finishes. l A Talking Buttons Valentine's Day design from Laura Sherratt featuring resin flowers, gems and heart buttons. l This beautiful square GBCC design is a modern take on a romantic heart posy featuring foil and emboss. l Cherry Orchard new Wot a Mug range is plain-speaking on plain card with smart polka dot envelopes. l The Art Group’s Inked Up range explores the current trend for letterpress and risograph techniques using fluorescent inks.
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PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE
TOP TO BOTTOM: l Rosanna Rossi has added a set of eight Mother's Day titles to its 'Kirra' range. Each design features hand-painted blooms beautifully enhanced with satin gold foil and emboss detail. l Delicately painted watercolours on a The Curious Inksmith card. There are 12 irresistible designs for Spring 2019 – four designs for each season. l Roger la Borde’s luxe 3D Pop & Slot Occasion Card Scenes come flat-packed with a matching greeting card. l Katie Phythian Design has created over 35 new designs in its Paintbox signature style for Spring 2019. l A four-pawed messenger brings thanks to Mum from Ling. l Blue Eyed Sun has added 12 Mother's Day designs to their top selling new Biscuit range. l A card for Nan on Mother’s Day from IC&G.