# Customer as Designer Consumers seeking uniqueness are pitching in on creation. By [Jacqueline Parrish](https://www.trendhunter.com/JacquelineParrish) | Published Sep 30, 2009, updated Nov 19, 2009 | Category: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/modern-art-and-design-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/designer-customization-exclusively-designed-products-reel-in-customers ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.8/10 - Evidence articles: 6 ## What is the Customer as Designer trend? **Customer as Designer:** As a growing number of companies release customizable products, consumers are becoming more geared toward exclusivity. In a bid to stay distinguished, the public is willing to opt out of mass-appeal products, opting instead for items that they are able to design themselves, ensuring uniqueness and satisfaction. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 6 featured examples - Articles from: Jun 15 to Oct 9, 2009 - Published: Sep 30, 2009 - Patterns: [Divergence](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/divergence) - Megatrends: [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization), [Authenticity](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/authenticity) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial - Top markets: North America, Europe, Asia ## Themes within the Customer as Designer trend ### Rise of Customization Consumers are increasingly seeking unique products and are willing to customize them for exclusivity and satisfaction. ### Individuality as a Product Brands are simplifying their products to allow personalized touches so that it feels distinctive and personal to the consumers. ### DIY Culture DIY products or events are becoming increasingly popular as consumers crave for a unique personal touch to their products. ## What the Customer as Designer trend means for industry ### For Fashion & Clothing Minimalistic product designs and simplified product lines that allow consumers to customize and add their own touches can be the way forward for the fashion and clothing industry. ### For Consumer Electronics Personalization with exclusive features can be provided for electronic devices since consumers are willing to pay for exclusive custom designs that match their personality and lifestyle. ### For Home Goods DIY home decor can be the next big trend where consumers can personalize and create unique home decor items to give a personal touch to their living spaces. ## Trend signals for Customer as Designer Trend score 3.8 out of 10, from popularity 56%, activity 49%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 56% - Activity: 49% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Customer as Designer trend 6 featured examples from Jun 15 to Oct 9, 2009. - [Personalized Headphones](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ifrog-personalized-headphones): iFrog Delivers Sound and Style the Way You Want it (Category: Fashion) Implication: The audio and sound products industry can benefit from offering personalized headphones with customizable colors and artwork. - [Personalized Printed Pumps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/dreamheels.com): DreamHeels.com Lets You Design Your Shoe & Earn Money (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The fashion design industry can leverage user-generated designs to create unique and customizable products. - [Wild Customized Nails](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/customized-nails-minx-nails): Minx Nails Personalizes Your Nails With Insane Sticker Styles (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The customization trend in nails presents opportunities for beauty salons, nail studios, and product manufacturers to offer personalized nail services and products. - [Personalized Record Jewelry](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/junkprints-recycled-vinyl-necklace): Junkprints' Recycled Vinyl Necklaces Honor Retro Music (Category: Eco) Implication: Junkprints produces one-of-a-kind jewelry using recycled materials, creating opportunities for other jewelry companies to explore the market for sustainable and personalized jewel… - [Customizable Cut-Out Footwear](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/footwear-uncut-slippers): Uncut is a Pair of Slippers at the Tip of Your Scissors (Category: Fashion) Implication: The footwear industry can benefit from creating customizable footwear options and adopting more sustainable manufacturing practices to meet evolving consumer demands. - [DIY Designer Blazers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/barneys-boy-by-band-of-outsiders): Customize a Jacket at the Barneys Boy by Band of Outsiders Event (Category: Art & Design) Implication: The fashion industry is being disrupted by trends such as DIY fashion, experiential retail, and sustainable fashion, creating opportunities for new business models and innovative… ## 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)