The Zoo

The oft-heard trope "never work with animals or children" may be somewhat extreme but it must be said that when animals are used in advertising, agencies do not always achieve the desired effect. The ploy not only leads to a great deal of speculation when it comes to the animals' emotions (which in turn results in an adherence to clichés) but at times such commercials can even become rather preachy; as evidenced not only by cheetahs, walruses and sharks but chimpanzees too.

The end of the traditional light bulb clobbered the luminaire industry, which is slowly recovering. At the Euroluce in Milan the clear trend was an effort to harmonize design and technology again.

At this year's Light+Building fair Stylepark has presented itself in the new Hall 11 of Messe Frankfurt.

In recent years, Paris-based fair Maison & Objet has grown, to the detriment of other fairs. But now it appears that this trend is being reversed.