Posted by: Kristin Crane Category: TrendspottingComments: 0Post Date: June 26, 2020
In our series Talking Trends, we talk to designers in a range of industries, from contract textiles, to finishes, to laminates. It’s fascinating to hear their perspective on what is trending, while at the same time, they are keenly aware of what’s a fad. That got us thinking about the difference between a trend and a fad.
What is the difference between a trend and a fad?
According to the Cambridge Dictionary, a trend is defined as “a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving.” On the other hand, a fad is “a style, activity, or interest that is very popular for a short period of time.”
Trends and fads influence all corners of our lives. The clothes we wear, the décor in our homes, the cars we drive, the art we experience, and even our core belief systems. Trends evolve more slowly over time and build gradually as opposed to coming and going. Many trends eventually lead to long-term change, with their popularity building over time. Trends also influence our culture broadly, beyond just an individual industry. You can think about trends as helping to solve problems. They gain power over time because they aren’t about a specific moment in time but the progression of time.
On the other hand, a fad comes and goes more quickly. They appear on the scene seemingly out of nowhere and take people by storm. Rather than taking root in the culture, though, fads fade as quickly as they appear. People embrace them and then move on to the next fad that comes on the scene. Fads don’t contribute lasting change to a culture and mostly show up in industries that can change and respond quickly.
Why is this important to brands & designers?
Brands and individual designers pay attention to both trends and fads. When designing products, designers focus on trends both in their industry and the broader culture. If a trend is moving forward in an industry, ignoring that trend will have you playing catch up later. Fads, on the other hand, don’t always need to be acted upon, but you don’t want to seem irrelevant either. Knowing which fads are appropriate to react to can be a challenge but often a fun one. Remember the ALS ice bucket challenge from 2014? That’s a great example of a fad that’s easy to jump on and do some good. Fidget spinners, on the other hand, probably not so much.
Even with the usual slow progress of a trend, every now and then, something happens, stopping a trend in its tracks and forcing us all to pivot. In 2020, that something is the global COVID-19 pandemic. One event threw all of us into a wild experiment of remote working, remote learning, and social distancing. This event has triggered fads and will surely trigger bigger trends too. What will the long-term changes be from this experience? As a designer, how do you respond? It will be interesting to see.
What trends are important right now?
Up until now, a major trend in all the interviews in our Talking Trends series has been sustainability. Designers across industries are looking at the materials they use, their manufacturing processes, and the conditions of the people who make their products through the lens of sustainability. As this trend takes deeper root in the broader culture, it will be expressed differently in different industries.
We’re curious, what trends are you seeing in your industry? Which fads are you happy to see gone? Let us know in the comments or tag us on Instagram or Twitter!
FAQs
From fashion to music, trends and fads come and go. However, what separates a fad from a trend is staying power. Trends tend to gain widespread momentum, while fads appear in contained bursts appealing to a smaller group or entity.
Why is it important to know the difference between fad and trend? ›
Why is it important to differentiate between trends and fads? Both trends and fads are useful for brands but mistaking a fad for a trend could result in a loss of credibility and making poor investment decisions on the part of an organization.
What is an example of a trend and fad? ›
Fidget spinners, parachute pants, Gangnam Style. Those are fads. Social media, recreational marijuana, artificial intelligence. Those are trends.
What is an example of trend? ›
a general development or change in a situation or in the way that people are behaving: Surveys show a trend away from home-ownership and toward rented accommodation. There's been a downward/upward trend in sales in the last few years. Whatever the latest fashion trend, you can be sure Nicki will be wearing it.
What are the five examples of trends? ›
What are some examples of trends and fads? As of 2019, some recent trends include food as a hobby or foodie-ism, ethical living, responsible consumerism, authenticity on social media, blurring of gender roles, and wearable technology.
What is fad in simple words? ›
/fæd/ a style or activity that suddenly becomes popular but which usually does not stay popular for very long: He thought computers would be just a fad.
What is the three example of trend? ›
The three main types of trends are uptrends, downtrends and horizontal trends.
What is the definition of a trend? ›
A trend is what's hip or popular at a certain point in time. While a trend usually refers to a certain style in fashion or entertainment, there could be a trend toward warmer temperatures (if people are following trends associated with global warming).
What makes a trend? ›
A trend is an idea, activity, philosophy, or action that is constantly changing over time. For your brand to keep up with trends, it is important to evolve as your market evolves. Remember that whether you're talking about fashion, design, aesthetics, products, or anything else, people make trends.
What are some popular trends? ›
Below, 12 trends you're about to see everywhere in 2022 (all of which pair perfectly with a giant cookie).
...
Here Are the Top 12 Trends You'll See Everywhere in 2022
- Scrap Cooking. ...
- Glitter, Sequins And Sparkles. ...
- Twee Everything. ...
- Air-fryer Finger Foods. ...
- Barkitecture. ...
- Rich Chocolate Hair. ...
- Moon Parties.
If there is growing, multi-year data demonstrating that something affects the market, then you know it's a trend. But sometimes we need to know when and how far we should move and embrace change before there's multi-year data telling us that something is sticking around.
What are two examples of fad? ›
Lesson Summary
Examples of fad products include: Beanie Babies. Cabbage Patch dolls. Hacky sacks.
What are the four types of trends? ›
Entrepreneurs should observe at least four types of trends—economic, social, technological and regulatory—to identify business opportunities and grow their startups. By paying close attention to economic trends, they can identify areas that are ripe for new ideas.
What are the two types of trends? ›
The three basic types of trends are up, down, and sideways. An uptrend is marked by an overall increase in price. Nothing moves straight up for long, so there will always be oscillations, but the overall direction needs to be higher. A downtrend occurs when the price of an asset moves lower over a period of time.
How do you know if something is a trend? ›
If there is growing, multi-year data demonstrating that something affects the market, then you know it's a trend. But sometimes we need to know when and how far we should move and embrace change before there's multi-year data telling us that something is sticking around.
How do you recognize trends? ›
You essentially identify and decipher a trend by connecting a series of highs or lows. This will give you an idea of whether it is an uptrend or sideways trend or a downtrend. Let us look at an uptrend first. If you can connect a series of chart low-points sloping upward, you have an uptrend.
What makes a fad become a trend? ›
While a fad is something of short-lived popularity (think pet rocks), a trend changes consistently over time, building upon the product's former styles, designs and fashions to keep it up-to-date, exciting and unique.
What are the 4 types of trends? ›
What are the Different Types of Trends?
- Uptrend.
- Downtrend.
- Sideways trend.
The three basic types of trends are up, down, and sideways. An uptrend is marked by an overall increase in price. Nothing moves straight up for long, so there will always be oscillations, but the overall direction needs to be higher. A downtrend occurs when the price of an asset moves lower over a period of time.
How do you explain trends? ›
A trend is what's hip or popular at a certain point in time. While a trend usually refers to a certain style in fashion or entertainment, there could be a trend toward warmer temperatures (if people are following trends associated with global warming).
: a practice or interest followed for a time with exaggerated zeal : craze. faddish.
