I’m asked a lot how I can predict trends, how do I really figure this stuff out? My friends (not working in design) say they also know decor trends and they find trend spotting so easy, they buy a magazine or visit a design shop and can spot them in moments. Ok, maybe that’s one way to get a feel for what’s vibing today BUT how about predicting trends, what they could be tomorrow, in a year or two? That’s what I do. So first, we’ll talk about how I predict trends, a little bit about how various things influence design trends, and finally, three design trends that I think you should be watching for…

How I Predict Trends

My trend forecasting crystal-ball gazing abilities are driven purely on a combination of things that I inherently have:

• Curiosity - A TON

• My emotional sensitivity, I’m am an empath (google it). It’s a thing. I always thought I was a little crazy but now I realize that I’m just highly sensitive. And a little crazy. ;)

• Crazy deep intuition (that I also trust and listen to), I can pick up on cues and things that others just don’t get. I always know when someone is hiding something from me. I’m impossible to lie to.

• I’m always watching and listening. I talk a lot but I listen more. I also can talk and be listening to the other table’s conversation at the same time - my brain can just absorb everything. I often wondered if I have ADD and I’m just undiagnosed. If I do, it’s definitely not hurting my life so I’ll keep it. haha.

• I pick up on clues, I’m an investigator. At my core I’m a journalist looking for answers, trying to sniff out a good story to tell, wanting to get to the heart of every matter of interest to me personally.

• I don’t know what this is called, but I’m a bit like Jason Bourne from those films. I can walk into a restaurant and leave within a seconds time, and sit down and sketch the entire floor plan, every door and window, furniture placement, and also where people were seated. I guess this is part of sensing trends and spotting them. I am observant. Yeah, that’s it. But in a 6th sense kind of way.

• I love people. I am fascinated by them. I love all people, all races, colors, religions, genders, lifestyles, I always want to know everything about everyone that I meet.

Can you identify with this list above?

So, and not to belittle the trend spotters because they have value as much as me, but in my case, it’s not about seeing trends at a fair or on Instagram and calling them out, it’s about sensing what the next trend will be and calling it out in advance.

That is what a trend expert does.

Where do trends come from?

This is a big topic that could fill a book. I won’t even attempt to answer it all here. But I’ll just speak on a few pieces that may be interesting for you today.

Most established companies in all markets hire trend forecasting agencies, or individual trend experts, to help them to foresee what’s coming. Period.

Think about this: it’s not a coincidence when suddenly all of the foodie books are about Slow Food or the design books are suddenly about Holistic Living or Home Organization. These authors worked with their agent, pitched several book ideas in advance, and the agent told them which book would be most likely the best title depending on the release date and what is forecasted to trend around that time. There is a science behind it, a rhyme to the reason. Agents are told by Publishing Houses what is coming…

Okay, then there is the bigger picture… There are many trends out there, in thinking, in politics, in health… interiors, fashions… But usually, they all mix and end up influencing each other, together. Fashion and culture influence design. Health and politics influence design. Everything influences design.

A trend is not just based on what people want now, but on what experts and tastemakers feel that the customer wants or needs and how that will evolve into a year or two from now. For instance, everyone is talking about home organization and simplification today. Okay. So what will that mean in a year or two from now? Every trend evolves. What do we think is needed next for people who are trying to simplify their lives? Idea: Maybe an app for exchanging products, so instead of buying that new vase, you can find it on an app and barter with the owner, exchange something with them for that vase - a product or maybe even a service. Like, “you send me that Shell vase and I’ll give you a 30-minute coaching session on Zoom”. So the home organization trend could lead to something totally different that originated with the need people have to get rid of their good stuff in a way that is a little different than what we can do currently - sell it on eBay, donate, or give it to a friend. Imagine if bartering becomes the new eBay? I’m not predicting this, I’m just trying to make a point here.

Trends To Consider/Support/Jump On

So, let’s talk about some vibes that I’m picking up on… some trends to support, to create, and to jump on.

