Category
Art & Design
Oven Aesthetics
Trend cluster
Category
Sensory
Design
Tactile creations cater to special consumer needs.
4.1
Trend score
Trend
What is the Sensory Design trend?
Sensory Design: According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about 135 million people worldwide are visually impaired and 278 million people have moderate to profound hearing loss in both ears. Statistics like these means this consumer demographic can no longer be ignored; as such, more and more innovations are catering to these specific needs. From tactile watches to employment opportunities for those hard of hearing, these specially targeted innovations will only continue to increase in demand.
Trend themes
Themes within the Sensory Design trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Accessibility Innovation
The growing trend of accessibility innovation caters to the needs of visually and hearing-impaired individuals and provides product opportunities for businesses.
02
Tactile and Braille Technology
The usage of tactile and braille technology in watches and gadgets that assist the blind provides opportunities for companies to produce innovative products for this consumer demographic.
03
Social Enterprises for the Disadvantaged
Social enterprises that provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals such as Mirakle Couriers provide promising business models for companies to address social problems while building a sustainable business model.
Industry implications
What the Sensory Design trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Accessibility Technology
Companies in the accessibility technology industry can produce innovative products such as sensory design and tactile timekeepers that cater to visually and hearing-impaired individuals.
For
Social Enterprises
Companies in the social enterprise industry can provide employment opportunities for disadvantaged individuals using business models similar to Mirakle Couriers.
For
Cookware Manufacturing
Companies in the cookware manufacturing industry can create user-friendly and safe kitchen utensils designed for visually and hearing-impaired individuals such as Sento Cookware.
Trend signals
Trend signals for Sensory Design
Trend score 4.1 out of 10, from popularity 59%, activity 55%, freshness 8%.
Popularity59%
Activity55%
Freshness8%
Audience
90%Men
10%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Evidence
Examples of the Sensory Design trend
8 featured examples from Sep 30, 2010 to Aug 25, 2011CategoryLifestyle
Sensational Tactile Timepieces
The Rub. Feel. Know Watch Gives You a Sense of the Hour
Watchmakers can tap into the assistive technology trend by exploring tactile timepieces to create innovative and inclusive products.
CategoryTech
Rolling Braille Readers
Wonkook Lee's Snail Reader Revolutionizes Reading
The Wonkook Lee Snail reader is a prime example of the potential for assistive technology to improve the lives of individuals with disabilities and create a market opportunity.
CategoryTech
Tactile Timekeepers
The Haptica Braille Watch Indicates the Hour to Your Fingertips
Opportunity for wearable tech companies to develop accessible products
CategoryLifestyle
Blind Architect Consultants
Chris Downey Turns Tragedy Into an Innovative New Gig
Emerging industry centered around developing assistive technology for individuals with disabilities.
CategoryLifestyle
Tactile Cooking Utensils
Sento Cookware Provides Safe and Easy Kitchen Supplies for the Blind
Opportunity to create a line of cookware that caters to the needs of people with visual impairments, while still appealing to a wider consumer base.
CategoryUnique
Transmuting Multimedia Gloves
The 'Panopticon' Device Will Read to You Aloud
The 'Panopticon' device presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the accessibility technology industry to create new solutions for the visually impaired.
CategoryAutos
Colorblind Traffic Lights
The UNIsignal Incorporates Shapes into Stoplights for Accessibility
Opportunities to develop more accessible transportation systems through innovative design and technology solutions.
CategorySocial Good
Magnanimous Mailing Services
Mumbai's Mirakle Couriers Gives the Disadvantaged Much-Needed Work
Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing business models that combine profit-making with social impact.
