Monthly Themes Archives - Page 8 of 9

Mixtape Moments: NeoCon 2023 – Pump Up The Volume

By Emily Siwek, Sphere Trending Trend Futurist, Director of Architectural Design

We just returned from NeoCon, the leading US commercial furnishings fair held annually in Chicago and the change from previous seasons was audible. While the last few years have been somewhat muted, this year we saw the volume starting to creep back up with playful color and pattern, and an emphasis on embracing the noise and volume of life in commercial spaces.

Finding Their Voice

NeoCon debuted a working podcast studio along with the fair this year. The first floor studio was broadcasting studio added a new element to the mix of the event.

Hosts including design personality Amy Devers, recorded live during the show.

Dialed Up Design

Within the products displayed, acoustical wall solutions have become high design, but they were not focusing on completely dampening the noise, rather they were celebrating it, creating strategic design compliments to the increasing complexity of life and design in public spaces. Turf Design also had a sense of fun with their ‘dial a decade’ installation where rotary phones played music from recent eras.

Need For Noise

Carpet manufacturers were inspired by audio elements as well. At Mannington a sound bath inspired pixilated patterns titled “the need for sound” and at the Shaw Contract showroom, Mike Ford shared rhythmic patterns inspired by hip hop.

Shaw Contract collaboration with Mike Ford at NeoCon

Ready for something to listen to? Check out Mike Ford’s Top 15 Hip Hop tracks as shared by Shaw Contract and stay tuned in with us to see what’s trending – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Mixtape Moments: Patterns Partner

Another blend trend we are seeing is in the comeback of bold prints and colors. Pushing gray away and filling our spaces with things that make us feel alive! We are expressing ourselves and getting creative with color, pattern and texture. You can surround yourself with everything you favor and love most. Intentionally mix it up, throw it together, and explore the fun and joy of making it a true reflection of you. “
LONNIE JOHNSON, SPHERE TRENDING, MARKET ANALYST

To read more about the masterful mix of the Ralph Lauren flagship featured in the above moodboard click here. Stay tuned this month as we explore the topic of intentional movement in our lives. Don’t miss the latest on ‘Mixtape Moments’ – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Mixtape Moments: Materials Mingle

Our theme this month is ‘Mixtape Moments’, a celebration of new blends we’re seeing, hearing, and watching in the trend sphere. To kick it off we have a moodboard of some of our favorite moments in the mix from recent tradeshows.

The mingling of materials have been a common thread seen at recent tradeshows. These materials are playing nice together and creating curiosity that makes you slow down to stop, think, and explore. Seen throughout multiple products, the combination of using natural and synthetic materials has become increasingly popular for 2023.”
-Lori Salem, Sphere Trending Design Research Assistant

Stay tuned this month as we explore the topic of intentional movement in our lives. Don’t miss the latest on ‘Mixtape Moments’ – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Poetry in Motion

Finding Balance in AI Excitement and Human Creativity

by Mandi Mankvitz, Sphere Trending, President of Possibilities

There is a lot of consumer enthusiasm and curiosity around the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in everyday life – nearly half (49%) of US adults are interested in AI-powered online search capabilities. (via MORNING CONSULT). But along with the excitement, comes apprehension and brands are also taking note of negative consumer sentiment around the potential loss of human creativity, jobs and the effect of misinformation.

Not wanting to miss out on “AI as the buzzword of the moment” inventive brands are finding ways to integrate the popularity of AI in their marketing aligned with the uniqueness of human creativity. As we go forward into the AI future, it will remain important for marketers to balance the genuine connectivity humans crave with the thrill of the technology’s possibilities.

We’ve highlighted a few examples of brands creating human-centered excitement in the AI + Marketing Era:

FIND BALANCE: AI + Human Experience = A Winning Combination

Staples has launched a new marketing campaign with the theme of “Business is Human,” highlighting the company’s belief that while AI “is and will continue to be a powerful tool, it is most effective when combined with human insights and expertise.”

FIND BALANCE: AI + Humor = A Feel-Good Way to Embrace Change

Hendrick’s Gin debuted “Chat G&T” as a play on the “gin and tonic” and a humorous nod to the popularity of OpenAI’s ChatGPT generative AI chatbot. In the campaign, the character Elliot is an English-accented spokesperson who answers questions like a generative AI chatbot, yet can only source information from his limited human brain.

FIND BALANCE: AI + Access = Allows Consumers to Engage with AI and Your Brand in a Safe Space

In a Coca-Cola AI campaign, “Create Real Magic,” digital creatives around the world were invited to create original artwork directly from the library of creative assets from the Coca-Cola archives.

“In under two weeks, people had created 120,000 different images through the campaign website, with consumers—many of whom skewed younger—spending an average of seven minutes on the platform.” PRATIK THAKAR, COCA-COLA

Stay in the know – click here to connect with us and follow our Instagram and LinkedIn.

Embracing The ‘New Energy’ Lifestyle

By Susan Yashinsky, Sphere Trending VP, Innovation Trends

Consumers are reevaluating the everyday, raising expectations for lifestyles that represent our unique passions alongside the greater societal good, all while empowering personal exploration and excitement.

“Passion for our Surroundings” – think of our home, car, office, or any environment as a visual playlist for personalization.

At Sphere Trending we are calling out ‘New Energy’ as a powerful movement that crosses demographics and cultures to bring unique inspiration into our environments, whether this is a residential, commercial, or automotive setting. Today’s post-lockdown era has begun the conversation for a simpler but more fulfilling lifestyle; one that allows us to thrive with family and friends.

“Passion for Society” – understanding that doing good in a multitude of ways not only makes us feel good but contributes to the betterment of future society.

We are being reenergized by the past (analog activities like retro mechanical cameras, game tables and vinyl), the present (embracing the outdoors and new experiences) and the future (incoming technologies affecting everyday life).

“Passion for Design” – thanks to social media for elevating design excitement across categories in a way that brings constant renewal.

As society once again transitions to a nation of homebodies, our homes have become leisure centers that include hobby rooms (gaming, music, crafting, exercising, theaters) as well as open space living for greater connectivity. In the U.S., we now spend more of our discretionary income on home furniture and furnishings than apparel; a first!

St. George Parade of Homes – American Heritage Theater Room

“Passion for Experiences” – new ways that residential and commercial spaces empower productivity, exploration and excitement.

New terminology is coming into our vernacular and social media to describe these rising desires, such as cottagecore, coastal grandmother and manorcore. We have become our own conductor for bringing to life these evolving passions.

Brown Jordan – A ‘cottagecore’ outdoor kitchen

Follow our blog, Instagram and LinkedIn to read more about the “NEW ENERGY” lifestyle we are talking about this month! And reach out to learn more – we love sharing!

Category: Monthly Themes