How Can You Navigate Future Trends in Branding Careers?
To help branding professionals stay ahead of future trends in the industry, we asked creative directors and founders for their best insights. From engaging with the creative community to researching target audience needs, here are fifteen expert tips to keep your branding strategies cutting-edge.
- Engage With the Creative Community
- Subscribe to Industry Newsletters
- Highlight Unique Brand Personality
- Avoid Overdone Visual Trends
- Analyze Consumer Data Continuously
- Understand Audience Preferences
- Focus on Community Engagement
- Follow Industry Thought Leaders
- Expand Social Media Horizons
- Utilize AI for Trend Analysis
- Attend Branding Conferences
- Regularly Update Design Knowledge
- Trust Your Creative Intuition
- Benchmark Against Industry Leaders
- Research Target Audience Needs
Engage With the Creative Community
While I don’t recommend chasing every trend that emerges, it is pivotal to stay current on what the design trends are and know when and how you might utilize them. There are three great ways to stay ahead of future trends in the industry.
One: Be involved with the creative community. When you have regular interactions with other creatives, you can hear what new things everyone is getting into and talking about. Not only that, but you can help energize each other to create and try new things.
Two: Always be learning. Watch YouTube videos, learn new skills, figure out how people created the designs they did, try out new tools in your favorite design programs, etc. The more you learn about what is possible, the more engaged you will be with the next thing on the horizon.
Three: Always be experimenting. You can be a part of creating the new trends, rather than just following them. But to do that, you need to always be pushing your own boundaries and trying new things. When doing this, though, make sure to keep in mind that while different is great, it’s not always better. You absolutely have to keep in mind good design principles, who your audience is, and what you’re trying to accomplish. Pushing the creative envelope is good—always put a critical eye towards your experimentations. If you can do that, though, there is no better way to stay ahead of trends than to create them.
The great thing about these tips? It doesn’t matter what specific sector or industry you’re in! They will help you stay ahead of the game, get ahead in your field, and, in general, will help you be happier and more engaged in your work.
Jessica Sievers
Creative Director / Owner, Sievers Creative
Subscribe to Industry Newsletters
Staying ahead of future trends in the branding industry is a bit like having a crystal ball—part intuition, part ritual. Personally, I subscribe to a variety of newsletters focused on design, website design, and visual brand-identity trends. My inbox might resemble a digital confetti explosion, but it keeps me in the loop with fresh insights and perspectives.
I also follow industry leaders closely. Their social media feeds are my tarot cards, revealing emerging trends and innovative practices. Attending webinars, workshops, and industry conferences is another key part of my strategy. These events are creative playgrounds where I can network, learn, and sometimes even play with the latest tech.
And let’s not forget my weekly ritual of diving into design platforms like Behance and Dribbble. It’s a treasure trove where I see cutting-edge work from creatives worldwide. By combining these strategies, I stay informed and inspired, allowing me to anticipate and adapt to future trends effectively.
After all, in the ever-evolving world of branding, staying ahead of trends requires a mix of curiosity, dedication, and a touch of magic.
Joshua Lipka
Creative Director, Joshua Lipka Design
Highlight Unique Brand Personality
Stay unique and never fall into the trap of copying what’s worked before or for other people. Branding is an exercise of forward momentum because every brand is an evolving entity wholly unlike other brands. Success lies in shining a light on those differences and using them to build compelling marketing that speaks to your tribe’s soul. Tactics and trends come and go, but creativity and a unique brand personality expressed with passion never go out of style.
Jason Schutte
Creative Director, Apis Productions
Avoid Overdone Visual Trends
For me, it’s as simple as taking visual stock of what’s out there and filing it away for safekeeping. A day’s worth of perusing any of the apps will show you exactly what is being done, and (most times) overdone.
We all know “nothing is original under the sun,” but if you’re constantly using Pinterest, Behance, Dribbble, or any of the other “inspiration” platforms to get your projects off the ground, you are most likely falling victim to subconsciously recycling a look and feel that’s already been beaten to death.
