One of the most important things we think the media can do is connect small business owners and creatives across industries and markets to give them an opportunity to learn form each other. The insights on trends in particular can be transformative if our communities were better connected and so we’ve tried to create a space where folks can share the trends they are seeing and read about trends other sharp entrepreneurs are seeing.

Scott Keever

One of the biggest trends I’m seeing in online reputation management is the speed and permanence of digital backlash, and how quickly public perception can change. This has two sides. On one side, negative content can appear and spread in hours. On the other, there is a huge opportunity for people and companies that know how to respond strategically and stay ahead of the curve.” Read More>>

Jephthe Ferdilus

I’m noticing a strong shift in brand identity into world building and creating more than a vibe for a brand, it’s developing how a brand feels in the real world through all touch points. I find it fascinating that designers and brands are taking the steps to think critically about how their ideas live in different scenarios, it gives the idea a much more tangible form. As I work with clients, I try to ask them questions to have them understand that they’re no longer creating a mark or just a logo for a flat screen, but you’re creating an experience that tells a story. Through websites like Drake Related where he has an interactive merch store through his mansion, or how Jacquemus used a banana to launch an entire campaign related to its merch and store, brands are elevating the possibility of what an idea can mean and that’s exciting to me as a designer. It gives you more things to design and an idea to explore. With the rise of everything artificial, it’s refreshing to see work that doesn’t necessarily feel like it’s inauthentic. Read More>>

Leslie Llewellyn

Without being too predictable, AI is tricky. On the one hand, we’re all trying to celebrate it given its power. On the other hand, we’re also trying not to be deathly afraid of it. In my house, this is especially poignant given I’m a marketer/advertiser and my husband is a software engineer. Both trades are have huge benefits using AI, but also our livelihoods are at risk. So what can we do to AI-proof of jobs? There is no cookie-cutter approach but I’m noticing (especially since COVID) that people are yearning for human interaction and brands that are attune to their human condition. In marketing, we can no longer throw some social and programmatic ads out there and hope for a response. Read More>>

Wenwen Jiang

One of the most significant trends currently shaping the UX/UI design landscape is the deep integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) to create personalized and intuitive user experiences. AI has transitioned from a futuristic concept into a practical tool that enhances user interactions by predicting user behaviors, preferences, and needs with impressive accuracy. Read More>>

Richard Nelson

AI (Artificial Intelligence) is everywhere and it’s made inroads into design and designers are grappling with how as well as how much to use it. I don’t think I’ve ever seen a technology or tool arrive so suddenly and evolve so quickly in our business but it’s here now and it’s not going away. The question for designers is how we use it as a time-saving asset without sacrificing quality and originality. Read More>>

Kari Cummings

One of the biggest trends I’m seeing in fashion right now is the resurgence and reappreciation of archival fashion. And not just vintage for the sake of being old, but a real love for past collections, runway moments, and silhouettes that shifted the culture. People are digging into designer histories, researching runway shows from the ’90s and early 2000s, and hunting down rare pieces that hold meaning and not just status. Read More>>

Sidharth Ramsinghaney

After leading multi-billion dollar transformations across three continents, I’ve learned one crucial truth: the most sophisticated technology means nothing if it doesn’t genuinely connect with people. Read More>>

Braelen Washington

The biggest trend I’m noticing is the evolution of A.I., especially in the independent film space. On one hand, I’m amazed at the maximum efficiency it provides when it comes to producing a film project; on the other, I find myself conflicted because it definitely takes away jobs from those in certain creative departments. That’s a huge concern—along with copyright issues, ethical concerns related to a person’s name and likeness, and many other factors. Read More>>