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

#OptOutside

US outdoors retailer REI has launched #OptOutside, a call to arms against Black Friday.

Design Directions

Workplays

No longer playing it safe, designers are beginning to challenge the typically sober and serious visual language used in the workplace and employm...

Employment : Branding : The Studio

Micro Trends

Transperiences

Brands that once offered transparent narratives are now creating transparent experiences.

Transparency : Everlane : Patagonia

Design Directions

Vollebak

Vollebak is an extreme sportswear brand built for training the mind and not merely the body.

Vollebak : Extreme Sport : The Optimised Self

Design Directions

Fernando Laposse: Food and product design

As the realms of food, product and design continue to converge, Mexican multidisciplinary designer Fernando Laposse is building a reputation for hi...

Fernando Laposse : Multidisciplinary Designer : Ephemeral

Micro Trends

Thought-leadership Travel

A new wave of holidays aimed at entrepreneurs, creatives and Silicon Valley types blend cultural experiences with dialogue and debate.

Bleisure : Cultural Tourism : Thought Leadership

Design Directions

Naxos

Naxos, Make’s gender-neutral, technology-driven skincare line is an answer to 21st-century problems.

Gender Neutral : Digital Agressors : Naxos

Design Directions

Poly-reality

‘Real’ no longer trumps ‘virtual’. A new aesthetic celebrates all things digital and artificial, and is challenging notions of authenticity and ge...

Anti-authenticity Marketing : 3d Modelling : Hunter

Micro Trends

New Sport Heroes

Brands are celebrating the real aspect of sports, showing why it is not the winning but the taking part that counts.

Wieden + Kennedy Portland : Advertising : Marketing

Design Directions

Constructing Connectivity

Constructing Connectivity converts the raw power of muscle movement into patterns for fabric-weaving.

Constructing Connectivity : Jessica Smarsch : Digital

Design Directions

Dutch Design Week 2015

At this year’s Dutch Design Week, designers tested and challenged perceptions of the material world.

Design Academy Eindhoven : Materials : Virtual World

Micro Trends

Post-language Typography

The design world is drawing inspiration from bilingual environments to propose alphabets that transcend traditional type.

Typography : Langugae : Graphics

Design Directions

Series 3

Louis Vuitton’s phygital exhibition Series 3 took visitors inside creative director Nicolas Ghesquière's mind.

Louis Vuitton : Series 3 : Creative Phygital

Micro Trends

Explorium Retail

Brands are using the physical store as a place of learning and inspiration, even if this means slowing the journey to purchase.

Bricks And Mortar : Revelation Brands : Discovery

Design Directions

The Incredible Intergalactic Journey Home

Online publisher Lost My Name is back with its most ambitious personalised picture book to date.

Personalisation : Books : Picture Book

Design Directions

i29: Interior Architecture

Creating a sense of revelation and curiosity through spatial interventions is at the heart of Amsterdam-based interior design studio i29.

I29 : Interior Architecture : Revelation Brands

Micro Trends

Tipsy Tea

Brands are combining alcohol and tea to add an extra layer of complex flavour and a healthy twist to the drinking experience.

Tea : Alcohol : Alco-Health

Design Directions

S/S 2016 Fashion Week design directions: Part 2

In the second part of our report on the key themes that defined spring/summer 2016, LS:N Global explores the influence of gaming culture, sci-fi ...

Spring Summer 2016 : Nicolas Ghesquière : Sadie Williams

Design Directions

Genuine Liquorette

At Genuine Liquorette, the cocktails come in cans and the bartender is optional.

DIY Cocktails : Raising The Bar : New York

Macro Trends

Anti-authenticity Marketing

Tales of authenticity and heritage are leaving a bad taste in consumers’ mouths as brands mercilessly misappropriate these values and divest them...

Beyond Borders : Authenticity : Heritage