Amelia Roblin Keynote Speaker

Amelia Roblin

VP of Brand + Design
Articles
10,129
Views
16,789,597
Location
Toronto, Ontario
Member Since
Feb 2010
I started writing for Trend Hunter as an opportunity to discover the contemporary designers I'd learned little about in my history-based degree at the University of Toronto. By my third article I was hooked and now the rest is history!

I'm a lover of graphic, furniture and industrial design, of architecture and painting. I feel fortunate to have grown up around my beloved Toronto and to have lived in Canberra and Melbourne, Australia, where there's so much scrumptious creative inspiration around every corner.
What is your secret to uncovering trends?
Chance and instinct ...and Feedly.
What do you enjoy most about Trend Hunter?
The fabulous community of writers, editors, interns and programmers. I'm ever excited by the ideas expressed and the new projects constantly being initiated. Needless to say, the abundance of amazing subjects (especially design-related) churned out every few minutes also keeps me glued to TH nearly every waking hour.
What is your favorite trend?
It changes every day!
What are your tips for writing a juicy post?
First off, I try to look for juicy subjects. A great trend begins to write itself when you highlight its most engaging features.
How do you reset to be creative?
I peruse my favorite blogs for inspiration.
What inspires or excites you?
Good design, as a balance between creative aesthetic and innovative and intuitive functionality.
Resplendent Mexican Destinations
Resplendent Mexican Destinations
The Mayan Riviera Offers Spectacular Sights in Magical Landscapes
When you find yourself planning your next sunny holiday in Mexico, be sure to look beyond the bounds of the Cancun hotel zone to get a truly dynamic experience of the Mexican Caribbean. I had the... MORE
Mexican Caribbean Paradises
Mexican Caribbean Paradises
Quintana Roo Harbors Cyan-Tinted Sanctuaries That Revitalize & Dazzle
My first trip to Mexico had me wishing I’d visited much sooner. A roomy, direct flight with Interjet got me from Toronto to Cancun in what felt like no time, revealing just how perfectly... MORE
Alternative Engagement Rings
Alternative Engagement Rings
Arsaeus' Salt and Pepper Diamond Rings Have Captivating Character
At a time when clear and colorless diamonds have become the standard option to accompany a successful proposal, alternative engagement rings take on a new and divergent appeal. Many women have grown... MORE
Load-Bearing End Tables
Load-Bearing End Tables
This Tubular Steel Table Provides a Flat Surface and Several Pegs As Hooks
This tubular steel table may be a small piece, but it offers more than the ability to hold a cup of tea and some light evening reading. Studio Maré designer Andre Leal looked to the early plans of... MORE
Multi-Purpose PIggy Banks
Multi-Purpose PIggy Banks
The Storage Box Series Conceals Loose Coins and Collects Assorted Items
Perhaps given the rise of online shopping and credit card usage, it has probably been years since many people have seen a piggy bank in a retail outlet. This observation, however, would not negate... MORE
Revamped Slinky Seating
Revamped Slinky Seating
The Renaissance Chair Harkens Back to an Ancient Roman Throne
Looking at the Renaissance Chair by Zaria Ishkildina, it might at first be hard to picture the ancient Roman inspiration behind it. Taking a wire mesh structure of stainless steel tubing, the piece... MORE
Restorative Feminine Skincare
Restorative Feminine Skincare
EMVY Cosmetics Are Gentle Treatments In Cute and Clinical Packaging
The almost unbranded design of the EMVY cosmetics packaging appears to reference the tubes of medicinal skin treatments you might get from behind the pharmacy counter. Choice Studio may have sought... MORE
Balloon-Molded Bowls
Balloon-Molded Bowls
Guy van Leemput Makes Delicate Ceramics Using Inflated Balloons as Bases
It’s nostalgic to see how Guy van Leemput creates his exquisite collection of porcelain bowls, beginning with inflated balloons as the molds. It may remind some of the old days in primary... MORE
Hybrid Winter Implements
Hybrid Winter Implements
A Combined Shovel and Brush is a Handy Companion for Snowstorm Car Care
Certain tools often work in tandem, and such is the case of the shovel and brush when it comes to vehicle maintenance in the wintertime. This product by Quirky combines a snow shovel with a brush... MORE
