BRABANTIA - competition

In order to inform my design for Brabantia, I decided I needed to look at current and existing competition to the brand. As the pattern is intended for canisters, I looked mainly at this product, however, made sure that all the chosen brands also sold similar products to Brabantia, such as homeware.

Orla Kiely

Orla Kiely started off as a fashion designer, and then began to apply her patterns across a range of products. This is extremely useful to look at, as the pattern design intended for Brabantia, will be applied across a number of different pieces of homeware. Orla Kiely has a very unique and distinctive aesthetic, and is one that is extremely recognisable. The colours and designs used have quite a retro feel to them, allowing them to work effectively as part of a set. The products are affordable, but the pattern creates a luxurious feel and would be a funky addition to any kitchen. These products are informative in terms of how to apply pattern to this type of product. 

Vintage by Hemingway Design

These designs aren't the most effective. Although meant to be part of a vintage range, they look rather gimmicky, and the colours used, although similar to Orla Kiely, have been used in a way that makes them look quite sickly and unattractive. The vintage element hasn't quite come across, and the chosen colours would be quite hard to fit within a kitchen environment. The bottom two canisters look like they have taken inspiration from the circus, and the text used seems forced in terms of trying to make it fit with the pattern. These canisters were looked at to see how type could be used on a product, and whether or not is was necessary. 

Cath Kidston

Cath Kidston is also a brand that has an extremely recognisable and distinct pattern design. Cath Kidston manage to do retro and vintage products effectively, and work much better as part of homeware than the above canisters do. The patterns are funky and youthful, adding a kitsch feel to any environment. They also show how effective repeated pattern can be, as well as individual design. 

Products like these, are much more stand out that Brabantia's classic design, however they are intended to target a different audience. 

IKEA

As usual, IKEA offer quite clean and simple design. IKEA designs are never too busy and cluttered, offering clean cut and modern homeware. The bottom canisters are quite similar in terms of appearance and design to Brabantia's, however, they also offer more colourful and patterned products.