Design Consumer Insights

Trend - Brands are anticipating the needs of their employees in a post-COVID era by reimagining the office interior with thoughtful touches. Drawing inspiration from the home environment, companies are emphasizing the need for cozy and comfortable working spaces.

Insight - Contemporary consumers working from home have become accustomed to the comforts and intimacy of their spaces and this carries implications for the future of work in the post-COVID era. Employee expectations are shifting to accent a need for serene working environments. This demand arises as consumer priorities change and individuals realize that spaces of calm enable them to have a healthier relationship to work and productivity.

Trend - Brands are optimizing smart home products to better serve the needs of consumers who live in smaller spaces or those who frequently change abodes. The designs of these objects allow for ease of storage and use thanks to compactness and minimalism.

Insight - Many consumers who live in urban environments—especially Millenials and Gen Z—are conscious of space as they often find themselves occupying small apartments and/or shared living situations. As a result, individuals are prioritizing compactness and convenience when making decisions about interior design and technology for the home. Functional features such as these enable consumers to be more comfortable and even productive in a clutter-free space.

Trend - The pavilion is a popular format for displaying studio projects during biennales, festivals, and expos, spotlighting global collaboration and achievement. Now, architects are entering competitions and launching public designs that emphasize social distancing for the COVID and post-COVID eras.

Insight - Although feeling fatigued by the government-imposed COVID-19 restrictions, many continue to regard public health and safety as a top priority and as a result, uphold rules that call for physical distancing and outdoor socializing. In this space, individuals are creating a demand for public infrastructure that will accommodate their needs—both for being outside, as well as maintaining distancing between themselves, their friends and family, and strangers.

Trend - Designers are creating concepts and prototypes for amphibious vehicles to meet the needs of the luxury market of the future. Created with elegance in mind, these concepts have a slick appearance that suits all terrains, combining functionality and aesthetics.

Insight - Contemporary consumers who are in a higher tax bracket are always looking for ways to enhance their experiences—from retail and entertainment to travel. Aware of advancements in technology and design that enable delivery on both aesthetics and functionality, individuals are looking for innovations that will allow them to enjoy their luxury status, as well as feel more confident and entertained.

Trend - Furniture brands and interior designers are combining stylistic influences from Japan and Scandinavian countries to inform a style hybrid called "Japandi." Spaces with this aesthetic direction combine natural materials and a pared-back color palette, creating interiors that are minimal and warm.

Insight - Contemporary consumers in faced-paced urban centers are looking to balance the demands of their daily lifestyle with a comfortable home environment. In this space, many are prioritizing minimalist designs and simple solutions that can optimize and elevate their living situation, without compromising on aesthetic appeal. When these needs are met, consumers feel more relaxed and can comfortably recharge for the next day.

Trend - Many brands are embracing the sensibilities of the smart and compact kitchen concept in ventilation solutions. These products can be seamlessly integrated into any interior, ensuring convenience and functionality.

Insight - Many contemporary consumers are embracing minimalist home designs and products—either because they find them aesthetically appealing or because it is a functional necessity due to lack of space. Here, individuals, especially those with dynamic lifestyles—are emphasizing the importance of seamless integration as features like compactness and organization allows one to feel more comfortable and in control of their environment.

Trend - Designers are experimenting with the hybridization of contemporary furniture and streetwear. In this space, creatives are not only investigating material use but are also pushing the boundaries of aesthetic form and functionality by taking cues directly from the fashion industry.

Insight - Contemporary interest in novelty products is a direct result of industry acceleration and the power of choice in purchasing. This demand is strengthened by a consumer desire for indulgence and social recognition. In this space, many are embracing their curiosity to explore products and services that allow for better self-expression, as well as a way to communicate one's status to others. This, in turn, enables individuals to feel more confident.

Trend - Though minimalism is still a hugely popular design trend focused on clean lines and open spaces, "imperfect" design is becoming increasingly popular in the home. This involves designers intentionally using imperfections to balance out interior spaces and make them more unique.

Insight - Younger consumers in North America are especially inclined to use design and aesthetics as a way to express themselves, a trend which is in-part influenced by their social media use. These demographics often prioritize pieces that will stand out rather than blend in.

Trend - Companies and designers are launching various appliances that combine aesthetics and functionality with compactness. These products are intended to be efficient and convenient solutions for consumers who live in small spaces.

Insight - In order to afford the cost of living in metropolitan cities, contemporary consumers—especially Millennials and Gen Z—are finding themselves needing to be financially strategic. As a result, many have opted-in for occupying small apartments or shared living arrangements. Since space is limited, consumers are creating a demand for smart storage solutions as their prioritizing compactness as a way to ensure efficiency and functionality in their homes.

Trend - Designers are thinking about the correlation between mental health and objects/visual imagery. With this in mind, many are harnessing the potential of visualization and interactivity to assist consumers in processes of healing and grief.

Insight - Throughout their life, consumers and their loved ones might find themselves in difficult situations, pertaining to anything from rehabilitation and mental health to loss. In times like these, the wish for overcoming the hardship, physically or emotionally, is strong. In most cases, however, these processes can be lengthy and difficult. As a result, individuals are looking for support and ways to express themselves throughout their experience, which allows them to feel comforted and motivated to keep going.