# Utility Cartooned Playfully designed function focused products inject personality into goods. By [Courtney Scharf](https://www.trendhunter.com/Courtney), Chief Client Officer | Published Jun 24, 2013, updated Jul 3, 2013 | Category: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/technology-trends-and-gadgets) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/cartoonish-utility ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.4/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Utility Cartooned trend? **Utility Cartooned:** Purchased typically for performance, tech products and other similarly function-driven goods are taking on a more personable look. Allowing consumers to escape adulthood in unexpected ways, playfully designed everyday tech goods provide more entertainment value to image-conscious consumers. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Apr 16 to Jun 15, 2013 - Published: Jun 24, 2013 - Patterns: [Convergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/convergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Hybridization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/hybridization), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Youthfulness](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/youthfulness) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Utility Cartooned trend ### Playful Tech Design Tech products and other function-driven goods are taking on a more personable look, providing entertainment value to consumers. ### Food-Inspired Audio Accessories Audio accessories with clever, food-inspired designs merge practicality with humorous novelty for food and tech lovers alike. ### Nature-Inspired Tech Accessories Nature-inspired designs fuse practicality with unique designs and natural elements to create adorable tech accessories for desktops. ## What the Utility Cartooned trend means for industry ### For Fashion The combination of fashion and modern technology results in disruptive innovation opportunities, such as incorporating smartphone cases into shoes. ### For Consumer Electronics The trend of playful tech design provides opportunities for companies to create more personable versions of tech products and evolve their brands. ### For Home Decor Nature-inspired tech accessories merge practicality with unique designs and could appeal to home decor enthusiasts looking for functional yet cute accessories. ## Trend signals for Utility Cartooned Trend score 3.4 out of 10, from popularity 34%, activity 58%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 34% - Activity: 58% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Utility Cartooned trend 6 featured examples from Apr 16 to Jun 15, 2013. - [Electricity-Inspired Tech Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/lightning-bolt-power-strip): The Lightning Bolt Power Strip from Fred Flare is Practical (Category: Tech) Implication: The consumer electronics industry can explore the design and manufacture of electricity-inspired tech accessories to cater to the growing demand for unique products. - [Food Lover Audio Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mac-cheese-earbuds): These Mac & Cheese Earbuds From Fred Flare Share Tasty Sounds (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The Mac & Cheese earbuds demonstrate an opportunity for disruptive innovation in the audio technology industry by exploring unique and creative designs that appeal to consumers' i… - [Plant Figurine Tech Organizers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cable-binder): Accessorize Desktops with The Sprout Cable Binder (Category: Tech) Implication: Companies in the technology industry could add these nature-inspired desk accessories to their product line to offer more options for their customers. - [Fruity Flash Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/banana-usb-stick): This Banana USB Stick Features a Scrumptiously Fun Design (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: The technology accessories industry can incorporate fruit-inspired designs into various products, attracting consumers who seek unique and visually appealing accessories. - [Smartphone-Totting Wedges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-mashup-shoe): The 'iPhone Mashup Shoe' by Alan Nyguyen Has a Cleverly Attached Holster (Category: Fashion) Implication: The iPhone Mashup Shoe concept introduces a potential disruptive innovation opportunity for fashion brands to incorporate technology into their designs. - [Cartoon Family Flash Drives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/characters-from-family-guy): These USBs Amazingly Resemble the Characters from Family Guy (Category: Tech) Implication: The consumer electronics industry can benefit from offering more unique accessory designs to meet customer needs. ## Recent trend clusters - [Connected Filtration](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/connected-filtration) (Tech) - [Embedded Assistance](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/embedded-assistance) (Tech) - [Embedded Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/embedded-intelligence) (Tech) - [Snap Utility](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/snap-utility) (Tech) ## Trending in Tech - [Accessible Fintech Pop-Ups](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chequing-account) - [Variable Aperture Smartphone Cameras](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/iphone-18) - [Dual-Wavelength Recovery Wearables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/joint-therapy) - [Self-Cleaning Smart Vacuums](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/tinecos-pure-one-station-5) All articles: [Tech](https://www.trendhunter.com/tech)