Top 100 Art & Design Trends in May

From Shipping Container Studios to Website-Inspired Stores

— May 31, 2015 — Art & Design
Despite being incredibly varied, the top May 2015 art and design trends offered a lot of insight in terms of aesthetic shifts and technological preferences.

When it came to home, furniture and architecture, the top May 2015 art and design trends saw a departure from the polished minimalism that has been dominating the design scene as of late. Instead, designers and consumers turned to either a raw, industrial aesthetic, or a rustic, rural-inspired look. In both cases, everything was a little less pristine and refined than in months' past.

Retail stores and restaurants, on the other hand, focused on ways to integrate technology into their spaces. Many businesses were able to create larger-than-life spaces by bridging the gap between the physical and the digital, effectively delighting consumers in the process.
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Popularity
Activity
Freshness
99
Secure Table Saws
Secure Table Saws
The Bosch Reaxx Prevents Finger Accidents
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98
American Culture Skateboards
American Culture Skateboards
Paul McCarthy x The Skate Room Uses Images Only Americans Understand
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97
Tattooed Editorial Illustrations (UPDATE)
Tattooed Editorial Illustrations (UPDATE)
Alana Dee Haynes Intricately Doodles on Fashion Photos
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96
Rustic NYC Apartments
Rustic NYC Apartments
The Ferrer Apartment in Chelsea Draws Inspiration from the Great Outdoors
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95
Self-Expressing Smartwatches
Self-Expressing Smartwatches
The Noodoe is a DIY Wearable Creative Types Can Wholly Customize
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94
Bulbous Hair Accessories
Bulbous Hair Accessories
Etsy's Bonnies Cinematheque Shop Creates Wool Crafts for Fashion Fans
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93
Contemporary Farmhouse Renovations
Contemporary Farmhouse Renovations
Gert Wingårdh's Remodeled Country Home is Rustically Modern
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92
Designer-Furnished Airports
Designer-Furnished Airports
Japanese Lifestyle Brand Muji Decorated Narita Airport's New Terminal
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91
Bedroom Robotic Technology
Bedroom Robotic Technology
Wake by Lucera Labs Gets People Out of Slumbers Gently and Healthily
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90
Voyeuristic Couture Exhibitions
Voyeuristic Couture Exhibitions
Wanderland by Hermès is a Conceptual Show at the Saatchi Gallery
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89
Minimalist Workout GIFs
Minimalist Workout GIFs
Nike Training Animation Series by Misha Petrick is Informatively Simple
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88
Graphical Rural Packaging
Graphical Rural Packaging
This Cheese Branding Reflects the Product's Freshness and Quality
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87
Homemade Plantable Paper
Homemade Plantable Paper
This DIY Plantable Seed Paper Project Lets You Give Back for Earth Day
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86
Collaborative Puzzle Chairs
Collaborative Puzzle Chairs
Makershop's Printed Chair Was Created by Over 70 Designers
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85
3D-Printed Family Portraits
3D-Printed Family Portraits
Twindom Transforms Photographs Into 3D Sculptures
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84
Submerged Luxury Homes
Submerged Luxury Homes
Dubai's Floating Seahorse Homes Offer Views of Underwater Marine Life
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83
Collaborative Stylish Pouches
Collaborative Stylish Pouches
Nendo Partners with by | n to Create a Line of Carriers for Anything
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82
Conductive Ink Keyboards
Conductive Ink Keyboards
Inko iPad Case is a Smooth Leather Tablet Accessory with Drawn Circuitry
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81
Kids' Programmable Pendants
Kids' Programmable Pendants
Linkitz are Wearable Hi-Tech Puzzle Pieces That Respond to Commands
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80
Hand-Lettered Logos
Hand-Lettered Logos
Sara Marshall's Brand by Hand Reimagines Iconic International Logos
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79
Contemporary Cabin Interiors
Contemporary Cabin Interiors
This Modern Family Home is Designed by Elisabeth Heier
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78
Quirky Character Art
Quirky Character Art
Alejandro Giraldo Creates a Series of Wes Anderson Illustrations
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77
Color Palette Film Posters
Color Palette Film Posters
Hyo Taek Kim Pays Tribute to Famous Animated Films Using Color Swatches
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76
Popsicle Handset Protectors
Popsicle Handset Protectors
A Stick Phone Holder Makes Gripping Your Mobile Easier for All Tasks
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75
Staggered Airplane Seating
Staggered Airplane Seating
Cozy Suite by Thompson Aero Seating Makes Booking Middle Seats Better
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74
Holstered Ceiling Lights
Holstered Ceiling Lights
Buster Bulbs Take Ultra-Modern Teardrop Shapes with Luxe Leather Shades
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73
Modernized Brand Headquarters
Modernized Brand Headquarters
Nestle's New Milan Offices Gives Employees Lots of Working Options
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72
Architectural Shoe Exhibits
Architectural Shoe Exhibits
Milan Design Week's 'Re-Inventing Shoes' Series is Sculptural
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71
Vintage Hip Hop Portraits
Vintage Hip Hop Portraits
Hip Hop Revolution Celebrates Artists Before They Made It Big