Rather than trying to fit a brand identity into the box of a current trend, allow the key themes and central ideas of the brand and its people to inspire what will hopefully be a more timeless visual direction.
Sutton Davison
Creative Director, JMC
Analyze Consumer Data Continuously
As a market research and strategy consultant, I believe the key to staying ahead of branding trends lies in actively listening to customers and continuously analyzing data from multiple sources. Consumer preferences and behaviors are evolving rapidly, fueled by technological advancements and socio-cultural shifts. To remain relevant, branding professionals must embrace agility and adaptability.
One crucial approach is to leverage advanced analytics and AI-driven tools to monitor online conversations, social media sentiments, and emerging search trends. This real-time pulse on consumer mindsets can uncover nascent preferences and unmet needs, enabling brands to pivot their strategies proactively.
Furthermore, collaborating with diverse teams and seeking insights from interdisciplinary experts can spark innovative thinking and challenge conventional branding paradigms.
Additionally, successful branding requires a deep understanding of evolving consumer demographics and psychographics. Generational shifts, changing values, and the rise of conscious consumerism demand brands to align their messaging and positioning with societal currents. Empathy, authenticity, and purpose-driven branding will resonate more strongly with audiences in the years ahead.
While data and technology are crucial, human ingenuity remains indispensable. Encouraging a culture of curiosity, experimentation, and continuous learning within branding teams can foster the creativity needed to stay ahead of the curve. Ultimately, anticipating and shaping trends requires a harmonious blend of data-driven insights, consumer empathy, and fearless innovation.
Justin Abrams
Founder & CEO, Aryo Consulting Group
Understand Audience Preferences
To stay ahead of the curve in branding, you really need to be proactive and keenly observant. It’s best to start by really getting to know your audience—dive deep into their changing preferences and behaviors through ongoing engagement and thorough data analysis. This way, you can anticipate shifts rather than just reacting to them when it’s perhaps too late.
Additionally, I suggest making technology your friend. Embrace new tools and platforms that help you get deeper insights into consumer behavior and find more inventive ways to connect with people.
And don’t forget the power of learning from different industries. Often, what’s innovative in one area can be brilliantly adapted to another, bringing fresh, standout ideas to your brand.
Raisha Shrestha
Marketing Manager, Ling
Focus on Community Engagement
Staying ahead of future trends in the branding industry requires both strategic foresight and practical innovation. We’ve had great success by focusing on community engagement through social media. For example, we built a dedicated online community where our users could share their experiences, provide feedback, and engage directly with our team. By listening to our community, we could swiftly adapt our strategies and offerings, ensuring we stayed ahead of the curve.
Moreover, this approach allowed us to identify and leverage user-generated content, which significantly boosted our organic reach and authenticity. Encouraging our community members to share their stories and successes created a sense of ownership and involvement, which is invaluable in today’s market. This direct engagement has been a cornerstone of our strategy, enabling us to innovate continually and stay relevant in a fast-evolving industry.
Dinesh Agarwal
Founder, CEO, RecurPost
Follow Industry Thought Leaders
Engaging with industry thought leaders is crucial for branding professionals looking to stay ahead of future trends. Thought leaders are at the forefront of innovation and possess deep insights into the latest developments and emerging trends. By following their work, attending their talks, and participating in discussions they lead, branding professionals can gain valuable knowledge and inspiration.
This not only helps in anticipating market shifts but also in understanding the strategies and tools that are shaping the future of branding. Additionally, thought leaders often share case studies, success stories, and practical tips that can be directly applied to improve one’s own branding efforts.
To implement this, professionals can start by identifying key thought leaders in their industry and following them on social media platforms such as LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. Joining industry-specific groups and forums where these leaders are active is another great way to engage in meaningful discussions and stay updated. Attending webinars, conferences, and workshops where these experts are speaking can provide deeper insights and networking opportunities.
And subscribing to newsletters, podcasts, and blogs from these thought leaders ensures a steady stream of relevant information and innovative ideas. By actively engaging with thought leaders, branding professionals can keep their strategies fresh, informed, and ahead of the curve.
