# Modern Playground-Inspired Exhibitions Samuel Ross Designs the Coarse Collection for NYCxDesign By Amy Duong | Published 2023-05-18 | Art & Design Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coarse-collection References: [dezeen](https://www.dezeen.com/2023/05/17/samuel-ross-coarse-furniture-nycxdesign/)  British designer Samuel Ross unveils a new series of furniture pieces dubbed the Coarse collection for [NYCxDesign](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/soft-grounds) and it is on display at the Friedman Benda gallery. It represents his experience of the African diaspora in the UK -- this is translated through intricate designs of six tables and seating that are meant to capture the influence of [public playgrounds](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tivoli-collection) and architecture. Ross uses [thick stone and concrete materials](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ancora) as a nod to the brutalist housing blocks seen in South London's Brixton, which is where Ross was born. He explains that "I'm allowing more of my personal life into the works. There shouldn't be a separation between life and work. Playgrounds are an early exposure to modernism. The intensity of green shows a dissonance with the object of what public housing was supposed to achieve." Image Credit: Timothy Doyon ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.1/10 - Popularity: 12% | Activity: 5% | Freshness: 16% - Audience gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Playground-inspired Designs:** The use of playground designs and architecture as inspiration for furniture pieces and other products presents an opportunity for creative and unique designs that tap into childhood nostalgia. - **Brutalist-inspired Materials:** Using materials associated with brutalist architecture such as thick stone and concrete can create furniture pieces that are sturdy and long-lasting yet stylish in their simplicity. - **Personalization of Design:** Incorporating personal experiences and cultural backgrounds into designs can create pieces that are not only functional but also meaningful and unique. ### Where This Applies - **Furniture Design:** Innovative furniture pieces inspired by playground designs and brutalist materials can disrupt the traditional furniture industry and offer new options for modern design. - **Interior Design:** Incorporating playground-inspired furniture and design elements into interior spaces can create a playful yet sophisticated aesthetic for homes, offices, and public spaces. - **Art and Exhibition Design:** Designs inspired by personal experiences and cultural influences can create unique and thought-provoking exhibitions for galleries and museums. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Modernist Artful Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/colendra.md) - [Playful Geometric Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/collection-co.md) - [NYC-Inspired Steel Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-block.md) - [Metal-Centric Playful Furniture](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sight-unseen-1.md) - [Material Tensions Collection](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/between-the-lightness-and-the-darkness.md) - [Whimsical Sculptural Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/city-block-series.md) - [Community-Centric Sculptural Installations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/playful-sculptures.md) - [Exhibition Collaborative Furniture Designs](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cosmic-collection.md) - [Playful Structural Furniture Series](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/palma-collection.md)