Gamification

Implications - Though STEM toys are increasing in popularity, the act of learning something new, even during playtime, can be intimidating. Brands are alleviating the intimidation factor by creating safe spaces and events for STEM novices to experiment and learn as a community. This adds an element of companionship to a notoriously technical topic. [More]

Implications - With their penchant for self-taught skills and digital prowess, kids are savvier than ever, empowering them to take center stage at their own festivals and events where they can gain new knowledge and show off their creativity. Modern parents increasingly want their children to have an entrepreneurial mindset from a young age, resulting in a huge shift from play-focused family activities towards educational and empowering activities that encourage personal growth. [More]

Implications - The youth generation is more engaged with their devices than any generation before them. This creates concern among parents for their children's physical well being; as a response, toys that encourage physical play are integrating a monitoring component. The gamification component appeals to digital-age children, while tracking alleviates the concerns of parents. [More]

Implications - One barrier to learning the STEAM practices is the lack of tangible outcome or incentive. Alleviating this, educational toys that treat the learning process as a means to a tangible end, such as building a robot or conducting an experiment, both attach a tangible prize and boost playtime engagement. This shows a less literal approach to gamification that focuses on personal satisfaction. [More]

Implications - The biggest challenge with teaching kids and adults how to become involved in the STEM practices is the potential tediousness of learning such a technical skill. Implementing a personified character into the process adds more human interest to the process. The strategy simultaneously boosts memorability of the toy or learning system, while making it more impactful. [More]

Implications - Increasingly concerned about their overall health and wellness, consumers no longer look solely for relaxation and indulgence when planning their vacations, rather, they’re looking for ways to integrate productivity and self-improvement. Fitness-focused retreats are the ideal solution for the consumer looking to dip their toe into the aspirational healthy lifestyle and feel great about a vacation getaway with friends. This shift is indicative of the way health and wellness is increasingly being seen as a status symbol. [More]

Implications - Hotels are differentiating themselves by taking fitness out of the restrictions of the gym and placing into the hands and bedrooms of their guests. While total digital integration may be the future of hospitality, the industry is currently focusing on creating convenience around consumer-driven lifestyle trends, particularly health and wellness. Gone are the days where travelers are happy to put their lives on hold while on vacation, instead, they’re seeking ways to carry their lifestyle with them while they go away, including their workout routines. [More]

Implications - For brand-conscious consumers, there is a sense of pride in being the first to find a new brand or service. This sense of pride is diminishing in the information age due to the availability of information. To maintain a sense of insider elitism, services are tapping into local insider information. This represents a unique opportunity for brands looking to establish authenticity through camaraderie. [More]

Implications - With data technology already playing a huge role in the fitness industry, we’re starting to see the integration of increasingly cutting-edge technologies that are predicating future health and wellness lifestyle trends. From complete connectivity to intelligent accessories, exercise equipment is evolving to be more motivating, more intuitive and deliver even more data tracking. The merging of technology with health and wellness is a natural next step in consumers curating a customized lifestyle regimen that suits their specific physiology. [More]

Implications - Though gamification is often touted as the premier strategy for targeting Millennials and Generation Z, both generations are still likely to have an adverse reaction to marketing, no matter how much fun it is to interact with. Adjacent gamification adds an element of authenticity to battle this big-brand skepticism by placing less emphasis on the brand or product. [More]