# Communal Participation Public furniture is designed with interaction in mind. By [Vasiliki Marapas](https://www.trendhunter.com/Vasiliki.Marapas), Research Advisor & Writer | Published Jun 3, 2015 | Category: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/modern-art-and-design-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/communal-participation ## Key Figures - Trend score: 5.1/10 - Evidence articles: 4 ## What is the Communal Participation trend? **Communal Participation:** It's often that, when in public, people withdraw into the comfort of their devices. To counteract this form of tech-assisted isolation, designers have begun designing furniture that encourages social interaction in public spaces. Achieving this level of engagement and participation ensures these spaces appear lively and engaging, drawing in more people, and thus, more business. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 4 featured examples - Articles from: Feb 7 to Jun 22, 2015 - Published: Jun 3, 2015 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence), [Redirection](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/redirection) - Megatrends: [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Experience](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/experience), [Catalyzation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/catalyzation) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Communal Participation trend ### Interactive Public Furniture Designers are creating public furniture that encourages social interaction and play, drawing in more people and business. ### Community-Building There is an increased interest in community-building through physical and social activity. ### Multi-Purpose Public Furniture Public furniture that serves multiple purposes are gaining popularity in urban placemaking. ## What the Communal Participation trend means for industry ### For Furniture Design Designers and manufacturers can invest in creating interactive public furniture pieces that encourage social interaction and play. ### For Community Development Community organizations can prioritize community-building through physical and social activities, such as the installation of interactive public furniture. ### For Urban Placemaking Urban planners can create vibrant and robust communities by investing in multi-purpose public furniture that serves various needs, such as relaxation and gathering spaces. ## Workshop question What impact does your brand have on the people that use your products/services in terms of lifestyle? ## Trend signals for Communal Participation Trend score 5.1 out of 10, from popularity 67%, activity 78%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 67% - Activity: 78% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Communal Participation trend 4 featured examples from Feb 7 to Jun 22, 2015. - [Playful Public Seating](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-bench): This Interaction-Encouraging Public Bench is Inspired by a Merry-Go-Round (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Innovative public seating design presents opportunities for urban designers to create unique and engaging public spaces. - [Illuminated Public Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/piazza-mazzini): A New Bench to Inspire Community Has Been Designed for Piazza Mazzini (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Developing innovative designs for public seating that provide additional functions such as lighting and planters. - [Interaction-Increasing Tables](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/university-furniture): Architects Design University Furniture Inspired by an Artist Palette (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Leverage creative design concepts to develop interactive and collaborative furniture for educational institutions. - [Musical Park Benches](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/public-furniture): This Fun Public Furniture Piece That Encourages Play (Category: Art & Design) Implication: Opportunity for furniture manufacturers to explore innovative designs and technologies that integrate interactivity and playfulness into street furniture. ## Recent trend clusters - [Sensory Packaging](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sensory-packaging) (Art & Design) - [Automated Upkeep](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/automated-upkeep) (Tech) - [Serial Snacking](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/serial-snacking) (Lifestyle) - [Autumn Teasers](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/autumn-teasers) (Business) ## Trending in Art & Design - [Fruit-Inspired Cleaning Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vilada-punch) - [Electrically Powered Airline Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-economy-seat) - [Textural Furniture Ranges](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/fall-designs-blu-dot) - [Recycled Neon Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/encore-encore) All articles: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign)