Inspirations & Influences:

“The next ‘big thing’ can be

quite difficult to predict as

trends do not suddenly

appear but tend to grow

organically. Yet whatever is

popular in the mainstream is

likely to trickle down to

greeting cards eventually.

Last year our prediction

was right, that distinctly British and nostalgic

artwork would do well as it was a huge year

for the UK with the Olympics and Jubilee.

Aside from major events, inspiration for trends

also comes from major art exhibitions, the

catwalks and the hottest TV shows and films.

However, on the whole, the industry is

very commercial and our best-selling imagery

does not vary hugely year on year. Monet,

Klimt, botanical prints, and snowy winter

scenes for the Christmas market sell best for

us, but we have seen an uplift of the type of

imagery that you would define

as ‘vintage’ or ‘retro’.

One way we can assess

increased popularity of content is via

keywords in Google analytics. Clients can also

refine their image search results on our

website using our new sort tools including

most often purchased, trending and new.”

Key Trends:Woodland Creatures:

“Take inspiration from the

catwalk, as designers

respond to the call of the

wild. Strong, contemporary

reimagining of foxes, owls

and wolves peer out at us

from knitwear everywhere this season. An

arresting series of owls by Hungarian

contemporary artist Tamas Galambos,

created using a naïve style and bold colours,

encapsulates the fun of this trend.”

Vintage Humour: “Humour has become an

essential weapon for warding off austerity-

blues, and retro illustrations offer a perfect

platform for a tongue-in-cheek quip to

brighten someone’s day. This popularity and

interest in vintage imagery looks set to

continue, with the approaching centenary of

World War One and programmes such as

Parade’s End, Downton Abbey and The Hour

feeding our fascination with a range of

bygone decades.”

Edwardian: “One of Bridgeman’s

newest additions is a quirky collection of

vintage postcards from 1913. These black and

white photographs capture the innocence of

the Edwardian era, forming a poignant

snapshot of Europe on the brink of

devastating conflict. Ideal for

captions, this collection is

uniquely available to

Bridgeman for licensing.”

The Roaring

Twenties: “As economic

forecasts remain gloomy, the

lure of the decadent

Twenties stays strong. Baz

Luhrmann’s The Great Gatsby, released in

2013, will ensure the elegant fashion of the

period continues to enchant. From beaded

fringes to fabulous feathers, the stunning

fashion plate illustrations of iconic French

artist Georges Barbier (1882 – 1932)

flawlessly capture the glamorous style.”

The Fifties: “With the catwalks full of

high waists, pleats and peplum skirts,

nostalgia for the Fifties – the decade when

Harold Macmillan famously proclaimed you

‘never had it so good’ - is at an all-time high.

Between our extensive Look & Learn

collection and illustrated covers for the ‘John

Bull’ magazine, Bridgeman has an image

suited to every occasion.”

Design Classics – 20th Century

Icons: “No matter how far technology

advances, the old ways retain nostalgic

appeal. The last typewriter made in Britain

caused a sensation in December 2012, whilst

the world’s oldest digital computer was

restored to working order amid national

celebrations. Following a widely publicised

‘Movember,’ even the moustache seems to

be making something of a comeback.

Nowhere has this phenomenon been

more noticeable than in the awakening

British passion for cycling, following success

at the Olympics and the Tour de France.

These suave and sophisticated images of

20th Century icons would work well for a

range of male-orientated designs.”

PROGRESSIVE GREETINGS WORLDWIDE 151

Art Source Design Focus

Inspirations & Influences: “The biggest event of 2013 will

be the Royal birth, be it a new baby prince or princess, the

nation (and the world) will be full of Royal baby fever! Wills

and Kate have proved to have a Posh and Becks celebrity

status, so what better to provide the ‘aahh factor’ than a

Royal baby to make

the perfect couple

even more adorable.

We have some

wonderful new baby

designs available for

license, including some fun royal themed designs,

perfect for publishers who want to keep ahead

of the game.”

Key Trends:Organic Botanicals: “Think beautiful fields of organic

micro flowers, specimen jars and plant studies.”

Aztec & Tribal: “Bright patterns and embroidered

embellishments found recently in fashion and

housewares are now translating into greeting cards

and stationery.”

Top right: For a new born ‘princess’ by Lola from Bright Art Licensing.Above: A right Royal design by Michelle Breen from Bright Art Licensing.Right: An Aztec inspired design by Lola for Cardmix, from Bright Art Licensing.

Annabel O’Connor Fenton, marketing manager for Bridgeman Art:

Left: A naïve style and bold colours on this woodlanddwelling long-eared owl, 1996, by Tamas Galambosfrom Bridgeman Art.Below left: Vintage Edwardian postcards would makebeautiful greeting cards, available at Bridgeman Art.(New Year greetings postcard, sent in 1913 (b/w photo),French Photographer, (20th century) / Private Collection/ © Look and Learn).Below right: A 20th Century design icon on a Christmascard (private Collection) from Bridgeman Art.

Hannah Curtis, art licensing agent for Bright Art Licensing:

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