Danielle Hu
Founder, The Wanderlover
Expand Social Media Horizons
You have to be where the cool kids are. That means Twitter, TikTok, and Instagram. Make new social media accounts specifically for brand-ing inspo alone. Then follow interesting brands, ad agencies, industry magazines, and whatever or whoever else is influential.
This is what I do, but I make sure I don’t limit myself to our niche (in this case, coffee). I check out what’s happening in fashion, tech, and even beauty. Who knows, maybe the new Pantone Color of the Year will be our next coffee-bean blend inspo? Trends often cross over, and coffee is more than just coffee. It’s part of a bigger picture! Expanding your horizons is how you’ll truly stay ahead of the curve.
Mimi Nguyen
Founder, Cafely
Utilize AI for Trend Analysis
To stay ahead in the branding game, using AI tools like Exploding Topics or Google Trends with Glimpse is a great move. These tools help you find trending topics by spotting what’s gaining popularity and giving you insights into emerging trends.
Checking these tools regularly lets you catch on to new trends early, so you can adapt your branding strategies and stay relevant. It’s an easy way to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s hot and make sure your brand is always in the loop with what’s happening in your industry.
Juliet Dreamhunter
Founder, Foodie Giggles
Attend Branding Conferences
There are many options such as newsletters, YouTube channels, and more to learn about branding, storytelling, and marketing.
However, I believe attending live events and conferences, whether online or offline, is one of the best ways to get expert insights.
Here’s why I think so:
When you attend these events, you can expect high-quality sessions because only branding experts and thought leaders around the world are invited as speakers.
To find the top branding and marketing events in 2024, simply search for “branding or marketing events in 2024” on Google. This way, you can find the upcoming conferences on branding and marketing topics by your country and timeline.
If you’re a branding professional, I suggest you plan to visit at least 1-2 conferences every year to get the latest insights and network with experts.
This way, you can get a good understanding of the latest trends and network with industry experts.
Ashima Kothari
Co-Founder and Brand Strategist, TapWell
Regularly Update Design Knowledge
We stay ahead of future trends by constantly analyzing the market. Each week, our designers explore a new design element that interests them. We compile these findings in a shared Figma file, creating a resource we revisit for inspiration.
This practice keeps our team exposed to fresh ideas and emerging styles, ensuring our branding efforts stay innovative and relevant. Regularly updating our knowledge keeps us ahead of the curve.
Juan Carlos Munoz
Co-Founder, CC Creative Design
Trust Your Creative Intuition
You want to make sure that you are still listening to your creative intuition and not relying on trends or even AI. You have a thousand more good ideas. Staying ahead of the trends means leaning into your creative intuition for new ideas.
Jacinta Gandy
Brand and Website Designer, The Social Circle
Benchmark Against Industry Leaders
At the core of our organization’s strategic direction lies a crucial practice: benchmarking against industry leaders. By comparing ourselves to the best in the field, we are able to thoroughly assess our performance metrics and align our processes with those who have proven success.
This methodical approach allows us not only to identify areas of strength that can be further developed but also weaknesses that require attention—motivating us towards maintaining high standards while inspiring innovative strategies, which give us an edge over competitors.
For example, if we discover client retention rates below average within industry benchmarks, targeted improvements made towards client engagement or service delivery lead this effort forward.
As such, benchmarking informs current strategies as well as opens measures for future initiatives, ensuring continued triumphs throughout various industries.
Alexander Brandrup
Plant Ambassador, Co-Founder, Neurogan Health
Research Target Audience Needs
To stay ahead of future trends, I focus on the work I can do TODAY to understand what my audience truly needs.
Research your target audience so you can prove to them that you understand—and pose the solution for—the problems they’re facing. This knowledge will become your North Star. It will keep you moving in the right direction as you notice and capitalize on emerging trends. Make sure to spend your time and energy only on the trends that actually hold value for your audience.
Jordan Winter
Creative Director, Avant Food Media
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