What is the new design movement, Neotenic Design?
In terms of design movements Neotenic Design is relatively new and modern, however will go down in history! Neoteny is a clear movement and is very easy to understand what is and isn’t part of the design trend. In its simplest form neoteny is described as "the retention of juvenile features." For interior and furniture design this translates to “inorganic shapes which have an exaggerated childlike quality”. It features child-like forms and structures like chubby furniture with plump legs and curves in all the right places or objects that feature soft and exaggerated proportions. It “embraces curiosity, playfulness, creativity and adaptability, seemingly reflective to the virtues of childhood and youth”. Think of tubular forms, chunky, exaggerated proportions, curves, comfortable balloon-like shapes, and soft forms and features.
I think this design trend gives such a sense of nostalgia to adults as it can take you back in time to when you were a child almost like time travelling. It lets you be silly, fun and excited again to see such different, exaggerated and playful furniture; childlike furniture but with an adult twist. Design with such memories or emotion attached to it will always get much more recognition which I think is why neotenic design has done so well.
There have been many designers hoping on the neotenic train like Faye Too Good, Seungjin Yang and Ara Thorose but Jumbo by designer Justin Donnelly and architect Monling Lee are defiantly in the forefront for this puffy, whimsical aesthetic adding softness and comfort to our interiors. The term ‘neotenic design’ was coined by them and they have pushed the boundaries and created some of the coolest, neotenic, fluid curvy pieces.
