Why Trend Shopping is Essential for Surface Designers
As a Surface Designer, your art has the power to connect with customers, inspire emotions, and ultimately drive sales. But how do you create designs that are not only visually appealing but also marketable? Enter trend shopping—a critical practice that bridges the gap between your creative instincts and what the market demands. Here's why trend shopping should be a key part of your design process and how it can elevate your work.
Understanding What Art is Marketable
One of the primary benefits of trend shopping is gaining insight into what’s currently resonating with consumers. Retail shelves and online marketplaces are a treasure trove of information. They reflect what’s trending in style, subject matter, and functionality. As you explore, look for patterns in popular products: Are florals leaning toward wildflower meadows or tropical palms? Are holiday collections embracing minimalism or maximalist sparkle? Recognizing these trends will guide you in creating art that buyers can’t resist.
Finding Color Inspiration
Color palettes are the heartbeat of a design’s appeal. Trend shopping provides a live look at which hues are captivating audiences. Are muted tones dominating home décor? Are vibrant neons making a comeback in children’s products? By observing how colors are paired and applied across categories, you can build your own color schemes that feel fresh and relevant. Pro tip: Snap photos of color combinations you love, or use specific apps like Adobe Capture, Pantone Studio, or Canva to capture palettes directly from the products you find.
Discovering Unique and Unexpected Icons
Trend shopping helps you identify opportunities to reimagine common icons or motifs. For example, radishes and veggie roots have been trending, and I recently saw a bunny in a radish car—a delightful departure from the traditional carrot car. This kind of innovation can elevate your work; instead of creating a typical bunny-and-carrot illustration, you’re crafting something fresh and unexpected that could make your art stand out on a product. These playful and surprising elements not only grab attention but also add personality to your designs. Exploring what’s currently in stores can inspire you to think outside the box and push boundaries with your own creations.
Spotting Current Patterns and Motifs
Patterns are everywhere—from textiles and stationery to packaging and wallpaper. By trend shopping, you’ll see which types of patterns are flourishing. Are geometric shapes more angular or soft? Are animal prints leaning toward realistic or abstract? Understanding these nuances allows you to stay ahead of the curve while tailoring your designs to fit market demands. Keep an eye out for recurring themes that could spark ideas for your next collection.
Finding Typography Inspiration
Typography is an essential aspect of surface design, and trend shopping can be a great way to discover fresh fonts and lettering styles that resonate with current consumer preferences. As you explore products in stores and online, pay attention to how typography is being used across different categories. Look for trends in typefaces—are they bold and modern, or are retro-inspired fonts making a comeback? Are brands using handwritten or playful lettering, or are they opting for minimalist and clean fonts?
Take note of how fonts are paired together and the visual hierarchy that’s being used to enhance readability and impact. You might discover unexpected combinations or subtle design details like letter spacing and line height that could inform your own typography choices. Typography inspiration isn’t just about choosing a trendy font; it’s about understanding how different type styles can evoke emotion, create atmosphere, and complement the visual elements of your surface designs.
Pro tip: Create a typography mood board as you trend shop. Collect images of fonts you find compelling and experiment with how they might pair with your own illustrations or motifs. This exercise will not only help you discover new font pairings but also ensure your typography aligns with current trends while maintaining your unique creative voice.
Staying Ahead in a Competitive Industry
The surface design industry moves fast, with trends evolving every season. Regularly immersing yourself in retail environments, trade shows, and online platforms ensures you’re always in tune with the latest shifts. This doesn’t mean copying what’s out there but using it as a springboard for your creativity and incorporating your own twist. By staying informed, you position yourself as a designer who understands the market and can deliver designs that buyers trust.
Building Your Design Strategy
Trend shopping isn’t just about observation—it’s about applying what you learn to create cohesive, compelling collections. Use trend insights to:
Refine your art licensing portfolio with updated themes and palettes.
Develop collections that feel on-trend but timeless.
Pitch your designs to clients with confidence, backed by evidence of their marketability with mood boards.
Check out my instagram where I share my trend shopping trips so you get a peek of what I see trending or unique on the market!
Final Thoughts
Trend shopping is more than a creative exercise; it’s a strategic tool that helps surface designers create art that sells. By staying curious, observant, and adaptable, you can ensure your designs remain relevant and irresistible to buyers. So grab your notebook, visit your favorite stores, and let the trends inspire your next masterpiece. Happy shopping!
We will be diving deeper into the art of trend shopping, including how to incorporate trends into your mood boards and collections, in my 8-week course, Moodboard to Market. Join us to transform your inspiration into marketable designs!