1. TREND TO SUPPORT: VINTAGE. I can already see the trend that I predicted and wrote about in October 2019 is really coming through more strongly now, that people would return to vintage shops to buy things for the home (and closets) in order to separate themselves from the pack, show their own unique personality and style, and ultimately help the environment because buying vintage is a very sustainable way to shop. So there’s that.

   I believe that more and more bloggers and influencers on Instagram will be showing off their makeover skills too - what they’re doing to bring new life to found items, junk shop finds, and flea market hauls.

   This will inspire one, then ten, then thousands, and boom! a trend. My prediction is that vintage clothing will also follow this trend and become cool again. People will want to find vintage bags especially because they want to stand out and have something everyone else doesn’t.

2. TREND TO CREATE: LOCAL LUX TRAVEL. Investors, Designers, Architects, and the Travel and tourism industries in countries, like Germany, really need to get on board with this STAT. They must look more inward and think, “How can we build the next sustainable vacation farm like that one in South Africa, or how can we make a beautiful minimalist haven to stay in like those oceanfront suites in Holland, right HERE in OUR country? Why do people have to LEAVE a country like Germany to find a gorgeous resort. Germany is a gorgeous country but it’s really hard to find amazing, stylish resorts and retreats here. They’re here just not as many as could be.

   I believe some investors are already sniffing out opportunities. Especially in countries like Germany where most LEAVE their COUNTRY to travel vs. Parisians leaving Paris for south of France or Italians leaving Milan for the Italian Riviera). Why not build properties within Germany, and create more of a mindset around staying within the borders for a lovely vacation - this is a fabulous plan for the future that I pray will trend at some point… This is really needed because staying local does a lot of good for the local economy (which a country like Germany will greatly need post-pandemic), but also it’s just smarter and more planet-friendly long term. Plus, in a country with a lot of land like Germany, it wouldn’t be that hard for investors to find suitable space to develop lovely, design-focused retreats and places to relax, unwind, and just enjoy life.

I was thinking too that what happens if hotels get greedy once people can travel again? Think about fair (messe) cities when attendees come to town - the rates are 5x higher! What happens if, the moment people CAN travel again, hotels in certain cities that are well visited ordinarily (pre-Corona) end up being extraordinarily expensive just because hotels know they can? Or they’re just more expensive because they want to set some limits and they don’t want to be swamped with people? This could drive locals to stay in lovely countryside locations locally, head to the coast, the mountains, anywhere except a foreign tourist spot. Something to think about.

What’s your opinion on this topic?

3. ALMOST A TREND: AUDIO CHAT + CHAT APPS. I believe podcasts had their day, they’ll remain popular but because they are hard to sustain long-term and cost money and considerable time (and are hard to monetize), podcasts tend to come and go.

People with voices in DESIGN who have good content need an alternative to reaching people, quickly, without heavy production overhead.

Audiences also want to listen to more candid stuff, less staged, where they can interact.

This is where chat apps and voice apps come in. You can literally not show your face on an app like Clubhouse and create a live chat or broadcast and do and say whatever you want. Anyone can have their own show these days, it’s fast and easy to set up, free at the moment, and can be monetized through links and whatever it is you’re trying to sell - you can talk about it.

And then there’s Geneva, which I am testing currently in my online course, Attract Engage Grow. It’s a chat app, with rooms, and there are even two rooms for two different ways of communicating - voice-only and video-only. I was speaking to Geneva last week and they told me that by mid-May, you could do a live broadcast in your own video room in Geneva, currently, you can only have 17 viewers, but in less than a month from now, you can have up to 5,000 viewers. This app is totally free right now but they are building it out for monetizing which is great for people with followers.

So those are some trends I am predicting - more, more, MORE vintage, more “audio chats”, and people desired to vacation within their country.

What are some trends you’re seeing?

(photo: Unsplash)