Easy Replanter Pots
Easy Replanter Pots
The Rem'Pot Makes Repotting Your Plants a Simple and Shovel-Free Exercise
Indoor gardeners particularly will be pleased with this replanter pot by Quirky, as it keep the job tidy and requires no extra implements. The Rem’Pot is designed to be the primary vessel to... MORE
Inventive Ziplock Bathtubs
Inventive Ziplock Bathtubs
This Flexible Bath Solves Three Major Problems Associated with Bathtubs
When you think of a bathtub, you probably think of a fixed-size feature of a washroom that assumes a significant footprint, yet this is not the case with this flexible bath called Panacea. Designed... MORE
Clean Cold Brew Cans
Clean Cold Brew Cans
Civil Goat Packaging Refines Its Image with Minimalism and Its Mascot
You’ll have to venture to Austin, Texas, to get ahold of these sharp-looking cold brew cans, designed for the craft coffee beverage made by Civil Goat Roasters. Where the coffee house used to... MORE
Dehumidifying Eco Showers
Dehumidifying Eco Showers
The Delta Shower Adapts to Different Spaces and Recycles Water Vapor
One of the unique features of the Delta Shower system is innovative enough to share on its own, yet there are two particularly clever characteristics built into this environmentally friendly shower.... MORE
Urban Sterilizer Stations
Urban Sterilizer Stations
The Lambda Makes Waterless Hand-Cleaning Possible in Public Places
Modern cities and societies around the world have adapted to accommodate large populations without spreading the more sinister illnesses of the past, and innovations like this sterilizer station... MORE
Multi-Surface Tables
Multi-Surface Tables
This Cocktails' Table Has Satellite Surfaces for a Party's Worth of Drinks
What’s unique about this piece is that it functions beautifully as a cocktails’ table for a number of guests and their individual drinks. Instead of having to reach for a single communal... MORE
Perfectly Proportional Purifiers
Perfectly Proportional Purifiers
This Air Manager Was Designed with the Golden Ratio In Mind
It’s always charming to see a modern appliance, like this P&H Air Manager, designed with age-old principles of design taken into careful consideration. At a glance, there’s no... MORE
Vacuum-Sealed Sofas
Vacuum-Sealed Sofas
This Collection of Compressed Furniture Makes Moving a Lighter Weight Effort
Couches are often one of the greatest concerns when it comes to moving out and into new houses, so it’s fascinating to see this common source of anxiety and effort tackled with the remarkably... MORE
Origami-Inspired Seating
Origami-Inspired Seating
The Exo Chair Mimics the Folding of Paper and the Rigidity of Sculpture
The Exo Chair offers a comfortable seat and backrest, but aside from these features, the object looks rather unlike your standard chair. When viewed straight on, it appears to be planar and flat;... MORE
Roundabout Wall Clocks
Roundabout Wall Clocks
This Inverted Clock Features Hands That Rotate From Behind the Face
Designers have routinely worked to bring originality to the wall clock, and a simple yet surprising adaptation in this inverted clock succeed to turn the concept upside-down. The circular IMNU Clock... MORE
Divergent Dairy Branding
Divergent Dairy Branding
These Russian Dairy Products Were Designed to Differ From Competing Goods
In inspecting these examples of Russian dairy packaging, chances are that the particular supermarket section would be your only indicator of what’s inside. And this isn’t the first time... MORE
Contemporary Fishing Cabins
Contemporary Fishing Cabins
This Cottage Was Designed with Inspiration from Old Anglers' Shacks
Within the region of Vysocina, Czech Republic, there are tight building restrictions that provided a unique challenge to the architects of this modern fishing cabin. Proportionate to the size of... MORE
Convertible Portable Fans
Convertible Portable Fans
This Portable Mini Fan is Compact and Adjustable for Convenient Cooling
We think of cooling mechanisms as big bulky devices, but consider this concept design for a portable mini fan. Short of having an air conditioning unit and the space for a desk top oscillating fan,... MORE
Music Teacher Matchmaking
Music Teacher Matchmaking
Find a Music Teacher with a New Filterable and Informative Platform