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70
Dreamy Los Angeles Photography
Dreamy Los Angeles Photography
Anthony Samaniego's Californian Imagery is Surreal and Sublime
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69
Handy Electric Lighters
Handy Electric Lighters
The Illume ArcLighter Can Initiate Flames in Style and Without Fluid
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68
Peacefully Melancholy Photography
Peacefully Melancholy Photography
Gabriel Isak Captures Surreal Images that are Full of Reflection
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67
Cosmopolitan Luxury Hotels
Cosmopolitan Luxury Hotels
The Belgraves Thompson Hotel in London is Sophisticated Hospitality
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66
Abstract Art Manicures
Abstract Art Manicures
Fall For DIY's Brush Stroke Nail Art is Easy and Fashion-Forward
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65
Vibrant Statement Staircases
Vibrant Statement Staircases
This Statement Staircase Illuminates a Private Home in Peru
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64
Nature-Inspired LEGO
Nature-Inspired LEGO
The Latest Work by LEGO Artist Sean Kenney is of the Natural World
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63
Luxe Camp Hammocks
Luxe Camp Hammocks
Byer of Maine's Double Hammock Marries Comfort and Quality
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62
Public Lounge Pop-Ups
Public Lounge Pop-Ups
This Pop-Up at NYC Design Brings Alexander Girard's Work to Life
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61
Surging Retail Displays
Surging Retail Displays
The El Picaporte Storefront Makes a Splash in Valencia
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60
Minimalist Asymmetrical Sofas
Minimalist Asymmetrical Sofas
Gael Manes Creates Sculptural Furniture for the Contemporary Space
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59
Artisanal Bench Storage
Artisanal Bench Storage
The Murphy Bench from JM & Sons Features a Hidden Compartment
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58
Eco Coffee Pods
Eco Coffee Pods
The Droops Coffeemaker Would Use Dissolvable Java Capsules for Responsible Brewing
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57
Crafty Retail Partnerships
Crafty Retail Partnerships
Four Canadian Etsy Sellers Will Be Getting Exposure in Nordstrom
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56
Buzzing Bumblebee Motorbikes
Buzzing Bumblebee Motorbikes
The Stripes of a Black and Yellow Motorcycle Create Insectile Look
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55
Shipping Container Studios
Shipping Container Studios
James Whitaker's Low Cost Office is Made From Recycled Storage Crates
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54
Shipping Container Restaurants
Shipping Container Restaurants
The Smoky Park Supper Club is Built From 19 Shipping Containers
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53
Glass Ocean Sculptures
Glass Ocean Sculptures
Paul DeSomma and Marsha Blaker Create Artistic Tidal Waves
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52
Creative Makerspace Facilities
Creative Makerspace Facilities
The Shop is a Creative Studio Combining Crafts, Ceramics & Woodwork
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51
Dew-Harvesting Greenhouses
Dew-Harvesting Greenhouses
Roots Up Designs a Plant House that Waters Itself
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50
Rugged Motorcycle Concepts
Rugged Motorcycle Concepts
The Honda Bulldog Design Moves Away from Traditional Leisure Bikes
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49
Hipster-Approved Travel Accessories
Hipster-Approved Travel Accessories
This Canvas Passport Case Will House One's Essentials
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48
Simplistic Fire Pits
Simplistic Fire Pits
CB2's Circular Iron Burner is Perfect for Modern Patio Spaces
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47
Collapsible Bike Helmets
Collapsible Bike Helmets
The Closca Fuga Collapses Down Like a Camping Cup
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46
Off-Grid Vacation Homes
Off-Grid Vacation Homes
This Vacation Home in Hawaii Cost Only $23,000 to Build
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45
Eerie Two-Faced Makeup
Eerie Two-Faced Makeup
The Jacquemus AW15 Collection Reflects on Society's Double Standard
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44
Sleek Scandinavian Apartments
Sleek Scandinavian Apartments
This Stockholm Residence Celebrates Organic Materials
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43
Futuristic Rocking Chairs
Futuristic Rocking Chairs
Durotaxis by Alvin Huang is Made Using 3D-Printing Technology
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42
Crafty Marker Scissors
Crafty Marker Scissors
The ColorCutter ShapeShark Transforms Doodles into Creative Cutouts
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41
Reused Tube Hangers
Reused Tube Hangers
Each Piece of the Trempel Collection is Cut from a Single Cardboard Pipe
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40
Desert Water Makers
Desert Water Makers
This Innovative Concept Imagines Gathering H2O in the Driest Conditions
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39
Tech-Assisted Responsive Apparel
Tech-Assisted Responsive Apparel
Ruff Uses 3D Printed Smart Fabric to Interact with the Body
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38
Vibrant Upscale Hostels
Vibrant Upscale Hostels
The Generator Paris Hostel Boasts Private Balconies and Hammocks
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37
Eccentric Storage Solutions
Eccentric Storage Solutions
This Abstract Cabinetry is Highly Graphic and Gravity-Defying
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36
Upcycled Plastic Sculptures
Upcycled Plastic Sculptures
Czech Artist Veronika Richterova Makes Creative Art from PET Plastics
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35
