From the Editor's Desk
Just one guy's opinion.
A Monopoly on the Trends
Who Should Lead, and Who Should Follow?
Joseph Haecker
Editor-in-chief
Published on:
June 7, 2024
From The Editor's Desk
The Editorial
Where do you find your trends? Do you attend Markets in the USA? Do you get your trends from Maison & Objet? Do you wait for Pantone to provide the "Color of the Year"? Or do you develop your own trends?
Historically, trends were brought forward by designers who were on the lookout for styles and concepts that their clients would use to set their lifestyle and status apart from other people of privilege and society. In time, the role of forecasting and naming trends became a corporate role. I am here to say that the role and responsibility of discovering and implementing trends should be shifted back to the designer, and here's why.
The Historical Timeline of Trend Spotting
In the early 20th century, America’s first interior decorator, Elsie de Wolfe, was pivotal in setting design trends. Her book, The House in Good Taste (1913), laid the groundwork for early trend spotting. Moving into the mid-20th century, Florence Knoll revolutionized modern office design at Knoll Associates, defining the sleek aesthetics of mid-century modern.
By the 1960s, organizations like the Color Marketing Group (CMG) formalized trend forecasting, setting industry standards that influenced everything from fabric to furniture. Fast forward to the 1980s, Li Edelkoort and her Trend Union became a beacon for forecasting, merging cultural insights with design. The late 1990s saw the rise of digital forecasters like WGSN, which used data analytics to predict trends across various industries.
The Loss of Designer Authority
Over time, the authority of trend spotting slipped from the hands of individual designers into the grip of large corporations. Why? Because corporations recognized the power of trends in driving product sales and used this authority to promote products based on production costs and global distribution capabilities.
The Corporate Grip and Its Consequences
Corporations utilized trend forecasting to create generic outcomes suitable for mass production, resulting in the same chair designs popping up in homes across the globe. This approach prioritized scalability over uniqueness, leading to a homogenized global market where distinct, localized styles were eclipsed by uniformity.
The Call for Local Artisans and Makers
However, amidst this globalized sameness, there’s been a growing whisper—an emerging murmur—for supporting local makers. The world is slowly awakening to the need for unique, trend-setting concepts crafted by local artisans. We've flirted with this idea, but it’s time to fully embrace it.
Envisioning a Designer-Led Trend Movement
Imagine a world where designers are not merely attendees at markets but leaders at symposiums and world fairs. These gatherings would spotlight thought leaders, world travelers, and artisans, influencing manufacturers and design concepts.
Today’s markets are dictated by corporate budgets, mislabeling delayed responses as trends. But the world doesn't need more of the same. It needs an ecosystem that acknowledges the unique needs of different communities. This is where local designers come in—using local resources to meet local demands, creating trends that resonate with their immediate environment.
From Markets to Symposiums and World Fairs
Instead of attending markets to see recycled trends, imagine attending symposiums where ideas are shared, and conceptualization thrives. The design industry deserves this respect and magnitude. It should be a platform for unbridled diversity and global showcasing, not a repetitive cycle dictated by corporate interests.
The Future of Trend Spotting
Today, we need to recognize that the true trends arise from the grassroots level, from designers working with and for their communities. The morphing of markets into symposiums and world fairs would revolutionize idea sharing and trend setting. It's time for designers to reclaim their role, leading the conversation on trends and influencing the very fabric of the industry.
So, what are your thoughts? Should we continue to let brands dictate trends through a filtered lens of globalization and manufacturing capability, or should we push for a future where designers, the real trendsetters, lead the way? Let’s spark a revolution in design, one where the creative pulse of our communities shapes the future of our industry.
About The Editor
Joseph Haecker
Editor-in-Chief of Design Porn
Status:
Current Editor-in-chief
Past Editorials
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