If you wanted to find a music teacher today, how would you go about it? Millennial parents would probably start by Googling it, yet until the launch of Cleftune, they’d have probably have had... MORE
Synthesized Retro Bands
Synthesized Retro Bands
Cubs Refrain Repurposes 80s Synthpop for a Uniquely Refreshed Analog Sound
The resurgence of 1980s culture and entertainment has been noticeable across the television and fashion industries, and one retro band is putting a unique spin on the trend. The niche resurgence of... MORE
Innovative Infusion Pumps
Innovative Infusion Pumps
The Portable IV System Relies on Pressure for Accurate Administration
While gravity does enable infusion pumps to operate rather simply, the natural force isn’t as consistent and reliable as patients and doctors might hope. Nor is it always terribly convenient.... MORE
Water-Resistant Smartphones
Water-Resistant Smartphones
BlackBerry Motion Can Handle Spills and a Full Day Without a Charger
The BlackBerry Motion has been eagerly anticipated after years of pressure on the smartphone brand. After iPhones and a broad range of Android handsets have been evolving to offer bigger and more... MORE
Personalizable Pod Coffee
Personalizable Pod Coffee
The Nespresso Expert Serves Consumers a Taste of Customization
Many people have associated Nespresso machines with the notion of standardization, so Nestle created the Nespresso Expert to deliver the coveted element of personalization. Just as intuitive to use... MORE
Newfangled String Instruments
Newfangled String Instruments
This Yamaha Electric Violin Gives Time-Honored Sound a New Form
Traditional violins have been used as examples of design perfection, yet here we see a striking new rendition in the Yamaha Electric Violin. While hundreds of years can vouch for the paragon of... MORE
Innovative Drug Dispensers
Innovative Drug Dispensers
The Karie Medication Dispenser Automates Dosage Management at Home
Engineers and designers have been working to fine-tune the concept of the pill dispenser for years, and a great deal of problems have now been solved in the form of the Karie Personal Medication... MORE
Documented Craigslist Encounters
Documented Craigslist Encounters
This Photography Series Captures Subjects Who Answered Online Ads
The well-known worldwide classifieds website, Craigslist, has instigated countless encounters, which go beyond the meetings to exchange tangible goods between users. In a photo series entitled ‘... MORE
Smart Wi-Fi Sockets
Smart Wi-Fi Sockets
The Orvibo Intelligent Outlet Instantly Establishes a Smart Home
This one small device, the model 31 Wi-Fi Socket, is the difference between a smart home and your average, disconnected dwelling. Made by Orvibo, these little outlets enable you to communicate with... MORE
Long-Life Electric Toothbrushes
Long-Life Electric Toothbrushes
The usmile U1 Toothbrush Operates for 6 Months on a 3-Hour Charge
A deterrent for consumers considering the electric toothbrush option is the availability of a power outlet next to the sink –– a concern that bears no weight in the case of the usmile U1. You... MORE
Traditional Medicinal Packaging
Traditional Medicinal Packaging
Chinese Herb Branding Takes Cues from Customary Containers
The group of designers behind this Chinese herb packaging has worked to cleverly bring Chinese medicine into the modern era. While there is no shortage of global patients who trust the expertise of... MORE
Household Precision Paintbrushes
Household Precision Paintbrushes
The Anza Paint Brush Supports DIY Projects with Ease and Accuracy
The Precision Paintbrush is the sort of implement one will come to find the toolkits of both contractors and homeowners alike. It has been designed to improve the accuracy of strokes made by amateur... MORE
Canteen Pill Packaging
Canteen Pill Packaging
This Water Bottle Pill Package Makes Carrying Medication Convenient
Consumers have come to see more creative concepts for medicinal packaging, and this water bottle pill bottle is one prime example. The project by Anna Shkarina of Moscow, Russia proposes a way to... MORE
Heart-Shaped Bike Holders
Heart-Shaped Bike Holders
Urban Cyclists Absolutely Adore This Convenient Indoor Bike Hanger
City cyclists who treasure their two-wheelers will absolutely love this bike holder. Modelled as the symbol of love, the Heart enables the rider to mount his or her bicycle onto the wall, keeping it... MORE

Featured Ideas

Stacked Chair Storage
Stacked Chair Storage
