Why then, do some things trend while others just don\u2019t quite click?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In this article we\u2019ll uncover why certain ideas, activities, and actions trend. We\u2019ll identify which elements drive a topic to become widespread, where its impact becomes an unstoppable force.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
More importantly, we\u2019ll see how the concept of trends can be applied to branding<\/a> and marketing to help businesses, artists, creatives, and designers scale and grow.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u201ctrend\u201d can be applied to many things (such as data analytics<\/a>, economics, social media, etc.), but for our purposes we\u2019re understanding it to mean \u201can inclination towards style\u201d, be that in fashion, design, entertainment, or culture. It\u2019s whatever\u2019s happening at a given time, and can be broadly connected to popularity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trends that experience widespread adoption can be attributed to the following driving elements: the right place, the right time, the right moment, and with the right people. Google Glass<\/a> may have been in the right place and at the right time, but it\u2019s commonly used as an example of something which failed to resonate with the right people.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In contrast, think about the spread of Art Deco in the post-war period of the roaring twenties; its luxury and exuberance perfectly reflected the societal atmosphere of the period. It happened at the right time and affected the right people, gaining mass appeal across the classes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n The term \u201cviral\u201d is often used interchangeably with \u201ctrend\u201d, though the two are not the same. Trends, as we\u2019ve said, are driven by taste and style, and establish themselves firmly for a given period of time thanks to common sentiment. \u201cViral\u201d describes the rapid spreading of something from individual to individual, nowadays specifically relating to media and marketing, and is far more transient.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In creative industries, certain design trends like the use of illustrations or colors can emerge. These graphic design trends are usually brought about by a resurgence of past styles that become popular among graphic artists.<\/p>\n\n\n\n For example, the Memphis style<\/a> is a highly popular trend in graphic design, influenced by the revival of the \u201880s style<\/a>, an era of abstract and colorful patterns. The fact that a wave of the \u201880s style began to rebuild in the 2000s was of no surprise at all since it was timed precisely with pop culture\u2019s nostalgic cycle of 20\u201330 years: the 1970s embraced fascination with the \u201850s, an obsession with the \u201860s swept through the 1980s, and culture in the 1990s saw the firm presence of the \u201870s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n A more practical explanation for this cycle is that the creators of what we are seeing and hearing at any point in time are in their 30s to early 50s, and may have a particular affinity for an earlier period of time. In other words, the youthful consumers of culture from one generation come of age and ultimately become the creators of culture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Trends exist through a constant cycle of innovation and emulation<\/a>. It\u2019s the way people embrace one another and interact with each other. People are obsessed with trends because joining a trend means you\u2019re part of a group; you are in, you belong.<\/p>\n\n\n\n \u201cSome changes are short-lived and they are normally called fads. A lot of fashion changes are fads because they are only about one season or two. Some changes are long-lived and will end up being adopted by many people. And these changes are what I call trends,\u201d writes Henrik Vejlgaard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n So that covers fashion and the analog design scene, but how about the digital design space? Unsurprisingly, it\u2019s just as applicable, but arguably the internet has two distinctly different effects on trends.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Firstly, our connection with design and pop culture has become even more visual.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Jonathan Openshaw<\/a>, Editor of The Future Laboratory<\/a>, explains: \u201cDigital media means we now live in a primarily visual culture, where younger demographics consume images rather than words, and so questions of taste, personal style and presentation have come to the forefront. \u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n Secondly, the nature of our online world has generated an acceleration in the adoption of trends. Social media<\/a> disseminates ideas and visuals rapidly, and the effects of FOMO (Fear of Missing Out) psychology have never been felt so strongly. References to FOMO can be found as far back as the 1980s, though we tend to think of it as a modern phenomenon. It observes that people are more receptive to what others are doing. They become anxious if they feel they\u2019re being left out, and this only helps cement trends in the digital space.<\/p>\n\n\n\n And as the internet allows trends to develop and spread so quickly, so it also sees their longevity shortened, blurring the line between what we earlier defined as a trend and a short-term fad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n Before the explosion of the Internet, the trend forecasting system was perfectly outlined. For example, fashion forecasters would decide which looks would cause the biggest impact on the market, and this was based on what fashion houses were producing from season to season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n However, the Internet has been the downfall of many traditional fashion forecasters. Today, any online influencer has the means to set a fashion or design trend (so long as they respect what has grown into a fairly discerning global audience and only promote concepts which align with their brand).<\/p>\n\n\n\n Laura Walters and Katie Kenny, hosts of the New Zealand podcast Superfad<\/a>, hypothesize, \u201cIf the pairing doesn’t seem genuine, today’s savvy consumer won’t buy it.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n This being the case, who is now responsible for creating trends? It\u2019s simple: trends are spread by people. Everyone has a specific role in making an idea or activity a trend. The Diffusion of Innovation Theory (DOI) best describes the types of people that make a trend possible.<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to this theory, the following groups are responsible for trends:<\/p>\n\n\n\n Marketing professionals will often try to identify these sections of a given market. Doing so can greatly influence the success or failure of a design-based campaign.<\/p>\n\n\n\n In his best-selling book The Tipping Point<\/a>, journalist and author Malcolm Gladwell claims that in order for any trend, idea, or social behavior to cross the threshold of becoming a widespread phenomenon, it must have the \u201cstickiness factor.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n According to Gladwell, the stickiness factor is \u201cthe quality that compels people to pay close, sustained attention to a product, concept, or idea.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\nWhat Are Trends and How Do They Emerge?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Trends and the Creative Sector<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
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\n Abstract Patterns in Retro Memphis Style Design <\/h3>\n\n
\n Unlimited Creative Assets<\/strong><\/a><\/span>. Access to AI Tools<\/strong><\/a>.\n <\/h3>\n <\/div>\n \n
\n Abstract Patterns in Retro Memphis Style Design <\/h3>\n \n themefire <\/span>\n <\/div>\n\n
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Trends and People<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trends and the Digital Landscape<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Trend Predictions: Who Are Trend Forecasters?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
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Trends in Branding & Marketing<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
1. Find the Stickiness Factor<\/h4>\n\n\n\n