Trends are things that come, often out of nowhere, and then everyone is doing/wearing/saying/eating them. Usually, they go away again similarly. I think that all of us are aware of certain trends going on. What those trends may be vary depending on where you live and what industry you work in and what kinds of things interest you. I tend to notice what’s suddenly popular in web/graphic design, and… well, that list used to include new condo architecture, urban hipster fashion, and snack food shops. But, uh, those are a little coast city specific it turns out.

So I may not be seeing as many regional trends, but there are still the internet ones. In Etsy design (and increasingly general website design) we’re seeing lots of handwritten typefaces (especially thin white writing overlaying photographs), triangles/chevrons/pennants, scalloped or stitched edging, and muted colors with neon accents. And out in the real world I’ve been listening to a lot of radio pop music (as the flashing light that makes my car look like a mail vehicle uses the cigarette lighter and I therefore can’t plug in my 7 year old ipod whose battery is shot) and I’ve noticed how many of the songs have the same rhythm.

How about you? Do you notice trends in footwear, educational philosophy, graffiti, market vegetables? Do you know all the new slang words or what shape all the new cars are? What’s your niche?