The Latten Shelving Unit Employs One Type of Piece for Another Purpose
Many people gradually find uses for their furnishings that weren’t necessarily the intended purposes. Just take a look at this Latten Shelving Unit! It’s made almost entirely out of task... MORE
Geometric Illusion Jewelry
Geometric Illusion Jewelry
MYBF Accessories Take the Shapes of Gems with Glam Gaping Voids
If you can’t afford a 12-carat diamond, several of these MYBF accessories will match such spectacular stones in shape and cut and prove to be a great deal more affordable. My Best Friend... MORE
Cheerful Paint Chip Linens
Cheerful Paint Chip Linens
The JCP Pantone Universe Collection Brings Homes a Spectrum of Color
If you’ve already filled your home with Pantone mugs, placemats, candleholders and other iconic paint swatch decor, you’ll absolutely love the new JCP Pantone Universe collection.... MORE
Head-Hiding Hoodies
Head-Hiding Hoodies
The OT HFL TT Adidas Zip-Up Will Protect Your Identity
The next time you spot your vengeful ex-girlfriend on the street, you'd better hope you're wearing your brand new Adidas Zip-Up. It can zip up all the way to the tip of the hood to hide your face from… MORE
Tablet Airplane Handbooks
Tablet Airplane Handbooks
Alaska Airlines is Adopting iPad Aircraft Manuals for its Pilots
You may have to turn off your iPod when your flight's about to take off, but pilots have exclusive access to their iPad aircraft manuals whenever they should be required. Alaska Airlines is making the… MORE
Adorable Foliage Fonts
Adorable Foliage Fonts
Falling Leaves Literally Incorporates Nature in a Study of Typography
The fundamentals of language and nature combine beautifully in this collection called Falling Leaves. It comprises four pieces of carefully cut foliage into the perfect shapes of letters and animals.... MORE
Bottle-Like Beverage Branding
Bottle-Like Beverage Branding
Frai Packaging Copies the Shape of Jars by Cardboard Construction
You don’t get exactly what you would have expected in Frai packaging, for the line of beverages would be stored in bottle-like holders that have more in common with cartons. Student designer... MORE
Adaptable Trivet Tables
Adaptable Trivet Tables
The Fletta Table Uses One Clever Feature to Serve a Pair of Purposes
The designer of the Fletta Table strove to create a piece that would thoughtfully embody how modern people interact with a kitchen table. Perhaps ironically, her inspiration came from the... MORE
Literal Typefaced Advertising
Literal Typefaced Advertising
The SVA Take it On Campaign Employs an In-Your-Face Visual Strategy
Typography provides designers with incredible freedom to express their imaginative ideas, but how often do you see it applied in the way that it is in the SVA Take it On campaign? In promotion of... MORE
Glowing Neon Stones
Glowing Neon Stones
The YUP DeLIGHT Pebble Fosters Natural Interactions with Light
With its vibrant neon glow, the YUP DeLIGHT Pebble light may give the ironic impression that it's completely out of touch with nature. This isn't so. The fixture's formal reference to a river rock is not… MORE
Intimate Contour Chairs
Intimate Contour Chairs
The 'Hands On' Seating System Creates Private, Cozy Enclosures
Libraries and open-plan offices could certainly put these contour chairs by Joon Soo Kim to use. Created to give small groups of people a place to meet, speak and read in private, these folding... MORE
Effervescent Fluorescent Branding
Effervescent Fluorescent Branding
OP Light Bulb Packaging Has a More Lively Look than Usual
Light globes are often hardware store purchases, found amidst sawdusty aisles of metal shelves and minimally branded products. It's unusual then to come across OP Light Bulb packaging, which takes true… MORE
Rad Reconfigurable Couches
Rad Reconfigurable Couches
The Armrests of the Tetris Sofa by Marcin Wielgosz Can Be Rearranged
Given that a chesterfield might be used for sitting, reclining or lying down, shouldn’t more be designed as the Tetris Sofa by Marcin Wielgosz was? This unusually adaptable seating system lets... MORE
Compressed Protein Packaging
Compressed Protein Packaging
The .Zip Sublimated Forcemeat Wrappers Lighten Consumers' Loads
You can tell just from the name of .Zip Sublimated Forcemeat that the designer was inspired by compressed computer file types as the concept for this packaging scheme. The idea was to cater to rock... MORE