#Trends2024: An advanced scuba diver and founder of Nama Home, Namit Khanna does not follow trends

Staying informed about design trends helps businesses and designers stay relevant in the market. Adapting to current and future trends can enhance the appeal of products and services, attracting a wider audience. Designers draw inspiration from diverse cultural influences, creating products that resonate not only within local contexts but also on a global scale. This globalisation of design trends enriches the creative landscape and fosters cross-cultural dialogues. As we prepare to bid farewell to another rollercoaster year 2023, we reached out to the founder of Nama Home – Namit Khanna to gather some insights about what’s about to unfold in 2024. Read on to find out!

Are there any emerging design styles or movements that you find particularly interesting?

I am not one for design trends. Things being timeless is what I love to design personally!

What eco-friendly materials and practices are becoming more popular?

From my end we are not doing anything about ecofriendly products, but we are making changes in our processes by sourcing recycled packaging and creating packaging for our decor which can be used as a tote by our customers instead of throwing it away.

Are there any specific software or tools that are revolutionising the design process?

I just came across a tool called Programa which helps you manage so many things and projects. Tools like these can be lovely to sort out admin related things and help the designer focus on designing!

What colour palettes and combinations do you anticipate being popular in the coming years?

So, I have this interesting theory—I feel that the first set of new colours are usually seen in automobiles or iPhones. There are so many glossy colours being used in both of them, I feel glossy pastels will be popular now.

How are client preferences changing in terms of design styles, colours, and themes?

Clients in India are now very well educated about what they require as they are properly exposed to a lot of things happening online. There are some good level shows in India too now taking place where they constantly engage in.

Take us through the making of a product. Where did you find inspiration for the Turtle Chandelier.

I am an advanced scuba diver, which is where I got the inspiration while diving in the Gili islands in Indonesia. For me, the design process begins with a vivid mental image of the product, drawing inspiration from diverse sources, with keen observation as my strength. I then translate these ideas into initial, intentionally rough sketches before progressing to a 3D visualisation, where I explore design variations until a harmonious connection between heart and mind is achieved.

The sketching phase involves creating rudimentary doodles that help me conceptualise the product in three dimensions, aiding in material selection. Moving to the pivotal 3D phase, I find ample creative freedom to refine and fine-tune the design, reaching a final iteration only when both my instincts and rationality align seamlessly. Rendering is a gratifying step where the product takes shape in its intended materials, offering a preview of its final appearance. The culmination involves entrusting the realised design, along with technical specifications, to our product development team, whose expertise transforms concepts into tangible products, and brings ideas to life. They are literal “body builders”!