Trends

The latest global consumer trends that we’re tracking across sectors, substantiated by expert opinions and the latest industry statistics.

The Synthocene Era

As AI redefines our understanding of intelligence, we begin to enter The Synthocene Era, an age in which the lines between what is natural and what is artificial are increasingly blurred – driving humanity into a future when technology will redefine what it means to be human

Micro Trends

Scent Retail Futures

Luxury fragrance retail is turning to AI and immersive experiences to provide bricks-and-mortar customers with curated and personalised scent discovery

Micro Trends

Glow-up Getaways

A new generation of health-focused hospitality hubs created with science-backed hyper-personalisation in mind are offering the ultimate longevity getaways for the ultra-wealthy

Micro Trends

Spirited Synthesis

Through creative and unexpected collaborations, food and drink innovators are redefining alcohol as a culinary flavour, appealing to a new generation of sober-curious, snack-happy consumers

Design Directions

Biofabricated Futures

A revolutionary sustainability breakthrough, biofabrication is the engineering of biological products. This report explores its market evolution and future potential in transforming materials to drive commercial success

Design Directions

Abstract-erotic

A contemporary vision of erotica is being explored. Sex is being presented in a playful and stylised context, employing abstract representations ...

Eroticism : Odiseo : She Comes First

Micro Trends

Boutique Boxing

Boxing is typically associated with brutal training regimens and testosterone-fuelled fights, but boutique studios are changing the rules of the ga...

Boutique Boxing : Fight Club : Empowered

Design Directions

Barcode

Design agency Anti has provided a new visual identity for Norway’s first city skyline, Barcode.

Barcode : Anti : Identity

Design Directions

Ryan Romanes: Art Direction and Branding

Melbourne-based designer and art director Ryan Romanes constructs visual narratives that have the power to engage all the senses.

Art Direction : Melbourne : Branding

Micro Trends

Recycling Rebranded

Fashion retailers are finding ways to negotiate the desire for sustainability by creating a new aesthetic around recycling.

Recycling : Closed-loop : H&M

Design Directions

The New Stand

The New Stand is a fresh take on the subterranean newspaper kiosk, designed to bring 21st-century retail underground.

Kiosk : Underground : New York

Design Directions

Neuro-graphic

Designers are drawing on patterns created by brain waves, movement tracking and biometrics to create a visual lexicon for communicating emotions.

Emotional Analytics : Biometrics : Neuro-marketing

Micro Trends

The Art of Sipping

The idea of slowly sipping and savouring straight liquor is making a comeback.

Sipsmith : Bacardi : Alcohol

Design Directions

Design Miami/ 2015

A strong global influence was clear at this year’s Design Miami/ 2015, as designers built deep cultural and environmental narratives into their w...

Luxury Design : Furniture : Materials

Micro Trends

Auckland Safari

Auckland is a city experiencing an exciting period of transformation driven by a rising population, an optimistic business climate and a growing ...

Auckland Safari 2015 : New Bricolage Living : Whole-system Thinking

Micro Trends

Bare-it-all Branding

The underwear market is moving away from overly sexualised imagery and ‘perfect’ definitions of beauty and taking an honest, bare-it-all approach.

Underwear : The Athena Woman : Anti-authenticity Marketing

Design Directions

Ikea: Space 10

Space 10 is a future-living lab designed to engage the public in a debate about innovation.

Ikea : Space 10 : Lab

Micro Trends

The New Commune

Co-living is now seen as an extension of co-working, where community and convenience are on your doorstep.

Co-living : Co-working : WeWork

Design Directions

Cinnamon Projects

Series 01, a new range of oils and incense by branding agency Cinnamon Projects, is a case study in how to create products and services that deligh...

Cinnamon Projects : Incense : Series 01

Design Directions

Dystopia Illustrated

Illustrators are exploring contemporary dystopian narratives, merging surrealism and realism to create multilayered narratives.

Illustrator : Surrealism : Realism

Micro Trends

Righteous Retail

In defiance of Black Friday pandemonium, some retailers are withdrawing discounts and urging consumers to be more thoughtful in their consumption.

Black Friday : Discounting : Zady

Design Directions

Story of Things

Scotch & Soda invites consumers to suspend disbelief and live their lookbook.

Airbnb : Scotch & Soda : Amsterdam

Design Directions

Schemata Architects/Jo Nagasaka: Interiors and product

Tokyo-based studio Schemata Architects imbues interiors with a sense of movement and transience.

Schemata Architects : Jo Nagasaka : Interiors

Micro Trends

London 2015 Safari

In a perpetual battle to be considered the best city in the world, London shone brightly in 2015 with a range of new retail, hospitality and well...

London 2015 Safari : The Convergence Economy : The Optimised Self

Micro Trends

Text Commerce

Brands are scaling back their omnichannel efforts and getting direct and personal with customers via text.

SMS : Text Commerce : Brand Communication