Smashing Darling Blog

This article is music to my ears. I have been an indie designer doing one-of-a-kinds and small runs of production for 15 years. It is about time that the media start to praise the fact that good things come to those who wait.

By Craig Wilson, USA TODAY

Every year around this time, prognosticators love to tell us what’s going to happen next year.

Not to disappoint, a trend-spotting group at JWT, one of America’s largest ad agencies, already has compiled its list of the 10 new trends it sees popping up in 2008. The growing power of women. Blue (think sky and sea) being the new green when it comes to the environment. Tequila replacing wine as a cheaper, trendier alternative. Just to name a few.

I’ll confess I’m not much good at trend-spotting. Blasphemous, I know, in this hip and happening world, but by the time I recognize a trend, it’s pretty much over. I’m not sure what I’m doing in the meantime, but give me a break. These things happen quickly.

My theory is this: Why get all worked up about something that will be history before my next haircut?

So I was pleased to see the JWT trendmeisters list one trend for the new year that I think might actually be worth investigating. They call it “Rethinking Instant Gratification.”

According to the experts, ” ‘Custom-made and one-of-a-kind’ will rise above the mass-produced din of ‘now.’ Marketers are asking for commitment from consumers who’ve become accustomed to flitting from one product to another for quick fixes.”

                                                                                                                                                         Read the rest of the article here.