Customization Consumer Insights

Trend - Companies are launching specialized and accessible modular music-making units for beginners and enthusiasts. The flexible format is portable, lending itself to the specific needs of the user and enabling them to create an intuitive approach to their craft.

Insight - Whether it is for work, a hobby, or something else, contemporary consumers are placing a premium on personalization because it affords them peace of mind by allowing them to design a product that perfectly fits their needs. By being able to tailor something to their exact specifications, individuals feel relieved that they haven't wasted time in surveying a plethora of options on the market, but also reassured and better supported in their unique endeavor.

Trend - Tech companies are making the personalization and sending of gifts more efficient thanks to artificial intelligence. Whether deployed as a means of helping one choose a gift or as a service that tracks return-of-investment, these platforms are increasingly streamlining the experience.

Insight - Whether it is for the holiday season or for a different special occasion, many contemporary consumers often find it difficult to decide what to buy for someone else—especially when they are faced with an overwhelming number of choices. In this space, many emphasize personalization as a way to make a decision, creating a demand for services and experiences that can give them peace of mind, while simultaneously delighting the receiver of a gift.

Trend - Fragrance brands are turning to artificial intelligence and machine learning to create impactful and hyper-customized products that appeal to unique consumer preferences. While some companies are using this technology in order to invite consumers into the product development experience, others are referencing data-driven studies to better target select demographics.

Insight - Uniqueness is an important trait for contemporary consumers and for many, it is a strong factor in purchasing decisions. As offerings on the market diversify, individuals look for products that perfectly match their preferences, personality, and needs. Aware of the benefits that technological innovation brings to production and customization, individuals emphasize the need for increasingly personalized products within different industries. In finding such offerings, consumers feel special and assured that what they are buying is right for them.

Trend - The adoption of emotion-responsive technology in exhibitions is prompting audiences to contribute to art pieces. Whether incorporating facial-recognition technology or movement and behavioral responsiveness, these installations curate a personalized gallery experience where the artwork mirrors the viewer's state of mind.

Insight - The incorporation of behavior-responsive technology into art installations comes as institutions and artists within this space seek out ways to appeal to Millennial and Gen Z consumers. Since individuals within these demographics respond better to immersive and experiential purchase journeys, responsive art is able to facilitate more intimate interactions and relationships with those who observe it.

Trend - Many consumers, renters in particular, want to be able to easily change and adapt their space, but are intimidated by the thought of an expensive, messy and time-consuming renovation. With homeware brands inventing speedy installation solutions, renters are able to make small but impactful adjustments to their homes.

Insight - With many Millennials being unable to afford housing investments, let alone renovations, they tend to rent. However, the rejection of the conformity that came with their suburban upbringings had resulted in them prioritizing unique design and customized living spaces. Brands that can accommodate that within the limitations that come with rentals are appealing to Millennials in particular.

Implications - Young professionals living in urban areas continue to be enthralled by personalized, indoor gardens and decorative foliage.
More than simply desiring that their homes be a place for personal expression, young, urban consumers seek commodities that bring nature and greenery into their everyday spaces as a form of escapism from the bustling metropolis' they live in.

Implications - Combining customization with co-creation, brands are putting user experience directly into the hands of consumers. By letting go of full control, brands are indicating trust in the end user, allowing them the freedom to interact with the product the way they see fit and truly make it their own. Beyond crowd-sourcing to please a large audience, brands are leveraging in-person customization to engage the individual on a more personalized level.

Implications - Once, customization was as easy as letting consumers choose their own ingredients or have their name etched on a product. Today, customization is common, and brands need to reach extreme degrees to present their personalized products as unique propositions. Products and services that reference detailed aspects of consumers lives stand to resonate far more strongly for consumers who are oversaturated with choices.

Implications - As selfies continue to reign supreme on social channels, having a phone case that is equally on brand has become important for consumers conscious about their online image. While creative cases are nothing new, an increasing emergence of personalized cases ensures that consumers can send a message and get their unique identity across with an item that is special to them and their self-image. Already carefully curating their social feeds, customizing details such as their cell phone case that is sure to show up in any mirror shot demonstrates the desire for a more sentimental approach to accessories and style.

Implications - Modular furnishings have become a favorite as homes get smaller and the need for customization gains prominence. When it comes to raising kids in these homes, savvy parents are opting for pieces that accommodate the different stages of childhood. Designs that adapt to user’s changing needs are seen as investments that will last and grow with the family, indicating a desire for smarter purchases.