Ideas
Explore the world's #1 largest database of ideas and innovations, with 460,503 inspiring examples.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,097 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Consumer Insights
Uncover major shifts and emerging opportunities with our exclusive PRO research.
Trend Reports
Discover why 1,240 brands rely on our AI-powered Trend Reports to get better, faster insights.
Newsletter
Join 321,097 subscribers who rely on our weekly newsletter to keep up with need-to-know trends and insights.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Trend Reports
Get fast, customized trend reports, presentations and deep dives 20x faster than traditional research.
Plans
Get started today with a free consultation, our self-serve tools, or a dedicated program.
Articles & Magazine
Get inspired with our 4,210 innovation strategy articles, keynote, videos and innovation tools.
Innovation Awards
Trend Hunter’s Innovation Strategy Awards recognize the best innovation tactics gathered from our interviews with some of the world's most notable business leaders, authors and change makers.
Advisory & Services
Accelerate innovation and ignite disruptive thinking with our award-winning programs and research.
Innovation Assessment
Enhance your innovation potential with a deeper understanding of your unique innovation archetype and how your organization benchmarks.
FuturistU
Prepare for the years ahead with 100+ lessons, tactics, tools and frameworks with our full learning database.
Innovation Books
Join 20,000,000 people getting better and faster with our New York Times Bestselling books and keynote videos.
Jeremy Gutsche
Ignite your event or virtual event with our CEO, a NY Times Bestselling Author and one of the top innovation keynote speakers.
Our Team of Speakers & Virtual Presenters
Inspire your group with our most popular speakers on innovation, trends, change and futurism.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Custom Masterclasses
Join the world's leading brands who leverage our custom programs to accelerate innovation.
FuturistU 5-Day Program
Become a Futurist with our immersive 5-Day program at Future Festival World Summit.
Online eLearning
Learn the fundamentals of futurism and trends with 100+ online courses about innovation.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
Contact
Get in touch to learn more, ask a question or submit a tip.
About Us
Learn more about Trend Hunter and how we accelerate innovation.
Follow-Us
Join our 3,500,000 social media followers, on the cutting edge.
How to Hunt
Learn more about how to hunt megatrends, ideas, patterns and opportunity.
FAQ
Get answers to common questions about Trend Hunter.
Community
Stay on the cutting-edge with the help of the Trend Hunter community.
Team
Meet the team trusted by hundreds of leading businesses worldwide.
Jobs
Find opportunities to accelerate your career with the #1 Trend Firm.
News
Catch up on noteworthy Trend Hunter news and media mentions.
Join
Build a portfolio and put your trend-spotting abilities to the test.
Advertising
Supercharge your marketing by partnering with Trend Hunter.
Portfolio
Visit your public portfolio and browse your past articles.
Add a Trend
Write up an article and showcase your trend-spotting skills.
My Trends
Edit your articles and see how they stack up on the leaderboards.
Settings
Edit your profile, connect your social media accounts, and more.
Add a trend, customize your dashboard, or track topics.
Future Festival
Innovation Events
Join the world's top innovators at our in person events.
Free Webinars
Learn to innovate through chaos, navigate the new normal and maintain work culture from home.
Custom Training & Events
Bring the Future Festival experience directly to your team or co-hosted custom event.
Search our database of 460,503 cutting edge ideas.

Corrupted Cartoon Sculptures

Boney Toons Strips Children's Classics of Their Innocence

— September 7, 2011 — Pop Culture
If you're a person who sees Mickey Mouse as a corporate symbol instead of a lovable children's cartoon, then these Boney Toons sculptures are right up your alley.

Created by the talented artist Johannes Baptista Ludwig, Boney Toons is supposed to represent the way corporations have used these cartoon idols in shameless and abusive manners to the point where Ludwig can no longer see them as simply adorable creations.

These sculptures resemble cadavers so much they've surpassed my bizarreness threshold. Artful they may be, but that doesn't mean they don't totally creep the snot out of me.

Implications - Consumers appreciate products with cognitive elements because it forces them to engage with the item for extended periods of time, which in turn establishes a stronger bond between consumer and product. Corporations should similarly look to engage consumers on an intellectual level in order to establish long-standing customer relationships.
Trend Themes
1. Subversive Sculptures - There is a growing demand for art that challenges mainstream media and conventions, creating opportunities for artists to disrupt traditional themes and subject matter.
2. Cognitive Products - Products that encourage consumers to engage with them on an intellectual or emotional level create stronger brand loyalty and longer customer relationships. Companies can innovate in this area by incorporating storytelling and symbolism into their products.
3. Anti-corporate Critique - Consumers are becoming more aware of corporations that exploit popular culture for profit, and are seeking alternatives that challenge the mainstream narrative. Opportunities exist for companies to create and market products that appeal to this alternative audience.
Industry Implications
1. Art and Sculpture - Artists and sculptors who challenge traditional subject matter and themes can disrupt conventional expectations and create new markets for their work, such as anti-corporate or subversive art.
2. Entertainment and Media - Companies that incorporate intellectual or emotional elements, such as symbolism or storytelling, into their products can create stronger connections with consumers, and offer alternatives to the mainstream narrative of the industry.
3. Consumer Goods and Retail - Companies that market products that offer alternatives to mainstream culture can appeal to audiences seeking anti-corporate or subversive products, creating new markets and revenue streams.
2.5
Score
Popularity
Activity
Freshness