Creativeworld continues to grow with 7 per cent more visitors
Creativeworld 2018 was characterised by an unrivalled spectrum of manufacturers and products and was able to consolidate its position as the leading international trade fair for the hobby, art and craft supplies sector. A total of 336 exhibitors from 39 countries transformed Halls 4.1 and 4.2 of Frankfurt Fair and Exhibition Centre into the creative centre of the world.
One of the most important factors in the Creativeworld success story is its outstanding level of international participation. “We noted yet another increase in the level of internationality on both the visitor and exhibitor sides”, said Julia Uherek, Group Show Director Consumer Goods, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. “Companies from 39 nations showcased its latest products and services and 67 per cent of visitors came from abroad.” In addition to those from Germany, there were retailers from France, Spain, the Netherlands, Italy and the UK. From outside Europe, Russia, the USA, Israel, Turkey and Australia were also well represented.
Top themes for the specialist trade: street art, trend show and complete solutions
As the impulse generator for the sector, Creativeworld offered the trade a variety of ways to hold its own at the fiercely competitive point of sale. “The biggest contingent of trade visitors comes from the retail trade. We focussed our complementary programme of events on subjects that are important for the bricks-and-mortar trade”, said Creativeworld Director Michael Reichhold, Messe Frankfurt Exhibition GmbH. “For example, we’ve been following developments in the street-art segment for many years. Given that more and more manufacturers are including products of this kind, we decided to devote a special show to this fascinating subject,” added Reichhold. 
Akim Walta, street artists and curator of the special show, brought numerous national and international graffiti artists to Creativeworld. “With artists from Germany, China, India, Japan and Russia, we created authentic and innovative shop presentations and gave live artistic demonstrations. There was something for everyone: from calligraffiti to hand styles and manga graffiti to urban script. And, this year, we also arranged a performance on the outdoor area for the first time.”
Another must for all manufacturers and visitors was the Creativeworld Trend Show where, the designers of Stilbüro bora.herke.palmisano, showed the complete spectrum of self-made lifestyles from clothing, fashion and home accessories, via creative ideas for the home, to ideas for gifts and wrapping. Designer Claudia Herke explained: “This year, we integrated the tools and materials used into the special show, so we could show trade visitors how the individual pieces of the special show are made. In this way, we revealed new display and sales options for the trade because the new products and applications can be adapted for use in shops.” For the 2018/19 DIY season, the designers created three trend worlds characterised by a mixture of material combinations, natural influences and pure colours. The creative interpretation of the three trend themes – The Colourist, The Gardener and The Purist were sources of inspiration for both trade visitors and manufacturers.
Workshops and the Creative Impulse Award provide inspiration
Creativeworld is inspiring, lively and future-oriented. Trade visitors were sure of finding a huge variety of things and had the chance to be creative, paint, cut things out, design jewellery and hold discussions with colleagues at the exhibition stands and in the Creativeworld Forum. The most innovative products of the fair were honoured with the Creative Impulse Award.
As in the past, the creative heart of this year’s trade fair was the Creativeworld Forum with a host of workshops and product demonstrations. “Our varied and interesting workshop programme is a genuine trade-visitor magnet. The 40 places were fully occupied. The programme was presented by designer and television personality Martina Lammel: “The workshops in the Creativeworld Forum were given an enthusiastic welcome by trade visitors. In practical demonstrations, the new products and materials make a much greater impression than in straight-forward presentations on the exhibition stand”, said Lammel.
A component part of Creativeworld is the Creative Impulse Award, the most important award in the international hobby, art and craft supplies sector, which was given for the 13th time and altogether, 74 products were entered for the coveted award, which Messe Frankfurt holds in cooperation with the ‘bit-Verlag’ publishing company.
The first places went to:
- Creative Product of the Year: H. Schmincke & Co for the
‘Josef Horadam Watercolour Wheel’ - Creative Tool of the Year: Heindesign and Beate Winkler for the ‘StampCover’
- Complete Kit of the Year:Frechverlag for ‘Bookies Häkelsets’
- Creative Book of the Year: Frechverlag for ‘Handlettering Watercolour’
Nils Knappe, CEO of H. Schmincke & Co, was delighted with his company’s first place in the ‘Best Product’ category: “To learn that our Watercolour Wheel had won first place was a wonderful surprise. For us, this award is recognition of the fact that we have created something extraordinary, something that inspires and stimulates thought.”
Trends 2018: mini gardening, maritime, hand lettering and street art in all artistic facets
This year’s Creativeworld revolved around the subject of botany: plants, leaves, cacti and beetles are trending. Expression is given to these motifs in the form of high-grade designs and materials with the emphasis on dark blue and green with gold accents. Well-being and stylish ‘hygge’ cosiness continue to be popular themes. With XXL yarn and mini-gardening, dwellings can be turned into individually designed sanctuaries. Creative personalities from all over the world find inspiration in natural and maritime themes. Additionally, the trend themes of street art and hand lettering were to be seen in an unrivalled abundance. The combination of different techniques and materials shows that graffiti and calligraphy on both porcelain and fabrics, as well as on walls and other surfaces, are ideal for creating special highlights.
Dates for next year:
- Christmasworld and Floradecora: 25th – 29th January 2019
- Paperworld and Creativeworld: 26th to 29th January 2019
