Category
Lifestyle
Assisted Choices
Trend cluster
Category
Social Media
Metaphors
Analogies and visualizations clarify the nature of social media.
5.0
Trend score
Trend
What is the Social Media Metaphors trend?
Social Media Metaphors: For the less web-wise, a visual translation of the crowded social media world is helpful in understanding the impact of social media. Artists and social media specialists are creating social media metaphors—creative analogies, visualizations and comparisons between the Internet and almost anything—that are engaging, insightful and provide clarity to less social media-savvy consumers and brands.
Trend themes
Themes within the Social Media Metaphors trend
Three behaviours holding the trend together01
Social Media Visualization
Artists and social media specialists are creating social media metaphors—creative analogies, visualizations and comparisons between the internet and almost anything—that are engaging, insightful and provide clarity to less social media-savvy consumers and brands.
02
Social Media Infographics
Infographics that celebrate 100 million new Twitter accounts and illustrate the 7 types of iPhone users have become a popular trend to help explain social media to the non-web-savvy population.
03
Digital Identity Personification
Personifying digital identities has become a disruptive innovation opportunity with websites such as Flowtown creating internet profiles as if in the pages of a high school yearbook, and Stick With Me Baby Mac stickers being created by a group of designers to personalize a MacBook in a sea of Apple products.
Industry implications
What the Social Media Metaphors trend means for industry
Where the trend changes the playbookFor
Marketing & Advertising
Opportunities lie in finding creative ways to visually represent complex social media concepts, as well as personifying digital identities for personalized and unique marketing strategies.
For
Technology
With social media and smartphone usage predominating online and mobile experiences, innovations in consumer-friendly tech should consider how to help users navigate and understand the digital landscape easily.
For
Art & Design
The growth of social media has enabled disruptive innovation in artistic expression, with artists using platforms to share thought-provoking pieces on the effects of social connectivity and identity.
Trend signals
Trend signals for Social Media Metaphors
Trend score 5.0 out of 10, from popularity 69%, activity 73%, freshness 8%.
Popularity69%
Activity73%
Freshness8%
Audience
30%Men
70%Women
- Gen Alpha
- Gen Z
- Millennial
- Gen X (not a primary audience)
- Boomer (not a primary audience)
Market
North America
Europe
Asia-Pacific
Evidence
Examples of the Social Media Metaphors trend
6 featured examples from Jun 23, 2010 to Feb 11, 2011CategoryPop Culture
iPhone User Infographics
The '7 Types of iPhone Users' Celebrates the launch of Verizon iPhones
Developing target marketing strategies and innovative product design for iPhone users can drive growth in the technology and telecommunications industry.
CategorySocial Good
Juxtaposed Social Media Art
Filippo Minelli Creates Contradictory Scenarios
Artists can leverage social media to create thought-provoking works that comment on modern society.
CategoryPop Culture
Personified Website Stereotypes
The Social Media Class of 2011 is the Web's Pop Culture Prequel
Developing creative ways to showcase brand identity and personality to increase audience engagement.
CategoryPop Culture
Personified Decals
The 'Stick With Me Baby' Mac Stickers are Full of Attitude
Tech accessory companies can expand their product offerings with unique and personalized decals for laptops and devices.
CategoryPop Culture
Social Media Maps
The Randall Munroe 'Online Communities' Maps Give Direction to n00bs
Social media companies can use online community maps to gauge their visibility, engagement levels and strategize ways to improve user experience on their platforms.
CategoryTech
Celeb Twitter Trees
The Twitter Infographic Celebrates 100 Million More New Accounts
Entertainment companies can leverage social media influencers, including celebrities on Twitter, to stay ahead of marketing trends and reach wider audiences.
