# Sensory Design Tactile creations cater to special consumer needs. By [Katherinev123](https://www.trendhunter.com/katherine), Contributing Editor | Published Oct 26, 2011 | Category: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/modern-art-and-design-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sensory-design ## Key Figures - Trend score: 4.1/10 - Evidence articles: 8 ## 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. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 8 featured examples - Articles from: Sep 30, 2010 to Aug 25, 2011 - Published: Oct 26, 2011 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Multisensation](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/multisensation), [Tribalism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/tribalism), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence) ## Audience - Gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Gen Z, Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, Europe ## Themes within the Sensory Design trend ### Accessibility Innovation The growing trend of accessibility innovation caters to the needs of visually and hearing-impaired individuals and provides product opportunities for businesses. ### 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. ### 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. ## What the Sensory Design trend means for industry ### For 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 for Sensory Design Trend score 4.1 out of 10, from popularity 59%, activity 55%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 59% - Activity: 55% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Sensory Design trend 8 featured examples from Sep 30, 2010 to Aug 25, 2011. - [Sensational Tactile Timepieces](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/rub-feel-know-watch): The Rub. Feel. Know Watch Gives You a Sense of the Hour (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Watchmakers can tap into the assistive technology trend by exploring tactile timepieces to create innovative and inclusive products. - [Rolling Braille Readers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wonkook-lee-snail): Wonkook Lee's Snail Reader Revolutionizes Reading (Category: Tech) Implication: 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. - [Tactile Timekeepers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/haptica-braille-watch): The Haptica Braille Watch Indicates the Hour to Your Fingertips (Category: Tech) Implication: Opportunity for wearable tech companies to develop accessible products - [Blind Architect Consultants](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/chris-downey): Chris Downey Turns Tragedy Into an Innovative New Gig (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: Emerging industry centered around developing assistive technology for individuals with disabilities. - [Tactile Cooking Utensils](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sento-cookware): Sento Cookware Provides Safe and Easy Kitchen Supplies for the Blind (Category: Lifestyle) Implication: 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. - [Transmuting Multimedia Gloves](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/panopticon-device): The 'Panopticon' Device Will Read to You Aloud (Category: Unique) Implication: The 'Panopticon' device presents opportunities for disruptive innovation in the accessibility technology industry to create new solutions for the visually impaired. - [Colorblind Traffic Lights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/unisignal): The UNIsignal Incorporates Shapes into Stoplights for Accessibility (Category: Autos) Implication: Opportunities to develop more accessible transportation systems through innovative design and technology solutions. - [Magnanimous Mailing Services](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/mirakle-couriers): Mumbai's Mirakle Couriers Gives the Disadvantaged Much-Needed Work (Category: Social Good) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing business models that combine profit-making with social impact. ## Recent trend clusters - [Oven Aesthetics](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/decorative-casserole-dishes) (Art & Design) - [Assisted Choices](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/weight-loss-medication-support) (Lifestyle) - [Storyline Sips](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/themed-drink-menus) (Lifestyle) - [Bedtime Cocoon](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/sleep-sensory-blocking) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Art & Design - [Park-Model Tiny Homes](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/park-model-tiny-homes) - [Handmade Craft Tradeshow Initiatives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ny-now-handmade-division) - [Recycled Neon Light Sculptures](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/encore-encore) - [Electrically Powered Airline Seats](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/premium-economy-seat) All articles: [Art & Design](https://www.trendhunter.com/artdesign)