The Powerful Influence of Creative Trends
Design and styling trends are the lifeblood of the consumer product industry. They are powerful in affecting emotions, shaping perceptions, and reflect the mood and values of a given time.
To better understand how trends speak to the way consumers express their identities, engage with products on a personal level, and influence buying decisions, Life Instyle sat down with interior designer, stylist and author, Emma Blomfield, the creative force behind EB Studio and Decor Library, two ventures that have significantly influenced the interior design landscape in Australia.
What makes design and styling so impactful on our daily lives?
It’s the visual and tangible element of design and styling that makes the biggest impact to our sense while the practical elements of design impacts day to day use and functionality. Seamlessly blending the two and getting the mix of function and form right is the ultimate goal in design and styling.
How can businesses effectively manage the multitude of trends that keeps evolving?
Stay in your own lane. Customers are drawn to you for the style and look that is the most authentic to you and your brand. You’ll likely be known for a couple of different styles and that’s where your biggest asset is, so play into them rather than trying to follow trends.
Social media plays a big part in trend setting. How can brands use this to their advantage?
Social media is a free great way to see discover what different target markets and audience might be interested in. and then You can then use that as preliminary research for targeting new markets or better understanding the trends your own target market might be most interested in.
What advice would you give to consumers who want to stay on-trend but prioritise timelessness and sustainability?
Invest in the big ticket items and keep them relatively classic. That way you’re less likely to want to replace them in a shorter period of time.
Looking ahead, how do you see design and styling trends evolving, and what effect might these shifts have on consumer habits and lifestyles?
As always, a focus on sustainability will be at the forefront of many homewares and furniture brands as consumers prioritise longevity and the environmental impact their homewares and furniture choices have. There will also be a significant increase in tech’s involvement in the evolution of trends such as smart elements like voice activated devices, automated lighting and energy management. And lastly, there is a growing trend around personalisation and customisation, ensuring what is made for a customer’s home is something they’ve invested in and will use over and over which contributes back to the sustainability factor too.
