# Utilitarian GIF Consumers engage with GIF-powered platforms for both business and pleasure. By [Annahita Yousefi](https://www.trendhunter.com/annahita%40trendhunter.com) | Published May 12, 2017 | Category: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/pro/category/pop-culture-and-internet-trends) Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/utilitarian-gif ## Key Figures - Trend score: 3.5/10 - Evidence articles: 5 ## What is the Utilitarian GIF trend? **Utilitarian GIF:** Stretching beyond the use as cultural shorthand online, the GIF format is being wielded by consumers and brands alike to communicate various type of information with the help of personalization platforms. Given this new functionality in both personal and professional spaces, this shift highlights the ways in which consumers are open to the re-contextualization of imagery for other purposes. ## At a Glance - Evidence: 5 featured examples - Articles from: Mar 4, 2016 to Apr 27, 2017 - Published: May 12, 2017 - Patterns: [Reduction](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/reduction), [Acceleration](https://www.trendhunter.com/pattern/acceleration) - Megatrends: [Prosumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/prosumerism), [Artificial Intelligence](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/artificial-intelligence), [Personalization](https://www.trendhunter.com/megatrend/personalization) ## Audience - Gender: 50% men, 50% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia, Africa ## Themes within the Utilitarian GIF trend ### GIF Customization The trend of using personalized GIFs is expanding beyond cultural shorthand, creating opportunities for businesses to appeal to consumers' desire to express themselves through visual media. ### Digital Memento Apps Memento-focused apps are becoming popular as people seek ways to preserve digital memories such as GIFs, creating opportunities for businesses to provide valuable digital preservation services. ### Paperless Information Exchange Paperless exchange of information, such as business cards, is becoming increasingly popular, creating an opportunity for tech companies to develop apps that can be used by professionals. ## What the Utilitarian GIF trend means for industry ### For Social Media Marketing Marketing professionals can incorporate the use of personalized GIFs to create more engaging content for social media platforms. ### For Digital Preservation With the rise of digital memento apps, businesses can tap into the growing market of people who want to keep their digital memories preserved for future use. ### For Mobile App Development The trend of paperless exchange of information such as business cards presents an opportunity for app developers to create innovative solutions. ## Workshop question Is there room for your brand to leverage less traditional messaging formats in order to connect with younger consumers? ## Trend signals for Utilitarian GIF Trend score 3.5 out of 10, from popularity 54%, activity 43%, freshness 8%. - Popularity: 54% - Activity: 43% - Freshness: 8% ## Examples of the Utilitarian GIF trend 5 featured examples from Mar 4, 2016 to Apr 27, 2017. - [Animated GIF Pins](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/digital-pin): These Digital Pins from Pins Collective Display Customized GIFs (Category: Tech) Implication: The fashion accessories industry can harness the trend of digital pins to create new and interactive products that offer unique style expressions. - [Digital Business Card Apps](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/business-card-app): '100AM' Helps People Exchange Contact Details Paperlessly (Category: Tech) Implication: Disruptive innovation opportunity: Developing mobile applications that offer paperless business card creation and sharing capabilities for professionals. - [Airport GIF Stations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/departure-board): Easyjet and Stansted Airport Set Up a Real-Time Departure Board at a Subway (Category: Marketing) Implication: The advertising industry can benefit from incorporating playful and interactive elements into their campaigns to create memorable experiences for customers. - [Governmental GIF Archives](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/national-archives): The National Archives and Records Administration is Collecting GIFs (Category: Tech) Implication: Incorporating GIFs into traditional archiving practices to enhance accessibility and engagement. - [Video Meme GIF Converters](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/vine-gifs): 'GIPHY Loves Vine' Creates and Saves Vine GIFs (Category: Tech) Implication: The rise of conversion tools like GIPHY Loves Vine highlights opportunities for established social media platforms to incorporate similar tools and retain users who would otherwis… ## Recent trend clusters - [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) - [Source Signatures](https://www.trendhunter.com/protrends/oak-finish-whiskey) (Lifestyle) ## Trending in Pop Culture - [MIami Pop-Culture Shirts](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/miami-pop-culture-shirts) - [Makeup Artist Jewelry Collaborations](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pandora-x-pat-mcgrath) - [Influencer-Curated Cafe Menus](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/kit-keenan) - [Pop-Culture WiFi Routers](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/pop-culture-wifi-routers) All articles: [Pop Culture](https://www.trendhunter.com/popculture)