The question of how long an art and design trend lasts has made many a designer question their beloved collection that has taken “too long” to finish. Is it too late? Should I just give up on this trend and move on to the next one?
Of course, every trend is different, but we can follow some general rules to avoid “missing the boat” on a trend and make sure our work is fresh and relevant.
In this post, I’ll cover where trends come from, how to avoid being too late, and how to spot trends before they show up in big box stores.
I’ll also be sharing about why some of my Trend Reports are disappearing from my membership The Studio!
grab some free
trend reports
- I release a new Trend Report every single month.
- When you sign up for a one-week free trial to my membership The Studio, you can access all my up to date Trend Report videos and downloadable PDFs!
so...where do trends come from?
Trends are not just animals and objects that lots of people are drawing. They are cultural shifts, momentous (sometimes-worldwide) changes in the social, mental, and digital worlds we live in which affect the visual imagery we consume.
Here is an example to put this in concrete terms:
- Dogs are not what is trending right now (even though you see dogs on everything from shirts to napkins and straw wrappers).
- What is trending is a shift toward pet ownership as a widespread reality in a way that has changed the family structure (less people are having kids at a young age and are getting dogs instead) and our communities (dog parks are in more neighborhoods worldwide).
This is why it’s so hard to predict when/if a trend will go out of style. It’s about so much more than what images people want on their stickers, and more about a shared psychology and feeling that is deeply ingrained in our media, communities, and families.
but there are some rules to follow!
I have a few personal rules that I follow to avoid using trends that are overdone and thus “un-pitchable” (or not worth pitching) because every company already has art with that theme:
- If big box stores are doing it, think twice (unless you’re in POD). Print-on-demand artists work in real time (i.e. draw now and post tomorrow) whereas licensing artists work months or even years in advance. So if you’re seeing something in Target, Homegoods, etc. consider that it might be too late to put that into your licensing portfolio!
- If every artist you follow is doing it, it’s too late! Look for trends that are just peeking into high fashion and the art world (or just follow my Trend Reports ‘cuz I’ve already done the work for you!).
- POD (print-on-demand) is different. As I mentioned above, print-on-demand sellers can post artwork in real-time, so they don’t have to be as concerned about missing trends. So if you’re running a Spoonflower shop, dive into those seemingly old trends (what do you have to lose now that they don’t require swatches to make a design for sale?).
Catching trends as they are on the way IN the door (the Introduction Phase below) is the best strategy. Licensors are often looking for work months or even years in advance, so if you’re going to spend your time drawing work around a trend, why not give yourself the best chance of getting found and choose a trend that is up and coming?
the trend cycle
Consider this simple cycle that most trends go through, and watch for these signs in a recent trend you’ve noticed:
- Introduction Phase: The “emergence” of a trend (when it’s fresh and new and you see it in high fashion, interior design, and galleries)
- Peak Phase: When the trend reaches its widest adoption and you see it everywhere. (you go to Target and see it on napkins)
- Decline Phase: As the trend starts to lose its novelty, and overexposure may make it feel stale. (you see it at Dollar Tree on a 50 cent thermos)
- Obsolescence Phase: When the trend is deemed outdated or “overdone,” and it fades away. (you see it at the thrift store and think, wow remember when everyone was drawing those!)
trend types
That being said, some trends don’t follow the common cycle and others defy time and last for decades! Here are a few trend types you’ve likely noticed:
- Fast-paced trends: Quick, seasonal or “micro-trends” that come and go in a matter of months (e.g., specific color palettes, design styles, or materials).
- Slow-burn trends: Trends that grow gradually, becoming more mainstream over 2–5 years (e.g., mid-century modern aesthetics or retro typography).
- Evergreen trends: Timeless design elements that remain relevant across generations (e.g., botanicals, hand-lettering, or classic floral motifs).
this is why my trend reports are going away!
So many of you have asked me when my Trend Reports stop being “valid” and as you can see, the answer is a bit complicated!
To make things simple, we’re going to start making Trend Reports disappear from The Studio Library after 3 months time.
So, if you’ve been thinking about jumping into The Studio and accessing all the Trend Reports from last year, now is the time before they go away forever!
get the disappearing reports
- On January 31st, 2025 any Trend Report over 3 months old inside The Studio will disappear!
- Come grab them all before they go away when you try a free week trial for The Studio