# Cataloging Consumption ‘What Did You Buy Today?' Captures a Designer's Purchases By Jen Layton | Published 2009-06-13 | Lifestyle Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/obsessive-consumption-a-new-way-of-seeing-things References: [obsessiveconsumption.typepad](http://obsessiveconsumption.typepad.com/what_did_you_buy_today/) Have you ever taken the time to think about all the things you buy? Mississippi-based graphic designer and illustrator Kate Bingham-Burt has. In fact, she goes one step further and [meticulously records all her purchases](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/paktol-app) in funky black and white drawings. The collection of sketches is on her blog ‘What Did You Buy Today?’ Illuminating the relationship between one woman and her shopping, the visual blog delves deeper into the [subject of consumerism](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/better-buy) by reminding us all of those things--the lattes, the chewing gum and the supermarket sandwiches--that are bought and discarded without a moment's thought. The simple and innocent black and white sketches are even more powerful in their medium: They are not merely photographs or a list of words. The commitment to painstakingly record every purchase must surely cause the artist to reevaluate everything she buys. She must ask herself, not only do I want it, but also, do I have the time to draw it? I think if more of us were aware like this, there would be much less waste in the world, and consumption would indeed be less obsessive. ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 1.0/10 - Popularity: 20% | Activity: 3% | Freshness: 8% - Audience gender: 30% men, 70% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Lifestyle](https://www.trendhunter.com/lifestyle) > [Life](https://www.trendhunter.com/life) ## Key Themes ### What's Driving This Trend - **Record-keeping Consumerism:** The trend of cataloging and visualizing one's personal purchases to become more aware of consumerism and its effects. - **Artistic Purchase Tracking:** Using creative mediums like sketches and drawings to capture personal consumption patterns as a form of self-reflection. - **Conscious Consumption Movement:** The growth of a movement aimed at promoting conscious purchasing decisions through self-awareness and education. ### Who This Affects Most - **Art and Design:** Opportunity for artists and designers to capitalize on consumers' desire for creative ways to track purchases. - **Retail Industry:** Opportunity for retailers to align with the values of the conscious consumption movement and enhance the shopping experience with educational resources. - **Sustainability:** Opportunity for sustainability-focused companies to partner with cataloging apps or services to provide consumers with detailed information about the impact of their purchases. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Visual Financial Monitoring Tools](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/malance.md) - [Crystal-Adorned Crushed Cans](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sam-keller.md) - [Visual Habit Tracking](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/cly-pixel.md) - [Personalized Visual Catalogues](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/jotly.md) - [Grocery Bag Runway Accessory](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/march-packable-tote-bag.md) - [Daily Ritual Objects](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/routines-collection.md) - [Coffee Grounds-Made Home Accessories](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/coffee-grounds-as-material.md) - [Mindful-Shopping Campaigns](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/slovember-campaign.md) - [Cheekily Creative Bookmarks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/illustrated-bookmarks.md)