Shipping Container Offices
Shipping Container Offices
Hechingen Studio Uses Stacked Shipping Crates to Capture Sunlight
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34
Exquisite Floral Tattoos
Exquisite Floral Tattoos
Alice Carrier Creates Intricate Botanical Body Ink for Her Clients
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33
Private Office Solutions
Private Office Solutions
Brody by Steelcase Creates Comfy Pods for Solitude and Productivity
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32
Rare Opulent Guitars
Rare Opulent Guitars
This Luxurious One-of-a-Kind Custom Stratocaster is Inspired by a Faberge Egg
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31
Complete USB-Sized Computers
Complete USB-Sized Computers
The Google and ASUS Chromebit Turns Monitors into Working Computers
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30
Sustainable Solar Homes
Sustainable Solar Homes
The NexusHaus Relies on Solar Power to Meet Its Energy Needs
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29
Affordable Tiny Homes
Affordable Tiny Homes
This Well-Designed Tiny Home is Located In Vancouver
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28
Giant Inflatable Shoeboxes
Giant Inflatable Shoeboxes
This Nike Air Max Day Shanghai Installation is a Towering Shoebox
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27
Minimalist California Mansions
Minimalist California Mansions
The Four Eyes House is Located in Coachella Valley, California
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26
Sloping Motorcycle Concepts
Sloping Motorcycle Concepts
The BMW Apollo by Mehmet Doruk Erdem is Made to Set Speed Records
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25
Ballpoint Pen Portraits
Ballpoint Pen Portraits
Johannes Siemensmeyer Creates Geometric Renditions of Celebrities
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24
Prehistoric Shower Heads
Prehistoric Shower Heads
Etsy's Pixel and Print Shop Creates Unique Home Goods
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23
Interactive Travel Agencies
Interactive Travel Agencies
The Addin Store Has Tourism Displays That Customize to Dream Vacations
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22
Detoxifying Juice Branding
Detoxifying Juice Branding
Verve Juices Has a New Look for Its Line of Healthy Cleansing Drinks
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21
Hybrid Cafe Film Studios
Hybrid Cafe Film Studios
Spreadhouse Coffee in NYC Also Houses a Film Production Lab
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20
Educational Packaging Toys
Educational Packaging Toys
IDEO.org Creates Eco-Friendly Packaging that Doubles as Playthings
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19
Stackable Storage Stools
Stackable Storage Stools
Colorful Seating Objects Improve Classroom Comfort and Organization
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18
Experimental Beer Branding
Experimental Beer Branding
Assorted Beer Packaging Asserts That Identity Design Inevitably Evolves
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17
Animal Friendship Portraits
Animal Friendship Portraits
Harper and Lola Pose in This Pet Photography Series by Rebeca Leimbach
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16
Metropolitan Cat Cafes
Metropolitan Cat Cafes
The Recently Opened Meow Parlour is the First NYC Cat Cafe
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15
Fold-Out Food Trucks
Fold-Out Food Trucks
Le Bistrot du Lion is an Ingenious Foodtruck Concept By Peugeot Design
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14
Website-Inspired Stores
Website-Inspired Stores
Web-Enabled Retail Displays Update Constantly with Online Content
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13
Graphical Food Branding
Graphical Food Branding
This Contemporary Processed Meat Packaging Design Targets Millennials
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12
Color Pencil Packaging
Color Pencil Packaging
Julia Karwasz Designs a Reusable Cardboard Case for Art Tools
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11
3D-Printed High Heels
3D-Printed High Heels
The 'Re-Inventing Shoes' Project Explores 3D-Printing For Shoe Design
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10
Modernist Country Cabins
Modernist Country Cabins
Tomek Michalski Contemporary Cottage is Customized and Cozy
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9
Cultural Institution Cafes
Cultural Institution Cafes
Pennethorne’s Cafe and Bar is the Latest Eatery at Somerset House
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8
Sliding Wall Apartments
Sliding Wall Apartments
The 5:1 Apartment Uses a Motorized Wall to Switch Between Spaces
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7
Eco Garden Kits
Eco Garden Kits
The Vive Planting Set Prepares Kids for Easily Growing Greenery in Their Backyards
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6
Theatrical Grocery Markets
Theatrical Grocery Markets
Woolworths Food Embraces a Design That Shows Behind the Scenes Action
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5
Painted Stone Crafts
Painted Stone Crafts
These Dotted Ocean Stones are Designed by Creative Studio Elspeth McLean
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4
Mystic Woodland Installations
Mystic Woodland Installations
Ione Thorkelsson's 'Arboreal Fragments' Mixes Ecology and Design
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3
Embracing Cartoon Beds
Embracing Cartoon Beds
This Minion Mattress Cover Lets Gru's Loyal Underlings Give You Hugs
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2
Superficial Disney Princesses
Superficial Disney Princesses
Saint Hoax Puts an Animated Twist on the Kylie Jenner Challenge
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1
Prismatic Triangle Lamps
Prismatic Triangle Lamps
Etsy's UshkiStudio Shop Boasts Modern Lighting Solutions
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