Consumer Insights > Art & Design

Implications - Brands have been incorporating smart elements into their retail spaces, or toying with the idea, for some time now, but some are taking it to the next level with stores that fully integrate smart functions, much like many homes now do. The full integration of smart features into brick-and-mortar spaces speaks to the rising value that consumers place on both omnichannel and highly personalized purchase journeys. [More]

Implications - The damage the sun can have on furniture is now being prevented by brands through the use of materials and additional coatings that aim to mitigate UV ray-related harm to such items. This effect enhances the value of the items for their ability to retain their good form and coloring for longer, while catering to consumers seeking long-term home investments. [More]

Implications - The rise of indoor gardens in urban environments has brought on small-space solutions like furniture and functional decor pieces that are integrated with plants, or space for plants. The merging of these items caters to consumers seeking greenery based escapism in highly populated concrete jungles, as well as their desire for simple contemporary decor. [More]

Implications - Brands are using the Halloween season to adopt high-budget scare campaigns which feature commercials worthy of cinematic trailers, avoiding the oft-kitschy pitfalls of seasonal branding. This shift caters to an audience that now engages with so much content on a daily basis, that brands are having to think outside the conservative creative norms that once set the standard for their campaigns. [More]

Implications - The incorporation of fungi-based materials into various architectural and sculptural designs has implications for a variety of industries, particularly those specializing in art and design, architecture, and eco-friendly production and consumption. The experimentation of fungi-based materials in building items that are typically "wasteful," in a way that actually reduces waste, serves a future in which consumers and brands alike are able to live and produce in a way that lessens their environmental impact. [More]

Implications - Brands associated with everything from digital media to car share services are making moves to enter the print media space via curated magazines. These magazines offer a tangible form of interaction with the content, ideas and business models associated with the brands in question, serving consumers and clients who prefer traditional and/or artistic means of engaging with brands. [More]

Implications - The design and decor-related industries, particularly brands within them that produce contemporary products, are increasingly using volcanic rock in the formation of their products. The use of this material has the dual benefit of being structurally sound, and piquing consumer interest for its grand origins. [More]

Implications - While the use of 3D-printing in architecture and construction isn’t new, it is emerging as a leading source of sustainable building materials. As consumers and companies continue to become more conscientious about the impact of their individual carbon footprint, they are turning to technology to help solve the challenges of transitioning to more sustainable living. [More]

Implications - The adoption of health-focused designs and programs in daycare facilities is on the rise, with specialized areas and nutritional items that adapt to the health preferences that some parents like to ensure their children are aligned with. The rise of such spaces comes in reaction to global childhood obesity rates, which fluctuate from country to country but remain on a generally upward trajectory. [More]

Implications - Brands are taking advantage of the familiarity of their most recognizable designs by releasing new, deconstructed versions in order to appeal to a consumer subset obsessed with limited and special edition capsule collections. This shift speaks to the continued enthusiasm around streetwear culture with its covetable high-low mix and its ability to be co-opted by larger brands in ways that are both original and unexpected. [More]