The time change these days has been particularly frustrating. The result of forcing myself to do this is: my brain slows down for several beats and I am often distracted, such as bumping into poles and walls, communicating with others and listening to what others say for a long time, but when it is my turn, I don't respond for a long time - these are all common things. Son, there is really no one in this state - the direct consequence is that the speed of publishing manuscripts has been significantly slowed down.
Without further ado, let’s talk about my experiences and thoughts about Italy.
01. This year’s trend is that there is no unified trend
Today I will just talk about the on-site experience of the Bologna exhibition. The strongest point is that the exhibition has changed from the past trend-setting display with clear trends and unified trend elements. This kind of exhibition covers almost 70% or even 80% of trends, big and small, and often gives visitors a clear inspiration: This is the trend and trend in the next one or two years. If you catch it, you will Following the right direction. For example, in the past, when going to exhibitions, either "black, white and gray" dominated the world; or terrazzo appeared collectively; All Chinese people who have seen the exhibition in the past few years will definitely bring back all the trends after returning to China. No matter how incompetent the non-design industry people are, they can still get a glimpse of it.
However, this year, the Chinese people’s expectations for this exhibition trend were obviously disrupted by the balanced variety of colorful elements at the scene. Many Chinese people said in interviews with reporters that there seemed to be no obvious unified trend, and everyone was confused.
Indeed, based on what the author saw after visiting 21 exhibition halls in two days, this year’s exhibition has indeed changed from the almost identical trend elements and style trends in previous exhibitions. If we must say what trends this year, in fact That is: the trend this year is that there is no unified trend.
02. How do you understand the phrase "there is no trend"?
First, the trend elements displayed at this year's exhibition tend to be a hundred schools of thought contending and doing their own thing. Everyone shows their strengths and is evenly matched. Return to a relatively reflective and rational stage rather than a stage of chasing trends.
Secondly, this year’s exhibition did not see any major leap-forward technological changes or new product revolutions as in previous years. Instead, there were more refined upgrades and more perfect presentation of details based on the original technology.
03. Why is there a "no trend" phenomenon?
So, in this case, what is the nature of the feedback?
First of all, this is a natural law. "The general trend of the world will divide if it unites for a long time, and unites if it divides for a long time." This principle applies to trends as well. The trend is the same. Unified fashion trends, elements and steps have been going for a long time. People gradually get tired of the pace of chasing unified elements and start to stop and reflect on themselves. It is inevitable to find uniqueness.
▲The Italian inspection team of China Ceramics Network visited SITI B&T Company
Secondly, this is inseparable from the rapid popularization of new technologies. The trend of unification in the past few years is inseparable from the large-scale application and explosive development of digital technology - especially the popularity of this technology in the Chinese marketexplosive popularity in a short period of time. Relying on the application and rapid popularization of large-scale production of digital technology and other leap-forward large-scale production, it is not surprising that the surface texture, color, and even size of ceramic tiles have converged. Nowadays, as technology has been popularized and progressed for a period of time, it makes sense for each to show its strengths from extensive unification to refinement. For example, when everyone is hungry, there will definitely be a swarm of swarms just grabbing food. When they are full, it is reasonable for everyone to find something better to eat and eat in different ways.
Third, this is inseparable from China and other Southeast Asian markets. The unified trend in the past two years is inseparable from the rapid development of the Chinese and Southeast Asian markets. Compared with the small and fragmented European market, the Chinese or Asian market is extensive and has obvious scale advantages. A large market breeds large-scale, and large-scale breeds unified, almost simultaneously. This is why the U.S. market has spawned large-scale, standardized stores such as KFC and Starbucks.
However, as the extensive market demand for ceramic tiles in China and Southeast Asia has been met and even saturated in the past two years, the market's call for refined and personalized products has become inevitable. Therefore, it is logical that the ceramic tile trend returns to personalized pursuit and colorful display.
Fourth, China has developed more rapidly and has further narrowed the gap with the international market. This is also one of the important reasons why people think that this Bologna exhibition is nothing more than this.
04. The Bologna exhibition is worth a "pilgrimage" again ?
Faced with such a phenomenon, as the "Chinese Exhibition Corps", what should we see at the Bologna Exhibition? Is it still worth going on a “pilgrimage” again?
Frankly speaking, at the exhibition site, the author and his party did randomly interview many "Chinese exhibition visitors". Many of them were quite disappointed with the exhibition: after going around in a circle, there was nothing new displayed by foreigners. Nothing more. But there are also people who hold different views on the exhibition: foreigners should be more imaginative. The same things are displayed in their own way.It will be different from permutations, combinations and associations. Some visitors who looked more closely said: There are still many differences in details between what we do and what they do for the same thing. The difference may not be visible on a single brick, but if placed together in a large area, the difference will be huge.
“I think the purpose of visiting the exhibition this year for the representatives of Chinese exhibition companies should be to find themselves at this exhibition!” Liang Xueqing, the relevant person in charge of Ouwen Lai, said in an interview with this reporter, it can be called a classic .
What the author wants to say is that the development of anything has a process from youth to maturity, from following imitation, to imitating while innovating, and then to independent innovation.
The Bologna Exhibition, as well as Italian design and Spanish technology, have been the trendsetters in the world's ceramic tile industry for a long time. As a rising star in the modern architectural ceramics industry, China has been on the road of imitation and following for thirty years. As the saying goes, "Thirty years in Hedong, thirty years in Hexi", now, according to Chinese speed, whether it is technology or innovation , from a relatively extensive level, there is no leapfrog gap between China and Spain and Italy. As the distance becomes closer and international exchanges become more frequent, even some products and technologies, China has gone from imitation to innovation to transcendence. It is an indisputable fact. For example, polished tile products and technology are in a leading position.
Compared with the inspection trip in 2013, one of the most striking contrasts of my feelings during this inspection trip to Italy is that the attitude of foreigners’ booths towards Chinese exhibitors has changed dramatically. At that time, I was often kicked out by security guards when I wanted to take photos, but this time, I was warmly received. Whether it’s interviews or general visits, things go much smoother for me than five years ago.
In particular, many Italian business interviewees said: Chinese companies are fully capable of standing on the world ceramic tile stage with their own strength and capabilities. Their technological development has advanced by leaps and bounds, and some of their designs also have their own styles. During the conversation, the foreigners changed their original arrogant attitude. On the contrary, the author felt their obvious awe for the Chinese market. Even the Italian student translator who accompanied the author couldn't help but sigh: "It feels like they are so enthusiastic about the Chinese people, and they really want to do business with the Chinese people. They kept trying to sell me, and hoped I can bring the information back to China."
Whether the Bologna Exhibition is worth a "pilgrimage", the author does not have the right to make decisions for everyone, but one thing that needs to be reminded is that the word "pilgrimage" may need to be changed, and perhaps "visiting the exhibition" is more appropriate.
This article is published to coincide with the 70th anniversary of the founding of the motherland. The feelings and phenomena in the article are the author's personal experience, and every sentence is true and every piece has been experienced personally. China is different from the past, and the development of China's architectural ceramics industry is also different from the past! Colleagues in the industry, let us be proud of our great country together!
I would like to dedicate this document to my increasingly powerful motherland! I wish the motherland will continue to be strong, and I wish the Chinese ceramics industry will continue to be strong!
