Market: the good, the bad & the ugly

Designers represent the creative side of market. Some are there to shop, or to promote, or to teach. Others come and go long before the first order is written. They're the ones responsible for stopping us in our tracks and pulling us into their showrooms with enticing displays and irresistibly rendered product designs. It's a different perspective, and one we asked our HAT Design Panel to share with us by revealing their market frustrations and pet peeves. The result? Except for a few logistical quirks and a creative think tank that sometimes appears to be running on empty, this group is enjoying the ride...

My number one pet peeve about market is hearing so many people in our industry complain about it. I actually love market. Life is too short not to love what you do! Market is a time to connect face-to-face with the customer and some industry friends. You see new products and hopefully a trend or two. You get to show and sell what you have been working on for the last several months. Plus, the timing of markets gives me a due date. And of course, the parties are always a bonus. I may be tired at the end of the day — but a cocktail does make it more fun. — MA

A lack of risk. Most people look at the previous market and elaborate on the general theme or risk seen there, rather than taking a risk on the current one. We do something drastically different at each market, no matter what the outcome, but it always creates intrigue and interest with all buyers. I consider High Point a fashion show of "home," and buyers are looking for the next trend. — BB

It's not whether one market or show is better or worse than any other. For us, it's always shocking that it takes three days to do a setup, but just six hours to break it down. We spend so much time hanging everything, making it all look right, but by the end of a show you want to get out of there so bad it's amazing how quickly you can break it down. New York is our biggest setup, but I live here so it's a little easier. I do enjoy developing friendships with other vendors and people in the industry at markets. Besides being a place where you sell to buyers, you can come away with a lot of useful information on things like dealing with setup, customers, how to do something different. — LN

The frustrating thing about markets and trade shows is the overwhelming feeling one gets just looking at the exhibition floor, then looking at the floor plan maps for help and finding them just as confusing — they look and feel like mouse mazes. You can end up walking around in circles for an hour and not get the most out of the show. It can be dizzying and repetitive. The shows would work better if there were more information stations and better signage. Even though the shows are for the trade, they should make them more user-friendly. They should also consider healthier food choices for their refreshment and food stands. No one wants to feel heavy and bogged down by junk food. — DW

My No. 1 concern in today's marketplace is that we've lost the sense of urgency to "wow" our audience. We hustle and bustle for months, sometimes years, to develop new and exciting products for the new market season; then after all of the travel and effort, it finally begins. We get up and go see who's doing what and look forward to admiring all of the newest and greatest ... but more often than not, we see only a small percentage of vendors in the business now who really create a buzz or wow the passers-by, whether buyer or manufacturer or designer. For me, personally, I'm inspired to push the design envelope further when I see my industry peers doing the same. — GO

Our No. 1 pet peeve would have to be the size of these shows. Trying to shop for unique accessories at either Maison et Objet in Paris or the New York International Gift Fair is almost impossible. To us, there are two factors that make it such a headache: the first is the size, and the second is sifting and walking through so many unedited, unvetted booths. Year agos, shopping Accent on Design at the N.Y. Gift Show was a true delight; very inspiring always, with new vendors that were doing some really great product. Now it's the same vendors year after year with the same product. It gets really boring and uninspiring. The problem for us is time — we know there are some amazing new things being designed, but to find them is like looking for a needle in a haystack. — D&GM

I wish more showrooms would work harder to put the show into the showrooms. Customers want to do business in showrooms that make an effort to dazzle and entertain them. The effort always pays off. — RJ